I learned that the lion and the eagle are the most frequently used images on coins since, like, forever. Thank you. I learned what a tryzub is. Thank you for that also. And still, even though your watermark is not a clue to where the coin was minted, it does look very much like a coin I found associated with the Ukraine. So since it seems very old I'll take a guess: Russia? Maybe early to mid 17th century? (or else maybe it's 'Scottish Money' )
I have been thinking about that lion and eagle all day. I got a few modern (relatively) modern CCCP coins today. Strong substantial designs.
@scottishmoney Is this coin made of gold? Is it a coin for spending or something else, like a medal? (it doesn't have any legend on it at all) Is it medieval? Is it Czech? Is it Bohemian? Good night.
Very interesting and attractive piece, whatever it is! The lion looks vaguely reminiscent of the Low Countries to me, while the eagle looks rather Germanic. But I have my doubts that either of those are right. Consider me well and truly stumped! "Tryzub" is a new vocabulary word for me, though I knew what a toughra is. "Anepigraphic" is a fancy word I already knew which describes this coin perfectly.
Is this coin made of gold? No- it is pretty apparently silver, albeit with some goldish toning. Is it a coin for spending or something else, like a medal? Good question. I wondered the same thing. (it doesn't have any legend on it at all) Yep. It's anepigraphic. There's another fancy word. Is it medieval? No- the style is far too "modern" for that. I would guess 18th or 19th century, myself, and lean towards the latter, based on style. Is it Czech? Is it Bohemian? Also good questions, and as good a guess as anything I've got, I suppose. Good riddle! Handsome mystery piece! And a good thread.
My guess would have been Bohemian, and yes it is silver. Actually it is about the size of a half dollar but twice as thick. It is believed to be the creation of Joe Rust of Gallery Mint Museum during the 1990s.
So interesting. If this coin were minted by Joe Rust and his partner based on their own designs, we would not expect to find the word "copy" on it. But, wouldn't they want to sign the coins they designed and struck? I would love to see the coin better. @scottishmoney, the article you posted indicated that on one of their reproduction coins they included the word "copy" on the tiny foot of an owl. Can you look a gazillionth time, please, and confirm there are no initials on it? Can you check the edge? @lordmarcovan - Re toughra: Thank you for the word. I imagine an example might be the "Al Jazeera" TV symbol. http://www.vectorsland.com/imgd/l75046-al-jazeera-eps-logo-57208.png Re anipegraphic: So I guess putting the smallest mint initials into the design of the coin would make it non-anepigraphic. Re: low countries: Funny, last night I dreamed about this coin and in the dream it was determined to be from the Netherlands and the expert in the dream who rendered that definitive opinion said it like this: Neederlend. (dreams are strange things and places to be.)
Very interesting post, learning new words and all. Much fun. So I would like to post a challange for guess the nation. I know this will not be hard for some.
@alurid - Looks like a growling lion in the wing of that eagle. Hmm. I'm going to go look a coins from Poland. Edited: I see, it is from Armenia. Cool. (Great food!)
Tibet? Fun thread @LaCointessa . I'll take a look through some of my world coins to see if I have any trick ones this weekend.
I'm glad you're enjoying the thread; and, that will be cool if you get a chance to find any coin(s) to post. Have a great weekend! edited: Wow! You're really good @Curtisimo! It IS Tibet!