Not that Innocent. Three Papal coins

Here are three small copper coins bought for a few pounds each. They are all papal coins, either issued by a pope or in an area of papal rule.

 

This coin I identified by the coat of arms. It is Innocent XI 1676 -89. The other side shows the figure of St Paul

 

The inscription is BONO (NIA) DOCET. The middle line is difficult to read. Date is 164-

Bolognia was ruled by the Papacy. The phrase "Bononia Docet" means Bologna teaches and is a reference to the city’s university.

 

This coin has a door with letters  M D C which is the date 1600. The arms are those of the pope Clement VII. He was first pope to drink coffee apparently!

The door is one of the entrances to the basilicas in the Vatican and they stayed open during Jubilee (special) years such as 1600.

 

 

 

 

                                                             The Coins of Venezuela

 

This month we are looking at coins of countries that hit the headlines. One of these in Venezuela. The Bolívar is the official currency of Venezuela. It is named after the hero of South American independence Simón Bolívar, and was introduced as part of the monetary reform of 1879. It was long considered among the most stable currencies but since 1983, the currency has experienced a prolonged period of high inflation, losing value almost 500-fold.

One of the highlights of my boyhood coin collection was a small Venezuelan coin which I now know to be a Bolivar. I must have given it in 1960s when it was found in change. It is not in good condition or valuable but it fascinated me as it was made (mostly) of silver. To a young boy it was an item from an exotic, far away place.

Many of Venezuelan coin designs have changed little since the 1870s, a symbol of stability of ideals and the economy.  I suppose if you get a good design – stick to it!