Information on coin/medal needed please.

Crush

Hi all, I have been searching for infomation on a coin/medal given to me by my late grandmother about 18yrs ago and am now trying to find out if its worth hanging onto.

I know a bit of the history in that it is commemorating the peace in Westphalia, ending the 30yrs war.

I have a scans of the item plus a letter from the Heberden coin room at the University of Oxford.
http://boards.collectors-society.com/attachments//463965-Letter.jpg

All help greatly appreciated.

Regards Steve..

oldshep

A big welcome to the forum crush - How about posting a picture of the coin/medal in question.
Shep

Crush

<< <i>A big welcome to the forum crush - How about posting a picture of the coin/medal in question.
Shep >>



I put a link as I could'nt find any info on what size restriction for attachments were.

Tha link again - http://boards.collectors-society.com/attachments//463965-Letter.jpg

Steve..

theboz11

Medal in question



Welcome to the forum, can't help in identity but upload size is max 50k

Stork

You can put in links though. It is nice to warn people if it is a large image however

Linkage


Askari, or some of the other knowledgable people here can possibly help you out with the medal. If nothing else, if it comes from your grandmother, the sentimental value would make me lean towards keeping it.


Cathy

0john0

Askari

Welcome, Crush!! Sorry for the tardy response, but I've had little spare time for the boards recently.

Your medal looks like it dates from that period and is in superb condition for a 17th century medal. The style of lettering on the obverse is unusual. I'm no expert on 18th century medals, but I have to say I've not seen its like before. Maybe Laurent would since he collects more medals from that period.

The cornucopia are a style common in German medals in the 18th century through the early 20th century.

That's about all I can really add.

cacheman

The lettering on the obverse contains a chronogram...take the larger letters (Roman Numerals) and they can be arranged into the date located on the reverse.

Askari

Neat! I supposed they had some meaning, but I hadn't noticed that.

Crush

Thanks for all the replies guys, I get the feeling that I should hold onto the medal now.
And Stork, you're right I should keep it as a reminder of my grandmother.
However I would be really excited if it turned out to be something unusual and/or special.
I think I'll take it back to the Heberden coin room and see if they can give me more information now,
it was quite a few years since my last visit there.

Steve..

cacheman

"Neat! I supposed they had some meaning, but I hadn't noticed that."

Yeah, it was considered a novelty to try and arrange the Numerals correctly before looking on the opposite side of the medal/coin....sort of like an early "Cracker Jack" prize of sorts...heh heh

Askari

Family memories always weigh more on the scale than any "market value" an item may have. I encourage you to talk to your family members who might know something about the history of the heirloom, collect it and write it down, and keep it together to pass along to your kids. It's always special to be able to "touch" a piece of the past behind your heritage. Unlike any other coin or medal you may ever own, for this one you know at least a little of the tales it could tell you, could it but only speak.