Edito – Sunny summer
Let your collection shine!
It might have been a long time coming at some latitudes, and the sun may sometimes still struggle to peek through the clouds, but the summer months are now here.
And it’s high time to let fleur de coins and other qualities shine brightly.
Classified, as is only fitting, by category.
I – Coins of the world: colorful and plentiful
Journeys on the calendar: to the four corners of the world, for all metals and tastes. To display without delay or squirrel away for a rainy day. And this Somali shilling with its flamboyant sunbittern should add color and warmth to the mix.
Our experts’ favorite
All that glitters is not gold, or perhaps it is... This golden 4 escudos was issued in the Peruvian capital of Lima in the early 19th century. This incredibly rare coin, although it has been cleaned in the past, is well worth its weight in gold: 13.48 grams.
II – French coins: sun-blessed and august
French kings and shields of old will make your collection shine like gold. Set off on an epic voyage through kingdoms, villages, and cities, empires, duchies, and counties on horseback, but don’t forget to don a (Phrygian) bonnet to avoid sunstroke...
Our experts’ favorite
…unlike dear Louis XVI, who left his head bare and ended up losing it!
III – Ancient coins: delicate and decorated
As the ancient world was expansive, it would have been nigh on impossible to explore in a single summer, be that on your own or enlisted in an army. So, let’s avoid wandering in a world of our own or roaming the streets aimlessly and bet that its various currencies will help us appreciate and contemplate it.
Our experts’ favorite
Instead of a liter of rosé, we’d rather choose these 50 litrai from the 3rd century BC, a much rarer vintage bearing the effigy of Apollo, as beautiful as it is sunny, on this sumptuous Sicilian coin made of electrum. In this divine company, you’ll surely feel relaxed in next to no time.
IV – Banknotes of the world: illustrated and watermarked
From here to there, nomadic, colored, or stylized, the choice is as extensive as the world to explore itself.
Our experts’ favorite
And seems as we are talking about summer, sun, and vacations, we’ll slip you this specimen banknote from the very touristy island of La Réunion.
V – Medals and tokens: elegant and bronzed
Mixed styles and eras, struck and cast metals, varied themes. Which will make you melt like an ice cream in the afternoon sun? All that is left for you to do is to search for it…
Our experts’ favorite
This beautiful Italian medal made of silver from the early 19th century, engraved by Gocchi, with the effigy of Napoléon “Emperor and King of Italy”. Napoleon is represented on the averse in the Italian style with an elegant bust wearing a crown of laurels.
VI – Don’t forget to have fun!
It’s all fun and games! While it’s always nice to have fun, sometimes you also have to go for gold! With the Paris Olympics just around the corner, you can discover our themed selection here.
Francia 2 Euro
Pierre de Coubertin, BU, 2013, Monnaie de Paris, Bi-metallico
Image at the top: “The schooner” by the AI program Midjourney (2024) (All rights reserved)
