Jim Bisognani: Athena and Britannia

Well, my fellow coindexters, another month is here. Although spring may have sprung, Old Man Winter hasn't seemed to have gotten the memo and still doesn't want to relinquish his grasp. We had a nifty little snowstorm at my home on Tuesday. When will this guy get the message?

Anyway, as world markets vacillate on the words and whims of war with Iran, the numismatic market has remained calm and constantly robust. As one longtime collector, Terry, recently said, "Jim, coins are most definitely my safe place. I really enjoy being able to break away from the chaos and destruction to focus on the history and beauty of my collection. It might sound funny, but just going through some coins, which I've had for many years... well, it just takes me back to many great times and memories. It is a rather pleasant diversion from all the turmoil."

I do concur with my friend from Massachusetts. Coins are not only a hobby and business — for many of us; coins seem to take on a life of their own. The history and places those little discs have traveled and the people they have touched along the way consume us.

This is especially true of collectors who enjoy early US federal issues and Colonial issues of the 1700s. I mean, how many early patriots and other notables from our early history came in contact with them? Did small pocket change minted during the Civil War era pass through the hands of Lincoln? Or, let’s take the WABAC machine to ancient times — when holding an NGC Mint State ancient coin in your hands, think about which emperor may have held it, or had a cache of them minted in his own image as his own treasure. It is truly mindboggling. Truly amazing stuff!

Yes, my fellow coindexters. We are consumed by coins. Or, perhaps, coins are consuming us. Either way, I know for a fact that many — like Terry recently said — see coins as a hobby, an obsession, an investment and even a friend. I do see a flurry of hands being raised on that note.

Speaking of obsession as it pertains to ancient coins, my good friend and coindexter extraordinaire, Chris B. from the Garden State, recently acquired this lovely Tetradrachm from the ancient Kingdom of Thrace. The lot was included in the Stack's Bowers Manhattan sale of ancient and world coins, which took place in March.

The coin is certainly a superb Near Mint state example of this Tetradrachm struck at the Alexandria Troas Mint. Chris is an ancient coin enthusiast and lover of history. My friend pointed out to me an interesting discovery pertaining to the reverse of this classic coin. Though the reverse features a prominent and regal Athena seated on a throne, her arm resting upon a shield cradling a spear, the image conjured up something more iconic for Chris. "Jim," he said, "the reverse is a classic. I can see where the British designers got the inspiration for the reverse of their large penny."

Yes, my fellow coindexter from New Jersey got it right. The reverse of this ancient Thrace coin is certainly a dead ringer for Britannia on the British Penny, half penny and even farthing of the 1600s through the mid-20th century!

Just take a look at the evolution in the modernization of Athena — I mean, Britannia — through the centuries!

Here is a Charles II Half Penny of 1675. Notice the strong similarities between Britannia and Athena:

Made almost a century later, here is George II and Britannia adorning a 1750 British halfpenny:

And here is an 1841 British penny featuring Queen Victoria and an even more modernized Britannia!

Here again on the 1885 English one penny:

And, finally, on this last dated British penny of Edward VII's reign, a beautiful and dignified Britannia or Athena on this 1910 large copper!

Yes, my fellow coindexters, Chris' astute observation is one which makes coin collecting all the more enjoyable. History repeats itself in numismatics, just as it does in life. Designs are modified to inspire a new generation of collectors. So perhaps a collector of ancient coins will be inspired to take a look at modern coins, or vice versa.

Opportunities abound everywhere, so keep an active eye out for upcoming shows in your hometown, my fellow coindexters. Even in my more "remote" location in New Hampshire, the just-concluded New Hampshire Coin and Currency Expo in Manchester was an exciting and, perhaps, no longer an "under the radar" event. Jon Agre, owner of Coin Rarities Online (CRO), attended the show as a dealer. He described it as "perhaps the most exciting, well-attended New Hampshire coin and currency expo he's ever been a part of."

Per John, "it was one of the busiest ones that I can ever recall, and I've been going there for many years. They do a great job. They're bringing in dealers now from all over; from Chicago, Florida, even Mississippi. It has become quite the event! We sold a whole bunch of coins to a whole bunch of different customers, including coins which had been on the website, and some that were unleashed here for the very first time."

"I marvel at the high percentage of attendees who were serious collectors," he continues. "The number of these collectors was much more than pretty much anywhere else on the circuit. There were more customers looking at and buying colonial coins here than at any recent show I can recall, and based on conversations with some like-minded dealer friends, we were not the only ones to experience that."

"Then, shortly after, we then sold another colonial coin here on the bourse, which by then was becoming a solid trend bordering on an epidemic (the good kind!). I, of course, enjoy these since I like these and used to collect them myself."

John said the show had "good vibes." He said, "There was a good crowd on the bourse floor all day, and none of the dealers left until things finally started to wind down in the mid-afternoon. For us, it was an extremely productive New Hampshire show in which we bought a lot, sold plenty, saw many old and new friends and had an excellent time in a convenient venue."

Hey, even the snack bar had a high five from John. "The snack bar didn't disappoint. I had a surprisingly delicious cheeseburger that frankly did not look like it would be so good. That's part of the charm, though."

Thanks again, John, for your enlightening, engaging and entertaining insights!

Until next time, be safe, and happy collecting!

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