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Objekt 9750

Copies

Description

Honest imitations

A generally accepted method of bringing new money into circulation was to copy a common and popular coin. In order to distinguish them from the original, distinctive marks or letters were added or amendments were made to the image.

Object description

1. Corinth and Ambracia. Corinthian staters with Pegasus, distinguished only by the letters Koppa and Alpha, 4th c. BC

Silver, struck

Inv. 1908.1469., 1908.1130.

2. Basel and Zofingen. «Turmpfennige» («tower pennies») of the Bishops of Basel and copies of the Lords of Zofingen, featuring swords instead of crosiers and with the double head of the Zurich saints Felix and Regula, around 1260/80.

Silver, struck

Inv. 1918.3903., 1941.1003., 1918.3549.

3. France and Holland. «Gros tournois» of French King Philipp IV (1285–1314) and of Count Florens V of Holland (1256/66–1296) from the treasure trove discovered at the former Jewish cemetery in Basel, around 1290/1300

Silver, struck

Inv. 1937.350.38., 1937.350.56.

Which Coin is Fake?

[left]

Genuine, but copy

Solothurn penny based on Zurich coinage, around 1300

Inv. 1957.441.415.

[right]

Genuine

Zurich penny with head of Saint Felix and «TVRECVM» for Zurich, around 1280

Inv. 1957.441.394.

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