Help With Saint Nicholas Coin? Medal? Token?

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

Author	Replies: 8 / Views: 685
Roma2021 Pillar of the Community Italy 1130 Posts	Posted 08/05/2023 06:55 am This one is framed and simply marked "sigllio di san Nicola' .. . Seal of saint nicholas..any thoughts would be appreciated! I can't weigh it but it's probably about 36-40 mm in diameter. Edited by Roma2021 08/05/2023 07:12 am Report this Post to the Staff

tdziemia Pillar of the Community United States 7934 Posts	Posted 08/05/2023 07:18 am Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of Bari. There is at least one 12th century follaro (follis) struck in Bari with an image of Saint Nicholas on it, but it is a very small coin: https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces324034.html Your item has a similar design, and I suppose could be a seal, though my understanding is seals were normally made of lead, and this size seems large? Edited by tdziemia 08/05/2023 07:19 am Report this Post to the Staff
Roma2021 Pillar of the Community Italy 1130 Posts	Posted 08/05/2023 07:21 am @tdz, I have only seen these seals.. usually religious here in Rome, as you say, made of lead. I have no way to test the medal on this one. Could it be a modern restrike? Billion? Low carat gold? Report this Post to the Staff
Kamnaskires Pillar of the Community United States 7066 Posts	Posted 08/05/2023 11:26 am Some seals with Nicholas for comparison. https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=9737040 https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=6497549 https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=7855433 https://www.acsearch.info/search.html?id=10326793 Report this Post to the Staff
Roma2021 Pillar of the Community Italy 1130 Posts	Posted 08/05/2023 11:32 am Thanks @Kam, all I have found so far are similar lead seals and, no matter how much polish is applied, you cannot get lead to look like that . . . I am inclinded to think it's a recast souvenir type piece... It's priced at 101 euro, so it's not worth the risk until I research significantly more. Thanks! Report this Post to the Staff
Kamnaskires Pillar of the Community United States 7066 Posts	Posted 08/05/2023 11:53 am I agree, cast or coated. Report this Post to the Staff
Roma2021 Pillar of the Community Italy 1130 Posts	Posted 08/05/2023 12:05 pm It didn't show immediate signs of casting but the coating certainly takes a lot of its interest away .. to me at least. It was in a plastic frame and I have seen similar actual ancient items either glued in frames or sealed in plastic etc... Seems like it was a thing in the 70s to destroy stuff for the sake of presentation... Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34396 Posts	Posted 08/05/2023 4:21 pm A soft alloy like lead might explain why it is mounted in that jenky three-armed holder. As to the color and shininess, perhaps it was gold-plated? On the other hand it coul be just a tourist concoction as you said. I agree that a hundred Euros seems kind steep though. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff
Roma2021 Pillar of the Community Italy 1130 Posts	Posted 08/05/2023 4:29 pm @spence, I have seen enough coins damaged here by "presentation" that I stay away. It isn't worth the time, effort, and energy....for an interesting set of photos I posted some Canadian Olympic coins I liberated from heavy acrylic about a year + ago... Long sold, but lesson learned. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 8 / Views: 685

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.

All Forums Category: World Coins and Currency Forums Forum: Ancient, Greek, Roman, and Medieval Coins

Silver Gold Bull US is the United States leading bullion dealer. We deliver gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars and precious metals to your door. Order today!

The First Dollar, your premier source for bullion and rare coins. See our bullion list on the site and the coin inventory on ebay.

View Last 100 New Topics

View Last 100 Active Topics

Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us | Advertise Here | Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum

It took 0.28 seconds to rattle this change.