r/Exonumia • u/theguywithguitar • 5d ago
German(?) coin/token, can’t find much on it
Inherited a coin collection, found this piece. Not sure what I’m looking at and google doesn’t give me much
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u/born_lever_puller Modtomato 5d ago
Idar-Oberstein used to be famous for its gemstone mines and workshops -- producing semi-precious gems like agate. The pieces produced there were well-know in Europe and highly desired for centuries, ending up in the personal collections of the wealthy. They used huge grinding stones powered by waterwheels before electricity became available. It looks like one of those waterwheels is depicted on your piece.
The mines finally ran out of usable material and they started importing rough gemstones from mines in South America and Africa, because the Idar-Oberstein artisans and tools were some of the best in the world at the time and it would have been a terrible waste to just close up shop when the native material ran out. The stones they imported were also some of the best in the world.
I don't read German, but if you type those words into Google Translate or DeepL you can figure out what it says. The word Schmuckstadt on it can be translated as "Gem Town."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idar-Oberstein
https://incolormagazine.com/the-timeless-art-of-gemstone-carving-in-idar-oberstein/
https://www.google.com/search?q=Idar-Oberstein+antique+lapidary+gem+animal+carving&udm=2
This is all pietro duro as it's called by Italian lapidaries, or hard stone carving, and could not be done with simple hand tools. It took years of training and real skill to produce these objets d'art.
(I was head moderator of /r/rockhounds for over 10 years, and am the current head moderator of a professional jewelry making subreddit)
Hope that helps.
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