SILVER COINS OF THE WORLD

SILVER COIN SPECIAL

Well mixed silver coins of the world sold by silver content.  This is always a popular seller..  These are nice silver coins from around the world. . They are too good to send to the smelter, but not good enough or not enough quantity for me to list them individually - so out they go priced near melt value.   Good mix with few, if any, duplicates.  Silver content is based on the Standard Catalog of World Coins.  Current price based on silver spot price of $22 to $27 per troy ounce.

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AUSTRALIA 2016 YEAR OF THE MONKEY SILVER COINS 

The Perth Mint of Australia celebrated the Year of the Monkey with these two attractive 2016 dated silver coins.  Both coins feature the same design.   The reverses depict an adult monkey and a baby monkey sitting in a peach tree. The baby is holding a peach, which is symbolic of longevity and immortality. The Chinese character for ‘monkey’ and the inscription ‘Year of the Monkey’ also appear in the design with The Perth Mint’s traditional ‘P’ mintmark.  The obverse features the Ian Rank-Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II.   The 1 troy ounce 1 Dollar coin is 45mm in diameter.  The ½ troy ounce 50 cent coin is 36mm in diameter.  Both are struck in .999 fine silver and come in a capsule.

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THE BEAUTIFUL AND FAMOUS MARIA THERESA THALER 
 

Many consider the Maria Theresa Thaler to be one of the most beautiful coins in the world. It is certainly one of the most popular. This silver coin is larger than a United States silver dollar. The veiled "fat lady" on the coin was considered the epitome of beauty in much of the Middle East, so for many years it was the standard trade coin in the region. Since troops and traders from many nations needed the coins to operate in the middle east it has been restruck in mints throughout the world, including Prague, Milan, London, Paris, Brussels, Kremintz, Rome, Bombay and Florence. It is still being struck today in Vienna. Despite where and when it was struck, it is always dated 1780, the year Maria Theresa died. The 41mm coin is struck in .833 fine silver and contains slightly over 3/4 of a troy ounce of silver. Maria, as Empress of the Holy Roman Empire was noted both for her diplomatic skills and for giving birth to 16 children, thus making her a direct ancestor of most of the royal houses of Europe.

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BEAUTIFUL SILVER PROOF COINS FROM AUSTRIA

These beautiful 1965 Austrian silver Proof coins reflect the nation's rich cultural heritage.  The 5 Schilling depicts a famed Lipizzaner stallion with rider. It is 23.5mm and contains .107 troy ounces of silver.  The 10 Schilling depicts a woman wearing a traditional "Golden Bonnet" from the Wachau region.  It is 26mm and contains .1543 troy ounces of silver.  Both coins are struck in .640 fine silver and have the Austrian shield on the back.

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19th CENTURY BOLIVIAN SILVER COIN

These old silver 20 Centavos of Bolivia date from 1875 to 1899.  They were struck during a period when Bolivia lost a significant portion of its territory of wars with its neighbors.  It lost its western territories, saltpeter mines and direct access to the Pacific Ocean to Chile in the War of the Pacific (1873-79) and its northern state of Acre to Brazil in the Acre War (1899-1903).  The 22.3mm coin is struck in .900 silver and contains .1331 troy oz. of silver.  One side depicts the arms of Bolivia, the other has the denomination within a wreath.

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SCARCE SILVER OLYMPIC COINS FROM BRAZIL

Brazil issued a series of beautiful sterling silver Proof 5 Reais coins to commemorate the 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro.  The 40mm coins have a mintage of only 25,000 each, contain .803 troy ounces of silver and come sealed in special capsules.  We have the following issues available: 2015 featuring rowing at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas on the obverse and orchids on the reverse. 2015 depicting beach volleyball on Copacabana on the obverse and a Chorinho band playing a guitar, tambourine, ukulele and flute on the reverse. They are popular, hard-to-find, host country silver Olympic coins.

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2018 BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS SILVER PEGASUS DOLLAR 

In response to the success of the 2017 British Virgin Island reverse frosted Proof Pegasus 1 troy ounce .999 fine silver dollar, Pobjoy Mint issued a new 2018 design for the coin. The design shows Pegasus, the mythical horse, rearing up with his wings spread. Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse.  The attractive 38.6mm Proof coin has a maximum mintage of only 50,000 pieces.


Also See:
2018 BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS PEGASUS VIRENIUM DOLLAR

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THE CANADIAN DEATH DOLLAR

To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of British Columbia in 1958 the Canadian mint issued this silver dollar featuring a native totem pole.  The totem pole is a widely used by many native tribes of British Columbia. Unfortunately the designer used a death totem pole.  This created an uproar with the public, and the coin became known as the "Death Dollar".  A young portrait of Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse.  The 36mm coin is struck in .800 fine silver and contains .6 troy ounces of silver. We offer this attractive silver dollar in Brilliant Uncirculated condition.

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CANADA 1964 CHARLOTTETOWN SILVER DOLLAR

Canada issued a circulating commemorative silver dollar in 1964 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences.  The conferences laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Dominion of Canada in 1867. The Charlottetown Conference was held in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island in September 1864. Initially the conference was to discuss a union of the Maritime colonies, but was expanded to include the Province of Canada as well.  Britain encouraged the union, hoping the colonies would become less dependent on the Crown and provide for greater economic and military power for the region in light of the American Civil War.   A circus came to Charlottetown the same week, the first one to visit in over 20 years. Folks were much more interested in the circus than politics.  Workers left their jobs and folks from all over the island came into town which made accommodations difficult for the delegates.  A second conference was held in Quebec the following month.  The Quebec Conference created 72 Resolutions which laid the foundation for unifying the colonies.  The resolutions covered a wide range of issues, from governmental powers to building railroads.   The coin depicts young Queen Elizabeth on the obverse.  The reverse features an emblem incorporating the French fleur-de-lis, the Irish shamrock, the Scottish thistle, and the English rose representing the main nationalities that settled Canada.   Around it is the legend "CHARLOTTETOWN • QUÉBEC", the dates "1864" and "1964".  The 36mm coin is struck in .800 fine silver and contains .6  troy ounces of silver.   The Brilliant Uncirculated coin comes sealed in its original mint holder. 

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THE CANADIAN FLYING GOOSE CENTENNIAL SILVER DOLLAR  

This attractively designed Uncirculated Canadian Silver Dollar portrays a Canadian Goose in flight. It was struck to commemorate the Centennial of the Canadian Confederation and was the last circulating Silver Dollar issued by Canada. The Brilliant Uncirculated 36mm coin is struck in .800 fine silver and contains .6 troy ounces of silver

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BEAUTIFUL UNCIRCULATED CANADIAN VOYAGEUR SILVER DOLLARS

These beautiful Canadian silver dollars depicts a voyageur and an Indian paddling a canoe.  Voyageurs were 18th and early 19th century French Canadian fur transporters and traders.  They transported fur and goods over vast distances by canoe and would carry heavy loads across portages.  Their exploits have been celebrated in music and folklore.  This attractive Canadian Voyageur Dollar is struck in .800 fine silver and is 36mm in diameter. They contain .6 troy ounces of silver.   Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse. The coins struck before 1964 have the young head portrait of the Queen by Mary Gillick.  The 1965 and 1966 coins portray Arnold Machin's portrait of the Queen wearing a tiara.

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POPULAR 1965 & 1966 CANADA SILVER PROOF-LIKE SET

This six-coin Proof-like from the Royal Canadian Mint includes the silver dollar, 50 cents, 25 cents and 10 cents struck in .800 fine silver, as well as the nickel 5 cents and bronze 1 cent.  The coins come were specially struck with a mirror-like surface and are in their original Royal Canadian Mint packaging.  The sets contain 1.11 troy ounces of silver. The sets were issued at the height of the 1960’s coin boom. This 1965 set featured the new Arnold Machin portrait of Queen Elizabeth. And the U.S. mint had just stopped selling Proof sets, all of which sparked speculative interest in the sets.  Sales were by mail only and were limited to five sets per order.   Dealers, investors and collectors crowded the post offices nearest the mint in order to place multiple orders.  The sets sold out within a few hours and many orders were sent back.  We have this attractive and popular Proof-like set in their original mint packaging at a modest premium above their melt value. We also have a few original unopened mint sealed boxes of five Canadian Proof-like sets and recently found some 1966 Canadian Proof-like sets.  Few of the original mint sealed boxes still exist today, making them a real collector’s item!

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CANADIAN SILVER DOLLAR CELEBRATES PILE O'BONES

Pile O' Bones was the name of a hunters' camp located in central Canada.  It was so named because heaps of bones were left there from skinning and cutting buffalo.   In 1882 the Canadian Pacific Railroad came through, and it was renamed Regina, to honor Queen Victoria.  It was the administrative headquarters of the Northwest Territories from 1882 until 1905, when it became the capital of the newly formed province of Saskatchewan.  To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the formal founding of the City of Regina, Canada issued a commemorative Proof silver dollar in 1982.  One side features the provincial capitol building and a cattle skull, which is an acknowledgement to the city's origin.  The other side features Queen Elizabeth.  The coin is 36mm in diameter and contains .3750 troy ounces of silver.  It comes in its original mint box and capsule.

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SILVER EIGHT DOLLAR COIN FROM CANADA FEATURES POLAR BEAR

Canada issued this silver 8 dollar coin in 2013.  The unusual denomination coin contains 1.5 troy ounces of .9999 fine silver.  The thick, 38mm coin depicts a polar bear walking on an ice flow on one side and Queen Elizabeth on the other.  It is an attractive, odd denomination coin.

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OLD CAMBODIAN SILVER COIN

This silver Fuang (1/8 Tical) was issued by the Kingdom of Cambodia about 1847.  The mythical Hamsa bird is pictured on this unusual, undated, uniface coin. The mythical Hamza bird represents knowledge, so the coin is both smart and lucky.  They were good skills for Cambodia to have at that time as both Vietnam and Thailand were trying to gain control the country through members of its royal family.  The hand-struck coin is approximately 13mm in diameter and is probably the least expensive South-East Asian silver coin of that era.

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RECENT SILVER COINS OF THE EAST CARIBBEAN STATES

The East Caribbean Central Bank supplies coins and currency to a number of tiny Caribbean nations which all utilize a common currency called the Eastern Caribbean Dollar.   These Brilliant Uncirculated 1 troy ounce .999 fine, 39mm legal tender coins were issued for the member nations of the East Caribbean Central Bank. The coins have a frosted Proof-Like surface. They all have the same reverse depicting Queen Elizabeth within a wreath.  Each nation has a distinctive obverse reflecting a unique aspect of that country. The designs change each year, though tend to follow the same themes reflecting an aspect of that nation. . They are each denominated 2 Eastern Caribbean Dollars.   Only 25,000 of each coin was minted. 

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BIG BEAUTIFUL FRENCH SILVER 50 FRANCS

This beautiful, large silver French 50 Francs from the 1970's utilizes the historic "Hercules" design of Augustin Dupré that was introduced in 1796 during the French Revolution. It features Hercules, signifying military power, protecting two women, representing the Liberty on the left and Justice on the right.  Above is the motto of the French Republic "LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ" The 41mm coin is struck in .900 fine silver and contains .8681 troy ounces of silver. (larger and heavier than a US silver dollarThe coins were made only a few years from 1974 to 1979 before they were withdrawn from circulation. 

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SCARCE SILVER COINS FROM STATES OF THE GERMAN EMPIRE

The German Empire, also called the Second Reich or the Kaiserreich, lasted from the unification of Germany under Kaiser Wilhelm I in 1871 until the abdication of Wilhelm II in 1918 when Germany was defeated in World War I.  The formerly independent German states were allowed to issue coins in denominations of 2 Marks or higher.  The coins were all struck to the same standards.  The 2 Mark was 28mm and contained .3215 troy ounces of silver, the 3 Mark was 33mm and contained .4823 ounces of silver, the 5 Mark was 38mm and contained .8037 troy ounces of silver.  The coins were all struck in .900 fine silver. Most had a common reverse featuring the crowned imperial German Eagle and a lettered edge "GOTT MIT UNS" (God with us).  The smaller states issued only a few coins, most with low mintages, marking special events.  Many coins were melted during World War I, the German Inflation and World War II, making them scarce today.

BAVARIA COMMEMORATES 90th BIRTHDAY OF PRINCE REGENT LUITPOLD

Bavaria commemorated the 90th birthday of Prince Regent Luitpold with 2, 3 and 5 Mark coins in 1911.  All three coins have the same design featuring the bust of Luitpold.  Luitpold was the regent for Bavarian King Otto.  King Otto who was the younger brother of "The Mad" King Ludwig II.  On June 10, 1886 the Bavarian cabinet declared Ludwig unable to rule and appointed his uncle Luitpold as Regent.  Three days later Ludwig died under mysterious circumstances and Otto became king.  King Otto was never able to rule as he was immediately declared "melancholic" and Luitpold continued as regent.  It is unclear if Otto's problem was Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from his service in the Franco-Prussian War, the ravages of Syphilis, an inherited disorder or if Luitpold and others just wanted him out of the way.  The King was kept locked up and there was no apparent effort to treat him. In 1912 Luitpold died and his son succeeded him as regent.

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A WONDERFUL COLLECTION OF SILVER GERMAN COINS  (Click for the complete listing)
Includes German States, Kaiserreich, Weimar  and Federal Republic (West Germany) coins

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FIRST SILVER COINS OF THE GERMAN EMPIRE

For most if its history Germany was little more than a loose collection of independent and semi-independent states.  The country was finally unified in 1871 under Prussian King Wilhelm I as emperor of Germany.  The first three silver coins of the German Empire were the 20 Pfennig, 50 Pfennig and 1 Mark.   The three coins had similar designs, with the denomination and date on the obverse and the crowned imperial German eagle on the reverse. The 20 Pfennig was struck for only five years, 1873 to 1877. Its small size, it was only 16mm, made it unpopular as it was easy to loose.   The 50 Pfennig was struck only three years, from 1875 to 1877 (and 1877 is rare).  It was also unpopular as it was easily confused with the copper-nickel 10 Pfennig which had the same reverse design, a similar obverse design, and was only 1mm different in size.  The 1 Mark was struck from 1873 until 1887, after which the reverse was revised with a larger imperial eagle. It was 24mm and contained .1606 troy ounces of silver. All three coins were struck in .900 fine silver. 

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GERMANY WORLD WAR I SILVER 1/2 MARK

This silver 1/2 Mark of the German Empire is from the World War I years of 1914 to 1918.  One side has the denomination within an oak wreath.  The other features the crowned German Imperial Eagle. The 20mm coin is struck in .900 fine silver and contains .0802 troy ounces of silver.  Because the silver coin was extensively hoarded during the war it is available today in high grade at a remarkably low price. 

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 FIRST WEIMAR COMMEMORATIVE: 1000th YEAR OF THE RHINELAND  

This silver 5 Reichsmark commemorating the "1000th Year of the Rhineland" was issued by the Weimar Republic of Germany in 1925. It was the first commemorative coin ever issued by the national German government.  Previously only the various states issued commemoratives. .   After World War I France occupied large portions of the German Rhineland.  France finally began to withdraw from the Rhineland in 1925.  The coin marked the return of the Rhineland to German control by emphasizing the long historical connection between the Rhineland and the rest of Germany.   The 37mm silver coin depicts a knight with a Schwurhand (two-finger) salute holding a large shield depicting a Germanic Eagle.   The denomination within an oak wreath is on the reverse.  The coin has a lettered edge "EINIGKEIT UND RECHT UND FREIHEIT" which translates as "Unity and Justice and Freedom".  It was struck at the Berlin mint.  It is a popular and scarce commemorative coin.

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NAZI GERMANY SILVER COINS

These four silver coins serve as a memento of the horrors of the Third Reich. The 2 Reichsmark was issued from 1936 to 1939. It pictures Paul von Hindenburg on one side and an eagle holding a wreathed swastika on the other. It is 25mm in diameter and contains .1607 troy ounces of silver.  Nazi Germany used three different designs on their regular issue 5 Reichsmark coins. The first pictured the Potsdam Military Church, also called the Potsdam Garrison Church, on one side and an eagle and two small swastikas on the other. It was struck only from 1934 to 1935. The Church was built by Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm I between 1730 and 1735. Adolf Hitler was sworn in a Chancellor of Germany by Paul von Hindenburg at the Church in 1933. It burned down in the fires caused by the Allied bombing in 1945. The second type was struck during only during the last part of 1935 and the first part of 1936. It pictured Paul von Hindenburg on one side and an eagle on the other. Starting in 1936 the Eagle reverse was replaced with an eagle holding a wreathed swastika, similar to the 2 Reichsmark. The Eagle and Swastika 5 Reichsmark was struck from 1936 to 1939. The silver 5 Reichsmark coins are each 29mm in diameter and contains .4016 troy ounces of silver. Because of the war, no Nazi silver coins were struck after 1939. Coins grade Very Fine.

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OLD SILVER COINS OF THE KINGDOM OF ITALY

Italy was formally declared a Kingdom under King Victor Emmanuel II (Vittorio Emanuele II) of Sardinia in 1861. He decided to continue his title as Victor Emmanuel II instead of Victor Emmanuel I of Italy, thus Italy's first king is titled The Second.  His son, Umberto I, became king upon Victor Emmanuel's death in 1878.  Umberto added Italy's African colonies of Somalia and Eritrea, however, his forces were defeated in Ethiopia.  He was assassinated by an anarchist in 1900.   These silver coins of the first two kings of Italy have similar designs.  The obverse features the head of the king.  The reverse of the 1 Lire coins have the crowned Arms of Savoy within a wreath.  Two types of 2 Lire were struck for Victor Emmanuel II with the same obverse but different reverses.  One type has the Arms of Savoy on the reverse, the other has the denomination and a wreath. Both are dated 1863. The coins of his son, Umberto I, has the star of Italy atop the arms of Savoy on the reverse.   These coins were all struck to the standards of the Latin Monetary Union,  The Latin Monetary Union attempted to unify the currencies of Europe more than a century before the Euro was established.  The 1 Lire is 23mm, weighs 5 grams, is struck in .835 fine silver and contains .1342 troy ounces of silver. The 2 Lire is  27mm, weighs 10 Grams, is struck in .835 fine silver and contains .2685 troy ounces of silver. 

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FASCIST ITALY SILVER COIN OF VICTOR EMMANUEL III 

This silver 5 Lire of Fascist Italy dates from 1927 to 1930.  King Victor Emmanuel III (Vittorio Emanuele III) is on the obverse.  An eagle and fasces, the emblem of Fascist Italy is on the reverse.  By 1927 Mussolini had turned Italy into a dictatorship and the king was largely a figure head. The 23mm coin weighs 5 grams and contains .1342 troy ounces of silver.  It is an  historic silver coin of Fascist Italy.

 
ALSO SEE:
FIRST COINS OF UNIFIED ITALY IN UNCIRCULATED CONDITON

ATTRACTIVE COINS OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC

FAMOUS ITALIANS ON BEAUTIFUL BANKNOTES

ITALY EURO COIN SET

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JAPAN SILVER 1000 YEN 1964 OLYMPIC COIN  

Mount Fuji is featured on this attractive 1964 silver 1000 Yen coin.  The coin was issued to commemorate the Olympic Games that were held in Tokyo that year.  The reverse includes the denomination and the Olympic rings flanked by cherry blossoms. The coin is dated Year 39 of the Showa era, which corresponds to 1964.  With the Olympics returning to Tokyo, hopefully in 2021, it is expected that there will be an increased demand for this beautiful coin. The 35mm coin contains .5948 troy ounces of silver.

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SCARCE SILVER COIN OF THE KATHIRI STATE OF SEIYUN AND TARIM

The Kathiri Sultans controlled the towns of Seiyun and Tarim in what is now Yemen. After losing much of their territory to rival tribes they agreed to become a British Protectorate. Seiyun was the capital, and Tarim is a major center of Islamic learning.  In 1897 they had this silver 12 Khumsi coins struck at the Heaton Mint for their territory.  The coin is all in Arabic, except for the Heaton mintmark and are dated AH1315.   12 Khumsi was equivalent to 1/10 Riyal. The coin is 18mm in diameter. It is a rarely seen coin from a now forgotten nation.

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OLD UNCIRCULATED SILVER COIN OF LEBANON

The 1952 silver 50 Piastre was the last silver coin struck for circulation for Lebanon.  It was struck only that single year.   The 24mm coin features the Cedar of Lebanon on one side and the denomination within a wreath on the other.  Lebanon has been famous for their cedars since ancient times.  Solomon used Lebanese cedar to build the temple in Jerusalem.  Overharvesting and deforestation has left only a few small remnants of the once vast forests of Lebanese Cedar.  The attractive coin was struck at the Utrecht mint and is in Uncirculated condition.

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1950's MEXICAN SILVER COIN SET  

In 1950 Mexico introduced three new silver coins: a 1 Peso, 50 Centavos and 25 Centavos.  The coins were struck in .300 fine silver. Unlike the previous Mexican silver coin, the coins do not display their weight and fineness, possibly because they had such a low silver content.  The 1 Peso features Morelos, one of the leaders of the Mexican War of Independence.  It was struck only for a single year: 1950.  The coin 32mm coin contains .1286 troy ounces of silver.  The 50 Centavo depicted the last Aztec Emperor: Cuauhtemoc.  The 26mm coin contains .064 troy ounces of silver.  It was struck only two years, 1950 and 1951.  The 25 Centavos was re-introduced for the first time since 1892.  The design was based on that of the 19th Century 25 Centavos, featuring the “balance of justice”.  The 21.5mm coin contained .032 troy ounces of silver. It was issued only four years from 1950 to 1953.  The reverse of the coins feature the Mexican Eagle eating a snake on the obverse. 

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LARGE MEXICAN HIDELGO SILVER 5 PESOS

Miguel Hidalgo was a Catholic Priest. In 1810 his famous speech, “The Cry of Dolores” instigated Mexico’s War of Independence from Spain.  He led an army of peasants until he was captured and executed by the Spanish in 1811.  This silver 5 Pesos coin depicts the head of Hidelgo within a wreath. The other side has the Mexican Eagle and snake, date, denomination, weight and fineness of the coin.  The coin has a lettered edge “COMERCIO AGRICULTURA INDUSTRIA”.  The 40mm coin is struck in .720 fine silver and contains .6431 troy ounces of silver. The coin dates from 1951 to 1953.

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AZTEC BALL PLAYER ON MEXICAN OLYMPIC SILVER COIN   

Mexico issued this silver 25 Pesos dated 1968 to celebrate the XIX Summer Olympic Games held in Mexico City that year.  The coin depicts an Aztec or Mayan playing a Meso-American ball game called Ollamaliztli. Behind the player is the outline of the game court.  The game was played with a hard rubber ball that weighed as much as 9 pounds (4 kg.).  The ball was not allowed to touch the ground and was to be kept in play.  The goal was to knock the ball through one of two stone hoops without using hands. It rarely happened, so points could be scored or penalties given by other play as well.  It was a fast paced game in which players had to throw themselves against the surface of the court to keep the ball from hitting the ground. As might be expected injuries were common. The stakes were high due to extensive wagering (people would wager themselves or their children into slavery), and in some cases, the losing team would be sacrificed to the gods.  Beneath the ball player are the five interlocking Olympic rings.  The obverse features the Mexican eagle eating a snake.  The 38mm coin is struck in .720 fine silver and contains .5175 troy ounces of silver.

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RUSSIAN NUCLEAR ICEBREAKER ON ULTRA-HIGH RELIEF SILVER COIN

This impressive, ultra-high relief, 1 troy ounce silver 2 Dollar coin of Niue depicts a Russian Arktika class nuclear powered icebreaker. Russia is the only nation to have built nuclear icebreakers. The huge ships are designed to break through the polar ice along the Northern Sea Route, from the Barents Sea to Bering Strait, clearing the way for cargo and other ships.  The ships were the first surface vessels to North Pole.  Since 1989, some of the icebreakers have been used for Arctic tourist cruises. The 40mm .999 fine, 1 troy ounce silver coin had an authorized mintage of 999 pieces of which only 750 were struck. The coin has a satin-antique finish.  Queen Elizabeth is on the obverse.  I am not sure what the connection is between icebreakers and the tropical island of Niue, but it is a very nice coin with an attractive ship design. 

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EARLY DATED SILVER COIN OF POLAND-LITHUANIA

Until the 1600's most nations did not put dates on coins. These silver 1/2 Grossus (Groschen) coins of Sigismund II Augustus from the 1500's are some of the earliest affordable coins bearing an AD date.  Sigismund was both the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania.  In 1569 he formally united the two countries with the Treaty of Lublin to form the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.  His coins reflect this dual nationality.  One side features his titles as Grand Duke of Lithuania, and Vytas, the White Knight, which is the national symbol of Lithuania.  Below Vytas is the date.  The other side features the Polish Eagle and his titles as King of Poland.  The 19mm silver coins date from 1547 to 1572.  In 1572 Sigsmund died childless, despite having three wives (two of which were first cousins) and carrying on affairs with "two of the most beautiful of his countrywomen".  He was the last of the powerful Jagiellonian dynasty controlled much of central Europe for almost 200 years.

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OLD POLISH SILVER COIN OF SIGISMUND III

This silver 3 Polker coins of Poland  issued by king Sigismund III Vasa is dated between about 1620 to 1628. Sigismund became king of Poland and Lithuania in 1587.  He was also king of Sweden from 1592 until he was deposed in 1599.  His efforts to unite Poland and Sweden caused sixty years of war between the two.  He invaded Russia in 1605, taking advantage of their Time of Troubles.  Despite occupying Moscow and proclaiming himself to be Czar, he was unable to control the country. His war in Russia continued until a peace treaty was finally signed in 1618.  It was during the later part of his reign that the 30 Years War started. The war was one of the most destructive conflicts in human history.   One side of the coin has the crowned arms of united Poland and Lithuania.  The other side features the number 24 within an orb, indicating the coin was worth 1/24th of a Thaler. On either side of the cross and orb are the last two digits of the date.  Sigismund did not feel it necessary to include the first two digits.

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SERBIA HONORS TESLA ON SILVER COINS

Nikola Tesla was a Serbian American inventor, electrical engineer, physicist, and futurist.  He is said to have over 300 patents covering a wide range of technologies including alternating current, electric motors, remote control, television, radio, x-rays, cell phones, robotics, lasers, turbine engines, magnetic propulsion, drones, solar power, weather manipulation, particle beams and electromagnetic energy (the Tesla coil).  Recently Serbia instituted a series of  100 Dinara coins honoring Tesla and his many inventions.  The 39mm coins each contain 1 troy ounce  and are struck by the Serbian Mint. The 2018 and 2019 issues are struck in .999 fine silver, the 2020 issue is .9999 fine silver.  The obverses of the coins depict Tesla.   The Serbian arms, weight, purity, silver content, date, denomination and one or more of his inventions are on the reverses.  I expect the series to be popular due to Tesla's fame and the automobile named in his honor.  The first two issues are sold out at the mint and at major distributors. We have a small quantity which we set aside.
   The first issue in the series is a 2018 coin honoring his contributions to the design of the alternating current (AC) electricity supply system.  The coin features one of Nikola Tesla’s greatest inventions: the Induction Motor.  Only 50,000 pieces were struck in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU).
   The second coin in the series is a 2019 dated coin commemorating the 120th anniversary of his invention of remote control and wireless transmission.  In 1898 Tesla demonstrated the technology with a radio-controlled four-foot long stealth boat, which is depicted on the coin.   He expected the technology to be picked up by the United States Navy, but the Navy brass would have none of it.  Ironically, less than two decades later the German navy used remotely controlled boats loaded with explosives to attack Allied ships during World War I.  Only recently has the United States Navy started serious work with remote control ships.   The coin has a mintage of 50,000 pieces.
    The third coini in the series is the 2020 dated piece  honoring Tesla's early work with X-rays.  Nikola Tesla was one of the early discoverers of X-rays.  His first X-ray images, which he called shadowgraphs, were done in 1894, a year before Wilhelm Röntgen published his discovery of X-rays in 1895. He was one of the first to recognize some of the benefits of X-rays, such as the finding of foreign objects within a body and the detection of lung diseases.  He was also one of the first to recognize the hazards of X-ray radiation. Unfortunately, most of his work was lost when his laboratory burned down in 1895.  The coin has a maximum mintage of 55,000 pieces.

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SILVER SIAMESE COIN FEATURES 3-HEADED ELEPHANT

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ALSO SEE THE FOLLOWING SILVER COINS

JOHN BROWN ON LOW MINTAGE NIGER SILVER
BEAUTIFUL SAN MARINO MINT SETS INCLUDE SILVER COIN
SEALAND HONORS KILLER WHALES
TOKELAU SILVER COLOR COIN FEATURES KILLER WHALES

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