World Coins: Your Newest Acquisition!

I thought Essai coins were Proof.

 

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It looks like these arent considered proofs based on the grades of others I looked up.

 

This is a good point and a very common misconception. An essai does not always mean the coin was struck using techniques associated with proof strikes (i.e., special handling, prepared planchets, multiple strikes, special dies, etc.). Put simply, an essai is just a trial or a pattern intended to be put forth for approval. These coins can be struck in a manner of ways that can lead a host of designations (e.g., MS, SP, PF/PR). Put simply, just because a coin is an essai does not mean it is a proof coin.

 

I have always considered the foreign Essai and the American patterns to be of equal status, or as you said, for approval. The American are almost always referred to as proofs. The Essai coins I have seen look to be of a similar quality. Of course, there are several examples of coins struck for circulation in a low quantity that all those coins struck can be called proof.

 

Big packet came yesterday, 16 coins.

 

And here are the other 8.

 

There's some great pieces in this! What is the fifth coin? The Arabic one? I also really like the Pacific Games Papua New Guinea coin.

 

1995 Yemen 10 Rials. https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces7045.html

 

Here are a couple ancients I've been working on. I have pictured the best reference I could find but if anyone knows of any attribution corrections or closer varieties and such please let me know. Some are not the best photo especially with the light and glare.

Post-Mauryan India
Ujjain Region
Circa 184-150 BCE
Copper Rectangle; 0.98g - 9x10mm
Four (?) punchmarks, including two suns
See Z#228890 (shown below), category SOUTH ASIA » India » Indigenous coinage » Mauryan and early Sunga Empire » Mauryan type basemetal PMCs of early post-Mauryan period


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Indo-Scythians
Azes II
Circa 35 BCE - 5 CE
AE Quarter Unit; 2.27g - 16mm
Obv: "BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛEΩN MEΓAΛOY AZOY", humped bull with monogram above
Rev: Lion standing right with Kharoshthi script around
Ref.: Senior 102.113b (?)


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Roman Empire
Gaul-region illicit imitation altar type
Claudius II (post-humous)
Circa 270-early 300s CE
AE; 1.15g - 11x13mm
Obv: Radiate bust right
Rev: Crude altar with illegible script around

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Roman Empire
Constans
346-348 CE
Trier Mint
AE4; 1.49g 16mm
Obv: Laurel and rosette-diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right, CONSTANS-PF AVG
Rev: GLORI-A EXER-CITVS, two soldiers holding banner with an M, above TRP mintmark
Ref.: RIC VIII Trier 112


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Spanish Empire
Felipe IV
1641 CE
Madrid Mint
8 Maravedis; 5.71g - 20mm
Obv: Dot over VIII counterstamped over castle
Rev: 1641 counterstamped over rampant lion​

 

Man, you got a ton of super interesting coins/ I am amazed, whenever I see your posts!
John

 

Thanks John! That really means a lot. I try to get the most history for my money out of my coins typically so it definitely leads me into some pretty interesting territory!

 

I have been in the market for an Osroes II drachm & ended up getting a good deal on this particular one. Seemed like some ebay bidder were asleep with this one.


Osroes II (190 - 208 A.D.)
AR Drachm
O: Diademed bust left, wearing long beard, earring, and tiara with ear flap and spiral torque, and decorated with “hooks”; all within pelleted border.
R: “hwcrw mlk” in Parthian/IΛIΛIIΛI- VV/ΛVΓV(quadrate O) XΛIΛ (sic), archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow; monogram below bow, Λ below feet.
Ecbatana Mint
3.3g
19mm
Sellwood 85.1; Shore 437

 

Well, always nice to score a great deal, Mat. I did the same last week in Heritage Weekly Sale.

 

That's a beauty, I have one almost as nice.

 

thanks, im trying to expand my crown collection to oceanic countries. its not always easy

 

I have all those FM sets still in original protective trays, they where really well designed!

 

Came across this little bunch of Mexicans somebody put together in a makeshift holder, all brilliant BU and the peso has some nice toning...

 

Also this Hu-peh Province 10 Cash, struck 1902-5. I really like a lot of the early 20th-century Chinese bronzes, but try to find them that aren't heavily worn, damaged, corroded, etc. This one is a strong EF with lovely color...

 

And lastly a George III twopence. I can't resist buying these things if they're nice examples at a decent price...