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 Replies: 7 / Views: 2,691 |
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New Member
United Kingdom
2 Posts |
Hello, I have recently started my collection and found a strange coin in my granddad's house. I have done a fair amount of research on symbols and languages to try and find it but haven't had much luck. Any help identifying it would be very much appreciated! The pictures are not the best quality so I can upload them on here, but I can take better ones if required. Thanks!   Edited by greatbritton
09/10/2017 07:33 am
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Moderator
 United States
54282 Posts |
The first photo looks like a haloed, winged, three-toed, sheep-breasted, split-tailed, thirsty lion holding a beer stein (at night). But, seriously, here is a similar animal image I found by Googling "winged lion holding a book"  Edited by nss-52
09/10/2017 08:43 am
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Pillar of the Community
Belgium
651 Posts |
This is not a coin, but a rechenpfennig (abacus token), probably made in Nurnberg.
It shows the lion of St. Mark on one side (shield of Venice) and an orb on the other side.
The legends are illegible.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2490 Posts |
It may be hard to imagine, but there was a time when the mathematical concept of zero or nought didn't exist in Europe. It was introduced from Arabic numerals. Being from the UK you'll be familiar with the term Chancellor of the Exchequer, our nations financial overseer. The exchequer was a counting board used to work out financial transactions, somewhat like an occidental version of the abacus. Jetons were imitation coins used on the exchequer or checkerboard to simulate real money.  By the way,  |
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New Member
 United Kingdom
2 Posts |
Thanks all for your help!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1314 Posts |
alganbagerap, that is some good information. Not my field, so I got an education. Thanks.
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Pillar of the Community
Belgium
2895 Posts |
Like this counter token:  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
822 Posts |
The original item is usually called a Nuremburg token. There are many sites on Google to read more about them. From one of the sites:
worn: $20 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $70
well preserved: $200
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Replies: 7 / Views: 2,691 |
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Posted 09/10/2017 09:17 am
