This is not my NG10 contest entry, but I thought it was a pretty cool pickup for $10 + $4 shipping.

lordmarcovan

From an eBay seller in Israel.



1548 Poland/Lithuania half-groschen of Sigismund II



I like these coins for several reasons:

One, the early dates.
Two, they're silver.
Three, they have a cool design (mounted knight/eagle)
Four, they're not teeny-tiny like a Hungarian denar (my other favorite late-medieval dated coins)
Five, they're very affordable (even in Mint State for not much more than $100).

lordmarcovan

Here is another one I had a while back, purchased already in an NGC AU58 slab, for $98. I could've had my pick of a couple others in low MS grades (MS61, mostly), for only ten or fifteen bucks more, but I liked this AU58 more.

Aethelred

I like that it is an under appreciated area of the hobby.

ajaan

e

mvs7

That 1550 half groschen is sweet!

bronzemat

I see them often, never bothered though because I am afraid I would want the other denominations of this ruler.



Nice coin though.

Jackthecat1

An interesting coin and a great purchase.

lordmarcovan

Here's another NG10 "alternate" I'm not entering in the contest, but which I decided to buy anyway, for $8.00 with free shipping.



It's a French copper jeton of Louix XIII, undated (ca. 1610-1643).



Obverse: laureate bust of Louis XIII left. Reverse: FORMIDO RAPACIS, lion and rooster.



The lion has lost most of his head to wear and/or weak strike, but this is still a terrific 400-year-old copper for the money. It's double-tournois size; in other words about the diameter of a US nickel. It is darker than the pictures, but is a pleasant mahogany brown color.





Obverse ~ Reverse

lordmarcovan

This 1908 William Penn commemorative medal/fob was going to be my NG10 contest entry (it cost me only $9.99 before shipping), but I changed horses and went with something else. Still, I thought this was pretty cool for a 108-year-old item at the price. Cool design. I love the scene with the Indians and trees on the reverse, and the shape of the piece. It is roughly 25x30 mm, so about half-dollar dimensions). Might be silver but pewter seems more likely.





Obverse ~ Reverse

LochNESS

This is a great example of why I typically lean towards higher-grade world coins.



I collect numisma for the artistic quality, typically.

Higher grades reveal so much more detail than their heavily circulated cousins, typically.

The collector mark-up on world coins is less than on US coins, typically.



Regarding NGX ... doubt I will win. Either of these entries would have likely toppled mine. I'm a little nervous to see what you finally settled on! I imagine it's how the real gladiators must have felt walking into the arena. What beasts would surprise them, what weapons advantage their opponent would be given ...

PatAR

Love that 1550 half groschen!

Quite a few interesting pieces in this thread.

Is this the Lord M equivalent of a fierce gaze and sword slamming shield as he enters the arena?

lordmarcovan

Well, I've had a preview of most of the championship entries, and while I think I've made a solid choice, I by no means think my item is a sure winner. There are some really neat picks.



Truth be told, I don't WANT to win NG10 and would rather see someone else get the trophy. But lets just say I'm playing hard for second place.



I wasn't even going to participate as a contestant, and was going to let savoyspecial (my defeated NG4 opponent) play in my place, but Aethelred said no, I needed to be in the championship.



PS- as for my rematch with Aethelred in NG11- I will be playing for keeps in that one, as redemption is at stake!