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EVP's numismatic year in review: 2022

(cue music by Neil Sedaka)

January, I start the year off fine...

First up was NYINC where I won very handsome "Ormonde" Crown from the Triton auction. This type is very rare above GVF.

IRELAND, The Great Rebellion. Issues of the Lords Justices. 1642-1649. AR Crown (39mm, 29.58 g, 3h). “Ormonde Money” issue. Issued 1643-1644. Large C • R; crown above; all within linear and beaded border / Large V; small S above; all within linear and beaded border . D&F 288; SCBC 6544. Deeply toned. Good VF.

From the J. de Wilde Collection.

More from CNG:

ANGLO-SAXON, Anglo-Viking (Danish Northumbria). Cnut & Siefred (Sigeferth). Circa 900. AR Penny (19mm, 1.15 g, 3h). Class IIId. York mint. C N V T R E + · ·:· · arranged around inverted patriarchal cross with pellets in upper angles / + SI EF RED VS, short cross pattée with pellets in first and fourth quarters. L&S class IIId; SCBI 29 (Merseyside) 367 (same obv. die); BMC 1022; North 502; SCBC 996. Areas of weak strike. Otherwise lightly toned. EF. Very rare.

Ex John N. Cross Collection.

And this super rarity from Herb Kreindler:

IRELAND, Hiberno-Norse. Phase I (Sihtric Anlafsson). Circa 995/7-1020. AR Penny. Imitating Æthelred II Long Cross type. “Winchester” (Dublin) mint; “Byrhtner,” moneyer. Struck circa 1000-1010. + SIH•T•RIC CVNVIG DУ(FL), draped bust left; pellet behind neck / + BYR HИER MO PNI, voided long cross with pellet in center and triple crescent ends. SCBC 6105. Near EF, attractively golden patina on a slightly wavy flan. Extremely rare.

This type is important because it identifies the Sihtric's title in Old Germanic (CUNUNC) instead of the usual Latin (REX). Getting this really made my day.

And from SB auction, this interesting variety of an otherwise nice type coin:

DENMARK. Hardeknud (Knud III). 1035-1042. AR Penny. Lund (Denmark) mint; Toci, moneyer. Struck circa 1040-1042. +NARDECN, bust left, hand raised before / +TOOCI: ON LVDI, voided long cross; pellet in center, arms end in three crescents; crescents in two quarters. Becker dies H35/D226; Hauberg cf. 22/28; SCBC 1170. EF, but slightly double struck on the obverse. Lustrous.

From the Paul C. Runze Collection. Ex Lockett. (This is not from the Napier collection, despite what the ticket says.)

And my final purchase at NYINC (and from CNG):

SWEDEN. Olof Skötkonung (the Treasurer). 995–1022. AR Penny (20mm, 1.62 g, 3h). Imitation of Æthelred II Helmet type. Sigtuna mint. Struck after 1003. + EDELERD REX A(NG), helmeted bust left / + ED : PI(NE)’ MΩ Θ LV(ND), voided long cross, with pellet in center and triple crescent ends, over square with trefoil at each point; annulet in third quarter. SMH 519 (same dies); Malmer chain 5-L, dies 4.301/4.811; Malmer, Sigtuna chain 24, 311.801; Viking Collection (Spink 150, 14 March 2001), lot 1165 (same dies, cover coin). Richly toned, small peck on obverse. Near EF. Very rare. An excellent example. The work of a highly skilled engraver who Malmer dubbed ‘the Helmet-master’.

Ex Lawrence R. Stack (Sotheby’s, 22 April 1999), lot 808; P. Carlyon-Britton (Sotheby, Wilkinson, Hodge, 17 November 1913), lot 522 (part of, illustrated pl. XIV).

Also known as Olof Eiríksson, Olof Skötkonung (the Treasurer) was the first Christian King of Sweden. The epithet Skötkonung refers to Olof’s role as a treasure king: taxes, a tributary relationship, the minting of coins, or an ancient land ownership ceremony have all been suggested as possible explanations. In 1008, Olof Skötkonung was baptised a Christian by St. Sigfrid at Husaby. Olof’s death in the winter of 1021/2 was, according to legend, the result of his refusal to sacrifice to the pagan gods. He was later canonized as St. Olof of Sweden.

In my opinion, I really did start the year off right ... focusing on my Anglo-Saxon and Viking-era collection by acquiring two major pieces and one handsome type coin. I also have a lesser collection of late hammer and early milled British material, so the "Ormonde" Crown wasn't a out-of-bounds impulse buy.

After NYINC I had a bit of dry spell because I missed Baltimore due to COVID exposure (I was fine, but did the civic thing by staying home). Late March was my next round of numismatic acquisitions, from Asta Aurora 25:

ITALY, Milan (Duchy). Filippo II di Spagna. 1554-1598. AR Scudo d’argento. Dated 1592. Armored bust right, wearing ruff / Coat-of-arms within ornate frame; eagles and serpents in arms uncrowned. MIR 308/20; Crippa 14C; Davenport 8313.

and...

ITALY, Toscana (Granducato). Cosimo II de Medici. Grand Duke, 1608-1620. AR Tallero (42mm, 28.50g, 6h). Pisa mint. Dated 1615. • COSMV • II • MAGN • DVX • ETRV • IIII •, radiate and armored half-length bust right, wearing Cross of Malta, holding lis-tipped scepter over right shoulder, left hand on hilt; • 1615 • below / PISA • INVETVSTATÆ • MAIESTATIS • MEMORIAM, crowned coat-of-arms of Medici set on ornate frame. CNI XI -; MIR 448/7; Davenport 4195; KM 16.3. EF. R4!!!

These two Italian States pieces fit nicely into my substantial pre-unification Italian States collection.

Resuming my Viking-era theme, I acquire this from MiSAB 40:

DENMARK. Svend Estridsen.

1047-1075. Penning (1.04g). Mint, Roskilde. Arches forming a cross. IIII IIII -III II+ / Two rows of I separated by lines; above and under a cross. Hauberg 36. Exquisite patina. EF.

Side note: it looks like I forgot to take my own image of this coin!

And later in May in CNG120, I got my first Anglo-Saxon (not Anglo-Viking) coin of the year:

ANGLO-SAXON, Secondary Sceattas. Circa 710/5-725/35. AR Sceatt (12mm, 1.14 g, 8h). Series U, type 23b. Mint in the lower Thames region. Female figure standing facing, head left, in crescent-shaped boat, holding two crosses / Bird standing right, picking berries from vine-scroll below. EMC 2015.0134 (this coin); SCBI 69 (Abramson), 790 (same dies); Abramson 45-20; MEC 8 Series Ua; North 83; SCBC 816. Well struck. Toned. Near EF. Very rare and much finer than the Abramson specimen.

Found near Louth, Lincolnshire, 28 April 2015.

Looks like I am missing my own image for this coin too!

Having missed the June Baltimore show, my next show was the Summer ANA in Rosemont (outside Chicago), IL. There I only got a three coins -- but all within a major collecting theme of mine!

From CNG, my first medieval British (not Anglo-Saxon) gold coin:

GREAT BRITAIN, House of Stuart. Charles I. 1625-1649. AV Unite (32mm, 8.97g, 8h). Group D. Tower (London) mint; im: tun. Struck 1636-1638. (tun) • CAROLVS D’• G’• MA’• BR’• Fr’• ET HI’• REX •, crowned and mantled bust 6 left; XX (mark of value) to right / • FLORENT • CONCORDIA • REGNA • (tun) •, crowned coat-of-arms; crowned C R flanking. Schneider, Tower Group D, Class IIa; Brooker 98; Schneider 156 (same dies in a later state); North 2156; SCBC 2692. Attractively toned with hints of luster. Good VF.

From Wolfshead Gallery:

DENMARK. temp. Svend I Tveskæg (Forkbeard). Circa 1000. AR Penny (19mm, 1.42g, 5h). Imitation of Æthelred II's Long Cross type. Lund (?) mint. + EÐELRED REX Λ(NG)LO / + OV ÐO(LF) Π-OL VND. Malmer Die Chain 105, dies 129/-. Near EF. Lustrous with light attractive toning; slightly wavy flan. Minor surface abrasions, one peck mark and a microscopic hole at 11 o’clock. Rare.

And a surprise final ANA purchase from James Beach:

SCOTLAND, House of Stuart. Charles I. 1625-1649. AR Thirty Shillings (35mm, 14.84g, 6h). Third coinage, Falconer’s second issue. Edinburgh mint; im: thistle. Struck 1639-1641. (im) CAROLVS : D : G : MAG : BRITAN : FRAN : ET : HIB : REX :, Charles riding left on horse, holding reins in left hand, sword in raised right hand, raised ground line below; small F below rear hoof / (im) QVÆ • DEVS : CONIVNXIT : NEMO : SEPARET, crowned and garnished coat-of-arms; lozenges above crown; typical flaw at NX. Murray Scottish 5; Burns 38; SCBI 35 (Ashmolean & Hunterian) 1493 (same dies); SCBC 5555. EF. Well struck, attractively toned and lustrous.

Ex Triton XIV (4-5 Jan 2011), lot 1672.

After the ANA was an online-only SB "Global Showcase" auction where I picked this up:

ITALY, Venezia. Marco Foscarini. 1762-1763. AR Mezzo Scudo da 70 soldi della croce (35mm, c. 14g, 2h). Zuane Dolfin, mint master. Undated, struck 1762. SANCTVS • MARCVS • VENET •; nimbate facing half-length Lion of San Marco, forepaw supporting open Gospel, within shield frame; value in exergue, flanked by rosettes / MARCUS • FOSCARENVS • DVX • VENETIAR •; ornate cross fleurée with central rosette; pellet at end of each bar; leaf in each quarter; Z • D in exergue. C-33; Montenegro 2836. Choice EF, semi-prooflike.

Ex HA #3021 (NYINC, 6-7 Jan. 2013), lot 22209. (Not specified in the SB auction is the consignor: Greg Margulies. This coin came from his personal collection.)

I finally made it to a Baltimore show this year, where I picked up a single coin in an otherwise very disappointing show for me. From Wolfshead Gallery:

ANGLO-SAXON, Anglo-Viking (Danish East Anglia). Imitations of Alfred the Great. Circa 885-915. AR Penny (19mm, 1.32g, 1h). Two-line (’Guthrum’) type. Sigemund, moneyer. EL FR ED REX, small cross pattée / SIMVN ME FEC in two lines; trefoil of pellets between. North 475/1; SCBC 966. Near EF, attractively toned. Minor peck marks on the obverse, and several on the reverse that give the appearance of runic lettering (one set of marks looks like ᚠ). Very rare with a Danelaw moneyer.

Ex Palos Verde collection, bt. Nov. 1996 (from JL); Ex G.C. Drabble collection (Part I, Glendining, 4 July 1939), lot 387 (part of).

This coin is special in that it has a Danelaw moneyer. It also says "ME FEC", which is short for "ME FECIT" which means "MADE ME" as in SIGEMUND MADE ME. An Anglo-Saxon issue would use MO (MONETA) instead of FEC (FECIT). That the moneyer signature is a Danelaw one instead of an Anglo-Saxon one suggests very strongly that this is an authoritative issue attributed to Guthrum.

On the heels of the Fall Baltimore show is the much anticipated (by me) Bruun-Rasmussen live auction in November. In BR910, I was surprisingly only able to win a single lot -- but it was a very nice lot to win for anyone who appreciates Viking era coinage!

DENMARK. Knud II den Store (the Great). 1016/18-1035. AR Penny (19mm, 1.30g, 9h). Imitation of Last small cross type of Æthelred II. Lund mint. + CNVD REX IN DΛNORM, diademed bust left / (blundered legend), small cross pattée. Hauberg 1; Malmer die chain 138, dies 636/-. Attractive patina; light scratches in left obverse field; reverse peck marks. EF. Extremely rare.

Ex Karsten Kold Collection - Part II (Bruun Rasmussen 910, 8 Nov. 2022), lot 1; ex Flemming Ploug; ex Michael Fornitz; ex Mynthuset 5 (Stockholm, 1984), lot 105; ex P. Hauberg Collection (Møntauktion, 4 November 1929), lot 31.

I have no clue who Flemming Plough is, and I do not care. What I do care is that my coin is from the famed Hauberg collection.

<3<3<3

At this point, I was expecting to close out my year and save money for NYINC 2023. But fate, and my numismatic addiction, would dictate otherwise!

In early December I got a message from a dealer (M & H Coins) in the UK asking me if I have any interest in his coin. This dealer I know, but had never bought a substantial coin from him before. But the coin was a type coin in one of my collecting areas and one that I really wanted. Moreover, the offered coin had a nice provenance, high grade and a not usurious asking price!

GREAT BRITAIN, House of Tudor. Elizabeth I. 1558-1603. AR Crown (41.5mm, 29.77 g, 4h). Seventh issue. Tower (London) mint; im: 1. Struck 1601-1602. + ELIZABETH : D’ · G’ · ANG’ · FRA’ · ET : HIBER’ · REGINA : 1 :, crowned and draped bust left, holding scepter and orb / POSVI : DEVM : AD IVTORE M : MEVM : : 1 :, coat-of-arms over long cross fourchée. North 2012; SCBC 2582, Davenport 3757. EF. Rich iridescent toning over flashy surfaces.

Ex F. Willis Collection, Part 1, Glendining, 5 June 1991, lot 69; ex H M Lingford Collection, Glendining, 24-25 October 1950, lot 40.

My picture of this coin is terrible because it makes the coin look flat and like a VF (British grading) piece. In reality, it is exactly as I described above. I was shown a video clip of the coin and from that I knew it was premium quality.

And now I am done for the year... until I get a second message from Alan Worby (M & H Coins) about another coin that I could not pass up:

SCOTLAND, House of Stuart. James VI. 1567-1625. AR Thirty shillings (38mm, 22.81g, 6h). Fourth coinage. Edinburgh mint. Dated 1583. IACOBVS • 6 • DEI • GRATIA • REX • SCOTORVM •, crowned and armored bust left, holding sword / HONOR • REGIS • IVDICIVM • DILIGIT • 1583 •, crowned royal coat-of-arms; I R and (XXX in triangle) S (mark of value) across field. SCBI 35, 1239; SCBI 58, 1464-6; Burns 3 and fig. 933; SCBC 5487. Good VF. Strong details, dark tone and some reverse staining. Minor double striking.

Ex A. Chesser (DNW 113, 17 September 2013), lot 336.

I haven't received the coin yet, so I am using the seller's image. (I am at risk of not receiving the coin before I leave for NYINC!!!)

I am pleased with my haul for the year, but I think I am not pleased overall with 2022 from a hobby perspective. I've said this before, but I think the best thing about this hobby is the people with whom we share this hobby. Only at the NYINC was I able to really share the experience with fellow hobbyists. At the Summer ANA, I hung out with dealers (that is nice too, since they are nice people too!) and my friends who collect US coins and have no clue about what I collect.

NYINC 2023 is less than two weeks away and I know I will engage in person with some of you fine folk. But for the rest of 2023, I hope also to share the live experience with some of you.

How does one get a hater to stop hating?

I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com

Comments

  • Bob13Bob13 Posts: 1,417 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That was fun to go through. What a great numismatic stroll through the year.

    Not that you asked, but that Svend Estridsen penny is my favorite - just looks funky (in a good way)!

    My current "Box of 20"

  • ExbritExbrit Posts: 1,237 ✭✭✭✭

    Wow - nice recap. Now that there will be (possibly) an alternative to NYINC, which I always miss, in Nashville. Will you attend it as well?

  • BailathaclBailathacl Posts: 1,011 ✭✭✭

    A banner year by just about any measure. Thank you for taking the time to present your additions.

    "The Internet? Is that thing still around??" - Homer Simpson
  • EVillageProwlerEVillageProwler Posts: 5,859 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Exbrit said:
    Wow - nice recap. Now that there will be (possibly) an alternative to NYINC, which I always miss, in Nashville. Will you attend it as well?

    Tell me more please. But TN is far from where I live (NE USA).

    How does one get a hater to stop hating?

    I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com

  • EVillageProwlerEVillageProwler Posts: 5,859 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Bob13 said:
    That was fun to go through. What a great numismatic stroll through the year.

    Not that you asked, but that Svend Estridsen penny is my favorite - just looks funky (in a good way)!

    That Svend is less nice in hand, but still very nice. That seller image is a bit over contrasted... Thanks for the nice words.

    @Bailathacl said:
    A banner year by just about any measure. Thank you for taking the time to present your additions.

    Thanks for the nice words. It's nice not to get crickets when one spends hours on a post!

    How does one get a hater to stop hating?

    I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com

  • ZoharZohar Posts: 6,629 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @EVillageProwler said:

    @Bob13 said:
    That was fun to go through. What a great numismatic stroll through the year.

    Not that you asked, but that Svend Estridsen penny is my favorite - just looks funky (in a good way)!

    That Svend is less nice in hand, but still very nice. That seller image is a bit over contrasted... Thanks for the nice words.

    @Bailathacl said:
    A banner year by just about any measure. Thank you for taking the time to present your additions.

    Thanks for the nice words. It's nice not to get crickets when one spends hours on a post!

    Congrats EVP - quite a lineup- the Danish piece is amazing!

  • ExbritExbrit Posts: 1,237 ✭✭✭✭

    @EVillageProwler said:

    @Exbrit said:
    Wow - nice recap. Now that there will be (possibly) an alternative to NYINC, which I always miss, in Nashville. Will you attend it as well?

    Tell me more please. But TN is far from where I live (NE USA).

    1st Annual International Money Exposition. The convention and show will be held October 26th through 29th, 2023 at the Music City Center, Downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The event will be known as “IMEX”

  • Thank you, EVP; I learned a lot from the excellent report on your numismatic year in 2022. Hope to try something similar, once I learn how to create pictures like yours. Your Ireland penny seems a real prize, I did not even know this variety existed. Already looking forward to "EVP's numismatic year in review" twelve months from now...

    Here's to an equally fine 2023

    Pursuing Charles & Joanna, especially Early Series

  • EVillageProwlerEVillageProwler Posts: 5,859 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Exbrit said:

    @EVillageProwler said:

    @Exbrit said:
    Wow - nice recap. Now that there will be (possibly) an alternative to NYINC, which I always miss, in Nashville. Will you attend it as well?

    Tell me more please. But TN is far from where I live (NE USA).

    1st Annual International Money Exposition. The convention and show will be held October 26th through 29th, 2023 at the Music City Center, Downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The event will be known as “IMEX”

    https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/international-money-exposition-scheduled-for-nashville-in-october

    How does one get a hater to stop hating?

    I can be reached at evillageprowler@gmail.com

  • ExbritExbrit Posts: 1,237 ✭✭✭✭

    Looking forward to the show and also your 2023 picks. Happy Mew Year!

    @EVillageProwler said:

    @Exbrit said:

    @EVillageProwler said:

    @Exbrit said:
    Wow - nice recap. Now that there will be (possibly) an alternative to NYINC, which I always miss, in Nashville. Will you attend it as well?

    Tell me more please. But TN is far from where I live (NE USA).

    1st Annual International Money Exposition. The convention and show will be held October 26th through 29th, 2023 at the Music City Center, Downtown Nashville, Tennessee. The event will be known as “IMEX”

    https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/international-money-exposition-scheduled-for-nashville-in-october

  • coinkatcoinkat Posts: 22,721 ✭✭✭✭✭

    congrats on a great year...

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

  • StorkStork Posts: 5,205 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Those are some fantastic coins, it does look like a pretty nice year IMO.

    I'm looking forward to seeing some IN PERSON people and coins at NYINC. in a couple weeks, wow, less than actually. Maybe I better start seeing which clothes fit. It's been awhile :smiley:


  • BSmithBSmith Posts: 138 ✭✭✭

    Congrats on an amazing year. I'm just curious which one is your favorite?

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