The August contest is starting tonight. The rules are as follows:
Tell us what country and what series of coin from that country you like to collect, and why you collect that series. Let us know if its the design of the coin, or the history the coin is representing,..or both. If its the design, then explain to us why. If its the history that the coin represents, than tell us about the history. The best written article wins. You must post a picture of the coin. Please make the article at lest 80 words.
The winner will get an 1861 Prussian commemorative that grades AU.
The photo of the coin is not the best. I will get a better photo posted.

This contest is open to everyone in the USA. It will end on the 2nd of Sept., so there is more than enough time to write your article. The last contest winner (goldcoinlover) got his coin, (a silver 1826 Swiss 5 Batzen) and likes it very much.

The contest will now end on the 20th of Sept. Come on collectors, its a commemorative Taler and it is a problem free coin.

Hi,

Is this contest open to new members? If so, here's my entry. It's an article about something I always thought was pretty interesting, but often ignored by U.S. collectors.

---

United States and Sweden - Brothers in Coinage

It was March 1638, one large vessel and it's slightly smaller companion appear off the coast of what is now eastern New Jersey. No, this isn't a ship full of devout English men and women fleeing persecution from the British. They were protestants, but not from England. These protestants were sent by King Gustavus Adolphus II of Sweden, whose desire to obtain colonies in the New World matched even that of the three great super powers and colonizers Europe had to offer (mainly Spain, Portugal and Great Britain). His ships, the Kalmar Nyckel and the Fågel Grip brought to America the first European colonists to settle successfully in modern day Delaware, then known as Nya Sverige (New Sweden in English).

In 1937 and 1938, three hundred years after that first successful colony was established, two nations marked this very important (albeit mostly ignored in our history books) milestone in American/Swedish history with two commemorative coins. The two nations were the United States and Sweden, and their coins were the half dollar and two kronor respectively.

A group of hopeful artists submitted 40 designs for consideration by two judges. The men chosen for this task were chief engraver of the United States, John R. Sinnock and famed Canadian-American sculptor Robert T. McKenzie. The winning designer was German-born artist Carl L. Schmitz. The obverse design features his rendition of the Holy Trinity Church (The Holy Trinity Church, often referred to as the Old Swedes Church was constructed in 1698 and 1699 and serves today as America's oldest house of worship still in use) along with the familiar phrases 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', 'IN GOD WE TRUST' and the denomination. Though these were minted in early 1937, the design was approved in late 1936, which accounts for that date being featured on the obverse. The reverse features the Kalmar Nyckel (Key of Kalmar in English). It is dual-dated 1638 and 1938 and displays -in large, art deco style lettering- the words 'DELAWARE TERCENTENARY' above the great ship, along with 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' and 'LIBERTY' below it. This coin features a somewhat stylized ship, but it's Swedish counterpart seems to convey a more classical appearance.

Sweden chose to use the two kronor to commemorate the event. The silver content and diameter of Sweden's two Kronor and the U.S. half dollar are very close (the two kronor has a diameter of 31 millimeters and a contains .800 fine silver, as opposed to the U.S. half dollar which has a diameter of 30.6 millimeters and contains .900 fine silver), but the designs display a few large differences. The obverse features the portrait of king Gustaf V and the Latin wording 'GUSTAVUS · V · REX', and the reverse features the Kalmar Nyckel and the Latin wording 'NOVÆ · SUECIÆ · SUECIA · MEMOR' along with the dual dates of 1638 and 1938 and '2 KR.' (meaning two kronor). Also featured on the obverse is a large crown above the ship, as is featured on most kronors (kronor translates to crown).

Because of the similar size, silver content and subject matter of the the two issues (not to mention the pleasing designs), the collector of United States commemoratives would do well to display the two kronor piece along with his/her Delaware Tercentenary half dollar. Even if you don't own the U.S. counterpart, the two kronor is worth buying as a very interesting type coin. You need not be of Swedish ancestry or reside in the state of Delaware to appreciate the long, arduous voyage through rough seas taken by the Kalmar Nyckel and the Fågel Grip, or appreciate the aesthetically appealing aspects of the coins that honor them.

---

I don't have any photographs that I took, but is it ok if I just give you some links to coins on the World Coin Gallery?

Delaware Tercentenary half dollar:

http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/hlvs/h17.html

[url]Delaware Tercentenary two kronor:[/url]

http://worldcoingallery.com/countries/coine.php?image=img11/171-807&desc=Sweden%20km807%202%20Kronor%20(1938)%20Delaware%20Settlement&query=Sweden%20Delaware

Could you please let me know if that article is ok? If not, I wrote one about the coinage of Lundy Island that might fit better.

By the way, thanks for the opportunity to win that great coin!

Thanks for submitting your article, and it is for new members or already members.

Thank you for a very well written article. I enjoyed reading it.

Thanks!