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About Us The 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 Subscriptions Those wishing to become new E-Sylum subscribers (or wishing to Unsubscribe) can go to the following web page link Membership There 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 Numismatic Bibliomania Society P. O. Box 2058, Bluffton, SC 29910-2058 Asylum For Asylum mailing address changes and other membership questions, contact Chuck at this email address: treasurer@coinbooks.org Submissions To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com BUY THE BOOK BEFORE THE COIN Sale Calendar May 29, 2022 SOLIDUS Watch here for updates!

 

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 JUNE 5, 2022

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.

Our email provider was doing maintenance on our server Sunday, so this issue is coming out a bit late this week.

This week we open with six new books, the IAPN book prizes, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal and the PAN show, and more.

Other topics this week include Marcel Jovine, Bela Lyon Pratt, widows of the U.S. Mint, The Coin Collector, the cartwheel effect, numismatists on Instagram and YouTube, Witter Coin University, auction previews, the Gothic Crown, and the Pride coin.

To learn more about Canadian coins and tokens, engraver Robert Scot, elongated coins, Croatian banknotes, hands depicted on coins, the medallion of John Brown, iridescence, Couch Collectibles, early Anglo-Saxon coins, the Westminster Abbey medal, Indiana Jones, and W. B. Yeats and the Lady Gregory medal, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

 

NEW BOOK: 100 GREATEST CANADIAN COINS

A new Whitman Publishing book, 100 Greatest Canadian Coins and Tokens, by Dr. Harvey B. Richer, will debut in July 2022 at the annual convention of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association, in Ottawa. The 160-page hardcover coffee-table volume will be available from bookstores and hobby shops and online (including at Whitman.com). Here, Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker discusses how the book came to be, and its context within Whitman's focus on Canadian numismatics.

Collectors in Ottawa, Ontario, will be among the first to see Dr. Harvey Richer's new book, 100 Greatest Canadian Coins and Tokens, as it takes its place among nearly 75 years of related Whitman Publishing books and hobby supplies.

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NEW PRINTING: ROBERT SCOT: ENGRAVING LIBERTY

The first printing of the biography of the U.S. Mint's first appointed engraver, Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty, has been sold out, and an additional printing is now available at the publisher American History Press along with other internet retailers. The first printing can be distinguished by glossy covers, and the new printing added a last page with printing information. A full review by historian Martin Clagett is now online in the archives of the academic newsletter Eighteenth-Century Scotland (Spring 2016 issue, page 29);

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NEW BOOK: RENNIKS AUSTRALIAN COIN & BANKNOTE

Renniks Australian Coin & Banknote Values
31st Edition, Hardcover
Australia's leading numismatic guide.
Hardcover ISBN 9780987105790

This comprehensive guide to Australian Coin & Banknote Values contains over 3,850 images and countless thousands of valuations.

A must for all collectors, whether you are just beginning or an advanced collector.

Latest information compiled using weighted averages where possible to ensure the accuracy of pricing.

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NEW BOOKS: ELONGATED COINS BY BOTTLES

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NEW BOOK: CROATIAN BANKNOTES

A new book on Croatian banknotes provides a fascinating look at Croatia's rich numismatic history, but also gives an interesting insight into Croatia's rich ancient history and remarkable achievements.

Croatian Banknotes: A Standard Reference is written by Australian-based numismatist Dusty Dragicevic. The book is fully illustrated and covers all Croatian banknote issues from WW2 to the present day, including all fantasy issues, proposals and a section on the currency that Croatia almost had until the last minute, when they changed their minds.

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IAPN BOOK PRIZES 2021, 2022

After a gap of three years, the IAPN was able to meet in person for its recent annual General Assembly in Palma Mallorca, Spain, at the end of last week.

At the Assembly members voted for two book prizes, 2021 (for books published in 2020) and 2022 (for books published in 2021).

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BARNSLEY FIRST MINT GENEALOGY

First Mint Genealogy

Edward Ned Barnsley and Eric P. Newman conducted an active correspondence for many years, focused on colonial numismatics and including early paper money and Connecticut coppers. In a letter dated January 8, 1961, Barnsley related that a cousin of his great-grandfather, Isaac Hough, served as chief clerk in the U.S. Mint from 1792 until his death in 1801. Pete Smith accepted our challenge to validate (or refute) Barnsley's claim and provided the following analysis. Barnsley's line is:

• Edward Barnsley (1906-1989)
• [Father] John Herman Barnsley (1854-1932)
• [Grandmother] Mary Hough Barnsley (1814-1895)
• [1gr-grandfather] Benjamin Hough (1770-1848)
• [2gr-grandfather] Joseph Hough, Jr. (1730-1818)
• [3gr-grandfather] Joseph Hough, Sr. (1695-1773)
• [4gr-grandfather] Richard Hough (1654-1705)

Isaac Hough's line is:

• Isaac Hough, Jr. (1759-1801)
• [Father] Isaac Hough, Sr. (1726-1786)
• [Grandfather] John Hough (1693-1761)
• [1gr-grandfather] Richard Hough (?-?)

Ned Barnsley was close but not quite – his great-grandfather was more precisely a second cousin, not first cousin, of the Mint clerk Isaac Hough. Barnsley added that Unfortunately, my branch of the Hough's acquired little of the product of their place of employment. They were all nice people though, and left perhaps some form of numismatics in their transmitted genes, even if they did forget to put aside a roll or two of Strawberry leaf coppers for posterity.

Images: 1793 Strawberry Leaf 1c, NC-3, ex. Stack's Bowers August 2020 Rarities Night, lot 1006, realized $660,000.

Link to Newman/Barnsley correspondence on NNP:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/561116

VIDEO: HANDS DEPICTED ON COINS

Hands Depicted on Coins
Speaker(s): William Myers

Myers demonstrates how hands have been used to convey messages and ideas on money since ancient times. There have been examples of hands on coins since ancient times. You will see and learn about:

• clasped hands as they began on ancient coins
• examples of modern clasped hands
• linked hands
• dove hands
• religious hands
• hands and food
• caring hands
• clenched fists and more

David adds:

To watch the video on NNP, see:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/544830

 

THE MAY 2022 PAN CIVIL WAR SHOWCASE

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WIDOWS OF THE U.S. MINT

In response to Len Augsberger's thoughts regarding the marriage bar at the Mint during the 19th century, I looked at records for twenty three women who worked at the San Francisco Mint at the start of the 1880s. I got the names from both the Official Register of the U.S. for 1881 and from the 1880 Census, as made available on Heritage Quest. According to the Register, sixty three women worked at the San Francisco Mint in 1881, and thirty seven were listed with the title Mrs. For my sample, I selected fifteen names from the thirty seven making sure to include some names where the Official Register only provided their first and middle initials. If there was bias in my selection procedure, it was a reluctance to include women with very common surnames.

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MORE ON MARCEL JOVINE

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NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: JUNE 5, 2022

World Paper Money Publications Sought
Dennis Hengeveld writes:

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THE COIN COLLECTOR NEWSPAPER SOUGHT

Typically, I don't acquire issues of The Coin Collector, the long-running newspaper published by the Lawrence Brothers of Anamosa, Iowa for decades until their passing. In one instance, however, I spotted an issue on eBay that just seemed to packed full of interesting stories that are of lasting value. It's dated February 25, 1964, which is just about the pinnacle of coin collecting's broad popularity in the United States.

Produced in a tabloid format similar to Coin World newspapers of the period, this particular issue of The Coin Collector is 48 pages long. Many of these pages are occupied by classified ads, as was the fashion in pre-internet days, but there are a lot of local and national stories that make for interesting reading. Here's a list of some stories from the cover alone:

"Kennedy Coins in Production" - It's revealed that the first pieces struck by the Philadelphia and Denver Mints were produced February 11. Photos of both sides of a 1964(P) half are included, and for many collectors this was their first view of the actual coin as struck. Until that time eager coin publications had been using mock-ups of what might be expected, typically featuring a Franklin Half Dollar with a Kennedy Head in Place of old Ben or the Kennedy Inaugural Medal with a 1964 date superimposed over it. Even the first printing of the Library of Coins album for this series had a fanciful illustration, so great was the pressure to beat competing products to the market. The new coins were finally released to the public on March 24.

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VOCABULARY TERM: IRIDESCENCE

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VOCABULARY TERM: CARTWHEEL EFFECT

Cartwheel Effect. A type of mint luster on a struck piece in which the flow marks appear as "spokes" from the center out to the rim; when the piece is tilted slightly the "spokes" appear to rotate as a wagon wheel, hence the name. Not all mint luster creates this effect, only that with strong striations (created by metal flow ) where the flow marks from the center outwards on the surface of the struck piece towards the rim.

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BELA LYON PRATT II (1867-1917)

Last week The E-Sylum had an article and photos of the Bela Lyon Pratt Gallery at Yale. The article did not explain who was Bela Lyon Pratt? I can take a hint. Here is a biography of him.

Bela Lyon Pratt II was born in Norwich, Connecticut on December 11. 1867, and named after his grandfather. His father was a Yale educated lawyer, George Pratt (1832-1875). His Mother, Sarah Victoria Whittlesey Pratt (1831- 1923), came from a musical family. Sarah was the daughter of Oramel Whittlesey (1801-1876), a piano maker who founded Music Vale Seminary in Salem, Connecticut, in 1835. Bela would learn to play guitar, cello and oboe.

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UMAIR SHAH: NUMISMATIST, INSTAGRAMER

Shah, 27, is the co-founder of a digital marketing agency, a numismatist, an Instagram influencer, and a self-confessed ‘history nerd'. My profile is deceptive, I work for fashion brands, reads his Instagram bio, rather correctly, given Shah's expansive and exhaustive documentation of history through coins from across eras and monuments forgotten, abandoned, and buried.

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JUSTIN COUCH: YOUTUBE COIN GUY

Michael Kodysz writes:

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PCGS SPONSORS WITTER COIN UNIVERSITY 2022

PCGS, long a leader in numismatic education, is supporting a cause led by Seth Chandler of Witter Coin in San Francisco, California, to help dozens of young numismatists learn the ropes of the hobby and discover the boundless opportunities in the hobby. Witter Coin University is a weeklong educational camp for young numismatists that, now in its second year, will bring together 40 collectors aged 13 through 21 for eight days of numismatic enrichment and camaraderie from July 23 through July 31, 2022. A sponsor of the program, PCGS is contributing to the cause through financial donations to the Witter Coin Scholarship Fund and by sending key personnel to join a roster of instructors who will educate the YNs about the hobby.

We've been fortunate enough to put together a team of leaders who don't see this as work but as a responsibility to the young people in our hobby, says Chandler. We enjoy doing this. PCGS Director of Numismatic Education and Grading Team Leader Steve Feltner will join an esteemed panel of instructors who also include Legend Rare Coin Auctions President Jessica Berkman and gold coin expert Doug Winter.

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COLLECTION OF AN ENGLISH DOCTOR, PART TWO+

Edward the Confessor (1042-66), silver Penny, small flan type (1048-50), Tamworth Mint, Moneyer Bruninc, diademed bust left, bust to bottom of coin, legend commences at top with toothed border surrounding, +EDPE RD RE, rev. pellet at centre of voided cross, legend and toothed border surrounding, +BRVNINC ON TMI., the INC ligatured, weight 1.05g (SCBI -; BMC type II; N.818; S.1175). Toned, good very fine and of the highest rarity being one of only two known the other being in the Birmingham Museum which was the first ever found in 1993 from a neighbouring field to this piece. £ 5,000

Edward the Confessor (1042-66), silver Penny, radiate/small cross type (1044-46), Watchet/Bedwyn Mint, moneyer Godcild, radiate crowned and draped bust left, legend and outer beaded circle surrounding, commences at top, +EDPER D REX A, rev. small cross pattee, inner circle and legend surrounding, +GODCILD ON PECED struck over BEDPI, re-utilising a die originally intended for Bedwyn, weight 1.10g (SCBI -; BMC type I; N.816; S.1173). Toned a little weak on top prong of crown, otherwise good very fine and of the highest rarity with only three known examples, the other two being housed in museum collections, and an extremely rare reuse of a die meant originally for a different location. £ 7,500

William I (1066-87), silver Penny, mule of two sceptre type (1071-74?) and two stars type (1074- 77?), Lincoln Mint, moneyer Sigaerith, facing crowned bust with sceptre each side above shoulder, all within linear circle, legend commences at top with outer beaded circle surrounding both sides, +PILEM REX ANG, rev. annulet at centre of cross bottonnée, over quadrilateral with incurved sides, +SIGIIERIÐ OII LIIIC, weight 1.29g (Mossop plate LXXXI, 1, 20; BMC type IV/V -/330; N.844/845; S.1253/1254). Toned, weak in parts, very fine and one of only two known examples of this extremely rare mule that was unknown at the time the British Museum Catalogue of Norman Kings was published. £ 6,500

William I (1066-87), silver Bonnet type Penny (1068-70?), "Maint" Mint, Moneyer Brihtwine, facing crowned and diademed bust with two fillets to edge of coin, legend and beaded circles surrounding both sides, +PILLELMIII REX A, rev. pellet in annulet at centre of voided cross, terminals of pellet with crescent each sides, pellet topped piles in angle, legend and beaded border surrounding, , +BRHTPI ON MAINT, weight 1.11g (SCBI 20:1359 this coin; BMC type II 130; N.842; S.1251). Toned weak in parts, about very fine, reverse better, with a good clear reverse reading for this extremely rare enigmatic Mint.£ 3,500

Henry I (1100-35), silver Penny, full face / cross fleury type (c.1117), Pevensey Mint, Moneyer Alfred, facing crowned and diademed head within beaded circle, legend and outer beaded circle surrounding, commences at top, +hENRICVS EX A, the S prone, rev. cross fleury within beaded circle, legend and outer beaded circle surrounding, +ALFRED ON PEVE, weight 1.37g (BMC type X; Allen, BNJ 2012, p.97, note 425; N.861; S.1266). Toned, a little weak at two corresponding parts of legend both sides, otherwise very fine and extremely rare being one of four coins known of this mint for the entire reign.

Henry I (1100-35), silver Round Halfpenny (c.1107), Wilton Mint, moneyer Ailward, facing uncrowned head, hair made up of nine rosette like ringlets, inner and outer beaded circles and legend surrounding, initial mark cross pattee, commences at top, +HENRIC-- REX:, rev. cross potent with groups of four pellets in each angle, AILPARD ON P--, weight 0.50g (N 872; S 1277). Toned with a clear face, a little uneven in shape, flat parts to some legend, otherwise very fine and extremely rare, currently the only one of this mint and moneyer outside of an institutional collection. £ 9,500

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NUMISMAGRAM MEDAL SELECTIONS: JUNE 2022

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MORE ON THE LII COLLECTION CURRENCY SALE

An important offering of rare currency, related certificates and financial documents, and numismatic literature will be presented June 12, 2022, in an unreserved, 285-lot, special online Showcase Sale by Heritage Auctions. The diversity of the items in The LII Collection will capture the attention of collectors from multiple interest areas. Obsolete banknotes from many states, often featuring unusual vignettes or nuances, form the primary sale focus. Also cataloged are larger size engraved share certificates by the same firms who printed Obsolete notes exemplifying unusual titles, imprints, and topics. A few examples of numismatic literature directly relating to paper money, security printing, or vignettes is also included.

Some highlights are below:

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WORLD BANKNOTE AUCTIONS SALE 27

World Banknote Auctions has now listed Live Sale 27 on its website, which is divided in three sessions. Session contains notes from countries A to I, and will be sold on June 16, 2022, with live bidding that day at 1 PM Eastern / 10 AM Pacific. The following day, on June 17th at 1 PM Eastern / 10 AM Pacific we will offer countries J to Z. Finally, session 3 is a timed session that starts to end on Sunday, June 19 at 6 PM Eastern / 3 PM Pacific, with lots ending every 20 seconds (unless extended, please see the website for details). World Banknote Auctions Sale 27 offers a total of 1310 lots of paper money from around the world. Some highlights are selected below but the entire catalog can be viewed on the company's website, www.worldbanknoteauctions.com

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NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: JUNE 5, 2022

Discovery of Florida Medal

To read the complete lot description, see:
1913 DISCOVERY OF FLORIDA MEDAL (https://live.silvercityauctions.com/lots/view/4-684JBO/1913-discovery-of-florida-medal)

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INDY JONES WANNABE FINDS CLAUDIUS I HOARD

Hundreds of ancient coins unearthed by a metal detectorist could be what experts say is the largest precious metal hoard found in Britain dating from the reign of Claudius I.

Lifelong fan of fictional film archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones, George Ridgway, 31, found 748 Roman and Iron Age gold and silver coins near Ipswich in 2019.

He said he was "stunned" by the find.

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THE GOTHIC CROWN

E-Auction 43 closes on Wednesday, June 8th 2022! Read on for a brief history of the dramatic Gothic crown (lot 137).

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ROYAL MINT'S RAINBOW 50P PRIDE COIN

The British Royal Mint has partnered with not-for-profit organisation Pride in London to commemorate 50 years of the LGBT+ movement Pride with a 50p coin designed by Dominique Holmes.

The word pride is embossed in capital letters in the middle of the coin underneath an engraved heart and swirling lines, referencing the movement that celebrates and campaigns for the rights of the LGBT+ community.

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MARYLAND CHALLENGE COIN PROMPTS PROTESTS

A challenge coin with graphic imagery and offensive language, emblazoned with the Maryland State Police logo, is prompting concerns from troopers who see it as a potential response to allegations of racial discrimination within the agency.

Photos of the coin obtained by The Baltimore Sun show two images of female anatomy with slogans referencing people being offended, or not being able to take a joke. One side of the coin, with an image of a woman's rear end, depicts underwear with the message, I'm Offended.

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THE LADY GREGORY MEDAL

Maurice Lambert RA (1901-1964)
AENGUS AND THE BIRDS - THE LADY GREGORY MEDAL FOR THE IRISH ACADEMY OF LETTERS, 1934
cast bronze art medal; (from a limited edition of 17)
signed in monogram "ML" lower right; with 'Irish Academy of Letters' on reverse
h:3 w:3 in.

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ROYAL FAMILY WEARING PLATINUM JUBILEE MEDALS

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee medal was on full display at St. Paul's Cathedral Friday when the male members of the Royal Family were spotted wearing them on their morning suits.

All senior male royals were sporting the Platinum Jubilee medal, as were non-working members like Prince Harry, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Jack Brooksbank.

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LOOSE CHANGE: JUNE 5, 2022

2022 Falklands Islands Coin

The Falkland Islands Commissioners of Currency and the 40th Anniversary Committee are delighted to announce the issue of a Crown Coin to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands.

The 40th Anniversary Committee will be gifting a coin to every child under 16 in the Falkland Islands or who are in full time education. Children will be presented their coins on Friday 10 June at the Infant and Junior School and Falkland Islands Community School and coins will be given to all the children at Mount Pleasant. Parents of children living in Camp or who have not yet started school should contact JAldridge@taxation.gov.fk to arrange for these to be sent to you.

A limited number of coins will be available to purchase locally from the Post Office in Stanley from Wednesday 1 June at the retail value of £12.46 per coin.

To read the complete article, see:
Crown coin commemorating the Liberation of the Falklands for every child in the Islands (https://en.mercopress.com/2022/06/01/crown-coin-commemorating-the-liberation-of-the-falklands-for-every-child-in-the-islands)

For more information, or to order, see:
https://www.pobjoy.com/40th-anniversary-of-the-liberation-of-the-falkland-islands-2022-bi-metal-2-coin-fal

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