I received these in the mail today, they are without a doubt the nicest coins in my ENTIRE collection.......
Chris is right but they were used as coins, As they have imbeded in them denomination. We refer to them as coins in Iceland. I got this set from a old man here in Iceland and it´s in superb condition. They have found a really good home Mark
Looks like a nice history lesson here too. Do you have any info on why they used them as currency? Also, are they considered legal tender by law? stainlss
Wo, I may not know much about Icelandic medals but the coin at the top appears to have an exposed booby that puts Miss Liberty on a 1917 Standing Liberty to shame.
Europeans have never been as puritanical (and hypocritical) about the human body as our US legislators. Chris
Those are very cool. I am sure they were worth the wait. The guy on the third one looks a little like Hulk Hogan.
The Standers were changed not due to the legislators, but due to the PUBLIC outcry that it was vulgar.
From the law "Under a law on the celebration of the millennium of the Althing in 1930 the government was permitted to issue a set of medals with embossed value. The law stipulated that the medals could be given validity as legal tender by a royal decree. This provision was never carried into effect." Now the goverment of Iceland was scared that the medals wouldnt sell so they had a backup plan. Not many hit circulation but I have seen some samples. This was a huge task as Iceland had no money at the time. I have been looking for a circulated set but it is hard as collectors in Iceland know that they are rare.
That was 150 years ago, but in the last 100 years, it has all been about what legislators have allowed, and their unwritten rule has been, "Don't do as I do, do as I say!" Chris
Neither were the Ancient Romans Ex M&M 79, 1994, 639; ex Sternberg 21, 1988, 532. On less well preserved specimens the figure reclining on the couch could be thought to be a ....... nevermind...
Here is my set of those .Not close In quality . Your's are stunning. I've always liked this trio but actually forgot about them till I saw this thread. I've had mine for 12 or so years ,a gift form the one who helped me start this grand adventure- Didnt know what they were for a long time as they are not listed in current Krause Editions.