NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: JUNE 18, 2017

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V20 2017 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 20, Number 25, June 18, 2017, Article 19

Here's a selection of interesting or unusual items I came across in the marketplace this week. Tell us what you think of some of these. -Editor

1 medal from the Sheepdog French Club - SILVER hallmark on the edge. Diameter: 45 mm Pau 1906

One for animal lovers. Nicely done. -Editor

This week’s highlight from our August 2017 Official Auction at the ANA World's Fair of Money in Denver, Colorado is a rare low mintage 1915 Cuban Proof 20 Pesos. This is a two-year type produced only in 1915 and 1916. Prior to the issuance of Cuba’s first national coinage foreign coins circulated freely and exchange rates fluctuated daily. On June 12, 1906, a banking commission was set up to regulate the currencies then in circulation and to consider a national coinage. This was met with opposition that finally led to the National Economic Defense Law of October 29, 1914, which outlined the weight, fineness and measurements of the specified denominations, but not their actual designs.

Since there had never been a mint in Havana, the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia was given the contract, with Mr. Montoulieu as inspector on behalf of the Cuban government. Bids to design this new coinage were invited, with the contract finally awarded to Mr. Charles E. Barber of the Philadelphia Mint. His design and craftsmanship was of the highest quality; some would consider his work far superior to that of his contemporaries from the same source. The 20 Pesos were set to the same standard as United States $20 gold coins of the time. The obverse depicts the bust of Patriot Jose Marti right, date below flanked by the weight of 33.436G (20 times the weight of the gold 1 peso) and the purity 900M (900 fine). The reverse depicts the arms of the republic of Cuba surrounded by an oak and laurel wreath superimposed on a Fasces surmounted by a Phrygian cap, legend around.

The actual mintage figures for the 20 Peso Proofs are unknown. Mr. Thomas Lismore in his pamphlet “The Coinage of Cuba 1870 to Date” (1966) speculates that perhaps 20 to 30 were struck for inclusion in sets, but since the mintage figures include the Proofs it is impossible to determine the actual number struck. Mr. Lismore goes on to say that many of the Proofs that he examined prior to his publication were not very well kept and “are no longer proof quality.” Needless to say the example we are offering is a well preserved specimen sure to excite even the most sophisticated of Cuban numismatists.

Cuba's in the news again, but its older coins are collectible regardless of the political environment. This is also a product of the U.S. Mint and a U.S. Mint engraver, which should be of interest to American collectors. This item was excerpted from Kyle Ponterio's Stack's Bowers blog article published June 7, 2017. -Editor

WWI Belgian Yser Battle Medal

This medal was instituted on 18-10-1918 and was awarded to Belgian and allied soldiers that fought between October 17 and 31, 1914 and were part of the army that fought by the river the IJzer/Yser and were able to stop the German advance.

The medal is made of bronze with a beautiful patina covering the medal. On top of the medal it says the word "Yser" in a green enamel field, on the back the monogram "A", representing King Albert.

On the front of the medal we see a man with a lance, who symbolises the Belgian soldier who brought the German army to a standstill. The reverse shows the battlefield with a wounded (Belgian) lion and the word Yser again.

The ribbon is red with black borders, which symbolises blood and death, the battle of the Yser was a bloody battle in which 60,000 Belgian soldiers died which amounted to more than 1/3 of the total Belgian army. The medal is held in very high esteem.

Beautiful medal. Fascinating area for collecting - art, history, bloodshed and honor all in one package. It's a shame that more of these don't stay within the families of the recipients, but collectors play a valid role in preserving and studying those that do end up on the market. -Editor

Henri Dubois - 1st content silver medal Republique Française. Association nationale de la meunerie Francaise

On the side of the coin it says 1argent meaning the highest silver content. Namely 95%.

The coin weighs 64 grams and has a diameter of 5 cm. Supposedly made in France around 1930.

The field of medal collecting is vast. I'm constantly runnning into things I've never seen before - great miniature works of art available at low prices. -Editor

CHURCHILL MEMORIAL MEDAL, 1965. Engstrom 35C. 50mm. .958 Silver. (2.47 oz.)A. Lowenthal, Sc. (John Pinches). Unc. Obv Bust of WS left, CHURCHILL 1945 to the right. Below: OB.24.JAN. 1965. Rx: At center, a hand rises above a cloud holding a flaming torch. WE WILL FIGHT ON/ LAND ON SEA/ AND IN THE AIR/ UNTIL VICTORY/ IS WON to either side of the torch. The surrounding legend reads: UNFLINCHING INDOMITABLE HIS SPIRIT SAVED BRITAIN AND SO THE WORLD.

This is a reissue of the 1945 Lowenthal medal in reduced size and with the addition of the date of death.

Strong bulldog portrait on the obverse. From Joe Levine's PRESIDENTIAL COIN & ANTIQUE COMPANY E-MAIL TOKEN AND MEDAL MINI FIXED PRICE LIST #143, published June 12, 2017. Joe can be reached at jlevine968@aol.com . -Editor