Fredonia Coin and Treasure

Flavius Iustinus Iunior Augustus, the Byzantine emperor known as Justin II, ruled the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire from 565-574AD. Although embroiled in conflict in the West, he decided to invade Persia (Iraq now) which ended disastrously. Following serious losses he went mad and rumors of the time said he was being pushed around the palace on a cart and had eaten a few of his attendants. He abdicated his thrown in 574 and died in 578AD. This coin is a pentanummium (5 nummi) with the monogram of Justin II on the obverse and a large Greek E signifying 5 on the reverse.

Sunday begins National Coin Week and the American Numismatic Association is offering a $5 annual membership during the next week. Check it out here: https://info.money.org/ncw-2021-members

Fantastic Creatures on Coins! Here is a coin of the Roman Emperor Domitian, as Caesar (heir to the thrown) from 76AD with the image of Pegasus.

During the civil war there was a serious shortage of coinage as people hoarded what they had. Postage stamps were being used as currency and people were using privately issued tokens to make purchases. In 1863 the US government began issuing Fractional Currency, small denomination bank notes, the first issue was actually intended to pay for stamps and depicts stamps. This is a 10 cent note from the first issue.

There are a lot of folks interested in coin collecting. Coin Week offers a weekly coin give-a-way that you can enter for free. If you are interested, here is the link: https://coinweekgiveaways.com//giveaway/coin-giveaway-374/

Here is another neat old coin! This is a half Groschen from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania struck under the authority of the Duke (and king of Poland) Alexander Jagiellon. It isn't dated but was struck between 1492 and 1506.

I really like ancient coins and this one has been driving me nuts trying to attribute it. At last I have it sorted out. Decentius, Caesar (heir, not emperor) 351-353 AD. I'm only going to post the reverse. One of the early Christian symbols on Roman coins.

Here is something a little different. This is a 2 Mariengroschen from 1689. The guy on the obverse is called a "Wildman" and was a common theme on 17th century coins from German States.

This was a fun one. 2 Ore from Sweden dated 1858. Did your family come from there? Perhaps this was in your ancestor's pocket when they came here! King Oscar of Sweden with the little beard and moustache many rulers of the era seemed to wear.