Jester's Challenge #209

1jester

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 ninth selection:

SYRACUSIAN

That's a nice little coin. If it's the tiny size I suspect it is, I used to have the same, same date. You'll notice that although the coin looks red and BU, there is wear on the beads of the crown. Mine had much more significant wear but was still red! I've traded it with something else, after I've seen a nice example from a Darksider, Wayne or Roy I think.

Neat little coin.

JamminJ

Dutch East Indies, 1945 half cent, KM 314.2. This year has far, far more mintage than any other of the type, I guess to juice the economy as the war ended.

Tough to beat a cool little red copper for just a it over a buck catalog value!

-JamminJ

1jester

Earlier, I posted an 1858 version of this same kind of coin.

This one is in perfect BU condition without any traces of wear, although it might not be strongly struck in some places.

newsman

<< <i>Dutch East Indies, 1945 half cent, KM 314.2. This year has far, far more mintage than any other of the type, I guess to juice the economy as the war ended. >>



For all you closet litesiders, I would note that it's also struck at the Philadelphia mint. The "P" mintmark is on the obverse under the 45 of the date.

newbiecollector

I don't think so......

newsman

<< <i>I don't think so...... >>



Indeed, it is true. The US mints struck coins for many formerly occupied countries in 1944 and 1945 as they were liberated.

wybrit

Those are cool coins. We came across a lot of these when my family lived in Singapore and my dad worked in Sumatra (Indonesia).

Bruce

Already identified, but a nice example of this coin.

1jester

Thanks for the comments and participation, folks! This coin I got from Lloyd as a gift.

mongoose

I like the design of the lion on the Neth based coinage! These are sweet inexpensive coppers.

1jester

Mongoose, that is one sweet coin!!!

mongoose

jester, I see these frequently in outstanding condition...I'll find you a nice one in similiar condition to throw in as an extra for our next deal. Now I'll also have to find something tempting to sell you.

1jester

OK! How about those Siberian Dengas you've got piled up everywhere??

mongoose

It's hard to part with those...they make such nice paperweights!

1jester

I can imagine....