skull and hourglass?

[jayjay78]

I have had this coin for about 10 years every once in a while iwill try and look it up ,always with no luck ...can anyone help? On one side is a two headed bird facing away from eachother ans the other is 2 towers with the date 16?? Split between the towers...... in between the towers is an hourglass and underneath that is the skull and crossbones.... if anyone can healp please do... looking for origin date.and worth......thank you again...

 

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[DevilDog812]

pretty neat looking, and apparently old too. what is the date on that? i see 16??
the only thing i have found is that it looks to be the Imperial Eagle

 

[jayjay78]

That's all I can see of it also 16?? Kinda looks like 1610 but can't be sure... thanks for the reply

 

[jayjay78]

This is as close to it as I can get....not a good camera...... and also this coin is super thin

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Looks like a 3 legged eagle on one side. This may be a tough one.

Where did you find it?

 

[Bramblefind]

Maybe a death commemorative jeton from the Holy Roman Empire/ Germany/Austria -

this one has some of the same symbols-

https://www.muenzauktion.com/rittig/item.php5?lang=en&id=80330006&ref=gal

Could the date be 1612? - that is when this Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor died:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_II,_Holy_Roman_Emperor

 

[creskol]

I don't know a whole lot about 17th century coins, so help me learn. My question is, were coins of that era as symmetrical and well struck as this one?

 

[jayjay78]

The input on the roman empire seems really close...that coin is the closest I seen to mine.. as far as it being struck and looking as clean as it does? Not sure I have a couple other 1600 coins and they are in no where near as good of shape or anything close to it... I received a big handfull of ancient coins from a foriegn lady whom I did maitnence on her house....

 

[Chug And Red]

looks like 16@9 could be a 4 next to the nine played with the Pic a little hh chug

 

[Oilfield Diver]

Bramblefind, you are on to something and most likely correct in that it is a commemorative jeton. The double eagle is without a doubt a "Prussian Eagle" - an unmistakable symbol of royalty in Germanic countries. Notice the symbolism on each side of the skull and crossbones. On the left is a symbol of birth - a dot within a broken circle and growing "grass". On the right a solid dot and what appears to be a tree without leaves and/or a funeral pyre. I believe the date to be 1619. Although wide, you can see the base outline of the one on the right side tower. The top loop of the nine with the tail line obviously obscured but no sign of a bottom circle to suggest an 8, thus 1619. During that year, a son of Maximilian II named Matthias was a Holy Roman Austrian Emperor. In 1619 Matthias passed away. A Prussian Eagle and an Austrian born Emperor that was the son of a King of Germany.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathias,_Holy_Roman_Emperor

 

[Bramblefind]

Bramblefind, you are on to something and most likely correct in that it is a commemorative jeton. The double eagle is without a doubt a "Prussian Eagle" - an unmistakable symbol of Germanic countries. Notice the symbolism on each side of the skull and crossbones. On the left is a symbol of birth - a dot within a broken circle and growing "grass". On the right a solid dot and what appears to be a tree without leaves and/or a funeral pyre. I believe the date to be 1619. Although wide, you can see the base outline of the one on the right side tower. The top loop of the nine with the tail line obviously obscured but no sign of a bottom circle to suggest an 8, thus 1619. During that year, the Holy Roman Austrian Emperor Matthias passed away. A Prussian Eagle and an Austrian born Emperor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathias,_Holy_Roman_Emperor

Excellent info

Just found this!

http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotvi...&Lot=882&Val=e1a146f9fedfcdf159e37e28c2bf15f2

Ran it through translate-

German to English translation
ROMAN-GERMAN EMPIRE

Rudolph II, 1576-1612. Raitpfennig 1585/1586, Cu. Hourglass between burning altars, bottom skull on crossbones. Rv. THV. GVTES. / HI. IN. DISER. / TIME. THE. TO / T. NO DIR. / PERIOD. MER. / GEIT. 1586th 25 mm. Prokisch D 1 / 9.

 

[Oilfield Diver]

Bramblefind! I do believe we are spot on! Excellent footwork. Rudolph II was Matthias Brother. Maximilian II, King of Germany was the father of Rudolph and Matthias. Same symbolism on the jetons, same time period, same father, and were brothers. Notice the symbolism on the jeton example you provided for Rudolph. There is no "finality" on the right side of the skull and crossbones, but what may be a star. This was not a death token for Rudolph but to commemorate something significant in 1585 - 1586. A rough Germanic translation of that coin so far is "..this time to thee . . no deadline or promises.."

 

[jayjay78]

That's is great guys.... I have looked and looked for something close to it and never found anything....that is awsome that you found this information and a coin so close To mine. Thanks fo all the asistance on it....... would anyone know the coins worth??

 

[ivan salis]

the skull & hour glass was to remind folks that their hours were "numbered" and that we all will die one day --so "be good christans" and obey your "leaders" --holy roman emperors * were not only thought of as kings but also as "religious leaders" as well.--to rebel against them would in effect damn you to hell , as well as the threat of phyiscal death in combat.