Ancient

BYZANTINE (1071-78 AD) Gold El Stamenon Nomisma - ICG AU50 ~ Michael VII. Struck in electrum (natural gold and silver alloy) at the Constantinople Mint. The coin depicts Christ on the obverse and Michael VII on the reverse. Cup-shaped as struck, good detail for the issue, pleasing antique gold color, no spots or stains. A neat and relatively inexpensive piece of ancient numismatic history.

GREEK (44-42 BC) Gold AV Stater - ICG MS64 ~ Thracian Kings-Koson. Minted during the first Roman civil war. Brutus and Longinus left for Greece in August of 44 BC following their persecution for murdering Julius Caesar. During the next two years they assembled funds and armies in Thrace to fight Mark Anthony and Octavian. Koson, one of the Thracian kings at that time, authorized the minting of these coins, which are Roman in style, to help finance this endeavor that became known as the first Roman civil war. The obverse depicts senator Junius Brutus, an ancestor of Caesar's murderer, accompanied by two lictors.  The monogram of Brutus is to the left.  The reverse shows an eagle perched on a scepter grasping a wreath. Pleasing luster for the issue, well-defined details with a touch of weakness at the peripheries of the left obverse and right reverse,  fairly well centered on a relatively mark-free round planchet, no spots or discoloration. A wonderfully preserved example of this historical coin!

ROMAN-Empire (393-423 AD) Gold AV Solidus - ICG AU58 ~ Honorius. Struck at Ravenna. Obverse portrays the diademed, draped bust of Emperor Honorius. The reverse depicts the emperor standing right with foot resting on coiled human-headed serpent, holding labarum and Victory on globe, RV mintmark in field. Brilliant with slightly dusty reddish-gold toning over clean surfaces, good luster, nicely-defined details on a problem-free planchet, no spots. An attractive gold coin from ancient Rome.

Medieval

ENGLAND (1016-1035) Silver Penny (Pence) - ICG EF45 ~ S.1159. Short cross type. Struck during the time of Cnut (Canute the Great). Aethelstan On Winchester. The design elements are well defined and centered on a problem-free planchet, surfaces are covered in natural gun metal gray toning intermingled with a hint of gold on the reverse.  A neat piece of Anglo-Saxon coinage.

FRANCE (1364-1380) Gold Franc a Pied - NGC MS63 ~ FR-284. Struck during the reign of Charles V. The obverse features the King standing under a Gothic dais with sword and scepter, the reverse a floriated cross in quadrilobe. Attractive antique gold color, very good strike on a slightly irregular planchet, no detracting marks, no discoloration or spots. A pleasing and inexpensive mint state example of this elusive hammered gold coin issue from the Middle Ages. A great buy in today's market.

FRANCE (1380-1422) Gold Ecu d'or a la couronne - PCGS AU58 ~ FR-291. Charles VI. The obverse depicts the crowned arms of France, the reverse a floriated cross in quadrilobe with crown at angles. Brilliant frosty golden color, well struck on a relatively mark-free planchet with a touch of weakness on the right obverse rim, considerable remaining luster, no spots or discoloration. A wonderful example of Medieval gold that experienced trivial circulation during its 600+ years of existence! PCGS Population Report: 2 at this level, 1 in MS60, 1 in MS62.

ITALY - VENICE (1368-1382) Gold Ducat - ICG MS64 ~ FR-1227. Andrew Contarini as Doge. The design features the Doge kneeling before St. Mark on the obverse and Jesus on the reverse.  This coin exhibits a very sharp strike on a slightly tight planchet, brilliant luster, and clean surfaces without spots or toning.  It should be noted that the reverse is rotated about 30^o to the right. A gorgeous example of the currency that became a mainstay along major European and Asian trade routes for almost 500 years.

1630 - Present

AUSTRIA-Salzburg 1754 Silver Taler - NGC MS63 PL ~ KM-380, Dav-1248. Sigismund III, Count von Schrattenbach (1753-71). The obverse depicts a saint seated looking right with coat of arms, reverse the Madonna and child in square, coat of arms to the right. The surfaces are fully lustrous and reflective with very light iridescent bluish-green and pink toning, extremely well struck for an 18th century Taler, no distracting marks or spots. A very neat coin pedigreed to the Millennia Collection.

AUSTRALIA 2005 Gold Sovereign - NGC PF70 Ultra Cameo ~ One of the first 1000 struck to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Australian Sovereign. Brilliant, stark cameo contrast between the deeply-mirrored fields and frosty devices, perfect strike, no spots or haze, no toning.

CHILE 1958 Gold 100 Pesos - NGC MS65 ~ KM-175. Brilliant, rich reddish-gold color, well struck, smooth satin luster, no distracting marks or spots. Mintage: 157,000. NGC Census Report: 4 at this level, 3 in MS66, 1 in MS67.

CHINA-People's Republic 1986 Silver 5 Yuan - Superb Brilliant Uncirculated ~ KM-Y#132. Clipper Silver Coin Program. Brilliant, undisturbed matte-like luster, full strike, no spots or toning, appealing design. Includes plastic capsule, certificate from the China Mint, and decorative wooden case. Mintage: 75,000.

FRANCE 1786-D Gold Louis D'Or - PCGS MS64 ~ KM-591.5. Louis XVI. Struck at the Lyon Mint. Brilliant, rich golden color with a hint of rose-gold toning, vibrant luster, exceptional strike for the issue, doubled profile, no spots or discoloration, no major handling marks, no evidence of adjustment marks. Seldom seen this fresh and definitely premium quality - glows with a flashy, freshly-minted look. A breathtaking coin that belongs in a MS65 holder in my opinion. PCGS Population Report: 1 at his level, none higher!

The Second French Republic was established after the overthrow of Louis Philippe I in February 1848. The new regime was weakened by class discord, political divisions, and a weak legislature. In June a brief civil war further endangered the Republic. On December 10, Prince Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte was elected President and established the Second Empire. An enduring legacy of the short-lived Republic is its coinage, enriched by the great Concours Monétaire of 1848. Twenty four of the greatest French engravers and medalists took part in this competition to create republican designs for a Gold 20 Francs, Silver 5 Francs and Bronze 10 Centimes that would each bear a representation of Liberty and the motto of the great Revolution, LIBERTÉ EGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ. The patterns of the Concours are numerous but pieces struck in the intended metal are the rarest: gold for the 20 Francs, silver for the Five Francs, and bronze for the 10 Centimes.

FRANCE 1858-A Gold 5 Francs - PCGS MS65 ~ KM-787.1. Brilliant, bright golden color, sharply struck, flashy proof-like surfaces, no spots or discoloration. Scarce in this grade. A sparkling little jewel of a coin! PCGS Population Report: 2 in MS65, none higher.

FRANCE 1851-A Gold 10 Francs - NGC MS65 ~ KM-770. Brilliant, orange gold color, fabulous cartwheel luster, meticulously struck, no spots or discoloration. Housed in old NGC holder. Rare in this state of preservation. NGC Census: 1 in MS65 (this coin), 1 in MS66.

FRANCE 1886-A Gold 100 Francs - PCGS MS64 ~ KM-832. Struck at the Paris Mint. Orange gold color, well struck, no serious marks, pleasing satin luster, no spots or discoloration. Quite elusive at this grade level. Mintage: 39,000. PCGS Population Report: 4 at his level, 1 in MS65.

FRANCE 2000 Gold 655.9 Francs - NGC PF69 (4 Coins) ~  European Art Styles - Renaissance (KM-1250), Classic and Baroque (KM-1251), Art Nouveau (KM-1252), Modern (KM-1253). Each coin is brilliant with flashy luster, deeply-mirrored fields provide ultra-cameo contrast with the frosted devices, no spots or haze. Wonderfully executed designs. Note: these coin were certified prior to NGC designating Ultra Cameo on its holders for world coins. A gorgeous matched set with consecutive serial numbers on the holders. Mintage: 2000.

GERMANY-Prussia 1872-A Gold 10 Mark - NGC MS67 ~ KM-502. Wilhelm I. Struck at the Berlin Mint. Brilliant, stunning reddish-orange gold color, well struck, vibrant luster, silky smooth surfaces, no spots or discoloration. A relatively common coin in essentially pristine condition!

IRELAND 1964 6 Pence - ICG MS65 ~ KM-14A. Smooth surfaces are bathed in pleasant mixture of warm rainbow colors, nice luster, well struck, no distracting marks or spots. A pretty coin. Note: colors are more vibrant and deeper than depicted in the image.

MEXICO 1985 Silver 100 Pesos - Gem Proof ~ KM-505. World Cup. Brilliant, frosted devices provide excellent cameo contrast with the mirrored fields, flashy luster. Encapsulated in plastic with outer plastic display case and Certificate of Authenticity as issued by the Mexico City Mint. Mintage: 9,006.

TURKEY 1962 Gold 250 Kurush Monnaie de Luxe - NGC MS63 ~ KM-873. Brilliant, well struck, flashy proof-like luster, fairly clean surfaces for the assigned grade with no serious marks or distracting spots. A nice example of this issue which was intended primarily for presentation and jewelry purposes. Mintage: 99,000.