THE TWELVE COLLECTING DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

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V25 2022 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 25, Number 52, December 25, 2022, Article 27

Adam Spikes submitted this great numismatic version of the Twelve Collecting Days of Christmas. Thank you! -Editor

Back in 2018, David Pickup thought he'd celebrate Christmas by trying to find twelve coins to illustrate the famous song. I've used five of his original choices but have added some I thought might be worthy of consideration. What would you have chosen? Per his original statement, This is not perfect…, so give us grace on the coin choices we've made. I've included links to web pages for those of you who would like to research the coins further. Merry Christmas!!

1988-1995 Gibraltar 1 Penny featuring the BARBARY PARTRIDGE
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces4987.html

♫On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

Two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫

♫On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

Three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫

2007 Isle of Man 50 Pence featuring THREE FRENCH HENS
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces21548.html

Not gonna lie, this one almost felt like I was cheating…but there just weren't many French hens to choose from.

♫On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…

Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫

The Anlaf Guthfrithsson Penny (England, 939-941 A.D.)
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces119100.html

Often called the Raven Penny, this coin was struck for the Viking Olaf Guthfrithson who was the king of Dublin between 934-941. Also, in America we sing calling birds, but the early English version of the 12 Days of Christmas had it as Colly birds (or blackbirds). Though it's not technically a blackbird, the raven was the closest David (and I) could find.

♫ On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens,

two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.♫

Before coinage was introduced to Britain in the Late Iron Age, people had to conduct transactions by bartering their products, goods and/or services. This process of payment and exchange may have been facilitated by gold ring money.

♫On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Six geese a-layin,' five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens,

two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫

It has 5 (not 6) geese flying (not laying) but it was the best I could find. Am I the only one who has thought that this true love had access to way too many birds?

♫On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Seven swans a-swimmin,' six geese a-layin,' five golden rings, four calling birds,

three French hens, two turtle doves And a partridge in a pear tree.♫

Australia Silver Swan Series (2017-Present) featuring two SWANS
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces325446.html

A beautiful series that began in 2017. This edition really pops with the black swans colorized. Next year, the 2023 release will ironically be the the seventh release which means the song could then be edited to, Seven swans o' silver?

♫ On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Eight maids a-milkin,' seven swans a-swimmin,' Six geese a-layin,'

five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens,

two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫

Neither David nor I could not find any maids a milkin' but here is a Latvian Brown cow they could milk!

♫ On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Nine lords a-leapin,' Eight maids a-milkin,' seven swans a-swimmin,' six geese a-layin,'

five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves,

and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫

2014 United Kingdom £2 Centenary of the First World War featuring Lord Kitchener
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces53078.html

This lord isn't leaping, but he was leaping to fame when he amassed Great Britain's army during WWI and by being featured on a poster similar to our own with Uncle Sam, Your Country Needs You.

♫ On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Ten ladies dancin,' nine lords a-leapin,' eight maids a-milkin,' Seven swans a-swimmin,'

six geese a-layin,' five golden rings Four calling birds, three French hens Two turtle doves,

and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫

2011 Belarus 20 Rubles (Arabic Dance) featuring LADIES DANCING
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces80043.html

♫ On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Eleven pipers pipin,' ten ladies dancin,' nine lords a-leapin,' eight maids a-milkin,'

seven swans a-swimmin,' Six geese a-layin,' five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens,

two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫

Though this is NOT a coin and though the Pied Piper wasn't likely one of the eleven, he is a piper pipin!'

♫ On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Twelve drummers drummin,' eleven pipers pipin,' ten ladies dancin,' nine lords a-leapin,'

eight maids a-milkin,' seven swans a-swimmin,' Six geese a-layin,' five golden rings,

four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫

1976 Washington Bicentennial Quarter featuring a DRUMMER
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces56.html

I honestly couldn't think of a better way to finish up the 12 Days of Christmas than with a coin from our very own, great country. This is still one of my favorite coins of all time.