Another kick for this thread Thanks for posting the shillin' Graeme My latest find ..with help from Thucydides 79.This one has mirror finish,but my photo skills don't show it. Deep toning on the reverse.The denticles and image stand out well from the toned fields.Obverse is a bit less interesting .. Loads of these were minted ..can only wonder what journey this one has been on ..
OK got it pretty simple just a first for everything, this is a can maple edge nice color toned in the seal. I will try to find a picture of a gold maple I sold a while back that had blood splattered on it and reeded edge dings in it I always wondered what the story was with it, I always imagined someone being blown away while tossing a fist full of 1oz gold maples ...
Years back I put a 2000 1oz dragon in the bath with me a couple of times (I don't remember why I would do that) and it has become a sporadic pale red colour. I know that cleaning coins is generally not wise but seeing as this colour was not obtained through age or normal wear and tear should I clean it and then let the toning begin?
I am not a fan of cleaning coins at all..no matter what the condition ..the bath time episode might just be the start of an interesting toning adventure. I would just let the process you started takes it's course form here. Who knows what it will look like in 50 years?
Love all the pics that everyone has posted, I am not a photographer but looking at the pics on here and seeing the detail up close in all the coin has sparked an interest in me. I too have some toned coins, some pre-dec and some .999 rounds that look quite unique and I would like to get some photo's of. My question is do I need a specialised camera to do this or will my little sony cyber-shot do a good enough job. What sort of camera's are you guys using, and what would a basic set up cost? Thanks in advance SS77
Welcome to the Toner thread I can't speak for other posters ,of course ,but all my pics were taken with a very basic Sony 7 Megpxal camera..I am not a photo guy,either Don't be shy about putting up your pics ..just take a few in natural light..If they are in capsules ,take them out as this avoids reflections.and try some with a flash.If you need hints beyond these just do a search on this site for Photography ..there are a few threads which can help Show us your dirties!
Ok thanks Boyou I will give it a try and just experiment as you say, my camera is 10 mp but just designed for putting in your pocket, though it does have a close up feature I think. Im starting to feel dirty getting excited about my dirties!
For coins, i use a 5 MP camera on an LG mobile phone, and the close ups were done by a digital microscope 30X that you can get on eBay delivered for up to $35. I suggest get a light source, a few loupes and start taking photos. shoot as many as you want until you think you have eeked out the best one. And pay attention to that photo, at what angle was the light source to the coin, at what angle is your camera to the coin, what type of light source is it,etc and just keep refining...
double headed eagle is to represent the double headed phoenix...its masonic,. illumanati..many secret societies use this symbol... google double headed eagle-phoenix and read up on it... by the way, i have a silver Greek 30 drachmas coin with a double headed eagle/phoenix and on the obverse there is a scull and bones symbol on the collar of the King. my coin has had a bezel added so can wear on a chain.....am not greek, paid 10 bucks for it as noticed the double headed "eagle" and the scull and bones, paid $10...thanks steve// http://colnect.com/en/coins/coin/4503-30_Drachmas_The_Royal_Wedding-Greece
Hey B & Peeps - Just wanted to share this picture from mi companero Roberto en Mexico... 8 Reales Silver 1813... What a beauty eh?!?
Very nice! I have a collection of these that are in this condition..... It is a shame that they have an ugly on the other side
That is one very nicely toned 8 ,VRS!I have an 1800 8 ..but no where near as cute as this 'n. And I have particular affection for coins from the New World.. Silver Soul,if you are considering selling any toners ..drop me a PM
More sumptuously toned silver for you. Recently picked these two American Silver Eagles up.Only the reverse is toned ,though ..just a very slight hint of gold on the obverse.I have yet to learn why this should be so for a recently minted round. Does remind me of the classic Bag Toned Morgans that only toned on one side ..the one in contact with the bag in which it sat for decades. Perhaps these have been artificially toned?
Very late reply but to answer your question - the two headed eagle was an imperial symbol of the latter Byzantine (or Eastern Roman) Empire. It's meaning as copied from Wikipedia: "In Byzantine heraldry, the heads represent the dual sovereignty of the Emperor (secular and religious) and/or dominance of the Byzantine Emperors over both East and West. In the Holy Roman Empire's heraldry, it represented the Church and the State. Several Eastern European nations adopted it from the Byzantines and continue to use it as their national symbol to this day, the most prominent being Russia." Like the copied text says other countries adopted it for their flags including Russia, Serbia, Montenegro and Albania. As the two headed eagle is associated with Byzantium and hence Orthodox Christianity, therefore the adoption of it was by mainly Orthodox states. And if you walk into an Orthodox Church anywhere (even here in Australia) chances are you will see a mosaic or wooden carving of the imperial eagle somewhere inside the Church.
I dont know the exact history of the eagle heads for coins but as i have just read this thread i remember the sumerians used it, they were the first civilisation, looks to be a symbol from the son of the first Gods. Ninurta (Nin Ur: God of War) So unless it is on a cave painting somewhere, this would be the first time it was used that we know. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-headed_eagle
I think these were minted, more for a commemorative round. Than to be circulated in numbers......Maybe someone can enlighten me here
