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V14 2011 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 14, Number 16, April 17, 2011, Article 13

On Mr. 880 and Mark Surrency's Counterfeits Class

Fred Schwan writes:

On the Mr. 880 name, when I read the question, I just knew that the answer was going to be a file folder. It is the way government minds work. I know, I have been there.

Robert Neale writes:

Regarding Mark Surrency's 2002 class on counterfeits at ANA summer seminar, I recall as a participant and with amusement one little incident during class when someone, in talking about foreign counterfeits passed around a counterfeit large-size 1914 Lincoln $5 note. When the note got to Mark, sitting in the back near me, he quietly took the note and placed it in a folder with a blank look on his face as though he had never seen the note. Afterwards, he consulted with the owner, who according to Mark was supposed to turn in any such items, and I believe finally returned the note, saying simply, "Do the right thing." And I do not recall seeing the 880 note to which Ken refers. At least it's not in my notes.

Mark was really hung up on the possibility of someone in the class making off with one of his demo notes. At break time, he would lock the door once everyone was out and stay nearby or assign a "guard" from the class. I assume he was advised by his superiors to take extra care. One would have thought he had a bunch of gold bricks in the room. But I can say without reservation that the course was immensely interesting. Mark did a great job making his students aware of the nuances of many aspects of the subject from printing methods to "authentic counterfeits" to present day operations in other countries.

Joe Boling writes:

The Mr. 880 notes were shown in class the year I took it, but Mark may not have brought them out every year. As I recall, he taught three years. I took the course the first year it was offered, and he would not discuss the "supernote' counterfeits. The last year he brought some supernotes, and I was going to take the course again the next year so that I could have time to study them in detail - but he did not come back, and his boss, who never supported his teaching the course, did not appoint anyone else to take up the slack.

Ed Snible forwarded this link to a YouTube video of the "Mr. 880" movie trailer. Thanks! -Editor

Mr 880 movie trailer

To view the YouTube video, see: MISTER 880 (www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xk2oPkKuAI)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: MORE ON COUNTERFEITER "MR. 800" (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v14n15a09.html)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com

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