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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 10/15/2024 - Numismatic Antiquarian Bookshop Lang 11/2/2024 - Kolbe & Fanning 1/4/2025 - Workman's Books

 

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 OCTOBER 6, 2024

New subscribers this week include: Skip Lane, and Gavin Quinn. Welcome aboard! We now have 7,269 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 a numismatic literature sale, two new books, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, a view into Auditorium books, and more.

Other topics this week include gold sovereigns, Canadian paper money, numismatics in Iraq, the Whitman Baltimore Expo, Proclamation medals, Foster Lardner, Arno Safran, fixed price and auction previews, a hanging penny, the Waitangi crown, the Vail medal, and the Internet Archive.

To learn more about Una and the Lion, the Pellerin collection, the Odd Fellows, the North, Central, and South American Exposition of New Orleans, Eugen Nicolae, the Starred Reverse cent, the Mond Nickel Company medal, Worcestershire tokens, COINEX, the Maastricht Paper Money Fair, and Canada's new sundial coin, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

 

KOLBE & FANNING BCD LIBRARY SALE, PART 2

Kolbe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers are excited to announce that we will be holding the second sale of material from the extraordinary BCD Library on Saturday, November 2. Our first offering of highlights from this library was a tremendous success, with bidders participating from all over the world. The second sale is both similar to and different from its predecessor. While it once again covers the entire span of ancient numismatics, this sale’s main emphasis is on more specialized publications—die studies of individual cities, collections that focus on particular regions, and monographs about specific issues. The online catalogue can be accessed at bid.numislit.com.

Some highlights of this first sale include:

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NEW BOOK: THE GOLD SOVEREIGN SERIES, 3RD ED.

The Gold Sovereign Series – Third Revised Edition
By Steve Hill

As of September 2024 the new Standard Catalogue to the Gold Sovereign Series has been published by Token Publishing of Exeter UK, as a fully updated third revised edition by Steve Hill of Sovereign Rarities and formerly of A H Baldwin and Spink, based on the original works on Sovereigns and their Halves by Michael Marsh.

The new edition has been expanded ever further, with all the new issues in the gold Sovereign series, the major update being the last issues of Queen Elizabeth II and the first editions of the new King Charles III era.

There is a completely new section added at the start as Steve has now added 45 pages of hammered gold Sovereigns and Half-Sovereigns with full tabulations and reference numbers, the first time a detailed synopsis of all the varietal issues from King Henry VII to James I have been featured in one book with such individual specification.

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NEW BOOK: 2025 CANADIAN GOVERNMENT PAPER

2025 CHARLTON CANADIAN GOVERNMENT PAPER MONEY

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A LOOK INSIDE AUDITORIUM BOOKS

...

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S&S LIBRARY CONTINUES DIGITIZATION

S&S Library Continues Digitization

The S&S numismatic library, privately held in Chicago, launched a digitization effort in 2023 that now numbers over 2,000 scanned volumes. This library specializes in ancient numismatics but also includes important works related to medieval and modern numismatics. Recently scanned is the multi-volume set Recueil De Médailles (1762-1778, twelve parts in nine volumes), a catalog of the Jospeh Pellerin (1684-1782) collection. The bibliographer Bill Daehn gives Pellerin the credit for being "the first to classify Greek coins in geographical order, rather than alphabetical order."

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VIDEO: NUMISMATICS IN IRAQ

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MORE ON 'THE LAST PATRIOTIC CIVIL WAR TOKEN'

David Gladfelter writes:

I am not convinced that the number of stars on the flag can be used to reliably date the token.

Both the 1847 and 1852 dated California Counter tokens have 24 stars which is too few for either year. Also, they are arranged in a star shape which seems unusual. But they do have the correct number of stripes (13).

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AMERICAN EXPOSITION OF NEW ORLEANS MEDALS

I was wondering if you were going to extend your Medals in Advertising series when the Campbell’s soup can example came up.

The 1885 and 1886 North, Central, and South American Exposition of New Orleans awarded this medal which was engraved in the field around the central device as "Highest Award on Plain & Aerated Mineral Water to the Arcadian Mineral Spring Co. Waukesha, Wisconsin." The Arcadian was one of several dozen other natural springs celebrating the healing powers of Waukesha’s waters from the late nineteenth to the very early twentieth centuries. Illustrations of this medal were used on the company's letterhead and identified as "Highest Award on Plain and Aerated Water." There apparently is another medal floating around for their Ginger Ale but I have yet to see it. A tin sign (presumably originally brightly colored but gray-tone in this rendition) gloats: "Only Gold Medal" although sticklers for accuracy may point out that the medal proper is more likely gilt Bronze. It is a whopping 72mm diameter, about 8mm thick, weighs over 250 grams (the limit on my scale) and has a plain edge.

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NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: OCTOBER 6, 2024

Eugen Nicolae (1955-2024)
Georges Depeyrot writes:

For more information, see:
https://www.arheologi.ro/arheolog/nicolae-eugen/
https://iabvp.ro/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Eugen-Nicolae-CV-1-1.pdf

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WHITMAN BALTIMORE EXPO, NOVEMBER 2024

The Whitman Expos™ Baltimore Winter Expo, one of the nation’s premier coin and collectibles shows, returns to the Baltimore Convention Center from November 14 to 16, 2024, celebrating over 50 years of service to the numismatic community. This event will feature nearly 1,000 independent dealers, offering free appraisals, expert insights, and a unique opportunity for collectors and families to explore the world of coin collecting.

Open to the public with free admission with a photo ID, the Baltimore Winter Expo is a trusted marketplace for buying, selling, and trading rare coins, paper money, and other collectibles. Attendees will have the chance to learn about the value of their coins and the stories behind them from seasoned dealers as they shop, sell, and trade. As an additional draw, both Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC®) and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) will be on-site to perform coin authentication and grading during the Expo with additional details available on each company’s website.

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WHITMAN LAUNCHES COINS FOR THE CURE

Whitman Brands™ launched its Coins for the Cure Program and partnership with Susan G. Komen®, the world's leading breast cancer organization, in an effort to create a world without breast cancer.

With the release of a limited-edition pink American Women Quarters coin album, Whitman hopes to help raise awareness and money toward ending breast cancer. The limited-edition album holds all circulated strikes of the best-selling American Women Quarters series, and as a bonus, the 2018 Breast Cancer Research Awareness Commemorative Coins.

"Following the acquisition of Whitman Publishing, I believed it was the perfect time for us to embrace greater social responsibility and give back wherever possible, "said John Feigenbaum, President and CEO of Whitman Brands. "The decision to partner with Susan G. Komen was an easy choice—they are leaders in the fight against breast cancer, professional and collaborative, and their cause inevitably touches us all. We are thrilled to kick off this partnership!"

The American Women Quarters™ Program, authorized by the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, is the first U.S. quarter program to exclusively honor the achievements of women. From 2022 through 2025, the U.S. Mint will issue five quarters per year, each featuring a unique reverse design. These coins celebrate the determination, perseverance, and indomitable spirit of American women, honoring contributions in fields such as suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts.

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VOCABULARY TERM: PROCLAMATION MEDAL

Proclamation Medal. A coronation medal issued for a new ruler in Spanish countries. The custom of proclaiming a new regent carried over into the new world where Spanish American countries issued proclamation medals for new rulers even though they were presidents, not kings. Proclamation pieces were also issued, announcing events and decrees of national interest. The first Spanish proclamation medal was issued for Phillip II's ascension to the throne in 1556. Latin American countries continued the practice to the 20th century. For the most part these medals were struck at national mints on coining equipment and resemble coins more so than medals.

Reference:
NE42 {1882} Doty, p 269-270.

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WILLIAM FOSTER LARDNER (1873-1934)

During the recent ANA WFOM on Saturday, August 10, I met Mark Borckardt at the Heritage table and he led me across the room to the table of Jones and Horan. They are a company specializing in horological auctions. If you are wondering what horological means, it’s about time. They had acquired a small group of choice coins that would appear in their October 10 auction. They were promoting the coins at the show and made a presentation at the EAC meeting.

I was most interested in a 1794 Large Cent, S-48, the Starred Reverse cent. This is in a PCGS holder as VF-20.

The coins were from the family of William Foster Lardner and had been preserved in wax paper envelopes for the past 90 years.

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ARNO SAFRAN INTERVIEW, PART FOUR

GREG BENNICK: I love it. I love the connection to coin clubs. I actually spoke at a coin club. I'm from Seattle and I spoke at a coin club recently, about error coins and you know, in my mind, error coins are what I think about all day long. But in the minds of the people at the coin club, many of them, very experienced collectors, had never considered error coins. So, to be able to talk to them about the topic was wonderful. Because people were just so interested and it was brand new information and I can only imagine that the presentations you give have enlightened so many people about different things that maybe they haven't heard of before.

ARNO SAFRAN: Yeah, now you mentioned error coins right? Did you say that?

GREG BENNICK: Yeah, mint errors, off center, double strike.

ARNO SAFRAN: One of the members of the Aiken club collects error coins and he's got a wonderful collection of that. And another one recently did, but he moved back down to Florida. A lot of these people have problems with life and things and they can't always stay. This guy had an incredible collection of modern coins, but he got them for nothing. He's young, he just got the coins which cost him what the coins worth. He gave wonderful programs on that. Unfortunately, he moved back to Florida, so we don't have him anymore. His name is Jack something or other. You know, another couple of guys collected error coins as well.

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NUMISMAGRAM MEDAL SELECTIONS: OCTOBER 6, 2024

102761 | GERMANY. Hamburg. Satirical silver Medal. Issued circa 1708 or slightly thereafter. The supposed corruption of the imperial commission by the Jewish community (23mm, 3.77 g, 12h). By an uncertain medallist, marked "T." DU SOLST NICHT GESCHENCK NEHMEN (thou shalt take no gift...), hand putting forth a coin; across the middle, banner reading KOMSTU MIR ALSO (if you'll scratch my back...) // DENN GESCHENKE MACHEN DIE SEHENDEN BLIND (...for a gift blindeth them that have sight, and perverteth the words of the righteous, –adapted from Exodus 23:8 [2nd Book of Moses]), bust facing slightly right, with hand nearly covering face, though with eyes peering through; t on sleeve; across the middle, banner reading SO KOMME ICH DIR SO (...I'll scratch yours). [The underlined legends are meant to be read as a complete message, while the non-underlined legends are meant to be a separate complete message.] Edge: Plain. Cf. GPH 1220-1 (different medallist); Brettauer 4796; Fieweger Coll. 345; cf. Vogel Coll. 8739 (gold). PCGS AU-58. Lightly toned and somewhat matte, with some scattered hairlines noted for completeness. Compare to a similar (though highly inferior) example (PCGS AU-53) from a different medalist (Wermuth) that realized a total of $660 in the Stack's Bowers 2021 NYINC auction, lot 23546. $595.

The city of Hamburg had a festering issue between its Senate and Citizens' Council in the late 17th century, with its local Jewish population a chief concern. Though a Sephardic Jewish population had much more long-standing roots in the city, the Ashkenazi population was, in contrast, much more recent and without actual legal status regarding its ability to reside there. The Citizens' Council—dominated by orthodox Protestants—along with the Lutheran clergy sought to block any concessions by the Senate to the Jewish populations, with the issue eventually escalating much higher within the hierarchy of the Holy Roman Empire.

Emperor Joseph I appointed an imperial commission, led by Damian Hugo Philipp von Schönborn-Buchheim, to settle the dispute between the Senate and Citizens' Council in Hamburg. Ultimately, the commission redefined the legal relationships of the Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jewish populations in Hamburg, with the regulations becoming part of the new Hamburg constitution in 1712. It is quite likely that this satirical medal, along with the various others that share a common design and message, were meant to convey the idea that the Jewish citizenry had bribed the commission for recognition of their status, furthering an antisemitic viewpoint among the largely Protestant populace. Given the contemporary works of medallists like Christian Wermuth (who also contributed to this specific "series"), and his satirical issues like the "corn Jew," the concept of antisemitic medals would be completely within the context of the period, and seemingly a likely cause that would generate such a concerted medallic effort among numerous workshops.

To read the complete item description, see:
102761 | GERMANY. Hamburg. Satirical silver Medal. (https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/102761)

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ARCHIVES INTERNATIONAL AUCTION 97 SELECTIONS

Algeria.., 1964. 50 Dinars, P-124, Issued Banknote, Light brown on m/c underprint with mountain sheet at center, Back is m/c with camel caravan at center, S/N Y.212 674, Choice XF to AU Condition.

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WHITMORE COLLECTION OF WORCESTERSHIRE TOKENS

A fascinating and rare token relating to Worcester Royal Porcelain will be offered as part of a collection of 69 lots of tokens and checks from Worcestershire dating from the 17th century onwards at Noonans Mayfair on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Amassed by the late John Whitmore (1931-2016), they are being sold by his family.

Peter Preston-Morley, Special Projects Director (Numismatics) at Noonans explained: "The John Whitmore Collection of Worcestershire Tokens is the best such group ever to appear at public auction. It covers all corners of the county from Worcester to Kidderminster through to Bromsgrove; Evesham, Bewdley, Shipston-on-Stour, Stourbridge, Droitwich to Malvern and Dudley."

One of the most interesting is a very fine and extremely rare white metal token bearing the motto W[orcester] P[orcelain] C[o] which is estimated at £200-£300.

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HERITAGE AUCTIONS: THE ATLANTIC COLLECTION

It's not often that we highlight a collection consisting entirely of modern US bullion coins, but The Atlantic Collection isn't just any collection. Open for bidding from now through October 7, The Atlantic Collection focuses almost exclusively on coins graded MS70 — meaning circulation strike coins rather than proofs, and, at the MS70 grade, unimprovable quality. All coins are certified by PCGS.

The Uncirculated one-ounce gold eagle series covers 39 years, but PCGS has only certified examples dated 1994 as Prooflike. A small minority of the 1994 certified Population is designated Prooflike, and most such pieces as graded MS69. Just 18 coins have been certified MS70 Prooflike for the entire one-ounce gold series, all dated 1994. The Atlantic Collection features a fully struck example, graded MS70 by PCGS, which displays reflective fields, with the reverse exhibiting noticeable cameo contrast between the luminous motifs and the glassy field. A strong lens is required to find the few minuscule mint-made imperfections, such as a tiny strike through on the obverse between stars 5 and 6.

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HERITAGE AUCTIONS: JUDAEAN COINAGE

Ancient Judaean coins, spanning from the 5th century BC to AD 244, offer a captivating glimpse into the rich history and culture of the area. Judaean coins of the region evolved under its various influences, from Hellenistic designs to symbols of Jewish independence during the Maccabean Revolt, and through the Jewish-Roman wars. Their coins reflect the changing tides of history, transitioning from Roman provincial coinage to the symbols of the Bar Kokhba Revolt. Today, Judaean coins are highly collectible because they offer a tangible connection to the ancient past and continue to be of great interest to scholars and collectors alike. Our October 13 Spotlight: Judaea Showcase Auction offers you the chance to acquire some of these fascinating pieces of history; bidding is open now.

Unlike coins of the first Jewish War against Rome (AD 66-70), all coins of the Bar Kokhba Revolt were overstruck on Roman Provincial issues already in circulation, mainly silver tetradrachms and drachms of Antioch, Tyre, and Caesarea in Cappadocia, as well as Roman silver denarii. The government of Simon Bar Kokhba mainly controlled the Judaean hinterlands, hiding men and equipment in an elaborate network of underground caves and tunnels, and did not have the time or resources to set up a full-fledged mint with smelting, refining and casting capabilities. All the same, it must have given the rebel mintmasters a certain thrill to hammer flat the images of the Roman emperors and Pagan deities who they hoped to banish from Israel altogether. Coins struck during the first and second years of the revolt carry a date ("Year One / Two of the Redemption of Israel"), while coins struck during the third year (AD 134-135) are undated. This auction features a number of examples of the AR zuz from Year 3, with the finest graded of the group graded Choice AU 4/5 - 5/5 by NGC.

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DANIEL F. WONG SALE SELECTIONS

Lyn Knight Currency Auctions is delighted and proud to present the Daniel F. Wong Collection of World Paper Money to be offered in several installments. We start tonight with EVERY PIECE at least 67 or better; many are either Top Pop, Top Pop by themselves, or the only example on the report.

Knight Live will run this incredible sale on Tuesday, October 15th @ 10 AM CDT - Afghanistan - Zimbabwe

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MDC MONACO AUCTION 15, PART TWO

Lot 1218 - FRANCE 2nd Republic (1848-1852). 20 francs Ceres, Proof 1851, A, Paris. Obv. REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE. Republic’s head facing right, represented as Ceres, under a star, between a fasces and a branch; below signature L. MERLEY. F. Rev. (different) LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE (different). In a crown composed by an olive branch and an oak branch : 20 FRANCS. Below (mint) and (date). G.1059 - F.529 - Fr.566; Gold - 6,44g - 21 mm - 6h. This is the second highest grade! PCGS PR66CAM. Proof with Cameo, mirror fields and matte reliefs. Tiny notch on the rim at 6 o’clock on the reverse and minimal rubbing on the neck on the obverse. Very rare and spectacular.

Starting price: 18 000€

Lot 1240 - FRANCE Second Empire / Napoleon III (1852-1870). Gold pattern of 100 francs bare head, Proof, smooth edge, A under the bust, 1855, A, Paris. Obv. NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR. Bare head facing right, below (mint) and signature BARRE. Rev. EMPIRE FRANÇAIS. Imperial coat of arms set on a crowned mantle and over the scepter and the hand of justice, 100 and FRs on the sides; below (different) (date) (different). Maz.1600 - G.1135 p.583 = this example! - VG.-; Gold - 32,25g - 35 mm - 6h. Top Pop : this is the only graded example! From the Farouk Collection, king of Egypt, Sotheby’ sale February 1954, No. 575 then Heritage sale 3033, Chicago, august 8th 2014, No. 23223 NGC PF65 CAMEO. Proof with mirror fields looking glazed and matte reliefs, with full mint lustre, creating a Cameo contrast. Very rare. Remarkable pedigree.

Starting price: 200 000€

Lot 1272 - FRANCE Second Empire / Napoleon III (1852-1870). Gold pattern of 100 francs laureate head, Specimen (SP) 1862, E, Paris. Obv. NAPOLEON III - EMPEREUR. Laureate head facing right, below (mint) and signature BARRE. Rev. EMPIRE FRANÇAIS. Imperial coat of arms set on a crowned mantle and over the scepter and the hand of justice, 100 and FRs on the sides; below (anchor) (date) (anchor). G.1136 - Maz.1603 - VG.3613; Gold - 35 mm - 6h. This is the second highest grade! Only a SP67 example, MDC sale 9 No. 735 (440 000€+fees) is in higher grade. PCGS SP65CAM. Specimen with smooth edge and date between two anchors on the reverse. Mirror glazed fields and sandy reliefs give a Cameo aspect. Only some minor fingerprints on the obverse. Exceptional presentation quality, in its mint state, with a golden patina with barely greenish tones. Very rare.

Starting price: 200 000€

Lot 1767 - GREAT BRITAIN William IV (1830-1837). Crown, gold strike, Proof 1831, London. Obv. GULIELMUS IIII D: G: BRITANNIAR: REX F: D:. Bust facing right, signature W. W. on the edge of the neck. Rev. Shield surrounded by the Collar and laying on a crowned mantle; below ANNO (date). KM.PnA98 - Esc.2463 (R5, previously. Esc.272) - S.3833 - Fr.381; Gold - 38 mm - 6h. Top Pop : this is the only PCGS graded example! PCGS PR62DCAM. Proof with smooth edge and a Deep Cameo effect between mirror fields and matte reliefs. Minimal notches on the rim, minor hairlines on the fields and some micro-scratches. Very nice light, golden patina with barely greenish tones. Very rare.

Starting price: 300 000€

The bust, on the obverse, is inspired by Francis Leggatt Chantrey (1782-1841), a renowned sculptor during the Georgian era, famous for his busts. The reverse is made by Jean-Baptiste Merlen (1769-1850), who was an engraver and medalist in Paris before moving to London after the Battle of Waterloo. He joins the Royal Mint in 1820, recommended by Benedetto Pistrucci, as assistant engraver to the chief engraver William Wyon. Merlen mainly worked on reverses, such as the ones used on the half-sovereigns of William IV, a theme that will be taken up again under Victoria, or the reverses of the Maundy set coins, used from 1822 to 1887.

Lot 1773 - GREAT BRITAIN Victoria (1837-1901). 5 pounds "Una and the lion", headband with 5 rolls and 9 leaves, Proof 1839, London. Obv. VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIARUM REGINA F: D:. Bust facing left, wearing headband; signature W. WYON R. A. Rev. DIRIGE DEUS - GRESSUS MEOS. The queen facing left leading a lion with her sceptre : below (date) and signature W . WYON R. A. Fr.386 - S.3851 - W&R.279 - GH.103; Gold - 37 mm - 12h. Top Pop : this is the higher graded example! For this variety (headband with 5 rolls and 9 leaves), our example is the higher graded by NGC amongst 41 proof examples [The top pop example graded PF is 63 ; the top PFCA is 63 ; the top PFUC is 66 (our example) and the second highest in PFUC is far behind, graded 64*] NGC PF66* ULTRA CAMEO. Proof and Ultra Cameo. Raised letter edge : DECUS ET TUTAMEN * ANNO REGNI TERTIO*. In its mint state with minor micro-scratches on the glazed fields. Intact mint lustre.

Starting price: 700 000€

Conceived by William Wyon (1795-1851) in 1839 to commemorate the beginning of queen Victoria’s reign (1837), the "Una and the lion" 5 pounds is considered one of the most beautiful British coins. Victoria, standing with a lion, is moving left, with the motto "May God directs my steps" above her. The young queen, 20 years old, is represented as Lady Una, from Edmund Spencer’s The Faerie Queene, a poem written in 1590. This is the first time a British monarch is represented as a fictitious character : England as a lion is guided by Una, personified by queen Victoria, and her sceptre.

Lot 1776 - GREAT BRITAIN Victoria (1837-1901). Crown pattern, smooth edge, by William Wyon, Proof 1845, London. Obv. VICTORIA DEI GRATIA. Diademed bust facing left; signature W. WYON RA. Rev. * BRITANNIARUM - REGINA FID: DEF: *. In a two laurel branches crown, crowned shield. S.- (3882 type) - Bull 2656 - Esc.-; Silver - 37 mm - 12h. Top Pop : this is the highest graded example! NGC PF64. Proof. With smooth edge and medal alignment. Very rare date, slightly different from the 1844 patterns. With a collector’s patina and slightly satin reliefs.

Starting price: 60 000€

Lot 1787 – GREAT BRITAIN Victoria (1837-1901). Pattern of 5 international francs or Double florin, smooth edge, by William Wyon, Proof 1868, London. Obv. VICTORIA D: G: BRITANNIAR: REG: F: D:. Crowned bust facing left. Rev. 5 FRANCS / INTERNATIONAL. In a two oak branches crown : DOUBLE FLORIN (date). W&R.372 (R4) - KM.Pn115; Gold - 1,52g - 16 mm - 12h. NGC PF64 ULTRA CAMEO. Proof : the mate mint lustre on the reliefs is barely touched and mirror fields only show some fingerprints. Less than 20 known examples.

Starting price: 15 000€

In 1867, under the reign of Napoleon III, France seeks to create a universal currency based on the Germinal franc. The Universal Exposition attracts 7 million visitors from all around the world. In the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosts an international monetary conference with European countries, including Russia and the Ottoman Empire, and the United States of America. In 1865, the Second Empire already succeeded in establishing the Latin Union between France, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy. After 2 months of discussions, the project is abandoned but a theoretical agreement is reached on some points : the gold standard (the silver is abandoned); the fineness of 9/10th and the unified weights; the decimal system (the duodecimal system is abandoned); common monetary unit. In France, a 25 gold francs coin is desired, a coin close to the American 5 dollars, the USA being the first country to have a decimal system in the world, but also close to the British sovereign and to the 10 Dutch forints. 1868 should have been the year of realization for the project but it has to face lack of political consensus and then the shift to protectionist blocs. For Great Britain, this double florin or 5 francs project is the work of William Wyon; he took special care of this strike, intent to impress internationally.

Lot 1872 - ITALY Guastalla (county then duchy), Ferdinand II Gonzaga (1575-1630). 10 doppie 1610, Guastalla. Obv. FERDIN. GON. - MELF. P. TE. G. D. [Ferdinand Gonzaga, Prince of Melfi and Lord of Guastalla]. Draped and cuirassed bust, with the golden Feece, standing three-quarters facing right. Rev. ECCE. ANCI. - DOMINI. FIAT. - MICHI. Annunciation scene; below (date). MIR.353 - CNI.IX.17 and 19 - Bellesia 8 - Fr.458 = this example; Gold - 66,35g - 46 mm - 6h. Top Pop : this is the only graded example! From The Paramount collection, No. 30364. This example is illustrated in Friedberg, 9th edition, p.555. NGC MS61. Only 4 examples seem to be known, including 3 in public collections (Milan and CNI)! Big module strike, well struck, barely off centered with a minor double strike. Spectacular bust on the obverse and very nice Annunciation scene on the reverse. Beautiful golden reflections. An unique opportunity to acquire a museum piece!

Starting price: 400 000€

Ferdinand II Gonzaga (or Ferrante II Gonzaga), Lord and Count of Guastalla, is the son of Caesar I of Guastalla and Camilla Borromeo. In 1621, his county became a duchy. He is married to Giovanni Andrea Doria, coming from the family of great Genoese admirals.

Lot 1899 - ITALY Savoy, Victor Amadeus II (1675-1730). Gold medal, module of 20 ducats, Capture of the city of Cremona by Prince Eugene of Savoy and capture of the Marshal Villeroy, by P. Müller, Specimen (SP) 1702, Augsburg. Obv. PATIENS VOCARI - CÆSARIS VLTOR [Horace, Odes, “Allow yourself to be called the Caesar’s avenger”] To the left, Pheme holds a medallion with a cuirassed effigy facing right of Prince Eugene, surrounded by palms, and circular legend : EUGEN: PR: SAB: CÆS: EX: GENER: COMD. Under the medallion, an eagle is holding a rooster between its talons and some chickens are fleeing. Below : VILLAREGIO SVPR. GALL/ DVCE INTRA MOENIA/ CREMONÆ CAPTO/ 1702 [Villeroy, Marshal of France, captured in Cremona]. Rev. FLANTIBVS AVSTRIS. Allegory of the Holy Roman Empire, as Athena, seating with spear and shield, holding a Victory while the wind is destroying lilies fields. Below : VIRTVS GERMA/ NORVM. VL.IV p.370 - Coll. Julius cf. 627 - Montenuevo cf. 1166; Gold - 69,13g - 40,5 mm - 12h. Top Pop : this is the only graded example! PCGS SP61. Raised letter edge : : + FLORENTES FERVLAS ET GRANDIA LILIA QVASSANS [He tears down the flowering rods and the highest lilies]. Still has some mint lustre under a thin patina. Scratch on the leg of Pheme and minimal hairlines on the reverse’s fields. Probably unique!

Starting price: 50 000€

By Philipp Heinrich Müller (1654-1719), one of the most famous European medalists from late 17th to early 18th century. Born in a modest family, Müller begins working for a goldsmith in Augsburg. Thanks to his talent, he’s spotted by Leonard Weiss, city councillor, who allows him to become a medal engraver. He is working for Augsburg, but also in Nuremberg for Caspar Gottlieb Laufer, Mint-master in Nuremberg. He becomes known and admired throughout Europe where he reproduces portraits of many Princes and rulers of his time

Lot 2120 - SWITZERLAND Helvetic Confederation (1848-present day). Pattern of 20 francs Vreneli, gold from Gondo’s mines, in Valais, with small cross, Specimen 1897, B, Bern. Obv. HELVETIA. Bust of Helvetica facing left; signature F. LANDRY. Rev. On two oak branches, shield of the Confederation with 20 and FR on the sides; below (date) and (mint). Fr.501 - HMZ.1195b - OC.405.1a; Gold - 21 mm - 6h. This is the third PCGS highest grade! PCGS SP64. Specimen. With small crosses. Struck with the gold extracted in Gondo, in Valais, with a characteristic greenish color. Only 29 struck examples! Almost in its mint state, with only some micro-scratches.

Starting price: 200 000€

In 1291, year of the pact between Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden, Gondo has been bought by the Bishop of Sion, Boniface de Challant, to the territory of Novara. Thanks to a post office linking Lyon to Milan, the main resource for the inhabitants of Gondo was trade with Italy. Some gold mines were exploited from the middle of the 16th century to the end of the 19th century. Gold exploitation was definitively abandoned in 1897. Only 29 coins of 20 francs were struck with the gold extracted in Gondo in 1897, last year of minting with that gold. Only a few examples are known : one in the Swissmint collection, without the cross; one in the Museum of Zurich, with the cross; finally, 2 or 3 examples sold in 2002, 2013 (NGC SP66) and our example.

MDC Monaco, 27 Avenue de la Costa, 98000 Monaco (+377) 93 25 00 42 – info@mdc.mc – www.mdc.mc

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
MDC MONACO AUCTION 15, PART ONE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n39a23.html)

HENRY FAUNTLEROY HANGING PENNY

A fascinating and very rare penny that relates to the hanging of banker and forger Henry Fauntleroy, that happened 200 years ago this year and was attended by more than 100,000 spectators, will be on display on the stand of Timothy Millett at the LAPADA Berkley Square Fair from October 22-27, 2024. It has a price tag of £2,500.

Henry Fauntleroy (1784-1824) was for 7 years, a clerk in the London bank of Marsh, Sibbald & Co., of which his father was one of the founders. He was taken into partnership, and the whole business of the firm was gradually left in his hands. In 1824, the bank suspended payments. Fauntleroy was arrested on the charge of appropriating trust funds by forging the trustees' signatures and was committed for trial. It was rumoured that he had squandered £250,000 in total which it is claimed he spent on homes for his mistresses and gambling at the races. He was tried at the Old Bailey; found guilty and sentenced to be hanged. After the hanging, there were rumours that he had put a silver pipe down his throat and hadn’t died. Wealthy friends, it was claimed, had cut down the body and whisked him away to live a luxurious life overseas.

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NEW ZEALAND'S 1935 WAITANGI CROWN

The New Zealand 1935 Proof Crown, often referred to as the "Waitangi Crown", holds a unique place in numismatic history. This rare and sought-after coin commemorates the 95th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, a landmark document that shaped the course of New Zealand's history. Struck in silver and with a limited mintage of just 1,128 coins, the Waitangi Crown is a prized possession for collectors and acts as a fascinating window into the country's past.

In this article, we'll delve into the historical context surrounding the coin's creation, explore its design and specifications, and discuss its rarity, value, and appeal to both coin enthusiasts and history buffs.

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A VAIL MEDAL PIN

The eBay listing for a Medallic Art Company 14K tiny lapel screwback pin turned up last November. The seller didn’t know what it was but I knew immediately; the pin is the wearable reflection of this medal...

Here is a 2 1/2-inch silver example of The Vail Medal For Noteworthy Public Service. Theodore Newton Vail (1845-1920) was president of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) from 1907 until he retired in 1919. He had a long and honored career. His guiding principle was that customer service was more important than increasing dividends. This axiom sums up his career. "Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. Theodore Newton Vail invented the telephone business."

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MAASTRICHT PAPER MONEY FAIR HIGHLIGHTS

BNB editor Owen Linzmayer holds the huge 100,000-peso note (Philippines BNP1003) with the help of Pakistani dealer Muhammad Zeeshan Yameen, who had just purchased same from another dealer.

Stack’s Bowers Galleries just concluded its Fall 2024 Maastricht Auction of World Paper Money on 2 October. According to Dennis Hengeveld, Director of Consignments & Senior Numismatist, "Attendees were particularly interested in Eastern European notes from the Al Kugel Collection, such as the rare 1923 5,000-marka note (Estonia B206a) that ultimately sold for US$33,600, almost ten times its estimate. We see more and more interest in this area and the Al Kugel collection offers an unprecedented opportunity to acquire select rarities from the region."

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INTERNET ARCHIVE LEGAL BATTLES

To many, the Internet Archive is its own kind of sanctuary — a vestige of a bygone internet built on openness and access, a Silicon Valley standout interested not in series funding or shareholder value, but the preservation of any piece of the cultural record it can get. But to the corporations and people that own the copyrights to large swaths of that record, the Internet Archive is like a pirate ship stuffed with digital plunder. Two lawsuits have brought these long-simmering tensions to the courts and public consciousness, with financial repercussions in the hundreds of millions that could bring down the internet’s greatest library.

With the Archive, he says, "The whole idea was to build the Library of Alexandria for the digital age. To build universal access to all knowledge."

The Archive is best known for its preservation of the ephemeral expanses of the World Wide Web, available through its one-of-a-kind archive/search engine, the Wayback Machine.

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LOOSE CHANGE: OCTOBER 6, 2024

Canada's New Sundial Coin

If you’re looking to add a unique item to your coin collection, the Royal Canadian Mint has released a new piece that not only looks like a sundial but functions as one, too.

The sundial is known as the world’s earliest timekeeping device. It’s composed of two main parts: a flat circular plate and a dial or stick called a gnomon.

When a sundial is aligned properly, it will tell the local solar time based on where the sun casts its shadow on its surface.

This is essentially how the Mint’s new coin functions.

It includes a rhodium-plated brass gnomon. When placed in the sun and pointed in the direction of true north, the gnomon casts a shadow onto the base of the coin, indicating the time.

To read the complete article, see:
Canada just got a stunning new sundial coin that can actually tell time (https://dailyhive.com/canada/royal-canadian-mint-sundial-coin)

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