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Modern Gold Coins

The modern era of coinage begins with the introductin of the coin press machine that was used by Nicolas Briot as mintmaster in France to Louis XIII, and then later in England when he became mintmaster to Charles I. Coins and medals could be, for the first time, minted on regular planchets, and in higher relief.

This era was also marked by the search for new sources of gold and silver by France, England, Spain, and Holland in North and South America, India, China, and Africa. This was the impetus for the era of Colonialization.

Between 1815 and 1914, a period referred to as Britain's "imperial century" by some historians, around 10 million square miles of territory and roughly 400 million people were added to the British Empire. Until its dissolution in 1858, the East India Company was key in the expansion of the British Empire in Asia. Though originally established to search for gold, the company found in India and China two of the cornerstones of the modern economy: Coporate exploitation of cheap indigenous labor, and the Drug Trade. They made Indian laborers grow opium and traded it for Tea in China. When the Chinese objected that their citizens were being turned into zombies, the British went to war to force them to accept the opium.

But Imperial Conquest and military industry can only fuel an economy so long as there are natural resources to plunder. When resources dwindle Empirialist expansion inevitably results in crushing debt, as it did for France in the 18th century and both England and Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. Unfortunately, in the history of the world, national debt has never been repaid. It is always resolved through debasement, forfeit, revolution and new war.

......................................................MODERN GOLD COINS PAGE 2

BRITISH INDIA

East India Company College (Haileybury). Sanskrit Prize-Medal (Gold) n.d. (Circa 1810), (62.69 g); 37.50 mm.

Soho mint. Signed Initial K for Conrad Heinrich Küchler (circa 1740-1810). Sari draped female figure with elephant scalp writing and walking right, left altar, right flower / / Inscription in Sanskrit: BUDDHI PRASADJANTATA SUKHAM SATVIKAM PRITKAMATMA. In centre:  SHRI VIDHYA VARAH: “Pursuit of Knowledge is Better than the Pursuit of Gold." Pudd. 948.1.2. Excessively Rare.

Mounted as brooch in a large gold frame. In original vintage jewellery case.
Exquisite AU.............................POR

BRITISH INDIA

Fort William College, Calcutta, Honorary Medal, type 2, 1816, a gold award, 45mm, (51.18g) unsigned [by the Calcutta mint], Allegorical scene of East-West Unity: mosque at left, pagoda at right (Muslim and Hindu India), sailing ship in centre background (Britain), under a rising sun. rev: legend in wreath ending june 30 mdcccxvi, (Pudd. 800.2). extremely rare.

in a contemporary red circular box Exquisite prooflike AU/UNC.........POR

BRITISH INDIA

1883 First Calcutta International Exhibition

Gold Medal , 51 mm., (58,17 grams.) By LC Wyon?

Obv. Bust of Queen Victoria in the style of Empress of India; around on a broad rim defined by a rope, CALCUTTA INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. 1883-84
Reverse: Within open wreath, AWARDED TO

The prize medals from this historic exhibition were awarded by Queen Victoria herself and were issued in most cases without the name of the winner engraved. Very Rare in gold.

Brilliant Proof Uncirculated...POR

NDIA, Princely States. Awadh. Wajid Ali Shah. 1847-1856.

AV ½ Ashrafi (18mm, 10h). Lucknow mint. Dually dated AH 1267 and RY 5 (AD 1851). Persian inscription / Coat of arms supported by mermaids. KM 376.
Superb strike and far superior to most specimens.

NGC MS64......................$1850

William Wyon was son of Peter Wyon, the cheif engraver of seals at the royal mint under George III.. William became chief engraver of the royal mint from 1824 until the time of his death in 1851 when he was succeded by his 24 year old son Leonard Charles Wyon, who was literally born at the mint. Through the course of a prolific career, L.C, designed and prepared dies for coinage and medals in virtually every country of the Empire: Australia, British East Africa, British Guiana, the West Indies, British Honduras, British India; the British India Native States of Alwar, Bikanir, Dwas and Dgar; Canada, Ceylon, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Jersey, Malta, Mauritius, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and the Straits Settlements.

The two very rare large 22 karat gold pieces below were engraved at the Royal Mint by the Chief Engraver. Would that make them medals, or patterns?

Great Britain, Victoria, (1837-1901)

1884, International Health Exhibition, Large Gold Medal, 45mm, (59.50g) by L C Wyon, veiled head left, rev figures of Health and Education to either side of globe, fruits stacked before it, (BHM 3175).Very Rare High relief on brilliant field,

Brillilant Proof Unc.............$7500

Great Britain, Victoria, (1837-1901)

1885 International Inventions and Music Exhibition, Gold Medal, 45mm, (42.25g), by L C Wyon, veiled head left, rev figures of Music and Industry, seated above plaque, (BHM 3198). Very Rare,
Frosted images on brilliant field,

Cameo Proof Unc.........$6550

Post War Gold Coins

Another consequence of this century of war was that many of the coins minted before and during the wars were melted; and though there are often mintage figures for this period they are also often unreliable. Post World War II coin mintages tend to be accurate. In this period many countries that still bore colonial affiliations were now free to throw out the European powers and claim a new independence. This was often marked by gold presentation pieces.

ISRAEL

1967 Six Day War Victory Medal dated: 5/6/67- 5/10/67
35mm (30.0g) .900 fine gold. Numbered 1211/1250. Moshe Dayan and Yitsak Rabin in front of the wailing wall/ Israeli special forces insignia.

Brilliant Uncirculated.................$1800

ETHIOPIA Menelik I

1897 Pattern Talari (Thaler) Proof Gold restrike from the silver pattern dies. (40.2g.) KM X1 Amharic legend: "He is the Conqueror, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, One Birr" Extremely Rare. Purportedly from a mintage of 10 pieces, struck by Pinches in London in 1950 to commemorate the post war liberation of Ethiopia.
NGC PF68 Cameo........................$3800

Central American Bank gold 50 Pesos 1970, ( 20 grams, 900 Fine.) KM-X1, Struck to mark the 10th anniversary of economic integration. mintage of 1500. Mimics the design of the Central American Replublic escudos.

NGC PF68 Ultra Cameo..........$1700