constanius

I browsed your site, very nicely done. I noticed this in particular: "Traditional heraldry gave way to more dynamic elements with throw backs to neoclassic scenes and allegorical female figures, similar to Britannia on English coinage" Which, in itself, was a throw back to Britannia seated with a shield on Roman bronze asses of the 1st century AD struck under Hadrian. Oh, the debt we still owe to the Romans

The food in the bird-feeders is a powerful incentive to stay. It is no coincidence that in most of my bird shots the bird is on the feeder. Sometimes when I go to top-up the feeders a bird will fly off but land in one of the trees in my garden & watch, so I think that perhaps they have a sense that I am no danger to them & seem to tolerate me. This is an older picture, it was beginning to get cooler and the female hummingbird was using this rose to perch on & then feeding & returning to the same spot on the rose repeatedly, tanking up for her trip south. It was a very dark overcast day, so I took a chair and whilst she was feeding I sat a few feet away from her perching spot..........so combined with the magnetism of a feeder & she being well used to me by then........

Thanks for the compliments, always welcome I don't need much encouragement to post pictures of my visitors..........as you will see A cropped image for a better look at her hairstyle. I love my Canon but for my medals & tokens I use a Fuji. I find my flowers are easier than wildlife to capture as they tend to remain in the same place, so lighting & angles are a breeze.

I must admit that it did not..........but after enlarging a small portion of it...... eisengussmedaille does appear correct. I guess a small picture of a 79mm medal hides a lot of the finer detail.

There are a small number of other Prussian blackened iron medals from this period. Most Napoleonic field guns were bronze but defense, coastal & siege guns were often iron as well as naval cannons. As early as 1774 Matthew Boulton patented a technique for boring solid iron cast gun barrels, though iron cannons had been around a long time before that. This is a 1815 blackened iron Dutch medal of Elverno's http://www.coinpeople.com/index.php/topic/22997-1815-coronation-of-william-i/ http://www.timeriksen.com/inventory.shtml Another iron medal. GERMANY - ANHALT-BERNBURG PRUSSIA. Campaign Medal for non-combatants with the year dates ‘1813’ and ‘1814’ In 1814 King Friedrich III. wanted to decorate his soldiers on the marching-in-parade in Paris. So the former imperial french mint in Paris got the order to struck as fast as they could the medals with 1813-1813/1814-1814. The Paris mint used metal from guns in stock in Paris, the guns conquered by Prussian troops were already on the way to Berlin. Oval blackened iron medal with loop for ribbon suspension; the face with a cross pattée with rays between the arms, the dates ‘1813’ and ‘1814’ centrally; the reverse with the crowned cipher of Friedrich Wilhelm III above the inscription ‘für Pflichttreue / im / Kriege’ (for loyalty in wartime), circumscribed ‘Gott war mit uns, Ihn sey die Ehre’ (God was with us To Him the Glory); on replaced correct ribbon. The medal was instituted by King Friedrich Wilhelm III on 7 January 1815 to be awarded to those who in fulfilment of their professional duties passed through or worked in a war zone without actually fighting and were part of the army to which the combatants belonged (‘in Erfüllung ihrer Berufspflichten die Gefahren oder die Anstrengungen der Krieger geteilt haben, ohne unmittelbar zum fechtenden Stande der Armee d. h. zu den Kombattanten zu gehören’). http://www.medal-medaille.com/product_info.php?cPath=64&products_id=11210 Seeing as these iron medals all seemed to be struck in c.1815 is what first lead me to speculate they could be from captured cannon metal. This last medal's description seems to prove that . They were struck in Paris from French iron defensive cannons. With the bronze field cannons going to Berlin, where apparently some bronze medals were produced. One last example of an iron medal from the same era; Blucher. Bust to 1., draped with a lion's skin. Rev. A fine figure of the Archangel Michael standing on, and spearing a demon who is supposed to represent Napoleon I.; 1813, 1814, 1815 in outer border. A splendid medal by Konig, after a design by Schinke1. Dedicated to Blucher by the citizens of Berlin, 1816. Iron. Picture here. http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1653377&AucID=1548&Lot=4276&Val=1a43a05929dd618d14343c583093e845

http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/brit/charles_II/i.html All images & text courtesy of Wildwinds, a great site for collectors. 6th one down Sale 31: The Pre-Long Beach Auction May 30 - June 1, 2005 Lot 2212Great Britain. Pattern copper Farthing, 1671. Charles II. P-436. Listed by Peck among the "official farthings," and in fact this is the pattern design most often seen, in silver, from this reign. Lower grade silver coins are easily found in England, VF and AEF pieces, but nicer silver ones are seldom found and must be considered very rare in choice condition. However, copper specimens are elusive, particularly this well preserved. Milk chocolate in color, with remnants of luster adhering among the letters, the surfaces emitting a lovely, glossy brown glow. Only tiny marks may be seen. There are some usual, light die-flaws but these are nothing. The king's portrait is especially appealing and well engraved. This beautiful coin is one of the Cheshire Collector's favorites, and we quote his comments and research here: "This great rarity was produced before the beginning of the regular production of farthings in 1672. Farthings were not made available to the public until a week after the proclamation of 16 August 1672 and Peck concludes that we should regard this 1671 farthing as 'the final prototype of the current farthing, struck in anticipation of the proclamation'. Listed by Peck as 'very scarce' the piece is now seldom seen in any grade." NGC graded MS-63 Brown. Estimated Value $1,400-1,600. Provenance: The Cheshire Collection. Realized $1,400

I have learnt a lot from you too these forums are great for sharing our interests as everyone benefits from each other's knowledge.

From the same series. Obverse: SCHWARZENBERG. Bust left surrounded by a closed wreath, signed LOOS. Rev: Coat of Arms. The Schwarzenberg family motto, which is missing on this medal, is NIL NISI RECTUM = Nothing But Right. 1815 28mm Blackened Iron. Obverse: GNEISENAU. Bust left surrounded by a closed wreath, signed LOOS. Reverse: Coat of Arms FORTITER FIDELITER FELICITER. (Bravely, Faithfully and Cheerfully.) on the ribbon, COLBERG on the centre of the Shield. 1815 28mm Blackened Iron. Perhaps struck from 'the spoils of war' cannons?

Nice to see a collector so interested in all the history & finer details, glad that you fully understand what is a complicated but fascinating story. A coin produced from locally mined silver was first struck in 1519 in Jaoachimsthal, Bohemia was called a Joachimsthaler, soon shortened to just Thaler. This in German became Daler & in English speaking countries Dollar, so yes a Daler was a silver coin. In times of necessity(war, siege etc) jn many countries emergency coinage(copper, gun-metal etc) was used, always with the intention to be redeemed for silver after the end of the crisis. This was because the silver coinage was needed for foreign credit. As we all know now, even a piece of paper is acceptable in place of precious metal as longer as the recipient has faith in either the issuer to redeem it at face value or that other people will accept it for payment at face value. The beauty of all this is the wonderful artifacts that survive, I love the necessity money & in subsequent transformations. You might find this of interest http://www.riksbank.se/en/Press-and-published/Speeches/1996/Swedens-economy-and-monetary-policy1/

S.M. = Silvermynt K.M. = Koppamynt In the reference I gave above SM #340 = 1 Öre K.M. -- 1749 -- Type II, Obv. Lg. Crowns, Rev. Narrow Crown -- Type #66 Mint: Avesta; References: KM 383.3, SM(Sveriges Mynt) 340 23.1-25 mm, 4.5 gm. So the S.M.1 ores were struck as K.M.1 ores in 1749, yes they were lightweight(only 4.5gm) but they were reused as 1 ores not 1/2 ores. That is why I posted the picture of the page as it states that quite clearly. 4.5 gm was the original necessity weight. Publica Fide were 7.2 gm. "Nos 340-343 are struck on Karl XII's necessity money(coins with milled edge are struck on Publica Fide)" #340 is dated 1749. Try this site, it might be of help to you as it gives both reference Nos and weights http://www.swedishcoppers.com/CoinTypes.html keep in mind 1 ore K.M. & 1 ore S.M. are different weight & size . 1 Öre S.M. -- 1730 - 1750 -- Type #69 Mint: Avesta; References: KM 416.1, SM 318-338 29.5-30 mm, 14.2 gm 1 Daler S.M. -- 1716 -- Type II, Publica Fide (Faith of the People) -- Type #48 Mint: Stockholm; References: KM 354, SM 214 23 mm, 7.2 gm 1/2 Öre S.M. -- 1720 - 1721 -- Milled Edge -- Type #68 Mint: Stockholm; References: KM 380, SM 342a-343 23.1-25 mm, 7.2 gm struck on Publica Fide Even this dated 1750 is still only 4.5 gm; 1 Öre K.M. -- 1750 -- Type III, Small Crowns -- Type #67 Mint: Stockholm; References: KM 383.1, SM 349 23.1-25 mm, 4.5 gm Original necessity 1 Daler S.M. -- 1718 -- Type VIII, MARS (War God) -- Type #54 Mint: Stockholm; References: KM 360, SM 220 23.4-23.9 mm, 4.5 gm

The remaining original ores were struck again into 1 ore(as late as 1749) & 1/2 ore #'s 340-343 so perhaps the 1719-1721 over-strikes were restruck at that time as well, though that is not stated I believe that could be the case. You might find this of interest http://www.worldofcoins.eu/forum/index.php?topic=9508.0

Thasos, AR Tetradrachm struck after 148 BC. Head of Dionysos right, Herakles reverse. See my full reply in your other post.

This type; Thasos, AR Tetradrachm struck after 148 BC. Head of Dionysos right, wreathed with ivy / , Herakles standing left, leaning on a club and holding a lion's skin, M to left. http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/thrace/thasos/i.html This is one type from Wildwinds page, there are others illustrated. If you google " Thasos, AR Tetradrachm struck after 148 BC. Head of Dionysos right Herakles" for images there are plenty to compare it too. I an no expert in ancient Greek coins so I can give no informed opinion as to it being genuine and there are lots of fakes of ancinet coins, that said, it looks genuine to me.

Sir Roger Casement, sent by the British Foreign Office to investigate, coined the term "a crime against humanity" See this link http://humanrightsdoctorate.blogspot.ca/2010/02/roger-casement-and-crimes-against.html "They appear in Casement’s Putamayo Journal (available on Google book in http://amazon journal of roger casement, edited by Angus Mitchell), the diary he kept while conducting his humanitarian investigation into atrocities committed against the Putamayo Indians. Casement was posted as a UK diplomat to Brazil at the time, and was consular representative to the commission investigating rubber slavery in the Amazon region. The references in the diary date to October 1910. On page 173: 'Besides, these men have never been punished for the most awful offences against humanity. Not one.' On page 178, Casement wrote of an Englishman’s defence of the company before the Peruvian Amazon Company Commission: 'This thing we find here is carrion - a pestilence - a crime against humanity, and the man who defends it is, consciously or unconsciously, putting himself on the side of the lowest scale of humanity..."

Welcome I normally only collect old medal & tokens, just an occassional coin, so I am no help in grading coins but I do have a copy of "Sveriges Mynt 1521-1977, The Coinage of Sweden. By Bjarne Ahlstrom, Yngve Almer & Bengt Hemmingsson" so I might be able to assist you with info for Swedish coins from it. I do have a few Swedish medals.

You might be interested to see this http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=1678245&AucID=1575&Lot=1411&Val=f5e3288e20fa4ef58b92712e7d72e7e2 Just in case the link is removed here is a snipping picture, $139 + buyer's fees.

Strange you should say that. At the trial of William Bagnall & his sons( http://www.coinpeople.com/index.php/topic/35257-plagiarizing-counterfeiting-crime-punishment-1802-1815/?hl=bagnall ) his lawyer had argued; "Mr. Alley now took an objection, founded on the expression of the act, which, in the part enacting the penalty, only referred to the “said" dollars. Now, the "said"dollar's, it appeared, by a preceding clause, were dollars issued at five shillings currency, but the dollars which the prisoners were charged with having counterfeited were issued and circulated for five-and-sixpence. However nice the distinction might appear, such distinctions were always received, when they could be at all established in favour of the accused ; so that in the case of a man who had stolen a horse, it was determined that he was not within the reach of the statute which inflicted the penalty of death on. the offence of stealing horses; and a new act was made in consequence. Mr. Barry, on the same side, argued, that this was not the offence distinctly pointed out by the preamble of the act, which authorised the Bank to issue dollars at five shillings, on obtaining an Order in Council for that purpose. It. did not appear by the evidence, however, that the Bank had ever obtained an Order in Council to enable them to issue dollars at the nominal value of five and sixpence. Sir Simon Le' Blane over-ruled both objections, on the ‘ground that the dollars now in circulation, only purported to be, and were originally issued as five-shilling pieces. That they at present circulated at the rate of five shillings and sixpence, was for the sake of public convenience, and upon an undertaking on the part of the ‘ Bank, to take them back at a future‘period at that value" So though his lawyer tried his best in 1815 William Bagnall was transported to Australia for 14 years for coining.

All correct, except the reverse legend on this one instead of 'HIBERNIA' is 'NOBE BGTA' presumed to be just nonsense. Evasion halfpenny Bust H & L (I believe the H & L is for Hugh Latimer, it seems self-evident to me, strangely no reference to that) Rev NON PROCUL DIES 1696. Atkins #398. This, though classed as an evasion, does not imitate a halfpenny but rather a commemorative the size of a halfpenny. "Copper coins with us are properly not money, but a kind of token passing by way of exchange instead of parts of the smallest pieces of silver coin" wrote Joseph Harris, Assay Master at the Royal Mint in 1757. He argued that copper was not a suitable metal for coins since it was difficult to ascertain its precise value and purity, this illustrates the disdain of The Royal Mint for base coinage. Not surprising therefore the Mints copper coin production was not only insufficient but very spasmodic. There was also no ’official’ system for transporting copper coins around the country(no one wanted to pay for the transportation of copper coins to far flung places, when it was so much easier and cheaper to use locally produced under-weight tokens) this combined with the speed with which newly minted currency disappeared either for sale as bullion or to provide the raw material for forgeries, created extraordinary problems for provincial manufacturers and merchants. Legally copper coins could be refused for any transaction over the value of sixpence. As a result, large quantities were not accepted by the Royal Mint, the Excise & Revenue, the Bank of England or provincial banks either for payment or for conversion into silver, gold or paper currency. This meant that copper coins pooled in certain areas or businesses, which accepted them, ie ale-houses & London businesses. The elite tended to only deal in silver, gold or exchange notes, agricultural areas often used barter & exchange in lieu of small coins & the workers often produced their own food. But the new manufacturing centres needed copper coinage to pay their workers, who in turn needed it to survive as they had to pay cash, mostly in small sums of copper coins, for everything. All this created the ideal conditions for the production of trade tokens, counterfeits & evasions. Thomas Snelling claimed in 1753 that between half to two thirds of the current copper money were counterfeits. In terms of crime and punishment the offence of counterfeiting copper, unlike silver and gold, which were treasonable offences punishable by death, was from 1742 a simple misdemeanour, which carried a sentence of two years imprisonment. It was not until 1771 when the law changed that counterfeiting copper became a capital offence. Even then the authorities neither had the resources or real desire to prosecute the copper evasion & token makers, because they filled a void of the governments own making. Ironically, the Mint eventually acknowledged Trade tokens as legal tender & continued to do so until 1817. 2 regal halfpennies produced enough material for 3 evasions, hence an instant profit. Examination of the dates on evasions, which although unreliable may have some truth in them, shows that most are dated post 1771 that being the year the law changed and made counterfeiting copper currency a capital felony, far safer to make obvious non-regal coins than counterfeits. Some examples have obviously spurious dates, providing yet more evidence of the humorous characteristics of these coins. Another feature of evasions which helps date them is that several use the legends found on trade tokens, for example ‘Peace and Plenty’, ‘Rule Britannia’ which appeared on tokens produced in the last two decades of the eighteenth century. In the 1790's Birmingham was home to fifteen token making manufacturers many of whom were described in local trade directories as button makers. Among these were William Lutwyche and Peter Kempson, who apparently were also responsible for producing ‘evasions’, especially between 1796 and 1798, when orders for trade tokens diminished. We know that Bagnall also produced at least one evasion & issued commemorative medals. .

Just one two more Anyone know what this last bird on the feeder below is?

Here are a few more from my backyard feeders And the last from my front garden. Glad they are just birds and not T.Rex

This is a very unusual evasion halfpenny in that it is signed. Most are anonymous or just have initials eg 'I C' but this is signed Bagnall(see previous post http://www.coinpeople.com/index.php/topic/35257-plagiarizing-counterfeiting-crime-punishment-1802-1815/ ) Vendors pictures first then mine below, plus a close-up. EDIT; Obv. GOD SAVE THE KING Rev. NOBE BGTA crowned harp 1696. Atkins #308.

Amazing, something that we have all seen and used countless times and yet its name unknown to almost eveyone!

Even though I do not collect Russian coins I enjoy reading the topics, found your little gem of a link. I had used Photoshop to show this commemorative reverse signed by Bagnall was struck using was a reworked Davies die. Bagnall's is on a slightly larger planchet and he altered the wheat to the left of the barrel to coins. Full story here http://www.coinpeople.com/index.php/topic/35257-plagiarizing-counterfeiting-crime-punishment-1802-1815/?hl=bagnall But seeing the posted link thought I would give it a go. Turned out pretty effective.

Beauty is not just in the eye of the beholder for this one. 1794 imitation spade guinea by Henry Kettle. Geo III 1794 2a plain edge R-7, Fauver. Has been savagely cleaned but the detail is still superb, especially for an extremely rare piece. It is the best example that I have seen, the fact of it being cleaned might account for its very light colour but a term that Batty used sparingly "Pale Copper" for some other items, would fit.

Impressive medals, like Art I had no idea of their existence, thanks for sharing. Good luck in finding the others in the series.