robinjojo

For the Renaissance, I have this early gulden of Fredrick III ("Fredrick the Wise"). Germany, Saxony, Elector Frederick III, John, George, Gulden (Klappmützentaler), mintmark Cross, (1512–1523), Annaberg. Dav 9709 28.9 grams This coin is ex jewelry and the fields have been smoothed.

Here's another 8 escudos that I photographed today, this one from the Spanish mainland, Seville. Spain, Seville, 8 escudos, possibly (16)44 R, Philip IV. 26.81 grams The date is something of a guess, but I think the bottoms of the two fours in the date are visible on the reverse, around 12 o'clock.

While not a milled coin, this is my earliest machine struck crown. Germany, Saxony, Elector Frederick III and John, George, AR Gulden (Klappmützentaler), mint mark. Cross (1512–1523), Annaberg. Dav 9709 28.9 grams This coin was formerly mounted, and the fields have been smoothed. Scarce.

As far as England is concerned, hammer struck coinage dominated until the Restoration with Charles II. The machine struck coins of Elizabeth I were a very limited run. The mint, bound in tradition and probably self interest, continued to produce hammer struck coins through the reign of Charles I and the Commonwealth, with the exception of the 1658 Cromwell crown, half crown and shilling. Other nations, notably The Netherlands, also produced hammer struck coinage through the 1600s. France, as noted, began producing some milled coins in the middle of the 1500s, and began to produce only milled coins starting with Louis XIII. Spain produced a mix of hammer struck coins (vast majority) and some machine struck coins (roller dies) starting a Segovia in 1588.

The style or rendering of the eye is certainly a key aspect of a coin's appeal, taking into account stylistic variations depending on the period of the coin's creation. The classical, and skillfully rendered portraits of Syracusan coinage, notably of the Second Democracy (5th century BC), as well as much of the coinage of the 4th-2nd centuries BC represents a high water mark in portraiture, I believe. Here is a tetradrachm of the Second Democracy, 460-406 BC. 17.3 grams And a tetradrachm of Agathokles, 317-310 BC. 17.0 grams How do the faces' proportions look to you?

I have German thalers from the 16th century, as well as a 1590 Segovia 8 reales that were struck with roller dies. However, they are not milled coins, since they were not struck with a collar die. In fact, even when coin presses were introduced in Mexico and other colonies in Latin America, the edge design was produced using edging machine in colonial times. This technique carried over into the republican periods of the newly independent countries. So, my earlies milled coin would be the Cromwell Crown of 1658. Oliver Cromwell, AR crown, 1658 over 7. S-2945A 30.1 grams

I'm glad that you received the refund. Who knows, it might still show up. Stranger things things have happened in the world of global shipping. I just saw this article online regarding a trucking strike in Spain that started in mid March. https://www.eseller365.com/spain-truck-driver-strike-usps-ups-fedex-impact/

I think using a device that makes the coins hit each other, along with whatever abrasive is use, would very likely yield less than desirable results.

Nice coins! How about summer games, sports, Olympics? Here's my Helios tetradrachm from Rhodes:

Yes, the S of soles denomination, over the R of reales, 1815 (my coin) is rare. Based on my experience if you're looking for a type coin of this beautiful design, the 1813 8 reales is the most readily available, but attractive examples with with a well defined sun face do command a premium.

Your collection is indeed small, and very nice! You have a very good eye selecting coins.

Trajan, tetradrachm, Phoenicia, Tyre, 103-11 AD. Prieur 1498 14.3 grams Here's Orontes swimming laps while Tyche does some hanging out. Gallienus, tetradrachm, Sol reverse, 253-268 AD, Alexandria, RY 14 266-267 AD. This AR dirham of the Seljuks of Rum, Ghiyath al-Din Kay Khusraw II, is a recent auction acquisition. Mexico, Guerrero, dos pesos, 1914- Zapatistas - Oro-0,595 KM 643 Central America Republic, 8 reales, 1825M, NG. KM 4

Today marks the seasonal start of summer. So, how about some coins celebrating the sun, Helios, Sol, summer or summer-like activities, like taking a swim, or? Argentina, 8 soles, 1815 FL, Potosi This is a variety, with the "S" of soles punched of the "R" of reales. Acquired from Karl Stephens. Severus Alexander, AE sestertius, Rome, circa 233 AD rome sol left. RIC535 16.31 grams And of course, some music: So, post your coins, and let the sun shine in!

Thank you, Al and Kali. I am becoming more competent taking photos, incrementally, in very very small increments. I need to gather together all of the 8 escudos cobs and put them in a thread some time.

This is a Lima 8 escudos cob that I bought from Dan Sedwick back in the summer of 2001, so it's been well overdue for a snap. While this coin is dated 1715, it is not from that ill fated fleet. The strike is generally well centered for these coins, and there's part of the second date (bottom parts) running along the obverse between around 10 and 12 o'clock, following the "ANNO" as "715". The leading "1" is omitted in the legend due to space limitations as it also is across the obverse. Also, the 5 in the date is the Spanish style 5, resembling a sickle. Lima 8 escudos, Philip V, 1715, Assayer M. KM 38.2 26.8 grams So, please post your gold, silver or bronze cobs, or anything else you wish! Thanks

Are you referring to the almond-shaped profile eye style of the classical Athenian owls of the 5th century BC? That's a style that has its roots in archaic art of a century or so prior. Eye proportions, in relationship to the face might vary based on the skill of the engraver. I am sure there was some artistic license involved as well, but having collected Greek ancients for a few decades, I have not seen any trend in Greek coinage to exaggerate or oversize the eyes to any great extent, if at all. Do you have example? I would be interested in seeing them.

Nice coins! The El Cazador real has a lot of history behind it, and the denarius and Spanish minors are very nice. I remember the night of the storm that swept through Michigan, the same storm that sank the Edmund Fitzgerald. An incredible amount of rain hit Detroit, flooding freeways. There was also a lot of thunder and high winds. The only salvaged coin that I have photographed so far is the 8 reales from the Atocha. Potosi, 8 reales cob, 1617 M. Atocha Reference Collection, # 208. 27.2 grams Do you own a copy of The Practical Book of Cobs, written by Frank and Daniel Sedwick? If not, I high recommend it. There's a very good chapter on shipwrecks, as well as other chapters with dealing with the Spanish hammer struck coinage of colonial Latin America.

Nice coins posted! Beautiful toning! Here are a few, ancient and modern. Syracuse, AR tetradrachm, Agathokles, 317-310 BC. 17.0g There is some horn silver on the reverse, but over the years this coin has acquired a really nice toning on both sides. Athens, new style AR tetradrachm, caduceus reverse, 164-5 BC. 17.0 grams Hesse-Kassel, AR thaler ("Willow Thaler"), Wilhelm V, 1630. 28.8 grams KM 115.1 Spain, Segovia, Philip IV, 50 reales, 1635 R.

There are two obvious flan casting sprues at the edge. 180 degrees apart, on this AE 29 Litra of Syracuse, 344-336 BC.

Does anyone have ore specimens from any of the classic, ancient locations, such as Laurium, Greece or from southeastern Spain, which was a major silver source for the Romans?

That is very true, and it also applies to the elements that comprise our planet and ourselves. We human beings are the very stuff of star dust.

That's a nice British stater, Al. I really like the stylized, almost modern art renditions on both sides! Are the British Celtic staters generally rarer than the French?

I only have one, as a type coin, and this is an area that I know little of, so perhaps this thread can serve as a forum to exchange knowledge and posting of coins from this vast and complex area. I assume that the gold and electrum coinage paralleled the silver coinage, generally, in terms of how the style and fabric of the coin evolved, from pretty faithful copies of the staters of Philip II and Alexander III, to more stylized "local" designs with a strong "Celtic" style to them. Here's my example: Western Celts, El stater, Namnetes, Nantes first century BC Délestré 2187 7.3 grams I've seen this type from Nantes for sale quite often.. I assume that it is based on a gold stater of Philip II, but with a highly Celtic stylized obverse and reverse. Please post your gold and electrum coins. Thanks

Great examples posted! Here's my 5 francs, 1815, the "Hundred Days": Napoleon Bonaparte, 5 francs, 1815 B (Rouen) Also, the Guardian ran an interesting article yesterday on archeological research at Waterloo: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jun/18/mystery-of-waterloos-dead-soldiers-to-be-re-examined-by-academics