Juno Moneta

Yep, the Rays were even a more dramatic addition than the arrow heads. I can't agree more that today's designs are not appealing to old school collectors, the digital processing has gone too far. And while I'm complaining... I might as well mention the overall dislike I have for slabbing companies. I get the necessity as it relates to investor interests but they slab based on preservation rather than the more important factors of strike, die state, and eye-appeal. What a racket they've set up for themselves slabbing the modern issues that are basically carbon copies (really old school term) of each other. I imagine it's like having sex with one of those plastic robot chicks!

That's a great little piece of numismatic history, the arrows, and one year type, are the reason I collect 1853. They added pizazz! 

By 'type' I think we can assume, i.e. a Buffalo nickel Type 1, and Type 2, etc. So, I started with the goal of acquiring a 20th C. type set of U.S. coins, even though I'm a world and ancient collector. Then you can fine tune, i.e. collect 1909 Cents and you have several to choose to make it more interesting. You'll need an Indian, and a Lincoln, with further refinements as to VDB, which I don't consider a 'type' but rather a variety of one type. Find the Best Strike you can afford! To me, for a Type set, you want the best examples of strike to represent the designer/engravers vision. Best condition is nice but then you're buying a slabbers view of a coin that hasn't been touched. I can't say how many times, and years I spent looking for a well struck and preserved 1921 High Relief Peace Dollar, most of which have been slabbbed by now. It's laughable how the slab companies have jacked the value/prices based on their concept of MS theory. You can find an MS65 for a wicked price, nobody has touched it, but the temple locks of Miss Liberty are flat or even mashed in - I'm not paying premium for that! Instead, I found a very nice one that's only MS64 but has seen some contact with the world but the details of strike were way better than the average and makes a great Type, covering Peace and High Relief at the same time, shares a date with the Morgan, pair them up for added interest and it makes a better story in your attempt to show and and attract new collectors to the hobby of Kings, and raises, ever so slightly the value of your collection.

Kingdom issue soon after gaining independence from the Ottoman Empire and before the monarchy was established. Here is a scarce coin from the independence period of 1828-31. The phoenix represents the re-birth of Greece and independence from the Ottoman Empire (Turks). This is the one year type with the phoenix in a pearl circle (actually little heart shapes). The series was struck by the liberation hero, and first governor Ioannis Antonios Kapodistrias. His name appears on the reverse. Very Scarce. It appears that the 1830 series is somewhat distinctive. Many are more crude with the planchets exhibiting irregularities. This one was obtained from Stacks Bowers auction #159 in Baltimore (Lot# 10468, Apr. 2011). Sale price was nearly $259 w/fees. This VF example is 15.45 grams and ~ 31mm.

I have an entire on-line Moneta Museum of coins (no commercial interests) of ancient, medieval and world coins at:

Moneta Museum and Library