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 Replies: 467 / Views: 17,883 |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2605 Posts |
Question 1
(a) It was the first decimal while predecimal,
(b) and the last of it sported a French phrase.
(c) On it there was a woman,
(d) she had (among many) three grandsons, two by blood and one by marriage, whose images graced coins of their lands.
(e) All three looked to the west, but one of them only when he was not alone, and other -- only when he was.
(f) Two grandsons united in war against the third,
(g) and the end of the war found two of the three off the throne.
(h) One of the dethroned is featured on the prize coin. The coin is dated 1897 and has the face value of one.
Of course the whole riddle leads you to the discovery of what the prize coin is (so that you do not have to guess). But you need to address each item of the above riddle, (a) through (h), tell what each is talking about and, finally, name the prize.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
602 Posts |
I tried but cede to more knowledgable numismatists. Was driving me nuts. I'm sure the coin is cool as H... too. WOLF
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
Thanks for trying, wolf, keep visiting back, there will be different questions, some may be more to your liking!
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Pillar of the Community
Turkey
870 Posts |
a-) I think it is a veiled head pre-decimal Victoria Old Head Florin. It's the first step towards decimalisation in British coinage
b-)It may be its' legend, ending with "omn rex". It is Latin I think.
c-)The woman is Queen Victoria.
d-)British pre-decimal Florins and Halfcrowns have royal emblems of the lands they represent. they are, Scotland (Rampart Lion), Ireland (The Harp) and England (Three Lions).
e-)The Lions are westwards, so does the lady on the Irish symmbol Harp.
f-)Although this may be uncorrect, at this may be referring to 1916 and the political problems between the United Kingdom (England and Scotland) and Ireland.
g-)This may be referring to the current Windsorians, as they doesn't have Scottish or Irish heritage. This may be very, very far fetched however.
h-)Can it be a 1897 One Florin? It has three emblems, Scotland, Ireland and England on it.
Well, I think I am not getting it but just wanted to share my opinion. I think I am missing one or two things here, but we'll see.
Thank you for the contest Slav. :)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
The good news, molydeii, is that in about 18 and 1/2 hours you could try again.  |
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Valued Member
Canada
287 Posts |
I spent a couple of hours researching wars, and royal lineage last night. The only winner was the sand man. But I did learn a lot.
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Valued Member
Canada
287 Posts |
I thought I was close, but the French phrase has me stumped. This is really turning into quite a history lesson.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
Sorry, I thought I'd throw in a couple of doozies, otherwise it seemed very obvious to me.
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Pillar of the Community
Turkey
870 Posts |
"..otherwise it seemed very obvious to me.."
Hmmm guess you'll win the prize of this contest then.
:)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
  Reminded me of a joke: A [Scandinavian American] father wanted to mentally toughen up his son and gave him a riddle, what is green, wet, hangs on the wall and whistles? After a while the son had to give up. But it's a herring, of course!, exclaimed the father. Why would a herring hang on the wall, asked the son. You nail it there, so it hangs! Why is it green? You paint it, so it's green! Why is it wet? You just painted it! OK, OK, but why your herring whistles? Well, replied the father, I had to throw this one in so it's not too easy! |
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Valued Member
Canada
287 Posts |
That sound like the time I got a new globe and my Dad asked me where the Sea of Tranquility was.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
539 Posts |
I know I'm a little baffled as well. I thought I knew the historical context but I really lack the numismatic knowledge to be able to solve those riddles. If it still is unsolved by this evening, I'll put some more time into it. I like it, don;t get me wrong, I just have a boss who actually expects me to do something while I'm at work! Go figure
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Pillar of the Community
United States
539 Posts |
OK, I've been thinking about this (instead of working) because it really has me challenged. I clearly cannot answer the first riddle because I do not understand how (a) and (b) are tied together. I know the french phrase, I know the coins and years it is on but I don't get the (a) portion ARRGGGHH!
I don't understand what you may be after on (e) either and asking a clarifying question will certainly give it away if others haven't figured out the big pieces. So I'll contnue to ponder that one.
The rest of these I know or at least I'm pretty sure I do! I'm also pretty sure I know the prize and if I do, VERY NICE
But unless I can figure our (a) and (e), I am not going to post an answer
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2605 Posts |
I came up with the (e) part a few nights ago, tossing in bed, never wrote it down. Five minutes before question posting time I suddenly remembered it - had to edit quickly. This one I'm kinda proud of, I'd be bummed if I forgot about it.
My students always grumble when I give a test and announce that I'm particularly proud of a certain question.
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Replies: 467 / Views: 17,883 |
First Page
Posted 01/28/2011 02:06 am
