davidrj

Exactly where I got to with bronze pennies

NAAFI tokens - I used to have some of these, round or hexagonal, some as UK pence some French francs the Transnistrian ones are already on Ebay

Another piece of Putin's Empire see Wikipedia

just spotted this on another forum 20.08.2014 The Transnistrian Republican Bank (TRB) will issue new currency units that will be made of composite materials. The move is being done to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the national currency. Plastic coins, depending on denomination, will have a different geometric shape and color. According to the press service of the TRB, the new money will combine best qualities of coins and banknotes - high wear resistance and a wide range of security features. The coins for Transnistria were developed in Russia. "For the time being, this kind of money is not produced anywhere else in the world. This is an innovation not only for Transnistria, but also for the international banking community. The currency units were designed by our colleagues from the Russian Federation and we will be the first to use them," First Deputy Chairwoman of the TRB Olga Radulova said in an interview with the First Transnistrian Channel. The move to waive the production of metal coins is indeed a unique event. Plastic banknotes are in use in many countries of the world (they were first made in Australia), but the coins made ​​of composite materials will appear for the first time in Transnistria. For protection against counterfeiting, the technology of their production involves the use of a special texture, contour elements, micro texts and specific reflection of light when exposed to ultraviolet and infrared glow. Coins made ​​of plastic will be introduced in circulation from 22 August 2014 and will have a parallel circulation with paper money of the same denomination. Source: Pravda Fantasies for a fantasy country?? but is this the way ahead with metal prices soaring??

Happy Birthday Declan!

Happy Birthday!

Weight table

0.53g is underweight for a kopeck minted at Pskov should be 0.65 (0.61 - 0.68), Vasili did issue a reduced eight series at 0.56g (0.54 - 0.58) but this was after Pskov had fallen to his rival the False Dmitri II, so these wouldn't have had the Pskov mintmark ПС. Could be a later Swedish or Danish imitation My only reference in English on these is "Russian Wire Coins 1522-1645" by Dimitry Huletski - but it's pretty poor with dreadful illustrations

The Powers of the Soho Mint. This interesting and rare medal was struck in 1803 by Matthew Boulton to provide information to the French about the progress the mint had made over the years, and the improvements that had been installed. It was done to stop a former Soho engraver, who was now at work in the French mint and was claiming the improvements as being his work. The medal is struck in French. Being a original striking, this medal was most likely put aside by Matthew Boulton. This medal was put aside by the Boulton's agent Tim Millett in 2002, and purchased from him in 2004. Original striking, 43mm. BHM 462. EX: Matthew Robinson Boulton holdings.

My point exactly - it was the silliest example I could find on Google, most borders are artificial and reflect which thug running a protection racket king held sway at any particular time in history

Okay, so I know the map above is a flippant comment, but the more serious question has to be - are there any true borders? Most of Africa, E.Europe & the Middle East have borders reflecting either past colonial land grabs or provisions of the Treaty of Versailles - neither of which paid any notice of the wishes of local populations, or respected ethnic, religious or cultural traditions. New borders cause their own problems - look at the horrors of the relocation of populations between Greece & Turkey, or post independence India & Pakistan. Most separatists dream of a return to their own perceived "Golden Age" - so post Yugoslav Serbia wanted a return to the borders prior the the battle of Kosovo Polje in 1389 (defeat by the Ottomans), I witnessed the aftermath personally in Kosova in 2001 So I'm an internationalist, BUT with a strong belief in subsidiarity. The UK is better in Europe in my view, but England does need urgent decentralisation with more decision making at regional level. Hopefully Westminster will take note of the Scottish result, be interesting to see the parties' manifestos for next year's general election David

We could go back to this But sorry Dave, no border between England & Scotland (just a modern invention)

Happy Birthday!

They are the Sovereign's arms, England's is the three lions. so if we assume Lizzie stays queen of Scotland, they wont change

been a member for donkey's years, Biddulph is one of my, favorites, other good gardens are Bodnant and Inverew (Scottish NT), plus .Styal Mill which is just a mile down the road from me

and a little denier from medieval France 1200-1250 Dauphine, Archdiocese of Viennes, denier OBV: S . M . VIENNA, Head of St Maurice REV: MAXIMA GALL

A couple of very cheap (£12 inc postage) medieval coins from Spain 1158-1214 Kingdom of Castille, Toledo mint, Alfonso VIII, dinero OBV: HFNVS REX REV: + TOLLETH 1238-1276 Kingdom of Valencia,, Jaime I of Aragon, dinero OBV: : JACOBUS REX REV: + VALENCIE

Recording it!

looks like a disintegrating die to me David

Happy Birthday!

Dunno about quills, but my early school memories are of scratchy pens and inkwells set into the desks. When were biros invented and when did they become cheap enough for common usage? I know they were banned for all my schooling

Thanks, the descriptions in my Spink (2007) are very confusing for EdIII, "with French title" confused me, I assume that's just for the groats? Is there an online reference for EdIII? The UKDFD pages are excellent for the long cross and early eddies

Help on this one please, I think this is Edward III, tall crown, annulet stops + EDWARDVS ° REX ° ANGLI / CIVITAS LONDON Nearest I can find is Spink 1630 for York - a mule?? David

one of these methinks

This one came today Nezak Huns Billon drachm of the Hephthalite King Napki Malka (Afghanistan/ Gandhara, c. 475-576). Obv: Napki Malka type bust, winged head dress with bull head in the center. Pahlavi legend "NAPKI MALKA". Rev: Zoroastrian fire altar with attendants either side. 25mm 2.85g (slightly scyphate) £20 inc postage