I thought I’d managed to sort out the “featured page” problem, but it was still there when I switched on tonight. I think I’ve fixed it now.
I’ve also fixed the small font problem. I must have adjusted it to 50% at some point when I was jabbing viciously and swearing at the slow-loading netbook. It’s now back to full size and I can read it.
This does not, of course, mean that it is worth reading.
Today I put a jital up for sale – a coin I’d never even heard of before.
It’s a small billon coin of Genghis Khan, minted shortly after 1200. Billon is an alloy of copper and silver. The Romans used it. Henry VII also used it, but he used it so that he could use some of the silver for financing his extravagant existence. His tampering with the coinage was so bad that it became known as the Great Debasement.
Meanwhile, I’m still slightly suspicious about the identification of the design as an elephant, It appears to have pointy ears, for one thing…
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I think it’s fenced in (heh) and it’s fenceposts sticking up. But frankly, perfect in coinage from the 1200’s seems a high expectation. I love the term the great debasement. Thinking maybe that’s what our government is going through right now…
Yes, it would be an accurate description of modern politics. 🙂
Wowsah!
Yes, I thought that too. And I’m not generally known for my enthusiasm. 🙂
An amazing coin
Yes, so much history in one small bit of metal.
That goes into the ‘you learn something everyday’ category. Thank you.
I always think a day is better if you learn something. 🙂
And, honestly, it’s hard to tell front from back, to the casual viewer. Maybe the elephant heard something startling…?
That would account for a certain degree of ear lifting… 🙂