Numismatics

Photo Credit: GI-Coins-Medals

Medieval Byzantine Gold Solidus Coin from the 10th Century

Buy It Now Price: $818 (price as of 2016; item no longer available)

Pros:

-This magnificent, medieval Byzantine gold solidus coin portrays Christ holding the Gospels on the obverse and two Byzantine co-emperors, Constantine VII and Romanus II, on the reverse.

-This medieval gold solidus coin was struck in the Byzantine capital, Constantinople (modern day Istanbul), between 913 AD and 959 AD.

-The piece measures 20.0 mm (0.79 inches) in diameter and weighs 4.33 grams (0.1392 troy ounces).

-The Byzantine Empire was the successor state to the Eastern Roman Empire.  It lasted for almost 1,000 years after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, from the late 5th century AD to 1453 AD.

-The Byzantine Empire was a major regional Mediterranean power in the 10th century AD and consisted of modern day Turkey, Greece and parts of southern Italy.

-The Byzantine gold solidus became the premier trade coin in Europe shortly after the collapse of the Roman Empire in the 6th century AD.  It retained this dominant position until the Italian Renaissance in the 13th century.

-The portrait of Christ on this gold solidus coin is superb.  The Byzantines developed the iconic image of a Christ with long hair, a beard and flowing robes that is ubiquitous in modern culture.

-This coin is problem free, with no graffiti, clipping, scratches or other damage.  It is also well struck and well centered.  Overall, it is a great example of a 10th century Byzantine gold solidus.

-Gold solidus coins are millennia old, handstruck reflections of Byzantine imperial grandeur.  And this specimen, with its exceptional eye appeal, is an especially attractive investment piece.

-Given this medieval Byzantine gold solidus’ remarkable condition, compelling imagery and historical importance, the asking price of $818 is very good.

Cons:

-There are medieval Byzantine gold solidus coins available for lower prices in the market, but they are usually compromised in some respect.  Having said that, you can occasionally snag a problem-free, bargain piece for $600 or $700 if you aren’t picky about the emperor.

-Having been minted in massive quantities, medieval Byzantine gold solidus coins are among the most common of medieval gold coins.  However, solidus issues from the 10th century AD tend to be somewhat scarcer than equivalent specimens from the 6th-7th centuries AD or 11th century AD.

Photo Credit: worldqualitycoins

Silver Swiss Shooting Medal from the City of Schaffhausen

Buy It Now Price: $295 (price as of 2016; item no longer available)

Pros:

-Struck in stunningly high relief, this is a 1956 silver Swiss shooting medal from the city of Schaffhausen.  It measures 39 mm (1.54 inches) in diameter and was struck in solid silver.

-The medal depicts an exquisitely rendered, crowned ram on the obverse and the winner’s name, Hefti Edwin, and date, 1956, surrounded by a wreath on the reverse.

-Schaffhausen is a small city in northern Switzerland that sits on the banks of the Rhine River.  The city first appeared in historical records in 1045 AD and features a ram bursting out of a castle on its coat of arms.

-Some regions of Central Europe, especially Switzerland, have a deeply cherished tradition of holding shooting festivals once a year.  Various Swiss cities and cantons have issued shooting medals to hand out as prizes throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

-Shooting medals have been struck in gold, silver, bronze, tin and aluminum, but silver is the most common metal encountered.

-Mintages for Swiss shooting medals are often shockingly low – usually less than 1,000 pieces.  In addition, attrition due to wear, loss and scrapping has reduced the extant population of these magnificent medals even further.

-This example is certified MS-65 by NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation), a third-party grading service.  This gives a powerful assurance of authenticity to the specimen.

-MS-65, or Mint State 65, is a phenomenally good state of preservation for a medal that is over 65 years old.  This condition is just about as good as a medal (or coin) can get.  While the grading scale theoretically goes up to 70, vanishingly few pieces are certified higher than MS-65.

–European art medals in general, and Swiss shooting medals in particular, are often overlooked in today’s antique market.  Consequently, despite their rarity, prices are usually quite reasonable.

-The modest $295 asking price for this silver Swiss shooting medal, coupled with its excellent condition and attractive design, should allow for rapid future price appreciation.

Cons:

-This silver Swiss shooting medal is only from the mid 20th century.  Although it exemplifies Mid-Century, European design wonderfully, older medals will usually sell for higher prices than more recent issues.

-This medal is struck from silver, which makes it desirable.  But a similar medal struck from gold would appeal to collectors even more.  However, it would also drive up the price commensurately.

-Cheaper silver Swiss shooting medals are available in the market, particularly if you are willing to forgo a specimen that has been third-party certified as mint state.  You are paying a premium for quality here.

Photo Credit: Julian-Coin

Medieval Ceylon Kahavanu Gold Coin

Buy It Now Price: $495 (price as of 2016; item no longer available)

Pros:

-This is a medieval Kahavanu gold coin from Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka), a large island off the southern tip of India.

-The coin weighs 4.32 grams and is third party certified as EF-45 (Extra Fine) condition by ANACS (American Numismatic Association Certification Service).  The ANACS certification is an important guarantee of authenticity.

-This coin type was first struck by the South Indian Chola Empire during the 11th century AD to fund the invasion and occupation of Ceylon by the great king Raja Raja Chola I.

-The Kahavanu gold coin shows the king standing on the obverse while the reverse portrays the king sitting on a low throne holding various ceremonial objects.

-Kahavanu gold coins are sometimes called “Octopus Man” coins because the figure on the coins vaguely resembles the many tentacled sea creature.  However, the king is actually just wearing loose-fitting, MC Hammer-style parachute pants, giving the illusion that he has many “tentacles”.

-These gold coins are often crudely struck, but this example is well executed and very attractive.  It is certainly among the finest examples of this coin type I have ever seen.

-This exotic, 1000 year old Kahavanu gold coin is a superb specimen of naïve or ethnographic art from a native South Indian Hindu dynasty.

–Medieval Indian gold coins have become much scarcer over the last 10 years and prices have risen accordingly.  I feel $495 is a fair price for this piece.

Cons:

-This gold Kahavanu is one of the most expensive examples I have seen on the market.  That is because the seller knows it is an outstanding specimen.  In the art world, it is often necessary to pay premium prices to secure premium pieces.

-Medieval gold coins from another South Indian dynasty, the Vijayanagara Empire, are not only available at somewhat lower prices but also tend to be struck in finer styles.

-Although it was one of the great kingdoms of medieval India, the Chola Empire is relatively unknown today, especially in the West.