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Questions tagged [silver]

Silver is a metal elemental with atomic number of 47. Discovered in prehistoric times, since then it is considered as precious metal with high value.

0 votes
1 answer
193 views

Why do the obverse and reverse of this coin refer to different provinces?

These coins were historically minted at the Nanking mint in Kiangnan province but the obverse of this coin appears to reference the "Zhejiang" mint. I've not been able to locate any other ...
Avery Owen's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
960 views

Were North African silver certificates actually printed in 1935?

The U.S. government printed special silver certificates (U.S. Banknotes) with yellow seals (instead of red or blue seals) so if the North African campaign failed, we could devalue those notes after ...
viggity's user avatar
  • 161
1 vote
1 answer
218 views

What is this hallmark on silverware?

My family stumbled upon another piece of silverware. Sadly we cannot identify the silver mark nor do we know where the piece comes from. Someone pointed out that it might be Persian. But that did ...
Fragender's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
350 views

Can anyone help me identify this Coat of Arms?

Can anyone help me identify this coat of arms? As far as I can identify, there are 2 Lion Rampant regardant. A Pelican in her nest, a crown, a shield with stars. It is on a small galleried tray that I ...
JowTow's user avatar
  • 41
1 vote
1 answer
188 views

When and where is this probably silver cross with a hollow from?

Someone in my family came across a cross of unknown origin. We thought the material might be silver and looked for a stamp / mark. We found something... but we are not able to identify it. Please ...
Fragender's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
566 views

What taxes were legally required to be paid in silver in Qing China?

Background It is often argued that the following mechanism heavily contributed to the commencement of the opium trade between the Qing and British Empires (you are welcome to correct my understanding):...
Ludi's user avatar
  • 2,580
-1 votes
1 answer
558 views

Can someone help me identify this coin?

Here are the obverse and reverse sides of the coin. I have tried websites and coin identification apps but no luck. It was dropped into the tip jar at my job and it doesnt look like any coin I've ever ...
Alexandra Anderson's user avatar
13 votes
2 answers
1k views

In the 18th c., did/would China accept gold from Europe as trade payment? Why / why not?

In reading about the historical Opium situation in China, the silver trade is mentioned again and again. I get the impression that China only accepted silver, even though I have never seen gold ...
DrZ214's user avatar
  • 17.2k
3 votes
2 answers
203 views

Gold coin vs Silver coin exchange rate fluctuations in antiquity

Commodity prices fluctuate based on many factors (mostly use and availability). How much the exchange rate between gold and silver coins may fluctuate in a month or a year? Place: Judea & Bavel. ...
sds's user avatar
  • 27k
5 votes
1 answer
302 views

What were the largest European treasuries, in gold and silver, at the end of the Seven Years War?

From a related question, I'm now looking to compare the size of European treasuries as they existed at the end of the Seven Years War (1763). I'm only interested in gold and silver that existed in ...
DrZ214's user avatar
  • 17.2k
5 votes
1 answer
266 views

Need help interpreting "silver" hallmark - 1706?

I'm looking for some assistance in interpreting the silver hallmark in the image below. EPNS tells us it's not real silver, could 1706 really be the true date with that in mind? What does the shell-...
Fredrik's user avatar
  • 151
8 votes
2 answers
3k views

Why did silver gain prominence in trade over gold in Early Medieval Europe?

After the Roman Empire's slow decline, and its withdrawal from much of northern Europe (France, Germany, Britain), gold coin use seems to have declined to the point where it would be a rare to see any....
Alan Kael Ball's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
2k views

How did an input of resources in 16th century Spain contribute to inflation?

My history book claims that the flow of Silver from the New World to Spain in the 16th century contributed to an inflation. However, that seems very unintuitive. How could gaining resources lead to a ...
Ovi's user avatar
  • 2,094
14 votes
2 answers
860 views

White on Polish coat of arms

The Polish coat of arms is an eagle on the red field (background): In Poland it is always said that it is a White Eagle. This is mentioned in current Constitution (translated by me): Art. 28. ...
Voitcus's user avatar
  • 7,141
3 votes
1 answer
1k views

What do these hallmarks tell me about my fork and spoon set?

I'd like to know what those two hallmarks mean and what they can tell me about the fork and spoon they are on. Click to enlarge the photos I see 8 star 4, J something B. What is this something? ...
Patrick B.'s user avatar

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