Well my first finds of February are not that interesting but for me this is the best haul from the reject tray of a Coinstar machine so far.
Exchangeable
€1.06
1.17 Polish Zloty
1 CAD cent
about 50p in Sterling (not pictured)
5 Romanian Bani
1 Santims (Latvian Pre Euro still exchanged)
Hi to whoever is reading this. Did you know that TYPEWRITER (on a QWERTY keyboard) is the longest word you can type using only the letters on one row of the keyboard.
Really nice group - the silvers are pretty good, most early Irish silver shows up very worn. The farthings are very pretty, incredibly hard coins to get. Overall a fantastic group I would love to find myself.
I got 4 more okay coins and some more album pages which was a plus.
Danish 2 Kroner Commem - silver 1923 Silver Wedding of Christian X - toned but a decent piece (Not cleaned!)
Pretty worn South African florins (Fine), but sold close to melt and I did not have them.
Slightly better 1945 - still worn, but sharper detail (gFine) and a scarce date. These 3 coins are 80% silver.
One nice upgrade, an 1889 UK Halfcrown in Toned EF that replaces a coin in Very Good condition, the price on this uncleaned coin was well under 3 figures.
Great detail and individual hair strands on the Queen, means you have EF.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
While I don't want to spoil this beautiful silver line, here are my simple newcomers for the “Science” topic. I somehow prefer sciences/scientists than the dead monarchs 😝
My friend got these for me (and he got some nice whisky in exchange. A 12 year Macallan(?) - I don't drink but I visit that neck of the woods often enough (Speyside, land of a million distilleries), so I pick him up a bottle or two when I'm there).
I believe these to be forgeries from Operation Bernhard (~1942) as the prefixes are in the known forgery issues, and Britannia seems to be missing her earring but I don't (yet) have genuine notes to compare against.
A little ragged around the edges, but nice notes with very clear watermarks. So a nice start to my year & certainly not what I expected!
last saterday i saw outside of an antique shop two big boxes with 4 or 5 thousends of coins, 1€ each and almost all worthless. I began to look trough them and after finding an interesting italien 50c. 1940 i moved some hundreds from one box to the other. In the end i took 10 coins, best is this one
southern rhodesia 1 penny in perfect condition. Further
Gibraltar‘s 1st Bi-Metallic £1 - A limited batch of 800 released at the Wolrd Coin Fair in Berlin, with Special Privy Mark on the Obverse. The coin will enter circulation in April Sans privy of course.
Former British colonial maestro collector. Also former ref of Gibraltar & many other former colonies.
The post office has now delivered 4 more magazines for coin and banknote collectors. The magazine also includes banknotes, coins and two storage folders.
India, Peru, Cyprus, Fiji
India -One Rupee- UNC. It's called value, value. For me, the value is that there are so few people in that country that I have such a banknote UNC - no one has held it in their hands, (probably because of the high value😁)
Peru
Cyprus
Fiji
Again, I did not take them out of the cases so as not to disturb their environment, they are UNC and have a beautiful mint luster. Basic circulation coins.
And most importantly, nice reading about coins, currencies of given countries, but also history and present. I'll probably move to the mountains of Puerto Rico to see a colleague and in the evenings over whiskey in the bar I'll read to him what's new in these countries.
last saterday i saw outside of an antique shop two big boxes with 4 or 5 thousends of coins, 1€ each and almost all worthless. I began to look trough them and after finding an interesting italien 50c. 1940 i moved some hundreds from one box to the other. In the end i took 10 coins, best is this one
southern rhodesia 1 penny in perfect condition. Further
czechoslovakia 1 kr 1922 vf
france 2 fr 1959 xf/au
greece 20 lepta 1912 vg/f
japan 100 Y 1965 vf and silver!
all others from italy, 1922-41
This Is, why we collect.
yes exactly!
I can not pass by one of those $1 each bins at a show, and always find a hand full of nice bits! 😁
Jamais l'or n'a perdu la plus petite occasion de se montrer stupide. -Balzac
A few Iranian notes that my colleague got back for me. The 10000 is in a poor condition, the 50000 and 500000 are fair. The 20000 and 100000 are very crisp and almost uncirculated
Just running through them all now I've got a bit more time to browse:
Worldwide - though nothing spectacular, always fun to see what random things can turn up. Sometimes the fun is in the finding, and never know what's going to be there next time. 😀
Mr Midnight - nice haul there. Those farthings are particularly nice & one of my favourite “foreign” designs.
Moneytane - Very nice choices there. Love the 1889 half-crown. The Victorians generally had such a nice touch of heraldry design elements.
Dejan - some nice modern coins there. Really love the 1999 design. Might have to find one for my collection as a curio. Such a clever design which I think really works.
Think I can skip replying to myself. 😉
Stefan - wow, that penny is spectacular. Another “foreign favourite”. Clever to combine the Tudor rose with the hole in the centre. Lucky to get it out of the “junk” boxes.
Zac - That crown looks dangerously pointy to me. Could put someone's eye out! Don't know much about condor tokens, but it's fascinating to see the huge swathe of designs. Somewhere I've got a Shakespeare one.
Mark - lucky score with only 800 out there. Can't say I'm fond of the design, looks very overcrowded. I think it would've been better without that window spiderweb design behind. I do like the cypher on St Edward's chair though, that's clever. The lions(?) on the outer rim are interesting.
Mimael - a nice varied collection there. Plus a nice little fact file. Looks like a fun few hours. 🙂
Babhijeethreddy - some nice Iranian notes there. I do like the architectural designs, but the mountain one is definitely my favourite. I like the border underneath, a clever floral design.
My first Treasury note (Third Series, 1919 printing). Photo makes it look a little yellowed but it's actually quite a nice note. Obviously folded in four at some point (folds quite evident of the Palace of Westminster side). Maybe not the best, but it keeps it affordable for me. 🙂
Now my earliest British banknote and second oldest note in my entire collection (got a 1908 German note in the foreign collection).
My friend got these for me (and he got some nice whisky in exchange. A 12 year Macallan(?) - I don't drink but I visit that neck of the woods often enough (Speyside, land of a million distilleries), so I pick him up a bottle or two when I'm there).
I believe these to be forgeries from Operation Bernhard (~1942) as the prefixes are in the known forgery issues, and Britannia seems to be missing her earring but I don't (yet) have genuine notes to compare against.
A little ragged around the edges, but nice notes with very clear watermarks. So a nice start to my year & certainly not what I expected!
My first Treasury note (Third Series, 1919 printing). Photo makes it look a little yellowed but it's actually quite a nice note. Obviously folded in four at some point (folds quite evident of the Palace of Westminster side). Maybe not the best, but it keeps it affordable for me. 🙂
Now my earliest British banknote and second oldest note in my entire collection (got a 1908 German note in the foreign collection).
Nice find! I have the same one with Bradbury signature. Found it in a oddity/junk shop.
I appreciate how you have something nice to say for everyone's acquisitions! A lot of people post nice things up and get little acknowledgement most of the time and replies like yours really help and make our days! Thank you!
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
It's the only banknote in the world with the effigy of Elizabeth before she became queen. The engraving by Edwin Gunn is based on a photo taken by Marcus Adams in 1932, when she was 6 years old or thereabout (born April 21st 1926). More info on this Bank of Canada page.
EDIT — As for British paper money (or is it even money?), I recommend David Blaazer's paper, “Reading the Notes: Thoughts on the Meanings of British Paper Money”, Humanities Research, 1, 1999, pp. 39–54. The same author has now published a book I haven't seen yet: Forging Nations: Currency, Nationality and Power in Britain and Ireland 1603-1931, Oxford University Press, 2023.
When reading the paper you'll understand better why older British bank notes look so bland.
Mr Midnight - It's one of my favourite parts of British banknote history. Beforehand, we had notes from 10 shillings (0.5 pounds) right up to £1,000 - though of course, most people probably never saw above £5 (and even then, not commonplace).
Then during the war, basically everything above a £5 was demonitised, and the 10s & £1 were given an emergency make-over. All because the notes were so scarily good.
The thought of high-value notes was so terrifying to the Bank of England, even post-war, that we didn't get a £10 again until 1964, the £20 in 1970, and £50 until 1981(!) as official BoE issues, with apparently zero intentions of even larger notes. (Other Sterling issuers seem to have been allowed to issue these denominations “at their own risk”).
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Moneytane - nice note. I love how bold Bradbury had his signature (hence why they're commonly called Bradbury's, along with the earlier notes bearing his signature). Everyone else's signature just seems so pathetic in comparison.
A bit like Hancock's signature of the US' Declaration of Independence, and how Hancock is sometimes used as slang for a signature over there.
So, when I'm the chief cashier, I'll be sure to improve my signature to be bold & dramatic. 😉
And hey, takes only a few minutes to write something nice. Always enjoy admiring & seeing different stuff. Might as well let people know. 🙂
My problem is sometimes shutting up & keeping it brief(ish!). 😛
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Serial_Number_8 - over here it seems the Bernhard notes are more common than the legit notes! So much so, they're actually the cheaper option. Seems like the £5 & £50 (being the lowest & highest targeted denominations) are the easiest to find.
So nice to have the (comparatively) harder to find notes.
Thank you for the vid link, I'll watch it when I've got a spare hour. Probably at work. (Don't tell my boss 😉).
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Camerinvs - WOW! 😲 I knew the note existed, but I always thought it was a very rare (and expensive…) piece. You're very lucky to have one. Plus A1 serial is pretty cool (no idea if it makes it any more special, but cool all the same). Looks to be in fair nick too, for the age. Shame about the written number, but at least it's not overbearingly obvious & isn't over the portrait.
Seems like we had bland banknotes because the poor (with limited-to-no literate abilities) wouldn't have them. The rich who did have them would simply be able to read to the value, as they would have had better education.
Never really thought about it before, I just assumed it was laziness by the bank. Everyday is a school day. 🙂
I'm waiting for couple more items to contribute to “Bank Note Month”. BTW I obtained my 1935 $20 from one of the contributors to this thread, @Serial_Number_8.
@A Collector — Yes, wealthy and educated vs. poor, and also, as the author states from the start:
David Blaazer p. 40 (emphasis added by me):
As late as the eve of the First World War, English paper money was largely devoid of national significance. It was still the same as what it had been since its appearance in the seventeenth century as a regular product of the business of banking. The “bank note” was literally that: a written note from a bank representing minted coin to which the bearer of the note was entitled. It was not money. Every banknote made that very clear by promising to 'pay the bearer': that is, give the bearer money in exchange for the note, with the obvious corollary that the note itself was something other than money.
So, in some ways bank notes were like cheques, which are a promise of money, but not money itself. It's quite remarkable how different the Canadian and British/English systems were. Blaazar states that in “1914, the lowest denomination note permitted by law was £5, roughly equivalent to £220 (A$55o) at today's [1999] values”. In Canada, it was almost the opposite, since the Dominion reserved for itself the issue of lower denominations — 25¢ / $1 / $2 / $4 and eventually shared the issue of $5 notes with the chartered banks.
Great start to the month, those banknotes are really interesting!
My first addition to the collection for this month is a Dansco Supreme coin album for my Australian florin date run.
I have been looking for one of these Dansco Supreme albums pre-owned for a little bit now, and I finally decided to get a brand new album after no luck finding any for sale.
KEVII 1910-1910 & KGV 1911-1936
KGVI 1938-1952 & QEII 1953-1963
This set is mostly complete, but there are a couple of dates that are missing (thankfully only some of the easier dates left). My florins in anything higher than pretty much VF condition I keep seperate in their own capsules and trays, so although I do own a number of the missing dates, they do not appear in the album. The same applies to my 1932 and 1934/5 florins, which are quite a bit rarer.
I will try and progressively fill the remaining spots in the album with any dates I can find for close to the melt price.
On a seperate note, It is extremely interesting to see the Dansco advertising pages included in the book with some of the prices for the albums. .
This florin album retailed for $8.95 in 2007, which is practically 1/10th of the price (albeit in USD so not entirely correct) I paid for this one!
Great start to the month, those banknotes are really interesting!
My first addition to the collection for this month is a Dansco Supreme coin album for my Australian florin date run.
I have been looking for one of these Dansco Supreme albums pre-owned for a little bit now, and I finally decided to get a brand new album after no luck finding any for sale.
KEVII 1910-1910 & KGV 1911-1936
KGVI 1938-1952 & QEII 1953-1963
This set is mostly complete, but there are a couple of dates that are missing (thankfully only some of the easier dates left). My florins in anything higher than pretty much VF condition I keep seperate in their own capsules and trays, so although I do own a number of the missing dates, they do not appear in the album. The same applies to my 1932 and 1934/5 florins, which are quite a bit rarer.
I will try and progressively fill the remaining spots in the album with any dates I can find for close to the melt price.
On a seperate note, It is extremely interesting to see the Dansco advertising pages included in the book with some of the prices for the albums. .
This florin album retailed for $8.95 in 2007, which is practically 1/10th of the price (albeit in USD so not entirely correct) I paid for this one!
Nice, I keep all my Aussie coins before 1965 in flips. I see the florins are coming along. I have a complete set now and are just missing the 1915 sixpence and 1914 threepence along with most halfpennies and some pennies.
Do those books use safe plastic as I am worried PVC may interact with coins. Like you - virtually all my KGV Florins except Canberra and one or two others like 1934/1936 are VG or worse, those coins took a battering.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Nice, I keep all my Aussie coins before 1965 in flips. I see the florins are coming along. I have a complete set now and are just missing the 1915 sixpence and 1914 threepence along with most halfpennies and some pennies.
Do those books use safe plastic as I am worried PVC may interact with coins. Like you - virtually all my KGV Florins except Canberra and one or two others like 1934/1936 are VG or worse, those coins took a battering.
Thanks! I have never really collected with any theme or goal, so the Australian florins are the first partial date run I have. You have done extremely well to own a full set!
As you know, the pennies and half pennies are a significantly easier set to complete than the silver coins, and the majority of dates can be found in higher grades for a reasonable price - with the exception of the rare few such as the 1930 penny, which sells for 10s of 1000s of dollars, for anyone unaware!
And yes, the materials used are definitely chemically inert and do not contain PVC, although they are not airtight. Much like cardboard 2x2 holders and many other coin storage options, they can eventually tone the coins inside.
In Canada, it was almost the opposite, since the Dominion reserved for itself the issue of lower denominations — 25¢ / $1 / $2 / $4 and eventually shared the issue of $5 notes with the chartered banks.
Blaazer also comments how some of the Chartered banks had pictures of their buildings & more colourful notes. Although his article tends to focus on renewed patriotism in GB (the war effort, added national symbolism) in the BoE notes, it makes me wonder if the competition from chartered notes didn't also contribute to the push for more pictures/colour to BoE designs. It was interesting to read some of the contextual factors back then. I'm sure that was the case here in Canada where all Chartered banks had very colourful/interesting banknotes pre-1935. Thanks for sharing that interesting article @Camerinvs
It's the only banknote in the world with the effigy of Elizabeth before she became queen. The engraving by Edwin Gunn is based on a photo taken by Marcus Adams in 1932, when she was 6 years old or thereabout (born April 21st 1926).
When I first started asking about the 1935 $20.00 many dealers would say, “oh you're interested in the Shirley Temple note?” I had heard of the child star but didn't even think of how the young princess resembled the child star. Anyway, I soon discovered that the 1935 $20.00 is one of the most popular banknotes amongst Canadian collectors (& I'm sure the pink colour & portrait of the young princess has something to do with that).
Serial_Number_8 - over here it seems the Bernhard notes are more common than the legit notes! So much so, they're actually the cheaper option. Seems like the £5 & £50 (being the lowest & highest targeted denominations) are the easiest to find.
-I did not know that (thought it was the other way around since the counterfeits seems so expensive). Thanks for the update @A Collector
I just picked up a few pre-Euro notes from Noteshobby (nothing special). Otherwise known as “low-hanging fruit.”
Plus this P-182 2009 10 New Sols for my José Abelardo Quiñones Gonzáles set:
(Apologize- that these are just screenshots but my scanner crapped out on me years ago).
ZacUK - Hope your bids went well & you've got lots of cool new things to share with us soon. 🙂
Mr Midnight - nice mix of coins there. I particularly like the ½ Franc, but I'm a definite sucker for that classical full body dramatic pose. Half the reason I started collecting the 1oz silver Britannia was because of the pose.
The Serbian coin is interesting, all the “one year” releases before the modern commemorative coins were really a thing always seem to have an interesting story somewhere.
Camerinvs - that's very unusual to have the metal / paper denominations flipped. In my head, I can see the value both ways.
Paper money obviously costs less to produce which makes it more beneficial to utilise on low end. Inversely, carrying large amounts in metal is just heavy y'know.
Banknotes are such a legal oddity over here in the UK. If I recall properly, under Scots Law, no banknote (whether BoE issue or Scottish or any other) is technically legal tender, but should be treated as a reasonable method of paying debts owed. Under English law, BoE notes may be considered legal tender (if the value is equal to, or exceeds with the excess in coinage, the debt owed - but are not if the value is less than the debt [which allows for no change to be given]) and Scottish & NI notes are treated as “Promissory Notes” in that they may be exchanged for coinage or BoE notes at any bank.
Plus even current BoE notes specifically state the BoE promises to pay the bearer -x- pounds, so it's like they don't even consider themselves money.
It's a fascinating (& confusing) rabbit hole to fall down.
IM94 - cool find in getting that storage. I've always considered albums like that but never followed through. Yours looks pretty great though & looks like you've got a pretty solid collection too.
Serial_Number_8 - Definitely an interesting thought. The Scots notes seemed to start being really colourful ~1890, with the decoration to accompany. The BoE notes do look really nothing-y by comparison. Wonder if that helped push them in a very “English patriotism” look.
Ha! Not heard it called the Shirley Temple note before, but can totally see why.
I have looked around before but not bought. In ballpark terms for the UK, Bernhard notes tend to run between £50-£200 for a fair condition, and as you'd expect higher denomination are at the higher end. Even a flawless £50 doesn't get much further. You can get ragged notes like mine for £30 - £100 depending on denomination. All denominations are common enough.
Legit £5 tend to go around the £75+ mark in fair. The other denominations are painfully rare. They all often surpass the £200 mark in fair condition (which is the main reason I don't own them ☹).
And some nice notes to round off. Even low hanging fruit can be something to enjoy. I've not seen them before. 🙂
Camerinvs - that's very unusual to have the metal / paper denominations flipped. In my head, I can see the value both ways.
Paper money obviously costs less to produce which makes it more beneficial to utilise on low end. Inversely, carrying large amounts in metal is just heavy y'know.
Banknotes are such a legal oddity over here in the UK. If I recall properly, under Scots Law, no banknote (whether BoE issue or Scottish or any other) is technically legal tender, but should be treated as a reasonable method of paying debts owed. Under English law, BoE notes may be considered legal tender (if the value is equal to, or exceeds with the excess in coinage, the debt owed - but are not if the value is less than the debt [which allows for no change to be given]) and Scottish & NI notes are treated as “Promissory Notes” in that they may be exchanged for coinage or BoE notes at any bank.
Oh — the denominations I mentioned were all paper, including the 25 cents (such as this 1923 one).
Also, the cost of paper money is actually much higher if you consider its “life expectancy”. The Canadian paper dollar used to last less than a year (like the American dollar). Our circulating dollar coin ("loonie") lasts decades. As a matter of fact, the first year of introduction, 1987, is still commonly found in circulation almost 40 years later.
Yes, banknotes are quite an oddity in the United Kingdom. In this context, it's an important fact that the Bank of England was a private corporation from the time it was founded in the late 1600s until right after the Second World War when it was nationalized.
My new arrivals include this very historic tuppence.
Its a Commonwealth of England coin from 1649 to 1660. The coins down to 6d were mintmarked and dated, but the 2d, 1d and ½d were undated or marked with anything but value (II, I, or bare for ½d). Like all commonwealth pieces, they are insanely rare in any grade and this tiny coin cost me $200+ and yet I have never seen one in the flesh before.
Slightly later the King came back and all coins got dates and values. Here the 2d value is with a pair of C's (Each C was a penny) with coins up to 4 C's. Silver coins under 1 penny were no longer minted, with new copper ½d and ¼d minted from 1672.
And much much later by 1921, it was a Maundy only coin and so tiny, it was of no practical use and could only be used as 2 pennies.
The last 2d for circulation was in the 1840s. Nothing sat between the bronze penny and silver 3d.
1935 NZ 6d, not the rare 3d or crown of that year, but a notoriously hard coin to find above VG at all. I have spent 5 years upgrading my kiwi coins from VG/Fine to VF+ and this is the last coin, meaning I have now no “Average” coins in the collection, only supreme ones. This is only gVF which is the basal level of the new collection.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Another USA cupronickel cent, this one from 1862, thought I had the set but found 1862 was missing (1859 - 1864), now have each US cent from 1853 to 1867 (Except 1855/56 of either type). This is fine with some cleaned wear.
Greek silver Drachma of 1911, one of the last silver coins before WW1 ruined Greece and saw mostly muck metal coins and inflation afterwards. A 2 year type only (1910/11) although low value holed Lepton coins were issued in muck metal. It shows a mature portrait of George I, who had been king since 1863 and would be assassinated 2 years later in 1913.
Finally 2 UNC 3d coins of Australia from 1943, one Australian made and other USA made (Denver - oops thanks Mr Midnight).
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Camerinvs - I suppose it's all a balancing act. I suspect paper is easier to make than finding metal, melting it to required purity, having dies made etc etc. But as you say, flip side is it wears out so much quicker. I guess the Government of the day made the best choice available to them. Still, fascinating to see it “backwards” to (my) norm.
The BoE is a truly fascinating (and quite frankly confusing) topic. In part created to act as the Government's bank (which it has done continously) & yet does not have a monopoly on banknote issues within the country. So far as I know, only China (via Hong Kong) & the UK have issuing banks that are not the central bank. Anyway, I'll not ramble any further. 🤐
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Moneytane - some gorgeous acquisitions as usual. I'll only comment on my two favourites, but they're all lovely.
Don't see many Commonwealth coins anywhere. Suppose we probably melted as many down as we could once we brought the Merry Monarch back. 🙂
Quite a nice level of detail too, don't think you've been robbed.
Charles II coin. Lovely too. As I'm sure you know, this is why our monarchs alternate in direction as Charles wanted to face the other way to Cromwell to make it obvious to the (generally) illiterate public someone new was in charge. Perhaps a semi-apocryphal story, but fun all the same.
One of my favourite callbacks on our new coinage is that many Charles II coins (think it's most issues 6p or greater) had two interlocking “C”s or multiple pairs throughout.
The new Charles III coins all have multiple three interlocking “C”s throughout. Here it is on the new £1, but it is on all denominations.
Always loved that touch.
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Pluto - nice mix of global coins, little bit of many things there. My favourite has to be the Iceland 10Kr; like the quartered effect, and looks quite stylish I think.
I hope this was just the way it was sent and that you are not planning to store your coins like that.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Another USA cupronickel cent, this one from 1862, thought I had the set but found 1862 was missing (1859 - 1864), now have each US cent from 1853 to 1867 (Except 1855/56 of either type). This is fine with some cleaned wear.
Greek silver Drachma of 1911, one of the last silver coins before WW1 ruined Greece and saw mostly muck metal coins and inflation afterwards. A 2 year type only (1910/11) although low value holed Lepton coins were issued in muck metal. It shows a mature portrait of George I, who had been king since 1863 and would be assassinated 2 years later in 1913.
Finally 2 UNC 3d coins of Australia from 1943, one Australian made and other USA made (San Francisco).
That's a wonderfully globe embracing group. The copper-nickel cents are very appealing, nicer than copper ones, I think.
I have a few from my great grandfather's desk, which Ive had since the 1970s.
Nice Paris minted drachma. Greece is prominent in the collection of LMU coins of all nations.
Those are some shiney sixpences! Absolutely 100% luster. High unc, I would say, 65+. Oh, but the D mint mark was/is for Denver.
Jamais l'or n'a perdu la plus petite occasion de se montrer stupide. -Balzac
I'm really happy, since it took me quite a long time. More than I would like, being honest. But, I'm done! It's time for something else ;).
Have a nice day, everyone!
Congrats on completing your collection! I only have a few complete sets of coins. Of course I have a set of current US coins, but I also have a complete set of Euro coins (I have at least one of each Irish Euro coin besides the 1 Euro coin). I used to have a complete set of Deutsche Mark coins a few years ago, but I no longer have them.
Did you know that Pluto is still a planet in Illinois and New Mexico and has de facto recognition as a planet in Arizona?
Long time no see lads. Technically January additions but I haven't documented them so here we are: Filling out more dates with Bank of China 2003 series, a 2005 $20 and 2007 $100; 2003 HSBC $500; 2021 Bank of China radar serial and AA prefix from 2010. Latter two were pulled straight from bank straps, UNC. Somebody at college wanted to exchange his USD into HKD and I did everything I could to snag that 1995 twenty (couldn't find while I was in USA, even harder to find in HKG). The $2 bills (2003-D, 2009-K, 2013-K, 2013-L) were a nice bonus.
"Life is all about being too wrapped up in the now to care about the future. When the future becomes the past, you start to regret what you've done."
Not a particularly easy note to find. It's an unusual commemorative issue, celebrating the opening of the bank's new office. And the highest value commemorative they've ever released.
They were issued into circulation, but mine appears to be a UNC bound in a perspex-y material. The note is actually inside what I assume is a proper acid-free plastic(y) holder with the perspex covering that, but it's very hard to see.
I'll still want a loose copy that I can file away properly, but the price was right for a note I didn't have.
And gets me one note closer to completion. RBS have released just 12 commemorative notes since 1992 (and haven't released any since 2014). Now I have 10 of those 12. 🙂
Mr Midnight - Hope you didn't feel pressurised to buy banknotes because I (accidentally) started “Banknote February”. I think every month is a banknote month for me as my coins are virtually complete.
Can't say I know much about your acquisitions are, but I do like the 500 what with all the animals on it. Also love the 0.50 CPC note with an unusually heavy floral motif in colour too. The little birds on the top left really pull the note together too. Shame Apollo (Mercury?) looks a bit grumpy though. Suppose it's meant to be a neutral-serious look.
Danzig - An amazing achievement completing any set! Well done. 🙂
Don't know much about it, but getting such an early set must have been a pain, especially given Poland's, let's say, turbulent history over the rest of the 20th century. Would love to see your completed set if you can be bothered taking a photo or two. (But no pressure 🙂)
KS5331 - Nice to see you again. Think last time I saw you, you had almost completed your US state quarters. 🙂
Some nice notes there. Don't see too many of the HK issuing banknotes (and they're quite an oddity not being issued by the Central Bank. Think only China & the UK have such pieces).
Must admit, I prefer the HSBC releases to BOC or SCB notes, but all gorgeous nonetheless.
And apparently thats a good grab on the US $20.
Pluto - Some nice coins there. Unmistakably Polish (even ignoring the writing). I love how very nationally evocative they look with their crowned eagle. Simple, stylish, proud.
True about the US$20, I havent seen any of those small oval portraits in many years. The oldest bill in my wallet right now is a 2007, which has the current large portrait.
I was only too happy to shop for notes, and I am well pleased with my new treasure.
The Paris PCC 50 centime note is a prize, the very charming swallows frolicking in the oak branches, and also a very handsome sailing ship with sails pulling. The Greek name of Mercury is Hermes. He is rather stern, but he is taking care of business. He is surrounded I believe by flowering chestnut boughs.
the New Caledonia note is darker, from a modern perspective. The note depicts the strip mining on the Island for Nickel, an activity beginning in the 1840s, benefitting the European settlers and bankers financially, and one can easily imagine the benefits and outcomes to the local population and communities.
Jamais l'or n'a perdu la plus petite occasion de se montrer stupide. -Balzac
I hope this was just the way it was sent and that you are not planning to store your coins like that.
This was how it was given to me, but I took them out when I got home
Also the coin marked “20 złoty” is actually a 1 złoty coin
All good then, just checking. I hate to see coins like that, but understand if for sending them as many postal dictatorships ban coins and they have a habit of clanging and clinking around in the packet, so tape is useful for very short term storage.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
In the last time I visited the local coin dealer (who don't usually have ancients but this time got one), I bought an older note that I didn't post here.
It was end january, technically should go to the january thread, but I'm posting here with the roman silver just to get into the banknote trend.
In the spirit of “Banknote Month”, here are two from the first series issued by the Bank of Canada in 1935:
For those who may not know, the first Bank of Canada 1935 series (with separate English/French versions) lasted a brief 2 years. The series colour schemes followed Bank of England's conventions & confused most Canadians. It & the designs were radically revised in 1937 (when our notes became bilingual). But the Five & Twenty have been particularly popular amongst collectors since the $5.00 features the king who wouldn't be & the $20 featured the young princess who became queen. Great, tough additions @Camerinvs!
I bought an older note that I didn't post here.
That 1936 200 Mil Reis is one scarce note! Great add!
Here's a couple peculiar pick ups from the Philippines. Nothing earth shattering but odd nonetheless. The Philippines all started putting bar codes for the blind on their banknotes in 2020-2022 for the 50 Pesos & up. And then Marcos Jr was elected & the bars were dropped in 2022 (so I picked up an example with the new seal & new signatures). In 2023 the no-bar policy also seemed to be in place but the example I got was the 2022 year:
And then I noticed that the horizontal bars came back in 2023, so I picked up a low # example with the horizontal bars:
And then I saw that they also had some weird releases with 3 letter prefixes & notes with 7 digits (almost all BOP notes have 6 digits in their serial numbers) so I picked up this example with 7 digits:
They also have replacements with 2 letter prefixes plus their + symbol which represents replacement function (normal replacements have no prefix but just the + symbol + SN). I would like to pick up an example of that oddity sometime too. Lots of interesting things to be found coming out of the Philippines before their 2024/2025 polymer launch.
Mr Midnight - $20, ah one of those where its the old style. Good knowledge to have.
Paris PCC note - it really is a prize. (D'oh, can't believe I mixed up Apollo with Hermes. Should have known that; Apollo is the only relatively major God to have the same name in both Roman & Greek mythology. I think I'll go hang my head in shame in a corner for a bit).
Hadn't thought of the New Caledonia note, I just saw a generic “industry” type note. Suppose by modern standards, it is a pretty grim look. Interesting to see the change in tone. 100 years ago: Woo! Mining, resources! Today: Destruction of the planet. Boo!
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Camerinvs - two very lovely notes there. Always nice to see the first in a series, and to see the English / French matching pair is a real treat.
I notice the Canadians seem very quick off the mark when getting monarchs onto currency. Over here in the UK, we didn't even get to Elizabeth until like 1960. 🙄
Getting a guy who was only around about 10 months is remarkably quick.
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Giobruno - Very nice coin. Quality on the portrait side is very sharp indeed. I dare say it's even better than the one used for the listing page! 😲
All the same, that pastry option sounds good too… 😋
Note - I don't know much about it, but it looks pretty neat. Oddly enough, the bay side reminded me of Scarborough. (Image is from ~1905)
Obviously, a bit of scrutiny & you'll see a lot of differences but there's certainly some resemblance (if you're blind in one eye… and the other has an eye-patch over it… 😛).
Must have been the style of the day I guess. Cool note to see.
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Ixx_Grid - Fun little find. Looks like you've got a good quality scope on the go there. Not sure I want to see my collection so magnified though!
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Serial - Lots of interesting history & titbits. As always, thanks for sharing. 🙂
The stuff with the Philippine notes is going over my head. I see where you mean, but I just can't understand the policy of add it, take it out. 🤷♂️
Glad I'm not a a referee of over there right now. 😛
And your “James Bond”-esque number is fun. “Quintuple-Oh-seven”. Sounds like a really bad spoof. 😛
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Baxter - Some interesting sounding pieces there. 1938 Australia crown is a toughy, even I know that. Seem to recall a while back someone sharing pics of one with the original paper(?) bag.
Good mix of history too, Roman, Mediaeval, Victorian, and 20th century. Eclectic.
Serial, it is indeed scarce. As nearly all pre-1942 notes. When I find one that is cheap, it's because is very worn. In good state, I think only the 1923 1000 Réis can be affordable to a beginner.
Collector, nice old photo.
Another look on my note and I think you may recognize the Sugarloaf in Rio de Janeiro.
For my roman, yes, I agree that it looks better than the one at the catalog.
For those who may not know, the first Bank of Canada 1935 series (with separate English/French versions) lasted a brief 2 years. The series colour schemes followed Bank of England's conventions & confused most Canadians. It & the designs were radically revised in 1937 (when our notes became bilingual). But the Five & Twenty have been particularly popular amongst collectors since the $5.00 features the king who wouldn't be & the $20 featured the young princess who became queen.
I didn't know those were the Bank of England's colour schemes. Interesting, especially that our notes were depicting their own royal family at the time while they weren't.
The $20 remains popular outside Canada as well since it's the only bank note showing Elizabeth before she became queen. I suspect this popularity will wane with time as the generations raised under Charles and his successors will not have the same attachment for an earlier monarch.
A Collector
I notice the Canadians seem very quick off the mark when getting monarchs onto currency. Over here in the UK, we didn't even get to Elizabeth until like 1960. 🙄
Getting a guy who was only around about 10 months is remarkably quick.
Yes — I remember the first time I looked closely at British banknotes on this site and couldn't believe it that the monarch is never depicted until the early 60s.
Now can you imagine you go to the bank to exchange your note for coins because of an important transaction and you're told: “Sorry: we don't know you! Try elsewhere.”
Just purchased this 1877 Japanese trade dollar I was initially skeptical of rising sun rarities cause it seemed a bit too good to be true (US based coin shop specializing in rare Japanese coins)
But after researching them online I found out the store owner frequently attended coin shows in Florida so I decided to give them a chance.
Quite eagerly but nearvously awaiting its arrival this was the last “Big” silver coin of the meiji era I needed for my type set.
I am sorry, but a repaired coin of that type gives me instant suspicion signs. Its a type widely faked by Chinese fakers. What did you pay and what do you know about its pedigree. The tone looks like the similar silver plated brass or pewter that the Chinesers use.
Weight will be a give away too, if its under 26 grams, its el fako. I hope I am wrong - but I have seen so make fakes from China.
I have bought some coins I know are genuine and scarce.
Australia 1946 Penny, seems normal and humdrum, but 1946 is a scarce year with only 464k minted and missing from most Australian penny collections. Usually worn George VI pennies are a dime a dozen but not this one.
Canberra Florin of 1927, common and I think this is the true UNC, looks like its been cleaned and dipped, yet it seems to have cartwheel shine and I think just may be a really nice example. Even if its cleaned and a details coin - its cheap and cheaper than my current AU one, the best of the 20 or so examples of Canberra Florin I own.
Newfoundland 20 cent coin, my first coin of theirs and I felt it was well priced at just $29 or so, this is VF and has a rather sour faced portrait of Victoria. I find it interesting they stuck with the 20 cent route, rather than issue quarters like Canada did.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
I now have coins from 40 different currencies, though it depends on which ones you think are their own currencies (I count the non-decimal pound as a separate currency from the decimal pound)
My list of currencies:
U.S. Dollar
Can. Dollar
Upper Can. Pound
Mex. First Peso
Mex. Nuevo Peso
El Sal. Colon
Bahamian Dollar
Cayman Is. Dollar
Jamaican Dollar
Peso Dominicano
E. Car. Dollar
Barbadian Dollar
Chilean Peso
Icelandic Króna
Irish Pound (Decimal)
U.K. Pound (Not Decimal)
U.K. Pound (Decimal)
Danish Krone
Norwegian Krone
Swedish Krone
Euro
Vichy France Franc
Dutch Guilder
Reichsmark
Deutsche Mark
Swiss Franc
Italian Lira
Polish Złoty
Hungarian Forint
Moroccan Dirham
Israeli Old Shekel
UAE Dirham
Indian Rupee
South Vietnamese Ð’ông
Hong Kong Dollar
Japanese Yen
Philippine Peso
Australian Dollar
New Zealand Dollar
Tuvalu Dollar
Did you know that Pluto is still a planet in Illinois and New Mexico and has de facto recognition as a planet in Arizona?
the best of the 20 or so examples of Canberra Florin I own.
Just curious: why stacking the same coin multiple times?!
I stack silver fullstop for a start.
Some of my bulk Canberra Florins. All are in protective flips.
The coin was issued to celebrate the opening of the new Federal Parliament House in Canberra, a capital city established only in 1913. The Building served as Parliament until 1988, when the underground modernist monstrosity was opened. This building still stands I believe. 2 million were minted, which is just an average number for a florin - yet given it was the height of the roaring 20s and the coin was issued at face value, not at a premium like some of the 1930s flops of Victorian Centenaries and NZ Waitangi Crowns - the coin was a huge hit and I guess over 500k at least of them have survived, very high for a coin that old. A stamp at the local rate of 1½d was also issued and is very common as well, apart from a Kookaburra design of 1914, its the first commemorative stamp of Australia issued.
Canberra's I just really like the design, there are a lot of them around here and despite being nearly 100 years old and made out of good sterling silver, they are a very common coin in NZ and Australia. It seems in 1927, everyone put them aside. Plus the average condition of a surviving Canberra Florin is Very Fine to good Very Fine. And you all know how much I love large early 20th century silver coins.
So we have an old coin, that is good silver and very nice to look at, at an attractive price - what is there not to stack?
In contrast the standard 1927 Australian Florin is only found in Good or Very Good condition, heavily worn and an unattractive generic design. You would need to pay hundreds to get one in the same state as an average Canberra, which costs between $20 and $35. The melt on one now is $19.40 NZD.
Also since 2023, I have gone from poor to well off and have 5 kilograms of stacking silver, most of it is Florins and Halfcrowns with a good mix of other coins like USA constitutional and Swiss Francs. These coins are in addition to the main collections.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
This is a 2022 “birthday loonie”. These come (so far as I know) only in sets with the 5, 10, and 25 cents and $2 regular (circulation) coins, but some sellers take them out of the set (i.e. basically destroy the set) to grade them separately, as with this one. This coin has all the same specifications as a circulating dollar coin. It would be accepted in vending machines and go unnoticed in a roll.
Some more buys were these banknotes, in addition to the Bradburys and my later Page's and Somerset £1 - I managed to get an instant collection of every 10/- and £1 used in the UK from 1940 onwards. These were all very cheap, less than $20 each in most cases and of course very common.
This 10/- is the WW2 type with Peppiat signature, there were 3 of them and I only got this tatty one for $8, it was cheap due to tape stains on it.
The 1948 - 1960 10/- of which I got 4, including a 1948/49 Peppiat with security bar, 2x 1949 -55 Beales and this worn O Brien (1955 - 1961), I already that note in better grade.
The WW2 blue pound, this is a good example and only nice one I won. These notes were quite sophisticated for the era and more advanced than the green pounds before and after. Mainly to stop forgers, after all Operation Bernhard only faked white £5, 10, 20 notes, not the colourful lower value notes. In the 40s, a £1 still had about £15 - £25 buying power.
The well known Green Pound, this is the 1948 - 1960 type, with Peppiat (1) and 2 Beales (This is one) and 2 O'Briens.
I missed out on an earlier Mahon and Catterns note (1929 and 1935). All the pounds show the Bank of England building from the 1770s and 1830s in 1928, before the 1930s add on 2 or 3 storeys.
These designs date from 1928 and they were also copied by Argentina to some degree in the 1930s to 1960s. Known as Series A, they replaced the more basic Bradburys and came out after the gold sovereigns had been put to sleep in the late 1920s.
Series C was issued from 1960 and I had some of these, the notes were smaller, longer and more modern looking, but still had nice designs.
I did not buy any 10/- as I had 2 of them already and the note was phased out in 1969, replaced by the 50p coin, which was 10/- until 1971. I also don't have the pattern of the 10/- note redesigned as a 50 new pence note (Thought of in 1968, but in mid 1969 they settled on a coin instead - the 50p coin was released in July or September that year I think.
PS Series B was the £5 note with Minerva issued in 1957 and replaced in 1963 by the series C design i have below.
The One pound note was issued in 1960 and there are 4 signatures - O'Brien (1960/1), Hollom (1962, 1966), Fforde (1966/70) and J. Page (1970/77), yes the note was used into and issued into Decimal times, it was the only one (The £10 may have made it into the early 70s). The note shown is the earliest signature.
You may recognise the design of the note was copied in the Coming to America movie (The Zamunda Banknote).
The £5 note was first issued in 1963 and was actually shorter than the £1, but much wider. The design is more elaborate and not quite as nice in my opinion. A £10 was also issued (I don't have it) and the £20 arrived in 1970, however its a Series D note. This note only had the Hollom and Fforde signatures and replaced in 1971 by a decimal fiver with the Duke of Wellington.
Finally a Samoan 100 Tala note from 2006
The dealer had 6 of these, all below face value and needless to say bids landed on all of them straight away. I really wanted it as I have the series to $50 already. So I put auto bids on all of them and won 3 of them! This was the best one. The joy is that its still legal tender, hence the interest in them!
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Canberra Florin of 1927, common and I think this is the true UNC, looks like its been cleaned and dipped, yet it seems to have cartwheel shine and I think just may be a really nice example. Even if its cleaned and a details coin - its cheap and cheaper than my current AU one, the best of the 20 or so examples of Canberra Florin I own.
The coin was issued to celebrate the opening of the new Federal Parliament House in Canberra, a capital city established only in 1913. The Building served as Parliament until 1988, when the underground modernist monstrosity was opened. This building still stands I believe.
Great Canberra Florin! It looks like a great coin and quite well struck with the 8 pearls clearly defined, great hair details, and lines on the maces complete. I am surprised to see the steps not clearly defined, although this could just be in the photo. These florins make a up a large portion of my silver Australian coins as well.
You are right about the building still standing, it is located next to Australia’s current Parliament House. It now serves as a museum for Australian parliamentary history. Here are a couple photos I took when I visited 6 months-or-so ago. (Surprisingly I didn’t take any of the exterior).
Why are you melting them? There are some good coins in that lot, its not like worn flat Roosevelt dimes or 40% Kennedies.
That is horrible, we are coin collectors, not coin abusers. A lot of us here I am sure would not be happy with some one bragging about how they going to melt some coins for money or so called “art”.
I edited my post to clarify thanks
And I did mine.
IM94 - Great photos, glad the building will see its century soon, built to last!
Many high grade coins are missing clear steps, its a common problem, likely die wear or as i suspect possibly AU cleaned rather than real UNC. You can get full pearlers in AU, as AU is more rubbing wear rather than flat patches.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Why are you melting them? There are some good coins in that lot, its not like worn flat Roosevelt dimes or 40% Kennedies.
That is horrible, we are coin collectors, not coin abusers. A lot of us here I am sure would not be happy with some one bragging about how they going to melt some coins for money or so called “art”.
I edited my post to clarify thanks
Thanks. I got the horrors too last night, reading it the first time!
Jamais l'or n'a perdu la plus petite occasion de se montrer stupide. -Balzac
Why are you melting them? There are some good coins in that lot, its not like worn flat Roosevelt dimes or 40% Kennedies.
That is horrible, we are coin collectors, not coin abusers. A lot of us here I am sure would not be happy with some one bragging about how they going to melt some coins for money or so called “art”.
I edited my post to clarify thanks
Thanks. I got the horrors too last night, reading it the first time!
Thanks guys. These coins simply cannot be melted and I had to have them, especially the Prussian wedding medal, trade dollar, and the counterstruck Guatemala over Peru peso. I personally would never melt coins, they would have to be damaged considerably for me to ever consider it. From the batch there were plenty of coins that were common (ex. Canada 80%) or have little collector value (NCLTs popped out of sets/capsules), but ultimately they aren't my coins and I can't save them all. That being said I am sure good coins get melted especially with the high value of silver today; fortunately these will be staying with me!
Kenny
- Verifying your Asian and British-territorial coins everyday with the best quality photos and the best information.
Oh that is precious! I love the fractured reli/gion
"HONOR" trodden under foot, "throne" turned upside down, FRA-NCE (divided), RE | LI ! GI | ON cut in pieces, "GLORY" defaced, "FIRE" in each corner, murder (i.e. daggers) on every side, and bloodshed all over. (Quote from PROVINCIAL TOKEN-COINAGE OF THE 18th CENTURY BY R. DALTON & S. H. HAMER 1910)
I guess the maker wasn't impressed by the French Revolution.
I am sorry, but a repaired coin of that type gives me instant suspicion signs. Its a type widely faked by Chinese fakers. What did you pay and what do you know about its pedigree. The tone looks like the similar silver plated brass or pewter that the Chinesers use.
Weight will be a give away too, if its under 26 grams, its el fako. I hope I am wrong - but I have seen so make fakes from China.
I have bought some coins I know are genuine and scarce.
Australia 1946 Penny, seems normal and humdrum, but 1946 is a scarce year with only 464k minted and missing from most Australian penny collections. Usually worn George VI pennies are a dime a dozen but not this one.
Canberra Florin of 1927, common and I think this is the true UNC, looks like its been cleaned and dipped, yet it seems to have cartwheel shine and I think just may be a really nice example. Even if its cleaned and a details coin - its cheap and cheaper than my current AU one, the best of the 20 or so examples of Canberra Florin I own.
Newfoundland 20 cent coin, my first coin of theirs and I felt it was well priced at just $29 or so, this is VF and has a rather sour faced portrait of Victoria. I find it interesting they stuck with the 20 cent route, rather than issue quarters like Canada did.
I am equally skeptical to be honest I paid about $780 after taxes it's original price was $900,
According to Abby from rising sun coins she gets her coins from dealers in Japan when she goes on business trips.
Normally I would not trust a ebay store for a coin like this but I did take a look at Abby's history and she's considered a expert on Japanese coinage among the dealers on Collectors forum even attending many coin shows in person.
The listing itself has a video better showing the coin if your interested, I really hope she's a trustworthy dealer personally.
Update:Coin arrived It's a small solace but comparing all the tiny stains and marks it is identical to PCGS's images and the NFC chip inside the holder is legitimate (unsure if those are able to be faked).
It is still possible pcgs goofed & graded a fake but I am no expert on that & shouldn't comment on their ability.
Had a little trip to the borders, dancing on both the English & Scottish sides. Nothing much interesting in my change, but I did get two “upgrades”.
Original above, new one below. Although it's still a circulated note, it's a bit nicer & much sharper, especially on the Elizabeth side. Plus I got it for face value which is always nice.
One of four tercentenary of Robert “Rabbie” Burns from 1996. Original below this time. These differ from the usual notes of the time as they have verses from his poems on. Moved from a very worn circulated note to a near uncirculated one (I can't actually spot any flaws, but it was advertised as slightly circulated).
So all in all, a good little trip.
I'll get round to admiring all the additions from everyone else soon, a quick skim looks interesting. 🙂
Had a little trip to the borders, dancing on both the English & Scottish sides. Nothing much interesting in my change, but I did get two “upgrades”.
Original above, new one below. Although it's still a circulated note, it's a bit nicer & much sharper, especially on the Elizabeth side. Plus I got it for face value which is always nice.
One of four tercentenary of Robert “Rabbie” Burns from 1996. Original below this time. These differ from the usual notes of the time as they have verses from his poems on. Moved from a very worn circulated note to a near uncirculated one (I can't actually spot any flaws, but it was advertised as slightly circulated).
So all in all, a good little trip.
I'll get round to admiring all the additions from everyone else soon, a quick skim looks interesting. 🙂
Great notes, with the English tenners, the one at top is much later from the late 80s, whereas the one below is earlier from the 1973 - 1980 period with the J.0. Page signature. He appears on one of my predecimal pounds (Series C) issued between 1970 and 1978 and the first series of Series D pound from 1978 - 1981. Yet both of your tenners are Series D, which lasted until 1991.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Snagged a few new things. Couple German State coins I’ve been wanting to add to the collection. Sorry about the bad pictures, still need to invest in a proper camera and set up
Constantine II AE follis. CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C, laureate, cuirassed bust right / GLOR-IA EXERC-ITVS, two soldiers standing holding spears and shields, two standards between them. Mintmark PLG. RIC VII Lyons 238; Sear 17316.
Not a great example. The reverse is of the SOLI INVICTO COMITI type, with PLG mintmark = Lugdunum (Lyons) in what was then Gallia Lugdunensis. This variety with F | T letters in the field on the reverse is not in the Numista catalogue.
Quite a nice example, isn't it? Victorinus ruled over the so-called “Gallic Empire”. Die axis ⬆️⬇️.
CATALOGUE
This was described as Constantius II but I have my doubts. It will require some work before I can positively identify the effigy, but also the mintmark. The reverse type is the very common propagandistic claim: FELicium TEMPorum REPARATIO = “Restauration of happy/prosperous times”.
I have been focusing on LMU silver in recent years, but have very little from Spain, so I am catching Spain up. These are both good grade and without problems, though probably repeatedly cleaned/polished/dipped/whizzed.
This last one was a below spot must buy. I am not collecting Netherlands or territories. I havent even learned the types clearly. But this is a nice big piece of silver.
It has some yellow residue I suspect was a plastic flip from the 1950s. I might try soaking it in vinegar.
These were struck at the US Mint in Denver.
Jamais l'or n'a perdu la plus petite occasion de se montrer stupide. -Balzac
1872H Canadian quarter, now officially my oldest quarter from Canada, not for long as I have a 1858 20c on the horizon. This one is cleaned Fine grade and a decent coin for the price.
1889 US Seated Liberty Dime, the dealer graded this as Fine (!!!!) because you can see “Liberty” - the Obverse alone screams Good at best, overall likely aVG/G or Sheldon VG7/G4. I mean it doesn't even have a clear rim, but it was cheap.
This was also very cheap (Melt + GST and 10%) and is a 1935S Peace dollar, described as VF, but I grade it maybe VF20 or British “Fine” - its worn and likely cleaned, but also the last common date of silver dollar.
Finally (Mr Midnight, I had already bidded on this coin before your post showed up) a decent Swedish 2 Kronor.
1897 2 Kronor, nice detail, probably high VF towards EF. I bought as I don't have any silver Swedes before the 40% billon era of the 1940s.
Also noticed its the same size and purity as the Danish 2 Kroner commems that I collect.
Mr Midnight - Those crowns are nice, but I agree - absolutely impossible to find them not dipped/cleaned/whizzed. All seems so pointless when most of them are VF at least to start off with. Many of the countries outside the wealthier ones like France and Belgium, could not keep up the issues of these coins, due to their weak economies (Greece, Italy, Spain etc) and issued the big coins very infrequently, so most were minted between 1868 and 1880 and then you got just smaller coins and commems through to WW1 and in came the muck metal coins.
Good to see you have an 1893 Alfonso XIII (Child head) one, must be scarce. I have Amedeo as well and a 1884 Alfonso XII.
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Moneytane, That's a fine looking 2 kroner. It's pretty cool that Sweden appeared twice in this months thread.
That dime, the middle two thirds really do show some fine details. the reverse not so much. It mush have had a very high rim on the obverse when new, that allowed the seated figure to retain so much depth.
I also got some Canadian quarters I havent posted yet, and a dime, all 20th century tho.
Jamais l'or n'a perdu la plus petite occasion de se montrer stupide. -Balzac
@Moneytane that is a very nice 2 kronor. On the seated dime in the states it would certainly grade a F, maybe even a VF for some novice coin dealer making an investment on old US type coins when experienced eyes see a VG at best
Kenny
- Verifying your Asian and British-territorial coins everyday with the best quality photos and the best information.
These just arrived from South Africa. Many of the 1923 sets were put together by Mappin & Webb in fancy cases, but these came in the (now rather scruffy) cardboard box from the Pretoria Mint.
These just arrived from South Africa. Many of the 1923 sets were put together by Mappin & Webb in fancy cases, but these came in the (now rather scruffy) cardboard box from the Pretoria Mint.
These just arrived from South Africa. Many of the 1923 sets were put together by Mappin & Webb in fancy cases, but these came in the (now rather scruffy) cardboard box from the Pretoria Mint.
Those are amazing, rare enough in UNC condition, but the cardboard box no matter how scruffy would be worth a fortune, original stuff like that is gold. Given its also over 100 years old, it looks pretty decent to me.
The coins are sublime and you know they changed the lettering on all of them slightly in 1926 and the 3d and 6d got a new design in 1925.
Great score!
I love coins. Especially silver, gold and anything really old.
Member of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand and the Auckland Numismatic Society
Deary me, I'm a long way behind now! Well, better get started…
Giobruno - Oh, I can see where it is well enough. As you say, distinctive sugar loaf mountain hiding back there. Just thought it was interesting that the architecture was reasonably comparable despite the massive difference geographically.
And pleased you enjoyed your pastry. 😛
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Camerinvs - we did have the monarch on the earlier Treasury bills, but it was the 1960s series C which was formally issued by the Bank of England and featured the monarch.
I have a vague recollection that one of the reasons they didn't put the monarch on the earlier series was to make it clear that they functioned independently of the Monarch directly, and independently of the Government which, technically, operates in the Monarch's name. This is why Bank of England usually feature Britannia (or Scotia or Hibernia for Scotland & Ireland issuing banks respectively). They were proclaiming their loyalty to the country whilst simultaneously declaring independence from its politics.
Really rather clever. Don't quote me though, might have misremembered it.
Our history of banknotes is really complex. We also had banks refuse to accept notes from other banks (by law, at the time, the Bank of England could only have offices in London, which meant distribution of BoE notes was difficult, so a lot of local banks issued their own (what we today call provisional notes)).
Some banks would only accept certain banks issues & refuse others. Some would charge conversion fees (whilst we don't knowingly have any surviving bank documents, we do have letters complaining of rates of up to 50%! I.e. You give me a £10 note, I give you £5 in coin & keep the other £5 in fees.
Rather scary to think how cutthroat it was.
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Babhijeethreddy - Some lovely notes there, particularly like the turtle design. It's interesting to see a lot of notes really focusing on nature at the moment. Suppose it is the “in thing” & not overly political.
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Pluto - a fascinating mix of coins. As someone else noted, unusual to not see many circular ones. I've always admired the scalloped shaped ones, probably because we've never had them here.
I think I spy the Australian 50c in the top right. Believe that that is the largest still-in-circulation coin anywhere in the world.
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Charon - Hope your coin turns out to be the real deal. 🙂 Funky dragon design. I am fond of the Japanese dragon designs.
And I see your later post suggests it's at least not an obvious fake & comes reputably. 🤞
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Moneytane - Delivering as usual with some lovely designs. Good find with the 1946 penny. I know how hard finding relatively low mintages can be.
Interesting on how Newfoundland stuck with 20c rather than the 25c more common in North America. Never noticed before.
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Back to Pluto - Building up a steady global mix there. Is your goal something like one from every nation (or currently existing nation)? I hear it can be a lot of fun to do that.
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(Hopping over the silver discussion)
Back to Camerinvs - Love the Mountie coin. When I was little, I always wanted be be one growing up because of the uniform. Despite the fact I'm not Canadian and as of yet, still haven't visited. (I know it's really a tourist attraction & dress uniform rather than the day-to-day thing. But I'm a sucker for pageantry…)
So love to see them being celebrated on a coin.
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Moneytane - The Series A notes are lovely. As you say, very easy to come by in circulated condition but surprisingly complex for the era. I really must get some for my collection. Only missing the 6 x series A, and one from E & G.
I sometimes wonder whether operation Bernhard had ever intended to make the 10s / £1 notes. Suppose the British government thought it possible enough hence the rush job on, basically, recolouring the note.
Didn't know about the Argentine notes though. Have to look that up sometime.
My favourite thing with the Series C notes is the “loopiness” of the font. But then if you look closer, each note uses a different part. The 10s runs from the “f” in “of”. The £1 runs from the “A” in “Bank” down the note then back up to join the “A” in England. £5 from the “F” & “e” in five, then the “P” & “d” in Pounds plus lots of extra flourishes from the bottom sentence. Then the £10 from the “T” in “Ten” and “P” in “Pounds”.
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KennyG - some nice coins saved from the melting pot there! Lucky you. The George V coin near bottom left looks particularly sharp.
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IM94 - some lovely holiday snaps there. Is that the building with an early-ish (pre-1300) copy of Magna Carta in it? I recall only two early copies exist outside the UK & one was in the Australian parliament.
Interesting to see the English/British coat of arms there, figured they'd have used the Australian version.
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Harris79 - nice pair of coins there. I like how Victoria's robe has a slight “oriental” look to it whilst otherwise retaining a very European monarch style.
But that token is fascinating. Every time I look I see something new to admire. Absolutely love that.
Particularly interesting to see honor rather than honour. Suppose spelling wasn't fully standardised yet.
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Mr Midnight - looks like you've got quite a bit of sorting to do. Even “normal” coins are interesting in their own way, especially if you don't already have them.
Plus a contemporary forgery, that's fun!
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Dejan - nice find, those early token-coins are often so cool & reflect the things the manufacturer thought was interesting or important. Miniature social history on them.
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Oh look, it's me. 😛
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Moneytane - of course, correct on my notes. I do use the signature variant when cataloguing on here, but only put the best note using any signature in my “display” notes. Usually keep the lesser notes for interest (or too lazy to sell/swap 😉), but didn't want to overclutter my collection with signatures (plus it keeps it more affordable).
I just upgraded because my old Gill note just looked so washed out. It was one of my worst BoE notes. The others on my “upgrade” list are Series B & C £5, and maybe D £50.
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IXX - nice Germanic coins there. Initially thought the Hamburg one was Gibraltar with the castle motif. But that Nuremburg design is just magnificent with the radiant sun above the city scape.
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Camerimvs - You again? 😛
A real mix across the eras there. The Constantine coin with the two soldiers is unusual. Quite like that one.
Can't decide if I love or hate that Canada note though. 😛 Love the kingfisher(?) bit but less keen on the block “CANADA” backdrop. Still, nice to see something I've not before. 🙂
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Hibernia - lovely to see you & a new note. The vertical designs are a very exciting new way for our notes.
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Camerinvs - Another nice pairing of roman coins. Victorinus' portrait is nice & sharp. (A bit like his crown!)
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Mr Midnight - love the Spanish pair. Very nice & sharp.
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Moneytane - whilst perhaps not the best examples, looks like you snagged them at good pricing. The 2kr is the obvious star there, especially on the coat of arms side.
And always exciting to have a new “oldest” item, even if it doesn't get to hold the title for long.
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Gothic Florin - just wow! Now that is a gorgeous set. And with original (if scruffy but hey, it's a rare survivor) box! Very, very nice. Not sure if I like the shilling or the farthing more, but the whole lot is just magnificent.
Quite envious of that set. I dare not go look to see if I can find one. 😆
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Phew, I made it just before the end of the month! 😀
I've got some more notes coming next month. Think they're North Korean (just advertised as “Asian” but they were only £6.50 for the set of 9 including p&p. Worth it just for novelty).
And some Scottish notes are currently in my ballpark… might get lucky & win a few of those.
India, Peru, Cyprus, Fiji
India -One Rupee- UNC. It's called value, value. For me, the value is that there are so few people in that country that I have such a banknote UNC - no one has held it in their hands, (probably because of the high value😁)
Peru 
Cyprus
Fiji
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