This is my lame way of trying to decide between 2 coins that I like:

I have a problem. I am lookin to get my hands of a Leopold I coin and I have found 2 that I like, but for different reasons...just wondering...if you could buy one or the other of these two leopold (hogsmouth) coins, which would you go for?



1. I love this portrait (and that is a big plus)...it really shows the hog mouth and has good realism. Its well struck and not terribly worn. Good all around typical Leopold I coin. There is a crack of course and the reverse has some problems:

Austria. Vienna. Leopold I (1657-1705). Silver 15 Kreuzer 1684. Choice XF.

Country Austria.
Reign Leopold I (1657-1705).
Denomination 15 Kreuzer
Date Struck 1684
Mint Vienna
Obv: Laureate draped and cuirsassed bust right, value in Roman below.
Rev: Crowned Imperial Arms dividing 16-84 at the top, min tmark below.
Weight 6.32 gm.
Diameter 29 mm
Reference KM#1170




1. I like the protrait on this one but its more cartoony and the hogsmouth is not nearly as pronounced. Details on this coin are strong with real attractive toning. less of a typical Leopold I coin. I is also a more rare type than above:

Austria Carynthia. Leopold I (1657-1705). Silver 15 Kreuzer 1663. NGC VF25. Rare

Country Austria Carynthia.
Reign Leopold I (1657-1705).
Denomination 15 Kreuzer
Date Struck 1663Mint St. Veit
Obv: Laureate draped and cuirsassed bust right, value in Roman below.
Rev: Crowned Imperial Arms with oval state shield on chest and mint mark below.
Weight 6 gm.
Diameter 29 mm
Reference KM#1302.
Grade NGC graded and certified as VF25.

Gotta have the Hapsburg Hog Mouth!

Good thing Charles and Camilla didn't produce offspring, or we might have seen further results of inbreeding.

I like stuff that's rare, even when the condition is less. And here you have the toning as an extra.

1663 for me, please

I'd go with rarity and a particularly bad wig day. The more I look at that coin, the more I like it.

he didnt have time to do the curls

The denomination on Caryntian coin is in Arabic, not in Roman. Very nice designs, hard to decide. Carynthian, anyway... (the Wiennese type I have it)

Front of the first coin & back of the second coin would make it a perfect coin, nice designs either way. What's that in his mouth in the first one

that IS his mouth...he had a serious underbite it seems...with the chin hair making it look like it is jutting even further...he is refered to as 'hogsmouth'

I would also vote for the more rarer coin.

1663 gets my vote.

Rarity aside, the top coin looks to have its original luster somewhat, it did not tone and retains much of its "silver" appeal. The bottom coin is much uglier in tone. It shows an old cleaning and then some retoning but it is blotchy and unappealing.

Go with the top coin. I have one very similar and love it.

I find the first coin much more appealing and attractive.
However, let's assume in time you'll get one example of each then you should ask yourself how likely it is that you'll find a better example of either coin. The one that will be harder to improve upon should be the one you buy.

I bought the Carynthia, I figure I can find another example of the other in just as good shape or better and maybe even for a better price...I looks even better in hand.

I'd go for the first, the second looks a fake, even if it isn't, I mean i'm not saying I know anything about these coins but the design of the first was better.

The second is certainly not a fake but a different style for sure... its more rare.

The top is certainly a more common style / look for his coins, (and I DO love the typical leopold style)...which is why I bought the second as I see the first example all the time, and seldom see examples of the second. Its in real great shape while the other, I might find in better condition. Plus, I think it is attractive in its own way and in hand its outstanding.