I love big coins, especially big old copper or bronze coins. I just got this 1832 Brazil 80 reis in the mail today, and I think it's awesome. It's bigger than an Ike dollar and I got it for a steal. Also since it was sitting nearby, I'm also posting an 1890 Argentina 2 centavos, which is another great coin. Feel free to post your big old copper or bronze coins too.
Question, are these non-countermarked 80 reis worth more, or less, than countermarked 80 reis? Thanks for your time!
You should check out the 18th century Russian 5 Kopecks OP. I bought 20 in a offering one time just because I am a sucker for large old copper.
The 80 reis is slightly bigger than an Ike dollar. I put it in a 2x2 meant for a dollar, but the edges are cut off and it was hard to staple. As far as whether the countermarked or non-countermarked are worth more, this denomination and date doesn't look like there was ever a countermark made for it, if I'm reading Krause right. Personally I prefer the original to the countermark. The countermark seems like damage to me. Here's a photo for size comparison. And I have seen the 18th century Russian 5 kopeks and I really want one, but I need one to fall into my price range.
Here's a few more: China Ho-Nan province 100 cash (can anyone tell me the year on this?) 1857 Uruguay 40 centesimos 1854 Upper Canada 1 penny token
Nice coins here are some of my copper and bronzes I usually only collect coppers and bronzes: Jusitnian I follis 15.8gm, 31mm Justin I follis 16.9gm 30mm GORDIAN III MOESIA SUPERIOR, VIMINACIUM 29mm 17.3gms
Yep, the 1797 penny and 2 penny are honkers for sure. That was when they minted coins where the value in the actual weight of the coin was equal to the denomination. In this case, there was 2 pence worth of copper in the coin when struck. They stopped making them that size when the value of the copper exceeded the denomination.
Here is a big Vietnam (Annam) 100 cash cast coin from 1841-47. I scanned it next to a Maria Theresa thaler to give a sense of its size (It is 52mm). It has traveled down the family tree and before me it belonged to my grandmother who carried it in her purse as a good luck charm for most of her life.
Ptolemy II, Egypt, 285-246 BC 46mm diameter 90.1g There are ancients that are bigger than this but they tend to sell for prices matching their size.
I was going to post a Ptolemy but didn't have a pic handy. Yeah, these are nice. Surprisingly, some early Byzantine can get about as large, though not as thick. However, like these the bigger they get the higher the pricetag. I got one from a group from G&M about 44mm once. I would not have paid the price those go for, but am glad I have it. Hiddendragon, what do the 5 kopecks go for? I guess I don't know nowadays. Frank Robinson had a group so I bought 20 in VF for about $7 per about 8 years ago.
Big Roman Bronzes Beautiful coins everyone, very nice! Hiddendragon : I really like your Argentine Dos Centavos! They are beautiful coins. I have one of the same year, but it has some sort of ... goo type stuff on the reverse that I do not think I can get off without damaging the coin sadly The front is nice though heh. doug, I think that Ptolemaic coin is the heaviest ancient coin I have ever seen a photo of. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ah, I just aquired some nice Straits Settlements coppers.... one 1884 and one 1908, The Straits Settlements have always been one of my favorite places to collect coins from. I have only a couple of bronzes from there though. Here are some heavy bronzes.... this one of Julia Mamaea, the first two photos, the Mother of Emperor Severus Alexander (222 - 235 AD) weighs over 25 Grams.... and is thick!! The one of her son, with Mars on the reverse, third photo, is just slightly less heavy.... the fourth photo is of the same Emperor and weighs a bit less at 18.82 grams as the slab showed. So all pretty heavy coins, and quite old. The final pic shows the Emperor in a Quadriga, it is a different coin than the others, but of the same Emperor and time period 222 - 235 AD. Also of similar heft.
Nice one Randy, wow heavy! I like the Eagles.... 46.5 grams is a heavy coin, and 90 grams like the one dougsmit posted just sees crazy huge to me.