Renaissance Faire Medals, Coins, and Tokens!

I have been enamored with the numismatic offerings at regional Renaissance Faire’s across the U.S. of late. What is most intriguing about these numismatic creations is the fact that most Renaissance Faire’s have strict restrictions on their vendors. Each vendor is required to be as “period correct” as possible. This means no plastic, no electronics, no motors, no cell phones, purchases by cash, trade, or barter only, wardrobe, hair, and accessories must be period correct, etc.

This means the minting and coining at these events is left to being either hand hammered, drop hammered, or screw press. No prepared planchets will do. No motor driven coining presses. Most stampings are done on heated brass or silver metallic “cobs.” Dies are usually hand engraved, which make for some unique OOAK pieces.

I have been a fan of one well known minter named Ron Landis, but I am confident there are others. Notable annual Renaissance Faire’s are held in Texas, Minnesota, and Georgia. I would love to hear about those local to you, and if anyone has any of these faire numismatic pieces, please post them up for all to see.

Below are just a few of those I have collected that were created by Ron Landis. In the mid-1970’s, before Ron had established himself as a known quantity, his pieces were generally unsigned, except for his highly identifiable die hand-engraving style. Here are a couple of those “unsigned” examples.

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Towards the late 1970’s and into the 1980’s, Ron started attending some of the larger regional Renaissance Faires. It was around this time he started signing his pieces with his signature stylized RL initials. You can see an example of these below.

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At the larger fairs and festivals, Ron would create very intricate and detailed dies, just for that year’s event. Those are some of his most desirable and scarce pieces as they were sold at one place, for one year.

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I have only acquired a couple of Renaissance Faire pieces that weren’t created by Landis. These were made by a minter at more recent Texas Renaissance Faire’s. I know there has to be a boatload of strikes that haven’t surfaced. Most residing at the bottom of home junk drawers, unappreciated and unloved. It’s time to get these out and exhibit them to the numismatic world.

Show us your Renny-Faire tokens folks!

Z

 

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There is one in Larkspur Co every year. I don't remember I remember the blacksmith and glass blower but must have missed the moneyer. It's been probably 20 years Since I have been. Had a lot of fun. Bought a kilned beer mug and they filled it for free.
That might be a destination this summer just to see if they have one. June thru August this year.

 

I really like that 1992 issue.

 

Found the photos for a more recent, non-Landis piece. The seller didn't specify if this particular Renaissance Fair had any of the aforementioned restrictions on technology, but from the looks of it, I don't think the organizers were that "purist."

Maybe they had to loosen up to attract more vendors. Either that or these might have been struck pre-fair.

Only the "obverse" looks like it might have been hand engraved. The proof-like reverse is definitely a professionally engraved die.

Z

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I apologize for not being able to post pictures. I do have several coins from the vendor who operates at the Minnesota Renaissance Fair. If I remember right he uses the screw press method. He has about a hundred premade dies to choose from and you ask for the type of metal planchet you want. James

 

I would love to see photos of one of those guys in action. I'm hoping someone has photos they could post.

Z