Can anyone here help me identify the following two coins?
First is this:
Queen Victoria, but not one of her usual coin portraits, as far as I can see. And going by the observations that there is no date and no value, I assume it's a token of some kind?
Interesting coins. Did you ever get the full story on these?
At first I thought the Victoria coin bore masonic arms of some type on the reverse, but really, it looks like the arms of Imperial Russia(minus the large crown at the top). The reverse is similar to 19th century Kopeks. It's a mystery!
The second coin of Chile obviously commemorates the date at the bottom. The small 'o' above a large 'S' is Santiago mint, but that operated from 1749 I believe. I do note that coins were privately minted in 1743. Maybe it commemorates that event.
Aas Scotty says, the first coin has a design bearing a close resemblance to the Arms of The Russian Imperial Court (http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/heraldry/Arms%20of%20Russia%20Imperial%20Court.htm), but not quite the same. A similar coat of arms was assigned to Prussia, but again was not quite the same (this might figure as Victoria was connected with Hanover which was absorbed into Prussia).
Thank you both for your replies! I had begun to wonder if the prior stony silence was an indication that it was such an obvious question that I should really have known the answer... Glad to see that's not the case, and that it's actually a true mystery!
That resemblance to the Russian arms is surely too striking to be a coincidence. I wonder if anyone here has any greater expertise in heraldry...
As for the Chilean one, all I can say is the obvious fact that it's very clearly not 250 years old! I have three of them; they keep turning up in bags of miscellaneous coins. Strange that they should appear so common and yet no-one knows where they come from!
The top coin is not a coin at all, but a token called a spiel marke. These brass tokens are fairly common and were used in the mid to late 1800's as a gaming token or counter. The portrait of Queen Victoria on the obverse is paired up with many reverses. Your token's reverse has the makers rendition of the Austria-Hungary Imperial Coat of Arms. Many of these spiel marke were minted in Germany.
Quote: living-in-the-pastThe top coin is not a coin at all, but a token called a spiel marke. These brass tokens are fairly common and were used in the mid to late 1800's as a gaming token or counter. The portrait of Queen Victoria on the obverse is paired up with many reverses. Your token's reverse has the makers rendition of the Austria-Hungary Imperial Coat of Arms. Many of these spiel marke were minted in Germany.
I completely agree. It is a better quality one for sure. even with the hole.these were used in many locations,where gambling was illegal,on the streets,in alleyways etc. most of them are shot to crappola. or very cheap made. nice patina on it,better quality,and nice detail overall.
Can anyone here help me identify the following two coins?
Again, no date or value.
Thanks!
this is a commemorative coin because ...
On 1 October 1743, King Philip V of Spain issued a royal decree that created the Casa de Moneda in Santiago de Chile.
Can anyone here help me identify the following two coins?
First is this:
Queen Victoria, but not one of her usual coin portraits, as far as I can see. And going by the observations that there is no date and no value, I assume it's a token of some kind?
Well the Eagle looks to be Austria-Hungarian since the eagle is holding both a Sword and Scepter which is common on Austria-Hungarian coins.
Ok I found a Token/Coin similar to the one you posted but the difference is where the "HOLE" is placed.
Quote: living-in-the-pastThe top coin is not a coin at all, but a token called a spiel marke. These brass tokens are fairly common and were used in the mid to late 1800's as a gaming token or counter. The portrait of Queen Victoria on the obverse is paired up with many reverses. Your token's reverse has the makers rendition of the Austria-Hungary Imperial Coat of Arms. Many of these spiel marke were minted in Germany.
I appreciate that the wording is different. BUT...can someone explain to me how the coat of arms is similar but not the same? Sorry if I am being obtuse.
Quote: bam777I appreciate that the wording is different. BUT...can someone explain to me how the coat of arms is similar but not the same? Sorry if I am being obtuse.
I have to agree with you, Ben - obviously the wording around the portrait differs but I challenge anyone to identify any design deviations between the two arms.
Just because you can't see it ... doesn't mean it isn't there - Anon.
Well for one thing the portrait of Queen Victoria posted by alastor is looking more at an angle, If you look where her eyes are it is looking between the "R" and "I".
While the image here: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces22352.html , Queen Victoria eyes are looking more at level with the coin and the Double Headed Eagle I can't really tell if it is holding a Sword and Scepter but the Crowns on their heads are a bit different (but it might just be because the coin is not in detail), plus the wings are a bit lower.
