With the inflated US coin market hampering my desire to spend so much for one coin, I decided to search more abroad if you will. I am no stranger to collecting world and ancient coins, but with higher prices across the board, I have been more frugal and yet still able to satisfy my coin addiction with pieces which, to me, are historically and aesthetically pleasing. No coin I am posting here cost more than $70. First, we will start in Bolivia. 1835 Bolivia 8 Soles 2 alpacas lay under a tree on the obverse while a bust depicting Simon Bolivar sits center on the reverse. This type minted in Potosi, Bolivia between 1827 and 1840 was some of the first national currency made in the newly independent country. The edge has the inscription AYACUCHO SUCRE 1824, which pays tribute to Antonio José de Sucre who's victory at the battle of Ayacucho in 1824 insured the independence of the Spanish Colonies of South America. 38mm in diameter and 27 grams of 90% silver. Paid $30. Next, we head to Europe beginning in France. 1832 French Medal commemorating the two year anniversary of The French Revolution of 1830, also known as the July Revolution. Lasting 26th-29th of July 1830, this short revolt led to the overthrow of King Charles X and instilled his first cousin Louis Philippe as the new King under the newly formed Constitutional Monarchy. Louis Philippe's bust adorns the obverse of this medal which would also be used on the silver 5 Francs coins during his reign. A third French Revolution in 1848 will overthrow Louis Philippe. This medal measures 33mm in diameter and weighs 13.8 grams. Composed of copper. I paid $69.90. Into twentieth century Britain we have yet another medal. 1935 Silver Jubilee medal of King George V and Queen Mary commemorating 25 years on the throne. This medal is one of 167,743 minted at the Royal Mint in London. 26,300 were also minted in India at the Calcutta mint and 1,857 were minted in Pretoria, South Africa. While most likely used as a pocket piece given it's circulated look, I appreciated the double bust style on the obverse which is a welcoming and different sight compared to George V's boring and redundant circulating coinage of the time. And pair that with a pleasant view of Windsor Castle on the reverse, you have, in my opinion a very pleasing numismatic example of a 20th century wartime king who will die less than a year after this medal was minted. STET FORTUNA DOMUS translates to "Good Fortune To This House." .925 silver weighing 15.5 grams and 31.8mm in diameter. Price paid $22.99. And finally, I end In the Netherlands. 1973 Netherlands 25 Gulden. PCGS PF65 CAM. This massive, non-circulating coin depicts Queen Juliana on the obverse and her royal carriage on the reverse and commemorates her 25th year on the throne. Born in 1909, Julianna, a princess at the time of the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands in 1940, had fled to Britain along with her family, where her mother would set up the new Dutch government in exile for the the duration of WWII. She passed in 2004 at the age of 94. 40,188 uncirculated strikes were produced while only 20,207 proofs were minted. All were struck at the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa. This coin measures a whopping 45mm in diameter and weighs 42 grams of .925 silver. I paid $55. PCGS Pop 3 in PF CAM. Bonus PCGS Glamour Shot
A nice mix of foreign! I saw that Netherlands 25 Gulden on eBay and gave it a thought but didn't bid. Glad you got it!
I'm sure you noticed that it is from Netherlands Antilles in the southern Caribbean off South America... Lovely coin though.
