How Far Back Can We Go? Second Edition! Ended At 1492 Waiting On 1491

I'd like to float an idea...Really you should all try it.
This illustrates well the concept that Spain was floating during the time of WWII. In the next few days I hope to see Spanish revolution era coins and stories. All I know is that the tactics and weapons used in WWII were tried out in the 30's fighting between Fascist leader Francisco Franco and Free Spaniards. This meant that Spain was in no position to enter WWII. Franco was in power during the war years but Spain could lend nothing more than a 'safe harbor' from time to time. At times to both sides, the revolt had been crushed but there were still freedom fighters.

1940 The Blitzkrieg rolled on, from fall 1939 Nazi troops took most of central Europe and crushed all resistance until Hitler stood in Paris. The Battle of Britain and Dunkirk's little ships saved the day. It seems like everyone knows this, or should with the Media-Blitz of documentaries and commemorative tokens and ceremonies (even the word Blitz is used everyday). We don't even have to mention the date which will live in infamy because everyone already knows it. But, to put it all in the same context is brilliant! A beat up piece of aluminum from war torn Spain and Brilliant Silver from all over the place. Do I hear the foot steps of a walker or two?

"Britannia Rules The Waves"



The British penny of 1940 was seemingly unaffected by the chaos of war - although it was to suffer a 3-year hiatus from 1941-3, and the coins of 1944-5 were struck in a slightly different alloy, owing to a shortage of tin (which was largely imported from Malaya).

The lighthouse to the left of Britannia first appeared on the bronze pennies of 1860. It was removed in 1895 but reinstated in 1937. It is said to represent Eddystone Lighthouse, which had been built in 1759, and so would have just celebrated its centenary when the Victorian bronze coins were introduced. The original lighthouse, now known as 'Smeaton's Tower' after its designer, was dismantled and re-erected in Plymouth in 1882 after a more modern lighthouse had been erected on the Eddystone Rocks.

British West Africa 1940 6 pence

Belgian 1940 silver 50 Francs. It's the second and less common year for this coin, circulated only weeks before the start of WW-II. The design with nine heraldic provincial shields had been proposed earlier for the 20 Francs silver coin, but was not retained. Many coins were hoarded during WW II. Hence, you often find them in a decent grade.

I thought I had one of these .. found it

India 1940 one Rupee

Australia 1940 Sixpence

I too should have some nice British stuff to throw up here as we move into the first 35 years or so of the 20th century.

I never could understand why he had the same hair-do as B.A. Baracus from the A-Team.