Welcome to The E-Sylum: Volume 2, Number 31:  August 1, 1999: 
an electronic publication of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society. 
   

SUBSCRIBER UPDATES  

   In a major push by people whose last names begin with M, 
   this week's new subscribers are Michael R. Molnar, Leon 
   Majors,  John Muchow, and Michael Marotta, Coin World 
   International Editor.  This brings our current subscriber 
   count to 185. 
   

NBS E-MAIL SURVEY #1  

   Many thanks to all who responded to last week's survey. 
   We received many nice comments and suggestions, but 
   results are still being tabulated. 
   

ANA SUMMER SEMINAR REPORT  

   Ben Keele writes: "At the ANA's summer conference I 
   attended the "Numismatic Literature and Research" class 
   taught by Charlie Davis.  It was a great class and I was 1 
   of the 2 Young Numismatists in the class.  It was a great 
   experience to be able to handle many rare and valuable 
   books in Charlie's and the ANA's libraries.   I just want to 
   thank Charlie in the E-Sylum for his excellent class and 
   I  hope that the class will return so that more people can 
   acquire a greater appreciation for numismatic literature." 
   

PROOF GOLD RESEARCH PROJECT  

   Michael Berkman is compiling a work on proof gold and gold 
   patterns. It is a date-by-date analysis and includes die notes, 
   pedigree rosters, estimated survival rates and historical 
   information relevant to the subject. If you would like to 
   contribute, please contact Michael at MBerkman@msn.com 
   or call at 301 299 4402. All assistance is greatly appreciated. 
   

HIGH COST OF ANA EXHIBITING  

   In last week's E-Sylum, President Michael J. Sullivan wrote: 
   "In response to the comments about displays for ANA - 
   The real issue is the ANA is too restrictive relative to 
   display placement.  Last year's ANA in Portland required 
   me to leave for the convention about 2 days earlier than 
   required to place my display at a personal cost of about 
   $300. "  

   Chief Judge Joe Boling responds: "Two days earlier than 
   what? ANA only requires that the exhibit be in place on 
   the morning that the convention opens (and stay in place 
   until it closes). Even if a person is planning to only attend 
   three days of the convention, s/he can still use the surrogate 
   installation/removal provisions by appointing an agent. I 
   know, this is clumsy, but it IS an option, and we have had a 
   best-of-show winner (YN division) who never attended the 
   convention at all." 
   

BIBLIOGRAPHY UPDATE  

   Thanks to the continued efforts of Larry Mitchell, the 
   medieval coinage sections have been completed, and 
   work on modern coinages has begun.  Sections added to 
   the NBS website (http://www.coinbooks.org/) this week are:  

      66. MEDIEVAL COINAGES: AFRICA 
      67. MODERN COINAGES: GENERAL 
      68. MODERN COINAGES: AFRICA 
      69. MODERN COINAGES: AUSTRALIA 
   

MINT OR NATIONAL MEDALS  

   From the New Netherlands Coin Co. 36th Catalogue, 
   January 26th, 1952:  "During the early years of the Republic, 
   Congress authorized the striking of medals to suitably 
   award various individuals for their distinguished national 
   service.  The first of these was the famous "Washington 
   Before Boston" medal which is generally listed under the 
   Washington series.  The great majority of the medals 
   authorized and struck commemorated heroes of the 
   Revolution and the War of 1812-15.  Original impressions 
   are rare, several extremely so.  

   In 1855, it was decided to manufacture "Restrikes" in 
   bronze, at the Philadelphia mint, for sale to collectors and 
   other interested individuals.  This reflected a practice long 
   prevalent at the Paris mint.  Unfortunately, all the original 
   dies were not available, and commencing in 1861, imitation 
   or replica dies were cut in Philadelphia so as to complete 
   the series.  Early restrikes or impressions, of the Civil War 
   period and later, can easily be distinguished by a "Bronzed" 
   appearance.  Late strikings imitate European practices and 
   the examples available in recent years, at the Philadelphia 
   mint, have a yellowish bronze appearance." 
   

FEATURED WEB SITE  

   This week's featured web site is on the history and coins of 
   Colonial India, in both English and Danish:  

      http://www.tranquebar.dk/welcome.htm 
   

  Wayne Homren 
  Numismatic Bibliomania Society  

  The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a 
  non-profit organization promoting numismatic 
  literature.   For more information please see 
  our web site at http://www.coinbooks.org/ 
  There is a membership application available on 
  the web site.  To join, print the application and 
  return it with your check to the address printed 
  on the application.   For those without web access, 
  contact Dave Hirt, NBS Secretary-Treasurer, 
  5911 Quinn Orchard Road, Frederick, MD 21701  

  (To be removed from this mailing list 
   write to me at whomren@coinlibrary.com)