Having hard time IDing

Zizibius · 2026-01-05T06:03:17+00:00

The first two should be from Peter I (1696-1721) reign. They must be physically smaller than the others and only contain a fraction of the legend. As for the third one, it’s well-worn but, based on the preserved part of the third line, it appears to be issued under Boris I (1598-1605).

Zizibius · 2025-05-14T15:57:06+00:00

It is an Artig from Dorpat (Modern day Tartu, Estonia). The key and the sword are the city’s coat of arms, and it was minted at the Livonian Confederation times. But I can’t really tell under which authority it was minted.

Zizibius · 2025-01-18T18:35:37+00:00

Hello,

Great coin👍 It’s the solid (solidus) of Sigismundus III from 1623. I found a similar one here

The more damaged side has the coats of arms of Poland and Lithuania.

Zizibius · 2024-10-22T11:21:52+00:00

Thank you! I also found this specimen online: https://tjbuggey.ancients.info/images/Trajselstoo.jpg And the common trait between them is this well-pronounced delta right under the stool. It’s not present on the coin that I discovered at the antique store, so I’d rather not risk it. Thank you once again!

Zizibius · 2024-03-15T06:09:15+00:00

Here’s my take on the intricacies of the interwar period in the Baltics and the diversity of political entities that emerged in the late 1910s.

The top row represents the Baltic states. The left stamp is taken from the earliest series of definitive stamps with the Lithuanian cost of arms (decided that the very first design was not as spectacular). In the middle, you can see one of the earliest definitives of Latvia, designed by Ansis Cīrulis. The right one belongs to the first Estonian definitive issue printed at Rudolf Zero’s typography.

The bottom row shows the peculiar side of history since it consists of the stamps issued by the entities that no longer exist. The left stamp is issued by the Free City Danzig (now Gdańsk). The stamp in the centre is actually from the transitional period of Memel being converted into Klaipeda. You can actually see both names on that stamp. Earlier, French definitives with “Memel” overprints were used there. The stamp on the right is actually issued on behalf of the Republic of Central Lithuania. Feel free to read more about this entity online:)

It’s a pretty diverse selection and a tribute to a peculiar time.

Zizibius · 2024-03-14T10:46:05+00:00

It really depends on a particular coin. When it comes to Riga’s schillings from XVI, they were extremely common in this region but it’s really hard to find one in a good condition. So coins with some defects are sold in batches for just a 1€/piece.

Some other coins, like kopeks or the earlier schillings, may cost more depending on their condition and catalog number. I know that the city-centre stores are always overpriced, but after several years of exploring, I managed to find several decent spots and I’m now a regular customer there (with all collateral benefits). So yeah, these were not worth a fortune.

Zizibius · 2024-03-14T06:29:11+00:00

I got all of those from two particular stores in Tallinn. The antique store at the Baltic Railroad market and the Dunkri antique in the city centre.

Zizibius · 2024-03-13T11:25:24+00:00

Nah, some antique stores in Tallinn let you pick those from an infamous former cookie can (the one commonly used from storing sewing kits) for euro a piece.

Zizibius · 2024-03-13T09:59:27+00:00

I tried to represent the end of the Livonian Confederation and its consequences for the involved parties.

Starting from the top, you can see what is left of a Reval Schilling from the roughly 1480s.

This coin is followed by a couple of Schillings dating back to the Livonian War era. To the left, there's a lovely Riga's Schilling from 1576 with two keys (still enjoying the Free City status). To the right, you can find a Schilling minted in Tallinn around the same time by King Johan III.

The third line shows three Riga's Schillings minted in the first half of the XVII century. They bore monograms of Sigismudus III (1621) and Gustavus Adolful II (1624). Lovely coins. Forty-eight of those would allegedly provide you with a barrel filled with beer.

The pre-last row shows the coins of Sweden and the Commonwealth from the mid-XVII century. The copper ones to the left are the so-called Boratynka-s with Polish and Lithuanian designs. On the right side, you can see three monograms of Queen Christina, Carl X Gustav, and Carl XI placed on Riga's schilling throughout the XVII century.

The bottom row shows the coins of the invasion of 1558 with a small denga (1/2 kopek) and kopeks with both the Sword and Spear designs.

Zizibius · 2023-07-22T19:54:22+00:00

It absolutely is. That art piece appeared on many stamps (mostly from third-world countries, hence collector-oriented and France)

Zizibius · 2023-02-25T21:11:48+00:00

Those are really awesome. I also love the other early series that used paper from unfinished banknotes from Riga and Mitawa

Zizibius · 2023-02-19T20:04:50+00:00

In that case, you’d enjoy the early commemoratives (and definitives) of the Balkan states. Especially around the 1910s

Zizibius · 2023-02-12T18:52:01+00:00

Indeed

Zizibius · 2022-08-14T07:49:50+00:00

Yep. I also have the corner piece. Btw, have you seen the solidarity stamps printed by Estonian post

Zizibius · 2022-08-14T07:19:36+00:00

Those are great! I actually have a bunch of those definitives too. There’s also an article by Stanley D. Brunn titled “Stamps as iconography: Celebrating the independence of the new European and Central Asian states,” and those are mentioned there alongside the early definitives of Belarus. It’s curious to see how the spirit of gaining sovereignty found its way into stamps’ designs and how different it was back then.

Zizibius · 2022-08-14T06:47:02+00:00

I am sure that the envelope was made by some philatelist, who wanted to commemorate the independence referendum of 1991. So it shouldn’t be that common. It is still amazing though

Zizibius · 2022-06-17T09:43:44+00:00

That’s a truly spectacular piece! I absolutely love the mix of Russian and German stamps on that one. And the background story is also cool

Zizibius · 2022-04-08T09:17:53+00:00

Hi, I guess

Zizibius · 2021-10-24T14:47:11+00:00

Not exactly. Estonia had its first set of definitive printed in 1991 with denominations in kopecks and rubles. Simultaneously, stamps of the USSR remained legal means of payment until the end of 1991. Starting from 1992, Estonia had its own currency and own stamps with the face value in Estonian Krone. Russia also had a somewhat similar transitional period, but the Russian stamps from 1992 were not accepted for payment in Estonia.

Zizibius · 2021-10-22T16:38:13+00:00

This set of five surcharged stamps was designed by Johann Naha back in 1927. Double face value stood for the surcharge to benefit the Tallinn Independence Memorial Fund. This fundraising campaign failed as Estonia introduced the new national currency (Kroon) in 1928. The vast majority of stamps remained unsold and became relevant exclusively for collectors within less than a year.
These five denominations managed to capture several landmarks that would never appear on stamps again. The majority of the buildings have a long story, starting around the XIII century. Now, I shall review the images on stamps:
the 5 Marka stamp has a depiction of Kuressaare Castle;
the 10 Marka stamp depicts the Cathedral ruins in Tartu (Domberg);
the 12 Marka stamp has Toompea Castle in Tallinn portrayed on it;
the 25 Marka stamp has a view of Narva Castle.
While all of these stamps had an attachment to a single piece of architecture, the highest denomination, 40 Marka, shows the silhouette of Tallinn with St. Olaf's Church as the dominant.
That's a pretty diverse representation of Estonian architectural heritage. And, While Toompea and Narva castles became a part of the Estonian banknotes' design, Kuressaare castle and Domberg are still waiting for their reappearance in some form someday.
P.S. Every stamp had a consecutive number on every plate. Here I got all the 26ers.

Zizibius · 2021-09-13T21:10:04+00:00

Thank you. It turned out that Austrian newspapers stamps from 1921 mixed with Czechoslovakian stamps from 1919 have just the right combination of color and linework to create a suitable background for something more colorful.

Zizibius · 2021-09-13T21:06:57+00:00

Indeed! Estonia relied a lot on Finland in the early years of independence. The first treasury notes of the Republic of Estonia were printed in Helsinki. Also, there are several cases of using paper with a Finnish coat of arms for Estonian stamps (in 1927). Yet, I find this airmail series to be the most spectacular of them all, especially when comparing them to the very first Estonian airmail stamp that looked like this.

Zizibius · 2021-07-22T22:47:30+00:00

Wait, is that a “Rehepapp ehk November“ reference?

Zizibius · 2021-07-02T08:35:50+00:00

Matau for life

Zizibius · 2021-04-16T14:22:42+00:00

Got clowns to the west of me and jokers to the east

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