Cabinet of Curiosities V
The cabinet of curiosities is back for a fifth installment.
When collecting, whatever it may be, the key is originality!
Original, very rare, historical, faulty, counterfeit, puzzling, surprising...unique. New selections of completely wacky coins, medals, tokens, and other banknotes...
The mysterious ones
On your marks, get set, countermark!
Countermarks have left their mark in metal throughout all periods and all across the world – sometimes unequivocal, sometimes obscure in origin, but always clearly visible.
The pragmatic ones
Manicure kits and Swiss Army knives
Did you think a coin’s only purpose was to line your wallet? Think again! Here you’ll find everything you need to cut your bread or clean your nails – that’s right!
The unmissable ones
Coins and banknotes with errors
Far from complaining about them, astute and curious collectors will pick out and hunt for errors, imperfections, one-offs, faulty coins, mistakes, misstrikes, misprints, and other involuntarily produced curiosities. And the period doesn’t make a difference – even the euro isn’t spared!
The following selection was kindly inspired by the Chambre Syndicale de la Bijouterie (French Trade Association of Jewelry)
The inseparable ones
Strings of coins
First, two curious constructions in the form of a pendant and necklace, respectively. The first is composed of Moroccan coins from the 14th century, the second of Guatemalan coins. Also worth a look is this more esoteric and classically presented item of Rose Cross jewelry.
And we mustn’t forget to keep it safe!
The calligraphied ones
Beautiful banknotes
A momme (no, not a spelling mistake of mommy), also spelled monme, is a Japanese unit of mass and former unit of currency. 1 momme was equal to exactly 3.75 g of silver. This means that while it won’t break the bank, it did produce magnificent banknotes from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
Editor’s note
You ask, we find!
Their exceptional rarity means that some articles are unfortunately no longer available. Please do not hesitate to ask our expert detectives for free help to find an item with no obligation to purchase by filling in the form provided on the page of the item of your choice.
The ambitious ones
Or squaring the circle
Circles, squares, diamonds, and even hexagons are nothing unusual, but have you heard about the coins which are slightly more ambitious than their counterparts from a geometric perspective?
And if you should decide to order one of the above-mentioned marvels, don’t forget the mailman who ensures it arrives safe and sound!
Translation: Michael Wright
Sources:
- https://en.numista.com/catalogue/japon-banknotes-1.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Momme_(unit)
- http://lesnumismates.fr/FR/ART-OBJETS.htm
Painting at the top: "Cabinet of curiosities" (detail) by the AI program Midjourney (2024)
All the pictures used as background for items have been created with the support of the AI program Midjourney.
