A Briquet from Bruges. I didn't realize that I had an example for each coin listed in Bob's book for this year from the Southern Netherlands.
Thank you. It's one of my favorites, nice strike and some toning. Aurora Borealis on the CU Forum has some amazing toners. Legend has also auctioned off some beauties. I hope AB will publish a coffee table book before he sells them.
That is a nice coin. 2 cent piece, first year of issue, rare Small Motto version. Is the counterstamp, "C.D. PARTRIDGE" ? The upside down "2" is interesting as well. What are your thoughts about it?
A Kreuzer from Wiener Neustadt. This coin, as any coin minted in Wiener Neustadt is special to me. When my parents were refugees in Austria in 1956, they were married in this town. They escaped from Hungary in December of 1956 during the Hungarian uprising against the Russians.
From here on the dates and coins become less frequent. On the other hand a few of them are in exceptional condition and/or are relatively rare. Over the last few years I've found that even though some coins are listed as common or scarce, they rarely come up in auctions. While many of my coins need serious upgrading, the few opportunities I've had I did not think it was justified. Going from F-15 to VF-35 was not justified to me. I have about 50 coins I need to send to Todd so he can image them for me. He is very patient with me and my lack of computer skills. I highly recommend him.
The 1474 III-68 looks like it is made of lead. I tried to find the C D Partridge several years ago, just a needle in the haystack. The upside down 2 is just as mysterious. We need to find a way to get a few words out of these coins.
I find it really hard to find dated coins 1450-1499 in "mint state" quality. The ones from 1200-1500 ND are easier to find in high quality. The goldguldens from Hungary are easy to get in FDC/ opposite for ones from Deventer.....
@HoledandCreative To my Knowledge the piece is made from silver. Possibly a low content alloy but for the most part silver. Now for the 3 cent silvers. Are these the same coin? The 1870 had <3000 made. The condition of the two pieces is remarkable. Any thoughts to its PMD use? Each of the pieces you have shared are very interesting and rare/very rare in their own right. Thank you and keep 'em coming!!
@panzerman Gold coins from that time period will be your best bet for Mint state/FDC pieces. Except for the VERY rare piece from 1445, Baar-Mors there are no other gold pieces till 1482 and 1483. After that again starting in 1487. Anything pre 1491 will be EXPENSIVE, $5K+. Many will be in the condition or nearly so that you like because they did not circulate, they were used as stores of value . If you have a chance to buy any of pre 1491 pieces do so, they are rare and the opportunity does not present it self very often.
@panzerman Regarding high quality silver pieces from the 1450-1500 they are exceptionally rare. Unlike the gold pieces they were made to circulate and be used in everyday commerce. I only have a few high quality pieces, none even coming close to Unc./FDC. Here in the U.S. I would say that Bob has several pieces. His collection like yours is museum quality and the envy of the museums that are familiar with the collection.