An E-Sylum reader writes: A town in the U.K. is introducing residents and visitors to numismatics in honoring Samuel Johnson (presumably the author/lexicographer). People are being asked to think about how coins of the era were used, whether Johnson himself used any of the coins in the local collection, and what the coins could have purchased. It's a nice approach to get people interested in the hobby, though that is surely not their purpose. A historic coin competition has been launched in Lichfield to celebrate Samuel Johnson’s birthday.
The council owns a wonderful collection of historic coins and medals. The star of the collection is a Half Crown dating back to Johnson’s time, which is on display in the Lichfield Heritage Centre. A great selection of the coins is also on display in the bookshop at the The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum. Joanne Wilson, Museums and Heritage Officer at The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, said:
“We want to know what you think Dr Johnson might have spent the coin on. It could be anything from a quill and ink to a new wig! So if you are aged from four to fourteen, put your thinking caps on and come up with Dr Johnson’s shopping list and you could win a golden ticket to all of the Summer Fun at Sam’s House arts and crafts workshops. The sessions, at The Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, will be great fun and are running every Wednesday from July 29 to August 26.”
Not a bad way to get the public thinking about the past and how coins provide a physical connection to days and lives of long ago. The coins and medals in the collection are from many eras, not just Johnson's. Here's a link to images of the coins: www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/coins . -Editor
To read the complete article, see: Lichfield historic coin competition to celebrate Samuel Johnson’s birthday (http://thelichfieldblog.co.uk/2009/06/18/ lichfield-historic-coin-competition-to-celebrate-samuel-johnsons-birthday/)
Wayne Homren, Editor
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