A small silver round box, made of Venetian medieval silver coins... 2,3o cm in diameter, 10 gr..Can anyone recognize coins?
Outside of my area of speciality, but very cool. I do have an old snuff box (though, it smells like it was used for perfume) celebrating Napoleons surrender to the British... sadly, the side of the coin with his portrait is covered up:
I have one made from the Carthwheel 2d pieces. I think it is too big for snuff or pills and thus believe mine to be for hiding more valuable items e.g. gold coins.
That's wonderful, @Ryro. I don't know if you're familiar with the specifics of the medal. It's one of my favorites, my only example in silver from the 40-medal set issued by James Mudie in 1820 (in both silver and bronze) to commemorate British Military and Naval Victories during the Napoleonic Wars. They're pretty common in bronze, and much rarer in silver. I bought it at a Spink auction in 1999, when bids still had to be submitted by mail if you weren't there in London in person, if I recall correctly. Great Britain 1815 (struck 1820), Surrender of Napoleon. Obv. Bust of Napoleon right, uniformed; NAPOLEON BONAPARTE; signature below / Rev. British man of war Bellerophon, in full sail, with Imperial Eagle on flag staff; Napoleon stands on quarterdeck with right hand inside coat; another ship beyond; SURRENDERED TO H.B.M.S. BELLEROPHON CAPT. MAITLAND. Exergue: XV JULY. MDCCCXV; signatures below. By T. Webb/N.G.A Brenet. AR 41 mm., 38.8 g. Eimer 1078, Mudie 37, BHM 884, Bramsen 1691. Ex. Spink Auction 136, Oct. 7, 1999, Lot 992.
That's right! And AMAZING example Donna I LOVE yours portrait As you can see, mine is a plated bronze version (they have a much more cartoony looking Napoleon on them, which is probably why they caked it up with silver and used the reverse).
