It's coin picture taking day, so I'll start with a US half dollar, 1830. Huh? Well, my wife and I were out antiquing yesterday and I came across a small coin display. This half dollar seemed sufficiently worn and crusty to satisfy a collector of ancients. The antique dealer also had a sestertius of Philip II marked at $400. It was a $40 coin, lol. My wife said, "Why didn't you tell him?" Because I'm not Ralph Nader, that's why. "Your coin is only worth a tenth of what you've marked it," is not a conversation I wanted to have on a day of R&R. It would not have ended pleasantly for either of us.
I got it because I can pretty much handle it like an ancient coin, with impunity. Hand it to my daughter, who likes to collect coins herself, and say, "Here's what a half dollar looked like 186 years ago."
You wanna know something funnier? He had an "eBay Price Comparison" next to the coin, where he printed off probably the most expensive listing of a Philip II sestertius he could find - $1500, to make it look like his $400 coin was a bargain. Like I said, if I had confronted him on it, it would not have ended well.
Misc...Why not... My oldest "military trade token" Carthaginians in Hispania AE 1/4 Calco, 1.5g, 13mm; mobile military mint, 218-208 BC. Obv.: Wreathed head of Tanit left. Rev.: Crested helmet left, with cheek guards Possibly my newest, and an unlisted variety: POGs don't count because they're made of styrene.
Here's a very respectable bronze of Castulo, with a great bust and decent lettering. The bull could be stronger, but overall it's an excellent coin imo.
I like this scan because it has examples of types of U.S. military forms of money used from WWI to present. Keeping things honest: Elagabalus, AD 218-222 AE, 23mm, 6.41g; 12h; Nicaea, Bithynia Obv.: M AVPH ANTΩNINOC AVG; Laureate head right Rev.: N-IK-AI-E-[ΩN] beneath the masts of legionary standards; eagle facing, head right, wings spread, between two standards surmounted by capricorns. Ok let's get weird a little...not coin related but I consider it a companion piece. My forum friend @longnine009 gave me this cool Skyraider (poor scan): And the companion: (Seller's photo...can't find mine...)
Here's an RR denarius, Albinus, Malleolus, and Metellus, 96 BC. Ordinarily I prefer less wear on my denarii, but this coin spoke very strongly to me for the detail it had. In particular, even on higher grade examples, one frequently finds really off-center reverse strikes that chop off Victory's head or wings. Despite the wear on this coin, the reverse is struck so that the full design is able to speak: Victory crowning Roma seated on shields... Not to mention the coin has no scratches, no graffiti, and only one tiny banker's mark. I'm not really fond of the expression, "nice for the grade," but this coin is really nice for the grade.
I remember the MPC from Vietnam. No metal coins. Only paper bills starting with 5 cent bills. I went 7 months without pay while in Vietnam. Then WHAM! All my back pay in MPC. What a wad that was.
Very cool. I love this sort of collection of a variety of pieces from different genres, unified by a central theme.
I've been trying to get a few Vietnam tokens...but I've been putting it off. Here are a couple: Cunningham Number: VN1370c Here's one that was fun to research (sorry for the bad photo): VN2950b, Marble Mountain Air Facility Plated Brass, 18mm Obv.: 1ST MAW / S / (diamond with S) / 10¢ Rev.: (same) "S" for Staff, possibly Staff NCOs. MMAF five miles from Danang AB. Marines moved in 26 Aug 65. Turned over to the Army 1 June 72.
Here's a well-spent, beat-up large cent, basically bought for the same reason as the half dollar - see coins, must buy some.
Off the top of my head that book was 1917-1921. The government officials on the reverse help dating it.
Wow, it's in great shape for paper that old! How many coupons are in the book (what is the value of each coupon)? I assume the total value of the coupons is $5.00 rather than $5.00 per coupon, since that would have been quite a bit of money in those days.
I'll have to look, I can't remember. You can see detached chits from Cannon Air Force Base in that same scan and each page of the later books would have a 5, 10, 25, & 50. The Smileage Book is complete and the paper looks nice. I bought it a couple years ago...two or three...for $8. I saw another in about the same condition for $80 so when this came up I snatched it immediately. The more expensive one appeared in the same condition with the exception that it was signed by the receiver and issuer.
