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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: Jeff Dickerson, Treasurer Numismatic Bibliomania Society P. O. Box 578, Weatherford, TX 76086 Asylum For Asylum mailing address changes and other membership questions, contact Jeff 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 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 SEPTEMBER 8, 2024

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 a numismatic literature sale, six new books, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, and more.

Other topics this week include U.S. Civil War Store Card tokens, German notgeld, a Continental Dollar discovery, and a Cincinnati counterstamp.

To learn more about Zeppelin medals, all things S.S. Central America, elephant coins, and little ship shillings, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

ASYLUM AUTUMN 2024 ISSUE PUBLISHED

Welcome to The Asylum's Autumn 2024 digital edition.

In this issue:

• NBS Meetings at the 2024 ANA World’s Fair of Money By Leonard Augsburger
• Report from the NBS Treasurer By Jeff Dickerson
• Attinelli Fellowship Visits S&S Library’s New West Loop Location By Tyler Rossi
• Numismatic Bibliomaniacs Converge in Champaign, Illinois By Leonard Augsburger
• New Tom Elder Plate Discovered By David Fanning
• The Gene Gardner Collection Photo Books By Leonard Augsburger
• “An Interest in the Country’s Coinage” By David Pickup
• Life After the ANS Library By Elizabeth Hahn Benge
• Numismatic Issues of The Franklin Mint, 1968–1974, Including Franklin Mint Limited Editions, 1975–1977 By Mike Costanzo

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KOLBE & FANNING WEB SALE NUMBER 2

We will be holding the second of our new series of Web Sales of Numismatic Books on Wednesday, September 11, starting at 12:00 PM Eastern. Web Sale #2 focuses on inexpensive but useful books, catalogues and other publications on coins from all times and places. It will take place live online, in much the same format as our Premier Auctions, and all lots in the Web Sale will begin at a very low $10 opening bid.

Bidders may register for the sale, browse lots, and place absentee bids beginning immediately at bid.numislit.com.

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NEW BOOK: NEW JERSEY STATE COPPERS COMPANION

The Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4) is pleased to announce the release of its latest book on American Colonial numismatics, the New Jersey State Coppers Companion (C4, 2024). The book is authored by the collaborative team of New Jersey experts Roger S. Siboni, John (Jack) L. Howes, and Buell Ish. It is 400 pages and illustrated in color. C4 President Christopher R McDowell says, “It should not be confused as merely a second edition of the authors’ previously published and wildly popular book on the same topic.” According to McDowell, “It contains original and largely updated information with many never-before-seen photographs of condition census coins. This census information is critical to collectors of all New Jersey coppers.” McDowell adds, "This book is an absolute must-have for colonial coin collectors, specifically those interested in New Jersey coppers.” C4 Vice President Jim Glickman informs collectors that C4 printed a limited run of this new title, which will sell out quickly like the Club’s previous two publications on Machin’s Mills and Connecticut copper coins. The book is available now for $85 plus shipping from C4’s book distributors Kolbe and Fanning: https://www.numislit.com/ and Charlie Davis: https://www.numisbook.com/.

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NEW BOOK: U.S. CIVIL WAR STORE CARDS, 4TH ED.

The U.S. Civil War Store Cards- 4th edition (SC4) committee is proud to announce that the 4th edition of this great work will soon be available. As of this writing, the book is at the printers and is now available for pre-sale. We expect to take delivery in August.

The book committee consisted of Dave Schenkman, Tim Webb, Mark Gatcha, Larry Dziubek, Roger Lalich, Bill Luitje and myself. Steve Hayden helped with rarity changes and also some technical points. Jen Meers did an excellent job on layout and the book looks very professional. This book is the product of a lot of hard work and gathering of information for the last ten years and I am very proud of it.

Building upon the 3rd edition, this new edition features nearly 900 changes since publication of the 3rd edition, including new merchants, new listings, new or improved photos of many tokens, rarity changes, and corrections. This is a must have for all Civil War token collectors.

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NEW BOOK: THE HUNAN TWENTY CASH COMMENTARY

The Hunan Twenty Cash Commentary: The Twenty Cash Coins of Hunan Province (Including the Hunan Soviet).
Michael Zachary

The definitive English-language guide to the twenty cash coins of Hunan Province, including those issued by the Hunan Soviet government. Covers 97 varieties, as compared to the 16 varieties in the Standard Catalog of World Coins and the 60 varieties in Duan’s Chinese-language catalog.

Are you confused by the descriptions in the Standard Catalog? Do you have a coin that is covered by more than one Standard Catalog listing, or several coins covered by a single listing despite having clear design differences? This guidebook untangles these problems and clearly describes all of the different varieties covered by each Standard Catalog listing. For example, do you have the five varieties of Y-400.2? The six varieties of Y-400.7? The seventeen varieties of Y-400.10? Do you know the easy way to distinguish Y-400.9 from Y-400.10? The detailed text and photographs in this book, which meticulously describes all of the Hunan twenty cash varieties, will end your uncertainty (or come pretty close).

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NEW BOOK: MRI BANKER'S GUIDE 101ST ED

The MRI Bankers' Guide to Foreign Currency

The 101st II-2024 Edition of the MRI BANKERS’ GUIDE TO FOREIGN CURRENCY™ has just been released. Your most complete guide to all current and redeemable banknotes of every currency issuer in the world, it has 256 pages with 2,000+ color photos and descriptions of the banknotes of 200+ countries and territories, plus sections and indexes to help identify exotic notes. It is an indispensable tool for central and commercial banks, bureaux de change, fiscal printers, makers of banknote substrate, and everyone who deals with banknotes.

It is priced at USD85.00 per copy for United States addresses, and USD100 for other countries. Both prices include postage. Discounts are available for quantity orders. Custom editions with your logo and special content destined to your branches and/or clients are available at substantial discounts.

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NEW BOOK: CATALOG OF CONGREVE STAMP PAPERS

Stamp Papers

The pre-printed impressed stamp papers issued by the British Indian Government were printed by the printer who printed the banknotes for many countries in the world. The paper on which the stamp papers were printed was manufactured by the same paper mills who manufactured the paper for banknotes for many countries in the world. The paper had similar security features as banknotes like watermark, complex engraving etc. The design of the stamp papers had an image of the ruling monarch of the time i.e. Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V & King George VI.

In early days, the manufacture and printing of the enormous quantities of postage and revenue stamps, stamped paper and documents used by the Government of India has been conducted in the United Kingdom under long term contracts with Thomas De La Rue & Co. The contract with Thomas De La Rue & Co. to print stamp paper expired at the end of 1924. A special committee with the object of investigating the possibility of manufacturing currency notes, stamps and stamped papers in India was established before that. After an exhaustive review, the committee suggested to establish security printing facility in India and further approvals were received and required expenditures were authorized.

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NEW BOOK: DEUTSCHES NOTGELD 1923

Arnold Keller
The emergency money of the German inflation in 1923 – German Emergency Money, Volume 7+8, REPRINT

Publisher: Battenberg Verlag
ISBN: 978-3-86646-257-1
Edition: 2nd edition 2024, reprint of the original edition from 1958
Dimensions: 14.8 x 21 cm
Type of figures: numerous black and white illustrations
Type of cover: Brochure
Number of pages: 1236

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NNP ADDS A 1964 OFFERING OF EARLY AMERICAN PAPER MONEY

Courtesy of Joseph Daragon, Newman Portal has added a fixed price list from the Washington, DC dealer Ben. M. Douglas. This 1964 list included important examples of early American paper money, including seven Vermont notes and the always popular May 10, 1775 Continental $20, featuring a marbled edge. Douglas writes “Once every 20 years or so there appears on the Numismatic horizon a truly choice and historical collection of Colonial & Continental Currency. We have just purchased such a collection…”

Not surprisingly, the colonial paper money collector Eric P. Newman was not far behind, and his correspondence file lends additional context. Newman apparently traded with Douglas for some of the notes, and by mistake forwarded to Douglas an October 1, 1755 Pennsylvania one-shilling example, serial no. 6889. Newman reacquired the piece from Douglas, which later appeared in the Newman VI sale (Heritage Auctions, April 2015), lot 19530, and realized $1,527.50.

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VIDEO: COUNTERFEIT US COINS MADE IN CHINA

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NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: SEPTEMBER 8, 2024

Internet Nostalgia
Paul Petch writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
THE E-SYLUM TURNS TWENTY-SIX (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n35a02.html)

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COLLECTING GIFT CARDS

Following up on Mike Costanzo's query on whether anyone out there collects gift cards. Yes, I most certainly do, and must have hundreds upon hundreds (if not thousands) in my collection at this point. When I used to work at Target part-time they would commonly throw away all of the empty gift cards after a holiday season had passed; a nice selection of these would come home with me. When I worked the registers I frequently kept many from the shopper once they were fully redeemed, otherwise they would also hit the trash. Target gift cards have been my favorite throughout the years simply because they had so many interesting and novel designs. There were some containing actual Legos, ones that you record a message on to playback, and one year they even issued a metal coin to serve as the gift card. Lately it seems that they have moved to a simpler format, since these 3-D type cards were probably expensive to produce, relatively speaking. When they were remodeling some point-of-sale advertising in the store I was able to obtain a large cut out display piece that looked like a generic Target gift card.

Sometimes Starbucks issued visually appealing gift cards for the holidays, and I was able to obtain those from the in-store location. I have many gift cards from defunct department stores and other retailers (i.e. Marshall Fields, Sears, etc.). When it was recently announced that many Red Lobster locations were about to close, I picked up a few of the empty gift cards from a kiosk at my local grocery store. McDonald's also frequently has some pretty nice designs, and they usually never mind letting me have one if I ask for an empty example. It just so happens that the other day I visited our local Boy Scout Headquarters store for a new Coin Collecting Merit Badge book. Surprisingly enough they had gift cards there, so I obtained an example of each in anticipation of the upcoming "Boy Scouts of America" name change.

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REVIEW: CURSED GOLD: A SHIPWRECK SCANDAL

I will begin by stating that I am not unbiased, having given over 40 years of my professional life to the S.S. Central America, its remarkable treasure, and almost every aspect of its amazing story. So, readers may wish to consider this as they read my thoughts.

First, this three-part series (3 one-hour broadcast episodes, with commercial breaks) is far more about the "Tommy" Thompson story than it is about the S.S. Central America story, its treasure, or the many aspects that make the SSCA so compelling for the numismatic community. As a result, much of this review will address what the show is not, rather than what it is. It is entertaining television, but not really any more engaging than average episodes of "True Crime" TV shows.

It also contains some errors and misinformation, particularly for a detail-oriented community such as numismatists, "facts" that I feel obligated to correct.

Last year, I was solicited heavily to contribute to this story, but I declined. I told the producers that I had no interest in further advancing the Tommy Thompson story. Bear in mind, I have been deeply involved with the Central America since the fall of 1983, when Thompson, whom I knew as Harvey, asked me to take over much of the historical and scientific background research. I worked WITH Thompson for 9 years, then worked FOR him for another 8 years. During that time, I learned plenty about his dark side. When the treasure was sold to California Gold Marketing late in 1999, I followed it.

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FOURTH EMERGING MEDALLIC ARTISTS COMPETITION

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VOCABULARY TERM: PRIVATE ISSUE

Private Issue. A numismatic item issued by an individual, firm or organization not of a public or government nature. An item without government or official authority, but often produced with sanction at a national mint. These items are of course, in contrast to the official work – the coins and medals that are the prescribed work of a national mint.

History of private issues. The practice of doing private minting work at government mints is widespread throughout history. Often a country's national mint is the only source for such items being produced as most national mints have somewhat of a monopoly of engraving talent, diemaking equipment and striking facilities. The rise of the private mint – beginning in Great Britain with Matthew Boulton's Soho Mint in Birmingham in 1782 – provided a source were private organizations could have coins, medals, tokens and other numismatic issues struck. The custom minting of such items is now available in dozens of private plants in many countries.

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ROGER BOYE

Sometimes I start a project and get distracted before it is completed. I am probably not the only one with that problem. Earlier this year I started to compile a list of writers who provided coin columns for local newspapers. Since my subject for this week is still living, the information I include will be a little different from my typical biography.

Roger Boye was born in Nebraska in 1948. His parents were Arthur John Boye (1915-1969), a pharmacist, and Matilda Jean Boye (1919-1997). Both served in the U.S. Army in World War II.

Roger began collecting coins as a Cub Scout to meet an elective requirement. He soon joined the Lincoln Coin Club. In 1964, he was given a class assignment to interview someone outside his family and not affiliated with the school. He arranged to interview John Gabarron who was a founding member of the Lincoln Coin Club, former ANA Librarian and sergeant-at-arms. His high school article was reprinted in The Numismatist in July 2009. Roger graduated from Lincoln (NE) High School in 1966.

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CARL SUBAK AND THE HEBERDEN COIN ROOM

Last year the Ashmolean Museum’s Heberden Coin Room received a legacy gift of $5 million from Carl Subak, an American coin dealer whose collaboration with the coin room spanned many decades. Carl died at the age of 103 in Chicago, his adopted home after fleeing Nazi persecution in Austria as a teenager.

Professor Frédérique Duyrat and Professor Chris Howgego from the museum tell us about the man whose love of coins continued into his tenth decade and share the lasting impact his donation will make on the world of numismatics.

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ARNO SAFRAN INTERVIEW, PART ONE

Thanks for tuning in. This is Greg Bennick with the Newman Numismatic Portal. In this interview, I interview Arno Safran.

The interview was conducted over the phone, so the quality isn't…perfect, but it's great, because you get to listen to Arno Safran. So, if you're willing to forgive just the slight variances between absolutely perfect recording and just a great conversation that was recorded between two people interested in coins, then I think you'll really appreciate this interview. So, sit back for the next half hour and enjoy this conversation with Arno Safran.

GREG BENNICK: I am here with Arno Safran and I wanted to ask some questions today, and just get to the bottom of who you are as a collector and as a researcher and a presenter and as a coin club enthusiast. And I guess Arno, what I’ll start with is this: I've reviewed a whole bunch of your PowerPoint presentations and there are so many presentations that you have given over the years to your coin club and I am just going to ask, where did the inspiration come from to present so much and so often?

ARNO SAFRAN: I was a professor of music when I was called into Trenton, New Jersey College, at the time it was called something else, not what it's called today. But I was a professor from 1965 all the way to 1992, and I resigned at that time. I was not quite 60. My wife, Wilma Christian, was a professor at a high school, actually. She taught the gifted and talented up at a northern New Jersey school. A beautiful woman, very, very charming, very intelligent. Not a musician but appreciated my musical work. And I also was a composer.

I had a few pieces performed. But it's very hard as a musician to get people to do your music, especially when some of your own colleagues are very much in their own world. They don't want to help you out at all. So that's where I was at that time, between 1965 and 1992. And then I went off. I started collecting during the bicentennial. That's how far back I go. And I remember, like everyone else in numismatics, bought you know, rolls of Ben Franklin halves. I didn't know a damn thing about bell lines or anything of that nature back then.

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WHITMAN PUBLISHING PRESIDENT MARY BURLESON RETIRES

Mary Burleson has retired after more than 23 years of distinguished service as President of Whitman Publishing, capping a remarkable 38-year career with the Anderson companies.

A native of Haleyville, Alabama, and an Alabama football fan for life, Burleson earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Alabama. She began her career with the Anderson News Company in 1986, rising through the ranks to lead Whitman Publishing in 2001. She played a crucial role in the recent acquisition of Whitman Publishing by CDN Publishing, ensuring a seamless transition and operational continuity for associates in Florence, Alabama, and Atlanta, Georgia.

Throughout her tenure, Burleson expertly steered Whitman through several significant milestones, including H.E. Harris’ acquisition of Whitman Publishing from St. Martin’s Press, the relocation of company headquarters, the purchase of the formerly named Baltimore Coin Show, and navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, she oversaw Whitman’s acquisition by CDN Publishing in November 2023.

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ANA HONORS NANCY WILSON, BOB CAMPBELL

Two long-time collectors were celebrated during the Chicago World's Fair of Money®, August 6-10 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois. Their contributions to the numismatic community have made waves over the years, earning them recognition during the 133rd Anniversary Banquet on Friday, August 9.

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PCGS HALL OF FAME ADDS GILLIO AND KARSTEDT

Images courtesy PCGS show awardees Gillio and Karstedt flanked by SBG President Brian Kendrella and PCGS President Stephanie Sabin.

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce that two of the firm’s leaders, Ronald J. Gillio and Christine Karstedt, have been inducted into the PCGS CoinFacts Coin Dealer Hall of Fame. This group honors coin dealers past and present who have shaped the coin hobby through their dedication, expertise, innovation, and commitment to making "the hobby of kings" something millions can enjoy. Begun in 2010 with the induction of the first six "all-time greats" – Q. David Bowers, S. Hudson Chapman, Henry Chapman, B. Max Mehl, Wayte Raymond, and W. Elliot Woodward – each year additional numismatic "giants" are added to the PCGS CoinFacts Coin Dealer Hall of Fame.

During the PCGS event, held August 8 during the annual ANA World’s Fair of Money, PCGS President Stephanie Sabin invited Brian Kendrella, President of Stack’s Bowers Galleries, to the podium to introduce Karstedt and Gillio. Regarding Karstedt’s contributions to numismatics, he commented, "Chris’ nearly 40-year career is a testament to her unwavering dedication to our clients and passion for the auction business. Her success is driven by her ability to forge lifelong relationships with collectors and their families and her pursuit of excellence on their behalf, defining her legacy and setting new standards in our industry." In praise of Gillio, Kendrella stated: "Ron is a true titan of numismatics, whose pioneering spirit has not only opened new markets and forged monumental deals but has also enriched the entire field with his unwavering dedication and integrity."

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PNG'S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: RON GILLIO

Stack’s Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce that Ronald J. Gillio was presented the Harvey G. Stack Lifetime Achievement Award at the Professional Numismatist Guild’s annual meeting at the recent American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money. This prestigious award is presented to someone who has shown extraordinary devotion to numismatics and significantly contributed to the hobby or profession.

"The PNG Lifetime Achievement Award could not go to a more deserving individual than Ron Gillio, as his many decades of commitment to the PNG is unparalleled." commented Greg Roberts, CEO of Stack’s Bowers Galleries and one of the presenters of the award. "I have called Ron Gillio the "Ambassador" for as long as I can remember, and this nickname has stood the test of time. I bought my first gold coin from Ron at the FUN show in 1981, and we have been friends and business partners for over 30 years. Ron’s commitment to Stack’s Bowers Galleries has made the company a much better organization. We congratulate Ron on receiving such a significant and well-deserved honor."

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ANA NUMISMATIST OF THE YEAR, AND MORE

One long-time numismatist, one budding collector, and five enthusiastic and highly involved hobbyists were recognized with American Numismatic Association (ANA) awards for their devotion to the hobby. The Numismatist of the Year was awarded during the Chicago World's Fair of Money® 133rd Anniversary Awards Banquet. The Young Numismatist of the Year was presented during this year's Summer Seminar event. The Glenn Smedley Memorial Awards were presented during the Chicago World's Fair of Money Member Awards and Donor Celebration.

The Numismatist of the Year award recognizes collectors at the regional and/or national level who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within the hobby and the ANA. The 2024 recipient is numismatic author and U.S. gold coin expert Doug Winter.

A member of the ANA since 1973, Winter has published over a dozen specialty guides and essential references for collectors. He founded Douglas Winter Numismatics in 1989 after years of researching, buying, and selling rare U.S. gold coins. By 1992 his company was recognized as one of the leading specialized numismatic firms in the Pacific Northwest. Winter has taught classes at the ANA's Summer Seminar and is a member of many numismatic organizations, including the Numismatic Literary Guild, Numismatic Guaranty Company, and Professional Coin Grading Service. He is a longtime supporter of the ANA and continues to publish articles and newsletters about collecting U.S. gold coins.

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JEWRY ON MEDALS

Jewry Reflected, Refracted, and Recorded on Medals

This exhibition presents artifacts that were a part of Jewish lives, have survived, and have a story to tell. Coins, medals, and related items, like books and prints, are replicated and disseminated to achieve a wide distribution. Coins are exclusively the prerogative of sovereign governments, so their imitative successors—medals, tokens, and badges—retain an aura of authority.

Coins are an official means of monetary exchange. Tokens circulate as coin-like objects issued by local entities—towns, communities, institutions, even private merchants—so their circulation is only valid regionally. Medals resemble coins, but need not be small and are textually and pictorially free to present a wider range of subject matter. Medallic sponsors may be communal, institutional, commercial, even individual. Medals often function as rewards for personal achievement—military, academic, communal, scholastic, athletic—or to commemorate dedications, or religious and other noteworthy occasions. Medals honor both the living and the dead and may serve as proof of personal participation in group events or as souvenirs of private experiences. Insignia, worn externally, serve to indicate and project status and affiliation. Amulets worn individually offer protection, displaying biblical texts and images.

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NUMISMAGRAM MEDAL SELECTIONS: SEPTEMBER 8, 2024

102643 | GREAT BRITAIN. Westminster Abbey bronze Medal. Issued 1855. Most Remarkable Edifices of Europe series (59mm, 12h). By J. Wiener in Brussels & Elkington and Co., and struck at the Geerts mint in Ixelles. WESTMINSTER ABBEY, exterior view of the abbey building from the west-northwest // Interior view of the Henry VII chapel from just to the right of the center aisle centerline looking toward the altar; in three lines in exergue, ST. PETER'S CHURCH FOUNDED ABOUT 612 / REBUILT AND ERECTED AN ABBEY / 958 AND 1049-1066; in four lines to left, THE PRESENT CHURCH CONSTRUCTED / 1220-1285 / RESTORED END OF THE / XVII CENTURY; in four lines to right, WESTMINSTER HALL BUILT 1397 / THE CHAPEL OF HENRY VII / COMMENCED 1503 / RESTORED 1809. Edge: Plain. Ross M189; van Hoydonck 142; Reinecke 35; Taylor 8b; BHM 2592; Eimer 1506. PCGS SP-63. Rich red-brown surfaces, with a great glossy nature. Undoubtedly one of the most attractive and intricate—if not the most intricate—medals in this ambitious series. Compare to a similar example, also a PCGS SP-63, though a bit less brilliant, that realized a total of $600 in the recent Stack's Bowers Global Showcase Auction (23 August 2024), lot 47930. $595.

To read the complete item description, see:
102643 | GREAT BRITAIN. Westminster Abbey bronze Medal. (https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/102643)

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THE LITTLE SHIP SHILLING

Bloody Flag and Scheepjesschelling

On 27/28 September 2024, Künker will auction off part 2 of the Beuth Collection with Dutch coins in collaboration with Laurens Schulman. This important collection includes numerous rarities. But it also contains affordable coins with two-digit estimates that are just as fascinating as their unique and extremely rare counterparts, as we will prove in this article.

On 9 November 1670, the States of Holland and West Frisia decided to introduce a new coin. In addition to all the low-value shillings that circulated in the domestic market, they wanted to create a reliable currency for foreign trade. After all, a coin’s fineness and weight were all that mattered abroad. So if you wanted to create a coin for long-distance trade, you would always use the same alloy and only allow the weight to vary slightly.

But the politicians of the States of Holland and West Frisia were not only smart economists. They also knew a lot about propaganda. Just how cleverly they approached this matter is illustrated by the coin type they decided to produce on 9 November 1670.

Netherlands / Gelderland. 1734 scheepjesschelling (6 stuivers), Harderwijk. Very fine to extremely fine. Estimate: 100 euros. From Künker 414 (27/28 September), No. 4149.

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CONTINENTAL DOLLAR DISCOVERED IN U.K.

Wotton Auction Rooms, an auction house based in Gloucestershire, England, recently came across an old coin when evaluating items brought in from a private vendor.

Auctioneer Joseph Trinder said the coin is a continental dollar measuring 38 mm across and is made of pewter, minted in 1776, according to SWNS.

"This coin represents a discovery that is in the top five of my career to date, and the sort of thing every auctioneer up and down the country hopes they’ll find," Trinder also said.

With its rarity top of mind, the coin was taken back to the United States for authentication by the Numismatic Guaranty Company based in Sarasota, Florida — and confirmed to be real.

"It was examined by a committee of specialists and X-rayed and put through other scientific tests, and we were delighted to receive a notification a few days ago to tell us that it is genuine," Trinder said to SWNS.

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ODE TO A CINCINNATI COUNTERSTAMP

The Joy of Collecting Counterstamps

This 1833 large cent bears stampings that read: J.G. JOSEPH / CINt. As Joseph was working as a silversmith between 1834-44, this possibly unique piece appears to be a Hard Times issue. The dating comes from Beckman's study of Cincinnati silversmiths. Joseph also worked as an optician, jeweler and a watch and clock maker. His shop in Cincinnati was located at 169 Main Street.

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THE ALEXANDER AGASSIZ MEDAL

In 1911, the National Academy of Science announced a $6,000.00 trust fund under the control of Sir John Murray to establish a gold medal to be awarded to men of science from any part of the world for original contributions to the science of oceanography. It was established to honor his friend Alexander Agassiz, Academy president from 1901 to 1907.

One of those invited to submit preliminary sketches was Hermon MacNeil. He submitted several of the reverse and then, upon request, submitted another in which "a figure of science is receiving the treasures of the sea." He also included a projected cost figure of $1,350.00, $1,000.00 for his work to the striking point, and $350.00 for the cost of the 3" medal struck in gold. With gold selling at $25.00 per ounce, he indicated that a medal of this size averaged close to 14 oz. Known records do not contain a request for sketches of an obverse.

One year later in April, the Academy announced the name of the winner, French sculptor and medalist Theodore Spicer-Simpson. His medal was 3" in diameter, one eighth of an inch thick and weighed about 9 1/2 ounces in 24 carat gold for which he was paid $1,000 to prepare the dies and furnish the first copy.

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SCHOOL ART LEAGUE SAINT GAUDENS MEDAL

A dear friend, Mrs. Carole Sofronas Paquette, mentioned to me that she had graduated in June 1957 from Flushing High School south of our hometown, College Point in Queens, NY. In addition to her diploma, she was awarded the Saint-Gaudens Medal. Knowing nothing of the award, I did some research and learned that the Saint-Gaudens Medal was endowed in perpetuity by Helen Foster Barnett (1852-1920) in honor of American sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens. It was to be awarded by the School Art League to a senior in each New York City high school who completed an art program with excellence in fine draughtsmanship and art.

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LOOSE CHANGE: SEPTEMBER 8, 2024

Elephant Coins

The ancient world of the Mediterranean region had initially only come into contact with the tusks of the elephant, and not with the animal itself. As early as the Mycenaean period (ca. 1580 - 1200 BC) -- that is, long before Pliny -- the Mycenaean Greeks were familiar with ivory, which they acquired through trade in Asia Minor with the Hittites.

The Greeks did not learn about the animal from which this ivory came until the fifth century BC. Herodotus (c. 490-430 BC) used the word eléphas for both ivory and the elephant. However, it was not until the late fifth to early fourth century BC that Ctesias of Knidos provided his fellow countrymen with more detailed information about elephants. He was a physician at the court of the Persian king, and was one of the first Greeks to see Indian elephants in the flesh and write about them. We know of his work only from the quotations of later writers.

Alexander the Great was the first Greek to be confronted with Asian war elephants. In the Battle of Gaugamela/Arbela (in present-day northern Iraq) on 1 October 332 BC, the Persian King deployed 15 Indian war elephants, but they were unable to prevent his own downfall and the triumph of Alexander, who managed to capture some of the elephants alive. For the Macedonian King, however, this was only the beginning of his encounters with elephants.

To read the complete article, see:
Elephant Coins: 1. Greeks and Asian Elephants (https://www.kuenker.de/data/mitteilungen/0010_Kuenker_Exklusiv_2024_29_ENG.pdf)

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