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

Giveaway Lot #260119-03

(LOT: 3 coins) Three Virenium coins from the Isle of Man, Uncirculated and Proof, 1979-1981

(My photos of this three-coin lot are less than ideal, but they'll have to do.)

All of these Isle of Man coins bear the image of the ancient three-legged triskelion symbol, superimposed over a map of the island.

Coin #1 of 3: Isle of Man 1979-PM Virenium 1-pound, Pobjoy Mint (Uncirculated version, First Day issue)

Larger obverse image - Larger reverse image - Image of certificate

Numista-6873. This coin and the others were struck in Virenium, an alloy patented by the Pobjoy Mint in the United Kingdom. Virenium is intended to have the look and stability of a precious metal, and in fact these coins (especially the proof below) do look like gold at a glance. And the two one-pound pieces here seem to have stood the test of time over nearly 50 years without toning. This coin was released on the first day of issue, and comes with the original Pobjoy Mint certificate indicating such.

Coin #2 of 3: Isle of Man 1979-PM Virenium 1-pound, Pobjoy Mint (Proof version)

Larger obverse image - Larger reverse image - Image of certificate

Numista-6873. This is the proof version of the type above. It is very flashy and beautiful, and looking at the queen's portrait at a glance, you could mistake it for a proof gold Sovereign. Really quite an attractive coin.

Coin #3 of 3: Isle of Man 1981-PM Virenium 5-pounds

Larger obverse image - Larger reverse image

Numista-29261. This larger (36 mm) five-pound piece is also struck in Virenium, though it has a very slightly different appearance than the pair of one-pound pieces above. Unlike those, this one did not come with any mint packaging, so perhaps that is why. It seems to have picked up a bit of toning, which I find attractive. It is also quite flashy.

I do not know if this was a Proof or Uncirculated striking, but I suspect the latter. Nevertheless, it is rather prooflike.

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

 

Giveaway Lot #260119-05

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

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

There will be more to this lot than the four coins you see here.

I suspect many 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 the visible portion 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 has 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.

 

Giveaway Lot #260120-04

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. Though uncertified, I think this piece is comparable to the PCGS MS65 example I have in my personal collection.

 

Giveaway Lot #260122-01

(LOT: 2 coins) United States: two first-year nickels (1883 No Cents Liberty and 1913 Type 1 Buffalo)

Both of these coins are the first types from the first years of issue. If you are just starting out on a Dansco #7070 or similar Type set album, you could fill two of the "nickel" holes in your album with this one lot.

Coin #1 of 2: United States: 1883 copper-nickel Liberty nickel (Type 1, no "CENTS" on reverse)


Numista-18294. This is the first type of the Liberty nickel, from early 1883, when the coins did not have the word "CENTS" on the reverse below the wreath. That was added later in 1883. This is a very nice example; on the cusp of Mint State if not actually there. It is one of those coins that is difficult (for me) to determine whether it is an AU58+ "super slider" or if it actually makes Mint State (in which case I'd guess MS63). Regardless, it has the luster and eye appeal of a Mint State coin. It would be a great example for a Type set album.



Coin #2 of 2: United States: 1913 copper-nickel 5-cents, Buffalo Type 1


Numista-4728. This is the first type of the Buffalo or Indian Head nickel, from the earlier part of 1913. The first coins of the type (like this) had the buffalo on a raised mound with the denomination "FIVE CENTS" on it. Later in that year this feature was revised, putting the denomination into a more recessed area to keep it from wearing off as quickly. (You can see how that was an issue- the denomination on this Type 1 piece is already weak from relatively little circulation.) While not as high grade as the 1883 Liberty nickel above, this is still a decent early (Type 1) Buffalo for a Type set.



Provenance: I do not remember where I got these. Perhaps from @dwhiz on CoinTalk.

 

Giveaway Lot #260122-02

(LOT: 8 coins) United States: Eight different silver Mercury dimes (1920-1939)


Numista-51. This is an eight-piece lot of Mercury dimes, absent the more common 1940s dates you usually find in such assortments. The dates here are: 1920, 1923, 1926, 1926-D, 1927, 1936, 1937-S, and 1939.

The 1926-D is a better date and the 1936 is higher grade; I'd say AU.

Provenance: I picked most of these from silver lots at WNC Coins in North Carolina.

 

Giveaway Lot #260122-03

(LOT: 3 coins) United States: three 1964 90% silver Kennedy halves


Numista-943, KM-202. This is a three-piece lot of Kennedy half dollars from 1964, the first year of issue. All are from the Philadelphia mint. 1964 was the only year the Kennedy half dollar was struck in full .900 silver.

Each coin contains 0.3617 Troy ounces of silver. As such there is a total of 1.0851 Troy ounces of bullion in this lot. With silver at record highs as I type this (1/22/26), each coin here contains $34.05 USD worth of silver and the combined bullion value of these coins is over a hundred dollars. (To be precise, $102.15 as of this typing).

So it's a pretty good giveaway lot. One coin is Choice AU+ but has stains on the obverse. The other two are Brilliant Uncirculated (Mint State), and one of the Uncirculated coins is sealed in a plastic pouch from Littleton Coin Company.

Provenance: I think I found the spotty one in circulation from a bank roll. The other two came from bulk lots.

 

Giveaway Lot #260123-01

(LOT: 4 coins) United States: four silver Washington quarters (1934, 1951, 1955, 1958-D)


Numista-54. This is an average circulated lot of 90% silver Washington quarters. Each contains .1808 Troy ounces of silver, so there is .7232 ounces of bullion in this lot.

The dates here are 1934, 1951, 1955, and 1958-D. As is typical, the earliest coin is in quite low grade while the latest coin in the batch is in higher grade.

Sourced from various bulk silver lots.

 

Giveaway Lot #260203-01

United States: 1999 copper-coated zinc Lincoln Memorial cent, off-center error (ANACS MS66 RD)


Numista-43, Krause-Mishler-201.

A lustrous and beautiful 1999 Lincoln cent in an old small ANACS "soap bar" holder. Not only is it a Gem Mint State example with full mint Red (MS66 RD), but it also features a dramatic off-center strike error.

Acquired at the 2026 FUN show in Orlando, Florida, 10 January 2026.

 

Giveaway Lot #260204-01

(LOT: 2 coins) United States: 1862 & 1863 copper-nickel Indian cents with 180° die rotation errors

This interesting pair of Civil War era copper-nickel Indian Head cents both have die rotation errors. Instead of the standard United States 0° (↑↓) "coin" rotation, both have 180° (↑↑) "medal" rotation. United States coins are typically struck with the so-called "coin" rotation, while coins from Great Britain and other countries are often found with "medal" rotation.

Both average circulated. The 1863 has some environmental damage but is not too terrible looking.

Coin #1 of 2: United States: 1862 copper-nickel Indian cent 180° die rotation error

Numista-1108.







Coin #2 of 2: United States: 1863 copper-nickel Indian cent 180° die rotation error

Numista-1108.






Both ex-eBay ("robbudo"), 26 January 2026.

 

Giveaway Lot #260204-02

United States (NY/CT): 1863 bronze Civil War Token; Indian Head/"IOU"


This token was reportedly used for a steamship line which traveled between Norwich, Connecticut and New York City via Long Island Sound. There were two elegant ships: the City of New York and The City of Boston. The die sinker, L. ROLOFF, was at 1 New Chambers Street in New York City.

According to @johnmilton, this token's catalog variety number is CT 345 aA-1a. It is a common, R-1 token. (Thanks to him for providing that and the rest of the information here.).

It is a bit larger than the usual small cent-sized Civil War tokens, being closer to the diameter of a nickel. Note the interesting die break connecting the stars on the obverse.

Ex-B&R Coins & Currency, Table #722 at the 2026 FUN show in Orlando, Florida, 10 January 2026.

 

Giveaway Lot 260904-01

Roman Empire: ca. 164-182 AD silver denarius of Lucilla, wife of Lucius Verus


A Roman silver denarius of Lucilla (b. ca. 148-150 AD, d. 182 AD). She was the wife of the emperor Lucius Verus, who ruled from 161-169 AD. She was killed by command of her brother, the later emperor Commodus, in 182 AD, after being implicated in a failed conspiracy to assassinate him.

Obverse: bust of Lucilla, facing right.

Reverse: Juno Lucina seated, facing left.

18.2 mm, 2.76 g.

Ex-World Coins of South Florida, from their table at the January 2025 FUN show in Orlando.

 

Giveaway Lot 260905-01

Great Britain: 1816 silver "Bullhead" shilling of George III


Numista-8476. This short-lived type was minted from 1816 to 1820, after a coinage reform in 1816 that was intended to make the coins easier to mass-produce and alleviate the coin shortage that had plagued Britain for nearly half a century. Nicknamed the "Bullhead" type, this neoclassical portrait of George III was designed by the famous Italian sculptor Benedetto Pistrucci. Popular numismatic legend had it that King George hated the design and ordered it stopped, but that turns out to have been a myth.

While certainly well-worn, this is a wholesome lower grade example with no major distractions, and a light Circulation Cameo ("CircCam") appearance in contrasting greys.

Ex-"tetemore-65", eBay, 9 August 2026.

 

Giveaway Lot 260906-01

United States: 1847 copper Braided Hair large cent


Numista-982. This 1847 large cent has sharp details; I'd say about XF or so. It does have some deposits on the reverse. Maybe those could be removed with a bamboo skewer or similar treatment, and maybe not. I gave the coin a light rub with Renaissance Wax but otherwise did not attempt any further conservation.

Donated to the giveaway store by @Eric Babula, 19 May 2026.

 

Giveaway Lot 260906-02

United States: 1853 copper Braided Hair large cent


Numista-982. This 1853 large cent has reasonably decent details. The surfaces aren't perfect, but they're not terrible, either.

Donated to the giveaway store by @Eric Babula, 19 May 2026.

 

Giveaway Lot 260906-03

United States: 1857 Flying Eagle cent


Numista-14014. This is a reasonably wholesome circulated example of the short-lived (1856-1858) Flying Eagle cent. The eagle's head was not always fully struck on these, but this example has the bird's eye clearly visible.

Donated to the giveaway store by @Eric Babula, 19 May 2026.