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This is a modest collection of second millennium gold coins
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FINLAND
Finland first came to attention in the 13th century AD when Sweden took control over the area which they held until 1809. Many wars were fought between the Swedes and Finns and Russia who finally wrested Finland from Swedish control in 1809. Finland was granted autonomy as a Grand Duchy but constant pressure to Russify the Finns led to a declaration of independence in 1917 while Russia was in the turmoil of the communist revolution. Another war with Russia erupted in 1940 and again in 1944. Finland steered a relatively neutral position until she joined the EU in 1995 after the fall of communism in the East.
The Mint of Finland was established in 1860. Production at the Mint started in the autumn of 1864 at Katajannokka.
20 Markkaa - 1910
KM-009.2 - 6,45 g
Mintage
- 0,201M
The obverse features the Russian royal arms with the Finnish lion on the shield on the breast. To the left is the country's name FINLAND in Swedish and to the right in Finnish SUOMI. The mintmaster's initial L )for Johan Conrad Lihr) is found to the right of the eagle's tailfeathers. The reverse has the denomination 20 MARKAA and date 1910 within the circle with the alloy in a ring outside the circle 0,645 GRM KUPARIA - 5,805 GRM KULTAA (5,805 grams of gold and 0,645 grams of copper).
FRANCE
Celtic Gauls populated the area between 1500 and 500 BC. After Rome became a power it invaded Gual , Gaul lost the territory to Julius Caesar in 52 BC, and by the 2nd century AD the region had been partly Christianised. After Rome declined, the Franks and other Germanic groups overran the country in the 5th century. The Middle Ages were marked by successive power struggles between warring Frankish dynasties. The Capetian Dynasty starting in the tenth century was a time of prosperity and scholarly revivalism despite continued battles with England over feudal rights. During this period, France was also embroiled in the Crusades, a holy war instigated by the Church against Moslems. The Capetian Dynasty waned by the early 15th century as France continued to fight England in the Hundred Years' War. Early in the 17th century, Cardinal Richelieu, established an absolute monarchy. Attempts at reform were made in the 1780s which led to the Revolution of 1789 that started with moderate aims but soon was under the control of the radical Jacobins who set up the First Republic in 1792. Revolutionary excesses finally led Napoleon Bonaparte to seize power in 1799. After Napoleon was defeated in 1814 (and again in 1815), Louis XVIII was given the crown. Revolution again occurred in 1848, leading to the establishment of the Second Republic in 1852 with Louis Napoleon Bonaparte as president who declared himself emperor shortly after. In 1870, the Franco-Prussian War caused the downfall of Napoleon III and the Third Republic was established. France had a series of governments including the Vichy collaborator regime of unoccupied France during WWII under WW I hero Marshal Philippe Petain.
Roman cities in Gaul struck coins during the occupation starting around the birth of Christ. Several tribes had struck copies of Roman and Greek coinage during and after this period. Official coinage was minted in France from the latter first millennium. Many bishops, noblemen, and cities established mints throughout France in the Middle Ages. The French Government had many mints in the 17th through 19th centuries located throughout the national territory. Today, there is a single mint, the Monnaie de Paris.
1 Ecu Neuf d'or - 1445
Fr-055
- 3,40 g
This coin was struck in Montpellier. The obverse has a leafy cross with a quatrilobe and cantoned four small crowns in a double quatrilobe. It also has the Latin legend XPC VINCIT XPR REGNAT XPC IMPERIAT. The reverse has the crowned royal arms of French with crowned fleur-de-lis at each side. The legend reads KAROLUS DEI GRATIA FRANCORUM REX. This king was known as Charles VII the Victorious (b1402-d1461). He was the Dauphin of France who Jeanne d'Arc served to oust the British. He ended the 100 Years War.
There are more French gold coins in this section if you are interested - Page France 1
FRANKFURT an der MAIN
1
Goldgulden - 1411-1437
Fr-937 - 3,39 g
Edge - Plain
The obverse dpictures a standing figue of St. John holding a lamb in his left hand and pointing to it with his right hand. The Latin legend around the coin reads MONETA N O FRANCFRD. The mintmaster's initial D is between John's feet. The reverse has an orb topped by a cross within a quatrefoil. There is a Maltese Cross at the top with the Latin legend SIGISMVND' * ROM-ORVM * REX (Sigismund Holy Roman King). The coin was minted under King Sigismund of Luxembourg. These goldguldens were issued in a great number of varieties by a number of cities that are in current day Germany.
GABON
15 Francs - 1960
KM-001 - 3,200 g - 208 mm
Mintage -
500
This NCLT's obverse features a bust of President Leon Mba with the date 1960 below the truncheon encircled by his title and name and the country's name in French REPUBLIQUE GABONNAISE. The reverse has an national arms with the denomination 10 Fr below. This is encircled at the top by again the country's name and, at the bottom, a French legend marking the nation's independence on 17 Aout 1960.
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