December is a great month for numismatics. Both Christmas and Hannukah offer great themes on coins. Both biblical and secular winter themes are available regardless of one's orientation. I would like to offer some suggestions. The first one is Hannukah. Israeli Lirots in the 1970's and 80's offer nice proof coins about 25mm in diameter, these are silver and have huge Hannukah candle mennorahs on them and hebrew lettering. They are about $20-$30 in Proof. Also, for about $20-$40, Widow's Mites Judean Prutahs are available in VG-F. These are available from various kings, emperors, and prefects like Herod,Tiberius, Pilate, Alexander Janeus, etc. These are wonderful history in your hands. Also, Byzantium Billon and Bronze Trachey coins about 30mm in diameter are a good choice as they have Christ on the obverse and Byzantine emperors on the reverse. Very Christian and historic. They run $20-$50. VG-VF For secular folks, Canada has some good winter themes with snowmen and hockey, In the US we have winter themes on some of our statehood quarters like Vermont and Alaska. Also, African American who celebrate Kwanza can find very attractive Zimbawbwan and Kenyan coins from Africa with Cornucopia on them. These themes are universally celebrated in numismatics, so I recommend them all for the holidays. Here is one of my favorites from my collection. Its a Polish Zlotny Commemorative of John Paul II. Since its Christmas, it has a huge cross on the obv and rev. Very appropriate for Christmas type sets. Share yours.
That 2 zl coin was issued to commemorate 25 years of John Paul's pontificate. An interesting portrait, as it quite realistically shows the pope at that age. Latvia issues commemorative 1 lats coins, usually one or two special issues per year. The 2007 coin featured a snowman, the 2009 piece shows a Christmas Tree. The other side is always the same, with the country name, CoA, and year. Christian
That's a pretty coin, thanks for sharing. Who is the North American agent for Bank of Latvia? Where can I get it?
Not sure (I am in the EU) but these two dealers are in the US. They both have quite a few European, also Latvian, coins: http://rsmint.com/circulatingcoins.aspx http://www.eurocollections.com/store/products.asp?id=163 Christian
