France, 3rd Republic 1871-1940
50 Franc 1904 A
Av: Genius standing, writing constitution, left fasces, right Gallic rooster
Rs: denomination and date in circular wreath

An old acquaintance sends his regards: buy the 5th reissue of the 50 franc in gold!

Its image dates back to the time of the French Revolution, the coin itself saw its reissue in 1904. After 1878, 1887, 1889 and 1900, the 50 francs were minted for the 5th time in 1904. The image did not change in the process. The obverse still shows the standing genius writing the constitution. The genius itself is also a borrowed motiv. Thus, he was already revered in ancient Rome as a guardian spirit. During the French Revolution, his meaning changed somewhat, now he stood for the genius that was attached to the French republican constitution. Another reference to Rome is the fasces. This small bundle of rods was assigned to high officials in Rome and symbolized the magistrates' authority. Also the cock, lat. Gallus, was already considered by the Gauls for combat readiness and vigilance.

Roman Empire
AR Denarius COS II = 195
Clodius Albinus 195-197
Av.: Belorb. Bust right
Rs.: Providentia standing left

Betrayal, murder and manslaughter - buy one of the first denarius of a betrayed emperor! Graded by NGC!

How quickly alliances could change in ancient Rome is shown by the story of Clodius Albinus, who was Roman emperor from 195-197. Through a long career in the military, he had risen to the position of legate of Britain and thus possessed command over several legions.  After the death of Commodus, he was considered one of the contenders for the titel of Roman emperor. In order to eliminate the dangerous rival, Septimus Severus offered him cooperation. Septimus appointed Clodius Albinus to Caeser and thus his deputy and potential successor. After the victory over the rival Pescennius Niger, the cooperation lapsed. Septimus had his former ally declared enemy of the state in 195 and appointed his son Caracalla as Caeser. Thereupon Clodius Albinus had himself proclaimed Augustus by his troops The offered coin dates from the period shortly after the imperial proclamation. Clodius Albinus invaded Gaul with his army. On February 19, 197 he was defeated by the troops of Septimus Severus at Lugdunum and died on the run.

Italy, Lucania/City of Metapont
AR Stater
330-300 BC.
Av.: head of Demeter with wreath of ears of corn left/right
Rs.: ear of corn, various epigraphs

Buy an Emporium coin from Metapont!

Founded by Achaean settlers, Metapont developed into one of the most important cities of "Magna Graecia". The city was located in once very fertile area. The mint mark in the form of an ear of corn is attributed to a dedication to Delphoi. The ruins of the ancient city can still be visited today.

Please note: Stock image: you order the respective coin type in comparable condition, not the coin(s) shown. Upon request, we will be happy to send you photos of the coin to be purchased, feel free to contact us.

South Africa
Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek 1852-1910
Penny 1893
Av.: Bust of President Paul Kruger to the left
Rs.: Central coat of arms of the Z.A.R.

Expand your collection of coins from Africa with a penny of the Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek!

It is not a spelling error. The Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek, or South African Republic, existed from 1857-1902 and was formed with the immigration of Boers (farmers) around 1835 in the so-called Great Trek. The territory of the republic was later known as the South African province of Transvaal. From 1857-1877 the area was independent, then it was annexed by the British. This was followed by the First Boer War, which led to renewed independence from 1881-1900. After the defeat of the Boers during the Second Boer War, the Republic was finally taken by the United Kingdom in 1900.

Russia
20 kopecks 1870
Alexander II 1855-1881
St. Petersburg
Av: coat of arms (eagle)
Rs: denomination

Buy the kopeks of a reformer who met a tragic death!

He received the nickname "Tsar Liberator" during his lifetime: Alexander II. As Tsar of Russia, he abolished serfdom in the course of the "Great Reforms" and comprehensively modernized the country. The coin offered is from the year of the reform of the city government. The tsar was not idle in foreign policy either. Thus, in 1873, he concluded the Three Emperors' Agreement with Germany and Austria-Hungary. Alexander II was finally assassinated by a grenade in 1881. This assassination was preceded a few minutes earlier by another, which, however, the tsar survived unharmed.

Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
Thaler 1673 MR
Ernst I (1640-1675)
Obv.: Crowned coat of arms surrounded by tendrils
Rev.: Symbolic representation: Wanderer is lead by an arm from the clouds.

Expand your collection with a thaler of the founder of the Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg line!

When the underaged Duke Frederick William III of Saxony-Altenburg died in 1672, his line died with him. Thus, the Altenburg inheritance dispute was triggered: The houses of Weimar and Gotha argued for the rule of the Principality.

After only a brief negotiations Ernest I of Gotha decided the matter for himself: he and his house got three quarters of the disputed territory and he called his line thereafter Saxony-Gotha-Altenburg. His eldest son Frederick I took over the government. With the incorporation of Altenburg he created the most important territorial state in Thuringia.

The allegorical image on the reverse of the coin offered refers to the events of 1672: The hand of God leads a wanderer - probably a personification of the house Gotha - through difficulties and obstacles - the inheritance dispute - to an idyllic garden - the principality of Altenburg.

Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg,
Imperial thaler 1675
Ernst I (1640-1675), called "The Pious"
On his death
Av.: Armored bust with lace collar and coat r.
Rs.: 9 lines of writing in the heraldic circle, around it inscription

New at Emporium: The Reichstaler for the death of the founder of the line Saxony-Gotha-Altenburg

Ernest I came from the noble family of the Ernestine Wettins. His father was John III of Saxe-Weimar, his mother Dorothea Maria of Anhalt. He was born in 1601 and was the ninth son of his parents.

Due to the large number of his brothers (the famous Eight Brothers of Saxony) and the resulting disputes over the inheritance of the father, Ernest came quite late to his rule. Only in 1640 - his father had died in 1605 - he agreed with his brothers William IV and Albert on the division of the Duchy of Saxe-Weimar. He received Saxony-Gotha.

In 1643 he began the construction of Friedenstein Castle as a befitting residence in Gotha (completed in 1654), one of the largest newly built palaces in Germany during the Thirty Years' War.

In 1650 he set up a new mint for his duchy. Ernst wanted above all to demonstrate his sovereignty over his brothers and relatives, because there was only sporadic mintage in Gotha.

In 1672 he named his line Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, after he could decide the inheritance dispute of Altenburg for himself and thus created the most important territorial state of Thuringia.

He died in 1675 at the age of 74 years. His eldest son, Frederick I, succeeded him as ruler of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg.

Saxony
Reichsthaler 1631 HI
John George I, 1615-1656
Av.: Armored hip portrait right
Rs.: Sixfold helmeted coat of arms

Historical

Johann Georg I (1585-1656) was the second son of the Elector Christian I of Saxony and his wife Princess Sophie of Brandenburg. In 1604 he married Princess Sybille Elisabeth of Württemberg, but she died with her child at the birth of their first child in 1607. In his second marriage he married Princess Magdalena Sibylle of Prussia, with whom he had seven children who reached adulthood.

In 1611 he took over the government of Electoral Saxony from his brother Christian II, who had died childless.

He spent a lot of time at the negotiating table and in the field, as his reign coincided with the increasingly fierce conflict between Protestants and Catholics, which ultimately culminated in the Thirty Years' War.

In the beginning, he always strove for neutrality, but in the course of the war he initially sided with the Protestants. After the Peace of Prague in 1635, he switched to the side of the Catholics and was able to make significant territorial gains.

Johann Georg was a booze-loving and hunting-loving ruler. His predilections earned him the derisive name "Bierjörge" (Beer Jester) and ensured that Saxony's coffers were always empty.

Thus the prince repeatedly came into conflict with his estates.

Saxony
Reichsthaler 1632 HI
John George I, 1615-1656
Av.: Armored hip portrait right
Rs.: Sixfold helmeted coat of arms

Historical

Johann Georg I (1585-1656) was the second son of the Elector Christian I of Saxony and his wife Princess Sophie of Brandenburg. In 1604 he married Princess Sybille Elisabeth of Württemberg, but she died with her child at the birth of their first child in 1607. In his second marriage he married Princess Magdalena Sibylle of Prussia, with whom he had seven children who reached adulthood.

In 1611 he took over the government of Electoral Saxony from his brother Christian II, who had died childless.

He spent a lot of time at the negotiating table and in the field, as his reign coincided with the increasingly fierce conflict between Protestants and Catholics, which ultimately culminated in the Thirty Years' War.

In the beginning, he always strove for neutrality, but in the course of the war he initially sided with the Protestants. After the Peace of Prague in 1635, he switched to the side of the Catholics and was able to make significant territorial gains.

Johann Georg was a booze-loving and hunting-loving ruler. His predilections earned him the derisive name "Bierjörge" (Beer Jester) and ensured that Saxony's coffers were always empty.

Thus the prince repeatedly came into conflict with his estates.

Thrace, city of Olbia,
AR drachma (mid-1st century BC).
Koson
Obv.: Bust of Artemis on Macedonian shield right.
Rev.: oak crown with inscription and club, lightning bundle left.

More unknown than its namesake, but no less valuable! Emporium Hamburg presents: The silver Koson drachm after Macodonian influence!

The original tetradrachm was minted in Amphipolis, shortly after its incorporation into the Roman Empire as a province. About 100 years later, the mint masters took it as a model and created a slightly modified version.  The name "DROUEIS" refers to the tribal affiliation of Koson. Minted around the time of the Roman Civil War, Iulius Caesar and his assassination.