13th-century amphora with confronted hybrid figures from Al-Mina, Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection
The amphora was made in Port Saint Symeon, in the Frankish principality of Antioch, shortly before the sack of the city by the Mamluks in 1268. It features incised decoration, highlighted with malachite green and manganese brown. On the body of this piece, the artist has depicted hybrid creatures with leopards’ bodies, human heads and crescent-shaped wings. This is an example of the sphinx iconography that may be found on numerous Islamic ceramic pieces. Burāq, the mythical animal that served as the Prophet Muhammad’s mount during his night journey (the Miʿrāj), heraldic, royal and astrological representations are also part of the iconographical repertoire of amphorae from Al-Mina.
Draped Bust $5 (1795-1807) Mint: Philadelphia Mintage: 33,183 Obverse Designer: Robert Scot Reverse Designer: Robert Scot Composition: Gold Fineness: 0.9160 Weight: 8.7500g AGW: 0.2577oz Melt Value: $448.08 (4/7/2021) Diameter: 25mm Edge: Reeded
Capped Bust $5 (1807-1834) Mint: Philadelphia Mintage: 55,578 Obverse Designer: John Reich Reverse Designer: John Reich Composition: Gold Fineness: 0.9160 Weight: 8.7500g AGW: 0.2580oz Melt Value: $448.64 (4/7/2021) Diameter: 25mm Edge: Reeded
1862 Confederate States of America $100 note
Baker Library Special Collections, Harvard Business School
Printed on white paper in black ink. Images include female figure carrying a basket on her head; a steamship; telegraph lines; people standing by railroad cars. Verso: blank except for three interest paid stamps dating 1863, 1864, and 1865. Materials/Techniques: ink on paper Materials/Techniques: paper Dimensions: 8.2 x 19.7 cm. General: Serial number: "A c". ; Note in manuscript: issue number "149" in red ink; date "May 5 1862" and signatures of the Register and Treasurer in brown ink. ; Verso: note in manuscript: three interest paid stamps "INTEREST PAID TO 1ST JANUARY 1863 AT RICHMOND., INTEREST PAID TO 1ST JANUARY 1864 AT RICHMOND. INTEREST PAID TO 1ST JANUARY 1865 AT RICHMOND." Subject: Civil War era currency Inscription: "Six Months after the Ratification of a Treaty of peace between the Confederate States and the United States THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA Will pay One Hundred Dollars to bearer with Interest at two cents per day. Richmond. RECEIVABLE IN PAYMENT OF ALL DUES EXCEPT EXPORT DUTIES".
1862 Confederate States of America $100 note (2)
Mint: Philadelphia Mintage: 960 Obverse Designer: William Barber Reverse Designer: William Barber Composition: Silver Fineness: 0.9000 Weight: 27.2200g ASW: 0.7876oz Melt Value: $19.88 (4/7/2021) Diameter: 38.1mm Edge: Reeded
No mint state Trade dollars were struck in 1881, and only 960 proofs were coined. This is far fewer than the prior year's output of 1,987 pieces. However, a good number of the coins have clearly survived, as NGC has graded over 400 examples. Most tend to come with little to no cameo contrast, with only a mere 8 examples earning the ultra cameo designation.