THE TWELVE COLLECTING DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
The E-Sylum (12/25/2022)
Book Content
THE TWELVE COLLECTING DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
Adam Spikes submitted this great numismatic version of the Twelve Collecting Days of Christmas. Thank you!-Editor
By David Pickup and Adam Spikes
Back in 2018, David Pickup thought he'd celebrate Christmas by trying to find twelve coins to illustrate the famous song. I've used five of his original choices but have added some I thought might be worthy of consideration. What would you have chosen? Per his original statement, This is not perfect...,
so give us grace on the coin choices we've made. I've included links to web pages for those of you who would like to research the coins further. Merry Christmas!!
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces4987.html
Two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces166667.html
Three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces21548.html
Not gonna lie, this one almost felt like I was cheating...but there just weren't many French hens to choose from.
Four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces119100.html
Often called the Raven Penny, this coin was struck for the Viking Olaf Guthfrithson who was the king of Dublin between 934-941. Also, in America we sing calling birds,
but the early English version of the 12 Days of Christmas had it as Colly birds
(or blackbirds). Though it's not technically a blackbird, the raven was the closest David (and I) could find.
Five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens,
two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree.♫
https://oldcurrencyexchange.com/2015/03/31/what-is-celtic-ring-money/
Before coinage was introduced to Britain in the Late Iron Age, people had to conduct transactions by bartering their products, goods and/or services. This process of payment and exchange may have been facilitated by gold ring money.
Six geese a-layin,' five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens,
two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces24614.html
It has 5 (not 6) geese flying (not laying) but it was the best I could find. Am I the only one who has thought that this true love
had access to way too many birds?
Seven swans a-swimmin,' six geese a-layin,' five golden rings, four calling birds,
three French hens, two turtle doves And a partridge in a pear tree.♫
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces325446.html
A beautiful series that began in 2017. This edition really pops with the black swans colorized. Next year, the 2023 release will ironically be the the seventh
release which means the song could then be edited to, Seven swans o' silver?
Eight maids a-milkin,' seven swans a-swimmin,' Six geese a-layin,'
five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens,
two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces85889.html
Neither David nor I could not find any maids a milkin'
but here is a Latvian Brown cow they could milk!
Nine lords a-leapin,' Eight maids a-milkin,' seven swans a-swimmin,' six geese a-layin,'
five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces53078.html
This lord
isn't leaping, but he was leaping
to fame when he amassed Great Britain's army during WWI and by being featured on a poster similar to our own with Uncle Sam, Your Country Needs You.
Ten ladies dancin,' nine lords a-leapin,' eight maids a-milkin,' Seven swans a-swimmin,'
six geese a-layin,' five golden rings Four calling birds, three French hens Two turtle doves,
and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces80043.html
Eleven pipers pipin,' ten ladies dancin,' nine lords a-leapin,' eight maids a-milkin,'
seven swans a-swimmin,' Six geese a-layin,' five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens,
two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫
https://www.jmbullion.com/1-oz-medieval-legends-pied-piper-silver-round/
Though this is NOT a coin and though the Pied Piper wasn't likely one of the eleven, he is a piper pipin!'
Twelve drummers drummin,' eleven pipers pipin,' ten ladies dancin,' nine lords a-leapin,'
eight maids a-milkin,' seven swans a-swimmin,' Six geese a-layin,' five golden rings,
four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree. ♫
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces56.html
I honestly couldn't think of a better way to finish up the 12 Days of Christmas than with a coin from our very own, great country. This is still one of my favorite coins of all time.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!-Editor
To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
THE TWELVE COIN COLLECTING DAYS OF CHRISTMAS(https://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n51a25.html)
