Jester's Challenge #206

1jester · February 7, 2004 4:26AM

Welcome to Jester's Challenge, an interactive history lesson.

Inspired by many others here on the Darkside forum, I'd like to present what I hope will turn into a great learning experience for all of us. Many members on this World and Ancient Coin Forum have done a formidable job of sharing with us many fascinating and historically important coins. Since looking at coins is also one of my greatest pleasures, I'd like to try to follow in that time-honored tradition and submit for your pleasure and entertainment some world coins I've come across in my short lifetime.

I will pick out a coin on a regular basis, and post it along with the challenge to you to name the coin, its provenance, denomination, metallic content, mintage, any distinguishing characteristics or noteworthy features, and its value. The more information, the better. I'd like as many people as possible to participate, regardless of how little knowledge you might have on the subject. I appreciate comments on every aspect of the coin, including its history, or its role in human history, or info on similar coins in its series, etc. I myself don't presume to know 1/1000 of what you collectively know, hence my challenge to all of you to share your knowledge with the rest of us. Hopefully this exercise will encourage thought, discussion, and most importantly, more friendship.

Thanks for your participation!!!

Here is the two hundred sixth selection:

spoon · February 7, 2004 6:02AM

Just a WAG.. Jagiello denars?

1jester · February 7, 2004 6:19AM

That's a DAMN good guess, Spoon!

In fact, they are minted by different kings. Before I tell you more specifics, I'd like to give others a chance to guess.

One thing about these denars is that they look so terrible! Every one I've ever seen is clipped to heck, but I think that was done at the mint, for I've never ever seen an unclipped one from these kings. Another thing to notice is the lower fineness silver.

On the other hand, these are relatively nice examples of these coins. There's a trace of original mint luster on both, and a decent amount on the second one. Additionally, there's no real wear to speak of; they're poorly struck and slightly corroded I guess. But not worn.

1jester · February 7, 2004 6:21AM

Do you think Cosmic would want these for his burgeoning Eagle coin collection??

spoon · February 7, 2004 6:32AM

I was pretty sure but not exactly since they are so crude.. this guy always has at least one lot of them in every round of listings: ebay

Those two really are nice examples though! Unfortunately I don't know any further details on them so I'll be interested in any more info you have

Is there any way to narrow down the mintage period? They all look the same to me!

JamminJ · February 7, 2004 3:37PM

I'd like to hear more about these guys but unfortunately have little to add except an addition to the audience.

-JamminJ

1jester · February 7, 2004 8:57PM

OK, I'll divulge the answers. Both denars were minted in Poland; in fact, in Krakow. The first was issued by a very young king who reigned for 10 years, until he was killed in battle at the tender age of 20: Wladislaw Warnenczyk (1434-1444). This denar is listed in the Kopicki catalog as Kop. 377. The next denar was minted by the next ruler (his brother), Kazimierz Jagiellonczyk, who held forth from 1446-1492. The denar is listed as Kop. 378.

Thanks for taking part!

newbiecollector · February 7, 2004 9:00PM

Geeezzzzzzz Talk about amasing history!!!!

Well, it impressed me a bunch........

1jester · February 7, 2004 9:12PM

Sorry there's no ship on these coins for you, Wayne! But I'm still waiting to hear if Cosmic approves of them for his eagle collection!!!

Bruce · February 7, 2004 9:25PM

WAY WAY before my collecting time frame! Quite a piece of history however.

Philip · February 8, 2004 5:53PM

<< <i>OK, I'll divulge the answers. Both denars were minted in Poland; in fact, in Krakow. The first was issued by a very young king who reigned for 10 years, until he was killed in battle at the tender age of 20: Wladislaw Warnenczyk (1434-1444). This denar is listed in the Kopicki catalog as Kop. 377. The next denar was minted by the next ruler (his brother), Kazimierz Jagiellonczyk, who held forth from 1446-1492. The denar is listed as Kop. 378.

Thanks for taking part!

>>

Just a small detail to add. "Warnenczyk" comes from the name of Varna, which is the largest seaport in Bulgaria. Wladislaw was killed in the vicinity of the city in a battle which attempted to stop the Ottoman invasion in Europe. as far as I know the attempt was rash and poorly planned.

theboz11 · February 8, 2004 6:37PM

Opened the thread and immediatly was struck by what I thought was the picture of a 2 holer seen from the Pit side.

1jester · February 8, 2004 11:14PM

Philip, thanks for the very insightful and informative post!!

And thanks for the other comments, folks!

Jester's Challenge #206

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