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Some English hammered silver, displayed in my cabinet.

www.CabinetsByCraig.net1 commentscmcdon0923

SATRAPS OF CARIA. Pixodaros, circa 341/0-336/5 BC. Didrachm (Silver, 19 mm, 6.93 g, 12 h), Halikarnassos. Laureate head of Apollo facing slightly to right with drapery below. Rev. ΠIΞΩΔAΡOΥ Zeus Labraundos standing right, holding long scepter in his left hand and double-axe in his right. SNG Copenhagen 596-7. SNG von Aulock 2375-6. Pixodarus Hoard, CH IX, pl. 35, 44a (this coin);
ex Bourgey, 14 May 1914, 87 (pictured); ex Kurpfälzische Münzhandlung, Auction 21, 1981, 80; ex NFA, Auction 9, 1980, 268; ex Leu, Web Auction 12, 2020, 4432 commentspaul1888

1st Century CE, IRON AGE BRITAIN, Tribes: Catuvellauni and Trinovantes, AE Unit, Struck c.10 - 40 at Verlamion under CunobelinusObverse: CVNO - BELIN. Bare head facing left.
Reverse: TASCIO. Metal worker, wielding hammer, seated facing right.
Diameter: 15mm | Weight: 2.24gms | Axis: 3h
Spink: 342 | ABC: 2969 | Van Arsdell 2097

CUNOBELINUS
Cunobelinus was a king in Iron Age Britain from about 9 CE until about 40 CE. He is mentioned by the Roman historians Suetonius and Dio Cassius, and many coins bearing his inscription have been found. Cunobelinus controlled a substantial portion of south-eastern Britain, including the territories of the Catuvellauni and the Trinovantes, and is called “Britannorum rex" (King of the Britons) by Suetonius. He appears to have been recognized by the Roman emperor Augustus as a client king, shown by the use of the Latin title Rex on some of his coins.
Numismatic evidence appears to indicate that Cunobelinus took power around AD 9 after the death of his father Tasciovanus, minting coins from both Camulodunum, capital of the Trinovantes and Verlamion (Roman Verulamium), capital of the Catuvellauni. Some of the Verulamium coins name him as the son of Tasciovanus, a previous king of the Catuvellauni. Cunobelinus' earliest issues are, however, from Camulodunum, indicating that he took power there first, and some have a palm or laurel wreath design, a motif borrowed from the Romans indicating a military victory. It is possible that he was emboldened to act against the Trinovantes, whose independence was protected by a treaty they made with Julius Caesar in 54 BC, because problems in Germania severely affected Augustus' ability to defend allies in Britain.
Cunobelinus, however, appears to have maintained quite good relations with the Roman Empire, he used classical motifs on his coins and his reign also saw an increase in trade with the continent. Archaeological evidence shows an increase in imported luxury goods, including wine and drinking vessels from Italy, olive oil and “garum” (fish sauce) from Spain, as well as glassware, jewellery, and tableware from the wider continent, all of which, from their distribution, appear to have entered Britain via the port of Camulodunum. Rome's lucrative trade with Britain was also reported by Strabo, according to him the island's exports included grain, gold, silver, iron, hides, slaves and hunting dogs. It seems likely that Cunobelinus was one of the British kings, mentioned by Strabo, who sent embassies to Augustus.
Cunobelinus died about 40, probably within a year of that date, as he was certainly dead by 43.
Traditionally it has been suggested that the “Lexden Tumulus” on the outskirts of Colchester was Cunobelinus' tomb, but without evidence confirming that, it is also possible that the tomb was built for the earlier Trinovantian king, Addedomarus. Interestingly there is a second tumulus, though this one is not so well known, 665m to the northwest of the Lexden burial mound, on a grassy area in the middle of a modern housing estate. This tumulus, known as ‘The Mount’, probably dates from around the same time as the well-known one at Fitzwalter Road, Lexden.

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1 comments*Alex

C POBLICIUS Q F. 80 BCHelmeted bust of Roma right / Hercules strangling the Nemean lion; bow and quiver at left; club below. Cr. 380/1.

POBLICIA, a plebian family, but of consular rank. Its cognomen on coins is Malleolus. There are fifteen varieties, all of silver, on some of which a small hammer or mallett is engraved, evidently alluding to the surname Malleolus.

The first of Heracles' twelve labours, set by King Eurystheus (his cousin) was to slay the Nemean lion.

According to one version of the myth, the Nemean lion took women as hostages to its lair in a cave near Nemea, luring warriors from nearby towns to save the damsel in distress. After entering the cave, the warrior would see the woman (usually feigning injury) and rush to her side. Once he was close, the woman would turn into a lion and kill the warrior, devouring his remains and giving the bones to Hades.

Heracles wandered the area until he came to the town of Cleonae. There he met a boy who said that if Heracles slew the Nemean lion and returned alive within 30 days, the town would sacrifice a lion to Zeus; but if he did not return within 30 days or he died, the boy would sacrifice himself to Zeus.[3] Another version claims that he met Molorchos, a shepherd who had lost his son to the lion, saying that if he came back within 30 days, a ram would be sacrificed to Zeus. If he did not return within 30 days, it would be sacrificed to the dead Heracles as a mourning offering.

While searching for the lion, Heracles fetched some arrows to use against it, not knowing that its golden fur was impenetrable; when he found and shot the lion and firing at it with his bow, he discovered the fur's protective property when the arrow bounced harmlessly off the creature's thigh. After some time, Heracles made the lion return to his cave. The cave had two entrances, one of which Heracles blocked; he then entered the other. In those dark and close quarters, Heracles stunned the beast with his club and, using his immense strength, strangled it to death. During the fight the lion bit off one of his fingers. Others say that he shot arrows at it, eventually shooting it in the unarmoured mouth.

After slaying the lion, he tried to skin it with a knife from his belt, but failed. He then tried sharpening the knife with a stone and even tried with the stone itself. Finally, Athena, noticing the hero's plight, told Heracles to use one of the lion's own claws to skin the pelt.

When he returned on the thirtieth day carrying the carcass of the lion on his shoulders, King Eurystheus was amazed and terrified. Eurystheus forbade him ever again to enter the city; in future he was to display the fruits of his labours outside the city gates. Eurystheus warned him that the tasks set for him would become increasingly difficult. He then sent Heracles off to complete his next quest, which was to destroy the Lernaean hydra.

The Nemean lion's coat was impervious to the elements and all but the most powerful weapons. Others say that Heracles' armour was, in fact, the hide of the lion of Cithaeron.ecoli

Philip II, Alexandria, Billion TetredrachmRoman Empire, Philip II, 247-249
Billion.-Tetradrachm year 5 = 247, Egypt, city of Alexandria.
Obverse: AKM IOV FILIPPOC EVC, bust right
Reverse:. Homonoia with double cornucopia, LE in left field=year 5.
24mm, 13.2 g., Datt. 5057, BMC 16.267.2059
sold 1-2018

Billion is an alloy of precious metal, mostly silver, with a mixture or base metal such as copper. Many Roman coins from the 2nd and 3rd century are made of billion because of debasements of the denarius and the tetradrachm.NORMAN K

Xerxes IIAchaemenid Empire. Time of Darios I to Xerxes II, circa 485-420 BC. Siglos (Silver, 16 mm, 5.38 g), Sardes. Persian king or hero in kneeling/running stance to right, holding spear and bow. Rev. Incuse punch. Carradice Type IIIa/b. Beautifully toned. Very fine.arash p

D.892 Pepin the Brief (denier, Saint-Denis?)Pepin the Brief, king of the Franks (751-768)
Denier, Saint-Denis ? (751-768)

Silver, 1.22 g, 16 mm diameter, die axis 11 h

O/ RP under a bar; pellets in the field
R/ ΛVT / TRΔ / NO

RP on the obverse means Rex Pippinus, or maybe PiPpinus Rex (the first R would then have to be read twice, the first time as a P).
The reverse is more intricate. First, the mint was identified as Antrain in Brittany. However, a lead slab has been found in Saint-Denis, on which similiar dies had been tested. As a consequence these deniers may have been minted in Saint-Denis monastery. However the legend on the reverse is still unclear (name of a moneyer, abbreviation of a latine phrase ?).

Richard I: denier au fronton (Rouen)Richard I, duke of Normandy (943-996)
Denier au fronton (Rouen, circa 960-980)

Silver, 1.17 g, diameter 20 mm, die axis 3 h
A/ +RICÎ›RDVS I ; cross pattée with four pellets around
R/ ROTOMÎ›GVS ; temple with a pointed pediment, on top of it a small cross interrupts the legend. Below, an X with four pellets around, and a dash below

RIC.27d1 Valentinian I (siliqua, Vrbs Roma)Valentinian I, western roman emperor (364-375)
Siliqua : Vrbs Roma (367-375, Trèves)

silver, 17 mm diameter, 1.79 g, die axis: 7 h

A/ D N VALENTINI-ANVS P F AVG; pearl-diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right
R/ VRBS - ROMA / TRPS• in exergue, Roma seating on cuirass, head left, holding globe and spear

D.175 Charles the Great [Charlemagne] (denier, class 3, Bourges)Charles the Great, king of the Franks (768-840) and Holy Roman emperor (800-814)
Denier (Bourges, class 3, 781-800)

Silver, 1.18 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 3h

O/ [+CA]RLVS REX FR; cross pattée with a crescent in each quarter
R/ [+B]ITVRICA[S]; carolingian monogram KRLS

For the 3rd type of his coinage, Charles the Great introduced the famous KRLS monogram. This one contains all the letters of Karolvs : the consonants are clearly written at the edges and bound by a lozenge. The vowels are at the center of the monogram: A (using the upper part of the lozenge, O as the whole lozenge and V as the down part of the lozenge).
This monogram still appeared two centuries later in the coinage of Hugh Capet, first capetian king.

D.609 Louis the Pious (denier, Melle, class 2)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
Denier (Melle, class 2, 819-822)

Silver, 1.48 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 3 h

O/ +HLVDOVVICVS IMP; cross pattée
R/ META / . / LLVM

Louis' deniers correspond to his father's (Charles the Great) ``novus denarius'', whose weight is supposed to be near 1.7 g with a certain variability.

This denier is typical of Class 2 of Louis' coinage (819-822).
A circular inscription of the name of the ruler surrounds a cross pattée on the observe. The quite surprising Hlvdovvicvs initially comes from the germanic name Chlodowig ("Clovis"). This one was first transcribed to latin as Chlodowicvs. The initial C then disappeared, which explains the H at the beginning. The w(=vv) finally became a standard v, which gave Lvdovicvs (Louis). The imperial title imp is also given.

The reverse consists of the mint name, in field. The mint name may be split in 2 or 3 lines.

D.177 Louis the Pious (denier, Bourges, class 2)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
Denier (Bourges, class 2, 819-822)

Silver, 1.71 g, 21 mm diameter, die axis 2 h

O/ +HLVDOVVICVS IMP; cross pattée
R/ BITV / RIGES

D.803 Louis the Pious (denier, Quentovic, class 2)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
Denier (Quentovic, class 2, 819-822)

Silver, 1.55 g, 18 mm diameter, die axis 6h

O/ +HLVDOVVICVS IMP; cross pattée
R/ QVENTO / . / VICVS

Qventovic was a former port close to the English Channel in the northern part of France. It was a prominent trading place until it was abandoned, probably in the 11th century, because of Viking attacks.

D.416 Louis the Pious (denier, Dorstadt, class 2)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
Denier (Dorstadt, class 2, 819-822)

Silver, 1.13 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 12h

O/ +HLVDOVVICVS IMP; cross pattée
R/ DOR / ESTA / TVS

D.613var Louis the Pious (obol, Melle, class 2)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
Obol (Melle, class 2, 819-822)

Silver, 0.74 g, 17 mm diameter, die axis 9 h

O/ LVDO / VVIC
R/ +METALLVM; cross pattée

As the value of a denier was quite important (a sheep typically cost 10 deniers during Charles the Great's reign), a smaller coin was needed. Clearly speaking, an obol is a half-denier. The carolingian coinage is typically one of silver deniers and obols. Obols and deniers were usually produced by pairs of the same kind.

Contrary to the related denier, the name of the ruler is here in the field and the mint name surrounds a cross pattée.
The absence of the imperial title made think that the coin had been struck when Louis was king of Aquitaine (before the death of Charles the Great). However there are similar obols with out of Aquitain mints. The absence of the imperial title (as well as an abbreviated name Lvdovvic instead of Hlvdovvicvs) may be due to a lack of space.

D.180 Louis the Pious (obol, Bourges, class 2)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
Obol (Bourges, class 2, 819-822)

Silver, 0.64 g, 15 mm diameter, die axis 8 h

O/ LVDO / VVIC
R/ +BITVRIGES; cross pattée

D.611 Louis the Pious (denier, Melle, class 2)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
Denier (Melle, class 2, 819-822)

Silver, 1.77 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 6 h

O/ +HLVDOVVICVS IMP; cross pattée
R/ +METALLVM; cross pattée

The obsverse is similar to the previous denier. The difference is that the mint name is around a cross pattée on the reverse. This type is scarer than the one with the mint name in the field. The presence of both types in a hoard shows that both date from the beginning of Louis' reign and belong to the same Class 2.
Grierson and Blackburn suggest that this difference is due to a misunderstanding of the mint instructions.

D.612var Louis the Pious (obol, Melle, class 2)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
Obol (Melle, class 2, 819-822)

Silver, 0.78 g, 15.5 mm diameter, die axis 2 h

O/ +HLVDOVVICVS MP; cross pattée
R/ +METALLVM; cross pattée

The obol of this type is simply a reduced size version but is identical to the related denier.

D.1179 Louis the Pious (denier, class 3)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
"Temple" denier (unknown mint, class 3, 822-840)

Silver, 1.52 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 9 h

O/ +HLVDOVVICVS MP; cross pattée s with 4 pellets
R/ +XPISTIANA RELIGIO; temple

Another example of temple denier with a different style, which suggests a different mint. The letters are cruder and the legend is slightly degenerated (retrograd S, MP instead of IMP for the title).

D.1180 Louis the Pious (obol, class 3)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
"Temple" obol (unknown mint, class 3, 822-840)

Silver, 0.69 g, 16 mm diameter, die axis 2 h

O/ +HLVDOVVICVS MP; cross pattée with 4 pellets
R/ +PSTIÎ›NÎ› REICIO; temple

This obol is a reduced version of the temple denier.

D.abs Louis the Pious (obol, class 3)Louis the Pious, king of the Franks and Holy Roman emperor (813-840)
Obol (unknown mint in the south-east of France?, class 3, 822-840)

Silver, 0.77 g, 15 mm diameter, die axis 5 h

O/ +PISTIÎ›NÎ› PI; cross pattée with 4 pellets
R/ +OPISTIÎ›NÎ› PE; cross pattée

This obol may be due to a double reverse error because of the absence of the sovereign's name and the legend repetition on both sides. However several dies were used to strike this type (I could find 3 obverse and 3 reverse dies), one side always bears 4 pellets as the other does not. One of the reverse dies is associated to the more typical obverse legend +HLVDOVVICVS I. Consequently an error does not seem to be likely. Because of hoard localizations, these obols seem to come from a single mint, in the south-east of France (Lyon, Arles?).
1 comments

D.1176 Lothar I (denier)Lothar I, Holy Roman emperor (840-855), king of Middle Francia (843-855) and Italy (818-855)
"Temple" denier (unknown mint, 84-855)

Silver, 1.09 g, 17-20 mm diameter, die axis 12 h

O/ +HLOTÎ›PIVS Î›GVS; cross pattée with 4 pellets
R/ +XPISTIANA RELIGIO; temple

Lothar I re-used the temple type, which had been made popular by his father Louis the Pious. However, it was minted by Lothar in much smaller quantities.

RIC.46 Gratian (siliqua, Vrbs Roma)Gratian, western roman emperor (367-383)
Siliqua: Virtvs Romanorvm (367-378 or 378-383, Treves mint)

silver, 16 mm diameter, 1.64 g, die axis: 7 h

A/ D N GRATIA-NVS P F AVG; pearl diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right
R/ VRBS-ROMA/TRPS in exergue; Roma seating on cuirass, head left, holding globe and spear1 comments

RIC.28a Gratian (siliqua, Virtvs Romanorvm)Gratian, western roman emperor (367-383)
Siliqua: Virtvs Romanorvm (378-383, Aquilee mint)

silver, 18 mm diameter, 1.82 g, die axis: 1 h

A/ D N GRATIA-NVS P F AVG; pearl diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right
R/ VIRTVS RO-MANORVM/AQPS in exergue; Roma seating on throne, head left holding globe and spear3 comments

D.621 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1a, Melle)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Denier (Melle, class 1a, 840-864)

Silver, 1.70 g, 21 mm diameter, die axis 9h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX FR; cross pattée
R/ META / • / LLVM

Class 1 of Charles the Bald's coinage is made of totally different types of coins, which may reflect the state of the kingdom after 3 years of civil war and the division of the Empire.

Class 1a: mint in the field, with a linear legend
Class 1b: bust
Class 1c: city gate
Class 1d: KRLS monogram
Class 1e: temple

Coupland suggests that this particular scarce type (with META/LLVM on the reverse) had been minted from June 848, just after Charles the Bald finally defeated his nephew Pippin II for Aquitaine's control. The aim of minting a special type like this was to show a clear difference with the previsous coinage of Pippin II. A little later, Charles the Blad went on with the typical coinage of Melle (monogram ; circular mint name).1 comments

D.761 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1a, Paris)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Denier (Paris, class 1a, 840-864)

Silver, 1.69 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 7h

O/ +CÎ›R•LVS RE•X FR ; cross pattée
R/ PÎ›RI / • / Sâ—‚II

D.197 Charles II the Bald (obol, class 1a, Bourges, Aquitaine)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Obol (Bourges, Aquitaine, class 1a, 848-849 ?)

Silver, 0.80 g, 17 mm diameter, die axis 5h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX ; cross pattée
R/ AQUI / • / TANIA

The obols of Charles the Bald with AQUITANIA on the reverse are thought to have been minted in Bourges due to hoard studies. For instance, Chaumoux-Marcilly (small village near Bourges) hoard was found in 1930. It had in it 40 coins of Charles the Bald: 20 from Bourges, 17 obols with AQVITANIA, 2 from Melle and one from Orléans. This hoard is consequently supposed to be made of local coins, and AQVITANIA obols of Charles the Bald are supposed to have been minted in Bourges.

1 comments

D.725 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1c, Orléans)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Denier with a gate (Orléans, class 1c, 840-864)

Silver, 1.26 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 5h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX FR; cross pattée with four pellets
R/ +Î›VRE-LI-Î›INS; city gate with two pellets on sides

The gate motif goes back to Roman times and was used by early Carolingians (and Capetians later).
There is a small misprint on the reverse : +Î›VRE-LI-Î›INS instead +Î›VRE-LI-Î›NIS

D.606 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1d, Melle)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Denier (Melle, class 1d, 840-864)

Silver, 1.35 g, 20.5 mm diameter, die axis 12h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX FR; cross pattée
R/ +METVLLO; carolingian monogram

The KRLS monogram was first introduced by Charles' great father, Charles the Great (Charlemagne). Charlemagne's son (Louis the Pious) never used a monogram, contrary to most carolingian rulers as Charles the Bald in particular.

This is the second most common carolingian coin.

Charlemagne minted exactly similar coins (Class 3). The question of the attribution to Charles the Great or the Bald has of course been widely discussed on grounds of style, weight, composition (work of Guillaume Sarah), position of the legend... These studies didn't lead to any clear conclusion although these deniers may often be attributed to Charlemagne. New hoards have to be found to resolve this issue.
By then, these coins have to be attributed to Charles the Bald by reason of the relative number of minted coins.

D.622 Charles II the Bald (obol, class 1d, Melle)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Obol (Melle, class 1d, 840-864)

Silver, 0.65 g, 15 mm diameter, die axis 8h

O/ carolingian monogram
R/ +METVLLO; cross pattée

Certainly because of the lack of space, there isn't any legend with the ruler's name on the obverse but a carolingian KRLS monogram.
The attribution to Charles the Bald or Charles the Great is uncertain, like for the denier's case.

D.626 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1d, Melle)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Denier (Melle, class 1d, 840-864)

Silver, 1.73 g, 21 mm diameter, die axis 5h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX; cross pattée
R/ +METVLLO; carolingian monogram

This coinage with the shorter legend CÎ›RLVS REX is much rarer than the common one with the legend CÎ›RLVS REX FR. The composition of a hoard in Poitou suggests that this type can be unambiguously attributed to Charles the Bald. This coinage may have been minted at the beginning of Charles the Bald's reign, just before Pippin II took the control of Melle in 845.
Among the 12 known specimens, 5 have a deformed monogram, with the L and the S exchanging places, and on their sides. This feature, the shorter legend, as well as the unusual position of the legend opening cross on top of the monogram may suggest that there was some confusion in Melle at this time, when Charles gave back (temporarily) Aquitaine to Pippin.
The reverse is slightly double struck.

D.627 Charles II the Bald (denier ?, class 1d, Melle)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Denier (Melle ?, class 1d, 840-864)

Silver, 1.35 g, 20.5 mm diameter, die axis 12h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX R; cross pattée
R/ +METxVLLO; carolingian monogram

The x in METxVLLO on the reverse has been widely discussed.
For instance, Depeyrot understands it as an immobilization/feudal issue. The crude style of theses deniers and the lightly degenerate legend of this one (CARLVS REX R instead of REX FR) seems in coherence with this hypothesis. However, the x is always at the same place.
Moreover, this type of coin has been found in the Brioux hoard, which may be datable to the beginning of Charles the Bald's reign. Grierson and Blackburn suggest that these coins with x were mainly minted in Poitiers. Using the legend of the close Melle mint allowed to take advantage of the reputation of Melle coinage.
Coupland proposes that this METxVLLO type came after the METVLLO type after 860 and until round 925. Then, it was replaced by the MET/ALO type. In order to explain the differences of interpretation, Coupland thinks that several hoards were wrongly dated or described.

D.1189 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1e,Orléans)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
"Temple" denier (Orléans, class 1e, 840-864)

Silver, 1.64 g, 21 mm diameter, die axis 8h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX FR; cross pattée
R/ +XPISTIÎ›NÎ› RELIGIO; temple

This other example of Class 1 is the continuation of Louis the Pious' temple denier. XPISTIANA RELIGIO is then most often replaced by the mint name.
Although this is not the case for this specimen, the mint attribution is very clear. It is Orléans, because of the exaggerated S of XPISTIANA and the first I of RELIGIO is in the angle of the L.

D.762 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1e, Paris)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
"Temple" denier (Paris, class 1e, 840-864)

Silver, 1.70 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 4h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX FR; cross pattée
R/ +PÎ›RISII CIVITÎ›S; temple

The mint's name (Paris) stands in for the usual legend XPISTIANA RELIGIO. The royal authority may have been quite weak in the beginning of Charles' reign, and each mint may have been tempted to make a clear legend to characterize its own coinage.

D.726 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 1e, Orléans)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
"Temple" denier (Orléans, class 1e, 840-864)

Silver, 1.53 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 9h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX FR; cross pattée with 4 pellets
R/ +Î›VR-ELI-Î›NIS; temple

D.375 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 2, Courcessin?)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
GDR denier (Courcessin?, class 2, 864-875)

Silver, 1.43 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 12h

O/ +GRÎ›TIÎ› D-I REX; carolingian monogram
R/ +I.CVRTISÎ›SONIEH; cross pattée

In 864, Charles the Bald promulgated the edict of Pîtres, huge reform whose aim was to protect the kingdom from Viking raids. It also reinforced royal authority on minting, and created a new type of deniers . The new coins could be only struck at 10 mints (Palace, Chalon sur Saône, Melle, Narbonne, Orléans, Paris, Quentovic, Reims, Rouen and Sens). This limitation had never been applied, more than 110 mints struck the new coinage. This can be understood as a lack of control of the central autority. However it seems that several mints shared dies... Grierson and Blackburn proposed that only 10 main mints produced dies and partially outsourced coinage production ?
On the obverse is written GRATIA D-I REX (GDR) around a carolingian monogram. The alliance with Roman Church goes on... The reverse already existed for Class 1, with the mint name around a cross pattée.
Class 2 of Charles' coinage is made of these GDR deniers.

The precise localization of the mint in Normandie (north of France) is still not clear. According to Grierson and Blackburn, Courti(s) Sasonien(sis) may come from some groups of Saxons settled in northern part of Gaul.

D.727 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 2, Orléans)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
GDR denier (Orléans, class 2, 864-875)

Silver, 1.80 g, 21 mm diameter, die axis 5h

O/ +GRÎ›TIÎ› D-I REX; carolingian monogram
R/ +Î›VRELIÎ›NIS CIVITÎ›S; cross pattée

This is another typical example of Class 2 (GDR type).
Cenabum was a gallic stronghold of the Carnute tribe. It was conquered and destroyed by Caesar in 52 BC, and then maybe rebuilt by the emperor Aurelian. This may be the origin the city's name.

D.750 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 2, Palace Mint)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
GDR denier (Palace Mint, class 2, 864-875)

Silver, 1.77 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 2h

O/ +GRÎ›TIÎ› D-I REX; carolingian monogram
R/ +PÎ›LÎ›TINÎ› MONE; cross pattée

D.811 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 2, Quentovic)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
GDR denier (Quentovic, class 2, 864-875)

Silver, 1.64 g, 21 mm diameter, die axis 6h

O/ +GRÎ›TIÎ› D-I REX; carolingian monogram
R/ +QVVENTOVVCI; cross pattée with 2 globules

This is another typical example of Class 2 (GDR type).

D.399 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 2, Dijon)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
GDR denier (Dijon, class 2, 864-875)

Silver, 0.91 g, 19.5 mm diameter, die axis 2h

O/ +C[RATIA] D-I REX; carolingian monogram
R/ +DIVIONI C[AST]RE; cross pattée

This is another less common example of Class 2 (GDR type).

D.880 Charles II the Bald (obol, class 2, Rouen)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
GDR obol (Rouen, class 2, 864-875)

Silver, 0.73 g, 14 mm diameter, die axis 10h

O: +CRÎ›TIÎ› D-I REX;carolingian monogram
R: +ROTVHÎ›CVS CIVI; cross pattée

Obol of GDR type

D.559 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 2, Le Mans)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
GDR denier (Le Mans, class 2, 864-875 or end of the 8th/beginning of the 10th century)

Silver, 1.42 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 3h

O: +G I RÎ›TIÎ› D-I REX; carolingian monogram
R: +CINOMÎ›NIS CIVITÎ›S; cross pattée

Due to the degenerate legend and monogram, this coin may be an immobilization.

D.198 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 3, Bourges)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877) and Holy Roman Emperor (875-877)
Denier (Bourges, class 2, 876-877)

Silver, 1.47 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 12h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS IMP Î›VG; cross pattée
R/ +BITVRICES CIVIT; carolingian monogram

In 875, after the death of his nephew, the Emperor Louis II, Charles received the imperial crown.
The related coinage clearly shows the imperial title in a roman way, IMP AVG. This coinage may be undistinguishable from the one of Charles the Fat (885-887), when he assumed West Francia kingship (before being chased by Eudes, count of Paris and next king of the Franks).

D.1007 Charles II the Bald (denier, class 3, Toulouse)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877) and Holy Roman Emperor (875-877)
Denier (Toulouse, class 2, 876-877)

Silver, 1.59 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 7h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS IMP R- ; cross pattée
R/ +TOLOSÎ›+CIVI ; CA / RL in the center

The presence of the name of the sovereign on the reverse is quite rare for carolingian coins. This is also the case for Toulouse deniers of Charles the Bald's Louis II (or grandson Louis III) with LV / DO.

This coinage is also sometimes attributed to Charles the Fat.1 comments

Dy.001 Hugh Capet: denier (Beauvais)Hugh Capet, king of the Franks (987-996) and Hervé, Bishop of Beauvais (987-998)
Denier (Beauvais)

Silver, 1.19 g, diameter 21 mm, die axis 9h
O: [HERV]EVS HVGO RE[X] ; cross pattée with 2 pellets
R: BE[LVÎ›C]VS CIVITÎ›S ; carolingian monogram KRLS

Although Hugh Capet was the founder of the capetian dynasty, his coinage contains a carolingian monogram. It may have been a way to show the continuity of the royal authority. The presence of the bishop Hervé is not really understood on this nearly only coinage of Hugh Capet as king of the Franks (obols of the same type are also known, as well as a unique denier of Laon).

Dy.016 Henry I: denier (Paris, 1st type)Henry I, king of the Franks (1031-1060)
Denier (Paris, 1st type)

Silver, 1.23 g, diameter 21 mm, die axis 10h
O/ HÎ›NIRICVS REX ; Alpha et Omega hung in the field
R/ PÎ›ISIVS CIVTAS around a cross pattée

D.1155 Louis II the Stammerer (denier, Visé)Louis II the Stammerer, king of the Franks (877-879)
Denier (Tours)

Silver, 0,79 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 8h

O/ +HLVDOVVICVS REX; KRLS monogram of Charles (legend beginning at 10h)
R/ +IN VICO VIOSÎ›TO; croix pattée

The KRLS (Karolus) monogram appears on this coinage of Louis II. One can imagine that there hadn't been much time to think about a new monogram just after Charles II's death.

Louis II was physically quite weak and died 2 years after his father Charles II. His reign was consequently very short.

D.1041 Louis III (denier, Tours)Louis III, king of the Franks (879-882)
Denier (Tours)

Silver, 1.78 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 12h

O/ +IIISIRICORDIÎ› DI REX; Louis' monogram (legend beginning at 3h)
R/ +HTVRâ—ŠNES CIVITAS; croix pattée

Louis III became king of West Francia at 16 after his father Louis II died quite young. As he was the only living son of Charles II, Louis II had inherited the full kingdom of West Francia from his father. At opposite, when Louis II died, his sons Louis III and Carloman II divided the kingdom into a northern part for Louis III and a southern part for his brother Carloman II. During his reign, Louis III (in alliance with his brother) achieved military successes, especially against Vikings. However, Louis III's reign didn't last long. Louis III died inadvertently at 19 while chasing a girl on his horse. He hit violently the lintel of a door with his head.
Louis III's coinage is hard to distinguish from Louis II's. Both bear the same name et both reigns were very short. Three kinds of coins can be found:
* coins with legend LVDOVICS REX and a KRLS monogram : these coins have been found for northern and southern mints and are consequently given for Louis II;
* coins with a LVDOVICVS monogram ; they have only been found for the northern mints, and are consequently supposed to be Louis III's;
* coins of Toulouse with LV/DO, imitating the ones of Charles emperor with CA/RL. The attribution to Louis II seems to be straightforward due to the southern position.
The legend of the coin is different from the traditional Gratia di Rex, but still shows a religious origin. However its success remained very limited, with some scare coins of Louis III and Eudes. 3 comments

Saint Martial abbey: denier (Limoges)Saint Martial abbey, Limoges, anonymous (1100-1150)

Silver, 1.14 g, diameter 18 mm, die axis 3h

O/ +SES•MARCIAL; facing bearded bust of Saint Martial
R/ +LEMOVICENSIS; beaded cross with 2 pellets in each quadrant

S.1148 Aethelred II (crux penny, Winchester)Aethelred II, king of the English (978-1013 and 1014-1016)
Crux penny (moneyer: Brithmaer, mint: Winchester)

A/ +ΛEDELRED REX ΛNGLR X (AE and NG ligated) around central circle enclosing diademed & draped bust left holding a scepter
R/ BYRTHMΛER M-O PIN (AR ligated) around central circle containing voided cross with pellet center, C R V X in angles

silver, 1.65 g, diameter 19 mm, die axis 1h1 comments

S.1151 Aethelred II (long cross penny, Winchester)Aethelred II, king of the English (978-1013 and 1014-1016)
Long cross penny (moneyer: Godwine, mint: Canterbury, 997-1003)

A/ +ΛEDELRED REX ΛNGLO (AE and NG ligated) around central circle enclosing draped bust left
R/ +GODE-PINE-MΩO-CΛENT (NE and ΛE ligated) ; long voided cross with terminal lunettes

silver, 1.65 g, diameter 19 mm, die axis 1h

Vienne archibishopric : denier (Vienne)Vienne archibishopric, anonymous (1200-1250)

Silver, 0.66 g, diameter 16 mm, die axis 5h

O/ +•S•M•VIENNA•; left bearded and bare head of Saint Maurice
R/ MAXIMA.GALL (dashed L); cross pattée with 4 pellets1 comments

D.163 Eudes (denier, Blois)Eudes, king of the Franks (888-898)
Denier (Blois)

Silver, 1.59 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 3h

O/ +MISERICORDIÎ› DE-I; monogram
R/ +BIESIÎ›NIS CÎ›STRâ—Š; cross pattée

Eudes was not a Carolingian. As count of Paris, he obtained successful results against the Viking attacks. He was then chosen by frankish noblemen to be the king. The legitimate heir Charles III the Simple was then too young to rule.

This type of coinage is a very Carolingian one.
Eudes made his own monograms. This one is quite elaborate, with â—ŠDO above and RX below. Still on the obverse, the inscription is Misericordia Dei instead of the traditional Gratia Dei Rex. These two features (monogram and legend) make this coin very similar to Louis III's coins of Touraine (Blois and Tours mainly).

D.740 Eudes (denier, Orléans)Eudes, king of the Franks (888-898)
Denier (Orléans)

Silver, 1.77 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 10h

O/ +GRÎ›TIÎ› D TI; Eudes'monogram R / â—ŠDâ—Š / EX (inverted E) (legend beginning at 9h)
R/ +Î›VRELIÎ›NIS CIVITAS; cross pattée

Contrary to Charlemagne and Charles the Bald, Eudes seems to have had some problems to choose a monogram or to explain to all mints how it had to look like...

D.1012 Eudes (denier, Toulouse)Eudes, king of the Franks (888-898)
Denier (Toulouse)

Silver, 1.45 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 3h

O/ +ODDO REX FR-C; cross pattée
R/ +TOLOSA CIVI; OD/DO monogram

Eudes'monogram is quite simple on this coin. It is made of 2D's and 2 O's (Oddo, which is Eudes in latin). The legend is a very traditional one.

D.511 Eudes (denier, Limoges, immobilization)Eudes, king of the Franks (888-898)
Denier (Limoges)

Silver, 1.77 g, 20 mm diameter, die axis 2h

O/ +GRÎ›TIÎ› DI RE; odonic monogram + / â—ŠDâ—Š / + (legend beginning at 5h)
R/ +LIMâ—ŠVICÎ›S CIVIS ; cross pattée

This type was immobilized for 50 years ('til the middle of the 10th century).
2 comments

S.1158 Cnut (pointed helmet penny, London)Cnut, king of England (1016-1035)
Pointed helmet penny (moneyer: Edwerd, mint: London, 1024-1030)

A/ +CNVT: - RECX A: around central circle enclosing bust in pointed helmet left holding scepter
R/ +ELEDERD ON LV(ND): around central circle enclosing quarters of short voided cross with circles in centre

silver, 1.04 g, diameter 18 mm, die axis 7h

Peck marks are very common on these pennies. A large part of them was minted in order to pay the danegeld (tax raised to pay tribute to Vikings to save a land from their raids). These peck marks are supposed to have been made by Danes when checking the penny was in good silver.

1 comments

D.774 Rudolph (denier, Paris)Rudolph (or Raoul, Radulf), king of the Franks (923-936)
Denier (Paris)

Silver, 1.13 g, 18 mm diameter, die axis 11h

O/ +CRATIA DI REX; monogram
R/ + / PΛRISI / CIVITΛ / +

Rudolph was elected king of Franks by noblemen in 923, after his father-in-law (Robert I)'s death.

Although Rudolph wasn't a carolingian, his coinage used a monogram.This monogram is clearly inspired by the habitual KRLS monogram. The letters seem to be R(?)DFS. Anyway, the F on the bottom can be cleary distinguished, and this coin can be attributed to Rudolph.

D.733 Rudolph (denier, Orléans)Rudolph (or Raoul, Radulf), king of the Franks (923-936)
Denier (Orléans)

Silver, 1.27 g, 18 mm diameter, die axis 6h

O/ +CRÎ›TIÎ› D-I REX; monogram RDFS (legend beginning at 9h)
R/ +Î›VRELIÎ›NIS CIVITÎ› cross pattée

This monogram is clearly an imitation of the tradition KRLS Charles' one. As often in Orléans' coinage, the I after an L in Avrelianis is in the angle of the L.

D.308B Rudolph (denier, Château-Landon)Rudolph (or Raoul, Radulf), king of the Franks (923-936)
Denier (Château-Landon)

Silver, 1.16 g, 19 mm diameter, die axis 4h

O/ +CRÎ›TIÎ› D-I; odonic monogram of Rodolf (legend beginning at 9h)
R/ +CÎ›STIS LIÎ›NDNI; cross pattée

The R on the top of the monogram and the F below are for Rodulfus. The 2 lozenges on the sides may come from Eudes' monogram (Oddo). Eudes was the brother of Rudolph's father-in-law... sort of family alliance against Carolingians (although Rudolph's aunt had been married to Charles the Bald...). The I and the X are more mysterious.

According to Dumas, this coinage may have been struck after Rudolph's dead, by Hugues the Great, his brother-in-law... family business still.
1 comments

D.abs Rudolph (denier, Orléans)Rudolph (or Raoul, Radulf), king of the Franks (923-936)
Denier (Orléans)

Silver, 1.14 g, 18 mm diameter, die axis 11h

O/ +CRÎ›TI[Î› D-I R]EX; monogram (legend beginning at 9h)
R/ +Î›VRELIÎ›NIS CIVITÎ› cross pattée

Same monogram as the previous coin minted in Château-Landon.
Same conclusions: according to Dumas, this coinage may have been struck after Rudolph's dead, by Hugh the Great.

As often in Orléans' coinage, the I after an L in Avrelianis is in the angle of the L.

D.268 Lothair (denier, Chalon-sur-Saône)Lothair, king of the Franks (954-986)
Denier (Chalon-sur-Saône)

Silver, 1.26 g, 21 mm diameter, die axis 1h

O/ +LOTARVS.REX; B
R/ +CAVILON.CIVT; cross pattée

The B on the obverse means Bourgogne.

Although Lothair's reign had lasted more than 30 years, his coins are quite scarce. Moreover, they are often hard to distinguish from feudal issues. The types are varied, as well as the spelling of the king's name, depending on the mint. This is an evidence of a lack of central control.

S.1182 Edward the Confessor (hammer cross penny, York)Edward the Confessor, king of England (1042-1066)
Hammer cross penny (moneyer: Thorr, mint: York, 1059-1062)

A/ +EΛDPΛRD-DRE; crowned, bearded bust right, scepter before
R/ +DORR ON EOFRPICE (barred D); hammer cross, annulet in one quarter

silver, 1.40 g, diameter 18 mm, die axis 6h

D.207 Lothair (denier, Bourges, immobilization ?)Lothair, king of the Franks (954-986)
Denier (Bourges)

Silver, 1.31 g, 22 mm diameter, die axis 9h

O/ +IOTERIVS REX; cross pattée
R/ +BITVRICES CIVIT; degenerated monogram

This type was immobilized 'til the beginning of the XI century.

S.1257 William I the Conqueror (PAXS penny, London)William I the Conqueror, king of England (1066-1087)
PAXS penny (moneyer: Alfred, mint: London, 1083-1086?)

A/ +PILLELM RE; crowned bust facing, sceptre to right; clasp on shoulder
R/ +IELFRE ON LVNDN; cross with the letters PAXS in circles in the angles

silver, 1.40 g, diameter 18 mm, die axis 6h

2 comments

RIC.27b Honorius (Siliqua, Vot X Mvlt XV)Honorius, western roman emperor (393-423)
Siliqua : Virtus exerciti (388-402, Milan mint)

silver, 16 mm diameter, 1.47 g, die axis: 7 h

A/ D N HONORI-VS P F AVG; pearl diademed, draped & cuirassed bust right
R/ VOT / X / MVLT / XVL, MDPS in exergue; in wreath

RIC.IX 27b(R4) or RIC.X 1225(R3)

S.2233 Henry VII Tudor (sovereign type penny, Durham)Henry VII Tudor, king of England (1485-1509) and Bishop Richard Fox
Sovereign type penny (mint: Durham)

A/ [hENRIC] DI [GRA RE]X A[NG]; king seated on throne with one pilar, holding scepter and orb
R/ [CIVI-TA]S-DIR-hAm; royal shield on cross, mitre above, D and R on the sides

silver, 0.55 g, diameter 15 mm, die axis 8h

Charles II the Bald (denier, Melle, immobilization)Charles the Bald, king of the Franks (840-877)
Denier (Melle, 10th century)

Silver, 1.15 g, 21 mm diameter, die axis 3h

O/ +CÎ›RLVS REX R; cross pattée (S retrograd)
R/ MET / . / ALO

Not really a type that can be attributed to Charles the Bald... this type was immobilized and struck from the middle of the 10th century to the end of the 11th century ! Minting was then totally in the hands of of the counts of Poitou and out of control of the royal administration.
The obverse is similar to previous coinage, but with a retrograd S on most of the specimen. On the contrary, the mint name (in the field on the obverse) had never been used by Charles the Bald (METALO instead of METALLVUM).

"Epirus, the Epeirote Republic, Didrachm size modern fake, genuine drachm prototypes dated 234-168 BC. "Epirus, the Epeirote Republic, modern fake, genuine drachm prototypes dated 234-168 BC.,
Didrachm size (ø 22 mm / 8,50 g), silver, axes about coin alignment â†‘â†“ (ca. 160°), edge: 50 % filed, 50 % hammered,
Obv.: A· , laureate head of Zeus Dodonaios right, A· behind, dotted border.
Rev.: AÎ EI / PÎ©TAN , eagle standing right on thunderbolt, all within oak wreath, dotted border.
for prototype cf. BMC p. 89, no. 14 (drachm size 4,5-5,0 g., AI· -monogram behind head on obverse) ; - Dewing 1444 (same) ; Franke, - Epirus 100 (same) ; - SNG Cop. 108ff. ; for a drachm showing similar style cf. http://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=748945 (also a fake?) .

1 commentsArminius

0 - a - Vespasian Silver Tetradrachm - 14.8 Grams - Antioch, Syria.Ancient Roman Empire
Antioch, Syria.
Silver Tetradrachm of Emperor Vespasian ( 69 - 79 AD )

(titles in Greek)
obv: Laureate bust of the Emperor facing right.
rev: Eagle, holding a laureate wreath in his beak, standing on club of Hercules facing left, palm branch to left in field.

Size: 28 - 29 mm
Weight: 14.8 Grams.
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~*~ CLICK PHOTO FOR FULLSIZE ~*~
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~6 commentsrexesq

0 - Roman Tetradrachm of Antioch, Syria~~~
Ancient Roman Empire

Silver Tetradrachm of Antioch, Syria. RARE type.

(Titles in Greek)
obv: Laureate bust of Emperor facing right, draped and cuirassed. Seen from behind.
rev: Eagle standing with body facing right, head and tail facing left, holding wreath in beak.
Greek letters to either side of eagle's head.
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*notes: AMAZING PORTRAIT!!! Very Rare type, I have only ever seen ONE other example with this bust style.
~~~
~1 commentsrexesq

0 - Severus Alexander as Caesar - AR DenariusSeverus Alexander as Caesar. Rome Mint.

obv: " M AUR ALEXANDER CAES "
Bare head right, draped.

rev: " PIETAS AUG " - Priestly Implements.4 commentsrexesq

01 - Julian II - Silver Siliqua - Vows - 001 Roman Empire, 4th century AD Silver Siliqua.
Emperor Julian II (355 - 363 AD, sole reign from 361 - 363 AD)
Silver Siliqua, struck 361 - 363 AD, Constantinople Mint, Prima Officinae.

obverse: " DN JULIANUS P F AUG " - Diademed, draped and cuirassed bust right, seen from the front.

reverse: " VOTIS V MULTIS X " - within wreath, '' P CON '' in exergue (below), for Constantinople mint.

Size: 19 dia.
Weight: 1.9 Grams
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032. Otacilia Severa AR Antoninianus PVDICITIAOtacilia Severa, Augusta, 244-249. Antoninianus (Silver, 22 mm, 4.34 g, 6 h), Rome, 244-245. MARCIA OTACIL SEVERA AVG Diademed and draped bust of Otacilia Severa set to right on crescent. Rev. PVDICITIA AVG Pudicitia seated left, raising veil with her right hand and holding long transverse scepter in her left. Cohen 53. RIC 123c. A lovely example with a sharply struck portrait. Struck from a slightly worn reverse die and with minor deposits, otherwise, good extremely fine.
From the collection of Dipl.-Ing. Adrian Lang.
2 commentsLordBest

033. Herennia Etruscilla AR Antoninianus FECVNDITASHerennia Etruscilla, Augusta, 249-251. Antoninianus (Silver, 23 mm, 3.34 g, 12 h), Rome, 250-251. HER ETRVSCILLA AVG Diademed and draped bust of Herennia Etruscilla set to right on crescent. Rev. FECVNDITAS AVGG Fecunditas standing front, head to left, holding cornucopiae in her left hand and extending her right to child standing before her. Cohen 11. RIC 56. 2 commentsLordBest

033. Herennia Etruscilla AR Antoninianus PVDICITIAHerennia Etruscilla, Augusta, 249-251. Antoninianus (Silver, 22 mm, 4.41 g, 1 h), Rome, 249-250. HER ETRVSCILLA AVG Diademed and draped bust of Herennia Etruscilla set to right on crescent. Rev. PVDICITIA AVG Pudicitia, veiled, seated left, drawing veil in front of her face with her right hand and holding long transverse scepter in her left. Cohen 19. RIC 59b. A nicely toned coin with a charming portrait. Extremely fine.
From the collection of Dipl.-Ing. Adrian Lang.1 commentsLordBest

04 - Hadrian Denarius - Moneta standing.~
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Ancient Roman Empire
Emperor Hadrian ( 117 - 138 AD)
Silver Denarius. Rome Mint.

obv: IMP CAESAR TRAJAN HADRIANUS AUG - Laureate head of Emperor Hadrian facing right.
rev: PM TR P COS III - Moneta (?) standing holding scales in one hand and cornucopia in other.

3.1 Grams
~~~
~2 commentsrexesq

06 - Antoninus Pius - AR Denarius - Posthumous Issue - Altar Imperial Rome
Antoninus Pius ( 138-161 AD.)
Silver Denarius. Rome Mint.
Posthumous Issue struck under Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

obv: DIVVS ANTONINVS - Bare head right.
rev: DIVO PIO - Altar/Shrine with doors closed.

RIC III-441 (Marcus Aurelius).

2.99gr.
rexesq

06 - Antoninus Pius - AR Denarius - Posthumous Issue - Altar.Imperial Rome
Antoninus Pius ( 138-161 AD.)
Silver Denarius. Rome Mint.
Posthumous Issue struck under Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

obv: DIVVS ANTONINVS - Bare head right.
rev: DIVO PIO - Altar/Shrine with doors closed.

RIC III-441 (Marcus Aurelius).

2.99gr.
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Seller Photo.2 commentsrexesq

1672 KB - Hungary - 6 Krajczar, Silver, Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I Hungary - 1672, AR Six Krajczar coin.
Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I (the hogmouth) of the Hapsburg family that ruled Austria for centuries.

obv:" LEOPOLDUS.D.G.R.I.S.GE.HU.B.REX." - Laureate crowned, draped bust facing right, titles encircling designs.
Below Bust of Emperor ; Roman Numerals: "VI" encircled at 6 O'Clock, denomination, 6 Silver Krajczar.

rev:" PATRONA.HUNGARIÆ .1672. " - Madonna(Mary) holding Christ child in arms.
Coat of Arms below at 6 O'Clock.
2 commentsrexesq

1751 - Sweden - Silver 5 OreSweden 1751, Silver 5 Ore.1 commentsrexesq

1804 GEORGE III AR BANK OF ENGLAND DOLLAR Obverse: GEORGIUS III DEI GRATIA REX. Laureate and draped bust of George III facing right.
Reverse: BANK OF ENGLAND 1804. Britannia, seated left, holding a branch and spear, her left arm resting on a shield which in turn rests on a cornucopia, a beehive is in the background to the left; all within a garter inscribed FIVE SHILLINGS DOLLAR. The garter is surmounted by a castellated "crown" of five circular stone turrets.
Spink 3768; Obverse die A, Reverse die 2
Diameter: 41mm | Weight: 26.7gms | Die Axis: 11
SPINK: 3768

This portrait of George III was designed by Conrad Heinrich Kuchler (c.1740 - 1810), this is marked by C. H. K. in raised letters on the truncation at the king's shoulder. The reverse, which was also designed by Kuchler has the raised initial K in the triangular space between the shield, cornucopia, and Britannia's dress. Kuchler moved to Birmingham in 1795 and designed many of the coins and medals which were struck at Matthew Boulton's SOHO mint.
On this coin there are enough traces of the host coin discernible on the reverse, near the edge between 'BANK' and 'OF', and on the obverse below the bust to make an accurate identification of the undertype possible. It was overstruck on a Spanish Colonial 8 Reales minted at Potosi in Bolivia which bore the date 1806.

Note on George III Bank of England Silver Dollars
Although George III reigned for sixty years from 1760 to 1820, the only crowns issued were in the last three years of his reign, apart from these Bank of England dollars issued as an emergency measure.
There had been a persistent shortage of silver coins throughout most of George's reign, and the Bank of England attempted to alleviate this by counter-marking Spanish colonial 8-Reale pieces (the "pieces of eight" of pirate legend) with a punch bearing the head of George III. When this counter-mark was enthusiastically counterfeited, the bank resorted to counter-stamping the entire coin. Most survivors were struck on Mexican or Peruvian 8-Reale pieces, though a few have been found to be struck on issues from Spain proper. Although these Bank of England dollars are all dated 1804, they were issued every year until 1811, and occasionally the dates of Spanish 8 Reales minted after 1804 can be discerned on them. In 1811, to take account of the increase in the value of silver, the Bank of England dollar coins were revalued at 5s6d and they stayed at this value until they were withdrawn from circulation in 1817, by which time a massive silver re-coinage was being undertaken.2 comments*Alex

1837-54 Japanese Silver 1 BuJapan, Tempo (1837-68), Silver 1 Bu, Tempo ND (1837-54), Hartill EJC 9.80, SCWC KM C16, JNDA 09-50, JC 04-5, Pq sakura (cherry blossom variety), EF, cast in 99.1% silver, nicely toned, rectangular, two incuse sakura on short edges, three incuse sakura on long edges, weight 8.66g (ASW 0.2759oz), composition 0.991 Ag, 0.009 Cu, diameter 23.0×16.5mm, thickness 2.6mm, die axis 0°, Ginza (Edo) mint, 1837-54; obverse 一分銀 (1 Bu Silver) downward, within rectangular linear frame, 20 sakura border surrounding with 'P' sakura inverted; reverse 銀座 (Silver Mint) downward on right, 常是 (Jōze) downward on left for Mint Official, Daikoku Jōze, top left and right stroke of 常 curved, bottom two strokes of 是 cross over, 定 (Guaranteed) incuse countermark above, all within rectangular linear frame, 20 sakura border surrounding with 'q' sakura inverted; from the Roger Belmar Collection; ex Baldwin's (2021); £150.00.1 commentsSerendipity

1843 "BENJAMIN NIGHTINGALE" AE Halfpenny Token. London, MiddlesexObverse: VILIUS EST ARGENTUM AURO, VIRTUTIBUS AURUM. Female, leaning on books behind her, holding a cornucopia from which coins are spilling, seated facing right in front of an open coin cabinet; in exergue, tudor rose on shield between two branches.
Reverse: BENJAMIN NIGHTINGALE LONDON * PRIVATE TOKEN * 1843 surrounding “BN” monogram in script.
Edge: Plain.
Diameter: 30mm | Weight: 14.2gms | Die Axis: 12
Bell (Middlesex) A3
VERY RARE (Only 72 of these bronzed copper halfpenny tokens were struck)

Privately issued in London by Benjamin Nightingale, the die sinker for this token was William Joseph Taylor (whose initials WJT can be seen to the left below the books on the obverse), following a similar design for halfpennies that he had produced for Matthew Young, a British merchant. Taylor was born in Birmingham in 1802 and was apprenticed to Thomas Halliday in 1818 as the first die-sinker to be trained by him. He set up his own business as a die-sinker, medallist and engraver at 5 Porter Street, Soho, London in 1829, later moving to 3 Lichfield Street, Birmingham. In 1843 the business moved to 33 Little Queen Street and finally, in 1869, to 70 Red Lion Street where, in 1885, Taylor died.
The Soho Mint at Birmingham (founded by Matthew Boulton) closed in 1848, and it's plant and equipment was sold via auction in April 1850. Taylor purchased many of the Soho Mint's hubs and dies from this auction and used them to restrike many of the coins & patterns that the Soho Mint had struck between the 1790's and the 1840's, though he nearly always re-polished or re-engraved elements of the original dies before re-using them.

Benjamin Nightingale was a wine and spirit merchant who lived at 17 Upper Stamford Street, Blackfriars Road in London. He was born in 1806 and died on March 9th, 1862. He was a well known Antiquarian and was a member of the Numismatic Society of London.
In 1863, after his death, Benjamin Nightingale's collection, consisting of 359 lots, was sold over a two day period by Sotheby's. This is from the February 13, 1863 edition of the London Daily News (page 8, column 6).

THE VALUABLE CABINET of COINS and MEDALS of the late BENJAMIN NIGHTINGALE, Esq.
MESSRS S. LEIGH SOTHEBY and WILKINSON, auctioneers of literary property and works illustrative of the fine arts, will SELL BY AUCTION, at their house, No. 13 (late 3), Wellington-street, Strand, W.C., on WEDNESDAY, Feb. 25, and following day, at 1 precisely, the valuable CABINET OF COINS and MEDALS of the late Benjamin Nightingale, Esq.; comprising a few Roman coins in gold, silver, and copper, in the highest state of preservation; a most valuable collection of English medals in all metals; rare and curious jetons, including a very perfect set of those struck to illustrate the history of the low countries; a few remarkable foreign medals, a choice library of numismatic books, several well-made cabinets, & c. – May be viewed two days previous, and catalogues had on receipt of two stamps.

According to Manville and Robertson, prior to his death, Benjamin Nightingale had sold off part of his collection at an auction by Sotheby's on 29th Nov. 1855.
"Benjamin NIGHTINGALE" in ANS copy; Greek, Roman, Tavern Tokens, Town Pieces, 17-18c Tokens, English and Foreign Medals, Books; 165 lots. -Curtis Clay.

The inspiration for these tokens might have been Pye's 1797 halfpenny (Warwickshire 223) which is of a similar design.

*Alex

1852 - Three Cent Piece - Silver Type 1USA Silver Three Cent Piece, partial hole @ 5 o'clock obverse. 1852.
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Info: Type 1 Silver Three Cent Piece. Note how there is nothing in the areas above, and below the Roman Numeral 3 = III on the reverse. The type 2 has a bundle of Arrows below and an olive branch above
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~rexesq

1852 - Three Cent Piece - Silver Type 1.USA Silver Three Cent Piece, partial hole @ 5 o'clock obverse. 1852.
~~~~
Info: Type 1 Silver Three Cent Piece. Note how there is nothing in the areas above, and below the Roman Numeral 3 = III on the reverse. The type 2 has a bundle of Arrows below and an olive branch above
~~~
~rexesq

1853-65 Japanese Silver 1 ShuJapan, Kaei (1853-65), Silver 1 Shu, Kaei ND (1853-65), Hartill EJC 9.85, Jacobs-Vermeule I302, SCWC KM C12, JNDA 09-53, JC 04-09, Hc (common variety), EF, cast in 96.8% silver, nicely toned, rectangular, vertical reeding on short edges, slanted reeding on long edges, weight 1.89g (ASW 0.0588oz), composition 0.968 Ag, 0.032 Cu, diameter 15.0×9.0mm, thickness 1.5mm, die axis 0°, Ginza (Edo) mint, 1853-65; obverse 一朱銀 (1 Shu Silver) downward, pearled border surrounding; reverse 銀座 (Silver Mint) downward on right, 常是 (Jōze) downward on left for Mint Official, Daikoku Jōze, top left and right stroke of 常 curved, 定 (Guaranteed) incuse countermark above, pearled border surrounding; from the Roger Belmar Collection; ex Baldwin's (12 Feb 2023); ex Herman Selig Collection (Part IV: Final): Coins of Japan, Noonans auction 261 (13 Oct 2022), lot 24 (part of); £65.00.1 commentsSerendipity

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