The glories of ancient Athens are well known. From the ubiquitous photographs of the Parthenon high upon the Acropolis overlooking the city to the writings of Plato and  More »

The glories of ancient Athens are well known. From the ubiquitous photographs of the Parthenon high upon the Acropolis overlooking the city to the writings of Plato and Socrates, ancient Athens has permeated our modern lives. In fact, many foundations of our modern world have their roots in Athens, the birthplace of democracy and philosophy. Athens was a city of orators, whose convincing arguments would sway the voting populace, made up of male citizens, to change argument into policy. Perhaps Athens is so important because it gave a voice to the individual; that is, if you were qualified to speak. The transfer of power from the elite to the masses, a social phenomenon that first flourished in Athens, would revolutionize the governing structures of the world for the next two thousand years. In a way, we are all Athenians. Just looking at architecture of our nation’s capital proves the lasting impact this ancient city continues to have today. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine- made currencies. The helmeted head of Athena, warrior Goddess of wisdom, graces the obverse of this coin. She was the mythic protector of Athens and the source of the city’s name. Her attribute was the owl, depicted on the reverse of the coin, an animal also associated with wisdom, perhaps through its relation with the Goddess. This magnificent coin is a memorial to the ancient glories of Athens passed down from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.4793)   « Less

The glories of ancient Athens are well known. From the ubiquitous photographs of the Parthenon high upon the Acropolis overlooking the city to the writings of Plato and  More »

The glories of ancient Athens are well known. From the ubiquitous photographs of the Parthenon high upon the Acropolis overlooking the city to the writings of Plato and Socrates, ancient Athens has permeated our modern lives. In fact, many foundations of our modern world have their roots in Athens, the birthplace of democracy and philosophy. Athens was a city of orators, whose convincing arguments would sway the voting populace, made up of male citizens, to change argument into policy. Perhaps Athens is so important because it gave a voice to the individual; that is, if you were qualified to speak. The transfer of power from the elite to the masses, a social phenomenon that first flourished in Athens, would revolutionize the governing structures of the world for the next two thousand years. In a way, we are all Athenians. Just looking at architecture of our nation’s capital proves the lasting impact this ancient city continues to have today. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine- made currencies. The helmeted head of Athena, warrior Goddess of wisdom, graces the obverse of this coin. She was the mythic protector of Athens and the source of the city’s name. Her attribute was the owl, depicted on the reverse of the coin, an animal also associated with wisdom, perhaps through its relation with the Goddess. This magnificent coin is a memorial to the ancient glories of Athens passed down from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.4794)   « Less

The glories of ancient Athens are well known. From the ubiquitous photographs of the Parthenon high upon the Acropolis overlooking the city to the writings of Plato and  More »

The glories of ancient Athens are well known. From the ubiquitous photographs of the Parthenon high upon the Acropolis overlooking the city to the writings of Plato and Socrates, ancient Athens has permeated our modern lives. In fact, many foundations of our modern world have their roots in Athens, the birthplace of democracy and philosophy. Athens was a city of orators, whose convincing arguments would sway the voting populace, made up of male citizens, to change argument into policy. Perhaps Athens is so important because it gave a voice to the individual; that is, if you were qualified to speak. The transfer of power from the elite to the masses, a social phenomenon that first flourished in Athens, would revolutionize the governing structures of the world for the next two thousand years. In a way, we are all Athenians. Just looking at architecture of our nation’s capital proves the lasting impact this ancient city continues to have today. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine- made currencies. The helmeted head of Athena, warrior Goddess of wisdom, graces the obverse of this coin. She was the mythic protector of Athens and the source of the city’s name. Her attribute was the owl, depicted on the reverse of the coin, an animal also associated with wisdom, perhaps through its relation with the Goddess. This magnificent coin is a memorial to the ancient glories of Athens passed down from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.4825)   « Less

Six antique American A W Wood coin silver table spoons. Each spoon in this matching set weighs 46 grams ,dates from 1850 and was made in New York and is eight and one half  More »

Six antique American A W Wood coin silver table spoons. Each spoon in this matching set weighs 46 grams ,dates from 1850 and was made in New York and is eight and one half inches long. There is a engraved monogram on each of the spoons and the name A W Wood on their reverse. The letters are hard to read but they appear to say MFJ   « Less

Two exquisite,vintage hand crafted coin 900 silver plates from Guatemala.These unique pieces have a carved etched edge design. Each measures about 4 5/8 inches in  More »

Two exquisite,vintage hand crafted coin 900 silver plates from Guatemala.These unique pieces have a carved etched edge design. Each measures about 4 5/8 inches in diameter.Total weight is 6 ounces / 175 grams (on digital scale).They are hallmarked on the bottom :Coin 900 Silve rHecho en Guatemala Joyeria San Antonio Very good condition Size Overall Dimensions4.5" Dia11.4cm Dia   « Less

C Brewer Middletown Coin Silver tongs c1800. C Brewer made some of the finest Connecticut Silver in Middletown from 1778 until 1860. These are early sugar tongs dating from  More »

C Brewer Middletown Coin Silver tongs c1800. C Brewer made some of the finest Connecticut Silver in Middletown from 1778 until 1860. These are early sugar tongs dating from the turn of the 18th to 19th century. The tong end bowls were made separate and attached to the arms. Hallmarked inside C.Brewer. This pair of tongs measures 7 inches long and weights 43 grams. There is a brite cut design and monogram on its upper section. This is a very elegant piece of American Silver.   « Less

Being offered is a fine circa 1860 coin silver vase by an unknown maker but most likely Gorham, with two (2) stag heads on opposite sides of the vase, with large circular rim  More »

Being offered is a fine circa 1860 coin silver vase by an unknown maker but most likely Gorham, with two (2) stag heads on opposite sides of the vase, with large circular rim opening, all on a raised pedestal base. Dimensions: 7 inches high. Engraved 'C' monogram on body of vase. No marks. In excellent condition.   « Less

RARE SHREVE & BROWN COIN SILVER SPOON 1857 28 GRAMS Composition:Coin Silver

RARE SHREVE & BROWN COIN SILVER SPOON 1857 28 GRAMS Composition:Coin Silver   « Less

A hand-wrought coin silver set, a creamer and a sugar canister. Look inside the bowls of this coin silver hollowware, see all the silversmith's hammer marks to raise  More »

A hand-wrought coin silver set, a creamer and a sugar canister. Look inside the bowls of this coin silver hollowware, see all the silversmith's hammer marks to raise the bowls from a flat sheet of silver. Handwrought silver has a touch or feeling; the working by hand gives the silver a unique texture The item has a mellow beauty superior to metal that is rolled out under machine pressure. On the bottom you will see the maker's mark Jones, Lows & Ball, Boston. Working in Boston c. 1839, they were the forerunners of Shreve, Crump & Low Inc. in Boston. Height of sugar canister 10.25" Width 8.50" creamer height 8" Width 6.50" Commissioned by the Whitney family as both pieces bear the name Whitney in script. The following is a bit of interesting information from genealogy records. WHITNEY (By Geo. B. SEDGELEY) "The family was of high rank in England. For several generations a branch of the Whitney family of considerable wealth have lived in Boston and New York. A Whitney died in New York city in the winter of 1929 whose estate was the largest ever probated in the United States." That information offers possible provenance for the two pieces. They are in fine condition with three or four minute marks which one can see only by close examination. Please note the acorn final, the rose borders, and the double scroll handle, all typical of the early 1800 era. The pitcher is 8 1/4" to top of handle, and 7 5/8" to top of spout. The canister style sugar bowl is 9 1/4" to top of the acorn finial.   « Less

A hand-wrought coin silver set, a creamer and a sugar urn.On the inside of the bowls of this coin silver holloware see all the silversmith's hammer marks to raise the bowls  More »

A hand-wrought coin silver set, a creamer and a sugar urn.On the inside of the bowls of this coin silver holloware see all the silversmith's hammer marks to raise the bowls from a flat sheet of silver. Handwrought silver has a touch or feeling; the working by hand gives the silver a unique texture The item has a mellow beauty superior to metal that is rolled out under machine pressure. On the bottom you will see the maker's mark Jones, Lows & Ball, Boston. Working in Boston c. 1839, they were the forerunners of Shreve, Crump & Low Inc. in Boston. Height of sugar canister 10.25" Width 8.50" creamer height 8" Width 6.50" Commissioned by the Whitney family as both pieces bear the name Whitney in script. The following is a bit of interesting information from genealogy records. WHITNEY (By Geo. B. SEDGELEY) "The family was of high rank in England. For several generations a branch of the Whitney family of considerable wealth have lived in Boston and New York. A Whitney died in New York city in the winter of 1929 whose estate was the largest ever probated in the United States." That information offers possible provenance for the two pieces. They are in fine condition with three or four minute marks which one can see only by close examination. Please note the acorn final, the rose borders, and the double scroll handle, all typical of the early 1800 era. The pitcher is 8 1/4" to top of handle, and 7 5/8" to top of spout. The canister style sugar bowl is 9 1/4" to top of the acorn finial.   « Less