Coin of the Year
- We select and illustrate a particular coin for each year.
- Coins tell us much about history, and indeed provide a historical record.
- Certain coins are strongly associated with a particular date, even though there may be other dates of the same coin.
- We showcase a coin for each year which possesses some strong affinity with that date. This can be for a variety of reasons. In some years, the coin of the year is an obvious choice, in other years we have selected one from a number of candidates.
- The first dated coin was issued in 78 B.C.E. by Alexander Jannaeus, king of Judea (Israel). We would like one to photograph.
- It was only in 1234 C.E in Denmark that coins were dated according to the current system. Again. we would like one of these to photograph.
- Before that dates were generally based on whichever reign or government was currently in power. Year one began when the ruler took office.
- The first English or British coin issued with a date was a gold half sovereign of Edward VI dated MDXLVIII (1548), and the first to bear dates in Arabic numerals were silver crowns and halfcrowns dated 1551, also for Edward VI.
- Potentially there are more than 2,000 years for which pages on this site will appear. It may take us a few years to complete this project. If the year you were looking for is not present, please check back with us later.
About This Site
Why Coin of the Year
Chinese Lunar Calendar
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Dates - Years
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Alphabetical
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