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This Week in History
Constantine the Great was baptized, May 22 337
Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great (27 Feb 272 – 22 May 337), ascended to the throne of the Roman Empire in 306 and reigned until 337. He was the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity and played a significant role in shaping the destiny of this religion, transforming it from a persecuted and marginalized faith to an influential force within the Empire. Christianity before Constantine Prior to the reign of Constantine the Great, Christianity endured relentless p
Joan of Arc is canonized as a saint, May 16 1920
Joan of Arc (c. 1412 – 30 May 1431) is a patron saint of France. She is known for her involvement in the siege of Orleans and her determination to secure the coronation of Charles VII of France amidst the Hundred Years' War. By asserting divine guidance as her driving force, Joan became a remarkable military leader, transcending traditional gender roles and earning widespread recognition as the saviour of France. Early Life Joan of Arc was born around 1412 in Domrémy, a village in nor
Louis XVI accedes to the throne of France, May 10 1774
Louis XVI (August 23, 1754–January 21, 1793) was the last king of France before the French Revolution. His failure to rule effectively and compromise led to his execution and the proclamation of the new republic. Early Life Louis XVI was born on August 23, 1754, in the Palace of Versailles, France. He was the second son of the Dauphin Louis and Marie-Josephe of Saxony. When Louis was only 11 years old, his father passed away, making him the rightful successor to the French throne. His
The Great Exhibition, May 1 1851
The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, also known as the Great Exhibition or the Crystal Palace Exhibition, was an international exhibition that took place in London, from 1 May to 15 October 1851. It was the first of the World's Fairs, displays of culture and industry that became popular in the 19th century. Organization of the event The Great Exhibition of 1851 was organized by Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, in collaboratio
The Easter Rising, April 24 1916
The Easter Rising, also known as the Easter Rebellion, was an armed insurrection in Ireland during Easter Week in April 1916. It was launched by Irish Republicans against British rule in Ireland with the intention of establishing an independent Irish Republic. This event was the most significant uprising in the country since the rebellion of 1798 and the first armed conflict of the Irish Revolutionary period. Background After the Acts of Union in 1800 were passed by the British govern
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Weekly Highlights
Roman Coins
Do you remember how you started collecting coins? Although I started out like many kids, collecting coins from pocket change, I first discovered ancient Roman coins in 1997 when I was 29 years old and on vacation in Italy with my mom and sister. While in Rome, I stopped in Roma Numismatica and was stunned to learn you could own ancient coins. I bought my first Roman coin, an antoninianus of Gordian III with Sol on the reverse, for $44.44. I still have the coin to this day and likely always will.
Experiments In Greek Minting Technique
Ancient coins. The following is a scan of the article by D. G. Sellwood in the 1963 edition of The Numismatic Chronicle. The two sample coins and publication were sold on VAuctions in September, 2016: http://www.vauctions.com/ViewArchiveItem.asp?id=32953 Lot 698. [Miscellaneous]. Lot of two modern trial strikes by David Sellwood using experimental minting techniques. Includes: AR ‘tetradrachm’. Grape bunch / Side view of triple-crested Corinthian helmet right within incuse square // A
Earliest Coinage
The practice of using coins as a medium of trade began during the Iron Age in the 7th and 6th Centuries BC, in Greece, Anatolia, India and China. Coins proved to be an efficient vehicle of exchange not only locally, but between different areas, since the coins were small and contained intrinsic value due to their composition of silver and gold. Trade obviously existed for millennia before the practice of stamping an image on a piece of metal, but once the concept of the Lydians began to spread,
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The Celator