MARVIN TAMEANKO (1934-2016)

Marvin Tameanko was Emeritus Professor at the Faculty of Architecture, Ryerson Polytechnic University, Toronto. He was a frequent contributor to a number of numismatic magazines, including the English COIN News through which we first made contact over 15 years ago. He wrote Monumental Coins, a work detailing ancient coins showing buildings and other edifices, which won a NLG Award in its year of publication.

Somehow the photography of coins was what joined us up. We exchanged information and, I would like to think, became long-distance friends. He even wrote a paper for Mintmark, the magazine of the Numismatic Society of Auckland on some of his family history about Napoleon's retreat from Moscow – delighted that his grandmother's tale was proved correct.

We had a vigorous debate on the False Shekels, of which we both had more than one. He also gave me a few specimens, including some clipped siliquae, for which he drew beautiful illustrations. His article on these was published in the English COIN News, January 1996. Marvin was also interested in ancient ships and built a number of intricate models of the galleys of old, again to illustrate a booklet he had written.

We had a sort of contest to see who could send Christmas greetings latest – my 2016 greetings went out just two days before. There was no answer. Early this year I heard from Mrs Tameanko that he had passed away. A good friend, never met, but well-remembered.

To read Tameanko's online obituary, see:
Marvin TAMEANKO (www.legacy.com/obituaries/nationalpost/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=183115520)

To read some of Tameanko's articles, see:
LIVIA - THE FIRST AUGUSTA OF ROME (http://coinproject.com/jan/volume1/issue4/volume1-4-1.html)
NOAH AND THE ARK ON ANCIENT COINS (www.theshekel.org/article_noahs_ark.html)

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web