Phone: 609 395-1790
Email: SilverDollarRide@aol.com

Press Room

Horse Coins

Collecting Horse Coins:
Hand-held Horses and Pocket Ponies
Michael Stevens
mrxstevens@aol.com

Most horse owners feel a sense of noble kinship knowing they are the latest in a long line of equestrians participating in “The Sport of Kings.”  We also know kings and sovereigns had other interests – and the money to do pursue them.  One of these, numismatics or coin collecting, also earned a royal title as “The Hobby of Kings.” 

Fortunately, today’s horse lover doesn’t need a royal title or even a vast fortune to combine these two royal pursuits.  Throughout history, many nations have honored our beloved beasts by issuing coins depicting horses.  While it is true that some of the coins can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, most can be found in coin stores, flea markets or on the Internet for a few dollars each.  An impressive collection can be built for less than a week’s food and board!

    Austria 5 Shilling

Fun and educational

Collecting coins that feature horses can help teach the young equestrian about world history, politics and geography while having fun at the same time.  Some horse coins are thousands of years old while others can be found in today’s pocket change.  They come from all corners of the world and represent many different cultures and peoples.  Some dazzle in gold or silver, while others are made with copper or brass.  Nearly every breed can be found if you search diligently enough - even the evolutionary ancestors of today's horse can be found on coins! With such diversity, they do share one thing in common – a centuries old respect for our equine friends.  Holding a horse coin can truly be holding history in your hand.                            

The Really Old Grey Mare: Ancient Coins

The horse has been a symbol of speed, grace and power throughout recorded civilization, so it is not surprising to find the horse on many ancient coins.  The Greeks at Corinth paid tribute to Pegasus, the famed flying horse.  In the mid-fourth century, BC Greek coins minted in Calabria (in the “toe” of the boot of Italy) featured more realistic images of the horse and rider like the one pictured here.

      4th century, BC
     silver Greek coin

Not to be outdone, the Romans chose to honor the horse and its military significance from their earliest coinage.  Horses were shown carrying gods, emperors, and soldiers to greater glory – their feats made all the more impressive by the lack of stirrups on the highly detailed coins. One Roman emperor, Probus, often portrayed himself on horseback trampling a helpless captive in an effort to demonstrate his absolute power as the ruler of the Roman Empire. Chariots drawn by impressive teams of horses were also featured prominently on coins throughout the period of Roman domination.  Despite their age, many of these copper Roman coins can be found today for less than twenty-five dollars. Roman coins of silver and gold can be quite a bit more expensive, but their beauty and rich history are often worth the investment.

Horse Coins Today

Many countries have a long history of placing horses on their coins that continues to the present day.  The coins of Lithuania have for centuries featured a “Vytis” (Lithuanian for white knight) mounted on his trusty steed with sword held high.  The coins were discontinued during the period of Soviet occupation that took place after WW II. However, in 1993 the bold Vytis on his trusty steed resumed his place on the country’s coins after Lithuania regained its independence from the former Soviet Union. When Lthuania completes its plan to adopt the Euro, you can rest assured the Vytis and his horse will continue to grace the county's coinage.

Great Britain also has a long tradition of honoring St. George on horseback, holding a shield bearing the three lions as the  arms of England as he kills a dragon with his spear.   This   design first appeared on British coins in 1817 and is still in use today.  Many gold sovereigns from the 1800s and 1900s can be purchased for around $150 while silver crowns featuring the same design can be had for as little as $20.  St. George rode his mount again in 1935 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of King George V’s reign.  Often referred  to as the “rocking horse crown,” this large silver coin can be purchased for less than thirty dollars.                     

England's current monarch, Queen Elizabeth the Second, has had a life-long love of horses and is world renowned for her knowledge of equestrian bloodlines and breeding.  To commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Queen's accession to the throne, a 25 Pense coin featuring the Queen on horseback riding sidesaddle was issued in 1997. This copper-nickel coin is slightly larger and heavier than the US silver dollar and can be purchased for around six dollars.  The Queen, who has appeared on more differnt types of coins than any other person in history, rode once again on the 2002 5 Pounds coin which is available in copper-nickel ($15), silver ($50) or gold ($950).

United States Coins

While the eagle, and not the horse, is the animal most often found on US coins, horses have been seen on several commemorative coins.  The horse made its debut on the county’s first commemorative silver dollar in 1902.  Honoring the country’s indebtedness to Lafayette, this rare coin ranges from $350 to over $3000 for quality specimens.

The horse’s next appearance is more affordable.  In 1925, a silver half-dollar was issued to support the Stone Mountain Confederate Memorial in Georgia.  Generals Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee appear mounted upon their horses on the coin valued at around $40 for a lightly circulated example.  Also honoring those who fought in the Civil War, a $5 commemorative gold coin was issued in 1995.  Featuring a mounted bugler, this proof coin sells for about $265.

A new half-dollar coin honoring the 250th anniversary of George Washington’s birth was issued by the US Mint in 1982.  Our founding father appears ready to lead the troops to victory mounted on his favorite horse, Nelson.  Produced in large quantities, the coin can be found in any coins shop is quite affordable at less than ten dollars.

“Two Bits” is More Than Just Tack - The State Quarters Program

With the introduction of the 50 State Quarters® Program in 1999, each state gets an opportunity to design the reverse of the quarter to represent the state, its peoples, its history, or its accomplishments.  Very nice examples can be found in your pocket change. At twenty-five cents each, they are a very affordable starting point for your collection.

         More to come??????

   Delaware 1999     Kentucky 2001    Nevada 2006    Wyoming 2007
                            United States Mint images.

The very first State Quarter issued in 1999, Delaware, depicts the historic 1776 ride of Ceaser Rodney to reach Philadelphia in time to cast Delaware’s vote for the Declaration of Independence.  Thanks to his trusty steed, Rodney’s attendance broke the deadlock between Delaware’s two representatives and allowed for the unanimous support of the Declaration by all thirteen states.

When Kentucky chose “My Old Kentucky Home” as the theme of its quarter in 2001, it came as no surprise to find a horse as a central component of the coin’s design.  A thoroughbred racehorse looks over a fence in front of the stately mansion, Federal Hill.  Nevada honored its wild mustangs on its 2006 quarter and Wyoming brought us a bucking bronco in 2007.

For those of you keeping score of mammals honored on the State Quarters:
                                       Horses 4    Cows 1    Dogs 0    Cats 0

The real fun – Coins on the cheap!

Horses have been featured on the circulating coinage of countries around the world.  As these coins are quite inexpensive, they can give even the youngest horse enthusiast a chance to begin to build a collection.  Many coin shops have boxes full of world coins for less than one dollar each.  Part of the fun of discovery is digging through the boxes looking for the horses  Internet-savvy collectors can search for horse coins among coin dealers or through auction services such as eBay® or Yahoo!® Auctions.  Enter the words “horse” and “coin” in your Web browser and you are on your way!

Some specific coins to look for are the Irish Half Crown, the Austrian five shillings, Norway’s One or Five Krone, Spain’s 10 centisimos, and the recent coins of Bulgaria and Lithuania.  Bosnia-Herzegovina paid tribute to the Lipizzaner, the English Hack, and the Hanoverian in the mid-1990s.  Greek, Turkish, Russian, Czech, Canadian and Mexican coins featuring horses are easy to find and are affordable.  Adding to the fun, 2002 was “The Year of the Horse” in the Chinese zodiac and many counties issued special commemorative coins that can be easily found today. Be sure to check out Australia's proof silver 'Year of the Horse' 1 ounce silver coin - it's one of the most striking horse coins available and, at around $25, it can become the 'centerpiece' of your new collection.

Australian 'Year of the Horse' 2002

Get Started!

Collecting horse coins from around the world can be fun, affordable and educational no matter what your age may be.  There are coins to fit any interest and any budget.  The important thing is to get started in what could turn out to be a life-long addition (or perhaps addiction) to your equestrian life.  Look in your local Yellow Pages under “Coin Dealers” to find coin stores in your area, visit flea markets or log on to the internet to find pocket-sized “dream horses” of your very own.

Return to Silver Dollar Stables