The E-Sylum:  Volume 5, Number 27, June 30, 2002, Article 8

HOLMES IN NUMISMATICS

  Bob Fritsch writes: "There are several more references to
  money and coins in the Sherlockian Canon besides those
  mentioned by Mr. DeLorey.

  First and foremost, "The Adventure of the Three Garridebs"
  actually features a coin collector, Mr. Nathan Garrideb.
  Holmes and Watson first met him polishing a Syracusan coin
  with a chamois (shudder).  One of our colleagues has taken
  Nathan Garrideb as his Sherlockian name:  Ed Rochette.

  In "The Red-Headed League", Holmes deduces that Jabez
  Wilson was in China because of a tattoo on his arm and
  "I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain ...."
  Watson described it as "a square pierced bit of metal".

  In "The Valley of Fear", Birdie Edwards, a Pinkerton agent,
  penetrates the secret society of the Scowrers in Pennsylvania
  coal country.  These dastards coin (counterfeit) their own
  money in addition to other nefarious deeds.

  "The Man with the Twisted Lip" is a middle-class gent who
  poses as beggar Hugh Boone for his income.  He is found
  with pockets full of pennies and half-pennies.

  In "The Musgrave Ritual", Holmes recovers the ancient
  crown of Charles I in addition to several of his coins.

  As England was at the height of empire during Holmes' time,
  rupees are mentioned in two stories:  "The Sign of Four"
  and "The Crooked Man".

  Finally, there is Holmes' unofficial police force,  The Baker
  Street Irregulars.  They are paid a shilling a day for their
  services.  The official Holmes Society in the US takes its
  name from this band of street urchins, and new members
  are given a shilling upon investiture.

  There are many more monetary references to money in the
  Canon, but these are the ones where coins and money have
  a direct plot connection."

  Alan Luedeking writes: "On the subject of numismatics in
  Holmes, I'd like to turn this around and ask about Holmes in
  numismatics. Are there any detailed references?   My
  favorite medal is one by Marika Somogyi issued 15 years
  ago, on the occasion of his centennial.  A gold example is
  supposedly in the Smithsonian.  According to a New York
  Times article of December 27th, 1987, "mintage limits" were
  set at 35 in gold, and 300 in silver, all signed and individually
  serial numbered. I couldn't afford one at the time, but
  contacted Ms. Marika years later and seem to recall she
  mentioned that they had only been made to order.  I don't
  believe they ever sold in great numbers.  I had her make me a
  couple, one in silver with a hanger and one in copper without,
  both artificially "aged". The former is crudely numbered
  145/310.  The latter is unnumbered.  Needless to say, I paid
  much more than I would have originally!"

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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