| Slot: |
Roman Empire - Double Denarius |
| Origin/Country: |
ANCIENT - ROMAN EMPIRE (1st CENT BC - 5th CENT AD) ROMAN EMPIRE Trajan Decius, AD 249-251 |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
AR Double-Denarius rv emperor on horseback |
| Grade: |
NGC Ch XF Strike: 4/5 Surface: 4/5 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Purchased on 8/2/2011.
This coin was purchased as an addition to my horse-themed set. It was struck during the reign of Gaius Messius Quintus Decius Augustus (more commonly known as Decius). He was the 34th Emperor of the Roman Empire and reigned from 249-251 AD. Decius was the first Roman Emperor killed in battle against a foreign enemy. Almost all of his predecessors and successors suffered death by assassination, suicide, or natural (plague) causes.
OBVERSE: The bust of Decius.
REVERSE: The emperor on horseback facing left.
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| Slot: |
Roman Empire - Centenionalis |
| Origin/Country: |
ANCIENT - ROMAN EMPIRE (1st CENT BC - 5th CENT AD) ROMAN EMPIRE Constantius II,AD 337-361 |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
BI Centenionalis spearing fallen horseman Nicomedia(?). rv soldier |
| Grade: |
NGC MS Strike: 4/5 Surface: 5/5 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Purchased on 2/2/2014.
Constantius II AE22, RIC VIII Nicomedia 84
DN CONSTAN-TIVS PF AVG, pearl diademed, draped, cuirassed bust right
FEL TEMP RE-PARATIO, soldier spearing fallen horseman who is
bearded, wears cap, reaching backwards.
Mintmark: SMN + Officiana Letter; Gamma in left field.
Rated C3
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| Slot: |
Poland/Lithuania - Half Grosz |
| Origin/Country: |
POLAND - TO 1668 |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
1/2G 1547 LITHUANIA |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Purchased on 7/13/2013.
This coin was minted during the time of informal union of the empires of Poland and Lithuania. It was minted during the reign of Sigismund I the Old (Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland). He would die one year later, and his son Sigismund II would take the throne.
OBVERSE: The obverse of the coin bears the text [* MONETA * MAGNI * DUCAT 9 LITVA] along with the Lithuanian coat of arms symbolism of a knight on horseback (Vytis).
REVERSE: The reverse bears the text [* SIGIS * AVG * REX * PO * MAG * DVX * LI] translated as "Sigisimund Augustus, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania". This side of the coin bears the very old heraldic eagle, a part of the original Piast Dynasty coat of arms dating to 992, and still today a part of the official coat of arms of Poland.
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| Slot: |
Poland - 1/2 Grosz |
| Origin/Country: |
POLAND - TO 1668 |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
1/2G 1548 LITHUANIA |
| Grade: |
NGC AU 58 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Purchased on eBay auction on 4/3/2011. This is an almost uncirculated example of a 460-year old coin. When I saw it on eBay, I fell in love with the antiquity and beauty of this little coin.
This coin was minted during the time of informal union of the empires of Poland and Lithuania. It was minted during the important transition year of 1548. Sigismund I the Old (Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland) died in this year, and thereafter his only son Sigismund II Augustus took the throne.
OBVERSE: The obverse of the coin bears the text [* MONETA * MAGNI * DUCAT 9 LITVA] along with the Lithuanian coat of arms symbolism of a knight on horseback.
REVERSE: The reverse bears the text [* SIGIS * AVG * REX * PO * MAG * DVX * LI] translated as "Sigisimund Augustus, King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania". This side of the coin bears the very old heraldic eagle, a part of the original Piast Dynasty coat of arms dating to 992, and still today a part of the official coat of arms of Poland.
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| Slot: |
Poland - 3 Grosz |
| Origin/Country: |
POLAND - TO 1668 |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
3G 1597 NI IF OLKUSZ |
| Grade: |
PCGS MS 63 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Purchased 6 Dec 2020.
The reverse includes the Poland-Lithuania Vytis image of a knight on horseback in the upper right.
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| Slot: |
Teutonic Order - Taler |
| Origin/Country: |
GERMANY - TALERS |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
TALER 1603 TEUTONIC ORDER DAV-5848 |
| Grade: |
PCGS AU 50 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Purchased on 7/19/2012 from fellow board member and Taler guru Zo444.
This obverse shows Grand Master Archduke Maximilian III of Austria (1590-1618) standing between an Austrian shield and helmet. He is wearing his trademark archducal hat, which remains a relic of great importance currently housed in the Klosterneuburg Monastery in Austria. The reverse features an armored Knight encircled by 14 smaller shields and a large shield of the Order, domiciled at Mergentheim, Württemberg. This is a beautiful example of a 400+ year old Taler, and a highlight of my horses themed collection.
DAV 5848. MT-366 / Neumann 108
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| Slot: |
Brunswick-Luneburg - 4 Mariengroschen |
| Origin/Country: |
GERMANY - MINOR COINS |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
4MG 1681 HB BRUNS.-LUNEBURG-CALENBERG |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 64 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Purchased on 14 Oct 2020.
A two year type (1681 and 1686) of the 4 Mariengroschen small silver coinage. The type was issued during the leadership of Ernest Augustus, the father of the eventual George I of the Hanoverian house of Great Britain regents.
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| Slot: |
Brunswick-Lune-Calen - 2/3 Thaler |
| Origin/Country: |
German States Brunswick-Luneburg-Calenberg-Hannover |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
Silver 2/3 Thaler 1690 HB D-409; Welter 1974 |
| Grade: |
PCGS AU 55 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Purchased 6/23/2013.
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| Slot: |
Brunswick-Luneberg - 4 Mariengroschen |
| Origin/Country: |
GERMANY - MINOR COINS |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
4MG 1700 BRUNS.-LUNE.-CALEN.-HANN. HORSE |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 63 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Purchased on 5/8/2012.
Obverse legend: GEORG: LVD: DGDB&LSRIAT&E*
Reverse legend: IN RECTO DECUS
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This coin was minted in 1700 when the Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneberg was overseen by George Louis, more commonly known today as King George I of Great Britain and Ireland. George I was born on 28 May 1660 and died on 11 June 1727. He was King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1 August 1714 until his death, and ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg (Hanover) in the Holy Roman Empire from 1698.
George was born in Hanover, in what is now Germany, and inherited the titles and lands of the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg from his father and uncles. A succession of European wars expanded his German domains during his lifetime, and in 1708 he was ratified as prince-elector of Hanover. At the age of 54, after the death of Queen Anne of Great Britain, George ascended the British throne as the first monarch of the House of Hanover. Although over fifty Roman Catholics bore closer blood relationships to Anne, the Act of Settlement 1701 prohibited Catholics from inheriting the British throne. George, however, was Anne's closest living Protestant relative. In reaction, Jacobites attempted to depose George and replace him with Anne's Catholic half-brother, James Francis Edward Stuart, but their attempts failed.
During George's reign, the powers of the monarchy diminished and Britain began a transition to the modern system of cabinet government led by a prime minister. Towards the end of his reign, actual power was held by Sir Robert Walpole, Britain's first de facto prime minister. George died on a trip to his native Hanover, where he was buried.
An interesting historical tid-bit is that this coin was minted in 1700. This was the same year that the territories forming the electorate introduced - like all Protestant territories of imperial immediacy - the Improved Calendar, as it was called by Protestants, in order not to mention the name of Pope Gregory XIII. So Sunday, the 18 February of Old Style was followed by Monday, the 1 March New Style. So, arguably, this coin was issued during the shortest year in the history of this German State, at only 355 days.
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| Slot: |
German State - Silver 2 Ducats |
| Origin/Country: |
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| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
S2D (1740-60) GERMANY WURTTEMBERG-STUTTGART KLIPPE |
| Grade: |
NGC MS 62 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Purchased from Coin Rarities Online (CRO) early bird offerings on 6/17/2014. A splendidly toned and extremely fascinating klippe coin. One of the true highlights of my horse themed set, and difficult to ever think about parting with.
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The design is described in:
Schwäbische Merckwürdigkeiten, oder kleine Abhandlungen, Auszüge und vermischte Nachrichten von Schwäbischen Sachen: zum Dienst und Vergnügen hoher und niedriger, gelehrt- und ungelehrter Personen. By Johann Jacob Moser, Ulm, 1765. Page 408; item 277.
Square ducat.
Obverse: The city of Stuttgart. Below, “Stuttgardia.”
Reverse: A stud, with a foal, and the surrounding text “Well raised youth makes one happy”
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| Slot: |
Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel - 2 Mariengroschen |
| Origin/Country: |
German States BRUNSWICK-WOLFENBUTTEL 1740 |
| Design Description: |
GERMAN STATES - 2 MARIENGROSCHEN |
| Item Description: |
Silver 2 MG 1740 IBH KM# 859 |
| Grade: |
PCGS AU 58 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Purchased on 12/26/2011.
I imaged this coin using "axial lighting" to bring out the beautiful blues and rainbow tones on the periphery of the coin. When I purchased this coin, I had no idea (based on the seller's images) that it exhibited such wonderful toning. It was a pleasant surprise when I received it in hand!
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The horse is the leaping Brunswick horse, also known as the Saxon Steed, and dates to many hundred years prior to this coin. The legend "Nunquam Retrorsum" translates roughly as "never look back" or "never retreat". The large cipher "C" with the crown above represents Charles, and is surrounded by a legend which translates as "By the grace of God, Duke of Brunswick and Lüneburg".
This coin was minted during the leadership of Charles, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (Bevern line) and the Prince of Wolfenbüttel from 1735 until his death. Charles was born in 1713, the eldest son of Ferdinand Albert II, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg. He fought under Prince Eugene of Savoy against the Ottoman Empire before inheriting the Principality of Wolfenbüttel from his father in 1735. On the suggestion of his priest, Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Jerusalem, in 1745 he founded the Collegium Carolinum, an institute of higher education which is today known as the Technical University of Brunswick. He also hired Gotthold Ephraim Lessing as the librarian for the Bibliotheca Augusta, the ducal library.
Charles attempted to promote the economic development of his state; for example, he founded the Fürstenberg Porcelain Company, and he installed mandatory fire insurance. However, he did not manage to keep the state finances in check. As a consequence, in 1773 his eldest son Charles William Ferdinand took over government.
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| Slot: |
Saxony - 2 Groschen |
| Origin/Country: |
German States Saxony |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
2G 1741 GERMANY SAXONY |
| Grade: |
NGC AU 58 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Purchased on 9/25/2011.
This is a two year 2 Groschen type coin (1741-1742) issued in the German State of Saxony. This example bears the date 1741, and was issued in silver with a diameter of 23 mm and a thickness of 1.2mm. The coin is of medalic orientation. The weak strike at the edges of the coin suggest that the flan was not of equal thickness throughout. However, the central details of the obverse (mounted rider) and the reverse (unoccupied throne) are superb.
The obverse features Frederick Augustus II, Prince Elector of Saxony from 1733-1763. He is more widely known by the title of Augustus III, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania, a title he had from 1734-1763. After his father's death, he inherited Saxony and was elected King of Poland, with the support of Russian and Austrian military forces in the War of the Polish Succession (1733–1738). As King, Augustus III was not interested in the affairs of his Polish–Lithuanian state, focusing instead on his personal interests including hunting, opera, and the collection of fine art. During his 30-year reign, he spent less than a total of 3 years in Poland -- instead, he delegated most of his powers and responsibilities to Heinrich von Brühl, who became a quasi-dictator of Poland. Also of note, the thirty years of Augustus III's reign was during the time of the Seven Years' War (1754 and 1756–1763).
Some interesting historical information about Augustus III's life include: In 1733, the Saxon composer Johann Sebastian Bach dedicated his Kyrie and Gloria (of what would later become his Mass in B Minor) to Augustus in honor of his succession to the Saxon electorate. With regard to his personal and family life, on 20 August 1719, he was married to the Archduchess, Maria Josepha of Austria, daughter of Joseph I, the Holy Roman Emperor. They had fifteen children, the most notable of whom would arguably be Maria Josepha Karolina Eleonore Franziska Xaveria (1731-1767) who married into the French royal family and was the mother of Kings Louis XVI, Louis XVIII and Charles X of France. Louis XVI (the grandson of Augustus III) is famous for having been the only King of France to have ever been executed.
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| Slot: |
Commemorative Medal |
| Origin/Country: |
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| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
CU 1744 MI-590,237 RECAPTURE OF PRAGUE (42.2mm) |
| Grade: |
NGC MEDAL MS 62 BN |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Purchased on 6/29/2015.
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| Slot: |
Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel - 1/12 Thaler |
| Origin/Country: |
GERMANY - FRAC. TALERS |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
1/12T 1751 C BRUNS.-LUNE.-CALEN.-HANN. |
| Grade: |
NGC AU 55 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Purchased on 5/24/2012.
This coin was minted during the time of the reign of George II (King of England) as the Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg. The design is very simple, with no reference to the the ruling class, but only including the date, and denomination information. George II's full style was "George the Second, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, Archtreasurer and Prince-Elector of the Holy Roman Empire". Only 9 years after the issue of this coin, George II would die, leaving the titles and throne to his grandson, George III of England.
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| Slot: |
Great Britain - 1 Shilling |
| Origin/Country: |
GREAT BRITAIN 1707-1815 |
| Design Description: |
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| Item Description: |
1S 1758 G.britain KM# 583.3 |
| Grade: |
NGC AU 50 |
| Research: |
View Coin |
Owner Comments
Purchased on 12/4/2012.
This is a one shilling piece issued in 1758 by Great Britain. It was issued as a circulation strike dated in only 3 years (1750, 1751, and 1758), and the 1758 is the most affordable of the issues. It is listed in Krause as KM#583.3, and the 1758 coin is valued at $225 in XF40. The 1750 and 1751 issues are listed in Krause at values of $800-$1200 in XF40. This example is very well struck, and exhibits very nice original toning.
George II, the son of King George I of Great Britain, was born (1683) and raised in Northern Germany and was the last British Monarch born outside of Great Britain. He reigned from 1727 as King of Great Britain and Ireland; but, he was additionally Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (Hanover), and as such, the rearing Saxon Steed is included among the shields on the reverse of this Shilling. Upon his death in 1760, he was succeeded by his grandson, King George III. The monarchs of Great Britain were of the House of Hanover from 1714 (George I) until the death of Queen Victoria in 1901.
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