Lord Marcovan Giveaway Prize List (for my "pick your prize" contests)

(LOT: 2 items) Two pieces of very early proto-money, circa 3,000-410 BC


This lot consists of two pieces of very early proto-money, which were small items used in exchange that predated the actual invention of true coinage.

Item #1 of 2: The first item is an ancient Sumerian piece of Shell Ring Money which dates between approximately 3,000 to 2,000 BC and is more than two millennia older than the earliest coins. It consists of a ring carved from a seashell.

Ex-Mark Metzger, CoinTalk, December 2025. (Was part of his "Secret Santa" package to me.)

Item #2 of 2: The second item is a piece of ancient Celtic "arrowhead money" from Istros in Thrace (now modern Romania). The dawn of coinage had only just begun when this piece was cast. The front of it is grooved while the back is plain and flat. It differs a little from the one pictured on the page for Numista-69017, but I'm sure there was some variation in these. Numista says: "Arrowhead Money was used as currency before the introduction of the coins in the Eastern Danube region and the Black sea area by the Eastern Celts. Struck in the ancient city of Istros."

Purchased at the FUN show in Orlando, Florida, 11 January 2026. The flip cites prior provenance to CNG Sale 50 on 23 June 1999.

 

(LOT: 4 coins) Four pieces British coins, 1951-2012, including two proofs, plus "mystery goodies"

This lot kind of assembled itself together out of a batch I was sorting. Since the coins are all British, that was an easy enough reason to group them together.

I suspect a lot of the other lots in my giveaway prize list will attract more attention. But if you opt for this lot as your prize in one of my giveaways, and you end up winning it, be sure to remind me, and I will sweeten the package up considerably with other "mystery goodies" to make it even more appealing.

That being said, there is still some fun stuff in here. Despite the relatively modest monetary value of this lot, I will make up for that in mystery goodies when the time comes.

Coin #1 of 4: Great Britain: 1951 copper-nickel crown (5-shillings) of George VI, Festival of Britain commemorative

Larger obverse image - Larger reverse image

This type is Numista-10641. This handsome large coin was struck for the Festival of Britain in 1951. The reverse features the popular classical Saint George & the Dragon motif originally designed by Benedetto Pistrucci in the 19th century. Not seen in the images is a lettered edge, which reads: “MDCCCLI CIVIUM INDUSTRIA FLORET CIVITAS MCMLI”, which translates to: “1851 By the industry of its people the state flourishes 1951”.


Coin #2 of 4: Great Britain: 1970 copper-nickel proof shilling, Scottish reverse type

Larger obverse image - Larger reverse image

Numista-882 or -919 (I don't see a difference). This shilling is from the final year of the old predecimal (pounds-shillings-pence) monetary system. No predecimal coins were struck for circulation in 1970- these were only issued in proof sets. This piece has nice mirrors and cameo proof contrast, which does not show entirely in my photos.


Coin #3 of 4: Great Britain: 2000 nickel-brass proof 1-pound coin, Welsh dragon type

Larger obverse image - Larger reverse image

Numista-1396. Nice Deep Cameo proof. There were proofs struck in both nickel-brass and in silver that year, and I am not entirely certain which this is! The coin has a somewhat silvery color, as you can see in the pictures, but also just the faintest yellowish tinge that made me assume it is the nickel-brass type.

Coin #4 of 4: Great Britain: 2012 nickel-plated steel 10-pence

Larger obverse image - Larger reverse image - "Shield" diagram

Numista-25746. This modern series had an unusual design feature. If you have a full set of the denominations, you can lay the different coins next to each other, to form a larger picture of the royal shield. I'm not so sure the concept works for me, but I give them full marks for creativity and originality.

All four pieces donated by "Dafydd", CoinTalk, 15 January 2026.

 

India (Vijayanagara Empire): ca. 1336-1646 gold bele (1/10 fanam) "World's Smallest Gold Coin", ICG certified


Numista-67603.

This is a gold bele, or 1/10 fanam. A full fanam is tiny, but these gold beles are extremely tiny! This gold coin of the Vijayanagara Empire, an Indian Hindu dynasty (1336-1646), is no larger than a sesame seed!

It is certified and encapsulated as genuine by ICG and described as "The World's Smallest Gold Coin".

There is only a very small speck of gold here, but it's a fun conversation piece.

 

Canada (Nova Scotia): 1823 copper halfpenny token of George IV


Numista-4913. According to Numista regarding this type: "When British coppers could not be obtained the provincial government ordered their own issues through the colony's agent Smith, Forsyth & Co. of Liverpool without the authority of the British Government." The mintage was 400,000 pieces.

I have always liked these "thistle" type coins. This is a decent example with nice surfaces. Varieties exist; this one has a hyphen between NOVA and SCOTIA on the obverse.

Ex-Dan Pecoraro, Table #153 at the 2026 FUN show in Orlando, Florida, 11 January 2026.

 

United States: 1876 silver Seated Liberty quarter


Numista-316352. A reasonably wholesome circulated example with medium grey color.

Purchased at the 2026 FUN show in Orlando, Florida, 11 January 2026.

 

Greenland: 1926-HCN♥GJ copper-nickel 25-øre of Christian X


Numista-6960.

Struck for Greenland at the Royal Danish Mint under the rule of King Christian X of Denmark. What could be more appealing than a polar bear on a Greenland coin?

This is a nice example, too, and Uncirculated as far as I can tell. The coin has subtle luster and is lightly toned. (The obverse photo is slightly out of focus- sorry about that.)

This a one-year type and the mintage was 310,000 pieces.