NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: MAY 30, 2021

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V24 2021 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 24, Number 22, May 30, 2021, Article 15

Here's a selection of interesting or unusual items I came across in the marketplace this week. Tell us what you think of some of these. -Editor

Croton was founded by Achaean Greeks in c. 710 BC. It was situated between Tarentum and Rhegium making it a good port city between the two. Some notable Greeks found prominence in Croton. The first was Milo of Croton, who was victorious in the Olympic Games c. 588 BC. The philosopher Phythagorus formed a society of over 300 disciples.

This lovely coin comes from the Niggeler Collection (sold in 1965) through a joint venture of Bank Leu and M&M Basel and previously was part of the Jameson Collection.

Shanna Schmidt's Coin of the Week has an unusual plain design - a tripod with the feet of a griffin. -Editor

To read the complete item description, see:
Bruttium, Croton. c. 500-480 BC (https://www.shannaschmidt.com/greek-coins/bruttium-croton-c-500-480-bc?rq=gk1522)

Sicily, Siculo Punic, Panormos (c. 320 BC) AR Tetradrachm, 16.40g. Male charioteer driving a fast quadriga left, Nike flying right, crowning charioteer; Punic ZIZ between two dolphins in exergue. Rev. Head of Arethusa right wearing a necklace of pearls, four dolphins around. (Jenkins (1971), 76-77 (O21/ R63). Lustrous. Extremely Fine.

A beautiful coin - item #12 from the Baldwin's Summer price list. -Editor

Breton-925, Breen-1084 variety, the rare variant struck in Copper. Holed at the top for suspension, as usual. Believed by us to be High Rarity-6.

And this is a spectacular example with hard, lustrous, medium brown surfaces and extremely sharp detail far beyond what is normally encountered on a type most often seen well worn and/or with some degree of environmental damage.

Ex Henry Chapman's June 1907 sale of the Matthew A. Stickney Collection, lot #2941.

Beautiful piece, with a great provenance. I've never seen a piece with such great detail. From John Agre's Coin Rarities Online. -Editor

To read the complete item description, see:
1820 North West Co. Token (https://www.coinraritiesonline.com/product/1820-north-west-company-token-4/)

An exceptionally preserved example of this rare and popular branch mint gold issue from the Charlotte mint! One of the final years of production that resulted in a mintage of just under 32,000 pieces. Nearly all of the mintage entered circulation as America teetered on the verge of the Civil War. From a population of four only five PCGS examples have been graded finer than the present example.

Gotta love a nice branch mint gold coin. From David Lawrence Rare Coins. -Editor

Fans celebrating The Simpsons with our officially licensed coin series will be delighted by this exciting 1oz silver coloured addition featuring the logo from The Itchy & Scratchy Show. Looking stunning in its upright acrylic display case, this limited-edition piece will be highly sought after among the massive global audience which has enjoyed The Simpsons since it premiered in 1989.

Following the initial Kangaroo coin, the second release from our Dreaming Down Under Series of 1/2oz silver coloured coins features Australia's sleepiest animal – a young Koala. Its endearing artistry, including native Australian flowers and other wildlife, makes the coin a perfect gift.

We don't often discuss modern issues but I thought I'd mention these colorized pieces from The Perth Mint that I saw in a press release this week. I don't know what would possess a numismatist to acquire some of these, but clearly there's a market for them. I wouldn't blame a Simpson's fan for wanting an Itchy & Scratchy coin, and that koala IS cute. My wife collects elephants, and there must be people who collect cute koalas, too. -Editor