Creighton University

1900? A metal coin slightly over 1" in diameter showing the fox and the crow on one side and German verse on the other. $38.59 from Kevin Kelley, Harrisburg, SD, through Ebay, July, '99.

The verse reads "Wann Dein Spiel der Gegner preiset,/ Dann gieb doppelt auf Dich Acht,/ Und erinn're Dich des Raben,/ Den zuletzt der Fuchs verlacht." That is, "When your opponent praises your play, pay doubly close attention to yourself and remember the crow, on whom the fox had the last laugh." I am tempted--but afraid--to clean and polish up this old coin. Who knows what circumstances ever gave rise to the distributing of a coin like this!

1972 "Fabled Isles" Mardi Gras doubloon. Comus. Gift of Jonathan Singer, Bronx, NY, through Ebay, Oct., '99.

On one side there is pictured and captioned "The Golden Cup of Comus," with a nice Latin phrase: "Sic volo, sic jubeo." Apparently the Comus krewe began in 1857. The fabled isles side of the coin shows an island with a classical temple wreathed in laurel. Before it lie a ship, a lyre, and two vases. What a lovely gift!

1974 Aesop's Fables Mardi Gras doubloon. Argus. Emperor Romulus. Jefferson Parish, LA. 1973. $3 from The Witch Lady, Metairie, LA, through Ebay, March, '99. Second copy for $2 from Jonathan Singer, Bronx, NY, through Ebay, Oct., '99.

What does one do with a coin that has different dates on its front and back? On the front, there are a stork with a tall vase, a grasshopper playing a violin, a Greek temple facade, a building column, and a written scroll. The back seems to feature Argus and the peacock.

1980 A Sap's Fables Mardi Gras doubloon. Knights of Momus, New Orleans. $2.25 from P. M Berry, Carmel, Indiana, through Ebay, May, '99.

On the front of a coin, a pudgy girl sticks her tongue out at the beholder, with "A Sap's Fables" written above her and "1980" below. On the back side, a knight is pictured with the legend above "Knights of Momus" and below "Dum vivimus, vivamus" (while we live, let us live). I never knew such a thing existed!