Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
St. Valentines Day and "Hearts" on coins
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="Gary Waddingham, post: 4112681, member: 73648"]The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church is wonderful for many reasons. Among other things it is droll. Here is what it says about St. Valentine or at least part of what it says. "Though the surviving accounts of both martyrdoms are clearly legendary, there are indications that each contains a nucleus of fact; and it is just possible that the kernel of truth in the two legends refers to a single person. The traditional association of St. Valentine's day with courtship and the choosing of a Valentine of the opposite sex is connected perhaps with certain customs of the pagan festival of Lupercalia at Rome, or with the natural season, not with any tradition concerning either saint of the name." Lupercalia can be looked up on line. Prepared to be a bit shocked.</p><p><br /></p><p>The so called "heart" symbol which you will have to admit looks nothing like a human heart or any other kind of heart, is actually a sylphium plant seed. The plant is extinct or at least nearly so. It grew in North Africa and was harvested for use as a birth control drug. Its profitability is attested to in its presence on the coins of Cyrene in North Africa. They are fairly rare and quite expensive. Here is one of my small examples with only the seed. Other coins show the whole pant which is related to celery.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]1067394[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Gary Waddingham, post: 4112681, member: 73648"]The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church is wonderful for many reasons. Among other things it is droll. Here is what it says about St. Valentine or at least part of what it says. "Though the surviving accounts of both martyrdoms are clearly legendary, there are indications that each contains a nucleus of fact; and it is just possible that the kernel of truth in the two legends refers to a single person. The traditional association of St. Valentine's day with courtship and the choosing of a Valentine of the opposite sex is connected perhaps with certain customs of the pagan festival of Lupercalia at Rome, or with the natural season, not with any tradition concerning either saint of the name." Lupercalia can be looked up on line. Prepared to be a bit shocked. The so called "heart" symbol which you will have to admit looks nothing like a human heart or any other kind of heart, is actually a sylphium plant seed. The plant is extinct or at least nearly so. It grew in North Africa and was harvested for use as a birth control drug. Its profitability is attested to in its presence on the coins of Cyrene in North Africa. They are fairly rare and quite expensive. Here is one of my small examples with only the seed. Other coins show the whole pant which is related to celery. [ATTACH=full]1067394[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Ancient Coins
>
St. Valentines Day and "Hearts" on coins
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...