Disney Princess Coins

Available in both silver and gold the third coin has now been identified.  Thus far the coins are Cinderella, Aurora, and Ariel, hree of the Disney Princesses.  Sleeping Beauty is Aurora,

Making Your Genealogy Visual - Old Coins Can Help

In Search of Ancestors

One of the more interesting hobbies is to look up your genealogy, finding ancestors, and in some cases learning interesting facts about them.  As a hobby, it can be addictive as long as you are having success.  Blockages do occur, but once a blockage is passed you can sometimes open a whole line back several generations, and that line may even branch.
Once you start and get past those ancestors with whom you are familiar, you may question the value of the search.  I did.  Yes, I had a growing list of names branching along more paths than I could follow in a single day, but a list of names is meaningless.  Yet, I was having success, and one line seemed to be well done by those who went before me, as though it were leading somewhere significant.  So, I continued on the path.  Eventually, I was astonished to find many people of historical significance in my line. 
Now, after finding several branches of less significance, I have become convinced it is much better to make things visual.  

Going Past the Names and Numbers

Seeing Adds So Much

Genealogy sites often allow you to use what others have done.  How well others have done their work is another issue.  Do you believe the other person has always done due diligence?  I have seen people try to be connected to royalty by having one ancestor a parent of another, even though the parent would not be born for two hundred years.  So, first make certain things are reasonable before accepting others’ work.  But, you can use a census, marriage records, birth records, and death records, along with any other document that can be associated with your ancestor.  But, even with a belief that you have properly documented an ancestor, what do you know about the person?  Birth and death dates, location of birth and of death, marriage date and location, and children are about what you can expect.  
If the person lived since the invention of the camera, a photographic image may be available.  I use ancestry.com, and people post images to it.  If they make the image public, you can add it to your ancestor.  This adds much, being able to see the person from whom you have come.  Older photographs are in black and white, but they add more than you can imagine.  But, your journey may go to earlier times.
One image people substitute is the family coat of arms.  You may see the same coat of arms on several other people’s trees, but remember, just like the photograph the image of the coat of arms is often copied.  If one is wrong, ten may be wrong, so check what is there in a book of heraldry.  And always remember, there are two people in each generation, and each has a family coat of arms.
Of course, as you go back in time the population decreases, so many branches lead to the same significant figures in history.  In my case I first found a few of the women marrying into one line with the title of lady.  As I got back, especially on some of their trees, I found Roman numerals after the names of some of the men.  Then, I found dukes and eventually a princess.  She was the daughter of an Emperor of the Western Holy Roman Empire.  If you can find such ancestors their images are often preserved.  Often such people sat for a portrait, which would be hung in their castle.  So, does that mean a trip to Europe?  No, others probably have found the images, or copies used in books, and posted them.  Just look at others’ trees. 
If your ancestor was a head of state, coins of the realm probably bear the person’s image.  Books on old coins can provide these, or you can collect the coins themselves.  Having an ancestor’s money can add so much to your genealogy search.  And, if your ancestor was not head of state, the coins your ancestor would have used can also be meaningful.  This gives a tangible link to your past, and is highly recommended, especially since such coins can often be bought inexpensively.
One of the more unusual images I encountered was of an ancestor who became a saint, and has been pictured in a stained glass window, probably in a church in Metz.
Another image that you might find is that of an ancestral home.  Some plantations still stand, and can be photographed, while others have been captured on film before they were destroyed.  In older homes, such as castles, images abound.  These can often be bought and hung on a wall as decorative art.  And why not go to a trophy maker and have a plaque made to place just below the castle image.  

Old Coins Do Not Have to Be Expensive

Lower Priced Coins Exist

Many inexpensive coins exist.  Just remember, minting was usually a guy with a hammer, and the coins are usually of poorer quality than coins are today.  If it looks too good, be skeptic.  And old coins predate the calendar, so they have no date on them, unless they are from a culture that used another calendar. 

Has Your Ancestor Produced Famous Work?

Are You Descendant from an Artist of Any Kind?

Having an example of an ancestor’s work can be a great visual connection to the past.  If your ancestor was an artist of any kind you might consider getting a reprint of some of that ancestor’s work.  For musical ancestors, get a copy of a piece written or sung by that ancestor, and have it mounted and framed.  It will bring you a connection in a tangible way.

One of my ancestors, if I have done my genealogy correctly, was William Smith, son of Sir John Smythe, High Sherriff.  What makes William Smith significant is he is mentioned in one of Shakespeare’s genealogy books as having been a godfather of William Shakespeare, and possibly the source of the name William that was given to Shakespeare.  Here we have a connection with Shakespeare, albeit not a direct line connection.  How can a visual representation of this be accomplished?  There are images of scenes of Shakespeare’s plays available for purchase.  Indeed, a small plaque among several would explain the connection nicely.

Color Enhanced Coins

Coins are often colorized with enamel by the issuing mint, and this can add to the coin's value.  Another enhancement is the use of gold to selectively gild a coin, which also can enhance the coin's value.  Still a third process is the addition of a hologram.  But, regardless of a coin's appearance, collectors often insist on the coin being as it left the mint, or as it has worn through handling in circulation.  Unfortunately, colorized and gilded, and probably holographic, coins are appearing on Ebay, and these often bear a Certificate of Authenticity from an entity other than the issuing mint.  Many sellers show the COA, and make it clear the coin was altered, albeit claimed to be done professionally, by an outside company.  Just be aware of these coins existence if you are insistent that your coins be as issued.  Failure to check the entire auction can lead you into purchases you would not otherwise make.  It is, of course, a good idea for any collector to know what coins are being officially issued, and in what varieties.  Keep current.

Black Spaniel Gallery Coins

Coin Books

Coin books range from lists of what was minted along with prices to specialty books on particular coins or coin groups, such as error coins.  There currentl is an abundance of books on the market.  Just follow the link and see the books available, most of which are current editions.

Coin Books

Of course the popular Red Book is still what most collectors demand for general purposes.

Colorful Songbirds of Canada

The Royal Canadian Mint is currently releasing a five coin fine silver series of coins, Colourful Songbirds of Canada.  These are half ounce coins, making them priced for a larger number of coin collectors.  These are fine silver coins!

The Colourful Songbirds of Canada coin series is a subscription series, and is also being made as individual coins.  This is a short series, and should be easy to collect.

Disney Princess Coins

The first Disney Coins came out in 2014 and those featured the popular Disney characters.  2015 is the year of the Disney Princesses.  The first of these is Cinderella





Already a second coin has been issued.  The Cinderella coin is currently available at the Royal Canadian Mint.  The above image is a link.  The case is designed to resemble a book.  This is a beautiful, highly collectible coin.

New Bison 1.25 Ounce Fine Silver Coin

The Royal Canadian Mint has released the 1.25 fine silver coin, the Bison.  This coin is new for 2015.  It should become quite popular, since it is larger than one ounce, yet not too large.  It is an excellent bullion coin.

Black Spaniel Gallery Coins

We hope to have some in the future.

Royal Mint Coins Year of the Sheep

Many countries are calling the lunar coins for 2015 Year f the Goat cins, but the Royal Mint is calling them Year of the Sheep/  There are a multitude of coins to choose from, some in silver and others in gold.  Some are proof, others not.  So, of you started collecting the Year of the Horse coins from the United Kingdom in 2014, and it is a new enough series to still get caught up, the 2015 coins are now out.

Black Spaniel Gallery Coins

We recommend that you go directly through the royal Mint for these coins.  The images below are clickable links.  The quality is high.

American Silver Eagle

The 2015 Silver American Eagle with a proof finish is scheduled to be released January 2.  This coin is always popular, so look at the mint's website for ordering information.

It should appear on Ebay soon, since many dealers pre-order.

2015 Colorful Silver coins from Canada

The royal Canadian Mint makes some incredible coins using color.  Already, several 2015 coins have been released, and tend to sell out fast.  Some colorful coins with popular topics, minted with the 2015 year, are coming out.

Black Spaniel Gallery Coins

For the coins below, the images are clickable.  We recommend the Royal Canadian Mint for the products shown, until they sell out.

Beaver

Face Value $20

This is a one ounce proof coin with mintage of 7,500.  It comes in a display case and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

The Royal Canadian Mint's website shows 79% of this issue have been sold, and there were 156 views in a 24 hour period.  This one will not likely last long.

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Baby Burrowing Owl

Face Value $20

This is a one ounce proof coin with mintage of 7,500.  It comes in a display case and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

Lake Superior

Face Value $20

This is a one ounce proof coin with mintage of 10,000.  It comes in a display case and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

The Royal Canadian Mint's website shows 83% of this issue have been sold.

Lake Superior

Face Value $20

This is a one ounce proof coin with mintage of 7,000.  It comes in a display case and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.

The Royal Canadian Mint's website shows 86% of this issue have been sold.

Majestic Moose

See Dealer lList on the royal Canadian Mint website.

Winter Scene

Face Value $10

This is a one half ounce proof coin with mintage of 8,000.  It comes in a display case and is accompanied by a numbered Certificate of Authenticity.