Moneta's Temple and Gallery

Japan - Ei Raku Sen, Nobunaga era coin

Moneta — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 18:46:55 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: See Hartill " Early Japanese Coins" ; p. 24 for the details and story involving the famous Nobunaga. These coins were exported from Ming dynasty China in great quantities during the 16th Century. Oda Nobunaga (織田信長, 23 June 1534 – 21 June 1582) known as "Owari no Otsuke" (Fools of Owari), was a Japanese daimyo and one of the leading figures of the Sengoku period. He is regarded as the first "Great Unifier" of Japan. His action in war gave him the nickname of "Oni Daimyo" (Demon King). This was a very trusted and used coin in the Kanto regions, it is not specifically associated with Nobunaga exclusively, it was used during the 15th - 17th centuries. However, Hartill lists it as 'R' or rare. Nobunaga was head of the very powerful Oda clan, and launched a war against other daimyos to unify Japan in the 1560s. Nobunaga emerged as the most powerful daimyo, overthrowing the nominally ruling shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki and dissolving the Ashikaga Shogunate in 1573. He conquered most of Honshu island by 1580, and defeated the Ikkō-ikki rebels in the 1580s. Nobunaga's rule was noted for innovative military tactics, fostering of free trade, reforms of Japan's civil government, and the start of the Momoyama historical art period, but also for the brutal suppression of those who refused to cooperate or yield to his demands. Nobunaga was killed in the Honnō-ji Incident in 1582, when his retainer Akechi Mitsuhide ambushed him in Kyoto and forced him to commit seppuku. Nobunaga was succeeded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who along with Tokugawa Ieyasu completed his war of unification shortly afterwards. [Wikipedia]

Yemen - 2 Rials 1969 Moon Landing of Apollo XI

Moneta — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 19:58:17 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Coat of arms of the Yemen Arab Republic, the nominal worth, date and the countries name in arabic and western style. Obverse Lettering: الجمهورية العربية اليمنية ٢ ريالان 2R 1969-١٩٦٩ YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC Reverse: Depiction of the moon landing of Apollo II Lettering: APOLLO 11 20 JULY 1969 Numista makes a thing about these concerning the number of stars ( 6 or 7) but anotherl difference is the style of the engraving, thinner letters. rim dots, etc.. The 6 or 7 Star varieties are not described in KM. This example has 6 but I have seen 7 star types.

Yemen - 2 Rials 1969 Saturn V; variety 2.2

Moneta — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 19:48:02 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Moon landing with Saturn V Rocket (Restrike) االجمهورية العربية اليمنية ٢ ريالان 2R 1969-١٩٦٩ YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC; Reverse Lettering: APOLLO 11 16 JULY 1969 اﭗولو ١١ ١٦ يوليو ١٩٦٩ 1000 struck

Yemen - 2 Rials 1969 Apollo 11 & Saturn V

Moneta — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 19:41:25 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Moon landing of Apollo XI with Saturn V Rocket Obverse Lettering: الجمهورية العربية اليمنية ٢ ريالان 2R 1969-١٩٦٩ YEMEN ARAB REPUBLIC Reverse Lettering: APOLLO 11 16 JULY 1969 اﭗولو ١١ ١٦ يوليو ١٩٦٩ Edge ESTRIADO VERTICAL FINO

Fujairah - 10 Riyals 1969 Apollo XI

Moneta — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 18:05:53 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Apollo 11 was the first spaceflight that landed humans on the Moon. Mission commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin landed the lunar module Eagle on July 20, 1969, at 20:18 UTC. Armstrong became the first to step onto the lunar surface six hours later on July 21 at 02:56:15 UTC; Aldrin joined him about 20 minutes later. They spent about two and a quarter hours together outside the spacecraft, and collected 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg) of lunar material for return to Earth. Michael Collins piloted the command module Columbia alone in lunar orbit while they were on the Moon's surface. Armstrong and Aldrin spent just under a day on the lunar surface before rendezvousing with Columbia in lunar orbit.

Fujairah - 10 Riyals 1969 Apollo XII

Moneta — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 18:02:30 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Apollo 12 was the sixth manned flight in the United States Apollo program and the second to land on the Moon (an H type mission). It was launched on November 14, 1969, from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, four months after Apollo 11. Mission commander Charles "Pete" Conrad and Lunar Module Pilot Alan L. Bean performed just over one day and seven hours of lunar surface activity while Command Module Pilot Richard F. Gordon remained in lunar orbit. The landing site for the mission was located in the southeastern portion of the Ocean of Storms. Unlike the first landing on Apollo 11, Conrad and Bean achieved a precise landing at their expected location, the site of the Surveyor 3 unmanned probe, which had landed on April 20, 1967. They carried the first color television camera to the lunar surface on an Apollo flight, but transmission was lost after Bean accidentally destroyed the camera by pointing it at the Sun. On one of two moonwalks, they visited the Surveyor and removed some parts for return to Earth. The mission ended on November 24 with a successful splashdown. 15 K struck.

Fujairah - 10 Riyals 1970 Apollo XIII

Moneta — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 17:59:18 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Apollo 13 was the seventh manned mission in the American Apollo space program and the third intended to land on the Moon. The craft was launched on April 11, 1970, at 13:13 CST from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, but the lunar landing was aborted after an oxygen tank exploded two days later, crippling the Service Module (SM) upon which the Command Module (CM) depended. Despite great hardship caused by limited power, loss of cabin heat, shortage of potable water, and the critical need to make makeshift repairs to the carbon dioxide removal system, the crew returned safely to Earth on April 17. The flight passed the far side of the Moon at an altitude of 254 kilometers (137 nautical miles) above the lunar surface, and 400,171 km (248,655 mi) from Earth, a spaceflight record marking the farthest humans have ever traveled from Earth. The mission was commanded by James A. Lovell with John L. "Jack" Swigert as Command Module Pilot and Fred W. Haise as Lunar Module Pilot. Swigert was a late replacement for the original CM pilot Ken Mattingly, who was grounded by the flight surgeon after exposure to German measles. 15 K minted.

Fujairah - 10 Riyals 1970 Apollo XIV

Moneta — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 17:55:12 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Apollo 14 was the eighth manned mission in the United States Apollo program, and the third to land on the Moon. It was the last of the "H missions," targeted landings with two-day stays on the Moon with two lunar EVAs, or moonwalks. 14 K minted. Commander Alan Shepard, Command Module Pilot Stuart Roosa, and Lunar Module Pilot Edgar Mitchell launched on their nine-day mission on January 31, 1971 at 4:04:02 p.m. local time after a 40-minute, 2 second delay due to launch site weather restrictions, the first such delay in the Apollo program. Shepard and Mitchell made their lunar landing on February 5 in the Fra Mauro formation - originally the target of the aborted Apollo 13 mission. During the two lunar EVAs, 42.80 kilograms (94.35 lb) of Moon rocks were collected, and several scientific experiments were performed. Shepard hit two golf balls on the lunar surface with a makeshift club he had brought from Earth. Shepard and Mitchell spent 33½ hours on the Moon, with almost 9½ hours of EVA. In the aftermath of Apollo 13, several modifications were made to the Service Module electrical power system to prevent a repeat of that accident, including redesign of the oxygen tanks and addition of a third tank. While Shepard and Mitchell were on the surface, Roosa remained in lunar orbit aboard the Command/Service Module Kitty Hawk, performing scientific experiments and photographing the Moon, including the landing site of the future Apollo 16 mission. He took several hundred seeds on the mission, many of which were germinated on return, resulting in the so-called Moon trees. Shepard, Roosa, and Mitchell landed in the Pacific Ocean on February 9.

Bhutan - 1/2 Rupee or Deb - Period 1

Moneta — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 14:45:46 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Another acquisition of the silver series of Debs from Bhutan, in my attempt to understand the series a little better. There's no "SA" character so maybe it's KM# 2.2 or 2.3.

Philippines - Woman Farmer with Wheat - 25 Piso 1976

Moneta — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 13:48:31 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: An F.A.O. issue for World Food Day. I think it qualifies for my Folk Maiden / Ceres collection of women and wheat. MASAGANANG ANI MAUNLAD NA BUHAY translates as: ABUNDANT HARVEST PROSPEROUS LIFE

Mongolia - Soyuz 39 & Saljut 6, 250 Togrog 1994

Moneta — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 13:39:37 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Two Russian spacecraft. Soyuz 39 - Saljut 6 in space. Lettering: SOYUZ 39 ∙ SALJUT 6 250 TӨГРӨГ; Translation: 250 Tögrög Rx: National Symbol - the Soyombo: it is a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representations of fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the taijitu or yin-yang symbol.

Korea - 5 Yang 1892

Moneta — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 20:18:26 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Very nice XF example; struck for the Year 501 Yi Hyong; 19k+ struck.

Philippines - 50 Centavos 1921

Moneta — Sat, 05 Feb 2022 16:04:56 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Lady standing wearing flowing dress, right hand holding hammer resting on anvil. Active volcano (Mt. Mayon) on right.

Philippines - 50 Centavos 1903

Moneta — Sat, 05 Feb 2022 16:01:31 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Lady standing wearing flowing dress, right hand holding hammer resting on anvil. Active volcano (Mt. Mayon) on right.

Philippines - 10 Cent 1945 D

Moneta — Sat, 05 Feb 2022 15:56:10 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: USA Administration

China - Manchuria 20 Fen (Cents) 1915

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 16:49:10 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Four Chinese ideograms read top to bottom, right to left with flower in the center, all surrounded by more Chinese ideograms. Y#213.a1: With dot within center flower; without dot below left obverse rosette. Xuantong Type 4; posthumous. OB Lettering: 造省三東宣寶元統釐四分四錢一平庫 Translation: Made in the Three East Provinces Xuantong (Emperor) / Yuanbao (Original currency) Worth 1 Mace and 4.4 Candareens (weight) RX: Lettering: MANCHURIAN PROVINCES 1 MACE AND 4.4 CANDAREENS

Taiwan - 5 Jiao 1949

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 16:36:31 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: The first coins of the Nationalist Chinese escaped to the island of Formosa or Taiwan. Shows a nice rendition of the island. This was the only circulating silver coin the Taiwanese government made. I suspect they regret using the term 'Province' when their argument is that they are separate from China and not a province of it. Previously described at 50 cents. OB: Bust of Sun Yat-sen left, date above. Lettering: 年八十三國民華中; Translation: Republic of China Year 38. RX: Map of Taiwan separating denomination. Lettering: 　　台角　灣　伍　　省 Translation: 5 Jiao Taiwan Province

North Korea - 10 Won 1998 Kwangmyongsong 1 Satellite

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 15:35:45 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1 or Gwangmyeongseong-1 (Korean: 광명성 1호, Hanja: 光明星 1號, meaning Bright Star 1) was a satellite allegedly launched by North Korea on 31 August 1998. While the North Korean government claimed that the launch was successful, no objects were ever tracked in orbit from the launch,[1][self-published source] and outside North Korea it is considered to have been a failure.[2] It was the first satellite to be launched as part of the Kwangmyŏngsŏng program, and the first satellite that North Korea attempted to launch. It was launched from Musudan-ri using a Paektusan rocket, at 03:07 GMT on 31 August 1998, a few days before the 50th anniversary of North Korea's independence from Japan. On 4 September, the Korean Central News Agency announced that the satellite had successfully been placed into low Earth orbit. The China National Space Administration was involved in the development of Kwangmyŏngsŏng-1, which had a 72-faced polyhedral shape, similar to Dong Fang Hong I, the first Chinese satellite.[3][self-published source] The mass of the satellite is unclear, with estimates ranging from 6 kilograms (13 lb) to 170 kilograms (370 lb). [Wikipedia]

North Korea - 1 Won 2001 Kwangmyongsong Satellite

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 15:30:38 -0500

Hejaz - 1 Qirsh or Piastre AH1334 (1916)

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 15:21:49 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Scarce; all of these first coins of Hejaz bear the accessional date of AH1334 for Al-Husain Ibn Ali.

Hejaz - 1/2 Qirsh or Piastre AH1334

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 15:18:30 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Scarce; all of these first coins of Hejaz bear the accessional date of AH1334 for Al-Husain Ibn Ali.

Hejaz - 1/4 Qirsh or Piastre 1916

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 15:09:04 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Looking at KM they show two very rare types of overdates, which there's a possibility this is one. The AH1334/5 usually has a tiny 'o' representing the '5'. This one is mis-shapen and up against the inner circle like KM indicates

Afghanistan - 5 Afghanis 1961

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 13:35:46 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Portrait of Mohammad Zahir Shah AH 1340 - 1381

Syria - 1 Lira 1979

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 13:21:25 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: 3 stars on shield, date below, large type

Syria - 25 Piastres 1947

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 13:17:47 -0500

by: Moneta

Syria - 10 Piastres 1956

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 13:14:55 -0500

by: Moneta

Syria - 1 Piastre (thick) WWII Coin

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 12:47:06 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: This is a nice example of the scarce 'thick' variety of 1 Piastre from World War 2.

Syria - 2 Piastres 1926

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 12:33:29 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: without Privy marks

Syria - 50 Piastres 1933

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 12:28:51 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Key date but only VF+.

Syria - 1 Piastre 1933

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 12:20:24 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: 600 k minted, this 1933 a is a key date for the series, well worn VF.

Korea - 1 Chon 1908, Yr. 2 of Yong Hi

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 11:55:18 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Sometimes seen as King Yung Hi or also known as Sunjong. Nearly full detailed AU and nice even brown color. The Imperial Seal of Korea or Ihwamun was one of the symbols of the Korean Empire and it features a plum flower (Ihwa or Ehwa). It was originally the emblem of the royal family and was subsequently used for the coat of arms of the short-lived Empire, it can still be seen on some buildings. Plum blossoms are associated with the transition of season and they are as the heralds of spring in Korea. [from: "The Meaning Behind Plants On World Coins" by Ema Sikic of Baldwin's in London.

Korea - 20 Chon 1905, Yr. 9 of Guang Mu

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 11:44:59 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: It's much better in hand, but there are plenty of spots. I sent in to PCGS and it came back Genuine, Cleaned - UNC detail.

Korea - 1/4 Yang 1898, Year 2 of Guang Mu

Moneta — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 11:32:35 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: It sent this one in for PCGS conservation and encasement. It came back as PCGS Genuine, Spot Removed. The Imperial Seal of Korea or Ihwamun was one of the symbols of the Korean Empire and it features a plum flower (Ihwa or Ehwa). It was originally the emblem of the royal family and was subsequently used for the coat of arms of the short-lived Empire, it can still be seen on some buildings. Plum blossoms are associated with the transition of season and they are as the heralds of spring in Korea. [from: "The Meaning Behind Plants On World Coins" by Ema Sikic of Baldwin's in London.

Mongolia - Che Guevara 1000 Togrog 2018

Moneta — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 17:49:16 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Iconic revolutionary Che Guevara was undoubtedly one of the most significant and recognizable persons of the 20th century. Fighting side-by-side with Fidel Castro in the Cuban revolution, his portrait adorns the latest Mongolian coin in the "Revolutionaries" series. The series now includes Castro, Karl Marx, Gandhi, Ghingis Khan and others. Issue mintage was limited to 1000 coins. Customary for this series, the portrait is struck in smartminting© high relief. The amount of detail and sculpture like depths in the portrait are unparalleled. Selective coloring accents the Guevara’s facial features and brings the coin to life. Obverse: Emblem of the Bank of Mongolia; denomination. Inscription with traditional Mongolian alphabet. Lettering: Монгол Банк ᠮᠤᠩᠭᠤᠯ ᠤᠯᠤᠰ, 1000 ТӨГРӨГ MONGOLIA 1 oz 999 SILVER. Translation: The Bank of Mongolia, Monggol Ulus (Mongolia), 1000 Tögrög Reverse: Lettering: Che Guevara, 2018. Customary for this series, the portrait is struck in smartminting© high relief. The amount of detail and sculpture like depths in the portrait are unparalleled. Selective coloring accents the Guevara’s facial features and brings the coin to life. CIT has dedicated the third issue in its “Iconic Revolutionaries” series to Che Guevara, whose face became an icon of the Protests of 1968 thanks to Alberto Korda’s portrait. Mongolia’s new coin doesn’t show this well-known image but another, similar portrait instead. It makes the Marxist revolutionary look younger and more humane: It’s not the Guerillero Heroico, whom the media turned into an icon, but a considerate politician trying to convince his opponent with impassioned speeches. The incredible true-to- life effect of the portrait is achieved by combining smartminting technology with sparse selective coloring in black and white. The extremely high relief appears even more plastic due to the restrained colour application. The depiction has the appeal of a threedimensional rendition of a black-and-white photo. The coin is a technical marvel: Color application on high relief has only recently been made possible thanks to the latest technology. The actual mint is still a mystery to me. Some info list as B. H. Mayer in Bavaria, Germany, which I think is correct and they're working with CIT out of Lichtenstein, which may be involved in marketing.

Mongolia - Pterosaur 500 Togrog 2018

Moneta — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 16:28:00 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Following Ammonite, Trilobite, and Ichthyosaur, Pterosaur is the fourth coin to be issued as part of the “Evolution of Life” series. Coins struck since 2018 are Diplocaulus (2020) & Sinraptor (2019). Just like the previous pieces, this coin was struck in a special procedure which results in the reverse of the silver coin appearing stone-like. The fossil struck in high relief by applying Smartminting technology is further accentuated by its rose gilding. To apply rose gilding as delicately as the pterosaur’s fine skeleton requires it, the best possible artisanal skills are needed. Each NCLT silver 1 oz. coin in this series has a limited strike of 999 pieces. Every coin of this series was sold out shortly after it was issued. Small gold coins were also issued without the Smartminting technology and in much higher quantities and therefore much more available. Mongolia is famous for its rich fossil record including dramatic species such as Velociraptor, known from the Jurassic Park movies. The Evolution of Life series pays tribute to past eras by portraying extinct prehistoric creatures in luxurious rose-gilded Smartminting relief on an antique finish rock matrix background. In 2018, Evolution of Life takes from the sea to the skies with Pterosauria. The Mongolian coin portrays the native Noripterus parvus, that roamed Mongolian skies 140 million years ago with a wingspan of over four meters. Their fossils were first described from Central Mongolia in 1982. Pterosauria represents the most detailed and finely gilded coin in the series to date. Even remnants of the delicate wing membranes are hinted at in the rock matrix. Pterosaurs were one of three groups of vertebrates that evolved powered flight alongside birds and bats. Obverse: Emblem of the Bank of Mongolia; denomination. Inscription with traditional Mongolian alphabet. Lettering: Монгол Банк ᠮᠤᠩᠭᠤᠯ ᠤᠯᠤᠰ; 500 ТӨГРӨГ; MONGOLIA 1oz .9999 SILVER. Translation: The Bank of Mongolia, Monggol Ulus (Mongolia) 500 Tögrög Reverse: Lettering: PTEROSAURIA, CRETACEOUS PERIOD, EVOLUTION of Life, 2018

Bhutan - Pice 1951 - 1955

Moneta — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 12:54:33 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Sacred Buddhist symbols, large fish-eye type indicates the variety struck in 1955. With 'DRUK' [Bhutan] and "Sa' [Earth]. Bhutan, a country situated between China and India, is known as Druk Yul or the “Land of the Thunder Dragon.” As such, the thunder dragon is a source of pride for the Bhutanese, portrayed on both the national flag and the national emblem. On the Bhutan flag, in particular, the thunder dragon is prominent, divided between an orange-and-yellow background meant to depict equal division between religious and secular power. The dragon itself is meant to represent the purity of the country as a whole — the snarling mouth is a symbol of protection from the gods and the jewels enclosed in the dragon’s claws portray Bhutan’s prosperity and financial security.

Bhutan - Half Rupee, Second Period

Moneta — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 12:38:19 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Bhutan - Half Rupee, Second Period ? (1820 - 1835). Rx: 'X' over crescent. The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is called the “Dragon Kingdom”. It was established as a priestly monarchy in 1652. For many years it used coins from the nearby Indian state of Cooch Behar. It started to strike its own coins about 1790, after the British East India Company closed the Cooch Behar mint. The undated coins, denominated as Deb (1/2) Rupees, were originally good silver; however by about 1840 the coins became heavily alloyed with copper. The copper Deb Rupees continued to be struck until about 1910. The Deb Rupee was the only denomination struck by Bhutan until the 20th century with the rare exception of a full Rupee KM# A[&B] 23. Though the basic design remained unchanged, there are numerous varieties, making a fascinating collecting area. (Joel Anderson) VIEW & DOWNLOAD: A exposition of the types of Coins of Bhutan: http://www.moneta-coins.com/library/Bhutan%20Coinage_Rhodes.pdf

Nepal - Rupee 1934

Moneta — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 12:32:01 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Tribhuvana Bir Bikram (1911 - 1950) Rupee, VS 1991 (1934). A nice BU but it appears a guessed wrong and got he reverse up-side down in the photo, dagger should be pointed up. Medal rotation strike. Full luster.

China - Fukien, Wuchang Uprising 20 Cents, 1912

Moneta — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 14:33:56 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: China, Republic Provincial Cast Coinage of the Wuhan or Wuchang Uprising. Central ob. legend: Chung-hua Yuan-pao; Rx: *MADE IN FOO-KIEN MINT* 1 MACE AND 4.4 CANDAREENS. Caution for collectors: there are several varieties that span this, 1912, to issues of 1924. Devices and Chinese characters vary with some types worth very much more. The Wuchang Uprising was an armed rebellion against the ruling Qing dynasty that took place in Wuchang (now Wuchang, District of Wuhan), Hubei, China on 10 October 1911. This was the beginning of the Xinhai Revolution that successfully overthrew China's last imperial dynasty. It was led by elements of the New Army, influenced by revolutionary ideas from Tongmenghui (see below). The uprising and the eventual revolution directly led to the downfall of the Qing dynasty with almost three centuries of imperial rule, and the establishment of the Republic of China (ROC), which commemorates the anniversary of the uprising's starting date of 10 October as the National Day of the Republic of China. The uprising originated from popular unrest about a railway crisis, and the planning process took advantage of the situation. On 10 October 1911, the New Army stationed in Wuchang launched an assault on the residence of the Viceroy of Huguang. The viceroy, Ruicheng, quickly fled from the residence and the revolutionaries soon took control of the entire city. The Tongmenghui (or T'ung-meng Hui, variously translated as Chinese United League, United League, Chinese Revolutionary Alliance, Chinese Alliance, United Allegiance Society, 中國同盟會) was a secret society and underground resistance movement founded by Sun Yat-sen, Song Jiaoren, and others in Tokyo, Japan, on 20 August 1905. It was formed from the merger of multiple Chinese revolutionary groups in the late Qing dynasty. In August 1912, the Tongmenghui formed the nucleus of the Kuomintang, the governing political party of the republic. [Wikipedia] The flags in history and on the coins of this period are many and interesting. The '5 Colored' flag, the one on the right that defines the 5/6 stripe varieties, was the first flag of the Republic of China (1912 - 1928). It was widely flown even before the Republic of China in Shanghai and eastern parts of north China until 1928. The stripe representation (top to bottom): red for Han Chinese, yellow for Manchus, blue for Mongols, white for Hui and black for Tibetans. Later used by the Japanese puppet states of the East Hebei Autonomous Government, the Chinese Provisional Government and Reformed Government of China. It's also found on many of the struck coins of the Republic. The flag on the left is the Flag of the Wuchang uprising (1911 - 1912) and later an army flag of the Republic of China (1911-28). Background is red with a 9 armed black star patten tipped with gold (yellow) dots with a ring of center gold dots and sometimes showing a central gold dot.

Iran - 10 Rials 1944

Moneta — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 15:54:41 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: Here the obverse/reverse are reversed. Obverse legend is "Muhammad Reza Shah Pahlavi." This is a nice example graded MS65 by NGC, most of it is well struck up.

Republic of China, Fukien Province 1 Cash, Wuchang Uprising 1912

Moneta — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 19:11:28 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: QING: Republic, AE cash (2.49g), Fujian Province, H-24.4, fu jian tong bao // aka Wuchang Uprising and Five-colored flag either side of hole, VF, R, ex Jim Farr Collection. Likely cast only in the year 1912 during the first year of the Republic of China. The historical importance of this short series of cast coins, in an age of struck coins, can not be underestimated. The Wuchang Uprising was an armed rebellion against the ruling Qing dynasty that took place in Wuchang (now Wuchang District of Wuhan), Hubei, China on 10 October 1911; this was the beginning of the Xinhai Revolution that successfully overthrew China's last imperial dynasty. It was led by elements of the New Army, influenced by revolutionary ideas from Tongmenghui (see below). The uprising and the eventual revolution directly led to the downfall of the Qing dynasty with almost three centuries of imperial rule, and the establishment of the Republic of China (ROC), which commemorates the anniversary of the uprising's starting date of 10 October as the National Day of the Republic of China. The uprising originated from popular unrest about a railway crisis, and the planning process took advantage of the situation. On 10 October 1911, the New Army stationed in Wuchang launched an assault on the residence of the Viceroy of Huguang. The viceroy, Ruicheng, quickly fled from the residence and the revolutionaries soon took control of the entire city. The Tongmenghui (or T'ung-meng Hui, variously translated as Chinese United League, United League, Chinese Revolutionary Alliance, Chinese Alliance, United Allegiance Society, 中國同盟會) was a secret society and underground resistance movement founded by Sun Yat-sen, Song Jiaoren, and others in Tokyo, Japan, on 20 August 1905. It was formed from the merger of multiple Chinese revolutionary groups in the late Qing dynasty. In August 1912, the Tongmenghui formed the nucleus of the Kuomintang, the governing political party of the republic. [Wikipedia] The flags in history and on the coins of this period are many and interesting. The '5 Colored' flag, the one on the right that defines the 5/6 stripe varieties, was the first flag of the Republic of China (1912 - 1928). It was widely flown even before the Republic of China in Shanghai and eastern parts of north China until 1928. The stripe representation (top to bottom): red for Han Chinese, yellow for Manchus, blue for Mongols, white for Hui and black for Tibetans. Later used by the Japanese puppet states of the East Hebei Autonomous Government, the Chinese Provisional Government and Reformed Government of China. It's also found on many of the struck coins of the Republic. The flag on the left is the Flag of the Wuchang uprising (1911 - 1912) and later an army flag of the Republic of China (1911-28). Background is red with a 9 armed black star patten tipped with gold (yellow) dots with a ring of center gold dots and sometimes showing a central gold dot. You can see examples of the very scarce 2 Cash Wuchang Uprising pieces here in the Moneta Museum, where 5 and 6 stripe varieties are represented.

Iran - Islamic Republic 50 Dinars - 1979

Moneta — Sun, 23 Aug 2020 20:28:04 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: This brass clad or plated steel 50 Dinars was only struck during a portion of 1979. A very similar coin was struck in the first part of 1979 under the Shah Reza Pahlavi. The Iranian Revolution, also known as the Islamic Revolution or the 1979 Revolution was a series of events that culminated in the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, and the replacement of his government with an Islamic republic under the Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The Islamic state forbids depiction of people and animals, on their coins particularly. So it's a wonder that this coin under the Islamic state was struck at all. Thereafter, up to the present, only Rials are minted. To tell the truth I'm still not certain you can tell the difference but I purchased this as and Islamic Republic coin. One is described as brass clad steel, the other as brass plated steel. Either way the depiction of a lion holding saber with resplendent sun behind is a design that should not have been struck by the devout Islamic Republic. The design of a lion before the sun has a long tradition in the Islamic world beginning with the Seljuq Turks in Anatolia (Turkey). See an example here in the Moneta Museum at this: http://www.moneta-coins.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1868&title=seljuk-of-rumkaykhusraw-ii-dinar-of-konya-1240-a-d-&cat=840

China Rep. Fujian (Fukien) Wuchang Uprising 2 Cash - 5 Stripes

Moneta — Sun, 05 Jul 2020 13:02:39 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: REPUBLIC OF CHINA: AE 2 cash. This is an unusual type as a cast coin of Fukien (Fujian) featuring a reverse bearing flags of the Chinese Republic, formed in 1912. These issues tend to be crude and when in AU condition they are quite rough, center hole is round. This 2 Cash piece, of which there are 5 and 6 stripe r. flag varieties, is the 5 stripe variety. Hartill #24.5 (rarity 7); KM #375. There is also a 1 Cash of the same type, scarcer than the 2 Cash, and only found in a six stripe variety. OB: Fu Jian tong bao; RX: Er Wen (2 Cash). Fu Jian Tong Bao // Wuchang Uprising and Five-colored flags either side,'er wen' (two cash) above and below central hole, 5 stripes on flag variety. Likely cast only in the year 1912 during the first year of the Republic of China. The historical importance of this short series of cast coins, in an age of struck coins, can not be underestimated. The Wuchang Uprising was an armed rebellion against the ruling Qing dynasty that took place in Wuchang (now Wuchang District of Wuhan), Hubei, China on 10 October 1911; this was the beginning of the Xinhai Revolution that successfully overthrew China's last imperial dynasty. It was led by elements of the New Army, influenced by revolutionary ideas from Tongmenghui (see below). The uprising and the eventual revolution directly led to the downfall of the Qing dynasty with almost three centuries of imperial rule, and the establishment of the Republic of China (ROC), which commemorates the anniversary of the uprising's starting date of 10 October as the National Day of the Republic of China. The uprising originated from popular unrest about a railway crisis, and the planning process took advantage of the situation. On 10 October 1911, the New Army stationed in Wuchang launched an assault on the residence of the Viceroy of Huguang. The viceroy, Ruicheng, quickly fled from the residence and the revolutionaries soon took control of the entire city. The Tongmenghui (or T'ung-meng Hui, variously translated as Chinese United League, United League, Chinese Revolutionary Alliance, Chinese Alliance, United Allegiance Society, 中國同盟會) was a secret society and underground resistance movement founded by Sun Yat-sen, Song Jiaoren, and others in Tokyo, Japan, on 20 August 1905. It was formed from the merger of multiple Chinese revolutionary groups in the late Qing dynasty. In August 1912, the Tongmenghui formed the nucleus of the Kuomintang, the governing political party of the republic. [Wikipedia] The flags in history and on the coins of this period are many and interesting. The '5 Colored' flag, the one on the right that defines the 5/6 stripe varieties, was the first flag of the Republic of China (1912 - 1928). It was widely flown even before the Republic of China in Shanghai and eastern parts of north China until 1928. The stripe representation (top to bottom): red for Han Chinese, yellow for Manchus, blue for Mongols, white for Hui and black for Tibetans. Later used by the Japanese puppet states of the East Hebei Autonomous Government, the Chinese Provisional Government and Reformed Government of China. It's also found on many of the struck coins of the Republic. The flag on the left is the Flag of the Wuchang uprising (1911 - 1912) and later an army flag of the Republic of China (1911-28). Background is red with a 9 armed black star patten tipped with gold (yellow) dots with a ring of center gold dots and sometimes showing a central gold dot.

Hong Kong 1894 50 cents

numismatist6 — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 15:06:08 -0400

by: numismatist6

Description: This coin was issued in Hong Kong in 1894. Hong Kong became British after the first opium war. It was captured by the Japanese in 1941 but returned to British control in 1945. In 1999, it was returned to China a as a Special Administrative Region which permits a large degree of autonomy.

Lebanon - 5 Piastres - Phoenician Galley 1925

Moneta — Sat, 02 May 2020 20:01:22 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: With a nice depiction of a Phoenician galley these are hard to find in top condition. This one is pretty good. There's a 1st in the series for 1925 without the privy marks on both sides of the denomination, they share the 1.5 M mintage but I'm sure the one without privy marks is scarcer. I'm sure they were struck in France, probably Paris.

Korea 1/2 Won - 1905

Moneta — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 21:33:27 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Half won of King Kuang Mu, the first year of issue in his 9th year, 1905. In a PCGS holder as AU 58.

Korea - 10 Chon 1908 - MS62

Moneta — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 21:17:00 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: A Yung Hi (Sunjong) issued 10 Chon for his 2nd year in 1908. PCGS graded as MS62 and they say it wasn't cleaned, a bright BU.

Korea - 1 Chon 1909 - MS64

Moneta — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 21:00:56 -0400

by: Moneta

Description: Yung Hi (Sunjong) issued 1 Chon for his 3rd year (1909). PCGS MS64 RB. This period was a critical time of change for Korea with many of today's movies and TV series focusing on this period with many foreign influences disrupting the "Land of the Morning Calm." This specimen is shown on the PCGS site for this category at this https://images.pcgs.com/CoinFacts/37311307_167788450_max.jpg

Bhutan - Silver 1/2 Rupee (Deb) Extra Dot - 1st Period

Moneta — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 19:46:56 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: A First Period type listed in KM as 1.1, I'm not sure if this is a separate variety but I've seen this type described as an 'extra dot' variety. This exceptional example is a good solid silver type from the 1st Period of coinage. The first period (1790 1840 A.D.) includes coins struck on a Cooch Behar (India) model. This is KM# 1.1 with the 'ball' symbol incorporated into the design. The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is called the “Dragon Kingdom”. It was established as a priestly monarchy in 1652. For many years it used coins from the nearby Indian state of Cooch Behar. It started to strike its own coins about 1790, after the British East India Company closed the Cooch Behar mint. The undated coins, denominated as Deb (1/2) Rupees, were originally good silver; however by about 1840 the coins became heavily alloyed with copper. The copper Deb Rupees continued to be struck until about 1910. The Deb Rupee was the only denomination struck by Bhutan until the 20th century with the rare exception of a full Rupee KM# A[&B] 23. Though the basic design remained unchanged, there are numerous varieties, making a fascinating collecting area. (Joel Anderson) VIEW & DOWNLOAD: A exposition of the types of Coins of Bhutan: http://www.moneta-coins.com/library/Bhutan%20Coinage_Rhodes.pdf

Bhutan - 1/2 Silver Rupee (Deb) 1st Period w/Sa

Moneta — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 19:36:57 -0500

by: Moneta

Description: This exceptional example is a good solid silver type from the 1st Period of coinage. The first period (1790 1840 A.D.) includes coins struck on a Cooch Behar (India) model. This is KM# 2.1 with the 'Sa' symbol incorporated into the design. The tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is called the “Dragon Kingdom”. It was established as a priestly monarchy in 1652. For many years it used coins from nearby the nearby Indian state of Cooch Behar. It started to strike its own coins about 1790, after the British East India Company closed the Cooch Behar mint. The undated coins, denominated as Deb (1/2) Rupees, were originally good silver; however by about 1840 the coins became heavily alloyed with copper. The copper Deb Rupees continued to be struck until about 1910. The Deb Rupee was the only denomination struck by Bhutan until the 20th century. Though the basic design remained unchanged, there are numerous varieties, making a fascinating collecting area. (Joel Anderson) VIEW & DOWNLOAD: A exposition of the types of Coins of Bhutan: http://www.moneta-coins.com/library/Bhutan%20Coinage_Rhodes.pdf