German Verse Coins

We have found four silver and three bronze coins, perhaps from a series of four. Just over 1" in diameter. German verse on the verso fitting the fable and even the phase of the fable in the case of FS. We know the source of only one. Several came in a small chest with two drawers under the cover, each drawer with slots for two coins.

One has to wonder about the occasion for creating or giving these coins. Celebrations of some sort? I am tempted--but afraid--to clean and polish up this old coin.

FC: $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!

FC: $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!

FG: Do not be proud to do without what is impossible to gain. Consider: someone clever like the fox is not happy to talk about grapes.

FS Before: Keep yourself from being like the fox who when prospering makes fun of his neighbor. With change of fortune the enemy will never be reconciled with the mocker.

FS After: Do not mock your enemy’s weakness when blind luck smiles on you; look, soon he gives you back your bitter mockery.

FC: "When your opponent praises your play, pay doubly close attention to yourself and remember the crow, on whom the fox had the last laugh."

FG: Do not be proud to do without what is impossible to gain. Consider: someone clever like the fox is not happy to talk about grapes.

FS Before: Keep yourself from being like the fox who when prospering makes fun of his neighbor. With change of fortune the enemy will never be reconciled with the mocker.