Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2020 i World Coin News

Dealer Frank S. Robinson will conduct his 111th mail and internet auction of Ancient and Early Coins with a closing date of February 11. The sale includes 487 lots, with low minimum bids, and bids to be reduced as competition permits. Robinson notes that reductions have averaged 15-20 percent in his recent sales. There is no buyer fee. Greek Coins Noteworthy among Greek coins in the sale are three classic Athenian “Owl” Tetradrachm in Choice EF to Mint State, two rare early Elymais silver tetradrachms; a Choice EF Tetradrachm of Antigonos Gonatas; a rare Persis Tetradrachm of Autophradates II in EF; an EF Rhodes Tetradtachm; a VF Populonia 20 Asses; and good run of Parthian coins. Roman Coins Roman highlights include a nice VF Pompey denarius; a VF Cistophorus of…

In the mid 1500s, the Holy Roman Empire (HRE) was having its difficulties with the Protestant movement, and France was brokering a peace with England. Major cities formerly under HRE control and run as archbishoprics were being secularized into municipally-governed cities under Protestant control. During this time, Duke Moritz laid siege to several of these rebelling cities on behalf of the emperor. On the surface, this seemed to be done in support of the HRE but Moritz was truly acting in his own best interest to preserve his holdings as the HRE eroded and France contemplated action to accelerate that decline. In January 1547 Moritz, as Duke of Saxony, laid siege to Leipzig. In June of that year, after many battles and many tough family decisions, Moritz was ceded the…

What percentage of ancient coins being sold are from older collections and how many of them are from recent discoveries? There are no hard statistics on this, however, it appears that prior to 1975 it is likely about 70 percent of the available ancient coins were likely being resold from older collections. This changed around 1975 due to the use of metal detectors. From this point forward, about 30 percent were from existing collections, while about 70 percent were from fresh finds. Since there isn’t an endless supply of coins to be found, the available fresh finds have dropped significantly since about 2010. Do we know the contemporary value of ancient Roman coins? The purchasing value of a coin and wages has always been a moving target based on where…

From the time I started as a numismatic cataloger in 1987, Cut and Countermarked coinage has always held a special place in my heart. The idea that through economic circumstances and government authorization the value, validity or circulation aspects of a coin can be altered fascinates me. So when I saw that The Kyle Ponterio Collection of Cut and Countermarked Coinage was going to be sold at this year’s Stack’s Bowers Galleries Official New York International Numismatic Convention on Jan. 17-18, I decided to get in touch with him and learn more about his journey. In talking with Ponterio, his passion and enjoyment in obtaining and studying these coins became instantly clear. Our conversation was a joy and because his knowledge was built through careful observation and conscientious study of…

The World Coin News club show and commercial events calendar is a guide to events with a focus for world-coin collectors. Domestic events scheduled up to 10 weeks in advance of the issue date and foreign events up to six months in advance are listed. Abbreviations used: “A” – Admission charge; “T” – number of tables; “F” – Table fee; “N/A” – not available. Other data required for submitting a listing: name and address of show site, and name and address of bourse chairman or other contact person. FEBRUARY Feb 1-2 PA, Pittsburgh. 60th Anniversary Coin Show. Crowne Plaza Hotel-Pittsburgh South, 164 Fort Couch Rd.. SH: Sat. 10am - 5pm; Sun. 10am - 3pm. SP: South Hills Coin Club. A: Free. F: $130. Dale Abel, PO Box 161, Bethel Park,…

The short and inglorious reign of Russian Czar Peter III is even today confusing. Some references list him as ruling in 1761 and 1762 while others say only 1762. This confusion arises because Imperial Russia in those days used the Julian calendar, which had been put into place by Julius Caesar in 46 BCE. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII, however, decreed a reform of the calendar, adding 10 days because the old calendar lost a few minutes each year and by the 16th century was far enough off that changes were made. But, because the revision had been made by a Pope, both Protestant and Orthodox countries in Europe refused to adopt it at that time. In 1752, England and the American colonies finally changed over but Russia did not…