I would appreciate your input.

MrBreeze

As you may or may not know, I am loosely putting together a one for each year coin set. I am trying not to do too many from one country but I don't have specific parameters for the coins that fit in each date. I tend to buy what I like for the set and that usually involves larger silver coins. Having said that, I find that I am always running into really cool designs and coins from medieval to modern that I would love to put in the set. As for the basis of my question, it is simple. With this forum's broad and and deep knowledge and interests, I would like you to answer one question.

Fill in the blanks.

"If you were to put together a one coin for each year coin set, the coin that absolutely has to be in it is a ______(year), _________(country), _________(denomination)."





As an example for me, one answer is:


1918 Eritrea Tallero

ajaan

Gothic British Florin

lordmarcovan

Excellent question. Believe it or not, I'd have to think long and hard about that. I'll get back with you.



Some cointenders I'd expect others to mention would be an Athenian "Owl" or a British "Gothic" crown (or at least the more budget-friendly Gothic florin). And any of the classic Swiss designs. And a Spanish Colonial "Pillar dollar" 8-reales piece.



There. I guess that sorta partially provides some of my answer, though I'll be darned if I could think of one single coin I'd recommend above all others.



I used to have an Eritrean tallero. That's a good choice, too.

Zohar

Maria Theresia or Wildman Taler, Alexander III Tetradrachm, British Victorian Crown, Cnut Penny,

rhound1977

Guess we all have favorites, I still own this one though much of my collection sold from this type set

1872 Florin Obverse
1872 Florin Reverse

Pokermandude

1859 Canada penny. It was a two-year type, with the 1858 being the key date of the series. A nice portrait of a young Queen Victoria, coins in VF-EF condition are attractive and not very expensive (under $25).

lordmarcovan

Speaking of Canada, the 1871 Prince Edward Island cent is a fun and affordable "stand alone" coin.

duki

I like minor coins so this may not be for you, but i've always liked the japanese 10 sen from 1938 to 1940.

MrBreeze

Here is another favorite.

1944 Belgian Congo 50 Francs

YQQ

the 1908 Canada comes to mind. would be a perfect fit and you can assemble it yourself First official Canadian Mintage.

STLNATS

Interesting project.



Some of the more modern "circulating" issues are really well designed and ought to have a place. For instance the silver eagle obverse 5 mk from BRD and the French 1929-1939 al-br 2 franc Moulin (sp?) and late 19th century 2, 5 or 20 franc ceres designs should definitely be represented. A 10 centime from the french revolution and the Italia 1960s-1970s 500 Lire silver with the ships on the reverse would also be great candidates with lots of dates from which to choose.



Good luck!



edited to add: one of the katanga AE coins would also be a nifty add and pretty historic.

theboz11

I could never comprehend an OFEC without some theme or Themes running through them. Birds , rulers, lions, Women, men,,, but that aside , my must have would be the 1792 Barbados Half Penny , 1894A New Guinea Mark and the 1791 Sierra Leone Cent.

syl

Philippines Standing Liberty Peso.

CIVITAS

Italian States: Livorno tallero. Nice port scene. Davenport #4215. Several dates available in the late 1680s-90s.

1960NYGiants

For moderns you could assemble the COTY award list: http://www.numismaster.com/ta/inside_numis.jsp?page=coin-of-the-year-archive

1960NYGiants

Being partial to Canadian issues:



1859 Cent



1858 20c



1943 Tombac 5c



1958 $1



1967 $1



1973 RCMP $1



1871 PEI Cent (previously mentioned)

Hydrant

How many years does your set encompass? Also, does anybody know what is the oldest date on a coin?

STLNATS

Originally posted by: Hydrant

Also, does anybody know what is the oldest date on a coin?

Well, here's my earliest dated piece.





Seriously tho, it depends how you ask the question.



The early dated coins of Europe catalog starts at AD 1234. It is based on the AD dates of course. There are many earlier non-Christian era dated coins, for instance some Parthian tetradrachm are dated to both month and year. And there's a ton of Roman dated coins based on the current emperor's regnal year which can be translated into AD dates. I'm sure that there are plenty of other examples.