Now that some of you are posting your annual top 10 lists it inspired me to work on mine. I have been doing better at concentrating on quality over quantity. Picking 10 was easier this year than in past years but choosing my number 1 was close to impossible. This is a diverse list that hopefully has something for everyone. As in past years my list includes world coins, medals and tokens. There is a medal on this list that I have been searching for for years, but it wasn’t my number 1. Each of my top 5 could have easily ended up at number 1. It’s likely that waiting a day would have changed the order. I hope you enjoy. Please comment, I like to know what everyone likes. #1 1655 Jefimok Rouble This type has been on my radar for a while, but they tend to be pricey and I just hadn’t seen one that moved me enough to make a purchase. I have a thing for Wildman coins so I could justify the cost for this one. It’s not an attractive coin but the history is very compelling, in my opinion. If you want to read more about this piece, see: https://www.numisforums.com/topic/3...e-monetary-reform-of-alexios-i/#comment-43747 1655. Aleksey "Jefimok" Ruble C/M on Dav-6285 Wildman Thaler Composition: Silver Obverse: Helmeted 11-fold arms with central shield of Halberstadt arms Reverse: Wildman, tree trunk in right hand, date in legend #2 3” Hudson-Fulton Medal I have been searching for one of these for a long time. The medals and ephemera related to the Hudson-Fulton Celebration are one of my favorite things to collect. The 3” version of this medal is one of only 100 made. These were made exclusively for ANS members. I need to contact the ANS to see if they can tell me who #46 was issued to. Diameter: 3” Weight: 7.6oz #3 1790 Eichstadt Double Thaler This is the 3rd consecutive piece that fits my core collections. Like #1 above this one was priced outside of my normal budget. All things considered, the price was reasonable for what it is. If you want to read more about these see: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/my-quest-for-multiple-thalers.398632/ Obverse: Saints above vacant throne Obverse Legend: CAPITULUM EYSTETTENSE - REGNANS SEDE VACANTE, below: 17.V EINE FEINE MARK. Engraver: Johann Peter Werner Reverse: Tree with 15 shields in branches, one shield below trunk, abbey and lands in background Reverse Legend: EX UNO OMNIS NOSTRA SALUS, below: WILIBALDS-BURG. in band Engraver: Johann Peter Werner Subject: Sede Vacante Issue Note: Convention 2 Thaler. Dav. #2212. Composition: Silver Weight: 56.03g Diameter: 52.5mm Mint: W Nuremberg, Germany #4 Egmond & Horn Jeton I didn’t even know these existed until I saw this one in a recent auction. For whatever reason, I am drawn to coins with “dark” imagery. Doesn’t get much darker than this. "Egmond & Horne" bronze Jeton 1579 Van Loon-I-275.2 Commemorative issue: Dordrecht promotional jeton to continue the Dutch Revolt Obverse: Soldiers, battling each other Lettering: PA T RIA P RAESTAT PUGNARE PRO Unabridged legend: PRÆSTAT PVGNARE PRO PATRIA 1579 Translation: It is better to fight for the fatherland Reverse: The two headless bodies of Counts Egmont and Horn with their heads impaled on two posts beside them. Lettering: DECIPI 1579 QVAM SIMVLATA PACE Unabridged legend: QVAM SIMVLATA PACE DECIPI Translation: than to be deceived by a feigned peace Edge: Rough Composition: Bronze Weight: 6.63 g Diameter: 30 mm Mint: Dordrecht, Netherlands (1190-1806) Lamoral, Count of Egmont (1522-1568), and Philip de Montmorency, Count of Horn (c. 1518/1526 -1568), were two of the most important noblemen of the Netherlands in the third quarter of the sixteenth century: both were supporters of the Spanish crown. Both protested the imposition of the Inquisition by Cardinal Granvelle, but still remained loyal to Philip II. This opposition enraged the king and he sent in the Duke of Alba to pacify the country. Despite protests from all over Europe, Alba arrested Egmont and Horn, convicted them in a kangaroo court, and had them both executed the next day, 5 June 1568. That action, and Alba's other cruelties, made the Dutch Revolt inevitable; they have been lauded as heros in both Belgian and the Netherlands ever since. This jeton was struck as a reminder to those engaged in peace negotiations in 1579, of what happened to earlier leaders who had wished for peace. #5 West Friesland 6 Stuivers I have a growing appreciation for the coinage of the Netherlands. This one is nice for the type and didn’t break the bank. Obverse: Crowned coat of arms of West Friesland.Lettering: MO·NO:ORDIN·WEST·FRISIAE 1678 6 S Unabridged legend: Moneta Nova Ordinum West Frisiae 6 Stuivers Translation: New coin of the State of West Frisia Reverse: Three-masted sailboat with unfolded sails.Lettering: DEVS·FORTITVDO·ET·SPES·NOSTRA Translation: God is our strength and hope Edge: Plain Mint: Enkhuizen, Netherlands (1604-1802) Comments: This was the first Scheepjesschelling ever made. Like the later ones made for use in the colonies, as Holland would not accept any Schelling as legal tender (and had it outlawed in the rest of the republic in 1693). Composition: Silver (.875)Weight: 3.3 g Diameter: 24 mm #6 Brazil 6400 Reis The only gold coin on the list. The eye appeal on this one is just incredible. Maria I gold 6400 Reis (Peça), Rio de Janeiro mint, KM226.1, LMB-530. From the Mac and Rob Woodside Collection Obverse: Bust right with bejeweled headdress Obverse Legend: MARIA • I • D • G • PORT • ET • ALG • REGINA • Reverse: Crowned ornate arms Composition: Gold Fineness: 0.9170 Weight: 14.3436g #7 Naples & Sicily 120 Grani I added a number of Italian States pieces this year. It seems like there was a lot on the market and I purchased some types that I thought were interesting. This one was my favorite of those. It may not be in the best condition but there is something to be said for a coin that was used for the purpose it was made for. Italian States. Naples (Kingdom) Charles III of Spain (1734-1759) 120 Grana 1734. AG.900; 42.0mm; 24.66g. A: CAR D:G:REX NEA· HISP:INFANS. &c:, Crowned shield. R: DE SOCIO PRINCEPS ·, Volcano god reclining at left, holding upright shovel, Mt. Vesuvius in right background, De:1734·G: in exergue. KM147. Obverse: Large crown over shield of 6-fold arms, with central shield, value 'G:120' in oval below. Lettering: HISP : INFANS&c. CAR : D : G : REX·NEA· F: B: ·A· G:120 Reverse: Volcano god reclining at left, holding upright shovel, Mt. Vesuvius in right background, date in exergue. Lettering: DE SOCIO PRINCEPS · G:1735·H: Edge: PROVIDENTIA OPTIMI PRINCIPIS Composition: Silver (.961) Weight: 24.66 g Diameter: 42 mm #8 Tarragona 5 Pesetas I am really drawn to these crude Spanish States coins. This is at least my 4th different variety. Tarragona. Ferdinand VII 5 Pesetas 1809, KM8. "FER VII." CURVED BASE of crown above shield variety. Obverse: Value, ruler with raised point and date with small 0 and raised point Lettering: 5.Ps FER· VII· 1809. Translation: 5 pesetas Ferdinand VII Reverse: Curved crown above shield Composition: Silver (.903) Weight: 27 g Diameter: 39 mm #9 Martin Koszta Medal A medal of historical importance and an impressive piece in hand. The creators are as important as the medal is. Feel free to read more here: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/duncan-nathaniel-ingraham-–-rescue-of-martin-koszta.405760/ (1855) Commander Duncan Ingraham, Rescue of Martin Koszta. Julian-NA-26. Bronze, 105 mm. #10 Washington Birth & Death Medal A piece of Washingtonia for the collection this year. It looks nicer than the photo. (1861-1862) George Washington, Birth & Death. Baker-155A, Julian PR-26b, Musante GW-444/445. 18 mm plain edge. P on truncation. Small BORN, DIED. Musante 445 obverse. Musante 444 reverse.
I really like 3,6,8. As a German States collector myself the Eichstatt is beautiful. I love Latin American gold. And I really like the log of the Tarragona piece. But all of them are fantastic additions!
Great selection! I like best... Eichstadt Doppel Thaler Tarragona AR 5 Pesetas 1809 Brazil AV 6400 Reis 1792-B Bahia Mint Maria I "the Mad" John
Nice list! I went with the Brazilian Gold as my favorite since I like the color and design but all of your list was great (with plenty of items I hadn't seen before).
A wonderful group for 2023 Chris! The 1655 Jefimok Rouble is a very rare and historically important coin, so that's #1 for me.
