r/SilverCrowns

Mansfeld-Hinterort was one of the branches of the former County of Mansfeld, created after the county was divided among different lines of the Counts of Mansfeld in the late 15th century.

During the 1600s, the region suffered greatly from the Thirty Years' War, which caused widespread destruction, population decline, and economic hardship, while the ruling family also faced growing financial difficulties and a loss of political influence within the Holy Roman Empire.

While this piece unfortunately has a loupe soldered to the edge, it is a great example of the many different thaler types this cadet branch produced throughout the 1600s.

The Batavian Republic was the Dutch sister republic that existed from 1795 to 1806, created after French revolutionary armies invaded the Netherlands and overthrew the old Dutch Republic. Inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution, Dutch reformers known as the Patriots welcomed French support and established a new state allied with the French First Republic.

The Batavian Republic marked a major break from the decentralized Dutch Republic. It introduced a more centralized government (previously the provinces had exercised significant autonomy), sought to modernize administration and taxation, and promoted greater political equality. Although formally independent, it remained heavily influenced by France and was drawn into the wars of the revolutionary and Napoleonic era.

By the early 1800s, French leader Napoleon Bonaparte grew dissatisfied with the republic. In 1806 he dissolved it and replaced it with the Kingdom of Holland, placing his brother Louis Bonaparte on the throne.

The listing is on eBay. I understand having it in-hand is the definitive way to tell. It just looked a little off to me...Thanks for any tips or advice. I'm trying to find my first 8 Reales from the 1500s.

Been watching for this one for quite awhile. Happy it found its way to me! Very unique 8 Reales from a period of Central American history not a lot of people know.

My first crown coin, purchased in Dubai in May 2025

St. Gallen became an independent city-state in 1405, gradually freeing itself from the authority of the local abbey after years of conflict and later joining the Old Swiss Confederacy as an associate, giving it greater political stability and influence.

During the 1600s, the city experienced significant economic growth through its world-famous linen and textile industry, becoming one of Europe's leading commercial and cultural centres while attracting skilled craftsmen and international trade.

Swiss thalers are one of my favourite sub-categories of large silver coins, since they usually have cool animal motifs like this bear.

Picture from my personal coin collection

In 1868, the Glorious Revolution of Spain led to the overthrow of Queen Isabella II and establishment of a provisional government. The change of government brought about a change of coinage - no longer would Isabella's portrait be featured on Spanish coins, but instead, a new obverse was chosen - Hispania, the personification of Spain, with her feet resting near the Rock of Gibraltar and reclining on the Pyrenees, the natural border between Spain and France.

This design however, was not an original. It was first struck as an denarius by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the ~130s AD to commemorate his travel to the province of Hispania, his home province, and as part of the "Travel Series" of coins commemorating his travels throughout the Roman Empire.

This use of Roman inspired motifs and symbols was widespread in 18th and 19th century Europe, used by both emperors (such as Napoleon) and revolutionaries (such as the French Republic) to tie back to the classical world.

Various large kurus, yuzluk, beslik, atmislik & zolota coins dating from 1704 to 1812. Most stuck in lower purity silver (hope it won’t break community rules).

I've just bought my first historic coin. A 1935 rocking horse crown from a dealer and so I have joined this group.

I see that there are lots of choices even in this niche. What is your collecting strategy and how many coins do you have?

Tuscany experienced a period of enlightened reform under Leopold I in the late 1700s, abolishing torture and the death penalty while modernising its administration and economy.

After Leopold became Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor in 1790, Tuscany passed to a new ruler and soon faced increasing instability as the French Revolutionary Wars spread across Italy inciting independent movements wanting a unified Italian state.

These large Italian silvers are always nice to have, it seems like every Duchy and Principality had stable silver reserves to mint lots of them with differing types.

Just received my 3rd Specie coin, it's surprisingly big even though I already knew the measurements. But man, actually holding it is incredible.

Unfortunately the website sent me the wrong coin. They had two "identical" for sale for the same price. But i had chosen to not buy this one, because this one has that weird black dot pattern over the head.

Hopefully they will agree to swap them. But it was still awesome to finally hold it.

Year 27/1894. With chopmark.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Persia found itself in major financial trouble. Led by the Shah Mozaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar (bottom right), the Qajar dynasty started the practice of relying on foreign loans, particularly from the Russian Empire and the United Kingdom. Mozaffar’s reign was marked by growing public dissatisfaction over corruption, economic hardship, and foreign influence. Faced with widespread protests and demands for reform, he signed a constitution in 1906, creating Persia’s first elected parliament (the Majlis) and beginning the Persian Constitutional Revolution. He died only days after approving the constitution, leaving his successor to confront the resulting political upheaval.

His son, Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar opposed constitutional government and sought to restore absolute royal authority. Backed by the Russian government, he ordered the bombardment of the Majlis in 1908 and attempted to crush the constitutional movement by force. His actions sparked a civil war, and constitutionalist forces eventually captured Tehran in 1909. Mohammad Ali Shah was deposed and forced into exile, while his 11 year old son, Ahmad Shah Qajar (top right), was placed on the throne. His failed attempt to reverse constitutional reforms permanently weakened the Qajar monarchy and accelerated its decline.

In 1921, the military officer Reza Khan seized power in a coup and gradually consolidated control. Four years later, the Iranian parliament formally deposed Ahmad Shah Qajar, ending the Qajar Dynasty, and proclaimed Reza Khan as shah, founding the Pahlavi dynasty. In 1930, Ahmad Shah Qajar died in exile in Paris from influenza at age 32.

The Pahlavi dynasty ruled Iran from 1925 until 1979, pursuing rapid modernization, industrialization, and secularization under Reza Shah Pahlavi (bottom left) and later his son, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. While these reforms transformed the country, they also generated widespread opposition from religious leaders, intellectuals, and many ordinary Iranians who resented political repression, corruption, economic inequality, and perceived Western influence. Mass protests erupted in 1978, culminating in the Iranian Revolution. The shah fled Iran in January 1979, and following the return of Ruhollah Khomeini from exile, the monarchy was abolished. A national referendum established the Islamic Republic of Iran, bringing more than 2,500 years of Persian monarchy to an end.

So this coin is normally pretty common, but for this date and mint you should always check the edge. If the lettering is printed into the coin it's common. But if you get raised lettering it's a seriously rare coin. Numista lists the mintage for the normal indented edge at over 6 million, and for the relief edge just over 4000. Picked this up during my travels and not only is it rare but it hasn't been messed with and looks nice and original.

The thin coins are 1/2 ounce .999 pure, and the thicker ones are silver/copper mix and one pure copper. :)