"Seeing the World Through Coins"
Dentuck
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"Seeing the World Through Coins"
Have you ever gone on vacation to a foreign country and not found yourself pursuing your numismatic hobby?
I was sorting through some old papers the other night and I found my journal from a trip to Spain several years ago. As I read through the daily notes, I was amused by how often coins and medals kept coming up. Actually coins, medals, and food. How can you travel through Spain and not enjoy the excellent local cuisine?
February 28:
"Went to a tasca for tapas. It was early—'only' 6:00 p.m. or so (dinnertime is 10:00 or later)—so we had the tasca to ourselves. A back room, well lit, with a fireplace, bookcases with old leather-bound volumes, walls lined with gilt mirrors and artwork. Good tapas—heavy and satisfying, with patatas de los pobres ("poor man’s potatoes," steeped in garlic butter), pan con tomate y jamón (bread with tomato and ham), shaved salmon on toast, cured ham, fried cheese, and a potato omelet. Good sangria, too."
There was an interesting temporary exhibit at the art museum of Thyssen-Bornemisza. The focus was on Kandinsky and his contemporaries, and the influence of music on their work. Of course a visit to the Reina Sofia was also on the itinerary, to view Guernica and other Picasso treasures. And anyone in Madrid on a Sunday has to visit the open-air market of El Rastro.
March 2:
"We went to the market, El Rastro, to hunt for bargains. Around 9:00 a.m. sellers were still setting up their stalls. Lots of books, furniture, hardware, kitsch, geegaws, antiques, coins, etc. I bought some comics by Francisco Ibañez (2.25 euros each); a dozen old Spanish silver coins (19th and 18th centuries); an engraved political or love token of Alfonso XII (needs more research!) for 5 euros; and four papal-visit medals (Guadalupe monastery, 1982)."
The Alfonso XII token and the papal medals have since been written up in the Metropolitan Coin Club of Atlanta journal. As for the "old silver coins": were they authentic? At bargain prices in Madrid’s famous/infamous Rastro market. . . I think we can safely assume they’re "medallic tributes."
Continue reading in the September Whitman Review >>>
Have you ever gone on vacation to a foreign country and not found yourself pursuing your numismatic hobby?
I was sorting through some old papers the other night and I found my journal from a trip to Spain several years ago. As I read through the daily notes, I was amused by how often coins and medals kept coming up. Actually coins, medals, and food. How can you travel through Spain and not enjoy the excellent local cuisine?
February 28:
"Went to a tasca for tapas. It was early—'only' 6:00 p.m. or so (dinnertime is 10:00 or later)—so we had the tasca to ourselves. A back room, well lit, with a fireplace, bookcases with old leather-bound volumes, walls lined with gilt mirrors and artwork. Good tapas—heavy and satisfying, with patatas de los pobres ("poor man’s potatoes," steeped in garlic butter), pan con tomate y jamón (bread with tomato and ham), shaved salmon on toast, cured ham, fried cheese, and a potato omelet. Good sangria, too."
There was an interesting temporary exhibit at the art museum of Thyssen-Bornemisza. The focus was on Kandinsky and his contemporaries, and the influence of music on their work. Of course a visit to the Reina Sofia was also on the itinerary, to view Guernica and other Picasso treasures. And anyone in Madrid on a Sunday has to visit the open-air market of El Rastro.
March 2:
"We went to the market, El Rastro, to hunt for bargains. Around 9:00 a.m. sellers were still setting up their stalls. Lots of books, furniture, hardware, kitsch, geegaws, antiques, coins, etc. I bought some comics by Francisco Ibañez (2.25 euros each); a dozen old Spanish silver coins (19th and 18th centuries); an engraved political or love token of Alfonso XII (needs more research!) for 5 euros; and four papal-visit medals (Guadalupe monastery, 1982)."
The Alfonso XII token and the papal medals have since been written up in the Metropolitan Coin Club of Atlanta journal. As for the "old silver coins": were they authentic? At bargain prices in Madrid’s famous/infamous Rastro market. . . I think we can safely assume they’re "medallic tributes."
Continue reading in the September Whitman Review >>>
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is that you end up being governed by inferiors. – Plato
<< <i>Have you ever gone on vacation to a foreign country and not found yourself pursuing your numismatic hobby? >>
Actually, I find it hard to go anywhere and not pursue numismatics.
It really irritates the heck out of the wife; fortunately she is very understanding and tolerant.
"I has a bucket." - Minazo.
Minazo the LOLRUS, 1994-2005
My travel partners have grown to expect a few detours where ever we go....
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