Archive Lots

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Emperor fish, Silver (.925), 10 Francs, 2004, 25.00 grams, Mintage 5000, Numista Rarity Index-94. Uncirculated.

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Benedict XVI in Cologne, Silver (.925), 10 Francs, 2005, 25.00 grams, Mintage 3000, Numista Rarity Index-97. Uncirculated. Uncirculated.

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Wildlife Protection Series - Red Perch, Silver (.925), 10 Francs, 2005, 25.00 grams, Mintage 5000, Numista Rarity Index-94. Uncirculated.

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Wildlife Protection Series - Butterfly Fish, Silver (.925), 10 Francs, 2005, 25.00 grams, Mintage 5000, Numista Rarity Index-100. Uncirculated.

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Wildlife Protection Series - Green Fish, Silver (.925), 10 Francs, 2005, 25.00 grams, Mintage 5000, Numista Rarity Index-100. Uncirculated.

Egypt, 5 Qirsh/Piastres, Sultan Husain Kamel, 1916 AD/1335 AH, modified on one side with legend ‘Cap. Smith, P 300861, 1945. Used as pendent. Very Fine, Unique.

Finland, 100th Anniversary of Birth of President Paasikivi, Silver (.500), 10 Markkaa, 1970, 22.75 grams, Numista Rarity Index-20. Uncirculated.

Wartime coins of occupied France (Set of 6). Aluminum. With its motto of 'Liberty, Equality and Fraternity', the Republic of France is synonymous with modern democracy. The Goddess of Liberty is a leitmotif of France. But the second world war changed all that. The history of the war is reflected in the coinage of France. Presented here is a set of 6 coins of 1 Franc denomination sorted year-wise from 1941-45. The 1941 coin minted before the fall of France has all the hallmarks of the Republic of France: the motto on the obverse and the effigy of the Goddess of Liberty on the reverse. After the fall of France, the coins minted in 1942-44 the obverse sports the motto 'Travail, Familie, Patrie' (meaning Work, Family, and Fatherland- the Nazi concept of society). On the reverse, the effigy of the Goddess of Liberty is replaced by an industrial motif underlining the importance of industrial production for the war effort. France is reduced to 'Etat' France, meaning a subdivision of the main (Nazi) German administration, somewhat akin to a State within a country. However, soon after the liberation of France in 1944, the coinage goes back to the motif of the Republic. There are thus two coins of 1944- pre and post-liberation. The coin of 1945 continues the trend of free France.

Coins of Nazi Germany (set of 7). Copper 2. Al-bronze 1. Aluminum 1. Zinc 3. After the rise of the Nazi party with Hitler at the helm in 1933, the coinage of Germany, especially the coinage of low denominations dramatically changed with the depiction of the Imperial Eagle holding within its claws the Swastika symbol of the Nazi party. This symbolized the unification of the country with the political party. Presented here is a set of 7 coins depicting this change. As the war entered its crucial years, an extreme shortage of metal and mineral resources led to the withdrawal of all copper, nickel, and stainless-steel coins from circulation and the release of coins minted in Zinc. Zinc is not a coinage metal and the coins, therefore, get oxidized.

Ghana, Marine Life Protection – The Leatherback Turtle, Silver (.925), 500 Sika, 26.00 grams, Mintage 5000. Uncirculated.