BOOK REVIEW: CHICAGO COIN CLUB MEDALS AND TOKENS

Medals and Tokens of the Chicago Coin Club by William A. Burd is a recently released hard-bound reference with 108 pages and over 150 photographs. All items are in color and actual size. We agree with Carl Wolf, that this reference will set the standard for the hundreds of collectibles which were issued for the club.

The author joined the club in 1993 and his first purchase was the club's 75th Anniversary medal. From that beginning Bill has assembled probably the finest collection of CCC medals and tokens possible. The book starts with the Chicago Numismatic Society's first meeting in January 1904 and first token issued in 1907. He continues with all items issued by the Society covering the history, mintage, metal content, etc. This theme continues throughout the book.

The Second Chapter explains the ANA's Branch clubs, especially Chicago's Branch #1, formed after the ANA received a Federal Charter in 1912.

Chapter 3 deals with Chicago Coin Club medals and tokens and associated ephemera issued from the club's start in 1919 to the present day. They commemorate annual events as well as milestone anniversaries such as 25th, 50th, 75th through the 95th in 2014. Most medals were issued in both copper and silver and 6 different issues were also available in gold. These include two reduced replicas of sculptures by James Earl Fraser and a medal depicting Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ “Standing Lincoln” statue.

Chapter 4 deals with the sixteen ANA Conventions held in Chicago. Described are the many different medals, tokens, badges, speaker's medals, and souvenirs issued by the Chicago Coin Club to commemorate the conventions.

Chapter 5 covers the Central States Numismatic Society conventions held in Chicago and hosted by the club. In 1939 the Chicago Coin Club hosted a two-day event called the Central States Numismatic Conference at which time the Society was formed. Over the years the club hosted 5 additional events and issued various items for each.

There are four appendices which cover club awards; souvenir sheets; publications; and the Chicago Numismatic Roundtable.

We recommend this book to anyone who collects numismatic club material. It is also a good read for any officer of a numismatic club for an insight into the workings of a dynamic organization that has been active for 100 years. The reference can be purchased for $30.00, which includes postage and handling. Checks should be made out to the Chicago Coin Company and sent to them at: Chicago Coin Co., Inc., 6455 W. Archer Avenue, Chicago, IL., 60638.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NEW BOOK: CHICAGO COIN CLUB MEDALS AND TOKENS (http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n10a04.html)

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