100 Greatest Coins of the World

MrEureka · July 18, 2004 11:32AM

There's already a book on the 100 Greatest US Coins. If there was a book on the 100 Greatest World Coins, what would be in it? Please make suggestions and make your case for the coins.

wybrit · July 18, 2004 11:36AM

Gothic Crown, 1847 and 1853 - no explanation required. Cacheman can provide the photo.
Una and the Lion £5 gold from 1839 - most beautiful coin ever made.

MrEureka · July 18, 2004 11:40AM

Una and the Lion £5 gold from 1839 - most beautiful coin ever made.

More beautiful than the Three Graces Crown?

wybrit · July 18, 2004 11:47AM

How many threads have there been on this forum singing the praises of the Three Graces Crown? I found one - and the piece is not a bad one. Still the Una has much more recognition both inside and outside the UK. On the other hand, there have been many discussions here about Una.

Coincraft lists the Graces crown as a pattern, thus not a coin.

trozau · July 18, 2004 11:59AM

My nominations (a classic and a modern that are affordable):

Makarovii · July 18, 2004 12:07PM

The St. Gaudens $20 gold piece.

newsman · July 18, 2004 12:07PM

I would suggest a couple of coins that deserve to make the list because they circulated widely and were broadly influential on monetary systems in many countries:

Spanish colonial 8 real, pillar type
Maria Theresa thaler

MadMarty · July 18, 2004 12:07PM

Just because!

wybrit · July 18, 2004 12:09PM

With Marty's nomination, can the Churchill crown be far behind?

MrEureka · July 18, 2004 12:20PM

Marty - With all due respect to your nomination, that guy's knees and - well, you know - seem to be disconnected from the rest of his body. What's that about?

Makarovii · July 18, 2004 12:23PM

<< <i>Marty - With all due respect to your nomination, that guy's knees and - well, you know - seem to be disconnected from the rest of his body. What's that about? >>

And could also explain why he appears to be sweating so?

Makarovii · July 18, 2004 12:26PM

Back to the topic...

The Jean Dupuis 1897 - 1921 10 Centimes.

MrEureka · July 18, 2004 12:30PM

I'll go for some low hanging fruit. (Not the type that Marty has been flaunting.)

farthing · July 18, 2004 12:36PM

While I have only glanced at the US book I believe most of the coins chosen were extreme rarities. In addition, many were minted in either Gold or Silver.

With that in mind I would submit my choice as the two unique Canadian gold coins minted by the RCM in 2003 and sold via eBay.
Two coins, both unique, minted in gold! A slam dunk.

Now if I could only remember who the buyer of those 2 coins were....

GDJMSP · July 18, 2004 12:44PM

My nomination - the Netherlands ducat. Same basic design, size, weight and gold fineness being used since 1586 and they are still being struck today. The longevity of the Netherlands ducat is only surpassed by the orignator of the ducat denomination - the Venetian ducat. But since it is still being struck - it may only be a matter of time until that is no longer so.

The ducat in general is arguably the most important coin the world has ever known. It has been struck continuously since 1284 and by more nations and rulers than any other coin in the history of coins. The ducat was one of the primary reasons for the advent of world trade - a currency that could be trusted by all. Gold ducats, no matter who minted them, were the same size, weight & fineness.

shirohniichan · July 18, 2004 12:51PM

I've always liked the Athenian tetradrachmas from the 4th to 5th century BC. They're beautiful coins, but I don't know their historical significance to argue their case.

newsman · July 18, 2004 12:53PM

<< <i>My nomination - the Netherlands ducat. Same basic design, size, weight and gold fineness being used since 1586 and they are still being struck today. The longevity of the Netherlands ducat is only surpassed by the orignator of the ducat denomination - the Venetian ducat. But since it is still being struck - it may only be a matter of time until that is no longer so.

The ducat in general is arguably the most important coin the world has ever known. It has been struck continuously since 1284 and by more nations and rulers than any other coin in the history of coins. The ducat was one of the primary reasons for the advent of world trade - a currency that could be trusted by all. Gold ducats, no matter who minted them, were the same size, weight & fineness. >>

In the longevity category, I would also suggest the Swiss franc -- same design since 1875 and representative of the Latin Monetary Unit coins.

SethChandler · July 18, 2004 1:54PM

Those New Guinea coins...the silver set with the willow(like) tree flowing over some bird.

Isn't obvious I'm a lightsider?

SethChandler · July 18, 2004 1:56PM

That Canadian 1916-C gold coin (sov?). Canada has produced alot of gold coins over a long period of time and this is the key date. Its the Canadian 1927-D Saint $20....

SYRACUSIAN · July 18, 2004 2:43PM

cosmicdebris · July 18, 2004 6:14PM

canadiancoinguy · July 18, 2004 6:35PM

Here's my picks:

Austria Maria Thersia thaler- A long recognized trade piece in the Mid-East and N. Africa
Canada 1967 $1- simple, but elegant
China 1736-96 (Chi'en Lung) cash coin- probably the world's most common non-machine-struck coin
Great Britain 1797 twopence- just huge, and cool looking

farthing · July 18, 2004 10:15PM

Keeping with my Canadian coin theme...

The 1862 $10 and $20 British Columbia gold coins.

Also the 1936 Dot Cent.

newsman · July 18, 2004 10:35PM

<< <i>

>>

Avarel · July 19, 2004 2:28AM

The 1945 British silver 3 pence. All 400,000 were melted after minting, though there are reportedly a few that did escape the furnace. In my eyes, on par with the US copper 1943 cent rarity.

Av

MrEureka · July 19, 2004 3:02AM

One of the great rarities of the British series is the 1933 penny. None were issued for general circulation, but seven were made: three proofs to place in foundation stones laid by the King and four currency issues. At least one of the proofs has been stolen (from the Church of St.Cross, Middleton, in 1970), but the other six are all accounted for. Just three (including one proof) are in private hands.

Text and image stolen from a really useful source.

MrEureka · July 19, 2004 3:17AM

The so-called Greenland Dollar is another great candidate.

Sylvestius · July 19, 2004 5:11AM

Sorry but no coin book of great coins can be complete without a hammered gold Queen Mary I Fine sovereign.

This picture is of a VF/GVF example and is from Colin Cooke's website.

MrEureka · July 19, 2004 7:24AM

The first "dollar" of the New World, currently believed to be unique.

More info here.

MrEureka · July 19, 2004 7:55AM

Until recently, this was the only available portrait crown (a "ryal") of Mary, Queen of Scots. She shares the obverse with her husband Henry Darnley. The coin is now, quite unfortunately, impounded.

MrEureka · July 19, 2004 8:49AM

This Napoleon "100 days" 20 franc gold piece is not especially rare or valuable, but it's certainly historical. I'd include it in my list.

farthing · July 19, 2004 9:06AM

Andy - I know one of the Scottish Ryals was sold recently, I thought by Spink & Sons. I can't find any reference to the sale though.

Found a reference - sold for £97,750 in the Spink and Sons Nov. 2002 sale.
The Spink site seems to only allow searches covering any given 30 day period. I stopped doing a month at a time with Jan. 2003.

coinkat · July 19, 2004 9:28AM

Andy:

Wouldn't one of the silver 5FR from the 100 days be a better candidate? Just a comment from the cheap seats

... And there is a difference between beauty and historical...

Some of the coinage of the German States and even Italian States should not be overlooked.

STEWARTBLAYNUMIS · July 19, 2004 12:39PM

Hi Andy,

Without a doubt...The 1936 Dot Cent

1921 Canadian Half Dollar

and a 1944 George VI cent in full red Gem Uncirculated !!!!

Stewart

MrEureka · July 19, 2004 2:08PM

Found a reference - sold for £97,750 in the Spink and Sons Nov. 2002 sale.

That's the coin shown above.

MrEureka · July 19, 2004 2:12PM

Without a doubt...The 1936 Dot Cent

On general principle, I would not add a coin to the list just because it has a tiny dot on the reverse.

1921 Canadian Half Dollar

Certainly one of the top five Canadian coins. I doubt it makes the top 100 of the world. It's a big world.

and a 1944 George VI cent in full red Gem Uncirculated !!!!

Stewart - I don't know that coin. Please enlighten me!

MrEureka · July 19, 2004 2:21PM

Some of the coinage of the German States and even Italian States should not be overlooked.

Such as?

MrEureka · July 19, 2004 2:32PM

The Constantine Ruble.

More info here.

MrEureka · July 19, 2004 4:34PM

Australia's Holey Dollar.

MrEureka · July 20, 2004 7:12AM

Una and the Lion make the list!

MrEureka · July 20, 2004 9:14AM

Another no-brainer for the Top 100.

More info here.

MrEureka · July 20, 2004 9:21AM

Bermuda's Hogge Shilling.

More info here.

farthing · July 20, 2004 9:35AM

1663 Charles II Petition Crown

MrEureka · July 20, 2004 12:14PM

GDJMSP · July 20, 2004 12:51PM

So tell us Andy - when are you going to publish this book ? I know of several more that should make the list

MrEureka · July 20, 2004 5:36PM

when are you going to publish this book ?

Not a bad idea...

ColinCMR · July 20, 2004 6:06PM

It'd be a great and interesting book

lordmarcovan · July 22, 2004 10:33AM

The New Zealand Waitangi crown comes to mind.

Aethelred · July 22, 2004 10:44AM

I'd put the 1820 £5 at the top of the list followed by the Henry III gold Penny.

MrEureka · July 22, 2004 12:29PM

I'd put the 1820 £5 at the top of the list followed by the Henry III gold Penny.

1820 £5 Show us, please.

The Henry III gold penny is a great coin. I wonder if it makes the top 100 of coins of the world. It certainly make the top 10 English coins.

Aethelred · July 22, 2004 12:44PM

<< <i>

1820 £5 Show us, please. >>

Wish I had one to photograph!

100 Greatest Coins of the World

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