French Coins Are Out of This World: UFO and Sci-Fi Coins, Plus Alien Tokens and Parody Statehood Quarters
Did you know a flying saucer was depicted on a real 17th Century French coin? It's not a joke, nor is it a so-called 'fantasy' coin.
Like coins, old 'X Files' episodes continue to circulate (albeit in reruns). But was Fox Molder right? Are they really out there?
In a 2005 media interview your writer attended with press credentials, former American Numismatic Association president Ken Bressett was asked about a 17th century copper French coin (the size of a U.S. quarter) which has as an image 'true believers' insist is a UFO (flying saucer). Is it a UFO, or symbolic representation of the Biblical Ezekiel's wheel? Only two examples of this controversial coin exist.
Bressett said the coins "were made in the 1680s in France, and the design on one side certainly looks like it could be a flying saucer in the clouds over the countryside,"
The legend written in Latin around the rim is also mystifying. 'OPPORTUNUS ADEST' translates as 'It is here at an opportune time.' Is the object in the sky symbolic of needed rainfall, or a Biblical reference or visitors from beyond? We probably will never know for certain. It is part of the lure of numismatics that makes coin collecting so intriguing," he concluded with a little hobby hyping. Good man, that Bressett.
In 2005 the French issued a gold, silver, and a base metal commemorative series of Euro coins honoring the works of science fiction writer Jules Verne author of From Earth to the Moon et al.
The Monnaie de Paris' honored the science fiction novels of Jules Verne with a series French sci-fi commemorative coins. Initially it was thought the short series of four coins would be of interest mainly to young readers of Verne's works, and coin collectors in general. However, it appears that older, adult fans of the master story-teller have been keen about the commemorative coins as well, according to Murray Church of Euro Collections International (www.Eurocollections.com). The company distributes the Paris Mint's coins in North America.
Like coins, old 'X Files' episodes continue to circulate (albeit in reruns). But was Fox Molder right? Are they really out there?
In a 2005 media interview your writer attended with press credentials, former American Numismatic Association president Ken Bressett was asked about a 17th century copper French coin (the size of a U.S. quarter) which has as an image 'true believers' insist is a UFO (flying saucer). Is it a UFO, or symbolic representation of the Biblical Ezekiel's wheel? Only two examples of this controversial coin exist.
Bressett said the coins "were made in the 1680s in France, and the design on one side certainly looks like it could be a flying saucer in the clouds over the countryside,"
The legend written in Latin around the rim is also mystifying. 'OPPORTUNUS ADEST' translates as 'It is here at an opportune time.' Is the object in the sky symbolic of needed rainfall, or a Biblical reference or visitors from beyond? We probably will never know for certain. It is part of the lure of numismatics that makes coin collecting so intriguing," he concluded with a little hobby hyping. Good man, that Bressett.
In 2005 the French issued a gold, silver, and a base metal commemorative series of Euro coins honoring the works of science fiction writer Jules Verne author of From Earth to the Moon et al.
The Monnaie de Paris' honored the science fiction novels of Jules Verne with a series French sci-fi commemorative coins. Initially it was thought the short series of four coins would be of interest mainly to young readers of Verne's works, and coin collectors in general. However, it appears that older, adult fans of the master story-teller have been keen about the commemorative coins as well, according to Murray Church of Euro Collections International (www.Eurocollections.com). The company distributes the Paris Mint's coins in North America.
- Copyright (c) 2005 by Timothy B. Benford
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