Benefactor robinjojo Posted June 5, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 5, 2022 (edited) Beauty, as the truism goes, is in the eye of the beholder. The way an object conveys the feelings in the mind of what we call beauty is , of course, a purely subjective process that results in opinions as wide and varied as humanity itself. Here, there really aren't any absolutes, only the way our minds process the image or object that it beholds. Have you ever encountered a coin that, on first sight, clicks all the synapses and endorphins that evoke feelings that send one into almost another realm, that realm of meaning, and an appreciation that is reserved for very few occasions in one's life. To be sure, there are coins, ancient and modern, that are often rated as the most beautiful coins produced by human civilizations. The decadrachms of Syracuse are a good example. But, as collectors, and students of history and art, we know that beauty has many intangible aspects, with, as I said, no real absolutes. I made world coins the subject of this thread, since it is being posted in the World Coins Forum, but it is not necessarily limited to this field of numismatics. Of course parallel threads could be created in the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Non-Western forums as well. Well, to get ball rolling, here is my German New Guinea 5 marks, 1894, a coin admired for its depiction of a bird of paradise on the obverse. Purchased from Hal Blackburn around 1982. KM 7 27.8 grams So, please post your coins, along with why they have qualities of beauty. Thanks! Edited December 4, 2022 by robinjojo word omitted 20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted June 6, 2022 · Patron Share Posted June 6, 2022 I'll post a few that I think are candidates. The first is frequently on list of most beautiful world coins. Iceland 1930 10 Kronur German States Eichstatt Thaler. This one fits my core collection than the Iceland piece does. 22 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 6, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2022 2 hours ago, robinjojo said: Beauty, as the truism goes, is in the eye of the beholder. The way an object conveys the feelings in the mind of what we call beauty is , of course, a purely subjective process that results in opinions as wide and varied as humanity itself. Here, there really aren't any absolutes, only the way our minds processes the image or object that it beholds. Have you ever encountered a coin that, on first sight, clicks all the synapse and endorphins that evoke feelings that send one into almost another realm, that realm of meaning, and an appreciation that is reserved for very few occasions in one's life. To be sure, there are coins, ancient and modern, that are often rated as the most beautiful coins produced by human civilizations. The decadrachms of Syracuse are a good example. But, as collectors, and students of history and art, we know that beauty has many intangible aspects, with, as I said, no real absolutes. I made world coins the subject of this thread, since it is being posted in the World Coins Forum, but it is not necessarily limited to this field of numismatics. Of course parallel threads could be created in the Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Non-Western forums as well. Well, to get ball rolling, here is my German New Guinea 5 marks, 1894, a coin admired for its depiction of a bird of paradise on the obverse. Purchased from Hal Blackburn around 1982. KM 7 27.8 grams So, please post your coins, along with why they have qualities of beauty. Thanks! Lovely toning on this 5 mark ☺️. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 6, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2022 I like world coins where the die work was still engraved by hand rather than done mechanically by a pantograph 😉. So my favorite world coin would be the Austrian thaler pictured below. I bought this coin about a year ago because I find it aesthetically pleasing, & the die work is of the highest quality for the 16th century. This coin wasn't hand struck, instead it was made on roller dies, a very early method of mechanical striking. HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE, Austria. Ferdinand II, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, & Count of Tyrol, AD 1564-1595. Hall Mint. AR Thaler: 28.20 gm, 40 mm, 12 h. Davenport 8094. 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Steve Posted June 6, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 6, 2022 (edited) 1893 Canadian 25 cent piece (key date) => 100,000 minted .... it's toned and in fantastic shape (oh my, yummy-yummy!) Edited June 6, 2022 by Steve 16 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 6, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2022 38 minutes ago, ChrisB said: I'll post a few that I think are candidates. The first is frequently on list of most beautiful world coins. Iceland 1930 10 Kronur German States Eichstatt Thaler. This one fits my core collection than the Iceland piece does. The Icelandic coin is a wonderful example of Art Deco numismatic art 😊. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Eidolon Posted June 6, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2022 I find the color of old coppers and bronzes beautiful. Here's one of my many favorites. 1/26 Shilling Jersey 1844 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor robinjojo Posted June 6, 2022 · Benefactor Author Benefactor Share Posted June 6, 2022 Wonderful coins posted! Yes, the Iceland 1930 10 Kronour is a fine example of the Art Deco movement of the 1920s-1930s. Yes, detailed engraving enhances a coin no doubt, but sometimes simplicity also works, as with this 1 Quetzal, Guatemala, 1925. In the area of world gold coins, I think the design of the Mexican 50 pesos is quite beautiful. As is the caballito peso of 1910 to 1914. Both coins show definite classical influences on their obverses. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Eidolon Posted June 6, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2022 Another beautiful (to me) copper: Osnabrück, 1625, 9 Pfennig Oh, maybe one more: Papal States, Gubbio, 1750, Quattrino, Jubilee Year 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambr0zie Posted June 6, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2022 Beauty is pretty subjective but I will post coins from my country that I consider aesthetically pleasing 5 lei 1901, 38 mm and 25 g And its smaller brother, 1 ban 1900 (1 leu = 100 bani) - 15 mm, 1 g. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor Steve Posted June 6, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 6, 2022 (edited) Wow, fantastic World Coins, gang ... ummm, are these five x sweet Lorraine coins allowed in this world thread? (1300 AD through 1700 AD) Mmmm ... sweet, sweet Lorraine, right? LORRAINE, City of Metz, AR Gros (below) Provincial. Metz (évêché). Civic issues 1415-1540 A.D. Diameter: Weight: 2.93 grams Obverse: S’ · STEPh’ · PROTh’ · m’ · (rosette stops), St. Étienne kneeling left; civic coat-of-arms of Metz to left and right; manus Dei above (two stars above the divine hand and a under the knees of the Saint) Reverse: (shield) BИDICTV’ · SIT : nOmЄ’ · DNI’ · nRI’ · IhV’ · XPI’ ·/GROSVS (rosette) mETE (annulet and double annulet stops), cross pattée; star in each quarter Reference: Fl p 519, 3-10; Robert p. 213, 4; Boudeau 1659-60; Roberts 8932 Ex-stevex6 Duke of Lorraine, Charles IV - 2nd reign (below) AR Gros of Nancy 1661-1670 A.D. Diameter: Weight: 1.21 grams Obverse: Crowned shield of arms Reverse: Eagle Reference: Big. Nancy. DS XXVI, 7. Flon p 719, 59 Other: good flan & nicely toned Ex-stevex6 LORRAINE, Theobald II, Duke of Lorraine (below) Double denier (¼ Big Spadin, s.d. Nancy) AR Gros 1303-1312 A.D. Diameter: 16 mm Weight: 0.87 grams Obverse: + T - DV-X. LOTOR – EGIE. The Duke of Lorraine (in armour), riding caped steed to the right, carrying spear in right hand and shield in left Reverse: MONETA D - E NANCEI. Downward sword, cutting the legend at the top and bottom, between two Avalerions/Alerions Reference: S.16 (3/16) Bd.1456 (6 f.) FlonII, n° 1-3, p. 391 Other: Nice monetary type … irregular flan Ex-stevex6 Lorraine, Duke of Lorraine, Antoine the Good (below) AR Demi-plaque Nancy mint 1508-1544 AD Diameter: 22 mm Weight: 1.59 grams Obverse: + ΛnThOn : ∂ : G : CΛLΛBЧ : LOThOЧ : ЄT : BΛЧ : ∂ (double saltire stops), crowned ducal coat-of-arms Reverse: + mOnЄTΛ : nOVΛ : FΛCTΛ : In : nΛnCЄIO : (double saltire stops), armored arm, wielding sword, emerging from clouds Reference: De Saulcy pl. XIV, 13; Roberts 9491; Boudeau 1507 Other: darkly toned Ex-stevex6 Duke of Lorriane, Charles II, AR Petit Gros (below) Nancy Mint 1390-1431 AD Diameter: 25 mm Weight: 2.54 grams Obverse: Crowned duke standing facing, holding sword Reverse: MONETA DE NANCEI, cross pattée Reference: De Saulcy pl. IX, 18/19; Boudeau 1480 Flon p 433, 33 Other: fricken cool Ex-stevex6 ... so fricken cool Edited June 6, 2022 by Steve 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor robinjojo Posted June 6, 2022 · Benefactor Author Benefactor Share Posted June 6, 2022 German engraved dies, along with its massive size puts this 50 reales of Segovia, 1635, right up there as one of the most beautiful coins of the 17th century. Among the first roller die produced crowns of the 16th century, this 8 reales, also from Segovia, 1590, marked a significant improvement over the hammered coinage of the period in terms of quality and overall beauty. 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor DonnaML Posted June 6, 2022 · Benefactor Benefactor Share Posted June 6, 2022 Is it cheating to post a couple of my favorite and most beautiful French art deco medals? France, “Télégraphie sans Fil” (Wireless), bronze medal 1927 by Paul-Marcel Dammann. 68 mm. Obv: Iris (in Greek mythology, the personification of the rainbow and a messenger of the gods), holding a caduceus, travels through the sky, zodiac signs behind her / Rev: A stylized microphone or transmitter enclosing the Earth emits wavelengths through a starry sky, TSF below (Telégraphie Sans Fil). Reference: CGMP 3/116AThe example in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum is described as follows on the museum's website: "This medal is a good example of the way in which French artists tried, in the inter-war years, to adapt classical mythology to the representation of contemporary technology. Here Iris, messenger of the gods, trips her way through the clouds with the zodiac behind her, drawing radio waves through the firmament." See https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O89899/wireless-medal-dammann-paul-marcel/.I think it makes a nice pair with my other Dammann Art Deco medal, produced five years later:This medal bears the date 1907 on the reverse, but was actually issued in 1932 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Compagnie Parisienne de Distribution d'Électricité [C.P.D.E.] (the Parisian Electric Distribution Company). The obverse represents a personification of electricity (with the rays of the sun), and the reverse shows a woman bestowing light on the Parisian skyline. The medal was also designed by Paul-Marcel Dammann. It's 65 mm. in diameter and weighs 115.1 grams. 14 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etcherdude Posted June 6, 2022 · Supporter Share Posted June 6, 2022 Beauty 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor robinjojo Posted June 6, 2022 · Benefactor Author Benefactor Share Posted June 6, 2022 Yes, that's a beautify Art Nouveau design! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 6, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2022 4 hours ago, robinjojo said: German engraved dies, along with its massive size puts this 50 reales of Segovia, 1635, right up there as one of the most beautiful coins of the 17th century. Among the first roller die produced crowns of the 16th century, this 8 reales, also from Segovia, 1590, marked a significant improvement over the hammered coinage of the period in terms of quality and overall beauty. I always enjoy seeing this huge 50 reales coin; aside from the finest die work for the period it is a great rarity 🤩. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Kowsky Posted June 6, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 6, 2022 2 hours ago, DonnaML said: Is it cheating to post a couple of my favorite and most beautiful French art deco medals? France, “Télégraphie sans Fil” (Wireless), bronze medal 1927 by Paul-Marcel Dammann. 68 mm. Obv: Iris (in Greek mythology, the personification of the rainbow and a messenger of the gods), holding a caduceus, travels through the sky, zodiac signs behind her / Rev: A stylized microphone or transmitter enclosing the Earth emits wavelengths through a starry sky, TSF below (Telégraphie Sans Fil). Reference: CGMP 3/116AThe example in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum is described as follows on the museum's website: "This medal is a good example of the way in which French artists tried, in the inter-war years, to adapt classical mythology to the representation of contemporary technology. Here Iris, messenger of the gods, trips her way through the clouds with the zodiac behind her, drawing radio waves through the firmament." See https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O89899/wireless-medal-dammann-paul-marcel/.I think it makes a nice pair with my other Dammann Art Deco medal, produced five years later:This medal bears the date 1907 on the reverse, but was actually issued in 1932 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Compagnie Parisienne de Distribution d'Électricité [C.P.D.E.] (the Parisian Electric Distribution Company). The obverse represents a personification of electricity (with the rays of the sun), and the reverse shows a woman bestowing light on the Parisian skyline. The medal was also designed by Paul-Marcel Dammann. It's 65 mm. in diameter and weighs 115.1 grams. The Iris medal may be the finest Art Deco medal ever created 🤩. I regret selling a silver example many years ago ☹️. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn235 Posted June 7, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 7, 2022 Before getting into ancients seriously, my passion project was a type set of Japanese coins. I'm not a big fan of the recent (since the mid-90s) commemoratives, but I find Japanese coins to be very beautiful and usually tastefully done. A few of my favorites: Tempo Tsuho 100 mon (1830s-1860s) Ryukyu Tsuho, 1/2 Shu (125 mon) 1 bu gin (1,000 mon) 50 sen 1870 (Meiji 3) 2 sen 1874 (Meiji 7) 1 yen 1884 (Meiji 17) 50 sen 1923 (Taisho 12) 5 sen 1937 (Showa 12) 1 sen 1941 (Showa 16) 100 yen 1958 (Showa 33) 100 yen 1975 (Showa 50) - Okinawa Expo circulating commemorative 500 yen 1992 (Heisei 4) - 20th Anniversary of Retrocession of Okinawa non-circulating commemorative 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazuma78 Posted June 7, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 7, 2022 On 6/6/2022 at 12:08 AM, robinjojo said: Wonderful coins posted! Yes, the Iceland 1930 10 Kronour is a fine example of the Art Deco movement of the 1920s-1930s. Yes, detailed engraving enhances a coin no doubt, but sometimes simplicity also works, as with this 1 Quetzal, Guatemala, 1925. In the area of world gold coins, I think the design of the Mexican 50 pesos is quite beautiful. As is the caballito peso of 1910 to 1914. Both coins show definite classical influences on their obverses. Those are excellent designs! I agree that Mexico had some extremely artistic and beautiful coins. One of the countries and coinage near and dear to my heart as I lived on the border of Mexico for about 3 years when I was in the Army. Here are a few of my Mexican coins with beautiful designs. 14 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor robinjojo Posted June 7, 2022 · Benefactor Author Benefactor Share Posted June 7, 2022 3 hours ago, Finn235 said: Before getting into ancients seriously, my passion project was a type set of Japanese coins. I'm not a big fan of the recent (since the mid-90s) commemoratives, but I find Japanese coins to be very beautiful and usually tastefully done. A few of my favorites: Tempo Tsuho 100 mon (1830s-1860s) Ryukyu Tsuho, 1/2 Shu (125 mon) 1 bu gin (1,000 mon) 50 sen 1870 (Meiji 3) 2 sen 1874 (Meiji 7) 1 yen 1884 (Meiji 17) 50 sen 1923 (Taisho 12) 5 sen 1937 (Showa 12) 1 sen 1941 (Showa 16) 100 yen 1958 (Showa 33) 100 yen 1975 (Showa 50) - Okinawa Expo circulating commemorative 500 yen 1992 (Heisei 4) - 20th Anniversary of Retrocession of Okinawa non-circulating commemorative Beautiful coins, Finn235! I don't really concentrate on Chinese, Japanese and other East Asia coins on a systematic basis, but over the years I've acquired a few because of their simplicity and elegant design, such as this gold Bunsei era Koban, Edo mint. 13.1 grams I was also fortunate to pick up this Japanese trade dollar at a Heritage auction back in the early 1990s. Not only is it a good type coin, the die work is outstanding. Japan trade dollar, 1877, Meiji year 10, rarest date. Davenport 275 27.19 grams 16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finn235 Posted June 7, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 7, 2022 Those are some beauties @robinjojo! I've been pining for a Koban for a whole, but have usually shied away when bidding tops $1k (and it almost always does) because the majority of specimens that I've ever seen that were graded by a TPG come back body bagged as "Genuine - tooled". Still have the type on my bucket list, regardless. And out of curiosity, how much did that trade dollar run you in the 90s? That's another type I've written off as simply unaffordable - if I'm going to drop $2k+ on a coin, it's going to be a spectacular Greek mini masterpiece, a Roman emperor/Usurper I'm still missing, or something gold. I tried to win one on ebay a few months back from a trusted seller - it had been countermarked to hell and back and was quite beaten up - and it still hammered for $600+ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor robinjojo Posted June 7, 2022 · Benefactor Author Benefactor Share Posted June 7, 2022 The koban came out of an auction several years ago, for $1,500. The 1877 trade dollar cost me $1,650 in March 1992. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor robinjojo Posted June 7, 2022 · Benefactor Author Benefactor Share Posted June 7, 2022 Starting in the early 1980s I started the very slow process of acquiring 2 rupees of Tipu Sultan, Mysore. I have always been attracted to their beautiful calligraphy, history and size. I was able to purchase five, the last being in the early 1990s. Here's one of them, dated AH 1200, 1786. KM 127; Davenport 249 22.6 grams This coin was actually sold to my local coin dealer back in 1997 as part of a large group of coins. I was raising funds to pay for the 1635 50 reales, recently won at a Superior auction, and having just been terminated from my position, along with my wife, who worked for the same organization (pure politics), this was a touch and go situation for me, to say the least. I was able to raise the funds and eventually bought this coin back about a year later, reuniting it with its sister coins. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazuma78 Posted June 7, 2022 · Member Share Posted June 7, 2022 On 6/6/2022 at 1:54 PM, robinjojo said: I never tire of seeing your cinquentin! That is an amazing coin and probably your coin I am most envious of. I would LOVE to own one someday from Segovia. Spectacular. Here is my only piece from Segovia which I bought about a year after visiting the city. Its just a 2 reale but its very nice- NGC gave it an MS66: 4 hours ago, Finn235 said: Before getting into ancients seriously, my passion project was a type set of Japanese coins. I'm not a big fan of the recent (since the mid-90s) commemoratives, but I find Japanese coins to be very beautiful and usually tastefully done. You and I have similar tastes! Japanese coins are really cool and one of the only modern types I still collect as my focus has shifted primarily to ancients in the last several years. You have a nice set there! 1 hour ago, robinjojo said: Both of those are awesome also! You have great taste in coins. Here are some of my Japanese type coins. Please forgive the crappy photos on a few of them. 10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benefactor robinjojo Posted June 7, 2022 · Benefactor Author Benefactor Share Posted June 7, 2022 (edited) Latin American has produced some beautiful coins, among them the sunface 8 soles of Argentina, 1815 FL. This is the very scarce variety with the "S" of the revolutionary soles punched over the "R" of the colonial reales. Purchased from Karl Stephens in 1999. Struck at the Potosi, Bolivia Mint (PTS monogram on reverse). KM 15 26.91 grams Edited June 7, 2022 by robinjojo 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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