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Cabinet of Curiosities V

Czas czytania: 2'17"

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...

Countermarked items

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.

Still life painting with bread (AI)
dome antique on manicure coin

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!

Faulty euros

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!

French medal Chambre Syndicale de la Bijouterie

The following selection was kindly inspired by the Chambre Syndicale de la Bijouterie (French Trade Association of Jewelry)

Moroccan coins as earings
Necklace made of Guatemalan coins

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.

Safe deposit plate

And we mustn’t forget to keep it safe!

Japanese banknote set on a box - IA background

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.

Squaring the circle engraving AI generated

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!

French mail medal

Translation: Michael Wright

Sources:

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.

Wybór opublikowany 15/08/2024