Vatican Gold coins/Papal states anyone?

mrearlygold

Does anyone here collect or have knowledge of Vatican Gold/Papal states gold coins? Do you know of any specific reference books regarding these?

Thanks!

Tom

Aethelred

I would guess that the Berman book on Papal coins would cover Vatican gold.

Aethelred

I just bought this one, but perhaps there is another.

mrearlygold

You stinker you. I just searched for another one and zero came up.

Please let me know if it covers the gold. I just placed some bids in at the Stacks auction and have no idea how high or low I'll end up. Pretty cool stuff though.

Tom

Aethelred

I will let you know. You can also get them from Allen Berman's website "bermania.com"

mrearlygold

I sent him a fax and hopefully my dealer discount will get me one near the price you paid on ebay


Tom

Aethelred

He is a pretty nice guy, I'm sure he will give you a break on it.

mrearlygold

I'm looking forward to a conversation with him. Any ideas how many different Popes are on gold Vatican coins? I noticed some Pope John Paul II's on ebay at really high numbers which disn't surprise me, but I thought they were out of whack with reality.

Tom

Aethelred

<< <i>I'm looking forward to a conversation with him. Any ideas how many different Popes are on gold Vatican coins? I noticed some Pope John Paul II's on ebay at really high numbers which disn't surprise me, but I thought they were out of whack with reality.

Tom >>



To be honest I don't know. I have looked at the Papal States in Krause and based on that I would say quite a few.

mrearlygold

<< <i>

<< <i>I'm looking forward to a conversation with him. Any ideas how many different Popes are on gold Vatican coins? I noticed some Pope John Paul II's on ebay at really high numbers which disn't surprise me, but I thought they were out of whack with reality.

Tom >>



To be honest I don't know. I have looked at the Papal States in Krause and based on that I would say quite a few. >>






I'd like to see if there's any viability in putting any sort of "sets" together.

Tom

mrearlygold

Anyone see this one?

New Pope Medal


seems like they're coming out of the woodwork


Tom

STLNATS

Most of the stuff on ebay are privatedly issued souvenier issues. There's always been a fair amount of this type of material and I guess there's nothing wrong with buying them so long as you know what you're buying.

The two "sets" that I'm working on are:

Official annual silver medals for each year of the 20th century (1900-2001), I have 9 or 10 to go and several sedes which can be very hard to find in silver.

One medal for each pope from Martin V (1417) to date (59 until the next pope is named). Martin is where the series usually is considered to begin, due to the Mazio catalogue. Many of the earlier medals are 18th century restrikes, but that's what's typically available. The Just got my "59th" pope (still in the mail) and waiting for the next pope to be named to keep the set up to date and complete!

Have completed the L100 gold type set (1929-1959). 11 varieties and an interesting set which is not too hard to do if you have the funds.

A complete set of popes in gold coins would be quite a challenge. The first issues of gold were in the 14th century. A few of the late 15th - 17th century pieces can be had for $1-2k each, but many are very rare. 18th to 20th century is much more affordable and available.

laurentyvan

Does anyone else feel that Vatican coins are dramatically undervalued? I'm not talking about annual mint or proof sets but a lot of Vatican issues in the 1880's to 1930's/40's seem to be huge bargains due to their low mintages and great designs.

STLNATS

Vatican issues in the 1880's to 1930's/40's seem to be huge bargains due to their low mintages and great designs.

Of course, no issues of coins from 1871 - 1928. 1929-1942 are very attractive and generally relatively low mintages, and much of the gold seems reasonably priced and very worthwhile. On it other hand, it sure looks like just about all of them survived (visitors keeping them as souvenirs, &c) and, with the exception of the 1938 rarities and perhaps a few others, seem easy to get in nice circulated to decent unc grades. I'm not sure they're bargains, but I can't imagine you'd get hurt buying nicer coins of the period.

Even the annual medals, which are my major interest, are available for this period altho a few are quite pricy. Some have extremely low mintages, but fortunately do not have the following as the coins. Information is much less available and there seems to be a bias against collecting medals (despite the fact that NCLT are practically not a lot different).

mrearlygold

I won these two at the Stacks auction the other night!


PIUS XII


and


PIUS XII 1950



I'm going to send them in to be put in plastic. What do you all reckon they'll come back as?

Tom