Portal:Numismatics
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Exonumia is the study of coin-like objects such as token coins and medals, and other items used in place of legal currency or for commemoration. Notaphily is the study of paper money or banknotes. Scripophily is the study and collection of stocks and Bonds. Numismatics is an ancient discipline, reaching as far back as Julius Caesar, who is often credited with writing the first book on numismatics. It can include the study of many different aspects relating to coins, including history, geography, economics, metallurgy, usage, and manufacturing processes.
Economic and historical studies of money's use and development are separate to the numismatists' study of money's physical embodiment (although the fields are related; economic theories of money's origin depend upon numismatics, for example).
The main Roman currency during most of the Roman Republic and the western half of the Roman Empire consisted of coins including: the aureus (gold), the denarius (silver), the sestertius (bronze), the dupondius (bronze), and the as (copper).These were used from the middle of the second century BC until the middle of the third century, a remarkably long time. They were still accepted as payment in Greek influenced territories, even though these regions issued their own base coinage. Either called Greek Imperial or Roman provincial coins.
During the third century, the denarius was replaced by the double denarius, now usually known as the antoninianus or radiate, which was then itself replaced during the monetary reform of Diocletian which created denominations such as the argenteus (silver) and the follis (silvered bronze). After the reforms Roman coinage consisted mainly of the gold solidus and small bronze denominations. This trend continued to the end of the Empire in the West.
The reverse of a 2001 Canadian Silver Maple Leaf with summer colour finish.
Photo credit: Lawrence Oei.
- ...that the American Buffalo gold bullion coin, will be the first .9999 fine 24-carat gold coin released by the United States Mint?
- ...That the Alabama centennial half dollar was the first commemorative coin minted with the image of a living individual?
- ...That Aksumite currency was the only native coinage to be issued in Africa without direct influence by an outside culture like Roman, Greek, etc...?
- ...that the 1933 Oregon Trail Memorial half dollar marked the first striking of a US commemorative at the Denver Mint?
The British Fifty Pence coin was issued on October 14, 1969 in the run-up to decimalisation. The coin× is minted from an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel. Note that the coin is not circular but an equilaterally curved heptagon. This denomination has frequently been used for commemorative purposes, and consequently there are more design variations in this coin than in any other current British denomination.
The normal reverse of the coin, designed by Christopher Ironside, depicts the seated Britannia with a lion. Three different effigies of Queen Elizabeth II have been used on the obverse.
- Bullion - Precious metals (platinum, gold and silver) in the form of bars, ingots or plate.
- Error - Usually a mis-made coin not intended for circulation, but can also refer to an engraving or die-cutting error not discovered until the coins are released to circulation.
- Exonumia is the study of coin-like objects such as token coins and medals, and other items used in place of legal currency or for commemoration.
- Fineness - Purity of precious metal content expressed in terms of one thousand parts. 90% is expressed as .900 fine.
- Notaphily is the study of paper money or banknotes.
- Scripophily is the study and collection of stocks and Bonds.
Money - Coins - Banknotes - Electronic money - Exchange rate - Legal tender - Clubs - Terminology
Ancient currency: Asia - Byzantium - Greece - Primitive Money - Roman
Modern currency: Africa - The Americas - Asia and the Pacific - Europe - Bullion coins - Challenge coin - Commemorative coin - Token coins
Economics: Banking - Bonds - Checks - Credit Cards - Fiat currency - Gold standard - Mints - Monetary union - Reserve currency - Stocks
Production: Coining (machining) - Designers - Die making - Mint (coin)
Exonumia: Cheques - Credit cards - Medals - Orders - Scripophily - Tokens
