I see that others have started to post their annual top 10 lists, so I feel compelled to add my own. I believe that this is my 4th time. Most years my list is just 10 coins in no order. This year, I decided to put them in my top 10 order. Mostly this is because, in my mind, there is a logical order for the first time. My goal going into this year was to purchase fewer coins but higher quality. I think that most I have succeeded. As in past years the list includes coins, medals, and tokens. The list is heavy on German material which is a common theme of mine. Feel free to vote in the pole and let me know what your favorites are. You can select up to 3 choices. #10 Cologne 983-1002 Silver Denar. The pictures don’t show it well, but this is struck exceptionally well. I just found it very appealing. Cologne Anonymous Denar ND (983-1002) Obverse: +OTTO REX, cross with pellets in each angle Reverse: S / [C]OLONIA / A [G] in three lines. Weight: 1.34gm Struck in the name of Otto III Cologne mint #9 Bavaria 1535 Ludwig X, unknown engraver. This was one of the tougher ones for me to rank. I like it very much but part of me says "it is just a portrait medal". If it could be attributed to a specific engraver my belief is that it would positively affect the value and the desirability to other collectors. Ludwig X, Duke of Bavaria-Landshut, second son of Albert IV, born 1495, reigns together with his brother Wilhelm since 1516, died 1545. Portrait medal 1535. Obverse: Half-length portrait L with a long beard in a flat cap and fur coat. Engraved in field on both sides : DUX — LVD / OVI / CV / S — MD / XXX / V. Ks. T SI T DEVS T NOBISCVM * QVIS * CONTRA * NOS. Reverse: The four-field Palatinate-Bavarian coat of arms on a cut-out, rolled-up shield in a circle of threads. Habich p. 117, T, VII, 6 Med. and coins d. total Wittelsbach 267 26mm. 8.7 g Probably by a South German medalist who worked under the influence of Neufarer. #8 Emden. Herman von Kalvelage Denar ND (1020-1051). The last of the medieval coins on the list. Another one that presents better in hand. This is one that I should have done a GTG pole on. NGC placed it in an MS63 holder. Emden. Herman von Kalvelage Denar ND (1020-1051) Counts of Hamburg mint, Dannenburg-772. Obverse: Head right (mounted upside down in holder) Reverse: Double Cross with lettering in angles. Weight: 0.56gm #7 France 1801 Seine Iron Bridge. One of a number of Jetons purchased this year but by far my favorite. France, Consulate, 1801 Jeton Anno IX Consulate (1799-1804) by P.Tiolier. Construction 3 Iron bridges over seine #6 Mozambique 1843 Onca. Satisfies my urge to purchase unusual stuff. Considered by some to be siege money buy not by others. Either way, it is a cool coin. Maria II (1834-1853) Silver 1843 Onca (Canelo) Counter Stamped with one Rosette over "M" Weight: 27.04g Thickness 4 mm Shape: Rectangular (17 x 14 mm) Gomes-12.01 KM# 26.2 #5 1794 Netherlands (Maastricht) Stuiver. Cool siege coin. One of the only that I own. Typical crude style. Obverse: A star in the center, date above, value below, and mint mark. Lettering: 1794 / 100St Reverse: Smooth (uniface) Composition: Silver Weight: 30.07 g Diameter: 40.8 mm Comments: Siege of Maastricht by the French troops, the Austrians held the city at that time (second restauration of the Austrian Netherlands under Franz II) whereas Maastricht had been ruled by the United Provinces and the Duchy of Liege in a condominium. #4 1744 Battle of Toulon Medal. Very historic and pretty grim. GREAT BRITAIN, SPAIN & FRANCE. Battle of Toulon brass Medal. Issued 1744. Satirizing the British missteps off the coast of Toulon against the Spanish & French Diameter: 38mm Weight: 13.17 g Obverse: Harbor scene with aspects denoted by the following letters — A: in background, ships under sail on sea to right; B: in foreground, human body suspended from gibbet (D) to left; C: in background, smaller ships under sail on sea to left; 1743|4 in exergue Reverse: Harbor scene with aspects denoted by the following letters — E: in background, fortified town under attack to right; F and G: in background, ships under sail right attacking town; H: in foreground, troops advancing left to right; I: in foreground, lion pouncing right upon cock. MI 584/224; Eimer 582. Very Fine. Yellow-brown surfaces. Emanating from the War of Austrian Succession, the Battle of Toulon (off the coast of France) took place in the Mediterranean theater between Great Britain, France, and Spain. In the American theater, Britain and Spain had already been at war in the form of the War of Jenkins' Ear (with a later conflict—the French and Indian War—also deriving from the same issue). In the Mediterranean, the French joined the Spanish when an upper hand against the British revealed itself, with the latter not effectively pursuing the former two and thus losing an advantage—a result that was viewed natively in Britain as a fiasco. On this medal, the superiority of the British is indicated by the lion (Britain) pouncing upon the cock (France), but the figure hanging from the gibbet is likely (mockingly) one of the two British admirals (Mathews or Lestock). In any event, an intriguing, tongue-in-cheek, and somewhat macabre poke at contemporary British affairs. #3 Netherland (Utrecht) 1775 Silver Rider Ducaton. This is one of those coins that just spoke to me when I saw it. It is in an NGC Details (cleaned) holder but I don’t mind one bit. Obverse: Armored knight on horse above crowned Utrecht shield Obverse Legend: MO : NO : ARG : CON FOE : BELG : PRO : TRAI • Reverse: Crowned arms of the Generality with lion supporters, date below Reverse Legend: CONCORDIA RES PARVÆ CRESCUNT • Edge Description: Cabled Composition: Silver (.941) Weight: 32.78g ASW: 0.9917oz #2 1680’s Schlesien Silver Medal. Exquisitely engraved. This was an easy choice for me to come in 2nd place. ca. 1680's AR Medal Weight: 15.57g Diameter: 32mm This very rare medal served as a moral reminder to (married) women. The inscription on both sides reads: WORKING HARD IN THE HARD RESULTS IN KEEPING A TRANQUIL AND PEACEFUL HOME. The illustrations on the front and back illustrate this advice. On the reverse are three beehives with swarming bees (symbol of diligence), The obverse shows a snail with house between two trees (symbol of peaceful domesticity). CHRISTOPH SUCRO, Mint-master at Stettin, 1677-1681 #1 1664 Brunswick-Luneberg-Celle 4 Thaler. Easy choice for #1. At over 111 grams and 72mm this is a coin that I never thought I would own. See here if you want the rest of the story: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/my-quest-for-multiple-thalers.398632/ Solver for 4 talers 1664 LW, Clausthal. Yield from the Harz mines. Christian Ludwig, 1648-1665 Obverse: Hand of clouds wreaths a horse over a mining landscape with miners and two gullets, outline of the pit below Reversed: Crowned monogram from CL, framed by two laurel branches, surrounded by fourteen coats of arms. With value stamp. Mint master Lippold Wefer Weight: 111.5grams Diameter: 72mm Welter 1495, Davenport 187, Müseler Supplement 10.4.1/63 a, Duve 12 AI. I hope you enjoyed this, and I look forward to seeing what everyone else likes.
Great adds this year!! I voted #6, #5 and #1. I like the unusual stuff and that 4 Taler is spectacular.
Fun coins Chris. I voted 1,2 and 4. Question I see the different letters explained in your description. Is that how the engraver planned the medal? Did he describe the scenes when the medal was sold?
Just my opinion, but I would think so. I don't know that I have seen another medal that did this so one would think that it would have been accompanied by some sort of explanation. On the flip side, most people were illiterate at this time so, maybe not.
Beautiful accumulation for this year. My vote was 3,4,1. That 1775 Silver Rider is just stunning. Well done
I voted #1/ 3/ 8 The 4 Thaler is VEEEERY NICE!!!!!! The Utrecht Ducatoon is tantalizing. Congratulations on a supberb top "10" John
Very cool list. Do you collect seige money? I don't know much about it, but I'd love to see a thread dedicated to the topic.
I don't really look for them but do buy them when I come across one or two. Although, some are really expensive and next to impossible to find. I noticed there are some threads on CT for specific siege coins but not a general thread. I don't think my little collection is advanced enough to do the topic credit.
I think you know more than most, and I always enjoy your educational threads. I'm not saying you need to do a thread on them... but I think you could probably educate us a bit
