constanius

I agree with Baxuss the fourth from the left, it is a slightly lighter shade to the others. But, only because he has picked that one already( what would have been my Ist choice), I will opt for the last digit on the right as it is slightly misaligned, being lower than the others!

Super cool.

I'd happily take the 'Honourary Scot' title seeing as it was both such a great deal & it being for the Order of the Thistle! Happy Hogmanay Ian. Thanks Hiho, Happy New Year.

From Nouvelle étude de jetons by Joseph de Fontenay, Société éduenne des lettres, sciences et arts (Autun, France) 1850. Only one is dated(1665) but all would appear to be from about the same period. As there is an odd number pictured(9) maybe they were mixed & matched. http://books.google.ca/books?pg=PA25&lpg=PA25&dq=MOUURE+POUR+VOUS&sig=hfS4aB7vaqYvm89KvAqyYnJEQ_c&ei=gnbjUNq5CM3GqAHXnYFg&sqi=2&id=BB4fAAAAMAAJ&ots=3Gy0tcdeFd#v=onepage&q&f=false

One of my awarded French medals engraved 1845 was stamped BRONZE with the pointing hand ponticon http://www.coinpeople.com/index.php?/topic/30228-louis-philippe-i-roi-des-francais/page__hl__gareau__fromsearch__1 so we have to take some of the dates given with a pinch of salt!

MI 464/77. Cashiobury Counter. 1725. Armorial shield of the Earl of Essex within the Garter of the Order of St. Andrew, with its motto, Nemo Me Impune Lacessit. (No one provokes me with impunity.) Coronet, supporters, and motto of the family, Fide Et Fortitudine. (By faith and fortitude.) Rev. Inscription, Jetton De Cashiobury. 1.25. AR. AE. Rare. On the 2nd February, 1725, William, third Earl of Essex, was elected a Knight of the Order of St. Andrew(also known as Knights of the Thistle), and it was probably soon after this event that this jeton was struck. It was intended for use as a card counter. Part of that old estate is now a park and the name has changed slightly to Cassiobury. In the summer of 59 when I was just a young boy of thirteen I met a 12 year old girl in Cassiobury park(we both lived just a few minutes away) we hung out together for a couple of weeks as friends, then did not met again till we were 14/15 & started going steady. We have been married now for 46 years but met 53 years ago. In a Baldwin's auction in 2004 one of these "Nearly extremely fine and rare. £60-80"..... well this year someone came across a box of 18 of these &, instead of releasing them slowly over time, began to list them all together on ebay as "buy it now, 18 available" the first few went for 30GBP each, then the price began to drop slowly some at 17GBP, 16.50, 15 etc I only paid 12GBP for 2 of them, yes 6GBP each!. Here is the second one, which later when the price has recovered & I sell it should easily recoup my cost for both including the combined shipping. Here endeth the lesson. Happy New Year.

Nice to have you back posting Art & I like the hat Have not set any goals as yet, will probably just muddle on as per usual & see what turns up.

BOSTON, MASS.- —Five hundred ancient Greek and Roman coins from the world-renowned collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, are showcased in the new Michael C. Ruettgers Gallery for Ancient Coins. It is the only gallery dedicated to coinage in a major US art museum and is unique for its emphasis on ancient coins as works of art—masterpieces on a miniature scale. The gallery also illustrates how coins are both a form of cultural expression—reflecting the customs, beliefs, and ideals of those who produced and used them—and primary documents of ancient history. It is named in recognition of Michael C. Ruettgers, whose generosity has made possible the creation of this spectacular new gallery. In addition, Mr. Ruettgers has given 14 rare and important Roman gold coins to the MFA, including Aureus with the bust of Aelius Verus (AD 137). To enhance visitors’ appreciation of these works, moveable magnifying lenses facilitate closer examination of the coins on view in several cases. In addition, by using iPads affixed to five cases running down the center of the gallery, visitors are able to explore in-depth 274 Greek and Roman coins using the new MFA Coins application developed by the MFA. It allows users to view both sides of each coin, to zoom in, and learn more about the significance of these objects. The app includes highlights of the coin collection, information about Greek and Roman coins, and a timeline of ancient coins. The iPad app is available for free download from Apple’s App Store, or by clicking on a link to the App Store on the new page for the Michael C. Ruettgers Gallery for Ancient Coins on the Museum’s website http://www.mfa.org/a...t-coins-gallery. Also in the gallery is a touchscreen where visitors can create their own coins—choosing symbols, motto, and metal—and learn the elements of a coin by designing one.

Catching up on the posts I missed whilst the wife and I were in Boston for 6 days doing the christmas tourist thing. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has a fine collection of over 19,000 numismatic items(most of them not on display) but they have a gallery of 500 ancient coins & some medals(including some renaissance ones) on display & with magnifying lenses with which to study them. Well worth a visit if you are in the area. Dare I say that is a cracking jeton Ian! BOSTON, MASS.- —Five hundred ancient Greek and Roman coins from the world-renowned collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, are showcased in the new Michael C. Ruettgers Gallery for Ancient Coins. It is the only gallery dedicated to coinage in a major US art museum and is unique for its emphasis on ancient coins as works of art—masterpieces on a miniature scale. The gallery also illustrates how coins are both a form of cultural expression—reflecting the customs, beliefs, and ideals of those who produced and used them—and primary documents of ancient history. It is named in recognition of Michael C. Ruettgers, whose generosity has made possible the creation of this spectacular new gallery. In addition, Mr. Ruettgers has given 14 rare and important Roman gold coins to the MFA, including Aureus with the bust of Aelius Verus (AD 137). To enhance visitors’ appreciation of these works, moveable magnifying lenses facilitate closer examination of the coins on view in several cases. In addition, by using iPads affixed to five cases running down the center of the gallery, visitors are able to explore in-depth 274 Greek and Roman coins using the new MFA Coins application developed by the MFA. It allows users to view both sides of each coin, to zoom in, and learn more about the significance of these objects. The app includes highlights of the coin collection, information about Greek and Roman coins, and a timeline of ancient coins. The iPad app is available for free download from Apple’s App Store, or by clicking on a link to the App Store on the new page for the Michael C. Ruettgers Gallery for Ancient Coins on the Museum’s website http://www.mfa.org/a...t-coins-gallery. Also in the gallery is a touchscreen where visitors can create their own coins—choosing symbols, motto, and metal—and learn the elements of a coin by designing one.

In 1855 it is estimated some 10,000 French people resided in San Francisco, which only had a total of population of between 40 to 50 thousand. California had only recently been acquired in 1848 by the United States(by treaty following its defeat of Mexico) and had a large European population. Due to the primitive forms of transport across the continent most goods & people arrived in San Francisco by ship, either from Europe or from the Eastern seaboard ports, both taking about the same time to make the voyage.

From Elliot Woodward's Auction Catalog of the Dohrmann Collection(of San Francisco) 6 day sale March 1882. So this medal(682) was believed to be of excessive rarity in 1882 even in San Francisco, where it was issued, that being the one place most likely to find it!

John Blair was the president, Lewis Mytinger treasurer & David Stewart secretary. Your note is a promissory note(scrip, shinplaster), probably issued in connection with the drive in 1819 to raise and/or conserve funds to finish the turnpike, the building of which had stalled due to lack of finance. The note was printed by Murray, Draper, Fairman & co of Philadelphia. "many of the subscribers were tardy in paying installments on their subscriptions, and the managers felt compelled to resort to the issue of “ scrip" to meet accruing debts for work performed" from the History of Huntingdon & Blair Counties....... by J. Simpson Africa. http://www.ebay.com/...=item20ce20b9b6

http://www.muenzaukt...ang=en&curr=EUR It is a coin, though a commemorative one, I guess you could think of it as a coin/commemorative medal hybrid. http://www.worldofcoins.eu/forum/index.php?topic=16319.0

Obv. LOUIS XVIII ROI DE FRANCE L Rev. FUR DIE GERECHT SACHE(For the just cause). Personification of Justice holding sword & scales with her left hand whilst, with her right, she places a victory wreath on an Altar adorned with the fleur-de-lis, symbol of the Ancien régime. Exe. IETTON 25mm AE The same reverse was used with obverses of the various allied leaders and implied that the war to remove Napoleon & restore the Bourbon monarchy was a righteous one. I have seen a couple of examples of this jeton with Louis but the portrait on them was diferent, it being less realistic than this one. That, plus this being struck from copper & in such a great condition makes it quite special, the only negative is the cross scratched in the field behind Louis. One of mine showing the reverse used on a 1814 brass jeton of Frederick Wilhelm III of Prussia.

Apparently some marks were still used after the stated date of their discontinuation. I have never heard of a mark being used before the stated date so it appears that your post 1880 cornucopia medals were perhaps just stamped in error with the old cuivre mark, not the new bronze one.

Checking google maps both streets still exist today, St. Mary Axe in fact runs off of Leadenhall street at a T-junction, so as far as I know the newly formed company did actually relocated head office, though the same street # (34) is quite a coincidence! In the announcement for the subscription of shares for the new company 34 Leadenhall St. is shown as the address of one of the new companies directors and later in the same announcement 34 St. Mary Axe is mentioned as one of the properties the company will acquire, which strongly suggests they are two diferent locations. Either way at least the address change enables us to give quite an accurate date to these tokens, as up to 1887 all references use Leadenhall Street & from that date St Mary Axe is used.

Obv. WEBSTER'S PATENT ALUMINIUM METALS * below a tiny W.J.T. LONDON / TRADE (A phoenix rising from a flaming crucible) MARK Rev. HEAD OFFICE 34 LEADENHALL St. LONDON, E.C. 30mm by William Joseph Taylor for James Webster's Aluminium Crown Metal Co.. Hardly any info regarding this token is available on the web but here is what I have deduced so far; It is undated but it was first issued no earlier than 1882 or no later than 1887. 1 January 1882 Webster's Patent Aluminium Crown Metal Company formed with its head office at 34 Leadenhall street, though Webster had been producing & stockpiling aluminium for many years before that company was formed. Then in 1887 the Aluminium Crown Metal Co. was taken over & became a part of a newly formed enterprise, The Aluminium Company Ltd located in the leasehold Warehouse & Showrooms, 34 St. Mary Axe London, E.C. and the obverse was then paired with a reverse reflecting the new address. 1886 "In England the Aluminium Crown Metal Co. has for the past three or four years been turning out large quantities of aluminium alloys based on the price of $14.60 per pound for the aluminium in them. Even at the high prices charged, these Webster alloys have attained a great popularity, and are replacing German silver, brass, bronze, etc. Aluminium added to any of the common alloys, such as brass, German silver, or Britannia metal, adds greatly to all their desirable qualities" I purposely omitted mentioning what metal it was made of(as to me this what makes it so special) but I think that it was struck from one of James Webster's own patent metals, which I believe was in this case an alloy of aluminium & German silver/nickle silver, or perhaps aluminium alloyed with Britannia metal. The crucible & phoenix trademark represents the new metal alloys containing aluminium which Webster had patented.

Our posts crossed, so mine is not needed now but at least there are pictures for other people to browse

Your medal looks to me to be exactly the same as this, which is Hennin 472 by Mainwaring and the Loos medal that it is a copy of is below it for comparison. Or am I missing something? MAINWARING'S LOUIS XVI 1793, copying Loos medal below which is either Henin 469,470 or 47i, all just minor variants of the same medal..

Most ascribe this 1793 medal to William Mainwaring, the British Museum covers itself by saying designed by Mossop engraved by Mainwaring? but then say it was an exact copy of Loos' medal(which it is) so there would be no need of another designer! So I think you can safely go just with Mainwaring not Mossop. http://maxentius.lam..._Mainwaring.htm http://www.omnicoin....viewcoin/934713 As to value I could only find this sold included in a lot of 3 medals for $70 Australian by Nobles in 2011 ; Lot 2793 FRENCH REVOLUTION, The Last Interview, 1793, obv. busts of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, in white metal (38mm) by W. Mainwaring (Hennin 464); Execution of Louis XVI, 1793, in white metal (32mm), by W. Mainwaring (Hennin 472); Death of Marie Antoinette, 1793, in white metal (33mm), by W. Mainwaring (Hennin 538). The first with carbon spot on obverse, otherwise good very fine. (3)

Many, though not all, of the Italian renaissance medals were double-sided, the French in contrast produced many unifaced examples. I don't think the unifaced ones were made to be mounted, just the medallist, or whoever commissioned the medal, only wanted/needed the portrait of the personage displayed.

Thanks Roger, if you click on the tag "RENAISSANCE MEDAL" you will see more of my medals from this period. This from the British Museum; "Pisanello's medal of John VIII Palaeologus Diameter: 103mm Cast bronze medal of John VIII Palaeologus, Emperor of Byzantium, by Pisanello Ferrara, Italy, about AD 1438-42 The first Renaissance medal? According to art historical tradition, this is 'the first true portrait medal of the Renaissance'. However this belief reflects more the desire of art historians to identify precise moments in the 'progress' of the visual arts, than the actual documented history of medals. We do, however, know the very precise circumstances of the medal's manufacture: the visit of the emperor John VIII Palaeologus (1392-1448) to Ferrara in October 1438 at the invitation of Pope Eugenius IV, for the Council intended to unite the Greek and Latin churches. Plague in the city forced the council's removal to Florence in February 1439 and thus the piece's inception, if not its actual execution, can be precisely dated. Pisanello's presence in the city is documented by the eye-witness drawings he made of the emperor and his entourage. The fact that the subject is an emperor depicted has been often stressed. The idea for the medal's production was likely to have come from the court of the Este (the ruling family of Ferrara) but it is generally thought that it was inspired by two medals of the Roman emperors Constantine and Heraclius, of early fifteenth-century French workmanship, then thought to have been antique" I recommend "The Currency of Fame, Portrait Medals of the Renaissance" it is a fabulous introduction to the cast medals of the renaissance, beg, borrow or steal a copy!

NICOLAS CHEVALIER, Premier Pesident de la Cour des Aides en 1610, Chancelier de la Reine Anne d'Autriche, mort en 1636.(other sources give his death as 19th Feb. 1630, which is the more likely, making this his death medal) N.CHEVALIER.SVBSID.PAR.P.PRAES.ET.ANNAE.R.CANCELLARIVS. Buste a droit de Nicolas Chevalier en costume de magistrat; au-dessous du buste : M.DC.XXX. Sans revers, font 50mm-Br. Cab de France. H. de la Tour, Medaille modernes, etc., dans la Rev. numismatigue, 1892, p. 496. Mazzerole 858 Cast bronze medal, which has a museum or collectors number 89 on the reverse. The reverse has had the excess of the casting marks removed recently but the itself medal appears to be original from 1630. The example in the French National Collection is also unifaced. Chevalier, baron of Crissé, was a successful diplomat in late sixteenth-century France and like his distinguished fifteenth-century ancestor Étienne Chevalier, had been appointed as French ambassador to England and Italy. He was variously; Vice President of Parliament, First President of the Court of Aides, Master of Request of the King's Household & the Chancellor to the Queen, Anne of Austria(wife of the French King), he was also Superintendent of Navarre & Bearn. A true renaissance man, he had also been a lawyer, financier, poet, orator and soldier. We are luck to have an image of his coat of arms from a vellum book cover(he possesed the greatest collection of books in France) note the double C monograms emphasising his surname's initial letter. One other thing of interest is his collar, this style was not in vogue for very long but here is Philip IV of spain wearing the same collar from that period.

For a guy like me, who mostly collects old commemorative medals not coins, eBay reigns supreme. I do have a few online dealers that I buy from but just like an angler that keeps his favourite fishing holes a secret, I will not divulge them! I used to attend all the coin & antique shows in my area but finding decent medals was always very doubtful & I found that because I had money in my pocket & was keen to spend it, after making the effort to go to a show, I would perhaps overspend for a mediocre medal, just because I did not want to go home empty handed. Whereas on eBay there is no pressure to buy & something new is always being listed. As for selling that is an anathema to me

Definite proof direct from the Bureau of the US Mint.