Cheap Additions

bronzemat

Although not ancient, I still like to dabble in medieval and early modern coinage. These two cost me a whopping $24 total.


Bulgaria, Ivan Alexander and Michael (1331 - 1355 A.D.)
AR Grosh
O: Christ enthroned; monograms at sides.
R: Ivan and Michael standing, holding banner; monograms at sides.
19mm
1.3g
Metcalf SEE pl.8, 11; Dochev XXXII; Youroukova 72



LATVIA, RIGA 1575 A.D.
AR Schilling
O: Coat of Arms w. crossed keys.
R: City Gateway
.79g
18mm
dav.304

Icollecteverything

I like cheap and I like those two for $24.

LochNESS

That city gateway scene is pretty cool. Looks like a busy skyline and fun place to visit. I know it might sound silly but I'm still amazed that we can enjoy coins from 1575 at all let alone such good condition - and yes I know there are coins much, much older and I even have some but that only makes them more amazing.

lordmarcovan

I like those, particularly at the price.

I used to have one of those Bulgarian pieces on my Holey Coin Vest. Back in the olden days here (maybe a decade or so back), there was a forum member from Bulgaria who sent it to me.

It's amusing (if a bit sacrilegious) to note that The Savior on the obverse of that coin looks like a cross between Mr. Bill and the Cookie Monster.




(No wonder the Muslims forbid graven images of The Prophet on their coins. It prevents hamhanded engravers from making your holy figures look silly.)

Still, that's part of the appeal of medieval coins, sometimes. The crudeness gives 'em character.

bronzemat

Thanks for the comments. I was attracted to the LATVIA due to the city look. And the bulgarian was too good of a deal to pass up.

nicholasz219

You really do not see a lot of Bulgarian anything. Or Latvian. I wouldn't be opposed to adding something along the lines of what you have to my "Just because I liked it" World Collection either, but I can not say I have ever run across anything like these, especially at the price you paid. I wouldn't even know where to look.

Good pickups.