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 29, 2020
- MORE DAVIS DECEMBER 2020 SALE SELECTIONS
- SOLIDUS JANUARY 2021 LITERATURE SALE
- NEW BOOK: THE CONJUROR'S TRICK
- NEW BOOK: ZERO EURO SOUVENIR NOTES
- 2020 BNS NORTH BOOK PRIZE AWARDED
- GREGORY G. BRUNK (1949-2020)
- CLEMENT V. SCHETTINO (1953-2020)
- GOLD DUST IN OLD MINT COIN STORAGE BAGS
- VIDEO: A BILLION DOLLARS OF BEANIE BABIES
- COINS IN LUCITE
- IMITATION GUINEAS AND HALF-GUINEAS
- NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: NOVEMBER 29, 2020
- NGC PHOTO PROOF HISTORY
- COLLECTING WHITMAN BOOKSHELF ALBUMS
- VOCABULARY TERM: OBSESSIVE DATE
- FRANK DEWETTE ANDREWS (1847-1937)
- JEFF BURKE'S NEW 1880-S MORGAN DOLLAR
- 2020 ANA RACHEL CARSON CONVENTION MEDAL
- ONLINE LECTURE: BANK NOTES AND SHINPLASTERS
- LYN KNIGHT DECEMBER 2020 AUCTION SELECTIONS
- ARCHIVES INTERNATIONAL AUCTION 63 SELECTIONS
- STACKS BOWERS DECEMBER 2020 AUCTION SELECTIONS
- ROMAN SILVER COINS FOUND IN SERBIA
- ADVENT COINS: A GAME OF THRONES
- DIX NOONAN WEBB OFFERS RON KERRIDGE TOKENS
- ROYAL SOCIETY MEMBER TICKET MEDALS OFFERED
- GARY ALLISS GOLFING MEDAL COLLECTION OFFERED
- DISNEY SECURITY'S UNOFFICIAL CHALLENGE COINS
- RUSSIA MAY VARNISH BANKNOTES
- ZIMBABWE DEALERS REPAIR WORN OUT DOLLARS
- LOCALIZED U.S. COIN SHORTAGES CONTINUE
- WHO WILL MISS THE COINS WHEN THEY'RE GONE?
- LOOSE CHANGE: NOVEMBER 29, 2020
- QUERY: NUMISMATIC MASKS?
- FEATURED WEB SITE: SRI LANKA BANKNOTES
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 29, 2020
New subscribers this week include:
Kurt Kelley, courtesy Tom Roberson;
Dr. Murphy Smith, courtesy Bo Cribbs; and
former ANA reader Benjamin Mous.
Welcome aboard! We now have 6,609 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, two new books, two obituaries, a book prize, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, and more.
Other topics this week include Zero Euro notes, U.S. Mint coin storage bags, imitation guineas, NGC Photo Proof, coins in Lucite, Whitman bookshelf albums, obsessive dates, Frank Andrews, Rachel Carson, multiple auction selections, Advent coins, Royal Society member ticket medals, worn out dollars, coin shortages and numismatic masks.
To learn more about paper money of India, the Iron Age old coinage of southern England, countermarked coins, sweating gold, numismatic cats, General Butler's Colored Troops medal, the Cohen Mint, the Jewish People's Bank of Harbin, China, the gold dollar Love Token bracelet, unofficial Disney Security challenge coins, Greenback Chase and a billion dollars worth of Beanie Babies, read on. Have a great week, everyone!
Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum
MORE DAVIS DECEMBER 2020 SALE SELECTIONS
Charlie Davis submitted this note with additional highlights of this week's numismatic literature sale. Great opportunity to pick up some nice rarities. -Editor
Our auction sale offering unique books and ephemera, American and British, from the libraries of Dave Bowers, Ted Natfzger and Howard Newcomb closes this coming Saturday, December 5. Those who have not received a catalogue may visit the on-line version at
Numisbook.com. All lots are illustrated on our alternate site
Charlesdavisnumismatics.com.
Newcomb's fine studio portrait, while not included in the sale, has been reproduced on each lot card.
SOLIDUS JANUARY 2021 LITERATURE SALE
Literature Auction 69 by Solidus of Munich contains numerous rarities from the 17th to the 19th century, among others from the library of Reinhold Jordan, as well as current, out of print and rare specialist literature, including duplicates from the library of Ursula Kampmann. Here are a few selected lots. -Editor
Selected numismatic literature with many rarities and bibliophilic treasures of the 17th and 18th century including large quantities of the libraries of Ursula Kampmann and Reinhold Jordan - furthermore some numismatic graphics and publications concerning archeology and history
NEW BOOK: THE CONJUROR'S TRICK
A new book has been published on the history of paper money of India. -Editor
Title : The Conjuror's Trick: An Interpretative History of Paper Money in India (Paperback)
Author : Bazil Shaikh
Year : 2020
NEW BOOK: ZERO EURO SOUVENIR NOTES
Hans-Ludwig Grabowski has published a catalog of zero Euro souvenir banknotes. Here's a Google-translated article from Geldscheine Online. -Editor
Grabowski: Catalog of the zero euro souvenir notes
Hans-Ludwig Grabowski
(Michael Godeau, Benjamin Busch):
Catalog of the 0 euro souvenir notes
624 pages, color illustrations throughout, format 14.8 cm x 21 cm, paperback, 2nd edition, Regenstauf 2020,
ISBN 978-3-86646-195-6 .
Price: 29.90 euros
All editions of all countries!
- Over 2000 different motifs!
- Introduction in nine languages!
- With language-neutral catalog section!
- With index of all issues!
- With current ratings in euros!
2020 BNS NORTH BOOK PRIZE AWARDED
A press release issued by the publisher Chris Rudd announces the awarding of the British Numismatic Society's 2020 North Book Prize to author Dr John Sills for his 2017 work, Divided Kingdoms: the Iron Age old coinage of southern England. Great photo of Dr Sills with his book. We TOLD you it's big... -Editor
Grimsby scholar scoops top book prize
Dr John Sills, the Celtic numismatist from Grimsby, north Lincolnshire, has won a premier book prize. The council of the British Numismatic Society has recently awarded him the 2020 North Book Prize worth £500 for his 'monumental' 825-page Divided Kingdoms: the Iron Age old coinage of southern England published by Chris Rudd in 2017. Described as “astonishing” by fellow numismatist Dr Philip de Jersey and “brilliant” by archaeologist Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe, Divided Kingdoms was judged the winner out of “no less than 17 titles published over the last four years”.
GREGORY G. BRUNK (1949-2020)
Jeff Kelley of Massachusetts writes:
"I just saw the news that Dr. Gregory Brunk passed away in October.
"It is of course a great loss for his family and friends, but also for so many of us who benefited from his tireless research and cataloging in the area of counterstamps/countermarks.
"I understand that he had plans to publish a new edition of his book but that was interrupted by the untimely passing of his publisher Rich Hartzog three years ago.
"I can only hope that his important work is not lost during the difficult task of settling his estate. I have no idea to what extent his heirs were involved in his publishing activities."
CLEMENT V. SCHETTINO (1953-2020)
Mike Wierzba submitted this remembrance of his friend Clem Schettino. Sorry to hear the news. -Editor
It was with great sadness that I learned on Thanksgiving Day the passing of my dear friend, numismatist Clem Schettino. With so many great memories of our adventures together, I struggled, wondering how I could even begin to explain the impact Clem had on my, and so many others', lives. And as it sometimes happens, and only with the truly great friends, your mourning is interrupted by laughter when you find yourself reliving the friendship from the very beginning...
GOLD DUST IN OLD MINT COIN STORAGE BAGS
Newman Numismatic Portal Project Coordinator Len Augsburger provided the following report on some interesting U.S. Mint correspondence concerning valuable gold dust in old coin storage bags. -Editor
U.S. Mint Sweats Gold
VIDEO: A BILLION DOLLARS OF BEANIE BABIES
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's one on dealer John Highfill's sideline selling Beanie Baby toys. -Editor
How a Silver Dollar Dealer Sold a Billion Dollars in Beanie Babies.
VIDEO: 2:51
John Highfill, Founder, National Silver Dollar Roundtable, David Lisot, Interviewer, CoinTelevision.com.
John Highfill is famous for dealing silver dollars and founding the National Silver Dollar Roundtable. He is an astute businessman who recognizes a business when he sees one. Hear the story of how he sold a billion dollars worth of Beanie Babies.
An excerpt of the video is available for viewing on the Coin Television YouTube Channel at:
https://youtu.be/8V6aefjgyEQ
COINS IN LUCITE
Justin J. Perrault writes:
"I loved that old Esquire ad about a cigarette lighter with coins embedded in Lucite. Yes, I am sure it has really "held its value." Embedding things in Lucite seemed to be all the rage those days. I have a letter holder from the 1960's that has a general selection of period US coins embedded into it. A few months ago I also picked up a booklet from the 1960's that gave detailed instructions on how to create a decorative piece with anything embedded in Lucite, an interesting piece of ephemera for sure."
Bruce Perdue writes:
"I have two lighters with coins embedded in Lucite. One has a 1962 proof set embedded in the Lucite. The second one has random coins; a 1964 Quarter, 1964 nickel, and a 1953 dime. I also had a lighter similar to the one in the ad, however, it met an untimely end when it fell to the floor and shattered."
IMITATION GUINEAS AND HALF-GUINEAS
Author Martin Warburton submitted this note on the imitation guineas and half-guineas discussed earlier. Thank you! -Editor
Even More on the Good Old Days
Further to the last two weeks' pieces in The E-Sylum on tokens with the legend 'In Memory of the Good Old Days', Martin Purdy is absolutely correct in saying that these tokens were largely produced in the late Victorian era and the first decades of last century. They are commonly found in dealers' trays and on internet auction sites in base metal and, together with similar tokens, are known as imitation guineas or half-guineas.
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: NOVEMBER 29, 2020
Reader Thoughts on First Coins of the Americas
Robert Hoge,
Curator Emeritus, American Numismatic Society writes:
"I was very pleased to see the new book The First Coins of the Americas, by Dr. Peter Jones, referenced in the latest E-Sylum. This is a wonderful work. If there had been such a book available many years ago, I think I might have dedicated myself to studying and working on collecting these kinds of issues instead of having become very much of a generalist. Although I have indeed often focused from time to time on these series, over the years, there was much material and information in it that was of interest, and essentially new to me!
"I highly recommend this volume!"
Thanks. Book reviews, however long or short, are always appreciated. If you pick up a new volume over the holidays, drop us a line and let our readers know what you think. -Editor
To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NEW BOOK: THE FIRST COINS OF THE AMERICAS
(https://www.coinbooks.org/v23/esylum_v23n47a04.html)
Other topics this week include numismatics and U.S. Customs, and the Cohen Mint. -Editor
NGC PHOTO PROOF HISTORY
Dave Lange writes:
"Jeff Garrett's article about the transition to digital photography in numismatics overlooked an important milestone. NGC was likely the first company to employ this technology when it launched Photo Proof late in 1994. The official announcement was published in Coin World and Numismatic News on the covers of their first issues dated 1995.
"I'm intimately familiar with this development, as I was hired by NGC the year before specifically to write the text for Photo Proof. Even today it remains a small part of my overall workload, though at that time it was anticipated I'd be occupied with this one service all day, every day. Indeed, the first couple years were extremely busy ones, both in terms of writing and in the promotional efforts. At the 1995 FUN Show and that same year's ANA Convention in Anaheim I actually manned a separate Photo Proof booth, and the "proof" of this is attached.
"These days nearly everyone can perform their own digital photography with varying degrees of prowess, so the demand for Photo Proof has diminished. Still, NGC has expanded its line of photographic services to fill other needs of dealers and collectors, and the quality of these images is superb. Over the past quarter century NGC has produced many thousands of Photo Proofs, but how many still exist is unknown---yet another collectible to seek."
THE BOOK BAZARRE
COLLECTING WHITMAN BOOKSHELF ALBUMS
Dave Lange recently published Coin Collecting Albums, A Complete History & Catalog: Volume Three, Whitman Publishing Company Folders and Albums 1940-1978. In an email to his mailing list this week, he provided a section inadvertently left out of the book. With permission, we're republishing it here. Thanks. -Editor
Dave writes:
"A sharp-eyed reader of my new book inquired why there was no section titled "Collecting Bookshelf Albums," as there are equivalent sections on each of the other Whitman products. The simple answer is that it was written and somehow lost during the layout process. I failed to notice this omission, a great embarrassment to me.
"It is attached herein, along with a photo of the author's own collection of these albums."
Produced from 1961 through 1978, the Bookshelf is the most commonly seen obsolete coin album, slightly
edging out those from the Library of Coins, which lasted only until 1971. From the very beginning Whitman's line of
titles was extensive. All series of non-gold, USA coins had their own albums for issues dated roughly 1837 and later,
the sole exception being Liberty Seated Dollars. For earlier coin series only Half Cents, Large Cents and Bust Half
Dollars were provided their own albums. The more inclusive Library of Coins line did offer the missing Whitman
titles, and they thus retain fairly high resale values more than 50 years after they were printed. Conversely, most
Bookshelf albums are reasonably priced in the aftermarket.
VOCABULARY TERM: OBSESSIVE DATE
Dick Johnson submitted this entry from his Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Terminology. Thanks. -Editor
Obsessive Date.
Retaining a previous year's date on coins struck into the following year or years. The word obsessive, meaning the continuation of some design element, perhaps after it is necessary; this is equal to the British term immobilized (as retaining monarch's portrait after his death, say). Obsessive dating occurred in American Colonial coinage with the Massachusetts silver coins, which bore the date 1652, continued to be struck for thirty years thereafter. In Great Britain, the 1925 gold sovereign was struck by the Royal Mint from 1926 to 1949 as another example. The Maria Theresa Thaler, struck well into the 21st century, has borne the 1780 date for over 200 years.
FRANK DEWETTE ANDREWS (1847-1937)
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 collector and author Frank D. Andrews. I added an image and link to Andrews' classic 1881 work. -Editor
Andrews, Frank DeWette (1847-1937), was born on August 1, 1847 in Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut, the son of Bennet Josiah Andrews (1806-1860) and Lavinia Frost (1817-1899).
He was a descendant of John Andrews an original proprietor of Farmington in 1640. As a young boy Andrews developed what would grow into a life-long avid interest in geology, genealogy, numismatics, philatelics, antiquarian history and Indian relics.
JEFF BURKE'S NEW 1880-S MORGAN DOLLAR
Jeff Burke submitted this report on researching his latest U.S. type coin acquisition. Thanks. Thanks also to Julian Leidman of Bonanza Coins for use of the photos. -Editor
“Morgan Dollar Bibliography Note”
Jeff Burke
Since I wrote about my Lincoln Cent hunt in the July 19, 2020 issue of The E-Sylum, I have continued my search of high-grade, well-struck and inexpensive type coins by seeking to add a mint state Morgan dollar to my collection. Before launching my Morgan dollar treasure hunt, I watched an ANA recorded webinar – “Collecting and Investing in Morgan Dollars: A Comprehensive Approach,” taught by John Baumgart and Dr. Michael S. Fey earlier this year. I also reread sections of Girl on a Silver Dollar, Roger W. Burdette, 2019; The Private Sketchbook of George T. Morgan, Karen M. Lee, 2013; The Complete Virtual Guide to Pricing Your Morgan Silver Dollars (1878-1921), Dr. Michael Fey, 2019; Numismatic Photography, Mark Goodman, 2008; A Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars, Q. David Bowers, 2006; and Pleasure & Profit: 100 Lessons for Building and Selling a Collection of Rare Coins, Robert W. Shippee, 2014.
2020 ANA RACHEL CARSON CONVENTION MEDAL
The Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists was a local sponsor for the cancelled Pittsburgh 2020 ANA World's Fair of Money Convention. PAN Chairman of the Board Don Carlucci penned a nice article for their journal The Clarion about the medal's conception and design. With permission we're publishing an excerpt here. Thanks to Clarion editor Rich Jewell for providing the text and images. -Editor
Miss Carson's last and most famous volume, of course, was “Silent Spring.” Published in 1962, it was the result of more than four years of investigation, research, and writing. Its publication resulted in an instant storm of protest and controversy. At issue was the widespread and growing use of pesticides, insecticides, DDT and other harmful chemicals.
Carson's assault on pesticides and herbicides shocked 1962 Americans, who generally viewed these chemicals as the latest marvel from the awesome scientists whose previous inventions and discoveries had won World War II.
ONLINE LECTURE: BANK NOTES AND SHINPLASTERS
Robert Hoge passed along this announcement of a free online Massachusetts Historical Society program with Joshua R. Greenberg, author of Bank Notes and Shinplasters. Thanks. -Editor
Bank Notes and Shinplasters: The Rage for Paper Money in the Early Republic
Registration required at no cost
7 December 2020.
Monday, 5:30PM - 6:30PM
LYN KNIGHT DECEMBER 2020 AUCTION SELECTIONS
The Lyn Knight November/December 2020 sale closes December 1, 2020. That's just days away, so be sure to get your bids in. Here are some selected lots. -Editor
Lot 80939: Argentina Banco Provincial de Cordoba 10 Pesos
Argentina
Banco Provincial de Cordoba
S738b 10 Pesos 1.1.1881
Dean Funes and provincial cathedral/arms. PMG terms this "VF 30 minor restoration"; by itself, far better than the only other two examples on the population report.
ARCHIVES INTERNATIONAL AUCTION 63 SELECTIONS
Here's a selection of lots that caught my eye in the Archives International Auctions sale closing December 9-10, 2020. Some really interesting items. -Editor
Lot 15: 1878 Armenian Turkey Scrip Note
Armenian Turkey, 1878, 10 Para, P-Unlisted, Black on purple undertint. 2.5 x 1.5 inches. Rare.
STACKS BOWERS DECEMBER 2020 AUCTION SELECTIONS
Here's a selection of gold lots that caught my eye in the Stack's Bowers Galleries sales closing December 17, 18 & 21, 2020. -Editor
Lot 1450: 1850 Mormon $5
1850 Mormon $5. K-5. Rarity-5+. AU-55 (PCGS). CAC--Gold Label. OGH.
Bordering on Mint State, this is an outstanding example of the Mormon $5 from the second year, 1850. Attractively original, both sides exhibit iridescent pinkish-rose highlights to a base of warm honey-olive patina. The overall detail is exceptional, with the strike very well executed for a territorial gold coin produced under the rustic conditions that prevailed at the Mormon's Deseret facility. Even the most intricate design elements are at least bold, and most features are razor sharp to full. Rarely do Mormon gold coins of any denomination or date retain even faint traces of original luster, yet here there is ample evidence of a satiny finish. Wispy handling marks are not out of place on a lightly circulated Mormon gold coin. The appearance is remarkably smooth. As lustrous, sharp and attractive as one could expect in any Mormon gold coin, this is an incredible example of the issue that is sure to sell for a strong premium to a discerning collector.
The Kagin-5 variety is the only 1850-dated issue in the Mormon gold series, and the last produced using California gold. This issue uses a similar design to that seen on the 1849-dated Mormon coins, although the miter above the all-seeing eye has been replaced by a crown and halo, and the clasped hands are shaped differently and feature more intricate detail. Rarer than the 1849 Mormon $5, and typically offered no finer than the lowest reaches of AU (when available at all), the 1850 Mormon $5 is a tremendous condition rarity when found with the superior quality and strong eye appeal that define the Larry H. Miller specimen.
THE BOOK BAZARRE
ROMAN SILVER COINS FOUND IN SERBIA
The excavation of a Roman legion's headquarters in Serbia has yielded a find of 120 Roman silver coins. -Editor
Buried under a Serbian cornfield close to a coalmine, the well-preserved remains of a Roman legion's headquarters are being excavated by archaeologists who say its rural location makes it unique.
Covering an estimated 3,500 square meters, the headquarters - or principium - belonged to the VII Claudia Legion. Its location was deduced in the spring during a survey.
ADVENT COINS: A GAME OF THRONES
David Pickup submitted this article which is the first of a planned series of four for the season of advent, featuring coins or tokens with a link in some ways to the Christmas story. This first one is about the annunciation. Thanks! -Editor
Advent coins: A Game of Thrones
Attribution: Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com
DIX NOONAN WEBB OFFERS RON KERRIDGE TOKENS
This Dix Noonan Webb press release highlights tokens offered in their upcoming December sale. -Editor
Lot 1053
Two of the most fascinating regional groups of tokens – from Sussex and Bristol - to be offered for sale in the past 50 years will be offered in a live/online auction of Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals on Tuesday & Wednesday, December 1 & 2, 2020 by International coins, medals, banknotes and jewellery specialists Dix Noonan Webb via their website www.dnw.co.uk.
The collection of tokens, Tickets and medals from Sussex were collected over many years by Ron Kerridge, who was born in 1938 in Southwick near Brighton in Sussex. He also lived in Southwick, when first married but then moved to Broadwater and had two children, Vanessa and John. Ron passed away suddenly on the 13 June 2013.
ROYAL SOCIETY MEMBER TICKET MEDALS OFFERED
Baldwin's of St. James also has an upcoming sale with many nice ancient and British coins. But a highlight for many will be their offering of silver members' tickets to the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Institution. Here's their press release. -Editor
An amazing group of silver members' tickets to the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Institution to be sold by Baldwin's of St. James's in London.
The recent report (13 June 2020, issue 2446) of Thomas Telford's silver membership ticket to the Royal Society of Edinburgh will serve to add interest to an exceptional group of seventeen named and three un-named tickets which are to be auctioned by Baldwin's of St. James's in London on 4th December 2020. The group has been discovered hidden amongst old stock that had been lingering in the basement vault of the coin dealers A. H. Baldwin & Sons. They were found together with a further group of seven named membership tickets to the Royal Institution in London. The whole group is quite unprecedented in recent auction history.
GARY ALLISS GOLFING MEDAL COLLECTION OFFERED
Back to Dix Noon Webb for a moment, they're offering an interesting group of modern golfing medals. Here's the press release. -Editor
Lot 1365
A group of Golfing medals from the Collection of Gary Alliss relating to golf courses around the world will be offered in a live/online auction of Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals on Tuesday & Wednesday, December 1 & 2, 2020 by International coins, medals, banknotes and jewellery specialists Dix Noonan Webb via their website www.dnw.co.uk.
A member of one of the most famous golfing families, Gary Alliss is a golf professional and the third generation of golfing Allisses! He has been a coin collector for almost 60 years - since he was seven years old. He had a substantial collection of coins of the reign of Stephen, which he sold about 15 years ago.
DISNEY SECURITY'S UNOFFICIAL CHALLENGE COINS
This Gizmondo article takes a look at a number of unofficial Disney Security challenge coins that have been showing up in the market. -Editor
Challenge coins are small, commemorative medallions often distributed within a wide range of organizations as symbols of membership and camaraderie fostered through “challenges” in which people are required to show their coins on demand to prove that they're carrying them. There are varying rules on what happens if you're found without your coin depending on the group you're playing with. Most commonly, challenge coins have been associated with the military and its culture, which is at least part of why Disney currently has a sanctioned selection of them that a number of its park security personnel reportedly carry.
RUSSIA MAY VARNISH BANKNOTES
Goznak is the Russian unit responsible for manufacturing security products including banknotes, coins, stamps, and identity cards. According to this article, they're considering varnishing certain banknotes to extend their life in circulation.
Found via News & Notes from the Society of Paper Money Collectors (Volume VI, Number 22, November 17, 2020).-Editor
Goznak is preparing to varnish all 100 ruble banknotes and is technically ready to cover with varnishing the entire range of low and medium denominations, up to 500 rubles inclusive, said the company's CEO Arkady Trachuk in an interview with RG.
He stressed that everything depends on the position of the Bank of Russia, both in terms of determining which denominations should be treated, and the timing and costs.
ZIMBABWE DEALERS REPAIR WORN OUT DOLLARS
In the they-really-know-how-to-stretch-a-dollar department, this article describes how Zimbabwe currency dealers repair worn out dollar notes. -Editor
Traders in Zimbabwe have resorted to repairing old US dollar notes for desperate customers.
Fresh new US dollar currency is not coming into the Southern African nation. And so dealers buy the tattered notes and make profits off the black market.
LOCALIZED U.S. COIN SHORTAGES CONTINUE
This Newsweek article discusses the continuing localized coin shortages across the U.S. -Editor
"Brother, can you spare a dime?"
That question became famous in the Great Depression.
In 2020, with the pandemic raging, the answer could be, "Maybe, but they're hard to find."
WHO WILL MISS THE COINS WHEN THEY'RE GONE?
Robert Hoge, Tom Sheehan and Stu Levine passed along this New York Times article about the steady march to a cashless society. Thanks. -Editor
They gather unloved in jars and under cushions, unearthed only when laundry needs doing. They rattle in coat pockets, music to some ears and a nuisance to others. They sink into fountains and lurk in wells, a fortune in wishes but a nightmare to sort and count.
Coins are everywhere until they're nowhere, and at the moment they're hard to find. By upending normal habits, the pandemic has dropped them out of circulation and accelerated a trend toward cards, apps and other cashless payments that could eventually make coins obsolete.
LOOSE CHANGE: NOVEMBER 29, 2020
Here are some additional items in the media this week that may be of interest. -Editor
Moneyed Street Names
Here's a curious discovery (or total coincidence): a study claims that homes are worth more when they're on streets with money-themed names. -Editor
When it comes to buying a home, most people focus on the location, size and style of a property.
However, savvy house hunters may want to factor in the street name if they are shopping on a budget.
New analysis from Invezz.com shows that houses with money-related street names often sell at a higher price.
It looked at around 1,000 road names across the UK and discovered that London streets with cash terms in their name sold for £272,000 more than others in that area.
In North London houses sold for more on Bank Lane (N11), Copper Close (N17), Gold Close (EN10), Pound Lane (NW10) and Silver Street (EN1, EN7 and EN9).
The same was true of houses in East London on Bank Street (E14), Copper Street (E20), Pound Close (EN9), Pound Lane, (RM16) and Rich Street (E14).
Do any of our readers live on or near streets/neighborhoods/towns with numismatic or money-themed names? I'll keep your response confidential if you like, but send in your entries and I'll compile a list. There may not be an Uncirculated Circle, but there is of course, a real Penny Lane. Dime Street? How about a Greenback Chase? Dollar Hollow (pronounced "Holler")? Currency Canyon? Banknote Bend? Bonus points for pictures of street signs. Have fun! -Editor
To read the complete article, see:
The curious detail in a London road name that could mean houses there are worth £272k more
(https://www.mylondon.news/news/property/curious-detail-london-road-name-19330743)
Other topics this week include a sneaky German book thief, and the proposed Digital Euro. -Editor
QUERY: NUMISMATIC MASKS?
David Gladfelter writes:
"Have you seen any numismatic masks? Artistic, wacky, cornball, whatever – there must be some worth reporting on?"
FEATURED WEB SITE: SRI LANKA BANKNOTES
This week's Featured Web Site is the Lakdiva BankNote Collection, Dr. Kavan Ratnatunga's web display of a personal collection of legally circulated colonial, and modern currency from Sri Lanka (Ceylon).
Lakdiva BankNotes hopes to documented over 500 Lankan BankNote Types and other Lankan Numismatic Paper items in over 300 web pages. Motivated by many reasons this long term project may take many years to complete. It is purely an attempt to put part of my Lankan heritage on the web, as much as I can afford to do so in both money and time. Significant contribution of Ceylon BankNotes or high resolution images to complete the site will be gratefully acknowledged.
http://notes.lakdiva.org/
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