Back in 2018, David Pickup thought he'd celebrate Christmas by trying to find twelve coins to illustrate the famous song. I've used five of his original choices but have added some I thought might be worthy of consideration. What would you have chosen? Per his original statement, so give us grace on the coin choices we've made. I've included links to web pages for those of you who would like to research the coins further. Merry Christmas!!

Not gonna lie, this one almost felt like I was cheating...but there just weren't many French hens to choose from.

Often called the Raven Penny, this coin was struck for the Viking Olaf Guthfrithson who was the king of Dublin between 934-941. Also, in America we sing but the early English version of the 12 Days of Christmas had it as (or blackbirds). Though it's not technically a blackbird, the raven was the closest David (and I) could find.

Before coinage was introduced to Britain in the Late Iron Age, people had to conduct transactions by bartering their products, goods and/or services. This process of payment and exchange may have been facilitated by gold

It has 5 (not 6) geese flying (not laying) but it was the best I could find. Am I the only one who has thought that this had access to way too many birds?

A beautiful series that began in 2017. This edition really pops with the black swans colorized. Next year, the 2023 release will ironically be the the release which means the song could then be edited to,

Neither David nor I could not find any but here is a Latvian Brown cow they could milk!

This isn't leaping, but he was to fame when he amassed Great Britain's army during WWI and by being featured on a poster similar to our own with Uncle Sam,

Though this is NOT a coin and though the Pied Piper wasn't likely one of the eleven, he is a piper pipin!'

I honestly couldn't think of a better way to finish up the 12 Days of Christmas than with a coin from our very own, great country. This is still one of my favorite coins of all time.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
THE TWELVE COIN COLLECTING DAYS OF CHRISTMAS(https://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n51a25.html)