The Most Visually and Aesthetically Impressive Numismatic Item...

GoldenEyeNumismatics · February 12, 2008 1:15PM

is.....?

Not necessarily the most beautiful, but the most impressive.

I'd probably side with the Buena Vista Taylor Medal in gold---20 ounces of American glory! I just simply love the design. It's historical ties are monumental to boot.

tightbudget · February 12, 2008 1:17PM

The Ultra High Relief Saint...

mcmxi · February 12, 2008 1:30PM

I dont rember what it was called but it was posted here before. it had a beautiful cahedral on it that looked like you were in there.

dan8402 · February 12, 2008 1:36PM

<< I dont rember what it was called but it was posted here before. it had a beautiful cahedral on it that looked like you were in there. >>

Like this one pulled from the old thread?

GoldenEyeNumismatics · February 12, 2008 1:42PM

<< 

<< I dont rember what it was called but it was posted here before. it had a beautiful cahedral on it that looked like you were in there. >>

Like this one pulled from the old thread?

>>

Behold the power of linear perspective!

jmj3esq · February 12, 2008 1:47PM

I say it every time someone posts a pic of that medal...it is simply amazing. I have to have one. Does anyone know what one of those is worth?

RegistryCoin · February 12, 2008 1:55PM

I think this thread describes this coin.

SilverEagles92 · February 12, 2008 1:55PM

That $1,000,000 Canadian Gold Coin is pretty impressive from a sheer size perspective.

RegistryCoin · February 12, 2008 2:06PM

It's not one million, but one hundred is pretty impressive (the plats are the first U.S. coins with the "$" the dollar sign.) , and this coin, as well as other (proof) plats, are, imo, on a different level than most U.S. coins, when it comes to "visually and aesthetically impressive".

Here's some more:

PrivateCoinCollector · February 12, 2008 2:08PM

<< 

<< I dont rember what it was called but it was posted here before. it had a beautiful cahedral on it that looked like you were in there. >>

Like this one pulled from the old thread?

>>

Reverse????

mcheath · February 12, 2008 2:28PM

The cathedral medal is a jacques wiener. He was from belgium and did a series of cathedral medals. The come up from for sale from time to time and prices have increased in the last few years. I haven't seen one sell for less than $200 lately. That one is pretty amazing so its hard to say what kind of price would be attached to it.

BBN · February 12, 2008 2:34PM

<< 

<< I dont rember what it was called but it was posted here before. it had a beautiful cahedral on it that looked like you were in there. >>

Like this one pulled from the old thread?

>>

Looks like you could walk right into it.

Iosephus · February 12, 2008 10:22PM

<< The cathedral medal is a jacques wiener. >>

Though Wiener did make several cathedral medals, the one shown here is not one of them. It is a papal medal and was engraved by Ignazio Bianchi. The link that RegistryCoin provided to a thread of mine on the Darkside has more background on the medal. Though not a great picture, here's a pic of mine, so you can also see the obverse of it:

<< Does anyone know what one of those is worth? >>

I just recently acquired mine off eBay for around $450, though a couple of similar medals in the Stack's December Coin Galleries went for a lot more.

ricko · February 12, 2008 10:30PM

Those are awesome medals... I have been looking for one at the coin shows... will get one sometime. Cheers, RickO

Jcarney · February 12, 2008 10:35PM

<< 

<< I dont rember what it was called but it was posted here before. it had a beautiful cahedral on it that looked like you were in there. >>

Like this one pulled from the old thread?

>>

When I read the question, this is the medal that immediately came to mind.

Jcarney · February 12, 2008 10:36PM

<< I say it every time someone posts a pic of that medal...it is simply amazing. I have to have one. Does anyone know what one of those is worth? >>

Ditto. Somehow, at some time, I WILL own one of these.

PerryHall · February 12, 2008 11:48PM

<< That $1,000,000 Canadian Gold Coin is pretty impressive from a sheer size perspective. >>

PerryHall · February 12, 2008 11:51PM

The OP asked about the most visually and aesthetically impressive numismatic item. These medals are not numismatic items. They are exonumismatic items.

LostSisler · February 12, 2008 11:59PM

I know these images are terrible, my iPhone does not like close-ups! I'll find better images today...
Anyone know what they are? :-)

trozau · February 13, 2008 12:04AM

1845 UK gold medal measuring 56mm in diameter by William Wyon:

Griv · February 13, 2008 12:09AM

<< 

<< I dont rember what it was called but it was posted here before. it had a beautiful cahedral on it that looked like you were in there. >>

Like this one pulled from the old thread?

>>

DANG! That's too cool. I'd like one of those myself!

tradedollarnut · February 13, 2008 12:17AM

Just an aside - why do people quote a picture 5 times in a thread?

Zoins · February 13, 2008 12:23AM

<< The OP asked about the most visually and aesthetically impressive numismatic item. These medals are not numismatic items. They are exonumismatic items. >>

Many definitions of numismatics include medals which tend to be more visually and aesthetically impressive. Great pieces everyone!

tydye · February 13, 2008 12:25AM

<< Just an aside - why do people quote a picture 5 times in a thread >>

short term memory - lots of old farts on these boards

Also I agree with the coin quoted 5 times as the most visually appealing

MrHalfDime · February 13, 2008 3:48AM

I've seen a lot of beautiful coins (and tokens) in many different series, but for sheer, jaw dropping beauty and impressive aesthetics, I have to agree with the majority here and vote for the Jacques Wiener cathedral medal. That is a real head turner. You can almost walk right into the cathedral; it is three dimensional. Personally, I have no problem seeing that image copied five times here. And if medals are not numismatic items, then there are a lot of medals dealers who have been 'posing' for a lot of years. Are we to infer from that that Anthony Terranova and Steve Tanenbaum are not numismatists? I think not.

Broadstruck · February 13, 2008 4:16AM

BBQnBLUES · February 13, 2008 4:19AM

This thread is making me DROOL

Broadstruck · February 13, 2008 4:27AM

PerryHall · February 13, 2008 4:49AM

<< And if medals are not numismatic items, then there are a lot of medals dealers who have been 'posing' for a lot of years. Are we to infer from that that Anthony Terranova and Steve Tanenbaum are not numismatists? I think not. >>

Do These two dealers also sell coins? If so, that's why they are numismatists. Numismatics is the study of coins. Exonumismatics is the study of tokens, medals, etc. There is a difference.

Lakesammman · February 13, 2008 5:38AM

My son just spent a year in Sweden and we were BOTH drooling over this one. It was fun having him explain the significance of the coin to me.

BECOKA · February 13, 2008 5:55AM

<< Just an aside - why do people quote a picture 5 times in a thread?

>>

Because they can.

You have to admit that is a pretty cool medal even though the subject of this thread is Numismatic.

MrHalfDime · February 13, 2008 6:05AM

"Numismatics is the study of coins. Exonumismatics is the study of tokens, medals, etc. There is a difference."

A quick peek at my Merriam-Webster and Oxford Collegiate dictionaries, plus a visit to Google, produces the following randomly selected definitions for "numismatics":

Numismatics: The study of coins & medals.

Numismatics is generally defined as the collecting of coins, commemorative or military medals and, more recently, the collecting of currency notes.

the study and collecting of things that are used as money, including coins, tokens, paper bills, and medals.

Area of study relating to coins, medals, or similar items.

The discipline, science, study and/or collection of coins, tokens, medals, banknotes, instruments of exchange and other similar objects.

The art and science relating to the study of coins, tokens, medals, paper money and similar objects.

(used with a sing. verb) The study or collection of money, coins, and often medals.

nu•mis•matic adjective
1. of coins, medals, or tokens

Apparently many 'numismatists' would disagree with you.

If you look up "numismatics" on Google, you will get 2,780,000 hits, most of which define numismatics as including tokens and medals. However, if you look up "exonumismatics" on Google, you get a total of two hits. Evidently "exonumismatics" is not a widely used term.

Irregardless of the above, the OP began a harmless post about "impressive numismatic items", and several others responded, in the true spirit of the post, with beautiful coins and medals. Why must you rain on their parade with this inane semantic argument? If you cannot contribute something positive to the discussion, why comment at all?

GoldenEyeNumismatics · February 13, 2008 6:07AM

<< 
Irregardless of the above, the OP began a harmless post about "impressive numismatic items", and several others responded, in the true spirit of the post, with beautiful coins and medals. Why must you rain on their parade with this inane semantic argument? If you cannot contribute something positive to the discussion, why comment at all? >>

Well put!

Jcarney · February 13, 2008 6:15AM

<< Just an aside - why do people quote a picture 5 times in a thread?

>>

Are you referring to this picture?

Sunnywood · February 13, 2008 6:33AM

Holy Cr*p, that thing is awesome !!!!!!!!

JJM · February 13, 2008 6:48AM

good stuff

pontiacinf · February 13, 2008 8:20AM

<< 

<< I dont rember what it was called but it was posted here before. it had a beautiful cahedral on it that looked like you were in there. >>

Like this one pulled from the old thread?

>>

bruce pm'd me and asked me to quote this one

its actually my favorite pic

speety · February 13, 2008 8:34AM

Anyone interested in the Weiner medals should click here. The pics aren't the greatest but they do alright.

kiyote · February 13, 2008 8:40AM

<<

>>

What in the hell is that!? It has the Pan Pac $1 dolphins on it!

coindeuce · February 13, 2008 8:46AM

I never grow tired of C.C. Wright's portrait of Pan and Neptune on this Erie Canal completion medal.

dwssws · February 13, 2008 8:53AM

<< 

<< I dont rember what it was called but it was posted here before. it had a beautiful cahedral on it that looked like you were in there. >>

Like this one pulled from the old thread?

>>

that is truly amazing! quite beautiful!

Doogy · February 13, 2008 8:53AM

<< My son just spent a year in Sweden and we were BOTH drooling over this one. It was fun having him explain the significance of the coin to me.

>>

INDEED that example is stunning, and so was the hammer price when Stacks sold it recently at $1,380,000.00

here is Stacks' description of this piece of numismatic history

POLAND. KINGDOM. Sigismund III, 1587-1632.

100 Ducats, 1621 SA. 69.46 x 69.1mm, 4.9mm thick. 349.49 grams. Polish victory over Turks at Chocim. Dies by Samuel Ammon of Danzig and Jacob Jacobson of Emden. Jacobson was just the experienced Mint executive needed to assure the success of this exciting project. Administrator at the Bromberg Mint until 1623, he took responsibility for Vilnius, Warsaw and Krakow and all crown Mints between 1623-1639, leasing the Danzig, Thorn and Elbing Mints before his death in 1639. The obverse presents an armored half-length bust of Swedish-born monarch of the House of Vasa r. wearing the Order of the Golden Fleece, Latin titles King of Poland and Sweden within an outer oak border of great intricacy and beauty. Rv. Crowned quartered Arms present the Polish White Eagle and Lithuania's Knight Vytis, with escutcheon of pretense presenting the Arms of Sweden and Vasa. Latin titles in the legend name Sigismund as Grand Duke of Lithuania, Russia, Prussia, Masuria, Samogitia and Livonia. The microscopic date is divided by the cross atop the crown. Fr.4, Hutten-Czapski 1414 R. Only two examples are known. This monumental Polish coin is a candidate for the largest Gold coin ever struck in Europe, and Stack's has handled both examples at one time or another. This fantastic rarity weighs in at nearly a troy pound of Gold and is the crowning glory not only of Polish coinage but of all European Gold. One of the two coins known was presented to the Pope by the Polish monarch, a fervent Catholic whose struggles to regain the Swedish crown created ongoing and ultimately fruitless challenges for the kingdom he ruled longest, Poland. Sigismund was the son of King John III of Sweden and spouse Catherine Jagellon, and was born in Gipsholm in 1566, elected King of Poland in 1587. He was crowned King of Sweden in 1594 but ceased to reign in 1601 and devoted the following years to increasingly futile attempts to recover the northern crown, dying in 1632. This amazing coin celebrated the victory of Polish forces led by Jan Chodkiewicz and Stanislas Lubomirski over Ottoman Sultan Osman's army at Chocim. Struck on a fully round planchet, boasting meticulous detail down to the pupil of the monarch's eye. Marvelous frosty lustre coalesces in the protected areas, with a bold die break just right of the Golden Fleece pendant on the reverse. A glass finds scattered hairlines in the ample expanse of the fields, to be expected in such a large and relatively soft Gold piece. Overall Extremely Fine or better and a coin sure to be the capstone of some great collection. (600,000-750,000)

LeeG · February 13, 2008 8:54AM

Every item shown has very nice "Eye Appeal". That's what it's all really about.

mrearlygold · February 13, 2008 8:55AM

<< 

<< 

<< I dont rember what it was called but it was posted here before. it had a beautiful cahedral on it that looked like you were in there. >>

Like this one pulled from the old thread?

>>

Behold the power of linear perspective!

>>

Amazing artistry. Would someone please offer me one of these?

mrearlygold · February 13, 2008 8:56AM

<<

>>

Really like that too!

rays · February 13, 2008 8:57AM

My vote is for the Eliasberg 1796 no pole, an American treasure.

mrearlygold · February 13, 2008 8:57AM

<< My son just spent a year in Sweden and we were BOTH drooling over this one. It was fun having him explain the significance of the coin to me.

>>

Hey hey hey! Poland!

coindeuce · February 13, 2008 8:58AM

I would love to hold this in hand too:

Doogy · February 13, 2008 8:59AM

i'm a little biased, but "in hand" the reverse of a sharply struck Crown is a thing of beauty and very impressive workmanship!

coindeuce · February 13, 2008 9:04AM

Doogy, I attended a lecture on Pistrucci, the sculptor that created the design of St.George slaying the dragon. Fascinating and spectacular artist, especially of cameos carved in precious stone.

Doogy · February 13, 2008 9:12AM

<< Doogy, I attended a lecture on Pistrucci, the sculptor that created the design of St.George slaying the dragon. Fascinating and spectacular artist, especially of cameos carved in precious stone. >>

I agree 100%, he was certainly a wonderful artist, and the lecture must have been fascinating! I personally think that his rendering of St. George & the dragon is the most iconic and daring design ever to be put on a coin that saw heavy and wide circulation. Imagine something that beautiful being minted today; i'd feel guilty spending it for not wanting to wear down the design!

What is also amazing to me is the fact that the St. George & Dragon reverse has been used on Sovereigns and Crowns (although the use on Crowns ended in 1902, and was re-introduced for a year in 1951 as a commemerative) since 1817! that is some run for a design!

The Most Visually and Aesthetically Impressive Numismatic Item...

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