Hammered coins are highly sought after by collectors due to their historical significance, unique designs, and the craftsmanship involved in their creation.
Hammered coins are coins that were made by hand using a hammer and a pair of dies. They were the standard method of coin production for centuries—roughly from ancient times until the 17th century, before machine-milled coinage became widespread.
How Hammered Coins Were Made
- Blank preparation: A small metal disk (called a planchet or flan) was cut or cast from gold, silver, or copper.
- Die placement:
- The bottom die (called the anvil die) was placed on a solid surface.
- The coin blank was placed on top of it.
- The top die (called the punch die) was held above.
- Striking: The mint worker struck the top die with a hammer, impressing both sides of the design onto the coin blank.
This process was manual, so:
- Coins are often irregular in shape.
- Strikes could be off-center or uneven.
- Details vary between coins even from the same die.
Where and When Were Hammered Coins Used?
Hammered coins were used:
- Across the ancient world: Greek drachmas, Roman denarii.
- In medieval Europe: English pennies, Florentine florins, French deniers.
- Throughout the Islamic Caliphates: Dinars and dirhams.
- In Asia: Indian and Chinese hammered coins (with different casting methods).
- Up to the 1600s–1700s, when milled (machine-struck) coinage began replacing them in most places.
Why Are Hammered Coins Collectible?
- Historic value: Each coin is a piece of history from a specific era, ruler, or region.
- Unique characteristics: No two are perfectly alike due to the handmade process.
- Rarity: Many were melted down or lost over time.
- Aesthetic appeal: Medieval artistry, inscriptions, and symbols hold strong appeal.
1. English Gold Noble (Edward III, 14th Century)
- Origin: England
- Date: Introduced in 1344 under Edward III
- Notable Features: Features a depiction of the king standing in a ship (symbolizing naval power). Often has Latin inscriptions and heraldic designs.
- Rarity & Value:
- Common types: $5,000 – $15,000
- Rare variants / high grade: $20,000 – $100,000+
2. Anglo-Saxon Silver Penny (e.g., Alfred the Great, Aethelred II)
- Origin: England
- Date: 8th to 11th centuries
- Notable Features: Often with portrait of the king, runic or Latin inscriptions.
- Rarity & Value:
- Common monarchs: $300 – $2,000
- Scarcer kings or mints: $5,000 – $30,000+
- Alfred the Great pennies can exceed $20,000 in high condition.
3. Gold Florin of Florence (13th–15th Century)
- Origin: Florence, Italy
- Date: c. 1252–1533
- Notable Features: Depicts St. John the Baptist and the Florentine lily; was widely used in international trade.
- Rarity & Value:
- Standard issues: $2,000 – $10,000
- Exceptional condition or rare dies: $15,000 – $50,000+
4. Spanish Gold Excelente / Ducado (Isabella and Ferdinand, 15th Century)
- Origin: Spain
- Date: c. 1470–1500s
- Notable Features: Often bears the Catholic Monarchs, heraldic shields, or religious symbolism.
- Rarity & Value:
- Standard examples: $2,500 – $10,000
- Rare dies / provenance: $15,000 – $40,000+
5. Scottish Hammered Coins (e.g., Mary Queen of Scots, James VI)
- Origin: Scotland
- Date: 14th–17th centuries
- Notable Features: Unique styles, sometimes with French or Latin inscriptions, reflecting Scotland’s Auld Alliance with France.
- Rarity & Value:
- Silver testoons / placks: $200 – $1,500
- Gold coins (unites, ryals): $3,000 – $30,000+
6. German Thalers (Late Medieval – Early Modern)
- Origin: Holy Roman Empire / various German states
- Date: c. 15th–17th centuries (some are partially machine-struck but many early ones are hammered)
- Notable Features: Portraits, detailed coats of arms, long legends. Popular for size and silver content.
- Rarity & Value:
- Common city-states: $300 – $2,000
- Rare mints / bishoprics / commemoratives: $5,000 – $50,000+
7. Islamic Dinars & Dirhams (Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphates)
- Origin: Middle East / North Africa / Iberia
- Date: 7th–10th centuries
- Notable Features: Arabic inscriptions, religious texts, early Islamic calligraphy.
- Rarity & Value:
- Common Umayyad dirhams: $200 – $1,000
- Umayyad gold dinars: $5,000 – $100,000+
- Example: The 77 AH (696 CE) dinar sold for over $4.7 million.
Bonus: Eadgar Reform Coinage (10th Century England)
- Notable: Standardized national coinage; represents an early unification of currency in England.
- Value: $500 – $5,000+ depending on condition, mint, and ruler.
Tips for Collectors:
- Provenance matters: Coins with a known history or from important hoards often fetch premiums.
- Grade is key: Condition heavily impacts price, especially for gold.
- Rarity by mint or die: Some coins are rare not because of the ruler, but due to limited production at a specific mint.
NGC stands for Numismatic Guaranty Company, a leading third-party coin grading service established in 1987. Headquartered in Sarasota, Florida, NGC has certified over 60 million coins, tokens, and medals, making it one of the most trusted names in the numismatic community
What Does NGC Do?
NGC provides expert services in:NGC Coin
- Authentication: Verifying the genuineness of coins.
- Grading: Assessing the coin’s condition using the internationally recognized Sheldon scale (1 to 70) .
- Encapsulation: Sealing coins in protective holders to preserve their condition and prevent tampering.
- Conservation: Cleaning and restoring coins to enhance their appearance without compromising their integrity.NGC Coin
NGC Grading Scale
NGC employs the Sheldon scale, ranging from 1 (poor) to 70 (perfect). In 2023, NGC introduced the NGCX scale, a 10-point system designed for modern coins (1982–present), offering a more intuitive grading approach .
NGC Guarantee
Each coin certified by NGC is backed by the NGC Guarantee, ensuring:NGC Coin+6ngccoin.uk+6NGC Coin+6
- Accuracy: Reliable authentication and grading.
- Consistency: Uniform standards applied across all coins.
- Impartiality: Objective assessments without bias.
- Security: Tamper-evident holders that protect the coin’s condition and authenticity.ngccoin.uk+4NGC Coin+4NGC Coin+4
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NGC’s services are utilized worldwide, with collectors and dealers across the globe relying on its expertise to assess and certify their coins. Its reputation for accuracy and integrity has made it a cornerstone in the numismatic industry.uscoinnews.com+11