Coins
I am surprised at the different sorts of coins I have found, which I have tried to keep distinct from desktop medallions. Here are three sorts of coins:
Commemorative Euro Coins
2011 €5 coin commemorating the year of the rabbit. On the verso is Jean de La Fontaine with the 12 animals of the zodiac. $32 from Numest in Estonia through Ebay, Dec. '18.
This is a nice presentation of La Fontaine. Apparently commemorative coins are a way for governments to raise funds. This one comes in a lovely holder. I am not even sure I can figure out how to open the holder or close it again, and so I will not!
German Verse Coins
1900? A metal coin slightly over 1" in diameter showing the fox and the crow on one side and German verse on the other. $38.59 from Kevin Kelley, Harrisburg, SD, through Ebay, July, '99.
The verse reads "Wann Dein Spiel der Gegner preiset,/ Dann gieb doppelt auf Dich Acht,/ Und erinn're Dich des Raben,/ Den zuletzt der Fuchs verlacht." That is, "When your opponent praises your play, pay doubly close attention to yourself and remember the crow, on whom the fox had the last laugh." I am tempted--but afraid--to clean and polish up this old coin. Who knows what circumstances ever gave rise to the distributing of a coin like this!
Mardi Gras Dubloons
1972 "Fabled Isles" Mardi Gras doubloon. Comus. Gift of Jonathan Singer, Bronx, NY, through Ebay, Oct., '99.
On one side there is pictured and captioned "The Golden Cup of Comus," with a nice Latin phrase: "Sic volo, sic jubeo." Apparently the Comus krewe began in 1857. The fabled isles side of the coin shows an island with a classical temple wreathed in laurel. Before it lie a ship, a lyre, and two vases. What a lovely gift!
1974 Aesop's Fables Mardi Gras doubloon. Argus. Emperor Romulus. Jefferson Parish, LA. 1973. $3 from The Witch Lady, Metairie, LA, through Ebay, March, '99. Second copy for $2 from Jonathan Singer, Bronx, NY, through Ebay, Oct., '99.
What does one do with a coin that has different dates on its front and back? On the front, there are a stork with a tall vase, a grasshopper playing a violin, a Greek temple facade, a building column, and a written scroll. The back seems to feature Argus and the peacock.
1980 A Sap's Fables Mardi Gras doubloon. Knights of Momus, New Orleans. $2.25 from P. M Berry, Carmel, Indiana, through Ebay, May, '99.
On the front of a coin, a pudgy girl sticks her tongue out at the beholder, with "A Sap's Fables" written above her and "1980" below. On the back side, a knight is pictured with the legend above "Knights of Momus" and below "Dum vivimus, vivamus" (while we live, let us live). I never knew such a thing existed!
2005 Two 2005 Mardi Gras dubloons showing Proteus with trident and, on the verso, a lion with a book "Fables Famous and Familiar." $2.50 twice from Patricia Albert, Metairie, LA, through Ebay, July, '19 and Feb., '20.
I look forward to catching up well enough that I do not repeat myself in the future!
2006 Mardi Gras dubloon showing TH. Mobile: Order of Myths. "The Fables of Aesop." $15 from buy1selz2 through Ebay, May, '22.
A very happy tortoise crosses the finish line while a hurrying hare tries to catch up. The verso offers a fascinating scene. Folly has been chasing Death; at the end of Mardi Gras parade, Folly defeats Death. The Order of Myths was founded in 1867, though the maker of this coin thought it was 1868. The Order of Myths was the oldest order to celebrate Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama.
Monnaie de Paris 2021 Fable Coins
2021 Ten cardlets containing coins of Jean de La Fontaine and his fables. Illustrations by Thomas Baas. Coins designed by Joaquin Jimenez, General Engraver of Monnaie de Paris. Made in France.$68.66 from euro-commemorative through Ebay, Oct., '22. One extra at the same time of TMCM from the same seller for $6.82.
How to pay tribute to Jean de La Fontaine without mentioning the Fables? Monnaie de Paris wanted to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the poet by reinterpreting his work. The reverse of each card contains the complete fable in its original version. Both the cards and the coins are nicely executed! I negotiated with the seller to avoid the ridiculously high postal charges; for that I had to give up getting an original box.
