Head of Venus with Captives coin

Julius Caesar Denarius with the Head of Venus wearing a crown as a sign of royalty is on the left. On its right is the Trophy of Gallic arms with seated captives at either side of base, with "CAESAR" below as emblem.

Head of Julius Caesar coin

Laureate head of Julius Caesar can be seen on the left part of the images, while on its opposite are cornucopia on globe, rudder on left, caduceus and apex are emblem.

Julius Caesar Denarius coin

This coin was minted in Italy around 49 BC. On the obverse is an elephant walking and trampling on a horned serpent. Below that is the emblem "CAESAR" and on the reverse are culullus, aspergillum, axe and apex.

Historic Russian 5 Rouble Gold Coins

Back in 1902, these 5 Rouble gold coins were struck in Russia by the last Czar – Nicholas II. In that year Vladimir Illyich Lenin – who was to overthrow the government a few years later -- wrote that a "coherent, strictly controlled party of dedicated revolutionaries was a basic necessity for a revolution."

Amazingly these coins have survived both the Russian Revolution and World War II in lustrous Choice Brilliant Uncirculated quality . Each is minted from 4.3 grams of .900 fine gold (larger than a U.S. Quarter Eagle gold coin).

If only these coins could talk! They could tell how, as the Nazis began their attack on Norway, 50 tons of these old Russian gold coins and others in the Norge (Norwegian National) Bank were taken away in trucks, then moved by train, and finally by ships to the United States. Safe in American vaults, they were used by the Norwegian Government in Exile to meet wartime expenses. Later, this gold financed Norway 's joining the International Monetary Fund. And finally they were sold in 1988 in the largest such sale, as recorded by the Guinness Book of Records.

Gold coins

Merovingian gold tremissis of the moneyer Ioannes (John) of Cadolidi or Capolidi, probably early 7th century. The front shows a very crude diademed bust, probably facing left. The back shows an unusual cross, probably derived from a Byzantine cross-on-steps design. Although very little of the inscription can be read, it can be identified from its similarity to another coin, now in Paris. The location of Cadolidi/ Capolidi is uncertain. 

 Merovingian gold tremissis of the moneyer Vitalis of Paris, late 6th- early 7th century. The inscription on the front tells us that the coin was issued in Paris. The back gives the name of the moneyer, although part of the inscription is missing. The front shows a diademed bust facing right, and the back shows a cross amcrée, possibly over a globe. This coin belongs to a series that was in use from c.570/580-c.670; more precise dating will depend on testing the purity of the gold.

At Sutton Hoo, 37 Merovingian coins were found, the latest of which dates to the 620s.

Martin Van Buren’s Liberty First Spouse $10 Gold Coin President, 1837–1841

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The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 contains a provision to provide continuity of the First Spouse Gold Coin Program during those times in which a president served without a first spouse.  This provision applies to Martin Van Buren, whose wife Hannah died in 1819.  Married in 1807, Van Buren was a widower for 18 years when he became president in 1837.
The gold coins issued to accompany any president who served without a spouse will each feature a design emblematic of Liberty on its obverse, as depicted on a United States coin issued during the President’s time in office.  For Martin Van Buren’s presidency, the selected image appeared on the Liberty Seated Dime coin from 1837–1891, and was originally executed by United States Mint Engraver Christian Gobrecht. 

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Reverse Design 

Born in New York in December of 1782, Martin Van Buren holds the distinction of being the first president to be born in a newly independent Nation.  His family operated a tavern in the town of Kinderhook, a primarily Dutch enclave located on the post road between New York City and Albany.  Here, young Martin was exposed to political ideology at an early age, as local and state politicians would often gather at the Van Buren establishment as they traveled between the two cities.

Louisa Adams First Spouse $10 Gold Coin First Lady, 1825–1829Louisa Adams First Spouse $10 Gold Coin First Lady, 1825–1829

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The only first lady to be born outside the U.S., Louisa Catherine Johnson was born in 1775 in London to an American father and British mother.  The family moved to France when she was three, where she completed her education.  She met John Quincy Adams while he was serving in a diplomatic post in London and they married in 1797.  Her first time on American soil came in 1801 when John Quincy was called back from diplomatic service by President Jefferson.  She finally met her in-laws, former president John Adams and the formidable Abigail Adams, at that time.
Louisa Adams was an accomplished musician whose talents included singing, playing the harp and piano, and composing.  A prolific author, she penned both poetry and drama.  She authored a play titled Suspicion, or Persecuted Innocence while she served as first lady, in which she stressed the strengths of women.  She was the first first lady to write her memoirs, entitled Adventures of a Nobody.

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Reverse Design

For nearly six years, from 1809–1815, Louisa and John Quincy Adams lived as American diplomats in the Russian capital of St. Petersburg.  In 1814, John Quincy was summoned to The Hague to participate in peace talks to end the War of 1812.  In 1815, she and her 8-year-old son Charles began an arduous journey across much of Europe to join her husband in Paris.  While alone in Russia, Louisa not only managed the family’s affairs, but her courage and linguistic talents helped the two of them find safe passage through unfamiliar and often dangerous lands.