Coin Talk
Home >

Coin Talk

  1. johnmilton
    johnmilton

    Theodore Roosevelt has two official inaugural medals issued for him in 1905

    Theodore Roosevelt became president in 1901 following the assassination of William McKinley. Roosevelt was an activist president who put his stamp on the office forever. In 1904 he was elected in his own right.

    1904 Roosevelt - Fairbanks Campaign Button

    TR Fairbanks Lib.jpg


    As it had been for recent presidents of the period, the Inaugural Committee issued medals that celebrated the event. The medals were given to the Inaugural Committee, members of the president’s administration and, in increasing numbers, sold to the public to raise money for the celebration.

    In 1905 there were two official inaugural medals, which is highly unusual. Charles Barber and George Morgan designed the more common piece. It is a fairly modest medal, three inches in diameter, with a portrait of Theodore Roosevelt on the obverse and the phrase, "Inaugurated President of the United States March 4, 1905," and sprig of flowers on the right side of the reverse. This piece was made only in bronze and...
    johnmilton May 17, 2019 Read More Replies: 8
    Tweet
  2. Jochen1
    Jochen1

    Omphale - owner and lover of Heracles

    Dear Friends of ancient mythology!

    Here I would like to present a provincial coin from Maionia in Lydia. It shows a motive which belongs to the legend circle around Heracles, but is rarer than the coins which describe the 12 famous deeds.

    The Coin:
    Lydia, Maionia, pseudo-autonomous, AD 145-175
    AE 19, 4.57g, 180°
    struck under strategos Appa (time of Faustina jun.)
    Obv.: MAIO - NΩN
    Bearded head of Herakles l.
    Rev.: CTP TO Γ - AΠΠA (from upper right)
    Omphale advancing r., holding with r. hand club over r. shoulder and in l. hand lion's skin
    Ref.: BMC p. 130, 20r
    are, about VF, brown patina with some earthen highlights
    maionia_BMC20.jpg

    Note:
    The rev. means "when Appa was strategos for the third time"

    Mythology:
    This myth takes us back to the time after the 12 famous deeds of Herakles. Eurytos, the king of Oichalia, had promised the hand of his daughter Iole to the one who could defeat him in archery. Herakles took over and defeated him. But Eurytus...
    Jochen1 May 14, 2019 Read More Replies: 10
    Tweet
  3. TypeCoin971793
    TypeCoin971793

    How to Detect Cleaned Coins

    This is an article which I started a while ago, but did not get around to finishing it. Recent discussions have inspired me to finish it.

    To begin, let’s define what a “cleaned” coin is. A coin is “cleaned” when any material is removed from the coin. This includes everything from using canned air to blow off dust to using iron wool to scrub a coin clean. There are two levels of cleaning: “proper” cleaning and “improper” cleaning. If an experienced collector/dealer/grader cannot tell that a coin has been cleaned, then it has been properly cleaned. If they can tell, then it is improperly cleaned and should be considered damage. From here on out, I will used the word “cleaned” to refer to “improperly cleaned.”

    When I look at a coin, I use a three-step process each time to determine if the coin is cleaned. The three steps are as follows:

    1. Grade the Coin

    2. Look at the Color

    3. Observe the Surface Quality

    Here is a breakdown of each step:

    Step 1: Grade the Coin:

    Half of...
    TypeCoin971793 Nov 24, 2018 Read More Replies: 43
    Tweet
  4. Jaelus
    Jaelus

    Defining a Pattern

    The Newman Numismatic Portal Dictionary (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionary) defines a pattern as a coin which has not been approved for release, produced to evaluate a proposed coin design, or a term which includes a wide array of early strikes including die trials, hub trials, die adjustment strikes, experimental pieces and other trial pieces; anything that is different from the production run that is not a mint error.

    I would not call a die or hub trial a pattern, nor would I consider a die adjustment strike to be a pattern (though you could have a trial or adjustment strike of a pattern). I feel like major sources seem to define what a pattern is differently from each other and there is not a consensus on this definition.

    What do you all consider to be or not be a pattern?

    To me, a pattern is a version of a coin that is proposed for release. I see several types, and think there is generally a consensus that what I've listed here as types 1-3...
    Jaelus May 15, 2019 Read More Replies: 3
    Tweet
  5. Jochen1
    Jochen1

    The Garden of the Hesperides


    Dear Friends of ancient mythology!

    I was on search of a coin showing the apple of Hesperides already for a long time. But mostly it is only Herakles who is depicted holding apples in his hand, often behind his back (Herakles Farnese). Luckily I found this coin from Tarsos which is showing the trree with the snake too. And now we have the whole scenario. In fact only the Hesperides are missing!

    The Coin:
    Cilicia, Tarsos, Gordian III, AD 238-244
    AE 35, 21.04g, 180°
    Obv.: AVT KAI M ANT ΓOP[ΔIANOC CEB]
    Bust, draped and cuirassed, seen from behind, radiate, r.
    in l. and r. Π - Π
    Rev.: TAPCOV MHTPOΠOΛEΩ
    Herakles, bearded(?), nude, stg. facing, head l., resting with r. hand on his club,
    holding over l. arm the lion-skin and in the outstretched l. hand five apples.; l.
    beside him a tree with twigs, entwined by a snake.
    in the upper r. field A / Γ, in the lower l. field M / K
    Ref.: cf. SNG Copenhagen 383
    very rare, good F/about VF, usual rough state like all coins of...
    Jochen1 May 12, 2019 Read More Replies: 7
    Tweet
  6. Valentinian
    Valentinian

    Constantine VII replaces Romanus I (Byzantine)

    Byzantine history is, well, Byzantine. The complicated reign of Constantine VII illustrates it. There are more twists and turns than I can recount here, but some events are key to understanding this coin which is clearly overstruck.

    SB1761ConVII1927.jpg

    The overtype is Constantine VII, 913-959.
    27 mm. 6.14 grams.
    Facing bust of Constantine VII, holding globus cruciger in left hand
    CONST BA - S ... around
    Four line reverse legend:
    CONST/ENOEbA/SILEVSR/ROMEON ["N" looks like "h" on all of these coins]
    Sear 1761.

    (This coin and the next came in the mail yesterday. It was great fun to sort out their story.)

    You can skip the next paragraph which identifies the undertype as Romanus I, Sear 1760 (the second next coin).

    Clearly the obverse is overstruck on a previous reverse, the final two lines showing:
    SILEVSRW/OMEWN [Note: The omega form is like W here but like O on the Constantine VII.] Remembering that late Byzantine coins usually have 6:00 die-axis, flipping the coin...
    Valentinian Apr 23, 2019 Read More Replies: 15
    Tweet
  7. CircCam
    CircCam

    Nevada State Museum Visit - Fremont, Coins and the Comstock Lode

    Visited the Nevada State Museum today- a quality facility and well worth a visit. My favorites were the John C. Fremont and Comstock Lode exhibits... as they featured some coinage, I figured I’d share:

    CBD1109F-B478-440F-9602-C2D299EF80FE.jpeg

    John C. Fremont (1813-1890) was an American explorer, soldier, writer and politician. His explorations, botanical findings and topographical contributions in the American West had tremendous influence on US history. Maps made based on his expeditions enabled pioneers to better traverse the frontier, helped miners to locate gold regions when the California Gold Rush began, and much more. (More on him here.)

    BB10AB8F-1BDD-433A-B4A1-C77E55336C08.jpeg

    His Colt .44 was just impressive. The “Grand Luminary” flag, made in 1856 when he ran as the first Republican candidate for President carried a star pattern that was a visual interpretation of the then national motto, E Pluribus Unum (Out of Many, One.)...
    CircCam May 13, 2019 Read More Replies: 10
    Tweet
  8. Jochen1
    Jochen1

    Herakles and the Cretan Bull


    Dear Friends of ancient mythology!

    I'm happy that I can share this coin which I have searched after for a long time. I know that its state is not the best, but better coins are always very expensive.

    The coin:
    Moesia inferior, Nikopolis ad Istrum, Septimius Severus, AD 193-211
    AE 27, 11.97g, 26.55mm, 210°
    struck under governor L. Aurelius Gallus
    obv. .AVT.Λ.CEΠT - CEVHP ΠEP
    laureate head r.
    rev. VΠ AV[P ΓAΛΛOV NIKOΠOΛIT]ΩN / ΠPOC ICTP
    beneath: the bow
    The Cretan Bull with uplifted forelegs and raised tail prancing l.; Herakles, nude,
    running beside him l., embracing with both hands the bull's head to subdue him;
    club on ground behind Hercules’ right foot
    ref. a) AMNG I/1, 1309
    b) Varbanov 2710
    c) Hristova/Hoeft/Jekov (2018) No. 8.14.14.30 (plate coin)
    d) Voegtli type 4m
    rare, F+
    nikopolis_sept_severus_HrHJ(2018)8.14.14.30.jpg

    Mythology:
    Minos, king of Crete, has established his right of the throne by claiming that his rule over Crete was God-given. To prove that claim he...
    Jochen1 May 11, 2019 Read More Replies: 6
    Tweet
  9. Collecting Nut
    Collecting Nut

    Joseph W. Barr, Who Was He?

    Just who was Joseph W. Barr? He was born on January 17, 1918 and died on February 23, 1996. His place of birth was Bicknell, Indiana.

    He received a BA from Depauw University and an MA at Harvard University in the field of economics. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945 during World War II with his duties assigned as a subchaser in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

    He received a bronze star and was credited with the sinking of a submarine off of Anzio Beach.

    After the war he worked in grain elevators, theaters, real estate and publishing businesses. In 1958 he was elected to Congress from the 11th district in Indiana but was defeated two years later.

    During his two-year term he made friends with then Senator John F. Kennedy. After his defeat President Kennedy appointed him Secretary of the Treasury for Congressional Relations. In 1963 he was appointed chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the FDIC.

    From 1965 to 1968 he served as...
    Collecting Nut May 11, 2019 Read More Replies: 6
    Tweet
  10. Sallent
    Sallent

    A busy reverse on this Alexander III drachm struck by Lysimachus

    Lysimachus was one of Alexander the Great's personal bodyguards. After Alexander's death, somehow Lysimachus worked his way up to general and eventually the ruler of Thrace. He ruled Thrace from 305 BCE until he was killed in battle in 281 BCE by Seleukos I Nikator.

    Below is a drachm, typical of other Greek drachms of the period, until you look at the busy reverse. Talk about eye candy. Besides Zeus and the eagle, we have a lion, a pentagram, and a control mark that looks like an o with a spear through it.

    87657q00.jpg
    AR drachm
    Kingdom of Thrace
    Lysimachus (305-381BCE)
    Kolophon Mint (299-296 BCE)
    weight 4.258g, maximum diameter 18.7mm, die axis 0o
    obverse: head of Herakles right, wearing Nemean Lion skin, scalp over head, forepaws tied at neck.
    Reverse: Zeus Aëtophoros seated left, eagle in right hand, scepter in left hand, right leg drawn back, lion-forepart left over Φ (control symbols) in left field, pentagram (control symbol) under throne, ΛYΛIMAXOY downward on...
    Sallent May 11, 2019 Read More Replies: 15
    Tweet
Page 101 of 141
< Prev 1 ← 99 100 101 102 103 → 141 Next >
 
  • Forgot your password?

Staff Online Now

  • ToughCOINS ToughCOINS
    Dealer Member

Members Online Now

  1. SensibleSal66,
  2. numist,
  3. ToughCOINS,
  4. Collecting Nut,
  5. physics-fan3.14
Total: 1,143 (members: 6, guests: 1,085, robots: 52)

Forum Statistics

Discussions:
409,088
Messages:
4,710,237
Members:
70,151
Latest Member:
Jeffrey fleming

Share This Page

Tweet

Recent Topics

  • The Half Dime 1814 Classic Cent - Possible...
    The Half Dime posted Jun 30, 2025 at 10:34 PM
  • cmezner About the light Pfennig...
    cmezner posted Jun 30, 2025 at 10:15 PM
  • dwhiz I won this on GC last Sunday
    dwhiz posted Jun 30, 2025 at 8:38 PM
  • Blake Davis Severan Imperial Bronzes 199AD...
    Blake Davis posted Jun 30, 2025 at 6:08 PM
  • fretboard Strange Looking Coin, Not Legit...
    fretboard posted Jun 30, 2025 at 4:40 PM
  • Spark1951 1809 Capped Bust 50c Birthday Coin
    Spark1951 posted Jun 30, 2025 at 3:41 PM
  • numist Grading raw coins
    numist posted Jun 30, 2025 at 3:08 PM
  • Allan Ashford 1901 Dime
    Allan Ashford posted Jun 30, 2025 at 7:05 AM
  • Allan Ashford 1865 2 Cents
    Allan Ashford posted Jun 30, 2025 at 7:03 AM
  • Allan Ashford 1859 Half Dollar, New Orleans Mint
    Allan Ashford posted Jun 30, 2025 at 7:01 AM
  • mrweaseluv GTG 1899 morgan...
    mrweaseluv posted Jun 30, 2025 at 1:45 AM
  • physics-fan3.14 Somebody made a Big Oopsie on...
    physics-fan3.14 posted Jun 29, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Loading...

The Coin Show

“Coin

Server Fundraiser

Making a donation to support CoinTalk with Amazon?
The Admin's Wishlist

Coin Talk
Home >
Coin Talk
  • Home

    Home

    Quick Links
    • Search Forums
    • Recent Activity
    • Recent Posts
  • Forums

    Forums

    Quick Links
    • Search Forums
    • Recent Posts
  • Competitions

    Competitions

    Quick Links
    • Competition Index
    • Rules, Terms & Conditions
  • Gallery

    Gallery

    Quick Links
    • Search Media
    • New Media
  • Showcase

    Showcase

    Quick Links
    • Search Items
    • Most Active Members
    • New Items
  • Directory

    Directory

    Quick Links
    • Directory Home
    • New Listings
  • Members

    Members

    Quick Links
    • Notable Members
    • Current Visitors
    • Recent Activity
    • New Profile Posts
    • Sponsors
  • Menu
Search

Separate names with a comma.

Useful Searches

  • Recent Posts
More...
  • Contact Us
  • Help
  • Home
  • Top
  • RSS
  • Terms and Rules
  • Privacy Policy
Forum software by XenForo® © 2010-2019 XenForo Ltd.