Coins inspired by the fictional works of George R.R. Martin!
The Silver Stag of King Aegon Targaryen I
This small silver "stag" piece is from the mythical realm of Westeros shortly after the unification of that land by the event known historically as Aegons Conquest. Westeros is the scene of events taking place in the series of novels by author George R.R. Martin This particular piece is struck in appx. 2.4 grammes of coin silver (.900 fine), about 21mm in diameter, done in the "high art" style with fine engraving and a stylized portrait of King Aegon, flanked by his two sisters (and wives) Rhaenys and Visenya. The king wears a crown with three dragons heads on it. The saying that "The dragon has three heads" refers to the fact that the three siblings ruled almost as one.
The reverse of this piece shows a classic stag done in the Scythian style, and symbolizing the denomination of the coin... one "stag". By the time the stories in the novels take place, Aegon's conquest is an event of history some two to three hundred years earlier, but it is entirely likely that many examples of the coinage would endure.
The Copper Star of King Robert Baratheon
This heavy copper is from Westeros, the scene of the mythological events taking place in the series of novels by author George R.R. Martin and features the had of King Robert Baratheon late in his reign (note receding hairline). It is undated (like most ancient coins) but is thought to have been struck at the Oldtown mint around the 297th year after Aegons conquest united the seven kingdoms of Westeros. It weighs about 17 grams of pure copper.
The seven pointed star on reverse symbolized both the seven kingdoms, and the seven principles of the Sept... the predominant religion of Westeros in those days. I addition,it takes seven of these stars to equal one silver stag.
A Brothel Token from "The Peach"
This silver token is from an establishment called THE PEACH, in Stoney Sept Westeros, the scene of the mythological events taking place in the series of novels by author George R.R. Martin. Establishments of this sort are frequented by the short-statured Tyrion Lannister, a major character in the novels, and in light of this such brothel tokens are sometimes referred to as a "Dwarf's Penny" by the uncouth and uncultured. It is thought to have been struck by private arrangement at the Oldtown mint (the details of which we can only imagine as they do not appear on the mint ledgers) around the 300th year after Aegons conquest united the seven kingdoms of Westeros. The peach fruit depicted on obverse is intended to symbolize... well... perhaps well leave that to the imagination.
The reverse side is inscribed simply "ONE". In use, these tokens were purchased at the going rate from the management of the establishment to gain admittance, and then tendered to the courtesan of choice, who then turned them back in to the mangement as proof of services rendered. They seldom circulated outside the establishment except in cases where a friend would purchase one as a gift. For this reason they are considered rather rare.
The Dothraki Puli of Khal Drogo
This unusual piece is an example of "wire coinage"... that is... coins which are struck with primitive tools along a length of heavy wire, and are then cut apart as needed for use as currency. The copper "puli" are the small denomination coins. (Puli is the plural of pul) They are cut down into singles and pairs, or left in full strings of ten which can be bent into bracelets. They are also issued in silver, which are called Dengi (Dengi is the plural of Denga). They are used by the Khalasar of Khal drogo as currency, being made of captured silver using simple tools that can be easily transported with the horsemen.
Khal Drogo is of course the leader of the Khalasar when we meet him in George R.R. Martin's books. The Khalasar is a horde of fierce nomadic tribesmen. The design of these coins is actually modeled closely on the real-world wire kopeks of Ivan IV of Russia (also known as Ivan the Terrible) and shows a marauding horseman on one side, with text on the other.
The Silver Stag of Winterfell
This silver piece is of the size and weight that is known as a "Stag". It dates from some three hundred years before the copper "star" featured above... from back before Aegon's conquest, when Westeros consisted of seven independant kingdoms. The last ruler of the independant North Kingdom was Torrhen Stark, whose castle at Winterfell features heavily in the first of author George R.R. Martin's books from the Song of Ice and Fire series, A GAME OF THRONES. This piece weighs about 2.3 grams of .900 fine silver, and is about 18mm in diameter. The dies are done in a primitivistic style reminiscent of the medieval coinage of the real-world William I period. The obverse features a facing portrait of the king bearing war-hammers, with the inscription TORRHEN STARK around, and the reverse features the face of a Dire Wolf, and the inscription WINTERFELL.
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Small denomination pennies in copper are also known to have been struck in this design. They are a bit wider and heavier, and of course have a more coppery colour to them. See image below.
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The Silver Stag of Aerys II Targaryen
This silver "Stag" dates from the reign of Aerys II, the "Mad-King" and last of the Targaryen rulers of Westeros, shown holding a boar-speak and pot of "wildfire". He was defeated in battle by Robert Baratheon in AC 283 (the 283rd year after Aegon's Conquest united the isle of Westeros which had before consisted of seven independant kingdoms). The Targaryens (the "Dragons") still figure prominently in author George R.R. Martin's books from the Song of Ice and Fire series, A GAME OF THRONES, ACLASH OF KINGS, and A STORM OF SWORDS.
The reverse of the coin features a simple stag, showing its denomination, and the mintmark "OT" for Old Town.
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发表于 2008-3-28 11:22:03
发表于 2008-3-28 12:58:33
