2025 has been a productive year. I was able to cross off some bucket list type coins from my want list. My top 2 were easy choices this year, after that it was a bit of a struggle to pick an order. As usual, please pick up to your 3 favorites. I like to see what everyone else likes. Let me know why you chose if you like. #10 (No Date 1755) Maria Theresia, Brugge Belgium , Silver Jeton, by N. Heylbrouck - Of course there is a Wildman or 2 on the list. This one is a bit different because it isn't a German States Coin. Obverse: draped bust of Maria Theresia right with H. below Reverse: spqb above, and with Wildman and Nnymph Holding Arms of the Brugse Diameter: 30mm Composition: Silver #9 NUREMBERG (IMPERIAL CITY): brass apothecary weights (1428g) - It's not a coin but related to the hobby. One of the more interesting things I purchased this year. ca. 1790's, Lockner-1643, rooster maker's mark (for Christoph Jobst Rothenberger), comprising a latched and lidded exterior cup (itself weighing 4 French marcs) and 8 successively smaller nesting cups (1, 1/2 marc, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, and 1/16 ounce) for a total weight of 6 marcs, XF, ex Dr. Robert A. Rosenfeld Collection. A Parisian marc was equivalent to about 244.75g during the Ancient Regime, though there were considerable variations across France. The weight standard of this set is 238g per marc. #8 Japan: Manen Era (1860-67) Gold Koban (1 Ryo) C-22d PCGS AU-55. Obverse: A fan-shaped Kiri crest, a square panel with the value, a square panel with the signature of the Mint Official, and another fan-shaped Kiri crest Scripts: Chinese (traditional, grass script), Chinese (traditional, regular script) Lettering: 壱 两 光 次 Translation: One Ryō Mitsutsugu Reverse: Butter-fly-like signature, and various other characters, the stamps of mint officials Scripts: Chinese (traditional, regular script), Hiragana Lettering: た 七 Mint: Ginza, Edo, modern-day Tokyo, Japan Composition: Gold (.574) Weight: 3.3 g Size: 35 mm Shape: Oval #7 Colombia Nueva Granada gold 16 Pesos 1845 BOGOTA-RS AU55 NGC, Bogota mint KM94.1, Fr-74. Scarce type with attractive peripheral tone. Obverse: Head left Reverse: Condor with banner above shielded arms Metal: Gold Weight: 27g AGW: 0.7595oz #6 Japan Akita Province 1863 Silver 9 Monme 2 Bu PCGS MS61 34.28g rainbow toned - This coin is way more impressive in hand than I anticipated. Obverse: Vertical stamped characters in the middle with six stamps in seal script around the edge Lettering: 裕 改 裕 九 裕 匁 二 裕 分 裕 裕 Translation: Revised Nine Momme Two Fun Abundant x6 Reverse: Stamped character at bottom left with four stamps in seal script at the corners Lettering: 裕 裕 秋 裕 裕 Translation: Aki(ta) Abundant x4 Mint: Akita, Japan Composition: Silver (.970) Weight: 34.28 g Shape: Oval #5 1577 Brunswick-Calenberg Wildman Thaler - There have been years that this coin would have been a runaway #1 for me. Just shows how good of a year it was. Obverse: Wildman holding shield of 4-fold arms with suspended chain of order in front of him, 2 legends, date divided at bottom. Script: Latin Lettering: ERIC. D. G. DVX. - BRVN. E. LVNE(B). EX. DVRIS. - GLORIA. Reverse: Crowned imperial eagle, 'Z4' in orb on breast. Script: Latin Lettering: RVDOL(FVS). (Z.) ROM. IMP. SE(M)P. AVGV(STVS). Composition: Silver Weight: 29 g Diameter: 41 mm #4 Charles I cast silver "The King's Return to London" Medal 1633 - It's one of those pieces that I knew I "needed" when I saw it. A nice companion piece to #2 on the list. Return to London from Edinburgh. By N. Briot(?). Dated 1633. Obverse: CAROLVS AVGVSTISS’ · ET INVICTISS’ · MAG’ · BRIT’ · FRAN’ · ET HIB’ · MONARCHA, Charles on horseback rearing left, holding baton and reins; rayed Eye of Providence above, plumed helmet below; ·:1633:· in exergue Reverse: SOL ORBEM REDIENS SIC REX ILLVMIN AT VRBEM, personification of the sun shining over the London cityscape. Metal: Silver Diameter: 41mm Weight: 14.5g Eimer 124b; MI 266/62. Toned #3 1670 Dated St Patrick's Half Penny - It's not much to luck at but is a type I didn't think I would ever own. The Farthings are hard enough to find. Pleasing problem free example of this early and scarce colonial coin. The halfpenny denomination is significantly scarcer than the Farthing and difficult to find in any grade. Dated: 1670 #2 Scotland James I (1604-09) Gold Unite Edinburgh Mint - Just as easy a choice as my top coin. Despite the details grade it is an attractive coin. The graffiti more than like occurred 400 years ago so I can live with it. 9.87 g, mintmark "thistle". Graffiti on obverse. S-5463, Fr. 48. I did a write up on this coin here: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/scotland-james-vi-unite.419847/ Obverse: Crowned 1/2-length figure of James VI right with scepter and orb in inner circle Lettering: ·IACOBVS·D·G·MAG·BRIT·FRAN·ET·HIB·REX· Translation: James by the Grace of God King of Great Britain, France and Ireland Reverse: Crowned arms, English arms in 1st and 4th quarters Lettering: ·FACIAM·EOS·IN·GENTEM·VNAM·I R Translation: I will make them one nation Composition: Gold Fineness: 0.9170 Weight: 9.87g #1 1666 Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel 4 Thaler - This was an easy choice for the top spot. In May I drove 8 hours (round trip) to acquire it. Easily the most expensive coin that I have ever purchased, although that has nothing to do with it being first. It's just an awesome coin. Very pleasing toning. Celebrating the 88th birthday of August II. Dated 10 April 1666 HS. Obverse: Draped and armored bust facing slightly right, wearing skullcap, being crowned by Justitia, standing right, holding sword and scales, and crowned with a wreath by Victory, standing left, holding palm frond Reverse: Ornately crested helmet facing; all within wreath decorated with fourteen crowned coats-of-arms; mark of value ‘4’ punched below; wreathed border References: Welter 781A; Davenport LS84 D.84; KM 488. Composition: Silver Weight 115.69 g Diameter: 86 mm If you are still reading, I hope you have enjoyed.
Wow stuff, all of it! That 4-thaler is amazing, but here are my three picks. (Seems I have a bit of a gold bias): #8 Japanese koban (I've always wanted one) #7 Colombia 16 Pesos (perfect "old gold" toning) #2 Scotland Unite (another I've always wanted- I settled for a James I Laurel):
Meow likes the Gold Koban, as Meow has seen Samurai in vintage cinema fight/kill for them. So this is what the real thing looks like purr, Meow thought.
