MTB’S 1968 PRICE LIST OF ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE’S ANCIENT COINS

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V19 2016 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 19, Number 10, March 6, 2016, Article 25

Here are excerpts from more E-Sylum follow-up articles published March 5, 2016 in Greg Ruby's Fourth Garrideb blog. -Editor

MTB-1968 Price List Arthur Conan doyle coins

In October 2014, we published our first HolmeWork assignment, asking for assistance in locating the price list that Manfra, Tordella and Brookes issued in 1968 when they sold the ancient coin collection of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We now have copies of a 6 page listing that MTB produced, featuring ancient Greek and Roman coins from Doyle’s collection. We also have a scan of the cover of MTB’s 1968 Christmas List #14, which references how quickly the coins from Doyle’s collection sold.

This is pure speculation on your Editor’s part, but there are several indicators that make us think there was an earlier listing than the one we show in this post. Why do we think this way?

In Tom Haney’s September 8, 1968 New York Times column (we now have a scan of that column you can view), he mentions that “The items have been cataloged and will be offered in the company’s new fall price list.” No where on the price list we are showing does it mentions that it is the fall price list. It seems logical that he would have the price list in hand as he was writing his article – if he had the price list we are showing where would he have gotten the words “fall price list?” In addition, our last scan below is the cover letter of the Christmas list #14, so it seems logical that they would have had an earlier fall price list.

Haney starts his column by mentioning “More than 500 items are in the collection of the late Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle …” yet the price list we have below has just over 200 coins listed for sale. On page 4 of the listing below, MTB does mention “there are many coins of lesser grades and/or commoner types” available for purchase, but would that account for the 300 coin discrepancy?

On the cover page, illustrated above, of the price list we have is the quote “a listing of the remaining Conan-Doyle ancient coins.” Doesn’t it make sense to make a listing of all the coins first and then, later, do a listing of the remaining coins?

Now, your Editor could be wrong (Remember that time he mistakenly referred to Sotheby’s as Christie’s???????).

Now the question is how many of these coins remain, after 48 years, with the paper discs in ACD’s handwriting and MTB’s attractive folder that “certified” these coins were from ACD’s collection?

See the full Fourth Garrideb article for images of all pages of the fixed price list. So... is there an earlier Manfra, Tordella and Brookes price list of Doyle coins?

Now, what about that "attractive holder" mentioned in the marketing materials? Greg had the answer in his next post. -Editor

In our recent post about the 1968 sale of Arthur Conan Doyle’s ancient coin collection, the price list referenced that all the coins would be in an attractive folder that would certify the coin was from the collection. We have a picture of one of these folders above.

Each coin and the accompanying paper disc (from ACD’s coin cabinet, with a brief description of the coin in ACD’s handwriting) in a 2 inch by 2 inch plastic coin flip. The folder would be signed by Joseph H. Rose, a numismatist on the staff of Manfra, Tordella & Brookes, who was responsible for the sale of the collection.

Unfortunately, the plastic coin holders in the 1960’s usually contain PVC – polyvinyl chloride – that has a chemical agent that can leech out over time and can cause a green, oily film to form on the coins.

It’s been nearly 40 years since these coins were sold. How many still remain with the small disc in Doyle’s handwriting and / or the folder / certificate?

Finally, another of Greg's posts illustrates one of the coin trays that once held the Doyle coins.

In the Fall 2014 newsletter of the BSI Trust, there was an announcement that a 10”x 11” coin tray which housed coins belonging to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had been donated to the BSI Trust. In talking to Andy Solberg, chairman of the BSI Trust, he mentioned that he would be taking possession of that coin tray during the January 2015 BSI Weekend and arranged for me to get a picture of the coin tray.

It is believed that the wood tray dates to the 1920’s and measures 10 inches by 11 inches, with holes for 56 coins. Eight of the holes are missing the felt inserts. Below is a copy of the certificate of authenticity signed by Joseph H. Rose in 1979, who sold the collection while working at Manfra, Tordellla & Brookes in 1968.

It’s a shame that the trays were removed from the coin cabinet in the mid 1960’s and dispersed individually over time. They would have more value as a complete set, rather than nine separate trays and an empty cabinet. Oh well!

This has been a fun topic to explore. Some great numismatic sleuthing, everyone - Watson and Holmes himself would be proud. -Editor