First post-pandemic purchase (Metz gros)

lordmarcovan

This one had been in one of my retail watchlists for a year or so. With a little stimulus money to splurge, I said "why not?" and finally pulled the trigger.

Quite a nice big medieval for under $100, not including shipping from Europe.

It features St. Stephen and the manus dei ("hand of God") motif. See that spidery-looking thing above Saint Steve's head? That's the Almighty, reaching down from Heaven to give him some pointers ... or maybe finger-flick his forehead.

Duck, Steve! Beware the Divine Thumping! (See "smote", "smiting".)

Anyway, it just charms me, for some reason. Ever notice how everyone in medieval art had those reeeallly long fingers?

But I digress.

France (Metz): silver gros, civic issue, ca. 14th-16th century.

lordmarcovan

Six or seven years ago I had this higher grade example; I'm pretty sure I got it from @civitas.

The new purchase above is not quite as high grade and/or well struck, perhaps, but I love the grey toning on it, and it was less expensive than the one below.

These are really cool coins.

Bob13

This is a great design! Although I never quite realized how creepy the hand looked... until now. Probably never be able to let that go.

For a second I almost thought I ended up with your old version.

lordmarcovan

Wow! Yours sure is a dead-ringer for the first one I had! (second one posted)

I never got around to submitting it. What did NGC grade yours?

SaorAlba

On the first two coins the hand of the Almighty does appear to be a tarantula ambling it's way down to smite the saint.

spoon

Always loved that design! I hear you like fingers?

messydesk

@lordmarcovan said:

...
It features St. Stephen and the manus dei ("hand of God") motif. See that spidery-looking thing above Saint Steve's head? That's the Almighty, reaching down from Heaven to give him some pointers ... or maybe finger-flick his forehead.

Or maybe pointing to the salmon mousse!

Cool piece!

happycollecting

Nice coins. Thanks for showing.

WillieBoyd2

Nice coin!

Sometimes these little coins are more interesting than the bigger ones.

About the fingers, St. Stephen's middle finger also seems extraordinarily long, too.

Bob13

@lordmarcovan said:
Wow! Yours sure is a dead-ringer for the first one I had! (second one posted)

I never got around to submitting it. What did NGC grade yours?

AU58

lordmarcovan

@Bob13 said:

@lordmarcovan said:
Wow! Yours sure is a dead-ringer for the first one I had! (second one posted)

I never got around to submitting it. What did NGC grade yours?

AU58

Wow. I should have kept and submitted the old one I had.

But I like the black-and-white CircCam attributes of the one I just got. It will more likely go XF.

lordmarcovan

@messydesk - I always love a good Python reference! LOL

RIP, Terry Jones. I just enjoyed watching this:

https://www.amazon.com/Terry-Jones-Great-Map-Mystery/dp/B0754VBGXG

BSmith

@lordmarcovan said:
Six or seven years ago I had this higher grade example; I'm pretty sure I got it from @civitas.

The new purchase above is not quite as high grade and/or well struck, perhaps, but I love the grey toning on it, and it was less expensive than the one below.

These are really cool coins.

I sold you this one, I think Civitas bought it from you when you sold it.

lordmarcovan

@BSmith said:

@lordmarcovan said:
Six or seven years ago I had this higher grade example; I'm pretty sure I got it from @civitas.

The new purchase above is not quite as high grade and/or well struck, perhaps, but I love the grey toning on it, and it was less expensive than the one below.

These are really cool coins.

I sold you this one, I think Civitas bought it from you when you sold it.

Oh, hi, Brett! I didn't recognize you under the "BSmith" moniker at first. Got tired of the ol' "BS", did you?

Thanks for brushing up my rather dusty memory.