Coins of Christmas Past
Coins enjoy a long history as Christmas gifts. Perhaps the tradition was inspired by Caspar’s gift of gold to Baby Jesus. It may, however, have quite mundane origins. A silver or gold coin was a much appreciated gift in a day and age where specie held intrinsic value. Yet, whatever the origin, the custom became commonplace among both the rich and not so rich.
In a few instances, the gift may have been a Christmas-themed coin. Such coins have been around for centuries. The so-called Christmas ducats of the Swiss
