Hard
Numismatic Puzzle: Pfennig, Germany 1950
Today’s puzzle is a German 1 Pfennig 1950 with the characteristic oak sprig.
Numismatic Puzzle: Taler of Moritz of Saxony (1547)
Today’s puzzle is a 1547 taler of Elector Moritz of Saxony.
Numismatic Puzzle: Reichstaler of Albrecht von Wallenstein (1627)
Today’s puzzle is a 1627 reichstaler of Albrecht von Wallenstein.
Numismatic Puzzle: Isabella I and Ferdinand II
Today’s puzzle is a Dobla Excelente (c.1497 ) of the “Catholic Monarchs” Ferdinand II of Aragón and Isabella I of Castile.
Numismatic Puzzle: St. Gaudens
US President Theodore Roosevelt thought his country’s coin designs were hideous. Renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens was commissioned to design some new coins for him. The result: a majestic Lady Liberty, as featured on this 20-dollar coin from 1916.
Numismatic Puzzle: Colorado Peaks
The US state of Colorado attracts mountaineers and nature lovers with its high summits. Therefore, they represent Colorado, which officially joined the United States in 1876 as the 38th state, in the 50 State Quarters Program.
Numismatic Puzzle: The Ideal Swiss Woman
In 1883, Switzerland introduced a new 20-franc gold coin, the highest denomination at the time. Instead of a head of state, the republican Confederates put the ideal of a Swiss woman on the obverse: Helvetia.
Numismatic Puzzle: Augsburg
Rich Augsburg could afford to build massive fortifications. However, they did not stop the Swedes from conquering the city in the Thirty Years’ War. When this taler was minted in 1641, the Bavarians had just driven out the Swedes – but not for long. And Augsburg bled.
Numismatic Puzzle: Saint George and the Dragon
In 1817, the engraver Benedetto Pistrucci created a truly evergreen design for the Royal Mint. His interpretation of England’s patron saint, the dragon-slayer George – shown here on a coin of Queen Victoria from 1887 – is still used on British coins today!