KOTCT

Worldwide Coins & Bank Notes => European Coins => Topic started by: AdamL on January 11, 2009, 01:37:35 PM

Title: Question on a couple of coins.
Post by: AdamL on January 11, 2009, 01:37:35 PM

First is this British 2 shillings coin. I'm wondering what Fid Def means.

Title: Re: Question on a couple of coins.
Post by: AdamL on January 11, 2009, 01:39:14 PM

I thinkI've heard it before, but I can't remember.

Title: Re: Question on a couple of coins.
Post by: AdamL on January 11, 2009, 01:40:54 PM

And, is this one from Norway?

Title: Re: Question on a couple of coins.
Post by: AdamL on January 11, 2009, 01:42:03 PM

...

Title: Re: Question on a couple of coins.
Post by: Yass on January 11, 2009, 05:38:52 PM

AdamL
The coin is from Norway
Check out the following site. It's easy to find a coin there, unless its an arabic coin which have funny dates and usually nothing to tell you which country they come from.

Gallery of World Coins (http://worldcoingallery.com/index.php)

Title: Re: Question on a couple of coins.
Post by: Triggersmob on January 11, 2009, 08:20:25 PM

FID DEF - Defender of the Faith.

Title: Re: Question on a couple of coins.
Post by: Sap on January 11, 2009, 09:37:10 PM

Yep, "Defender of the Faith". Originally a title bestowed by the Pope on King Henry VIII for openly opposing the Reformation. When Henry went Protestant himself, he and his descendants continued to use the title, to signify their headship of the Church of England.

It also appears on Australian predecimal coins, normally abbreviated as "F:D:". I believe Australia and Britain were the only countries in the Empire/Commonwealth to routinely include this title on the coins. Early series Australian coins of Elizabeth II are known as "Godless coins" because the Mint forgot to include "F:D:" in the titles.

Title: Re: Question on a couple of coins.
Post by: scottishmoney on January 11, 2009, 10:55:02 PM

Quote from: Sap on January 11, 2009, 09:37:10 PM

Yep, "Defender of the Faith". Originally a title bestowed by the Pope on King Henry VIII for openly opposing the Reformation. When Henry went Protestant himself, he and his descendants continued to use the title, to signify their headship of the Church of England.

It also appears on Australian predecimal coins, normally abbreviated as "F:D:". I believe Australia and Britain were the only countries in the Empire/Commonwealth to routinely include this title on the coins. Early series Australian coins of Elizabeth II are known as "Godless coins" because the Mint forgot to include "F:D:" in the titles.

Thus the forces opposed to the Papists use a title given to them by the Papists.  Ironic yes?

Title: Re: Question on a couple of coins.
Post by: scottishmoney on January 11, 2009, 10:56:08 PM

BTW on the Norway coins, that 1960's era coinage is one of the most fascinating around, the 1 ore has a squirrel on it - fitting for a small coin.  I would like to find a mint set ca. 1964-65 or so of that coinage.

Title: Re: Question on a couple of coins.
Post by: AdamL on January 12, 2009, 07:31:23 AM

Thank you very much everyone.
Yass, that site looks like it will be very helpfull.
And UkrainiChetire, I agree, and I would like to find one of those sets as well.