The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 46, November 11, 2007, Article 20

CALIFORNIA STATE NUMISMATIC SYMPOSIUM

[The NumisMaster site has a nice article by Michael "Stan"
Turrini on the California State Numismatic Association's
recent Eighth Annual Northern California Educational Symposium.
Over 60 people attended.  Below are some excerpts from the
article. -Editor]

The symposium's theme was "The Golden West: Gold Rush, Gold
Coinages, and the Golden Gate Bridge." This year's presenters
were Alton Pryor, California historian and author; Dr. Donald
H. Kagin, former American Numismatic Association governor and
numismatic expert; Robert R. Van Ryzin, Coins editor; and Dr.
Michael F. Wehner, scholar of San Francisco numismatics.

Pryor, author of more than 10 California history and Western
lore books, presented "Those Lusty, Dusty Gold Camps of
California." Pryor explained that gold camps were famous for
their names, many of which had no relationship to the locale
or gold mining. "Bed Bug" was one example he gave. "Dry Town"
had 26 saloons. "Nevada City" earned its name before Nevada
became a state.

Kagin's presentation was titled "California Gold Coinages."
Using slides of rare pieces from his private collection, he
talked about the patterns in Pioneer gold coinages and classed
them into patterns, counter strikes, restrikes, fantasies and
counters.

Van Ryzin's presentation revolved around his book, Crime of
1873: The Comstock Connection. His talk was titled, "A Tale
of Mines plus Trade and Morgan Dollars." He had access to the
long-hidden correspondence of William C. Ralston, the historic
founder of the once-mighty Bank of California and original
California entrepreneur. Van Ryzin established that Ralston
was the real influence for the numismatically provocative
Coinage Act of 1873.

Wehner's presentation was titled, "The Golden Gate Bridge
on Medals and Tokens." May marked the bridge's 70th anniversary.
Over the years medals and tokens have used the Golden Gate as
design themes. A complete roster of these has yet to be compiled.
Many times after finding medals, tokens and woods at various
tourist sites near the bridge, Wehner said he should have
purchased the cheap mementos since they were not available
at his next visit.

To visit the California State Numismatic Association's web site, see:
Calcoin.org/

To read the complete article, see:
Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

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