COINS OF THE SECOND MILLENNIUM
As year 2000 approached, I reflected on the history of the world for the second millennium. As I considered the various countries and empires of the last thousand years an idea started forming. Why not select what I consider to be the most significant country or empire per century and collect a coin from that time and country. The table below is my list. There are other alternatives that could be just as good, but hey, it’s my collection and web site. I would be interested in hearing your ideas.
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YEAR 1000 |
Vikings |
The Vikings get my vote as the most important society during the first century of this millennium because they were an industrious group and traveled great distances. |
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YEAR 1100 |
Crusaders |
The crusades started in 1095 (ok, I’m cheating by putting them in this century) and lasted 250 years. The point of the crusades was to liberate the Holy Land from the Turks who were attacking pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. |
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YEAR 1200 |
Mongol |
This empire, bordering China was significant. It is because of the Mongols that China built the Great Wall. The best known of the leaders was Genghis Khan. |
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YEAR 1300 |
Ming Dynasty China |
China was significant before this century. The reason that I consider them to be the most significant country of the 14th century is that during this time China opened its borders for trade, hence the visit by Marco Polo. |
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YEAR 1400 |
Ottoman Empire |
The Ottoman Empire was ruled by one family from the 13th to the 20th century. They were the significant empire during the 1400s because they captured the Byzantine capital, Constantinople which they renamed Istanbul. |
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YEAR 1500 |
Mughal Empire |
The Mughal Dynasty is a line of Muslim emperors who reigned in India from 1526 to 1858. Babur, the first mughal emperor, was a descendant of the Turkish conqueror Timur on his father's side and of the Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan on his mother's side, invaded India from Afghanistan and founded the Mughal Empire, from 1526 until 1638 one of the most extensive empires in the medieval world. |
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YEAR 1600 |
France |
The 17th century is noted for being a period of extravagance and power for the French Monarchy. King Louis XIII and Prime Minister Cardinal Richelieu transformed France’s feudal monarchy into an absolute monarchy |
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YEAR 1700 |
United States |
The United States is the obvious choice for this century. In 1776 the most powerful nation in history had its beginning. |
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YEAR 1800 |
England |
During the 1800s the British Empire covered the entire world, including Hong Kong, Australia, India and many other locations. Hence the phrase, "the sun never sets on the British Empire" |
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YEAR 1900 |
Israel |
Israel got my vote for the most important nation of the twentieth century because the Jews created a nation after being disbursed for 2000 years. This had never been done before. Clearly this was an act of a sovereign God. |