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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 Workman October 22, 2022

 

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 SEPTEMBER 4, 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.

This week we open with remarks on our anniversary, a numismatic literature sale announcement, three new books, a review, an obituary, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, and more.

Other topics this week include engraved coins, a book launch event, Silver Dollar research, Robert Ramsay, Holland Wallace, Jeff Garrett, Lane Brunner, logotypes, Karl Goetz medals, tons of auction previews (great numismatic eye candy!), Nova Constellatio coppers, coded coins, and the junk on the 1932 Sun Yat-Sen dollar.

To learn more about the new MEGA RED, Type Two Double Eagles, twenty-cent pieces, Operation Bernard, 'Story of Money' Trade Cards, the Shortage of Shipping Tonnage medal, the American Colonization Society, the Edward VIII brass pattern Threepence, Dutch medals, Confederate coins, and Mint custard, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

THE E-SYLUM'S 24TH ANNIVERSARY

On September 4, 1998 the first issue of what we now call The E-Sylum was emailed to a list of members and friends of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society. Now archived on our web site as Volume 1, Number 1, that first message started the ball rolling. That email went to 49 people. As the word spread, subscription requests arrived from around the world and by September 15 there were 90 subscribers.

WHAT'S WITH THE FUNNY NAME? Well, our organization is the Numismatic Bibliomania Society, a group for people who love coin books and are crazy for any and all information about numismatics. Our print journal is The Asylum, so our electronic publication naturally became The E-Sylum. While The E-Sylum is free to all, only paid members of NBS receive The Asylum.

An excerpt from the September 4, 1998 message:

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WORKMAN'S BOOKS ANNOUNCES FIFTH BID SALE

Workman's Books has published a new website that is being hosted through the online payment company Square. In an effort to modernize our website and to provide a better shopping experience, Workman's Books has chosen to develop and stock a new website. The new site will provide better organization, better search capabilities, better item photo hosting, and will provide for a better experience for users of mobile devices. Eventually, all inventory will be moved over to the new site. As of this announcement, only new acquisitions are being listed for sale. Following the end of our October sale, site updates featuring new inventory will resume so stay tuned to your inbox for future update announcements.

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NEW BOOK: MEGA RED 8TH EDITION

The eighth edition of MEGA RED (the Deluxe Edition of the Guide Book of United States Coins) made its coin-show debut at the 2022 American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money. The 1,504-page MEGA RED can now be ordered online (including at Whitman.com) and is available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide.

Every U.S. coinage series has been updated and revised in the eighth edition. The book includes nearly 300 pages of expanded study of two-cent pieces, copper-nickel three-cent pieces, silver trimes, half dimes, twenty-cent pieces, and $1, $3, and $4 gold coins.

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NEW BOOK: TYPE TWO DOUBLE EAGLES 1866-1876

An updated, expanded version is now available of the award-winning United States gold coins reference book, Type Two Double Eagles 1866-1876, a Numismatic History and Analysis, by prominent rare coin dealer and author Dr. Michael Fuljenz.

At the World's Fair of Money®, the Numismatic Literary Guild honored it as the 2022 Best Investment Book of the Year. It is the second time Fuljenz has been honored with an Investment Book of the Year award on the topic of Type Two Double Eagles.

The Type Two design was the first Double Eagle to include the motto, IN GOD WE TRUST, and is an important part of United States coinage, said Fuljenz.

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NEW BOOK: THE TWENTY CASH COMMENTARY

I'd like to announce the publishing of my new guidebook, The Twenty Cash Commentary: The General Issue Twenty Cash, Two Fen, Two Xian, and Two Cent Coins of the Republic of China (1912-41), which is now available on Amazon. The title is a mouthful, but it fully explains the scope of the book, which is 33 pages long. I attach a copy of the book's cover.

As reflected by its title, the guide covers all of the general issue twenty cash, two fen, two xian, and two cent coins of the Republic of China issued from 1912 to 1941, including the dragon restrikes issued under Republic-era governments. It covers 49 varieties, as compared to the 16 varieties in the Standard Catalog of World Coins. For example, it covers the four varieties of Y-308, the three varieties of Y-308a, the three varieties of Y-312, and the several varieties of each of the Hu-Poo dragon restrikes, Y-5, Y-5.1, and Y-5.2 (and explains the easy way to distinguish Y-5.1 from Y-5.2).

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BOOK REVIEW: NAVAL AND MARITIME ENGRAVED COINS

I came across an engraved coin book on eBay about a month ago and I was quick to purchase it so I could add it to my library of love token books. I recall a LTS member asking me about a book previously this year and I think this is the same book. At the time, when I was described the nature of the book, I thought that it might have been the prisoner token book that came out around the millennium. However, the title was different than I had recalled. I would say this is a new love token reference book, but it was published back in 2004 in England. Good news sure travels slowly.

The problem with books sold on the internet is that you cannot leaf through the pages to see what is included in the book. Upon reading the description about the book, I learned that there were 140 pieces covered with nearly 300 pages of text and images and 16 pages of color plates. The author Sim Comfort states, Contained in this octavo volume is the first full study of maritime engraved coins and all the various types of ships found in this rare art form. The time span is from the mid 18th to the beginning of the 20th century. Included are 140 pieces that depict the great men-of-war during the age of fighting, Indiamen, privateers, convict ships, slavers and numerous merchantmen.

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LANE JERRY BRUNNER (1963-2022)

Lane Brunner was born on June 23, 1963. He was married to Molly Ann with three children.

Brunner received a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Washington School of pharmacy in 1987. He followed with an M.S. from the University of Texas in 1992 and a PharmD from the University of Georgia in 1995.

He had instructor positions at the University of Houston 1986-1990, University of Georgia 1991- 1993, Medical College of Georgia 1993-1994, and The University of Texas 1994 to 2004.

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VIDEO: LANE J. BRUNNER, COIN COLLECTING BASICS

Coin Collecting Basics
Speaker: Lane J. Brunner, Ph.D.
Videographer, David Lisot.
Presented at the American Numismatic Association Convention,
Numismatic Theatre, Kansas City, Missouri, 2005.
Length: 39:04

An informative introduction of the many ways to benefit and learn about collecting coins. Presented by Lane Brunner, ANA Education Director, you will learn about: * the meaning of numismatics * coins as a reflection of culture * examples of state quarters and their significance as well as earlier coins and paper money * changes in money brought about by way * importance of condition and grading * history and value, handling and storage, cleaning, and things for which collectors should watch out.

David adds:

An excerpt of the video is available for viewing on the Coin Television YouTube Channel at:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/557169

VIDEO: SS CENTRAL AMERICA SILVER COINS

Silver Coins from the SS Central America

While gold grabs the public mindshare like nothing else, the recovery of silver coins from the most recent SS Central America salvage effort is remarkable in its own right. At the recent ANA convention, Bob Evans spoke to the Liberty Seated Collectors Club on the silver coins recovered from the SS Central America. These pieces survived in amazingly original condition (many were certified by CAC) in what is normally a harsh, corrosive environment for silver objects. Bob explains the science of this surprising preservation and enthusiastically conveys his continued fascination with this bit of American maritime history.

Link to Bob Evans' ANA presentation on NNP:
https://archive.org/details/lscc2022annualmtgpres

FORGING SECRETS BOOK LAUNCH

Collectors of military currency celebrated an event of great significance this evening: the release of the book Forging Secrets: Faces and Facts Inside the Nazi Operation Bernard Scheme. The publication of this book marks the culmination of the work of many workers, including several Festers. Among the attendees at this festive event were Festers Steve Feller and Ray Feller, Roger Urce, Dave Frank, Jim Downey, and Danny Spungen, co-authors, Joseph Boling, co-author and general editor, as well as Festers Danah Downey, Neil Shafer, Brian Geise, Louise Boling, Kathy Freeland, and Jeffrey Daniher [Zoom fester].

Others in attendance were Agnes Ohm, Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial, Curator and Historian and co-author, Debbi Walter, daughter of Hans Walter, co-author, Kiel Majewski, executive director of the Spungen Family Foundation and book publisher, Douglas Mudd, curator of the ANA Money Museum, Joel Shafer, Glen Jorde, Oded Paz, Simcha Kuritzky, and many other luminaries of the numismatic world. Following is a description of the event and the book, taken from the Florence and Laurence Spungen Foundation invitation to the event:

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INSTITUTE FOR SILVER DOLLAR EDUCATION

Michael S. Fey, Ph.D., Jeff Oxman, and John Baumgart have formed a new not-for-profit Delaware corporation called, The Institute for Silver Dollar Education and Research, (The Institute). It was formed to continue the educational contributions of Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis (VAM) during their lifetimes of research and cataloging. The product of these efforts was published in their ground-breaking reference book, The Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of Morgan and Peace Dollars, along with more than a dozen other volumes dealing with VAM collecting. Ultimately, focus of the Van Allen/Mallis team was to help the public attribute and collect U.S. silver dollars, and that remains the Institute's mission, as well.

An 1896 $1 Silver Certificate (Educational Note) forms the basis of the Institute's new corporate logo, and images of the 2nd U.S. Mint, a Morgan and Peace silver dollar, and the corporate name are all featured in the artwork.

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NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: SEPTEMBER 4, 2022

'Story of Money' Trade Cards List Found
Regarding Steve Woodland's question about the 'Story of Money' Trade Cards, Julia Casey writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: AUGUST 28, 2022 : 'Story of Money' Trade Cards Information Sought (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n35a17.html)

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ROBERT MEBANE RAMSAY (1913-1996)

This week I get to correct an error in numismatic literature that has existed for 45 years. The co-authors and compilers of National Banks of the United States, 1863-1935 are always listed as Robert M. Ramsey and Robert V. Polito. The first author was actually Robert M. Ramsay.

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RED BOOK EDITOR JEFF GARRETT

For many decades, starting in the 1930s, the city of Racine, Wisconsin, was home to the numismatic powerhouse of Whitman Publishing—the firm that popularized coin collecting during the Great Depression and World War II, mass-marketed coin boards and coin folders, and created the best-selling Guide Book of United States Coins (the hobby's popular Red Book). Later, Whitman was managed in New York City, then for many years, it was headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, where much of its editorial work still takes place.

And for the past several years, the Red Book has also had a vibrant Kentucky connection.

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VOCABULARY TERM: LOGOTYPE

Logotype. A single punch containing more than one figure or letter; a gangpunch. Logotypes are used by engravers or diesinkers for example, to punch the date in coin hubs or dies. Christian Gobrecht first used a 4-digit logotype on the date of his 1836 silver dollar. Use of logotypes.in the engraving department of the United States was a common practice thereafter. Counterstamped pieces have also been stamped with logotypes, sometimes with the effect of raised lettering within a sunken panel. maker's marks are a form of logotype, often composed of a monogram, symbol or trademark and/or name forming the design of the punch, these were often used on edge or the reverse. The famed American Brasher doubloon was punched with a logotype of the issuer's EB initials.

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THE BUSINESS OF NUMISMATICS IN 2022

One thing that stands out to me as of late is the seemingly-unending announcements of very rare and important items coming to market in the near and long-term future. While it is true that in every calendar year there are landmark collections and important individual pieces sold, during the past 15 months—and the coming six months—there have been a tremendous amount of rare United States coins changing hands. The rare coin market has cooled off a bit over the past three months, in concert with the wider global economy, but owners of valuable numismatic material are still willing to consign to auction.

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NUMISMAGRAM KARL GOETZ MEDALS

102044 | GERMANY & EUROPE. The Russian Ambassador receives the Serbian Assassin cast bronze Medal. Dated 1914, though likely a later casting. "Serajewo/Der Funke des Weltbrandes"—on the spark of the global conflagration (57mm, 57.09 g, 12h). By K. Goetz in München. DER RVSS GESANDTE VON HARTWIG EMPFÄNGT SERB MÖRDER, Russian ambassador Hartwig standing left, receiving Serbian assassins and presenting them with a bag of money / DER FVNKE DES WELT-BRANDES, assassin advancing on a road to Sarajevo, holding bomb behind back. Edge: Plain. Kienast 132; Klose 1.1; Art of Devastation p. 81, fig. 5. Mint State Details. Deeper brown surfaces, though a few spots of corrosion are noted. An important and scarce issue recounting the events leading up to what would cause the first of the two great world wars. $495.

Starting merely as a local issue between Austrian-dominated Serbia and the Russian Empire (who wished to have greater influence in the Balkans), World War I escalated upon the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian crown prince, Franz Ferdinand, along with his wife Sophie in the streets of Sarajevo in 1914. Conducted by Serbians who were members of the Black Hand, this caused Austria to punish Serbia, with Russia then coming to the aid of Serbia. In turn, Germany's decades-old alliance with Austria brought her into the conflict against Russia, with France and Great Britain (owing to their own alliance with Russia) in against Germany and Austria. Through numerous alliances, this Balkan issue quickly spiraled into the largest conflict then seen by the world.

To read the complete item description, see:
102044 | GERMANY. Russian Ambassador receives Serbian Assassin bronze Medal. (https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/102044)

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ARCHIVES INTERNATIONAL AUCTION 79 HIGHLIGHTS

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WORLD BANKNOTE AUCTIONS SALE 31 HIGHLIGHTS

World Banknote Auctions has now launched Live Sale 31 at www.worldbanknoteauctions.com. Live Sale 31 starts on September 15, 2022, with live bidding that day at 1 PM Eastern / 10 AM Pacific. Please note that Sale 31 is divided in two parts, each selling on a different day. The first live sale with 527 lots takes place on September 15 at 10 AM PST. The second timed sale with 731 lots closes on September 18 at 3 PM PST (special bidding rules apply for the timed sale, please see our website for details). Our bidding platform can be accessed directly by going to bid.worldbanknoteauctions.com or through our mobile apps.

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SOVEREIGN RARITIES SEPTEMBER 2022 SALE

Sovereign Rarities are pleased to present to the numismatic community their seventh auction - taking place on 21st September 2022 - consisting of 360 lots of Ancient, British and World Coins and Commemorative Medals. The sale features a superb run of ancient, world and British offerings, and pre-bidding will open within the next month at www.sovr.co.uk until the live auction on the day.

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KüNKER AUCTION SALE 372 HIGHLIGHTS

This fall, Künker publishes seven catalogs with as many as 4715 lots and a total estimate of 9 million euros. Since it would be impossible to cover all the material in one week, the seven auctions will take place over the span of two auction weeks. From 26 to 30 September 2022, coins and medals from medieval and modern times will be on offer, moreover, an order auction will be held. The four catalogs contain, among other things, gold issues from the collection of a Swedish-Swiss entrepreneur, including mainly pieces from Sweden, Austria and Hungary, as well as the collection of the Verschoor brothers with coins from the Kingdom of Holland and Dutch medals.

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KüNKER AUCTION SALE 373 HIGHLIGHTS

Catalog 373: Gold Issues
If you are interested in gold coins, you should not miss out on taking a close look at auction catalog 373. The collection of a Swedish-Swiss entrepreneur contains many interesting pieces of above-average quality from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. The offer covers the entire world, although the collector had a special preference for Nordic countries and the Habsburg hereditary lands. The price spectrum of this auction sale contains everything from estimates at the current gold price to estimates in the five- and six-digit range. Let us mention two tenfold ducats as an example for the upper price segment, both of them from the collection of a Swedish-Swiss entrepreneur. The first is from the city of Danzig and features the portrait of Sigismund III. The second was minted in Prague in 1629 by Ferdinand II and presents the ruler in full armor with crown, scepter, orb and cross on the obverse.

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GADOURY OCTOBER 15, 2022 AUCTION

On 15 October, Éditions Victor Gadoury will hold their traditional autumn auction sale. There is a wealth of high-quality rarities on offer – from ancient to modern times. A special focus is on France and Italy, as well as on world gold coins from every time period.

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NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: SEPTEMBER 4, 2022

Syracuse Silver 5 Litrai

Sicily, Syracuse AR 5 Litrai. Time of Hieronymos, circa 215-214 BC. Diademed head to left / Winged thunderbolt; BASI?EOS and ?A above, IEPONYMOY below. Holloway 60; SNG ANS -; SNG Lloyd 1566; HGC 2, 1568 (R2). 3.99g, 18mm, 5h.

Good Extremely Fine; beautifully centred on the flan with hints of iridescence. Extremely Rare with these letters on rev.

To read the complete lot description, see:
E-Live Auction 5: The Italo Vecchi Collection, 27-09-2022, Lot 236 Sicily, Syracuse AR 5 Litrai. (https://www.romanumismatics.com/297-lot-236-sicily-syracuse-ar-5-litrai)

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NOVA CONSTELLATIO COPPERS, PART 1

In 1785, Nova Constellatio Coppers were minted in or near Birmingham, England. The history of minting and numismatic die preparation activity in the Birmingham area during the 1780s is very unclear in 2022, as few records survive. Demand, supply and circumstances relating to private copper coins changed dramatically circa 1789. There were business failures and changes in the industry of minting Coppers. I capitalize Copper to refer to circular copper items that were widely accepted as a medium of exchange, at least for a while, and were of a denomination understood by those who spent and received them in transactions.

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A BONAPARTE ON HOLLAND'S COINS

On 27 September 2022, Künker will auction off the collection of the Verschoor brothers. It contains what's probably one of the most important collections of coins from the Kingdom of Holland. Read about the fate of the short-lived kingdom and the numerous problems King Lodewijk had to deal with when introducing his new coins.

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"CONFEDERATE" COINS IN MACON TIME CAPSULE

Two time capsules found during the relocation of Macon's Confederate monuments were opened during a ceremony on Friday.

Workers moved the statue of the Confederate private, which paid tribute to confederate soldiers of Macon, from downtown Macon to a park outside Rose Hill cemetery in June.

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THE JUNK ON THE 1932 SUN YAT-SEN DOLLAR

There are two photographs on the University of Bristol's Historical Photographs of China website that the caption associates with the junk on the 1932 Sun Yat-sen silver dollar.

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AUSTRALIAN SIGNALS DIRECTORATE COIN

Your spy skills could soon be put to the test by a new 50-cent coin covered in secret, coded messages.

The limited-edition commemorative coin will be released on Thursday to mark the 75th anniversary of the nation's foreign intelligence cybersecurity agency, the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD).

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LOOSE CHANGE: SEPTEMBER 4, 2022

Denver Mint Theft Details

The 2021 theft of error coins from the Denver Mint involved 2021-D Kennedy half dollars and 2021-D America the Beautiful quarter dollars, according to Richard Delmar, deputy director of the Treasury Department's Office of Inspector General.

The errors were pieces that, after production, had been kustered — waffle-canceled in machinery manufactured by the Dutch firm Kusters Engineering. The machinery uses a series of equally spaced knives to deform a coin into a shape resembling a rippled potato chip.

Coin World was provided a redacted Report of Investigation Aug. 17 pursuant to a Freedom of Information Act request. Coin World filed the FOIA request July 5 after Treasury Department officials did not provide responses to questions posed via telephone and email.

To read the complete article, see:
Treasury OIG report offers Denver Mint theft details (https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/treasury-oig-report-offers-denver-mint-theft-details)

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FEATURED WEBSITE: BANKNOTE ART CONCEPT

This week's Featured Web Site is Banknote Art Concept, a website devoted to money art.

https://banknoteartconcept.com/