New Stock February 2024 (Part II)

Everyone has heard of Alexander the Great but most collectors can only dream of owning a coin issued by him. We have just bought a small group of his silver drachms and we got a great deal on them so we are going to pass that deal on to you. On one side you have the head of Herakles wearing a lion’s skin head-dress and on the other side Alexander’s name ‘AΛEΞANΔPOY’ in Greek script with the seated figure of Zeus holding an eagle and sceptre. We can off er them in two grades Fine and Very Fine. Alexander was born in 356 BC and succeeded his father Philip II to the throne at the age of 20. He died in the Palace of Nebuchadnezzar II in Babylon at the age of 32 having created one of the largest empires of the ancient world, his campaigns legendary then and now.

These curiously shaped square silver dirhams were struck by the Almohad Caliphate, founded by Ibn Tumart, a member of the Masmuda, a Berber tribe that controlled much of Northern Africa and Spain at the time. They were struck between 1121-1269 AD making them around 800-900 years old and have Arabic script on both sides showing mint marks and declarations of faith but are undated and anonymous, meaning that they are not attributable to any single ruler. The square shape was probably symbolic and linked to the emergence of the Square Kufi c script that emerged in the 12th century, influenced by Iranian architecture. They certainly weren’t the first to strike square coins as the Indo-Greeks had done this over 1000 years before but since these dirhams are also quite thin, one practical reason for their shape would be to make it easier to cut them from a larger flat piece of metal.

On the death of Claudius II in A.D. 270 Aurelian was declared emperor by his troops and his reputation alone defeated his rival, Quintillus. His industrious five year reign saw the defeat of the rebellious ‘Palmyrene Empire’ in the East and the breakaway ‘Gallic Empire’ in the West, restoring the Roman Empire. He also reformed the coinage, improved food distribution and began construction of a great defensive wall around the city of Rome which still stands today. Sadly, he was killed by short-sighted army officers in A.D. 275, imagine what he could have achieved! We offer Billon Antoninianus of Aurelian in Extremely Fine, showing his radiate bust on the obverse and with various reverses. These sold out last time we ran them, Aurelian has become very popular in the last few years as his reign is re-evaluated, do not miss out!

The fourth in the Perth Mint’s Lunar collection is the 2023 1 ounce silver dollar coin celebrating the Year of the Rabbit. The reverse features two young rabbits with the Inscription ‘Rabbit 2023’ and the Chinese character for ‘rabbit’ above, the Perth Mint’s ‘P’ mint mark also appears. The obverse design bears the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. In Chinese culture, those who are born under the influence of this sign are said to be intelligent, graceful, independent, analytical, and charming. A beautiful coin and one that would make a lovely gift for anyone born under this sign. The birth dates for people ruled by the Chinese Lunar Rabbit include 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, and 2023.

Baroda princely state is in what is today Gujarat, an Indian state on the west coast and which borders on Pakistan. We can offer you a half rupee coin minted under Anand Rao, who reigned as Shah Alam II between 1800 and 1819. Although there is no date on the coins themselves, they were struck between 1804 and 1806.

Albert I was King of the Belgians between 1909 and 1934 and now we can offer you the first 1 franc coins of his reign and the last to be struck in silver in Belgium for general circulation. They date specifically from 1910 until 1918 and are in Very Fine condition. Most of these coins come with French text, though we also have some with the rarer Dutch text over the same period. He is often known as the Soldier King for his role in leading his country during the First World War.

Albert I was King of the Belgians between 1909 and 1934 and now we can offer you the first 1 franc coins of his reign and the last to be struck in silver in Belgium for general circulation. They date specifically from 1910 until 1918 and are in Very Fine condition. Most of these coins come with French text, though we also have some with the rarer Dutch text over the same period. He is often known as the Soldier King for his role in leading his country during the First World War.

We have a nice group of Belgian Silver 5 Francs of King Leopold II. They are in Very Fine condition and a number of different dates have been noted, so we are selling them as type coins rather than individual dates. But if you order more than one coin we will try and give you different dates. These silver 5 Francs are over 100 years old and in Very Fine condition. Something we have not be able to offer for quite some time.

Silver 38mm by Royal Mint. Obv. Head of Pistrucci as Chief Engraver at the Mint 1817. Rev. three renditions of St George on sovereigns. Proof Uncirculated.

Canada only began minting its own coinage in 1908 and of all the denominations, the 50 cent coin has never been produced in large quantities. Now we can off er you a selection of these coins in Very Fine condition from 1918 and 1919, struck in sterling silver and just before the silver content was reduced to .800 in 1920.

We have just had in a small group of high grade King George V Large Cents from Canada. Usually you see this coin in Fine of even Very Fine condition. This parcel is in Extremely Fine condition and thus a very high grade! A nice type coin in the grade we always looking for, but supplies are very limited. So if you want one please get in quickly.

The year 1937 was when coins all over Britain and its Empire first showed the new King George VI, and the former colony of Ceylon was no exception. We have a selection of copper 1 cent coins from that year all in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, though some have some spots and are offered at a lower price. Being the first year of issue for the new king, mintage was also relatively low. The coin shows a crowned bust of the king facing left, while the obverse side shows a palm tree with the denomination in English, Sinhalese and Tamil.

The year 1937 was when coins all over Britain and its Empire first showed the new King George VI, and the former colony of Ceylon was no exception. We have a selection of copper 1 cent coins from that year all in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, though some have some spots and are offered at a lower price. Being the first year of issue for the new king, mintage was also relatively low. The coin shows a crowned bust of the king facing left, while the obverse side shows a palm tree with the denomination in English, Sinhalese and Tamil.

Another in the Warriors of the World Series issued by the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2010, this 10 Franc coin depicts the legendary Ninja, in Japanese literally translated as ‘one who is invisible’. Known mostly for their expert fighting skills in martial arts, these elite Japanese peasant-warriors were originally trained in espionage, infiltration, deception and ambush but folklore has often elevated their abilities to invisibility, walking on water, and control over natural elements! Struck in silver-plated cupro-nickel, these coins feature the Ninja Warrior on one side with the coat of Arms of the Congo on the reverse with the denomination and date.

As Denmark’s new King Frederik X ascends the throne of Denmark following the abdication of his mother, we remember the new king’s grandfather and namesake, Frederik IX who died back in 1972. We can offer you this high grade 4-coin set dating from the latter part of his reign. Only the 1 krone piece bears his image on the obverse, but the 5, 10 and 25 ore coins all carry his crowned monogram.