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Show and Tell time....
coinsarefun
Posts: 21,756 ✭✭✭✭✭
Ok, I'm not sure if this thread will crash and burn but I'm going to give it a shot.
Here's my idea. I thought that we can post any coin, medal or token, give a brief history and
maybe some little known facts.
In my case most facts will be new to me since I have only been collecting for a few years now.
You can post one or many. But if you choose to post more than one you need to tie them together with
history or facts showing how they can be tied together.
keeping it simple so this can be a fun post!
It would be great if we can learn even more about the wonderful coins we see posted here all the time.
America has such a rich history we should be able to see some great collaboration's here!
I will start with the
World's Columbian Exposition from 1892-1893 in Chicago, IL
The purpose of the fair was to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Discovery of America by Columbus
A So Called Dollar, The Declaration Of Independence Dollar HK-157
Struck by Boldenweck & Co.
The obverse depicts signing of Declaration with Columbus and Washington below
The reverse depicts landing of Columbus and the lower half the Pilgrims.
The second one ties in because this was also from the World's Columbian Exposition
Columbian Exposition Half Dollar
The year was 1892-1893
This was the first World's Fair to be honored with a Commemorative Coin.
The designer of the obverse was Charles E. Barber
The designer of the reverse was George T. Morgan.
They were sold for $1 by the World's Columbian Exposition and Chicago banks.
And lastly, The Morgan Dollar.
It is tied to the Columbian Exposition Half because the designer of the reverse was Morgan.
Most know the rich history behind the Morgan dollar and how it is one of the most
collected silver dollars.
Ok, I leave it up to you guys to see what you come up with.
Hopefully, I gave accurate information.
If anyone wants to give any other ideas as how to make this a post more creative let's here it.
Stefanie
Here's my idea. I thought that we can post any coin, medal or token, give a brief history and
maybe some little known facts.
In my case most facts will be new to me since I have only been collecting for a few years now.
You can post one or many. But if you choose to post more than one you need to tie them together with
history or facts showing how they can be tied together.
keeping it simple so this can be a fun post!
It would be great if we can learn even more about the wonderful coins we see posted here all the time.
America has such a rich history we should be able to see some great collaboration's here!
I will start with the
World's Columbian Exposition from 1892-1893 in Chicago, IL
The purpose of the fair was to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Discovery of America by Columbus
A So Called Dollar, The Declaration Of Independence Dollar HK-157
Struck by Boldenweck & Co.
The obverse depicts signing of Declaration with Columbus and Washington below
The reverse depicts landing of Columbus and the lower half the Pilgrims.
The second one ties in because this was also from the World's Columbian Exposition
Columbian Exposition Half Dollar
The year was 1892-1893
This was the first World's Fair to be honored with a Commemorative Coin.
The designer of the obverse was Charles E. Barber
The designer of the reverse was George T. Morgan.
They were sold for $1 by the World's Columbian Exposition and Chicago banks.
And lastly, The Morgan Dollar.
It is tied to the Columbian Exposition Half because the designer of the reverse was Morgan.
Most know the rich history behind the Morgan dollar and how it is one of the most
collected silver dollars.
Ok, I leave it up to you guys to see what you come up with.
Hopefully, I gave accurate information.
If anyone wants to give any other ideas as how to make this a post more creative let's here it.
Stefanie
CoinsAreFun Pictorials Album
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
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Comments
Just picked this one up this week from a forum member.
I love the thought that back in 1892 aluminum was valued higher than gold.
Pretty medal.
Edited to add: It's his photo too.
peacockcoins
First one up is a 1952 Rosevelt proof. By far the key date in the series. To my knowledge PCGS has graded 1 in DC, and NGC has ZERO!!!! Can you believe that? This coin (some day I will get a better pic), is the highest graded by NGC, PR68* Cam the only * without color. And I love it.
And this Monster, the 1957 proof Roosevelt, is more common with a MONSTER DC obverse, but little to no DC or CAM reverse. Kinda weird, but I've seen many CAM's with Monster obverses and little to no CAM revs. I got Lucky and this one has both.
Here's a couple of tokens that have seen some action, I'm sure! Active players, you might say.
Civil War tokens are token coins that were privately minted and distributed in the United States between 1862 and 1864. They were used mainly in the Northeast and Midwest. The widespread use of the tokens was a result of the scarcity of government-issued cents during the Civil War.
Civil War tokens became illegal after the United States Congress passed a law on April 22, 1864 prohibiting the issue of any one or two-cent coins, tokens or devices for use as currency. On June 8, 1864 an additional law was passed that forbade all private coinage.
Great idea, Stefanie! I hope you get a lot of responses to this thread.
Here is a gem I am lucky to own.
It is a 1575 Papal Medal of Pope Gregory XIII.
This is the "Anno Santo/Holy Year" Issue
It is made of copper and measures 32mm (just smaller than a silver dollar), and about 3 times a thick. The obverse shows Pope Gregory XIII and the reverse shows the "Holy Year" Door which is opened only one year of every 25 years.
I often talk about how tough it was in our mint back in the early 1800's punching coins on a screw press, imagine what a bear it must have been back in 1575, in Italy, trying to punch this large copper. You can see the hand work involved. This one is a true gem and is in excellent condition.
Here is an extremely rare piece.
This is an original medal of Pope Clement VIII.
As I have learned, the obverse is the work of Giorgio Rancertti and the reverse that of Gian Cristofor Romano.
The obverse shows Clement VIII while the reverse shows Annona, who was used on ancient Roman Coins referring to the annual harvest from Egypt to feed Rome, Annona is shown holding grain and a cornucopia.
This is a bronze piece measuring 33 mm. It has very heavy relief and will not sit, but will rock due to the high relief.
This is an original 1593 work.
A Century of Progress International Exposition was the name of the World's Fair held in Chicago, Illinois from 1933 to 1934 to celebrate the city's centennial. The theme of the fair was technological innovation. Its motto was "Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Conforms" and its architectural symbol was the Sky Ride, a transporter bridge perpendicular to the shore on which one could ride from one end of the fair to the other.
*note to sports fans, the first Major League Baseball All-Star Game was held at Comiskey Park (home of the Chicago White Sox) in conjunction with the fair.
This is a 1569 Pope Pius V
It measures approx. 30 mm and is bronze piece. This very early medal shows Pius V on the obverse in high relief bareheaded. The reverse shows a beautiful figure of Peace standing, with a cornucopia in one hand and a torch in the other, pointing toward treasures. While in the background are ruins commemorating the victory at the battle of Moncontour France of October 3, 1569, a definitive battle where the papal troops distinguished themselves (Pius V had send 4000 soldiers and 500 knights to fight against the Huguenots).
I will show a close up pic of the obverse to show a nice die crack as well as the intricate hand work on this one.
A treasure.
Here is a beautifully designed sterling silver high-relief medal produced by the British Royal Mint. It was minted in 1897 to commemerate the Diamond Jubilee of the reign of their beloved Queen Victoria. Having ascended the throne in 1837 as a young woman, it shows a lovely bust of her in after being newly crowned. The obverse shows the Queen as she had aged 1897, this bust being called the 'widow's head' or 'old head'.
Minted: 1897 by the British Royal Mint. Mintage: 27,728
56 millimeters, and a whopping 85 grams of sterling silver
these medals were produced in three "flavors": Bronze (56mm, 74 grams, mintage of 41,857) Silver, and a Gold issue (26mm, and mintage just under 20,000)
The silver medals were placed by the Mint in very nice red leather boxes, with a rich blue colored velvet lining. After being stored in it's box for 110 years, many impart the blue toning onto the silver medals themselves, which make for a beatifully toned example.
Stefanie
Ok, Here's a 1860 Store Card The obverse is reminiscent of the Seated coinage we have.
It is the time frame of the next two coins.
Next is the Two Cents.
It was produced in the United States from 1864-1873 with decreasing mintages throughout that time.
The two-cent piece was made of 95% copper with tin and zinc making up the remainder.
It was very slightly smaller than a modern U.S. quarter.
The two-cent piece was designed by James B. Longacre, the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint,
and was the first coin of the United States to bear the motto "In God We Trust."
The last is a Three-cent Silver piece
this one follows the previous coin because it also was designed by Longacre
The silver coins were known as "fishscales". The term "trimes" is often used today for these
coins but that was first used by the director of the United States Mint James Ross Snowden
at the time of their production
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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--Reprinted from "The Early Coins of America" by Sylvester S. Crosby, with modifications by Ron Guth
These were the earliest coins issued by the authority of the United States. The records relating to them are very meager...These coins have been known by various names, as "Franklin," "Sun Dial," "Ring," and “Mind your business” cents..."This coin was issued by authority of Congress in 1787. It is generally known as the Franklin cent, but should properly called the Rittenhouse Cent, if named after any individual...It was first coined in the city of New York. A number of sets of dies were made, and the piece was subsequently coined not merely in New York, but also New Haven, Connecticut, Rupert, Vermont, and other places. The dies were made by Abel Buel, of New Haven, and the coins were struck by means of a drop press." The ensuing notice of these coins was circulated in the papers of that time: "The coinage of federal CENTS, coppers, at New York, we are told, is carrying on, and we may expect soon to see them in circulation among us—these will free us from the impositions to which we are now exposed from the floods of light half-coined British half-pence, introduced among us—and as, from the excellent monitorial caution, 'MIND YOUR BUSINESS,' impressed on each of these, they may prove an antidote to insurgency, they will doubtless be held in high estimation."
... and Restrikes
There are, besides the regular issue of these coins, other pieces of the same general character, supposed to be patterns...The history and true origin of the Fugio restrikes remains controversial. For years, numismatists believed (and many still do) that restrikes were from dies found in a store at New Haven, Connecticut, formerly occupied by Messrs. Broome and Platt. Regardless of how they came to be and whether or not they should be more accurately called restrikes, counterfeits, or something else altogether, it is generally accepted that restrikes are an 1860s issue produced from copy dies and long since collected as part of the Fugio series. The common copper and brass restrikes are readily available in today's marketplace, but silver pieces are almost never seen.
Ray
While most people associate the Capped Bust series with John Reich, the half dimes were the product of William Kneass, who modified Reich's design for the Capped Bust Half Dime.
The horizontal lines in the shield on the reverse are called ""azures" -and represent the color blue.
The vertical lines in the shield are called gules. "Plain" gules represent the color white. Gules made up of thin parallel lines called "pales" represent the color red.
In the first year of issue (1829), there were two variations of the reverse- some had 3 pale gules and others had only 2.
Three pale Gules:
As you can see from my example, the 3-pale gules were problematic because the fine lines tended to merge into each other to form what looks like a single broad stripe. To correct this problem, the reverses were changed to gules with only 2 pales (remember, pales are the fine vertical stripes).
Two pale Gules:
Two pale Gules
As you can see, this corrected the problem.
The following two coins illustrate the difference further:
1829 LM-2 - 3 pale gules:
1830 LM-4.2- 2 pale gules:
-Randy Newman
<< <i>Okay, I'll take a shot- most of the following is paraphrased from Logan/McCloskey's excellent reference:
While most people associate the Capped Bust series with John Reich, the half dimes were the product of William Kneass, who modified Reich's design for the Capped Bust Half Dime.
The horizontal lines in the shield on the reverse are called ""azures" -and represent the color blue.
The vertical lines in the shield are called gules. "Plain" gules represent the color white. Gules made up of thin parallel lines called "pales" represent the color red.
In the first year of issue (1829), there were two variations of the reverse- some had 3 pale gules and others had only 2.
Three pale Gules:
You my friend are a very informed collector!
Ray
As you can see from my example, the 3-pale gules were problematic because the fine lines tended to merge into each other to form what looks like a single broad stripe. To correct this problem, the reverses were changed to gules with only 2 pales (remember, pales are the fine vertical stripes).
Two pale Gules:
Two pale Gules
As you can see, this corrected the problem.
The following two coins illustrate the difference further:
1829 LM-2 - 3 pale gules:
1830 LM-4.2- 2 pale gules:
This one doesn't compare to those already shown. It's in the original packaging so that add's some value.
Quote from Hibler & Kappen (Thanks Cameonut):
Medal commemorates 100th anniversary as territory, wisconsin having been admitted to Union May 29, 1848. Legislature created wisconsin Centennial Inc. 1933 with $500 appropriation, later increased. Celebration was state wide, highlight being presentation of pageant, "Centennial Cavalcade of wisconsin," in stadium of University of wisconsin, Madison, June 27-July 5, 1936; "witnessed by at least 75,000 spectators."
This was official medal, sponsored and designed by Commission, 1500 pieces struck in Bronze, sold for $1.
Obv. Capital building, clouds behind; at base on small ribbon 1936; smaller ediface to L; at base, on small ribbon 1836; avove all, around wisconsin Territorial Centennial; below all is prone animal (badger?) on dotted line.
Rev. Eagle in upper center panel; to L 19/ June / 27, to r. 36/ July/ 5' above at border Madison' below panel Official/Wisconsin/Centennial/Celebration; stars all around at border.
HK-696, Bronze Size 24, Very scarce.
NHSBaseball, I'm a very glad that you posted.
I never did know much about Half Dimes and WOW, did I learn.
Very nicely done
Stefanie
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
<< <i>Here's one for ya. Used to be a coin, anyways.
A Century of Progress International Exposition was the name of the World's Fair held in Chicago, Illinois from 1933 to 1934 to celebrate the city's centennial. The theme of the fair was technological innovation. Its motto was "Science Finds, Industry Applies, Man Conforms" and its architectural symbol was the Sky Ride, a transporter bridge perpendicular to the shore on which one could ride from one end of the fair to the other.
*note to sports fans, the first Major League Baseball All-Star Game was held at Comiskey Park (home of the Chicago White Sox) in conjunction with the fair. >>
DUDE, that sucker is CAC'ed!!!! Right on the bottom at 7 o'clock!! How much of a premium did you have to pay?!?
-Randy Newman
The Le Chameau was a 44-gun, 600-ton, French man-of-war, the pride of the French navy, "one of the fastest and best equipped line-of-battle ships in the royal navy of France". The ship went down off Nova Scotia in 1725 while en route to the French Colonies of North America laden with coins which are thus considered part of the early American colonial series.
On August 27th, 1725, in a storm off Cape Breton, while trying to make the mouth of Louisbourg harbour, Le Chameau was swept in upon the rocky shore. Reports of wreckage at Kelpy Cove, just south of Louisbourg, brought officials out to make a gruesome discovery. The entire length of the cove was strewn with bodies. Wreckage, including a carved camel (the Chameau's namesake and figurehead), littered the coast for miles. All of the 316 people aboard had perished. Much of the wreck was washed ashore and was picked up by those sent from Louisbourg. Cast up from the sea were 180 bodies. A burial, en masse, was carried out with the missionary priest at Baleine officiating. There was no sign of the after part of the ship having come ashore, so it was hoped that some salvage might be made of her guns and treasure, particularly as the rock on which she broke up was covered at low tide by only a few feet of water. The next season some soldiers who were skilled divers were sent from Quebec and employed at the wreck. Salvage work began almost at once, directed by Pierre Morpain, a famous French privateer, but the treasure eluded them. With only grease on their skin and rations of chocolate to protect them from the cold, they couldn't locate the main portion of the wreckage. For years afterwards, legends of the treasure lingered: glimpses of silver and gold in crevices and tales of lobster fisherman pulling up a few handfuls of coins. The treasure, however, was not located at the time.
In 1961, a discovery of cannons scattered on the sea bottom alerted Alex Storm, a diver working part-time on a fishing trawler from Louisbourg. Braving the dangerous tides and freezing waters at Kelpy Cove, Storm carefully mapped the wreckage of the Chameau to locate the treasure compartment. The recovery team enlisted the services of John Ford to attribute the coins, and compensated him by letting him keep the best of them for his own collection. Storm's discovery triggered a rising interest in the wealth of shipwrecks off Nova Scotia's waters and brought legislation to protect them. Today a steadily increasing number of divers flock to Nova Scotia, although most are seeking adventure, not treasure. It is interesting to note that Le Chameau went down in a storm in 1725, that the first person to attempt salvage in 1726 was named Tempete, or "Storm", and that she was "raised" by Alex Storm in 1965, more than two centuries later.
1724-M French Colonies Louis D'or MS64 [PCGS] Le Chameau-Ford
<< <i>DUDE, that sucker is CAC'ed!!!! Right on the bottom at 7 o'clock!! How much of a premium did you have to pay?!?
Yup, back in the old days they put their seal of approval right on the coin!
The Panama Pacific International Exposition was the 1915 worlds fair held in San Francisco, California. Taking over three years to construct, the fair had great economic implications for the city that had been almost destroyed by the great earthquake and fire of 1906. The exposition was a tremendous success, and did much to boost the morale of the entire Bay Area and to help get San Francisco back up on its feet.
Officially, the exposition was a celebration of the completion of the Panama Canal, and also commemorated the 400th anniversary of the discovering of the Pacific Ocean by the explorer, Balboa. San Francisco was only one of many cities hoping to host the PPIE. New Orleans was its primary rival, but in 1911 after a long competition of advertising and campaigning, President Taft proclaimed San Francisco to be the official host city.
The Panama Pacific International Exposition was the 1915 worlds fair held in San Francisco, California. Taking over three years to construct, the fair had great economic implications for the city that had been almost destroyed by the great earthquake and fire of 1906. The exposition was a tremendous success, and did much to boost the morale of the entire Bay Area and to help get San Francisco back up on its feet.
Officially, the exposition was a celebration of the completion of the Panama Canal, and also commemorated the 400th anniversary of the discovering of the Pacific Ocean by the explorer, Balboa. San Francisco was only one of many cities hoping to host the PPIE. New Orleans was its primary rival, but in 1911 after a long competition of advertising and campaigning, President Taft proclaimed San Francisco to be the official host city.
Good one William,
If I may, I would like to add mine to yours and one other coin that ties into the Pan-Pac Expo.
The United States Congress authorized the San Francisco Mint to issue a series of five commemorative coins.
The coins were the 1915-S silver Panama-Pacific half dollar and four gold coins.
The denominations of the gold coins were 1 dollar, 2½ dollars a 50 dollar round coin and the 50 dollar octagonal coin.
The Pan-Pac coins have the distinction of being the first commemorative coins to bear the
motto "In God We Trust", and were also the first commemoratives to be struck at a branch mint.
This one is the 1915-S PanPac $1 gold
Does anyone have any gold coins they want to share?
Stefanie
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
<< <i>Does anyone have any gold coins they want to share? >>
What? Mine didn't count?
<< <i>
<< <i>Does anyone have any gold coins they want to share? >>
What? Mine didn't count?
Excuse me.......I meant any ADDITIONAL gold to share
Stefanie
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
(sorry about the poor picture quality, but I think you can still read it)
It is 30 mm and shows Clement XII on the obverse wearing Tiara and cope and justice is personified on the reverse with an allegorical figure holding scales in her right hand and a palm branch in her left.
If you look carefully you can see the designers name "Hameriani" punched on the rim on the reverse. The Hameriani's were the family that dominated papal medals in the 1700's.
Mazio 432
Spink 1764
Look at the relief on this piece.
<< <i>All of these Vatican Papal medals are awesome JRocco. Where did you learn about these? How did you develop an interest in them? >>
Hey MLC.
These really are interesting.
I think my interest was originally sparked when I saw a couple of these in a dealers display at a local show.
The obverse devices generally show a portrait bust of the Pontiff, but the reverse of these medals really display the skill and imagination of the artists, covering historical events/views of Palaces and Churches/towns/Allegorical and Symbolical devices and on and on and on.
These pieces leave you wanting to learn more and the more you learn the more fascinating it becomes.
Plus the aritistry of these medals is stunning.
This is good stuff.....very similar to the incredible pieces you collect.
<< <i>This is good stuff.....very similar to the incredible pieces you collect. >>
Thanks JRocco.
Keep posting. The detail on these is incredible!
I'll try to come up with some more posts later....
Although dated 1900, these coins were actually struct on December 14, 1899
which was the centenary of Washington's death.
1900 Lafayette Dollar
Washington and Lafayette appear on the obverse.
The reverse is similar to the monument of General Lafayette.
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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This is a Paris mint issue for the new century and Expo 1900 in Paris. The boy with the torch is possibly "Genius" leaning on a coining press. A product of the master engraver Jean-Baptiste Daniel-Dupuis, perhaps more famous for the early 1900's 5 & 10 centimes pieces.
Talking about a coining press,
I believe that this 1814 British token was one of the first pieces to commemorate the steam press.
<< <i>Taking it one notch further.
Talking about a coining press,
I believe that this 1814 British token was one of the first pieces to commemorate the steam press.
The first one is very pretty John and this one is really
Stefanie
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
Here is another Papal medal.
This is a beautiful Pope Paul III Papal Medal.
I believe that this is listed as Spink # 498.
This is a large 40mm bronze piece.
The reverse shows the nude figure of Ganymede along with an eagle.
The story goes that Zeus fell in love with the young Ganymede. Zeus then came down in the form of an eagle or sent an eagle to carry Ganymede to Mount Olympus where Ganymede became cupbearer to the gods.
I really like this piece. The medal is done with enough detail as to show the furrows on Pope Paul's forehead.
Look at the eagle detail.
<< <i>Thanks Stefanie.
Here is another Papal medal.
This is a beautiful Pope Paul III Papal Medal.
I believe that this is listed as Spink # 498.
This is a large 40mm bronze piece.
The reverse shows the nude figure of Ganymede along with an eagle.
The story goes that Zeus fell in love with the young Ganymede. Zeus then came down in the form of an eagle or sent an eagle to carry Ganymede to Mount Olympus where Ganymede became cupbearer to the gods.
I really like this piece. The medal is done with enough detail as to show the furrows on Pope Paul's forehead.
Look at the eagle detail.
I like this one very, very much. Incredible detail.
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
<< <i>
<< <i>All of these Vatican Papal medals are awesome JRocco. Where did you learn about these? How did you develop an interest in them? >>
Hey MLC.
These really are interesting.
I think my interest was originally sparked when I saw a couple of these in a dealers display at a local show.
The obverse devices generally show a portrait bust of the Pontiff, but the reverse of these medals really display the skill and imagination of the artists, covering historical events/views of Palaces and Churches/towns/Allegorical and Symbolical devices and on and on and on.
These pieces leave you wanting to learn more and the more you learn the more fascinating it becomes.
Plus the aritistry of these medals is stunning.
This is good stuff.....very similar to the incredible pieces you collect.
That is ridiculously ornate.
These pieces really show the history of not just the times, but also the ability to reproduce the artist's design into the final product.
Just take a look at 2 different examples of the work that went into engraving the face and full Tiara on these 2 different medals. The first medal I added here (already shown) was from 1575 and the second medal is a later 1800's example. Look at the difference 300 or so years has made.
<< <i>Hey Stefanie,
These pieces really show the history of not just the times, but also the ability to reproduce the artist's design into the final product.
Just take a look at 2 different examples of the work that went into engraving the face and full Tiara on these 2 different medals. The first medal I added here (already shown) was from 1575 and the second medal is a later 1800's example. Look at the difference 300 or so years has made.
That is amazing detail!!
Stefanie
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
Check out these two pieces. First is Pope Marcellus II.
The reverse shows a very nice depiction of Christ giving the Keys to Peter.
The second piece celebrates Pope Paul IIII (the fourth). Here the reverse also depicts Christ giving the Keys to Peter.
I like to show this piece as a good example of how they used these dies till they literally fell apart. Look at these die cracks.
I love this piece....pardon all these pics.
<< <i>Hi Stefanie.
Check out these two pieces. First is Pope Marcellus II.
The reverse shows a very nice depiction of Christ giving the Keys to Peter.
The second piece celebrates Pope Paul IIII (the fourth). Here the reverse also depicts Christ giving the Keys to Peter.
I like to show this piece as a good example of how they used these dies till they literally fell apart. Look at these die cracks.
I love this piece....pardon all these pics.
That is one impressive medal John!.
I would say that the die cracks could be designated high relief die cracks
You also have to wonder if those are lightning bolts?
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
I could almost hear the thunder too
<< <i>I like to show this piece as a good example of how they used these dies till they literally fell apart. >>
This is very true. Restrikes were made well throughout the 19th century of these old medals at the mint at Rome using dies that had been acquired from the some of the most prolific medallists (for example, 748 dies were acquired from the Hamerani family, some produced by that family, others from earlier artists). In "Roma Resurgens", it is noted that 572 medals were available for purchase from the mint in 1824. However, by 1899, this number was reduced to 479, brought about, no doubt, by the breakage of the dies from heavy use.
Virtus Collection - Renaissance and Baroque Medals
If you started showing some of your collection here... mouths would open.
In Commemoration of the Papacy of Leo X
Silver, 42 mm Ø, 33.7 g
Obverse: Bust of Leo X, bareheaded, facing right with decorative cope. Around, LEO X PONTIFEX MAX.
Reverse: The papal coat of arms of Leo X. Around, GLORIA ET HONORE CORONASTI EVM. Below, ROMA.
A posthumous medal, circa 1664. One of a series of restitution medals created by Girolamo Paladino under the initiative of Cardinal Francesco Barberini. The reverse inscription translates to "Thou hast crowned him with glory and honor". Leo X reigned as pope from 1513 - 1521.
The Holy Year of 1550
Silver, 41.5 mm Ø, 32.3 g
Obverse: Bust of Paul III, bareheaded, facing right with decorative cope. The cope features the pope breaking open the Holy Door. Around, PAVLVS III PONT MAX AN XVI.
Reverse: A birds-eye view of Rome. In exergue, ALMA ROMA.
This medal design was intended to be used for the 1550 medal of Paul III celebrating the Holy Year, as evidenced by the design on the cope. Another version of this medal also features writing on the cope beneath the illustration acknowledging the Holy Year. During a Holy Year, it is practice for the faithful to make a pilgrimage to Rome. Paul had announced the Holy Year, but died on November 10, 1549, before its opening. The reverse inscription translates as "Nourishing Rome".
The Plague of 1657
Silver, 35 mm Ø, 19.7 g
Obverse: Bust of Alexander VII facing right, wearing a decorative cope. Around, ALEXAN · VII · PONT · MAX · A · III. Below, the artist, · G M ·.
Reverse: Saint Peter descends from heaven, holding a key, towards victims of the plague. At the right is the angel of death, holding a skull and sword. St. Peter's Basilica can be seen in the left background. Below, VT VMBRA ILLIVS LIRERARENTVR ·.
Annual medal for Year III (1657) of Alexander VII's reign. The dreaded plague appeared in Rome in May of 1956. Pope Alexander VII took charge of the situation and instituted measures to try and control the outbreak. He would also make frequent public appearances to calm the people. By June of 1657, the plague in Rome was coming to an end, though Rome lost about one-eighth its population (15,000 people) in that time.
Treaties of Peace of Nijmegen
Bronze (Gilt on Reverse), 47 mm Ø, 39.9 g
Obverse: Bust of Innocent XI facing right, wearing papal tiara and decorative cope. Around, INNOCEN XI · PONT · MAX. On the truncation of the bust, OPVS, and below, IO · HAMERANVS ·.
Reverse: Allegorical figure kneeling facing left, offering a smoking vase to an angel seated above on a cloud holding an olive branch. At the foot of the figure rests a lamb, and in the background an obelisk and temple can be seen at the right. Around, FECIT · PACEM · SVPER · TERRAM. Inscribed on the stone pedestal to the left, the year 1679.
Medal issued to commemorate the peace treaties signed at Nijmegen, engraved by Giovanni Hamerani. The kneeling figure on the reverse is meant to represent Innocent XI, praying for peace. The vase with billowing smoke represents the prayers of the pontiff, while the angel holding an olive brance represents peace. The lamb at the figure's foot also represents peace. The reverse inscription translates as "He Made Peace in the Land".
From 1672 to 1678, several European countries were at war during the Franco-Dutch War. Innocent XI, of anti-French sentiment, was an important impetus in the peace negotiations from 1676 to 1679. In 1678 and 1679, several peace treaties were signed at the Dutch city of Nijmegen between France, Holland, Spain, Sweden, and the Holy Roman Empire. Although Holland was a Protestant country, Innocent XI found himself supporting them against the invasions by Catholic France.
Tomb of Alexander VIII
Bronze, 65 mm Ø, 89.4 g
Obverse: Bust of Alexander VIII facing left, wearing cassock, cap, and a decorative stole. Around, ALEXANDER · VIII · OTTHOBONVS · VENETVS · PONT · MAX.
Reverse: The tomb monument for Alexander VIII.
Posthumous medal issued in 1700 to commemorate the tomb being constructed for the late Alexander VIII. The obverse inscription translates as "Alexander VIII, Venetian Ottoboni, Supreme Pontiff".
Alexander VIII's great-nephew, Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni, commissioned this tomb monument to be built. The tomb was finally completed in 1725. This medal from 1700 displays an intermediate stage in the design of the tomb and its monument. Carlo Enrico Sanmartino was the designer of the tomb, and its sculptor was Angelo de' Rossi. The tomb bears a great resemblance to, and was inspired by, the tomb monument of Pope Urban VIII, created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The figures standing at the base of the monument in the medal give an idea as to the scale of the tomb.
Virtus Collection - Renaissance and Baroque Medals
<< <i>A few favorite early papal medals in my collection: >>
That is quite an amazing collection of Papal Medals.. just beautiful
Stefanie
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
I COLLECT SAMPLE SLABS!! Can't believe I have 402+/_
Not sure of the year but it was the 6th slab design to come from PCGS and they were intended as dealer samples only. See page 329
Third Party Grading/Certification Services & Slab/Certificate Varieties by Condor 101.
I have a strong feeling the encapsulating folks only looked at one side of the coin,
this has to be unique.
Herb
An interesting story about the Columbian Exposition. (mostly taken from PrairieGhosts.com)
H.H. Holmes was a doctor who sidelined as one of the nations most prolific sereal killers in history. He not only tortured and killed people, he made money off insurance schemes and selling the skeletons of those he killed to medical schools. Here is his story of his time in Chicago during the Columbian World's Fair.
By this time, much of Holmes’ interest was going into the construction of the building across the street. The building was an imposing structure of three stories and a basement, with false battlements and wooden bay windows that were covered with sheet iron. There were over 60 rooms in the structure and 51 doors that were cut oddly into various walls. Holmes acted as his own architect for the place and he personally supervised the numerous construction crews, all of whom were quickly hired and fired, discharging them with great fury and refusing to pay their wages. As far as the police were able to learn, he never paid a cent for any of the materials that went into the building. In addition to the eccentric general design, the house was also fitted with trap doors, hidden staircases, secret passages, rooms without windows, chutes that led into the basement and a staircase that opened out over a steep drop to the alley behind the house.
A Rare photograph of Holmes' "Murder Castle" in Englewood (Chicago Historical Society)
The first floor of the building contained stores and shops, while the upper floors could be used for spacious living quarters. Holmes also had an office on the second floor, but most of the rooms were to be used for guests -- guests that would never be seen again. Evidence would later be found to show that Holmes used some of the rooms as "asphyxiation chambers", where his victims were suffocated with gas. Other chambers were lined with iron plates and had blowtorch-like devices fitted into the walls. In the basement, Holmes installed a dissecting table and maintained his own crematory. There was also an acid vat and pits filled with quicklime, where bodies could be conveniently disposed of.
All of his "prison rooms" were fitted with alarms that buzzed in Holmes’ quarters if a victim attempted to escape. It has come to be believed that many of his victims were held captive for months before their deaths.
The castle was completed in 1892 and soon after, Holmes announced that he planned to rent out some of the rooms to tourists who would be arriving in mass for the upcoming Columbian Exposition. It is surmised that many of these tourists never returned home after the fair, but no one knows for sure. The list of the "missing" when the Fair closed was a long one and for most, foul play was suspected. How many of them fell prey to Holmes is a mystery but no fewer than 50 people who were reported to the police as missing were traced to the place. Here, their trails ended…
An advertisement for lodging during the fair was not the only method that Holmes used for procuring victims. A large number of his female victims came through false classified ads that he placed in small town newspapers, offering jobs to young ladies. When the ads were answered, he would describe several jobs in detail and explained that the woman would have her choice of positions at the time of the interview. When accepted, she would then be instructed to pack her things and withdraw all of her money from the bank because she would need funds to get started. The applicants were also instructed to keep the location and the name of his company a closely guarded secret. He told them that he had devious competitors who would use any information possible to steal his clients. When the applicant arrived, and Holmes was convinced that she had told no one of her destination, she would become his prisoner.
Holmes also placed newspaper ads for marriage as well, describing himself as a wealthy businessman who was searching for a suitable wife. Those who answered this ad would get a similar story to the job offer. He would then torture the women to learn the whereabouts of any valuables they might have. The young ladies would then remain his prisoners until he decided to dispose of them.
Amazingly, Holmes was able to keep his murder operation a secret for four years. He slaughtered an unknown number of people, mostly women, in the castle. He would later confess to 28 murders, although the actual number of victims is believed to be much higher. To examine the details of the story, the reader cannot help but be horrified by the amount of planning and devious detail that went into the murders. There is no question that Holmes was one of the most prolific and depraved killers in American history.
In 1893, Homes met a young woman named Minnie Williams. He told her that his name was Harry Gordon and that he was a wealthy inventor. Holmes’ interest in her had been piqued when he learned that she was the heir to a Texas real estate fortune. She was in Chicago working as an instructor for a private school. It wasn’t long before she and Holmes were engaged to be married. This was a turn of events that did not make Julia Connor happy. She was still involved with Holmes and still working at the store. Not long after his engagement became official, both Julia and Pearl disappeared. When Ned Connor later inquired after them, Holmes explained that they had moved to Michigan. In his confession, he admitted that Julia had died during a bungled abortion that he had performed on her. He had poisoned Pearl. He later admitted that he murdered the woman and her child because of her jealous feelings toward Minnie Williams. "But I would have gotten rid of her anyway," he said. "I was tired of her."
Here is an 1806/5 O-104a DBH overdate.
This one is a tough R5 (45-65 known) coin.
Without going into all the characteristics of this variety, let me just add
that this coin utilized a combination of obverse and reverse dies that
had some mileage put on them before they ever struck this coin.
This obverse die was used for the striking of 2 previous die marriages
and the reverse die was used for 4 previous marriages. So this gem is the 3rd use of this obverse
and the 5th use of this reverse. So it is not as worn a piece as you might think at first. This coin
was struck using some well worn dies to begin with. As I have learned from one of our inhouse bust half experts,
this was the only die in the series that was used then annealed then overdated then hardened and then
used again. Look at the reverse arrows. This is as good as these dies could strike them up.
There is another variety of the 1806/5 DBH that was an entirely different obverse die, this one is the naked eye visible variety, the other isn't.
There are approximately 12 known in this metal. In The Early Coins of America (1875), Sylvester Crosby described this coin as 'Unsurpassed in beauty of design and execution by any piece issued for American circulation'.
The Myddelton Token was proposed as a circulating coin for Philip Parry Price Myddelton's colony in Kentucky. The tokens were struck by Matthew Boulton with dies almost certainly engraved by Conrad Küchler. The copper specimens were the intended issue, but for some reason a number of silver pieces (thought to have been 53) were struck first by Boulton on March 8, 1796. Of the copper specimens, Boulton's Medal Ledger shows only 11 were produced from the entire ledger period 1793-1816.
Myddelton was preparing to leave for Kentucky in early March of that year, and had intended to take with him at least a ton (several thousand) of these copper tokens. However, the hand of fate intervened days before he was to board ship and Myddelton ended up in Newgate Prison as soon as these tokens were ordered from Boulton, charged and convicted with trying to hire a talented workmen from England for employment outside England, violating a 1783 statute prohibiting such acts. Boulton apparently ended up with most of the silver examples he struck, and made a very small number of copper tokens which he kept secret lest he be dragged into Myddelton's legal problems.
In a letter from Myddelton to Matthew Boulton dated January 24, 1796, Myddelton revises his request for the dies and coinage for his proposed settlement in Kentucky starting with the reverse as follows '...Britannia with her head pendant, her spear reversed and leaning on her shield, before her the demons of Discord and tyranny treading under foot the Emblems of Liberty and justice. Legend 'Payable by P.P.P. Myddelton'. On the obverse 'the figure of Liberty holding out her hand to welcome two little genii presented to her by Hope, at the feet of the figure of Liberty the Emblems of peace and Plenty. Legend 'British Settlement Kentucky 1796'.' Most of these elements were employed by Kücher and his engraving represents one of the pinnacle moments of 18th century die engraving.
Tragically, Myddelton's dream of establishing a colony in Kentucky ended when he was arrested and he spent three and a half years in Newgate Prison.
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Both of you have some awe inspiring stuff shown here on this post.
Keep it up.
I will try to find something worth posting after yours.
Stefanie
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CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
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Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
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More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC