NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: FEBRUARY 5, 2012

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V15 2012 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 15, Number 6, February 5, 2012, Article 9

Regarding "The Numismatic Journal" published by L. S. Drowne, North Adams, Mass., I have 6 issues as listed in Bourne from Vol 1, #1, August, 1877, to Vol 1, #6, January, 1878. Each issue states that the Journal is published monthly, and subscriptions per year are 35 cents, but I have never seen any issues beyond the Jan., 1878 issue.

There were many numismatic journals started in the late 1800's, and many stopped publications without much or any notice. "The Numismatic Journal" may have been one of those. I will, however, keep an eye out in the event that additional issues show up

I saw the image of this Canadian 20 dollar silver bullion piece on a Coin Update mailing. I like it! It's a nice, clean image showing the animal at ease in its habitat. I don't remember ever seeing a coin with a swimming mammal. Neat depiction of the waterline, another feature I haven't seen. A well-done original design. Who's the designer who signed it "ED"? -Editor

It took a while for this "in depth" article to reach the foot of the Rockies. This was in the January 31st on-line edition of the Denver Post. I haven't had a chance to read the hard copy of the paper yet to see if it was also in there. Obviously the "story" is becoming more condensed and with less facts as the story gets passed down from one news outlet to the other. And I'm sure they've never heard of the E-Sylum or Ursula Kampmann.

On Cattle, Cows and Bulls
With a subject line of "Don't be cowed by all those wannabe ranchers", Joe Levine offers this note from WikiPedia:

"Cow" is in general use as a singular for the collective "cattle", despite the objections by those who insist it to be a female-specific term. Although the phrase "that cow is a bull" is absurd from a lexicographic standpoint, the word "cow" is easy to use when a singular is needed and the sex is unknown or irrelevant - when "there is a cow in the road", for example.

Further, any herd of fully mature cattle in or near a pasture is statistically likely to consist mostly of cows, so the term is probably accurate even in the restrictive sense. Other than the few bulls needed for breeding, the vast majority of male cattle are castrated as calves and slaughtered for meat before the age of three years. Thus, in a pastured herd, any calves or herd bulls usually are clearly distinguishable from the cows due to distinctively different sizes and clear anatomical differences. Merriam-Webster, a U.S. dictionary, recognizes the non-sex-specific use of "cow" as an alternate definition, whereas Collins, a UK dictionary, does not.

Egypt Revolution Anniversary Coin Issued
P.K. Saha forwarded images of a new coin issued on the first anniversary of the revolution that overthrew Hosni Mubarak. Thanks!

This is the first coin I'm aware of that commemorates any of the Arab Spring revolutions. On an unrelated topic, I have to note that the raised fist reminds me of the Huey Long "Washroom Warrior" medal

There was a numismatic article in Thursday's Denver Post (Thursday) which I couldn't find online. The Denver Area RTD (Rapid Transit District) is discontinuing the use of tokens for buses and light rail. They stopped distributing the tokens as of January 2nd but will accept them in fare boxes and ticket vending machines through 2013.

The RTD district was created in 1969 and they have used tokens, as well as other means of payment, ever since. They plan to replace tokens with "smart cards". I moved to Colorado in 1971 but I believe that buses and trolleys were run by the Denver Tramway Company before RTD. At least I've seen their tokens in virtually every collection I've ever bought in Colorado. I'm sure another E-Sylum reader can correct me if I'm wrong.

My friend Chuck Mattson sent me the following history: "The Denver Tramway COMPANY started using tokens about 1917. That Company became the Denver Tramway CORPORATION and started tokens about 1942. Then the Regional Transportation District began using tokens in 1978"

To bisit the web site, see: Colonial Life (apush-wiki-marlborough-school.wikispaces.com/Colonial+Life)

Wayne Homren, Editor