About UsThe Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit association devoted to the study and enjoyment of numismatic literature. For more information please see our web site at coinbooks.org SubscriptionsThose wishing to become new E-Sylum subscribers (or wishing to Unsubscribe) can go to the following web page link MembershipThere is a membership application available on the web site Membership Application To join, print the application and return it with your check to the address printed on the application. Print/Digital membership is $40 to addresses in the U.S., and $60 elsewhere. A digital-only membership is available for $25. For those without web access, write to: Charles Heck, Treasurer AsylumFor Asylum mailing address changes and other membership questions, contact Chuck at this email address: treasurer@coinbooks.org SubmissionsTo submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com
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- WAYNE'S WORDS: THE E-SYLUM NOVEMBER 22, 2020
- CHARLES DAVIS DECEMBER 2020 SALE HIGHLIGHTS
- KENNY SAMMUT NUMISMATIC LITERATURE SALE
- NEW BOOK: THE FIRST COINS OF THE AMERICAS
- VLADIMIR AVANESYAN-FARID (C1934-2020)
- MORE ON BOWERS & MERENA'S THE COIN COLLECTOR
- VIDEOS: CLYDE HUBBARD INTERVIEWS
- ANOTHER CALDWELL LORD'S PRAYER CIVIL WAR TOKEN
- MORE ON THE G. ERICHSON COUNTERSTAMP
- NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: NOVEMBER 22, 2020
- DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY: A NUMISMATIC GAME-CHANGER
- STACK'S BOWERS GALLERIES ACQUIRES COINS IN MOTION
- VOCABULARY TERM: SERIAL NUMBERING
- HEINRICH "HENRY" T. AHLBORN (1830-1907)
- HARVEY STACK'S NUMISMATIC FAMILY, PART 83
- ARTICLE PROFILES MINT ARTIST ARTIST ELANA HAGLER
- PAN'S COVID-19 COMPLIANT FALL 2020 SHOW
- COLTRANE 1776 NORTH CAROLINA HALIFAX NOTE SET
- NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: NOVEMBER 22, 2020
- POLITICS OF ANCIENT NUMISMATICS
- A NEW STUDY ON THE ORIGINS OF COINAGE
- A NEW STUDY ON ANCIENT COUNTERFEITING
- ROBERT I. NESMITH'S TREASURE HUNTER BROTHERHOOD
- 1813 NEW SOUTH WALES 15 PENCE 'DUMP'
- COLLECTOR OUTRAGE OVER THE U.S. MINT
- U.S. NAVAL MEDAL OF HONOR AUCTIONED
- AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER COULD LOSE VICTORIA CROSS
- MEXICO ISSUES NEW 100-PESO BANKNOTE
- IRAN'S NEW BANKNOTE WITH LIGHT-COLOR ZEROES
- THE EYE OF PROVIDENCE
- SPENDING THE SPACE FORCE $2 BILL
- TRAVANCORE SOUVENIR TABLEWARE MADE FROM COINS
- LOOSE CHANGE: NOVEMBER 22, 2020
- STIR-UP THREEPENNY PIECES
- FEATURED WEB SITE: MR. PEPYS' SMALL CHANGE
Content presented in The E-Sylum is not necessarily researched or independently fact-checked, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.
WAYNE'S WORDS: THE E-SYLUM NOVEMBER 22, 2020
New subscribers this week include:
Sherwood A Clay.
Welcome aboard! We now have 6,594 subscribers.
Thank you for reading The E-Sylum. If you enjoy it, please send me the email addresses of friends you think may enjoy it as well and I'll send them a subscription. Contact me at whomren@gmail.com anytime regarding your subscription, or questions, comments or suggestions about our content.
This week we open with two numismatic literature sales, a new book, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, and more.
Other topics this week include Clyde Hubbard, Henry Ahlborn, Robert Nesmith, Raymond J. Wayman, numismatic photography, the fall PAN show, North Carolina Halifax notes, the politics of ancient numismatics, the origins of coinage, collector outrage over the U.S. Mint, a U.S. Navy Medal of Honor, new world banknotes, Travencore tableware made from coins, and spending the Space Force $2 bill.
To learn more about Ted Natfzger's Large Cents, Hungarian tokens, the first coins of the Americas, Caldwell's Lord's Prayer token, Snowden's Coins of the Bible, Apollo 11 medals, upgrading coin photos, serial numbering, alphabet tokens, ancient counterfeiting, Pirate coins, the Eye of Providence and numismatic nurse Ratched, read on. Have a great week, everyone!
Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum
CHARLES DAVIS DECEMBER 2020 SALE HIGHLIGHTS
Charlie Davis submitted this note with more highlights of his upcoming numismatic literature sale. Beautiful material. -Editor
Our December 5 auction catalogue and current 1350 lot fixed price list of North American and British numismatic works should be in the hands of subscribers - despite the mail slow-down caused by the pandemic. Those who have not received them may visit the on-line versions at Numisbook.com. The auction offers unique works from the libraries of Dave Bowers, Howard Newcomb and Ted Natfzger, with all lots illustrated on our alternate site charlesdavisnumismatics.com. Highlights include:
KENNY SAMMUT NUMISMATIC LITERATURE SALE
Kenny Sammut writes:
"As we head into the holiday season, I am offering 40% off on all 400+ numismatic books/literature listings on my eBay store. Whether the books are a gift for your favorite numismatist or yourself, I know they will be enjoyed!
"While you are visiting my store, please take a look at the thousands of coin, bullion, and exonumia listings.
"I just purchased a 3000 plus token collection and will be creating listings over the next several weeks so if you are a tokens collector, I invite you to take a look."
NEW BOOK: THE FIRST COINS OF THE AMERICAS
Peter Jones has authored a new book on Spanish colonial cob coinage. Here's the announcement. -Editor
The First Coins of the Americas describes the author's personal journey with Spanish colonial coins
called cobs. The first mint of the Americas opened in Mexico City in 1536. A lifelong collector, Jones explores the
background of the conquistadors and the Spanish colonial system, then gives the fascinating stories behind each coin
with up to date scholarship on current thoughts about each series.
The book is profusely illustrated with color photos, and includes full page pictures of 129 coins. The book is 8.5 by 11 inches, hard back with 250 pages. Foreword by Daniel Sedwick. Sections include: Spanish coinage before the New World; Mexican money before the first mint of 1536; Carlos and Juana Early and Late series precobs coinage; Santo Domingo and Lima precobs; A type collection of silver and gold cobs by mint: Mexico City, Lima, La Plata, Potosí, Panama, Bogotá, Cartagena, Cuzco and Guatemala.
VLADIMIR AVANESYAN-FARID (C1934-2020)
Iranian-Armenian numismatist Avanesyan-Farid has passed. -Editor
Vladimir Avanesyan-Farid, a distinguished Iranian numismatist of Armenian origin died in Tehran's Firuzgar Hospital on Friday. He was 86.
The coin and medals collector passed away due to old age, ISNA quoted his friend and colleague Amir-Hossein Moeini as saying.
Also known as Edik, he moved to Tabriz in 1938 with his family and started working in a goldsmith shop while he was seven or eight years old, he said.
"Working in this shop was his first encounter with coins and gold, prompting him to collect antique coins, which were no longer being minted, while he was also interested in collecting matches, stamps, banknotes, and medals."
MORE ON BOWERS & MERENA'S THE COIN COLLECTOR
Newman Numismatic Portal Project Coordinator Len Augsburger provided this update to last week's report. Thanks. -Editor
More on Bowers & Merena's The Coin Collector
David Lange sent a comment regarding Bowers and Merena's Coin Collector, which was mentioned in the last issue of The E-Sylum. David writes "I'm looking forward to spending some time with The Coin Collector. I received all issues when new, but a tabloid newsletter was not the sort of thing I'd save. One issue has a photo of my cat Frasier guarding my collection of Bowers & Ruddy / Bowers & Merena catalogs. Can you find it?" Indeed we can, this was published in the Coin Collector issue of October 7, 1996. Q. David Bowers wrote in the caption
VIDEOS: CLYDE HUBBARD INTERVIEWS
These are selections from the David Lisot Video Library that feature news and personalities from the world of coin collecting. David has been attending coin conventions since 1972 and began videotaping in 1985. The Newman Numismatic Portal now lists all David's videos on their website at:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/multimediadetail/522852
Here are two videos with the late Clyde Hubbard. -Editor
Numismatic Personality: Clyde Hubbard, March 26, 2010
Clyde Hubbard, David Lisot of CoinTelevision com. David talks with Clyde Hubbard and James P Bevill, Gene Hinds, Pat Hyads, Mark Lighterman, J R Rollo, and Tony Tumonis at the American Numismatic Association Convention in Fort Worth Texas. Clyde talks with some of his friends including Grover Criswell Bob Hendershot and much more. Clyde is one of the great numismatists.
Numismatic Personality: Clyde Hubbard, March 26, 2010 (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/578803)
Numismatic Personality: Clyde Hubbard, November 3, 2012
Clyde Hubbard, Interviewers Cory Frampton Max Keech. Two principal players from the Mexican Coin Company interview longtime Mexican and Latin American coin collector Clyde Hubbard.
Numismatic Personality: Clyde Hubbard, November 3, 2012 (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/560415)
ANOTHER CALDWELL LORD'S PRAYER CIVIL WAR TOKEN
Jesse Strange's example
Website visitor Jesse Strange writes:
"Over the years I have occasionally searched for information about a man named A. Caldwell, but never found anything. I always assumed that he was part of the J.E. Caldwell Jewelry family of Philadelphia. While searching under "Lord's Prayer Coin" recently I came across an article, written by Bill Groom, that was published in the Summer 2020 issue of the Civil War Token Society Journal. The point of this communication is that I also have one of the Indian Head coins with the Lord's Prayer on the back of it. It is dated 1860 and signed A. Caldwell. It belonged to my Grandfather. If the coin was new, as it appears to be, when it was produced it would pre date the civil war. I have had this coin for many years. Is there any value to this coin or is it more or less just a keepsake?"
MORE ON THE G. ERICHSON COUNTERSTAMP
Bill Groom also provided this follow-up for readers on his article about the G. ERICHSON counterstamp. Thanks! -Editor
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: NOVEMBER 22, 2020
Wu Zhu Graffiti Compilation Available
Ted Puls writes:
"This short writing is my attempt to organize the marks found on ancient Chinese coins called wu zhu or "five grain" bronzes. The eleven-page text comprises a description of the marks; a chart of the marks that I have found, with a code to allow shorthand notation of each mark. A description of how to use the coding system follows. A brief description of the spreadsheet design precedes the spreadsheet. The spreadsheet contains my attempt to organize the myriad combinations of marks on varied wu zhu in a 15 column by about 1100 line format. I would be willing to email this to ones with interest in the area."
Ted can be reached at tedkate@comcast.net. -Editor
To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
CHINESE WU ZHU COIN VARIETIES SYSTEM OFFERED
(https://www.coinbooks.org/v23/esylum_v23n18a08.html)
Other topics this week include Snowden's Coins of the Bible, the Dr. Lewis Roper sale, and medals by Michael Gaspard Rizzello. -Editor
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY: A NUMISMATIC GAME-CHANGER
Jeff Garrett published an NGC article on digital photography in numismatics. Here's an excerpt - be sure to read the complete article online. -Editor
High-quality digital photography has become a game-changer in numismatics.
The world of rare coins has gone almost entirely online.
Who would have thought a few years ago that a major auction company could sell tens of millions of dollars in rare coins online? Traditionally, buyers would attend major conventions and view lots for several days before making purchases. That has all changed, and one of the key factors has been the advanced development of quality digital photographs. Buyers can now bid confidently based solely on images provided by online sellers.
STACK'S BOWERS GALLERIES ACQUIRES COINS IN MOTION
Numismatic imaging innovation continues apace. Here's a press release from Stack's Bowers announcing a new business acquisition. -Editor
Stack's Bowers Galleries ("SBG") is proud to announce the acquisition of Coins In Motion LLC. The patent-pending Coins In Motion technology creates high-resolution animations that accurately capture the in-hand visual appeal of coins and banknotes in a manner unlike any still or video photography available today. Coins In Motion animations will be first available for select highlights of the firm's December 2020 Showcase Auctions.
VOCABULARY TERM: SERIAL NUMBERING
Dick Johnson submitted this entry from his Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Terminology. Thanks. -Editor
Serial Numbering. Consecutive numbering of medallic items in a limited issue to indicate that a quantity, not greater than that announced, has been issued. When all consecutive numbers in a series are not used (as 1–60, 65–70, 100-110 for example), this is known as interrupted numbering. Occasionally the year of issue, a trademark, other lettering or symbols appear with the serial number. If the piece is reeded and space is desired for numbering, the reeding may be eliminated in an area for the edge marking; such an area is called interrupted reeding. Serial numbers should be included with other edge lettering; as a number alone leads to confusion. For machine numbering the zeros are used ahead of the number; and 006 is confused with 900 as there is no orientation without other lettering. Numbering can be applied to the edge of a medallic item by hand (hand numbered), or by machine (numbering head). See edge lettering and numbering.
HEINRICH "HENRY" T. AHLBORN (1830-1907)
John Lupia submitted the following information from the online draft of his book of numismatic biographies for this week's installment of his series. Thanks! As always, this is an excerpt with the full article and bibliography available online. This week's subject is Boston coin dealer Henry T. Ahlborn. -Editor
Ahlborn, Heinrich "Henry" T. (1830-1907), was born in Hanover, Germany on December 23, 1830, the son of Heinrich and Henrietta Ahlborn. He was a tailor and a cobbler. According to the 1900 U.S. Census and Attinelli in Numisgraphics he moved to America in 1850. Residence : Lawrence Street, Malden, Massachusetts. His Stationery, Books and Coin shop was first located at the Old Cambridge Toll House on West-Boston Bridge, and by 1878, he moved to 33 and then to 31 Exchange Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
An immigrant tailor from Hannover, Germany he moved to Dedham, Massachusetts. On October 15, 1857 at Dedham, Massachusetts he married a native of Brunswick, Canada, Rebecca Flemming. For some odd reason he claimed at the time to be born 1834 though his wife was born 1838. In the 1900 U.S. Census it reads he was born in April 1832 and that Rebecca was born in December 1841. Moreover, Emmanuel Joseph Attinelli records his birth as April 1835. Apparently he preferred April over December for his birthday or else the death certificate gives the wrong age at the time of death. Though married 43 years in 1900 the Census reports they were married 36 years.
HARVEY STACK'S NUMISMATIC FAMILY, PART 83
The latest article in Harvey Stack's blog series continues with the year 1981: the Metropolitan New York Numismatic Convention sale, Auction '81, and the Raymond J. Wayman collection sale. Thanks, Harvey! -Editor
In 1981, public auction sales maintained some equilibrium on the market, and for Stack's the quantity and quality of the sales improved from January to December, indicating how the numismatic hobby was recovering after a tough start to the year.
In January we offered a comprehensive collection of United States gold, silver and copper, consisting of 986 lots with many of the popular early date and Proof items. The attendance was great, sometimes with standing room only, as the collectors vied for some bargains as each lot was sold. Our March auction contained a larger group of consignments, 1,395 lots of United States coins and paper money. We received quite a number of bid sheets and attendance was again good. Many were surprised that the market for Proof and choice Mint State coins was very active and the sale attracted reasonable bids. Confidence seemed to be growing in our bidders.
ARTICLE PROFILES MINT ARTIST ARTIST ELANA HAGLER
This Montgomery Advertiser article profiles artist Elana Hagler of the U.S. Mint's Artistic Infusion Program. -Editor
You'd think Montgomery artist Elana Hagler would be the at least one of the first in line to get the new President George H.W. Bush collectible coin from the U.S. Mint. After all, she did help design it, and it even has her initials stamped onto it.
"Nope, I have to order one just like everyone else," said Hagler, an assistant professor of art at Alabama State University.
PAN'S COVID-19 COMPLIANT FALL 2020 SHOW
The Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists pulled off a great show this fall despite the pandemic. Here's how they did it - with hard work, determination, and a good dose of humor. -Editor
PAN Fall Coin Show a Covid-19 Compliant Success!
by Patrick McBride, PAN eNews editor
The PAN Fall Coin Show was successfully held on October 29th – 31st 2020 at the Monroeville
Convention Center, near Pittsburgh, PA, with Covid-19 guidance and rules in place. The PAN Board
came up with a detailed Covid-19 Protocol that was proposed to both the convention center and the
Allegheny County Health Department in the weeks leading up to the show. PAN's Covid-19 Protocol
outlined in detail the components needed to keep people safe while hosting a larger regional coin show.
Both the health department and the convention center approved the PAN Covid-19 Protocol and our
show moved forward!
COLTRANE 1776 NORTH CAROLINA HALIFAX NOTE SET
Stu Levine, Bruce Hagen, and Maureen Levine submitted this preview of Halifax notes in the upcoming Heritage sale of the Mike Coltrane Collection of North Carolina Currency. -Editor
The Mike Coltrane Collection
Mike Coltrane collected notes from his native North Carolina from Colonial times to the modern era. Perhaps his greatest collecting achievement was attaining a complete set from the April 2, 1776, "at Halifax" issue. This is among the most interesting series of all Colonial notes. There are 56 distinct vignette types (seen at the lower left of each note), ranging from $1/16 to $20 denominations, and all of them merit consideration and further study. Certain types appear on different varieties of paper, depending upon what was available at the time of printing. Few collectors, including several advanced Colonial note specialists, have managed to obtain all 56 types (even the Boyd Estate holding was not complete, despite decades of access to major collections), but Mike Coltrane accomplished this worthy endeavor. High-grade notes on many vignette types are unknown to us. All will be offered unreserved at auction on November 29, 2020, by Heritage Auctions.
NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: NOVEMBER 22, 2020
Here's a selection of interesting or unusual items I came across in the marketplace this week. Tell us what you think of some of these. -Editor
c1550 Nuremberg Alphabet Tokens
Two Nuremberg Alphabet Tokens. ca. 1550s. "Rechenmeister" coins embossed with a counting master on one side and the alphabet letters in upper case on the other. The two tokens are similar; however, one includes a date beneath the alphabet letters [1558 or 1559?] and is rubbed. There are also slight variations in alphabet order: one lacks j and u, while the other lacks j and u and w (but has a second n at the end). Copper or brass alloy; each measuring roughly 1-inch (26 mm) in diameter. Very good.
The earliest alphabet and math tokens date from 1550s Nuremberg. Later versions were cast with Biblical or Royal imagery, and were usually imprinted with the date and name of the manufacturer. This particular style of alphabetical token appears to be "Schoolpenning," or "school token" popular among schoolchildren.
Caelenberghe, H. van, Hasselt, H., & Kronenberg, H. (2001) "Rekenpenningen, de makers het gebruik en de gescheidenis". The Coinhunter Magazine No.77. W S Churchill, "Nuremberg Alphabetical Tokens", Transactions of the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society XX (pages 117-118).
From the December 16, 2020 Heritage Rare Children's Literature sale. I was unfamiliar with alphabet tokens before seeing this. Interesting. E-Sylum readers have a special love for words, and what are words without the alphabet? There's a new book on the history of alphabetical order by Judith Flanders: A Place for Everything: The Curious History of Alphabetical Order . From dictionaries to encyclopedias to book indexes, we take alphabetical order for granted today. But as with everything from the spoken word to letters, printing, books and even the bookshelf itself, all had to be invented along the way. Something for the curious bibliophile to add to their holiday wishlist. -Editor
To read the complete lot description, see:
Two Nuremberg Alphabet Tokens. ca. 1550s. "Rechenmeister" coins embossed with a coun...
(https://historical.ha.com/itm/books/children-s-books/two-nuremberg-alphabet-tokens-ca-1550s-rechenmeister-coins-embossed-with-a-coun/a/6234-45226.s)
Other topics this week include an India Mughal Empire Mohur, and an 1876-CC Half Eagle. -Editor
THE BOOK BAZARRE
POLITICS OF ANCIENT NUMISMATICS
The November 2020 American Numismatic Association blog features a 2017 Numismatist article by John Nebel. Here's an excerpt, but we sure to read the complete piece online. -Editor
Politics plays a part in all facets of ancient numismatics, from original coin design and production to modern-day purchases.
Politics and coinage are inextricably linked. In the ancient Greek world, coins were issued by poleis (city-states), kingdoms or the Persian Empire. In terms of sheer quantity, poleis dominated, and perhaps as many as 700 issued their own coins. Such pieces usually depicted or otherwise honored the god or hero who protected the city's populace, or featured a design immediately recognizable as the badge of the polis.
A NEW STUDY ON THE ORIGINS OF COINAGE
Andrew Meadows will lead a new Oxford study on the origins of coinage. -Editor
A new project investigating the origins of money has been announced by the Faculty of Classics at Oxford University.
The project is set to last five years and will look into the origins and concept of coinage. Termed the 'CHANGE Project', the investigation will be led by Professor Andrew Meadows, a Fellow and Tutor in Ancient History at New College.
A sum of €2 million has been awarded to the project in the form of a Consolidator Grant by the European Research Council to help fund the project for its anticipated duration.
A NEW STUDY ON ANCIENT COUNTERFEITING
Arthur Shippee and Howard Berlin passed along this Jerusalem Post story about a new study on ancient counterfeiting. Thanks. -Editor
Ancient counterfeiting is the subject of a new joint study by the University of Haifa and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem that will be published in the upcoming issue of the Journal of Archaeological Science. The study found evidence of a severe shortage of silver in the Levant during the first Iron Age (between 1200-950 BCE), the period when the tribes of Israel settled in Canaan, which led to the creation of silver made with a high percentage of copper.
"The small percentage of silver in the pieces of silver, which were mixed with other substances such as arsenic that made them appear silver in color... reinforces the hypothesis that at least for part of the period, it was a deliberate forgery," the researchers said.
ROBERT I. NESMITH'S TREASURE HUNTER BROTHERHOOD
Tom Kays is a regular member of my Northern Virginia numismatic social group Nummis Nova. We've been holding monthly Zoom sessions in lieu of our normal restaurant get-togethers. Tom kindly provided this report on November's event and one of the neat items he exhibited. Thanks! -Editor
The Nummis Nova Supper Club met by Zoom last Tuesday. As vacuous as the appetizers were, so too, the main course was entirely too airy and insubstantial for my palate, and for dessert... don't get me started. I would not recommend Zoom as a restaurant substitute if one is hungry. Be that as it may, it was good to see a few of the old crowd in the comfort of their homes and libraries. We had time to walk around our desks and peer into the stacks of our numismatic libraries. Different hosts plucked interesting books from their customary nooks and shared them as one would a bedtime story. Here is what I picked.
1813 NEW SOUTH WALES 15 PENCE 'DUMP'
Stack's Bowers Senior Numismatist and Cataloger Jeremy Bostwick published a blog article this week on the "Dump" and Australia's first coinage. In just a few short paragraphs Jeremy clearly lays out the need for and the thinking behind these fascinating pieces, and the reason for their great rarity today. -Editor
Having a native population going back some 60,000 years, Australia was first discovered by Europeans when the Dutch arrived in the early 17th century. A century later, the British arrived and in turn claimed half of the continent for themselves. The initial colony established there was New South Wales, and the British utilized this outpost as a penal colony to which the dominion's convicts could be sent. Not just prisoners would populate this southern realm, however, as the number of inhabitants in general grew rapidly in the late 17th- and early 18th centuries. So great was the growth that a complex bartering system existed, due to the lack of currency. To alleviate this shortage and ensure that the resulting coinage would not simply leave the colony as trading partners departed, a plan was devised whereby Spanish colonial 8 Reales—a trade coin par excellence around the world—would be holed out.
COLLECTOR OUTRAGE OVER THE U.S. MINT
Coin World reported this week on collector outrage over the U.S. Mint. -Editor
United States Mint officials seem so determined to drive away once loyal customers that one has to wonder whether their marketing decisions are deliberately aimed at shrinking the Mint's customer rolls.
Mint officials are offering nothing more than empty platitudes in response to customer complaints about several offerings on Nov. 5 and Nov. 9, offers featuring coins and a medal celebrating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. As the small sampling of comments from readers in Coin World's Nov. 30 print edition "Guest Commentary" and "Letters to the Editor" columns show, both offerings were unmitigated disasters for many collector customers of the Mint.
U.S. NAVAL MEDAL OF HONOR AUCTIONED
Howard Daniel writes:
"Last week's E-sylum had an item about the auctioning of many very nice Siamese and Thai orders and decorations. I used to collect Thai and looked through this outstanding collection.
"Out of curiosity, I looked at some other lots and was completely surprised to find a US Naval Medal of Honor! It is at lot 1368. I am not sure that one of these can be privately owned but I am thinking there has to be an American collector who would want it back in the USA."
Here's the lot description from Morton & Eden in London; the medal brought 2,000 GBP. -Editor
*U.S.A., an unnamed specimen Naval Medal of Honor, 1942 type, in bronze, with ribbon of correct pattern designed for wear as a breast badge fitted with brooch suspension, 52.8mm, an older striking of good quality, in fitted case £300-400
THE BOOK BAZARRE
AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER COULD LOSE VICTORIA CROSS
Recent charges of war crimes by Australian soldiers have ensnared a Victoria Cross winner, who has pledged his medals to raise funds for his legal defense. -Editor
Australia's best-known war hero Ben Roberts-Smith could be stripped of his Victoria Cross if he is convicted of committing war crimes in Afghanistan.
A damning inquiry into Australian soldiers by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force exposed a litany of alleged war crimes committed by the Australian Special Air Service in Afghanistan.
MEXICO ISSUES NEW 100-PESO BANKNOTE
Mexico has issued a new 100-peso banknote. -Editor
A new 100-peso banknote, the third in a new family of bills, was placed in circulation Thursday by the central bank.
Featuring the likeness of 17th century feminist poet and nun Sister Juana Inés de la Cruz on one side and an image of monarch butterflies in a pine, oak and fir forest on the other, the predominantly red-colored note is made of polymer rather than paper.
"It has a vertical format and unique security elements," Bank of México Governor Alejandro Díaz de León told a press conference.
IRAN'S NEW BANKNOTE WITH LIGHT-COLOR ZEROES
Like Zimbabwe and other collapsing economies, Iran is revaluing its currency to lop off embarrassing zeros, starting the transition with printing the doomed zeros in a lighter color. -Editor
The Central Bank of Iran circulated a new 100,000-rial banknote with four zeroes having a light color signifying the CBI's plan to remove four zeros from the national currency.
According to the state-owned news agency, IRNA, the new banknote has been printed in new dimensions and with improved security features.
The CBI has said it has plans to redenominate the rial by shaving off four zeros and changing the monetary unit from the rial to the popularly used 'toman'.
THE EYE OF PROVIDENCE
This BBC article explores the history and meaning of the Eye of Providence, the mysterious symbol adorning U.S. paper money and medals. -Editor
Conspiracy theories thrive on cryptic symbols and covert visual signs. The 'Eye of Providence' – an eye set within a triangle – is one such symbol, associated with Freemasonry but also linked with the apocryphal Illuminati, a secret group of elite individuals allegedly seeking to control global affairs.
The Eye of Providence is a lightning rod for conspiracy theorists because it is very much hidden in plain sight: not only does it appear on countless churches and Masonic buildings worldwide, it also features on the reverse of the American one-dollar bill as well as the Great Seal of the United States.
SPENDING THE SPACE FORCE $2 BILL
A reader sent in a link to this video of a YouTuber driving around spending those altered banknote souvenirs we discussed earlier - Trump 2020 Space Force $2 bills. -Editor
TRAVANCORE SOUVENIR TABLEWARE MADE FROM COINS
Harold Mernick has created a website of his collection of items made using coins of Travancore. -Editor
Kingdom of Travancore.
The Kingdom of Travancore was an Indian kingdom from c. 870 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. At its zenith, the kingdom covered most of modern-day central and southern Kerala. In 1949 Travancore was incorporated into the newly created state of India.
One Chuckram coins.
The Kingdom of Travancore minted a variety of Gold, Silver and Copper Coins. The most prolific issue was of tiny silver 'Chuckrams'. Molten silver, probably obtained by melting down Indian rupee coins, was dropped into cold water. This caused the silver to fracture into small particles. The powdered silver was weighed out and placed into recesses in a large baked clay slab. This slab had thousands of small round recesses to hold the silver. The slab was then placed into an oven, resulting in the production of precisely weighed silver beads. The beads were then struck between coin dies to produce the one chuckram coins. The dies used were made for the larger two chuckram (Velli Fanam) coin, with the result that most of the coins were struck from different parts of the dies.
LOOSE CHANGE: NOVEMBER 22, 2020
Here are some additional items in the media this week that may be of interest. -Editor
Todd Martin of the U.S. Mint
On Coin Update Lou Golino published an interview with Todd Martin of the U.S. Mint. -Editor
I recently interviewed Todd Martin, a member of the United States Mint's leadership team serving as the Acting Chief of Corporate Communications, about the forthcoming design changes to the American Silver and Gold Eagle coin programs and current legislation to create a series of quarter dollar and other coin programs starting in 2022. I wanted to clarify some points relating to these programs, including the impetus for the proposed new programs and other issues.
Mr. Martin leads a team of 13 U.S. Mint personnel, who perform wide range of public affairs activities, including media relations, external relations, social media, website management, education outreach, internal communications, videography, photography, event planning, and public affairs support to the U.S. Mint's senior leaders. He has 30 years of experience, which includes positions in the military, private sector, and government.
To read the complete article, see:
Interview with Todd Martin of the United States Mint
(https://news.coinupdate.com/interview-with-todd-martin-of-the-united-states-mint/)
STIR-UP THREEPENNY PIECES
David Pickup submitted this article on Stir-up Threepenny Pieces. I hadn't heard that particular term before. -Editor
Stir-up Sunday is the last Sunday before the season of Advent. It gets its name from the beginning of the collect for the day in the Book of Common Prayer, which begins with the words, "Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people". It became associated with the custom of making the Christmas puddings on that day. Traditionally, families gather together in the kitchen of their homes to mix a Christmas pudding on Stir-up Sunday.
Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
FEATURED WEB SITE: MR. PEPYS' SMALL CHANGE
This week's Featured Web Site is Mr. Pepys' Small Change.
The Trade Tokens of Samuel Pepys' London – An Introduction
This site is dedicated to all aspects of the paranumismatics of 17th century London, particularly (but not exclusively) that series of privately issued traders' token that circulated in and around the city during the period 1648/9 to 1672. This is a period for which we know a huge amount regarding the detail of everyday life and death in the city from Samuel Pepys' celebrated diaries. Pepys himself had close associations with several of the people and establishments that issued these tokens and will almost certainly have regularly found them amongst the small change in his coat pockets.
https://c17thlondontokens.com/
The E-Sylum is an electronic publication of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society
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