It is fun to experience the different cultures. Most of mine has been for work. And, repeated visits, with travel extensively within each of those countries. It is very nice with that type of immersion in the culture and the contact with the people. Not so much from a tourist perspective, rather it is the locals that I am traveling with. Your Hobby is a wonderful one! China Shang 1766-1154 BCE or Zhou Dynasty Ghost Face Ant Nose 1.65g Hartill 1.4
And here I thought I was well traveled. I just tried to count the countries and I think it is 33. But like Brian, I've been to most several times. In fact, of the 33, it's probably only 2 or 3 where I visited only once.
But, it is cool that by default, you get more and more immersed into the culture and customs of the folks. I do not have a second language, but I do have snippits of languages that I use everyday when I am visiting. I used to have about 12 languages that I could get around various countries: Like " Gotta go to the Bathroom", "I am hungry", " Can I have a beer?" "I would love an Aquavit!", "That is TOO expensive", etc. etc... real life communications, enough that folks will drop their barriers to talk to this Stooopid American, but still realize that I am Verbally Handicapped... LOL, I always wondered about how OTHER people make fun of OUR words and accents: A Chinese friend (on one of my trips to China), actually showed me one day their "making fun of American words and accents", HE was embarrassed, LOL, I was laughing my as-off! This is appropriate: Chinese BRIDGE money, like bridging language barriers... China Chou Dynasty Spring Autumn Period 770-476 BCE Bridge Money
Well, some Chinese people have a terrible accent when speaking English too. My friends can attest to that, I grew up here so I don't have the accent. A lot of Chinese money is interesting, I'm particularly interested in the spades and knives. Personally and this is just me, I don't touch anything with ghost or ghost money from China. They are usually sacrificed for the deceased, paper money are burnt.
Nice one @Greg Heinrich ! I'm still lacking Didius and Pescennius, half way down the lane ! Pertinax, Denarius, Rome mint, AD 193 IMP CAES P HELV PERTIN AVG, laureate head right VOT DECEN TR P COS II, emperor sacrificing left, with patera held over tripod altar 2.98 gr, 17 mm Ref : RIC # 13a, Cohen # 56, RCV # 6048 Ex Harlan J. Berk Clodius Albinus, Denarius minted in Rome, 194 AD CLOD SEPT ALBIN CAES, bare head of Clodius Albinus right MINER PACIF COS II, Minerva standing left, holding spear and olive branch, leaning on shield 3,36 gr Ref : Cohen #48, RCV #6144 Q
Cucumbor....great coins as usual! Also excellent presentation and write up. I still need these emperors for my collection. We both had sad ends in Euro Cup. John
Here's a Didia Clara sestertius for the thread. Rome, AD 193. 21.16 gm 30.5 mm DIDIA CLARA AVG Bare-headed and draped bust, r. HILAR TEMPOR SC Hilaritas standing, head left, holding palm branch and cornucopiae. RIC-20 BMC-38
Sweet OP-Pertinax (congrats) ... oh, and that's a very cool photo of Smeag and the Volcano Curious? ... is Canada one of the countries that you've visited? (it's so bloody big, that each province and/or territory is like a different country, eh?) congrats again, my coin-friend
Haha yes I've been to Canada (or "Canadia" as our embarrassing former PM Tony Abbott calls it). Specifically I've been to Quebec and Ontario. And developed a fondness for your ice wine! Now, I really must check out the west coast sometime! Oh and that's not a volcano - it's a burning gas crater. Methane from inside the Earth, that is on fire and coming out through the crater. It's amazing especially at night.
Yah, the west coast of Canada absolutely rocks!! (I was born and raised on Vancouver Island, just outside of Victoria BC) ....... good fricken times!! ... sadly, my country tally is only "3" (Canada, USA, Mexico) ... Portugal is definitely waiting on-deck (my sweet wife is Portuguese) ... we retire in a couple/few years and then we plan on touring for a while (we can't wait!!)
Oh yeah Portugal is awesome. Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, Lagos are awesome spots in Portugal. For my next trip i'm working on an itinerary that combines Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and East Timor - hopefully in a couple of months. It's just my coins keep plundering my travel budget!
@Greg Heinrich LOL, Greg!!! You tipped my hand. After seeing this thread and @Magnus Maximus thread on the Emperors, I had to succumb to the NEED to fill the PErtinax Slot. Taint pretty, but the slot is filled! (LOL, yes, I posted it in @Magnus Maximus ' thread also!) Roman Imperial Pertinax (193 A.D.) AE sestertius. Rome mint, 19,60 grs. 28 mm Obv: LAETITIA TEMPORVM COS II. IMP (CAES P HELV - PERTINAX AVG) Head, laureate, to right.. Rev: LAETITIA TE -MPORVM COS II / S - C Laetitia standing l. holding wreath and sceptre. Ref: RIC 17. C. 21.
Greg, I live in wine country (there are about 100 wineries within 20 minutes drive from my house and a number of these make ice wine). Glad you like the wine. There is a favorite winery of mine about 3 minutes from my house where I grab a case every once in a while.
I would love to live next door to a winery! As far as I know, ice wine is only made in Germany and Canada. I will stock up next time I'm in Canada!
Your Pertinax is great. Honest wear, nice patina, unmistakable portrait. Next I need Pesc Niger. His coins aren't so pretty.
That is one of my targets also. You are right, the Pesc Niger seem ratty and can be expensive! We should be careful not needlessly treading on each others' toes.
I'll send you a private msg if I'm targeting a Pesc Niger. I'm aiming for a good portrait and not too concerned about the reverse. I'm easy to spot in auctions - I use my real name.
Great! I am in NO hurry as I really focus in other areas. I am just not interested in interfering in your pursuit. So, needless bidding up an item just damages everyone. I too, bid under my Avatar name, so that is pretty easy to spot me.