Farran Zerbe Memorial Award
The Farran Zerbe Memorial Award for Distinguished Service is the highest honor conferred by the American Numismatic Association. It is given in recognition of numerous years of outstanding, dedicated service to numismatics. Cindy Wibker is the recipient of this year’s award.

For 25 years, Wibker has dedicated her career to Florida United Numismatists (FUN) as convention coordinator, organizing one of the premier shows in the country. This is no easy task, as FUN’s annual January show regularly draws an average of 10,000 attendees over four days, and its summer event, held each July, welcomes about 3,000 hobbyists.

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, the young Wibker enjoyed filling Whitman nickel and cent folders with pocket change and acquiring specimens through mail-order businesses. However, her mind turned to other pursuits. Growing up she enjoyed spending time outside playing different sports, going to games, spending time with her family and riding her bike.

During her last year of college, she returned to numismatics. Wibker’s then-husband, Bob Grellman, who began collecting at age 7, encouraged her to once again dip her toe in the numismatic waters. She bought her first Civil War token in April 1975 and was hooked.

An Air Force wife for 13 1/2 years, Wibker took time off from her career to raise her two sons, Kevin and Andrew. During this period, she acquired more Civil War tokens, as well as Thomas Edison medals, early Mardi Gras collectibles and Louisiana tokens. Unlike her childhood self, Wibker learned to love history as an adult, mostly through the lens of Civil War tokens.

In 1988, after her husband retired from the Air Force, Wibker and her family moved to Florida. Jim Partin, a friendly face in the hobby, encouraged the busy mom to run for the FUN board. She was appointed exhibit chairman in 1990 and was on the board for three years. When the convention coordinator suddenly passed away, Wibker was asked if she would like to give the position a try. She took on the challenge, taught herself how to do the job and has been a success at it for 25 years.

Among her numerous honors are the Award of Merit (2005), Presidential Award (2007) and Polly Abbott Service Award (2011) from FUN; and Woman of the Year (2001 and 2009) from the National Silver Dollar Roundtable. She was named a Numismatic Ambassador by Numismatic News in 1994. In addition to FUN, she has served on the board of directors for the Civil War Token Society, Token and Medal Society and Women in Numismatics, of which she is a charter member.

Wibker joined the ANA in 1980. She was quickly recognized for her numismatic knowledge and people skills, and got to know many individuals in the hobby. At age 25, she tried her hand at exhibiting and was surprised when her Alabama coal-mine tokens display won best of show. She went on to become an exhibit judge in 1987.

Wibker’s steady involvement with the Association brought her many accolades, including the Glenn Smedley Memorial Award (1996) and ANA Medal of Merit (1997), Exemplary Service Award (2002), three Presidential Awards (1997, 1998 and 2009) and the Joseph E. Boling Award for Judging Excellence (2010). In 2017 she received the ANA Goodfellow Award in recognition of her work as host chair of the ANA’s National Money Show® in Orlando.

Numismatist of the Year
The Numismatist of the Year, first presented in 1995, was established to recognize individuals within the numismatic community who have demonstrated long-term leadership in the field and to the American Numismatic Association. This year’s recipient is David J. McCarthy.

Having a lifelong interest in numismatics, he accepted a position with Richard Nachbar Rare Coins in 2000. In 2003 he moved to Northern California to continue his career with Kagin’s, where he is currently the firm’s senior numismatist and researcher.

McCarthy has been a consultant to the Smithsonian Institution, the United States Secret Service, Bank of California, Union Bank, The San Francisco Old Mint and the American Numismatic Association. He is a contributor to A Guide Book of United States Coins (the “Red Book”) and CoinWorld, and has published groundbreaking research in The Numismatist. His article “Nova Constellatio: Identifying the First American Coin” (August 2017) received a Wayte and Olga Raymond Memorial Literary Award.

An ANA life member, McCarthy also belongs to the Florida United Numismatists, Pacific Coast Numismatic Society and Central States Numismatic Society. He received the ANA’s Glenn Smedley Memorial Award in 2015.

McCarthy enjoys sharing his expertise and enthusiasm for numismatics and has taught several classes at the ANA’s Summer Seminar. He also is a sought-after speaker on the subject of pioneer gold coins, regulated gold of Early America and other specialized areas of numismatics, history and collecting. He is particularly knowledgeable about the coinage of Julius Popper, Massachusetts silver and American Confederation gold.

Young Numismatist of the Year
The American Numismatic Association recognizes that the future of the hobby depends on the recruitment and education of young numismatists. The Young Numismatist of the Year award honors young collectors for outstanding contributions to the hobby and industry. Recipients exhibit a positive attitude, strong communication skills, cooperation, dependability and avid interest in expanding their numismatic knowledge. Receiving this year’s award is Abigail Zechman.

In 2012, Zechman was moving up the ranks in Girl Scouts. That year, she entered a Florida United Numismatists (FUN) show looking to earn a coin-collecting patch and left with a passion for numismatics.

She quickly joined FUN and has since become a member of Early American Coppers, the Combined Organization of ­Numismatic Error Collectors of America (CONECA) and the Original Hobo Nickel Society. Coin carving came naturally to the art-minded student, who has taken numerous classes and explored a variety of media. She counts the late Archie Taylor, well known for his carved creations, among her most cherished mentors.

The 16-year-old collector attended ANA's Summer Seminar this year and served as auction head for the YN Benefit Auction during the second week. After graduating high school, Zechman intends to pursue a career as a coin grader and welcomes the opportunity to help others.

Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual, family, firm or judicial entity that has made outstanding contributions to organized numismatics. Energetic, organized and seldom without his clipboard in hand, life member and National Exhibit Coordinator Mark Lighterman is the 2018 recipient. Lighterman will be honored during the World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia.

An avid American Numismatic Association promoter, Lighterman has been a national volunteer since 2003, taking on his current duties as national exhibit coordinator in 2008. He chaired the ANA Exhibiting Committee from 2005 to 2009, and today also serves the ANA as parliamentarian. Lighterman is president of Com­bined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America (CONECA), treasurer of the Token and Medal Society (TAMS), past president of Florida United Numismatists (FUN), and a charter member of the Casino Chip and Gaming Token Collectors Club. He has written articles for The Numismatist and CONECA’s bimonthly publication, ErrorScope.

Lighterman is always looking for new Florida gaming tokens to add to his collection, and he avidly pursues error coins. Among his many major off-metal strikes are a $20 gold piece struck on a large cent, a Flying Eagle cent struck on a half dime, and a 1934 Peace dollar struck on a quarter. Although the latter is one of his ­favorites, he quickly notes that all his coins are important to him. Several years ago, Whitman Publishing sought him out for his expertise, and in 2010 he contributed to Nich­olas P. Brown’s 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins.

In 2009 Lighterman took his place alongside fellow hobbyists in the Casino Chip and Gaming Token Collectors Club’s Hall of Fame. He was recognized as CONECA’s Lyndon King Outstanding Member of the Year in 2012 and inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame in 2014. The ANA presented him its Presidential Award in 1999, the Glenn Smedley Memorial Award in 2002, Medal of Merit in 2012, Adna G. Wilde Jr. Award for Excellence in 2015, and Farran Zerbe Memorial Award for Distinguished Service in 2016.

2018 ANA PHILADELPHIA WFOM VOLUNTEER BUTTONS

Pat writes:

For more information on the 2018 ANA World's Fair of Money, see:
WORLD'S FAIR OF MONEY Philadelphia, PA — August 14-18, 2018 (https://www.money.org/worldsfairofmoney)

PCGS TO EXHIBIT BRASHER DOUBLOON AT 2018 WFOM

One of the legendary 1787 gold Brasher Doubloons and seven of the finest known 1780s New York colonial era copper coins will be displayed together for the first time in an educational exhibit hosted by Professional Coin Grading Service (www.PCGS.com) at the American Numismatic Association 2018 Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money®, August 14-18.

“The lettering and some design elements of all seven of these distinguished coins are punch linked, and each of these coins is an important part of early American history and numismatics. They will be exhibited at the PCGS booth, #1431, during the 2018 ANA convention,” said PCGS President Don Willis.

The Brasher Doubloons are the first gold coins made in the United States proposed or intended for circulation. The design includes the obverse motto, NOVA EBORACA COLUMBIA EXCELSIOR (translated as "New York and America ever upward”).

The coin’s creator, Ephraim Brasher, was well known at the time as a silver and goldsmith and civic leader in New York City, and later was a neighbor of George Washington in lower Manhattan.

Only seven Brasher Doubloons are known; six with the designer’s “EB” hallmark on the eagle’s wing, one with it on the eagle’s breast. The coin that will be displayed in Philadelphia has the hallmark on the eagle’s right wing, and it is the discovery specimen for Brasher Doubloons that was first documented in 1840.

This famous coin was exhibited at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, was a featured display in a nationwide touring exhibit for the 1987 bicentennial of the United States Constitution and was displayed at the Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World in 1988.

The anonymous current owner of the Brasher Doubloon is described by PCGS as a “West Coast collector,” and the owner of the New York copper coins is described as “a New York dealer and collector.”

The seven New York copper pieces are all either the finest known or among the finest known of their kind. All have impressive pedigrees to one or more collections of well-known numismatists of the past, such as Parmelee, Stickney, Boyd, Garrett, Ford and/or Newman. The coins are:

• 1786 Small Head Non Vi Virtute Vici (“Not by force, but by virtue we have won”) with a portrait believed to be George Washington. Less than two dozen examples are known.

• 1787 Excelsior, Eagle facing left. This is the only Mint State example known and was formerly in the famous Garrett Collection.

• 1787 George Clinton cent, with New York coat of arms, less than a dozen known.

• 1787 Excelsior, Standing Indian/New York arms, one of only about 12 known.

• 1787 Excelsior, Standing Indian/Eagle on Globe design, one of the finest of only about 14 known.

• 1787 Nova Eborac (“New York”), rare Large Head variety, one of the finest of only a few dozen known.

• 1787 Nova Eborac, Small Head variety, less than a dozen known and closely linked to the Brasher Doubloons. This is the finest certified example and was formerly in the C.I. Bushnell and Eric P. Newman collections.

“PCGS is proud to work with the owners of these impressive, early American rare coins so visitors to the ANA convention can see and enjoy them in person,” said Willis.

WILLIAM AND CHARLES BARBER EXHIBITS AT 2018 WFOM

The Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) and the Barber Coin Collectors’ Society (BCCS) will have a massive exhibition at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia. The groundbreaking 12-case exhibit is highlighted by newly-discovered historic artifacts on loan from the descendants of William and Charles Barber, the 5th and 6th Chief Engravers of the U.S. Mint. The exhibit will be in the Club Midway at booths #146 and #148, near the rear right corner of the bourse floor.

The theme of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club exhibit is “William Barber Revealed” which sheds new light on the work and talent of one of the least understood engravers in U.S. History. The designer of the Trade Dollar and the Double Dime (twenty-cent piece) is often underappreciated for his accomplishments and artistry.

The newly found artifacts show that William, despite some issues with former Mint Director H.R. Linderman, was actually very well-liked by his peers at the Philadelphia Mint, and much appreciated for both his coin design and medallic work. Items on display for the Liberty Seated Collectors Club include:

• Original (not a copy) Presidential proclamation naming William Barber Engraver of the U.S. Mint, signed by Pres. Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William Seward • Paintings of William Barber and wife Anna Maria Barber • Medal of William Barber (by Charles E. Barber following William’s death in 1879), from the Charles E. Barber medal collection • 3 original pencil/pen coin design sketches by William Barber • William Barber medals: Centennial Medal, Grant 2nd Inaugural medal • Scan of letter written by William Barber about Carson City dies, June 1875 • Original memo by mint officials, Sept. 2, 1879, regarding the death of William Barber • Set of Trade Dollars • Set of Double Dimes, including one of William Barber’s patterns and 1875-S Branch Mint Proof • Medallic History of the United States of America – 1776-1876, 1st Edition, by J.F. Loubat, 1878, inscribed with compliments to William Barber by the author, April 1878 • A Visit to the Cabinet of the United States Mint at Philadelphia, by Elizabeth B. Johnston, 1876, inscribed to William Barber by the author • And more!

The theme of the Barber Coin Collectors’ Society exhibit is “The Charles Barber you didn’t know” featuring many new artifacts that put Charles Barber in a completely new light. Often presumed by many to (without any evidence) be a disagreeable and difficult person, new research demonstrates quite the opposite.

Charles Barber was first and foremost a family man, who was revered by his descendants. Despite professional rivalries, he worked collaboratively with many artists and engravers over his 48 years at the U.S. Mint, and contrary to popular (unfounded) belief, had a friendly relationship with George T. Morgan. Even a warm personal relationship with President Theodore Roosevelt is revealed, with the entrusting of a treasured personal heirloom to Charles Barber. Charles was most meticulous in ensuring the process of minting coins was efficient and produced a quality product. He was afforded the high honor of being the last U.S. Mint official to have the flags lowered to half-mast after his death in 1917.

Items on exhibit at the Barber Coin Collectors’ Society table include: • Painting of Charles E. Barber • Six new photos of Charles Barber • New photo of Charles Barber and George Morgan in Bridgeton New Jersey, March 1897 • Three patterns by Charles Barber • Key date Liberty Head “Barber” coins (5c, 10c, 25c, 50c) • Other coins designed by Charles Barber, including commemoratives, 1883 Hawaiian coinage, Cuban coinage • 1905 passport • Memos from mint departments for European trip of 1905 • Diary of Edith Barber (accompanied her father to Europe in 1905) • Rare heirloom 39-star Flag presented to Charles Barber by President Theodore Roosevelt • 1906 U.S. Mint Assay medal, original case, subject: Theodore Roosevelt, from the Charles E. Barber collection of medals • Letter to Charles Barber from Augustus St. Gaudens, April 1894 • Letter to Charles Barber from Victor D. Brenner, January 1909 • United States Pattern, Trial, and Experimental Pieces, by Edgar H. Adams and William H Woodin, 1913, inscribed compliments to Charles E. Barber by William Woodin, April 3, 1913 • Scan of letter from Mint Director requesting permission to lower the flags to half-staff, 1917 • And more!

In addition, at least one of the descendants is planning to be at the Annual Meeting of the Barber Coin Collectors’ Society (Wednesday August 15, 9:00 a.m. in Room 120-C), and the Annual Meeting of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club (Thursday August 16, 9:00 a.m. in Room 120-C). Everyone is welcome.

In addition, on Friday August 17 at 4:00 p.m., there will be an ANA Money Talks presentation entitled, Fascinating New Discoveries Regarding Father-Son Mint Engravers William and Charles Barber, in Room 121-B.

ANA STUDENT EDUCATIONAL KITS

Numismatics is not just a hobby for adults. The future of the hobby is dependent on younger audiences becoming interested in collecting. Through programs like Coins for A’s and the new Adopt-A-School program, the American Numismatic Association is reaching school-age kids to promote curiosity and interest in numismatics.

The Adopt-A-School program consists of educational kits to be used in a classroom setting. Parents, district representatives or club members can “adopt-a-school” and use the kit to teach students about the importance of numismatics while adhering to the educational curriculum. Various lessons included in the kit are geared towards different age groups, from upper elementary grades to high school.

“Lots of adults end up using a ‘show and tell’ approach in their numismatic presentations at schools,” said Rod Gillis, education director of the ANA. “However, it is best to put a lesson together based on the teacher’s needs. The education kit provides the lesson plans that could easily fit into a classroom schedule, meet a teacher’s goals and provide a more in-depth look at numismatics for the kids. The youth are the future of the hobby.”

Each kit includes instructions to all the different lesson plans, a flash drive with presentations, pencils, coins needed with the lessons, reference books, worksheets, plans for an archaeological dig and more. The kit gives the user access to everything needed to successfully run the educational courses.

Adopt-A-School kits are available for free to ANA member clubs – one kit per ANA club upon request. The kits can also be purchased for $24.95, postage paid. For more information or to order a kit, contact Tiffanie Bueschel at tbueschel@money.org or call (719) 482-9816.

STACK'S BOWERS HONG KONG PRIMITIVE MONEY LOTS

Changsha Mint Brass Charm Tree

CHINA. Brass Charm Tree, ND. Changsha Mint. Qian Long (1736-95).

Approximately 20 x 3.25 in (50.8 x 8.26 cm). RARE complete charm tree. The tree comprises of 17 various multiple Cash size charms and one Cash piece at the very top naming Emperor Qian Long from the Changsha Mint, Hunan. Six of the charms display auspicious symbols such as cranes, birds, dragons, phoenix's, bats, deer and plum blossoms. While the remaining charms have varying inscriptions for wealth, nobility, prosperity, happiness, good luck, harmony and longevity.

To read the complete lot description, see:
CHINA. Brass Charm Tree, ND. Changsha Mint. Qian Long (1736-95). (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BF7W1)

Cash Tree of Qian Long

CHINA. Brass Money Tree, ND. Qian Long (1736-95).

Approximately 22.75 x 2.25 in (57.79 x 5.72 cm) KM-389 (for basic type). RARE complete Cash Tree. Cash tree of Emperor Qian Long from the Board of Revenue mint. The tree comprises of 32 Cash pieces surmounted with a radiant seated Buddha and two standing figures. Possibly produced for display purposes in money changers shop windows. The reign of Qian Long could be considered the height of the Qing Dynasty as many advancements were made under his rule. He was a big proponent of the arts, literature and architecture. The year of his ascension he made a promise not to rule longer than his grandfather Kangxi who reigned for sixty-one years. In 1795, after sixty years on the throne he followed through with his promise and voluntarily abdicated in favor of his son Jiaqing, though he never really relinquished power, his son ruled by name only and Qian Long died in 1799.

To read the complete lot description, see:
CHINA. Brass Money Tree, ND. Qian Long (1736-95). (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BF7W4)

Money Tree of GuangXu

CHINA. Brass Money Tree, ND (ca. 1875-1908).

Approximately 24 x 4 in (61 x 10 cm). C-1-16(for general type). RARE nearly complete Cash tree of Emperor Guang Xu from the Board of Revenue Mint. The tree is intact missing only one piece at the top. The rough surface is due to the fact that these trees were cast, once cooled down they would be finished and then removed.

To read the complete lot description, see:
CHINA. Brass Money Tree, ND (ca. 1875-1908). (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BF6K0)

Tin Animal Money

MALAYSIA. Kedah. Tin Animal Money, ND (ca. Mid-18th Century). Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zanial Abidin Muassam Shah (1710-73).

101.06 mm; 29.47 gms. SS-20c. VERY RARE to find fully intact. Cockerel perched on six rings. The cock was worth five cents of the Spanish Dollar while each attached ring was worth an additional cent of value. The rings were broken off for small transactions and used as one cent pieces. These circulated as late as the 1850's when the rings were worth ten pieces of the Singapore Merchants one Keping tokens.

To read the complete lot description, see:
MALAYSIA. Kedah. Tin Animal Money, ND (ca. Mid-18th Century). Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zanial Abidin Muassam Shah (1710-73). (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BFCZ7)

Tampang Tin Hat Money

MALAYSIA. Pahang. 1/25 Dollar Tampang Tin Hat Money, ND (ca. 1850's to Early 1860's).

72.87 x 74.40 x 23.53 mm; 38.93 gms. SS-Pg.141#14; Opitz-Pg.351. Floral design in each corner of base with barbaric Jawi script on left and right sides, Chinese inscription "Yew Lee Kongsi" (Yew Lee Company) on crown of pyramid; Reverse: Blank. Several as made casting holes as is usual for this series, though they are smaller than normally encountered. Well made and lustrous with deep attractive tone highlighted with russet and golden hues. Quite nice for the series which is usually plagued with large casting holes and tin pest.

To read the complete lot description, see:
MALAYSIA. Pahang. 1/25 Dollar Tampang Tin Hat Money, ND (ca. 1850's to Early 1860's). (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BFCZE)

Bullet Money

THAILAND. 4 Baht (Tamlung) Bullet Money, ND. Mongkut (Rama IV) (1851-68).

60.54 gms. C-139.1. Eight dots in Chakra. Both stamps well applied and clear with only slight evidence of doubling on the Mongkut stamp. Deeply toned and quite attractive.

To read the complete lot description, see:
THAILAND. 4 Baht (Tamlung) Bullet Money, ND. Mongkut (Rama IV) (1851-68). (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BFCYM)

STACK'S BOWERS ANA PRIMITIVE MONEY HIGHLIGHTS

Lantaka Dutch Cannon Money

MALAYA. Lantaka Dutch Cannon Money, ND (ca. 16th to Early 20th Century).

Approximately 32 inches in length, approximately 7 inches wide wheel to wheel; Approximately 13 lbs. Opitz-pg. 100; Quiggin-Fig.116. RARE. Dutch East Indies monogram "VOC" near base. Triangular shaped boarder near base and near wheels depicting a floral design. Two engraved handles on top near wheels. Used in several locations such as Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak and other parts of south east Asia. These cannons were made of various metals including bronze, brass, copper, iron and other metals. Valued by weight at $25-$30 a Picul, they were used for a multitude of purposes such as "Bride Price" or wedding and engagement ceremonies, trading purposes, barter of goods, payment of fines and in the purchase of slaves (a slave being valued in Piculs of brass guns). During World War II many were melted down which accounts for their rarity today. Minor earthen deposits with an attractive patina.

To read the complete lot description, see:
MALAYA. Lantaka Dutch Cannon Money, ND (ca. 16th to Early 20th Century). (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BGMAO)

Falus Bronze Casting Tree

Morocco. Falus Bronze Casting Tree, AH 1263 (1846/7). Moulay 'Abd al Rahman (AH 1238-76 (1822-59)).

C-122a.1 (for basic type). Complete Falus, second standard, casting tree. Each bears the seal of Solomon with the AH date 1263, no mint mark. Usually found as single coins in less than desirable condition VERY RARE to obtain a complete tree. Quite interesting and highly sought after as a complete tree. Deeply toned and attractive.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Morocco. Falus Bronze Casting Tree, AH 1263 (1846/7). Moulay 'Abd al Rahman (AH 1238-76 (1822-59)). (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BGMB6)

Honey Eater Bird Feather Coil

SOLOMON ISLANDS. Santa Cruz. Honey Eater Bird Feather Coil, ND.

Approximately 2 in x 30 ft. Optiz-pg.142; Bowers Museum-2001.74.14. EXTREMELY RARE and extremely difficult to obtain an intact coil. Each coil takes about one year's labor by three specialists, the bird snarer, the platelet maker and the currency binder. Each coil requires a minimum of 300 Honey eater birds with a total of at least 1,500 platelets. A single bird could be used to make up to five platelets each using only the feathers from the breast, head and back of the bird. Also known as Tau, Tirrau, Tavau and Temotu these coils were used in bride price which consisted of 10 coils.

The value placed on each coil was dependent on its integrity and graduated in value from a new or nearly perfect coil (#1) to the bottom (#10) which was nearly worn out and blackened from feather loss. For example it would take two #10's to equal one #9 and two #9's to equal a #8. So a #1 was equal to 512 #10's. According to Opitz in 1962, there were only five men on Santa Cruz who could bind currency. A person may learn this skill only if his father was also a currency binder. The binder needs the inheritance of magic secrets; an unauthorized person making his own currency risks the anger of the spirits. Areas of missing feathers which are now blackened. Based on the amount of feathers still present on this example we believe it to be a about a #2 or #3. Highly sought after and a real treat for the specialist of primitive monies or ethnography.

To read the complete lot description, see:
SOLOMON ISLANDS. Santa Cruz. Honey Eater Bird Feather Coil, ND. (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BGM9N)

Yap Island Stone Money

Yap Island. Stone Money "Fei" & Banana Fiber and Hibiscus Fiber Mat, ND (ca. Late 19th Century or Earlier). Pre O'Keefe Type.

Approximately 19 x 15 x 4 in; Approximately 74 lbs. Opitz-pg. 316/21; Quiggin-pg. 144, pl#12; Sigler-P.19. Yap Island produced the world's largest and heaviest coinage, most commonly referred to as "Fei" or "Rai", considered sacred amongst the local people. The largest examples are in excess of 12 feet in diameter, weighing about 2 tons. Due to their excessive size, the larger stones often traded ownership without physically being moved and would remain in place as it became common knowledge among the inhabitants that it now belonged to a new owner.

As there is no large source of stone on Yap, the stones were quarried and shaped on the island of Malakal in Palau, then shipped back to Yap on native boats. The stones are made of calcite, which is abundant on Malakal. Some of the larger stones took as long as two years to quarry and shape using axes made from giant clams. The trip from Malakal to Yap via boat was a hazardous voyage that claimed many lives. Often the value placed on a stone directly related to the amount of human lives lost in order to quarry it and deliver to Yap.

Although there are many sizes and shapes of Yap stones, they can be classified into two basic types: pre and post O'Keefe. The earliest stones were produced by the locals using axe heads made from segments of the giant clam. Later stones or "O'Keefe stones" were produced in the late 1800's using metal tools.

David O'Keefe was American of Irish heritage who came to Yap with tools and a junk boat acquired in Hong Kong, which he used to quarry and transport "Fei" from Malakal to Yap, and through this process set himself up as the King of Yap Island. The 1954 motion picture "His Majesty O'Keefe" starring Burt Lancaster, although somewhat dramatized and engrossed, fairly accurately portrays this series of events.

The stone offered here is the pre O'Keefe type. Seldom are larger stones available for sale as removing them from the island was extremely hard due to their size and weight. This example is quite nice to behold and was quite well produced considering it was hewn by hand. In color it is a lovely milky golden tan. Simply a delight to behold. Often referred to as the key or "Holy Grail" to assembling a collection of primitive money the chance to obtain one of these pieces should not be missed.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Yap Island. Stone Money "Fei" & Banana Fiber and Hibiscus Fiber Mat, ND (ca. Late 19th Century or Earlier). Pre O'Keefe Type. (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BGMAF)

Elephant Tail Hair Money

Africa. Congo, Kenya & French Cameroon. Elephant Tail Hair Money, ND (ca. 19th Century).

Tail approximately 20 in length, bundle of strands of varying lengths and bracelet approximately 5 inches in diameter. Opitz-pg. 139/40. 3 pieces in lot. Each piece in lot with early provenance such as lot tags and old collectors ticket. Lot includes a full tail, a bracelet and a bundle of individual hairs. The full tail is EXTREMELY RARE and extremely difficult to obtain. The whole tail as well as the individual hairs from the tail were used as money. At one point 600-700 strands were worth one slave and later one full tail was worth 2-3 slaves. It was also believed that the hairs prevented disease. In Durant Lopy's book "Kingdom of Congo" published 1880, he described how natives would drive elephants down narrow trails as it was difficult for them to turn around. The natives would sneak up behind the elephants, cut off their tails and run away before the elephant could turn around. The bracelet was sent to Mrs. H. H. Quiggin from Kenya and has a bead on it.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Africa. Congo, Kenya & French Cameroon. Elephant Tail Hair Money, ND (ca. 19th Century). (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BGM9U)

Iron Spearhead Money

CONGO. Liganda "Doa" Iron Spearhead Money, ND (ca. 19th to 1920's).

Approximately 9.1 ft (110 inches) x 10.25 in at the widest point; Approximately 823.48 gms (1 lbs 14 oz). Opitz-pg. 203; Quiggin-pg. 64. Made from iron by the Turumba used in bride price and to buy canoes. The Topoke of the Lomami valued a male slave at 30 Liganda and a female slave from 40 to 100 in 1907. By 1920 they were valued at about five Belgian Francs. Signs of rust as would be expected, but intact. Overall a handsome and interesting large example of sure to excite the specialist of Primitive monies.

To read the complete lot description, see:
23661 CONGO. Liganda "Doa" Iron Spearhead Money, ND (ca. 19th to 1920's). (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BI8TT)

Beetle Wing Strands & Beetle Leg Money

PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Beetle Wing Strands & Beetle Leg Money, ND.

cf.Opitz-pg. 79(for beetle wings). The two strands consist of 34 and 31 wings attached to woven sting, numerous chips and cracks. The strand of approximately 294 beetle legs is mounted to a piece of thick card stock, some are cracked, chipped or broken; not listed in Opitz. Despite the noted defects of these very fragile items a beautiful display of the iridescent colors that these wings and legs possess. RARE and interesting.

To read the complete lot description, see:
PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Beetle Wing Strands & Beetle Leg Money, ND. (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BI8U7)

Trade Cloth

Africa. Angola, Belgian Congo & Benin. Trade Cloth, ND (ca. 19th Century).

Opitz-pg.107/11. 7 pieces in lot. An interesting assortment of trade cloths mainly used in bride price, but were also used for other transactions to purchase house hold items such as goats, slaves and other necessities. Pieces of note include an intricately woven cloth with geometric designs (approximately 10 x 25.5 in) from Angola, a finely woven cloth with brown multi-color diamond shapes evenly spaced with diagonal parallel lines in between (approximately 17 x 25.5 in) from Benin and a finely woven brown striped cloth with two sections running the length which are loosely woven (approximately 24.5 in x 5.5 ft) from Belgian Congo.

Also included are several smaller pieces of cloth from various locations two of which look to be of a more modern manufacture and one from Papua New Guinea (approximately 3 x 3 in). Overall well preserved with minimal deterioration, one of the small cloths has moth holes. Other defect may be present. Close personal inspection is advised and will reward the diligent bidder. Several pieces are from old Hans M.F. Schulman auctions with undated auction flips and one from an old NASCA auction.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Africa. Angola, Belgian Congo & Benin. Trade Cloth, ND (ca. 19th Century) (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BI8TJ)

Pacific Rim Primitive Monies

PACIFIC RIM. Papua New Guinea, Admiralty Islands, Guadalcanal, San Cristobal, Manus Province. Dog Teeth, Shell Ornaments and Buttons, ND (ca. 19th to early 20th Century).

10 pieces in lot. Comprised of a selection of necklaces and ornaments of dog teeth, various shells and buttons. Included are a six foot long(approximately) necklace of dog teeth(Opitz-pg. 132/33), a five foot long (approximately) necklace adorned with shells and dog teeth(Opitz-pg. 132/33), a headdress adorned with olive shells and dog teeth, a strand of Nassa shells(Optiz-pg. 337), a woven fiber arm band adorned with olive shells, a small mat with beaded border and 76 cowrie shell tied in four rows of 19, a belt of 8 large cowrie shell attached, a band of buttons 28 in long(approximately) and a boar tusk breast plate with small to large cowries. Mostly used in bride price, but also used for other transactions such as buying slaves and other necessities. Some show signs of use, chipping, cracks, missing shells and/or other defects. Close personal inspection is advised and will reward the diligent bidder. An interesting gathering giving a glimpse into the ingenuity of the Pacific islands.

To read the complete lot description, see:
PACIFIC RIM. Papua New Guinea, Admiralty Islands, Guadalcanal, San Cristobal, Manus Province. Dog Teeth, Shell Ornaments and Buttons, ND... (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BI8SL)

Tortoise-Shell Armband Money

PACIFIC RIM. New Britain. Navoi (Tortoise-Shell Armband), ND (ca. 19th Century).

Approximately 7.75 x 4.75 in; 185.26 gms. Opitz-pg.235. Ornately carved symmetrical design colored with red and yellow pigment. These tortoise shells were imported from Papua New Guinea and were used as currency and were the principal item in bride price. Very interesting and RARE and highly sought after. Much pigment still intact. Lovely patina.

To read the complete lot description, see:
PACIFIC RIM. New Britain. Navoi (Tortoise-Shell Armband), ND (ca. 19th Century). (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BI8SW)

HIGHLIGHTS OF HERITAGE AUGUST 2018 PLATINUM SALE

Croesus Light Stater

LYDIAN KINGDOM. Croesus and later (ca. 561-546 BC). AV stater (17mm, 8.08 gm). NGC Gem MS 5/5 - 5/5. Sardes, "Light" standard, ca. 553-539 BC. Confronted foreparts of lion (on left, facing right), with extended right foreleg, and bull (on right, facing left) / Two incuse square punches of unequal size. Carradice 8. BMFA 2073. SNG von Aulock 2875. Tied for the finest graded example, with blazing luster and eye appeal, and very rare as such.

The conventional wisdom has always been that the light staters of Croesus were much more common than his heavy staters by a factor of three or four. However, in recent years, studies of auction appearances of both types have strongly suggested otherwise. Though the light stater was almost certainly produced for a longer period than the heavy stater, the survival rate for the former may be significantly less than previously thought. As such, new information and studies about the surviving population of each type lead to the conclusion that the light stater is actually the rarer of the two types. The market seems to already be catching on to this point, as another NGC Gem MS light stater sold in April of this year through a Japanese auction company for approximately $180,000.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Ancients: LYDIAN KINGDOM. Croesus and later (ca. 561-546 BC). AV stater (17mm, 8.08 gm). NGC Gem MS 5/5 - 5/5.... (https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-lydian-kingdom-croesus-and-later-ca-561-546-bc-av-stater-17mm-808-gm-ngc-gem-ms-5-5-5-5/a/3066-30059.s)

Syracusan Euainetos Signed Decadrachm

SICILY. Syracuse. Time of Dionysius I (ca. 405-370 BC). AR decadrachm (33mm, 43.11 gm, 8h). NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Struck ca. 405-400 BC. Signed by the artist Euainetos. Charioteer, in flowing chiton, kentron in right hand, reins in left, driving racing quadriga left; Nike flying right above, about to crown charioteer with wreath; panoply of arms: cuirass between two greaves, with Phrygian helmet left on right in exergue on two slightly raised lines, all within a border of dots / S?-?-?-?-?S?O?, head of Arethusa left, wearing wreath of reeds, triple-pendant earring and necklace; ? below chin, four dolphins swimming around, signature ??-???? below the dolphin swimming under Arethusa's neck. Dewing 902 (same dies). Gallatin R.XI/D.I. Pozzi 614 (same dies). Rizzo pl. LIV, 6 and LVI, 5. Well centered and struck from dies of exceptional style. Attractive steel gray toning perfectly complements the masterful engraving of this glorious work of Greek art.

One of the largest silver denominations minted in classical antiquity, the decadrachm of Syracuse remains one of the most alluring and celebrated coins in history. The immense size of this 10 drachm denomination offered the engravers of Syracuse the scope to fully display their mastery of the medium. After a brief "trial run" in the 460s BC, the decadrachm was reintroduced in Syracuse by the tyrant Dionysius following his assumption to power in 405 BC, testament to his grandiose vision to make Syracuse the foremost city in the Greek world. Two of the greatest local numismatic artists, Kimon and Euainetos, produced dies for the new series, each bringing their own distinctive style to the already iconic emblems of Syracuse: A racing four-horse chariot (quadriga) backed with a head of the beautiful Arethusa, nymph of the spring of Ortygia, surrounded by frolicking dolphins. Both engravers took great pride in their designs and signed their dies, much in the manner of a modern artist.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Ancients: SICILY. Syracuse. Time of Dionysius I (ca. 405-370 BC). AR decadrachm (33mm, 43.11 gm, 8h). NGC Choice AU 5/... (https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-sicily-syracuse-time-of-dionysius-i-ca-405-370-bc-ar-decadrachm-33mm-4311-gm-8h-ngc-choice-au-5-/a/3066-30005.s)

'Star' Delphi Stater

PHOCIS. Delphi. Ca. 338-334 BC. AR stater (24mm, 12.29 gm, 6h). NGC (photo-certificate) AU ? 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style. Amphictionic issue. Veiled head of Demeter to left, wearing wreath of grain leaves / ??F?-????-?O?, Apollo seated left on omphalus, resting his chin on his right hand with his right elbow propped on a large lyre at his side, transverse laurel branch in left hand; small tripod in left field. Kinns, Amphictionic, 9. Kunstwerke der Antike: Sammlung Robert Käpelli (1963) 82 (this coin). Wayte Raymond, The Pierpont Morgan Collection: Catalogue of Greek and Roman Coins (1953) 177 (this coin). Splendid deep cabinet toning and excellent pedigree.

The Temple of Apollo was destroyed by an earthquake in 373 BC and almost immediately the members of the Amphictionic League began collecting contributions to rebuild it. It was finally finished circa 330 BC and silver donations were struck into coins in the mid 330s BC as recorded in the fragmentary accounts of the Amphictions. In Kinns' reworking of Raven's original study of these coins, and of the treasury accounts that refer to them, he was able to provide us with a good idea about how many coins were actually struck, as well as their survival rate. Kinns was able to record 26 genuine staters, translating to mean that only one out of approximately ten thousand pieces originally struck still survives. The beautiful and delicate artisty of Demeter on the obverse is wonderfully complemented by Apollo with his lyre and sitting on the famous omphalus, which was thought to be in the adyton (sacred part of the temple) near the Oracle. The omphalus had a knotted net covering, a hollow center and widened toward the base and was believed to be the means to directly communicate with the gods, through the Oracle who would inhale vapors that would rise through the opening.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Ancients: PHOCIS. Delphi. Ca. 338-334 BC. AR stater (24mm, 12.29 gm, 6h). NGC (photo-certificate) AU ? 5/5 - 5... (https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-phocis-delphi-ca-338-334-bc-ar-stater-24mm-1229-gm-6h-ngc-photo-certificate-au-and-9733-5-5-5/a/3066-30032.s)

First Dollar of the Americas

The Legendary First "Dollar" of the Americas - The Finest of Only 3 Known Specimens

Charles and Johanna "Early Series" Rincón 8 Reales ND (c. 1538) •M•-•M• AU50 NGC, Mexico City mint, 36.5mm, 27.13g, KM-Unl., Calico-68, Nesmith-Unl. hISP[]?IE : [ornament?] : [ornament?] : ET : I?DIARRVM : RE [truncated S?]:, a pair of crown-topped pillars (representing the Pillars of Hercules), rhomboidal banner in between with the word PLVS, one pellet above, one in either corner; R below (for Francisco del Rincón), cross above (value marker), all with inner beaded border / AKROLVVS (V double struck) : [ornament?] : ET : IOhA?A : D, crowned shield with turrets in first and fourth quadrants (representing Castile), and lions in the second and third (representing Leon), pomegranate at bottom (representing Granada); •M• (mintmark, stacked) on either side, all within inner beaded border. Perfectly centered and well-struck for the type. Wonderful slate gray surfaces that continue to emit rays of gorgeous mint luster.

Once considered to be a purely conjectural piece, this earliest of crown-sized coins struck in the New World--just two years after the establishment of the mint (later Mexico City) by royal charter in 1536--represents a minuscule group of just 3 known pieces recovered from the shipwreck of the "Golden Fleece" (sunk c. 1550) in 1990, and sold at public auction in 2004, 2006, and 2014 respectively. First suggested by the testimony of Francisco Tello de Sandoval after an investigation of the mint in 1545 (though legislation for the minting of such pieces had been issued on November 18, 1537), the present offering displays all of the tell-tale signs concordant with this and other 16th-century accounts while hardly evincing a trace of saltwater damage:

To read the complete lot description, see:
Mexico: Charles and Johanna "Early Series" Rincón 8 Reales ND (c. 1538) •M•-•M• AU50 NGC,. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/mexico/mexico-charles-and-johanna-early-series-rincon-8-reales-nd-c-1538-omo-omo-au50-ngc-/a/3066-30386.s)

Riga Double Ducat

Riga. Free City gold 2 Ducat 1575-Dated MS62 NGC, 6.91g, 24mm, Gum-Unl., Kop-Unl., Hutten-Unl., cf. Reichel II, 409. + DAT ? GEBVT ? IV ? VNSER ? HERE ? GOT, city gate of Riga with small box(?) on either side within wreath / ? GEVET ° RICHTE ° AXCISE ° VND ° SCHOT, pair of crossed keys dividing date, dagger-like cross above, all within wreath. An extraordinarily rare, unpublished, and possibly unique piece. The obverse and reverse legends, which appear to be written in Old German and seem to the cataloger to be intended to be read continuously across both sides of the coin, may perhaps be interpreted as "This pray you, our Lord God, provide [us] safe passage and protection". This would correlate well with Riga's highly contested and war-ravaged status following the Hanseatic League's diminishing clout in the early decades of the 16th century, and its aspirations to maintain its independence, and serves as a proper caption to the visual image of the city gate with gate raised on the obverse.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Poland: Riga. Free City gold 2 Ducat 1575-Dated MS62 NGC,... (https://coins.ha.com/itm/poland/poland-riga-free-city-gold-2-ducat-1575-dated-ms62-ngc-/a/3066-30405.s)

NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: JULY 29, 2018

Sikyonia Silver Stater

COIN, SIKYONIA, SICYON, STATER, AU(55-58), SILVER, BCD PELOPONNESOS:219

To read the complete lot description, see:
COIN, SIKYONIA, SICYON, STATER, AU(55-58), SILVER, BCD PELOPONNESOS:219 (https://www.numiscorner.com/collections/whats-new/products/coin-sikyonia-sicyon-stater-au55-58-silver-bcd-peloponnesos-219)

1825 Tees Bank Five Pound Banknote

1895 Agricultural Medal

Description: Agricultural medal in bronze, (47mm) by Ottley, Birmingham, obverse three sheep in meadow, reverse inscribed 'To/Fred Rose Esq/in/Commemoration/of the Harvest/at/Braeton of Leys/Sept 1895' within open wreath. With slight cabinet friction, otherwise nearly extremely fine

To read the complete lot description, see:
Lot 1515: Great Britain - Historical Medals (https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/great-britain-historical-medals-E0A4A84BD9)

1936 Sun Yat-sen Pattern Half Dollar

This week’s preview for the Stack’s Bowers & Ponterio August Hong Kong Showcase Auction contains a very rare pattern Half Dollar featuring the distinctive and ever popular Sun Yat-sen portrait and Junk boat design. This pattern coin was minted in San Francisco in 1936 at the request of the Chinese government. At that time the U.S. government held approximately three million fine ounces of silver that belonged to the Chinese government. These coins were to be smaller in size than the previous Sun Yat-sen coinage issues. The U.S. government coerced the Chinese government to continue striking silver coinage, despite the Chinese currency reforms enacted just a year earlier. One of the points of the reforms was to establish currency whose convertibility was not tied to silver. The reform also prohibited the circulation of silver Dollar coins within China. The continued production of silver coins was to cease, except as token coins.

The main obverse design features the widely recognized bust of Dr. Sun Yat-sen facing left created by A. Motti of Italy and furthered refined by John Sinnock of the Philadelphia Mint. The obverse legend states: “25th Year of the Republic of China.” The reverse displays the iconic Junk boat image, with two sails as it glides across the water to the right. Two Chinese characters for “Half Dollar” appear on either side of boat.

To read the complete lot description, see:
60477 CHINA. Pattern 1/2 Dollar (50 Cents), Year 25 (1936). San Francisco Mint. NGC MS-63 (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-BF57D)

1945 Franklin Roosevelt Commemorative Medal

Description: 1945 Commemorative Medal To Honor President Roosevelt After He Died, the obverse reads For Country And Humanity ... Died April 12, 1945, In Memoriam, brass, 3 wide, 1/8 thick, crisp, hefty

To read the complete lot description, see:
Lot 1043: 1945 Commemorative Medal (https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/-1-c-7114E33800)

ARCHIVES INTERNATIONAL SALE 49

U.S., CHINESE AND WORLDWIDE BANKNOTES, SCRIPOPHILY AND SECURITY PRINTING EPHEMERA WILL BE OFFERED IN 2 SESSIONS AT PUBLIC AUCTION ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8TH , 2018

The auction will be held by Archives International Auctions, at their offices in Fort Lee, N.J.

The August 8th auction by Archives International Auctions will feature over 1040 lots of rare and desirable U.S. & Worldwide Banknotes, Scripophily and Security Printing Ephemera including two large groups of De La Rue Specimen Banknotes featuring the Hammurabi Collection of Serial #13 Specimen Notes as well as a desirable collection of De La Rue Specimen notes consigned by the family of a banker from El Salvador; the second offering from The American Bank Note Commemoratives Inventory of U.S. Obsolete Banknote & Worldwide Banknote Souvenir Cards, Philatelic Cards & Miscellaneous Ephemera; U.S. obsolete banknotes from an old estate collection; a desirable Alaska Token Collection , as well as numerous consignments and hundreds of additional banknotes, stocks, bonds, and autographs.

The sale is broken into two sessions, the first includes Chinese and Worldwide Banknotes, and Chinese Scripophily . The second session consists of U.S. Obsolete Banknotes , Alaska tokens, Security Printing Ephemera , U.S. & Worldwide Scripophily, Autographs, Historic Documents, and fiscal items as well as the second offering from The American Bank Note Commemoratives Inventory of U.S. Obsolete Banknote & Worldwide Banknote Souvenir Cards, Philatelic Cards and related Ephemera.

Lot 236. Banco Central De La Republica Dominicana, ND (1952) Specimen Banknote

Lot 241. East Caribbean Currency Authority, ND (1965) $20, Specimen Banknote

The auction is highlighted by over 110 lots of Chinese banknotes and close to 50 lots of Chinese Scripophily . An outstanding collection of Serial #13 Specimens by TDLR are offered as well as additional TDLR Specimens with many rarities such as a Hong Kong, Chartered Bank , 1961, $500 Specimen; a Switzerland, Banque Nationale Suisse , 1000 Francs specimen, both consigned from an estate of a banker from El Salvador; an Imperial Bank of Persia , 1924-1932, 100 Tomans, Color Trial Proof Pair; a number of Monetary Authority of Belize , 1974 to 1983 Queen Elizabeth Issues, including a 1983 $20 Specimen rarity; A rare Dominican Republic, Banco Central De La Republica Dominicana , ND (1952) , 20 Pesos Oro, P-70s Specimen rarity and hundreds of additional rare and attractive notes are included in the first session.

Lot 319. Hong Kong. The Chartered Bank (1962-75) Specimen Banknote

Lot 580. Ohio. Kirtland Safety Society Bank 1837 $10 Issued Obsolete Banknote

Over 40 lots of U.S. Obsolete banknotes are highlighted by an 1837 Kirtland Safety Society Bank $10 high grade Mormon note; a spectacular full color uncut Falls Village, CT, Iron Bank Sheet of 4 as well as an uncut Norfolk Bank sheet of 4; 3 different Alabama, Wetumpka Trading Co. obsoletes; a Helena, Montana, Peoples National Bank Circulating CD $20 Obsolete; A set of 6 different 1840, Republic of Texas Obsoletes , $1 to $100; and numerous other desirable notes. Security Printing Ephemera is highlighted by a dramatic Bradbury Wilkinson & Company Advertising Broadside circa 1912 as well as a Burton & Gurley Bank Note Engravers ca.1820’s Proof Advertising Vignette sheet and numerous other rare items. Autographed certificates include a J.P. Morgan Signature on a N.J. Junction Railroad Bond as well as numerous other signatures.

Lot 598. Peoples National Bank, of Helena, Montana, $20 CD 1870s Obsolete Banknote

Lot 614. Republic of Texas, 1840, $50 Obsolete Banknote

Scripophily is represented by over 300 issued and specimen bonds and shares featuring over 150 railroads, over 40 lots of foreign scripophily, in addition to Banking, Automobile, Mining, State & City and miscellaneous topics. Scripophily highlights include a 1918, $50 4 th Liberty Loan ; a France, 1916, City of Paris $1000 Specimen Bond; an 1895, Nicaragua Company Issued stock certificate which was the company involved in the failed attempt to build a canal through Nicaragua; An 1864, South Carolina, confederate blockade runner, Consolidated Steamship Company , I/U stock certificate rarity; a group of John Hopkins signed B&O Railroad stock certificates; an amazing Butte, Anaconda and Pacific Railway 1893 Specimen Bond, 1 of 3 found in the ABN Archives; a unique Second Avenue Railroad Company in the City of New York, 1889 $1000 Specimen Bond featuring a horse drawn streetcar; and dozens of other outstanding, desirable and rare scripophily items. The sale ends with 63 lots of American Bank Note Commemoratives Philatelic and Banknote Souvenir Cards featured mostly in multiple lots. Included are colorful obsolete banknote cards, foreign banknote cards, philatelic related cards, vignette cards as well as error and progressive proof cards with many rare and desirable items rarely seen or available in this quantity.

Lot 808. Consolidated Steamship Co. 1864 Blockade Runner Stock Certificate

Left: Lot 581. Iron Bank, 1850-60's Uncut Full Color Obsolete Sheet of 4 Notes
Right: Lot 655. Bradbury Wilkinson & Company, Ltd. 1912 Adv Poster.

The auction features hundreds of additional rare and desirable banknotes, coins, and scripophily in every price range, for the beginner to the advanced collector. Previews will be held at Archives International Auctions offices Monday, August 6th and Tuesday, August 7th between 10 AM and 5 PM and by appointment. For an appointment call 201-944-4800 or email   info@archivesinternational.com .

The online catalog for the August 8th sale is on Archives International Auctions’ website and can be viewed via the Archives International live bidding platform. It can also be viewed as a virtual catalog or downloadable .PDF on their website. To pre-register for live internet bidding, log on to the Archives International Auctions website, at   www.ArchivesInternational.com .

AIA is currently seeking consignments for their upcoming exciting Milestone 50 th Auction scheduled for early November, 2018 sales, so please contact them to discuss how you may participate in this and other future auctions. They are now working on their Fall 2018 and Winter 2018-2019 auctions and are seeking quality consignments for future auctions or outright purchase including U.S. and worldwide banknotes, coins, stocks, bonds, stamps, postal history, historic ephemera, autographs. To sell or consign one piece or an entire collection, please call AIA at (201) 944-4800; or e-mail them at   info@archivesinternational.com . You may also write to Archives International Auctions, at 1580 Lemoine Ave., Suite #7, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 U.S.A. To learn more about Archives International Auctions and the auction planned for August 8th, log on to   www.ArchivesInternational.com .

HORNBY ISLAND MUNICIPAL TRADE TOKENS

I have been a coin collector for over 50 years. Last year my wife, Dr Barbara Froehner, and I moved back to Hornby Island, B.C. from Germany. After being away for some time, we came back with fresh eyes.

Familiarizing ourselves with the Island by reading old newspapers, it seemed as, with everywhere else, one of the main activities was fundraising. Everyone needs money, and there just isn't enough for everyone.

About 15 years ago, in Lincoln, Nebraska (of all places), I stumbled across a large and comprehensive collection of Canadian Municipal Trade Tokens (MTT's), which had examples from across Canada, from Tofino, B.C. to Gander, Newfoundland and Inuvik, NWT to Manitoulin Island, Ontario. I learned how MTT's work and their history and thought this fundraising idea might work on Hornby.

My collection dates from 1958 to 1990, and most of these older MTT's are single-metal, coin-like pieces of $1.00 or $2.00 value. Most were minted in fairly large quantities and sold as change from participating businesses.

These new ones are different: With a value of $20.00; it is large, has multicolored enamels filling the designs, and it is sold by customer request.

They are very much a "Souvenir Dollar", with Beautiful Motifs and a Timely Message which reflects Hornby Island.

They are not cheap...but your $20 gets you value for money: A large 2" solid Brass and Enamel Token, Low mintage of 1,000 pieces, and (possibly) first in a series. The Pins are 1" Brass and Enamel and cost $3. (Makes a great Gift!)

MTT's work best when they are the product of Fundraising for a Charitable Organization. So it would be best for this Project to be sponsored by one of the Island's Charitable Organizations, but however good an idea might be, it takes money and time, and Boards of Directors always need "numbers".

So, we decided to do it ourselves.

The designs are my own, and Awards Canada of Winnipeg tiddly'd them up for production.

Obverse: Hornby Island superimposed on a Canadian Maple Leaf resting atop Blue Waves from the B.C. Flag, "HORNBY ISLAND BRITISH COLUMBIA" around, Serial Number. (Sets out the specific area of use.)

Reverse: A Forrester planting a tree and an Orca breaching, "GOOD FOR $20 MAY 1 - OCTOBER 31 2018", and this year's theme: "CONSERVATION". (Sets out the Value, Period of Validity, and Island Message.)

It started with an informative article in the local monthly paper about MTT's, their use and history.

I then talked to the Economic Council people and the Community Fund people on Hornby, to decide where profits would go and how to market that information.

I created a design and sent it to Awards Canada in Winnipeg for preparation and started advertising the Pilot Project.

After a couple more newspaper articles, the MTT's arrived and I started introducing them in earnest, going to public meetings and local businesses. Most had an inkling of what I was talking about from the newspaper articles, but seeing them, holding them and the small pins that are with them, the interest and energy began to grow.

Hornby is a very accepting place and doing your own thing is good. I kind of barged in with this, all new ideas and stuff, but the Island has been very positive about it, if not a wee bit perplexed.

Barbara and Jim Bulmer

We have 1,000 Tokens to sell. As well as 2,000 matching Pins. If all goes well, there will be enough money to donate a healthy chunk to the Community Fund and to fund this project for another year.

Island businesses have been very positive about this Project and are coming up with their own ideas such as inter-business games with serial numbers, who sells the most, and a Design competition.....So Cool !

WORCESTERSHIRE MEDAL SERVICE WINS CONTRACT

A family-run firm has won an £11m contract to produce military medals.

Worcestershire Medal Service (WMS) in Birmingham will make every military medal, award and badge except the Victoria Cross under the two-year deal.

The contract, worth about 40,000 medals a year according to the business, will secure jobs for its 50-strong workforce in the Jewellery Quarter.

WMS, which started with £120 worth of stock in 1988, beat The Royal Mint to secure the deal.

The Victoria Cross is made by the London jewellers, Hancocks. WMS has already made the Operation Shader medal, the operational service medal for Iraq and Syria.

The first of these were handed out last week to British personnel.

To read the complete article, see:
Birmingham family firm wins £11m military medals deal (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-44970111)

The Company was founded in 1988 to provide an excellent service at an affordable price. Our aim from the outset was to provide the highest quality medals emblems and related items, together with a first class medal mounting service.

With a knowledge of the subject which now spans over forty years, our Managing Director began the company working from home and began sourcing miniature medals, taking time to check quality of the various manufacturers at the time and selecting the best available using the expert eye of a medal collector to ensure the truest striking of the design along with quality of finish.

The business expanded with the acquisition of a similar business, supplying full size replica medals. Our first steps into manufacturing began by contracting Gladman & Norman to undertake a range of medals in full size along with some miniatures produced in sterling silver and traditional enamels.

In December 2004 the purchase of Gladman & Norman was concluded, and the decision taken to continue operating the manufacturing side of the business under this name, which had been started in 1910. Gladman & Norman are best known for designing and manufacturing the Elizabeth Cross as well as the Royal Red Cross.

Following the purchase we began producing a full range of miniatures, correcting some of the products that had been available that were not true to specification. The Efficiency Decoration (Territorial) being the first that we produced to the correct size (half of the full size award) rather than the small badge that had been available to this point.

Using the latest technology to produce dies ensures we now hold an unrivalled range of dies that run from Waterloo to the latest medal for the NATO mission in Libya.

In 2008 we were delighted to be granted a Royal Warrant as Medallists to Her Majesty The Queen. In the same year we began our supplies to St James's Palace of OBE's and MBE's.

Today we manufacture a wider range of state insignia in the UK to that of any other single manufacturer supplying various grades of The Order of The Bath, The Order of St Michael & St George, The Royal Victorian Order, The Order of The British Empire, Companions of Honour, Distinguished Service Order, Knights Bachelor, The British Empire Medal and The Imperial Service Medal.

To visit the firm's web site, see:
https://www.worcmedals.com/

SERIAL NO. 1 CANADIAN $20 NOTE FOUND

Three low serial number banknotes, including one with a serial number reading “FWR0000001,” were withdrawn from an ATM machine by a collector on his way to a club meeting last spring.

The No. 1 note is not in Uncirculated condition, according to the story, but is in “very good condition” despite a “slight crease in the centre.” Its catalogue value is about $1,700 while the other low serial number notes have a value of about $150 each.

To read the complete article, see:
Serial No. 1 Canadian $20 note found (http://canadiancoinnews.com/three-low-serial-number-notes-including-a-no-1-found-by-quebec-collector/)

NEW HONG KONG BANKNOTES UNVEILED

The new Hong Kong banknotes to be issued in the final quarter use the latest printing technology to incorporate advanced secutiry features to make life difficult for counterfeiters to imitate or replicate them.

The security features are placed uniformly across all five denominations.

The six key features are:

Dynamic shimmering pattern – when the note is tilted, the shimmering ring in the pattern moves correspondingly.

Windowed metallic thread – when the note is tilted, the large and small rings on the metallic thread move correspondingly.

Improved watermark – the theme of the bauhinia flower is used such that the flower, leaves, bud and denomination numeral can be seen when the note is held up to the light.

Fluorescent see-through denomination – the patterns on the front and back, which are of a single color under normal light, will appear as two fluorescent colors when exposed to ultraviolet light. The patterns on the front and back fit to form the denomination numeral when the note is held up to the light.

Concealed denomination – when the note is tilted under the light, the denomination numeral hidden in the background can be seen.

Embossed feel – raised printing gives the note a strong embossed feel by touch.

To read the complete article, see:
Hidden numerals, fluorescent colors to defy banknote copycats (http://www.thestandard.com.hk/breaking-news.php?id=110972&sid=4)

To read the complete article, see:
In Pictures: Hong Kong reveals new banknote designs (https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/07/24/pictures-hong-kong-reveals-new-banknote-designs/)

Some people say they feel a little unnerved by Bank of China’s version of the $100 note, which features a female Cantonese opera performer, because of its likeness to paper money (link in Chinese) meant for use in the afterlife. “The design is very scary. One should spend it right after receiving it. I don’t dare to bring it home,” wrote one on Facebook. “The design looks like a cooperation with the ghost bank,” said someone else on the social-media site.

To read the complete article, see:
People are mocking Hong Kong’s new $100 bill for resembling “hell money” (https://qz.com/1335804/hong-kongs-100-bill-is-mocked-for-resembling-hell-money/)

CHINESE HELL MONEY

Hell money springs from a very old tradition in Chinese culture, arguably stretching back as far as 1600 BC. Archaeologists have found tombs of that era in China with imitation metal money placed among the human remains. China has been using some form of paper money since the 9th Century, and paper money’s been dominant there for nearly 800 years. Joss paper copies of this money have been burned at funerals and graves for almost as long, and some people still prefer to use this form of spirit “cash” in paying their respects today.

The first Chinese currency resembling a modern banknote was printed around 1890, and it’s reasonable to assume that Hell’s currency appeared soon after. “The earliest Hell notes I’ve seen that look like banknotes were printed in the mid-1930s,” Anderson told me. “In the past decade or two, they have become increasingly elaborate and colourful.” When hyperinflation gripped China in the 1940s, Hell banknotes followed suit, producing the denominations of $1bn, $5bn or even $50bn we see today.

The name “Hell money” is thought to derive from a misunderstanding between the first Christian missionaries to reach China and the people they tried to convert there. Thinking “Hell” meant merely the afterlife in general, rather than the zone it sets aside for evildoers alone, Chinese people were happy to use this word on their dead relatives’ offerings. The habit’s stuck ever since, with a dozen “Hell Money” designs appearing for every one which labels itself “Heaven Money” instead. For Western collectors like me, this has the added appeal of giving the notes a sexy, badass name which “Paradise Money” or “Afterlife Money” simply can’t match.

To read the complete article, see:
Satan’s own bankers: Chinese Hell money (http://www.planetslade.com/hell-money.html)

VENEZUELA DROPS TWO MORE ZEROS

Venezuela will remove five zeroes from the bolivar currency rather than the three zeroes originally planned, President Nicolas Maduro said on Wednesday, in an effort to keep up with inflation projected to reach 1 million percent this year.

The OPEC nation’s economy has been steadily collapsing since the 2014 crash of oil prices left it unable to maintain its socialist economic system that for years provided lavish subsidies while enforcing strict price controls.

Annual inflation in June topped 46,000 percent, according to the opposition-run Congress. The IMF said this week it could hit seven digits this year, putting it on par with the crises of Zimbabwe in the 2000s and Germany in the 1920s.

To read the complete article, see:
Venezuela to remove five zeroes from ailing currency (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-economy/venezuela-to-remove-five-zeroes-from-ailing-currency-idUSKBN1KF36V)

To read earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
VENEZUELA PONDERS DROPPING THREE ZEROS (http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n12a35.html)
VENEZUELA'S WORTHLESS BANKNOTES (http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n29a34.html)

To read the complete article, see:
Iran's currency in free fall as American sanctions loom following U.S. decision to withdraw from nuclear deal (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6004011/Irans-currency-free-fall-American-sanctions-loom.html)

ZIMBABWE'S MONEY CHANGERS

People think money-changing is a lawless business, but it actually has a lot of unofficial rules.

We make our money from commission. There's a lot of competition and everyone wants to get a good deal.

Fifth Street is one of our main areas - it's more than a kilometre long. People come from all over come to see us - there's a big demand. Just on this street, there could be up to $1m between all of us.

Social media has been effective in helping us establish our own community. We've created groups on WhatsApp and Facebook where we know what the official rates for different currencies are then we work out what rates we are going to use on that day.

The police give us problems. They sometimes come and tell us what we're doing is not allowed, and they threaten to shut us down. But everyone has a price in Zimbabwe and you can buy your way out trouble.

The reality is that everyone is desperate for money, even the police and we are able to help with that.

In a good month I can make up to $400 extra money [on top of my sales job]. One of the reasons we are here is the bond notes. After the economy crashed many people here don't trust the banks.

Some of our clients are high-profile people, they come in their big cars and we do the deals inside the cars, worth thousands of dollars.

To read the complete article, see:
Zimbabwe election: Hustling for cash to survive (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-44971474)

FRANCE CONSIDERS ELIMINATING SMALLEST COINS

Dick Johnson writes:

France could soon abolish its one and two centime coins in a first step towards creating a zero-cash economy. The days of those pesky one and two centime coins which fill your wallet, pocket or purse and accumulate around the house could be numbered.

A government think tank, the Comité d'Action Publique 2022 (CAP 2022) has published a report recommending that the two smallest denomination of coins should be abolished in the near future as the first step towards creating a zero-cash economy in France.

"We propose to gradually move towards a society without cash like Sweden," said the report . "We could start in the short term by putting an end to the circulation of one and two cent coins."

If the plan goes ahead, France would join the likes of Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Belgium.

To read the complete article, see:
Cashing out: France mulls ditching one and two centime coins (https://www.thelocal.fr/20180723/france-mulls-ditching-one-and-two-cent-coins)

CASHLESS STORES AND RESTAURANTS ON THE RISE

For years, small businesses have asked customers to pay cash, set credit card minimums, or added a surcharge onto card transactions, in an effort to defray the premiums imposed by companies like Mastercard and Visa. Now, an increasing number of businesses are doing the opposite. Head out of Slate’s offices for lunch and you might wind up at Dos Toros, a local burrito minichain; for coffee you might pick Devoción, a Colombian-born coffeehouse with an airy storefront. In either case, you’d be confronted with the same demand: Pay with plastic.

Stores are eliminating cash registers and coin rolls in pursuit of what they say is a safer, more streamlined payment process—and one that most of their customers want to use anyway. At Dos Toros, co-founder Leo Kremer said that more than half of the shop’s customers used cash when its first location opened in Manhattan in 2009. By the beginning of this year, that number had fallen to just 15 percent. At that point, the various hassles of dealing with cash—employee training, banking fees, armored-truck pickups, and the occasional robbery—outweighed the cost of credit card fees on those transactions. The shift wound up being more or less revenue-neutral, Kremer said, but saved a lot of time and trouble. Dos Toros’ New York locations have been fully cash-free since the winter.

Cash is still used in the majority of purchases under $10, according to research by the San Francisco Fed. But its use is falling sharply. In 2011, cash accounted for 4 in 10 purchases in the S.F. Fed’s Consumer Payment Diary. By 2016, it was down to 3 in 10. Starbucks experimented with a cashless store in Seattle earlier this year (no word on whether the pilot will expand);

But it would be hard to find anyone more gung-ho about the abolition of cash than credit card companies. Last summer, for example, Visa announced a $10,000 reward to 50 businesses that would give up cash entirely.

Pablo adds:

To read the complete article, see:
No Shirt, No Swipe, No Service (https://slate.com/business/2018/07/cashless-stores-and-restaurants-are-on-the-rise-to-the-delight-of-credit-card-companies.html)

EVERLEDGER: BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY FOR ART WORLD

Everledger, an independent emerging technology enterprise, and The True Image Solution Ltd (TIS), a leading research company on evaluation and restoration of cultural heritage objects, have today announced a collaboration to combine blockchain technology with forensic artwork reporting.

This was announced at the 2nd International Workshop on ‘Analysing Art: New Technologies - New Applications’ held at The State Russian Museum in St Petersburg this week. The venue houses famous masterpieces such as Kazimir Malevich’s Black Square, Ivan Aivazovsk’s The Ninth Wave and Karl Bryullov’s The Last Day of Pompeii.

In a major breakthrough in fine art authentication, Everledger has developed a blockchain-based platform to digitally issue and manage forensic reports from TIS.

Everledger, an independent emerging technology enterprise, and The True Image Solution Ltd (TIS), a leading research company on evaluation and restoration of cultural heritage objects, have today announced a collaboration to combine blockchain technology with forensic artwork reporting.

This was announced at the 2nd International Workshop on ‘Analysing Art: New Technologies - New Applications’ held at The State Russian Museum in St Petersburg this week. The venue houses famous masterpieces such as Kazimir Malevich’s Black Square, Ivan Aivazovsk’s The Ninth Wave and Karl Bryullov’s The Last Day of Pompeii.

In a major breakthrough in fine art authentication, Everledger has developed a blockchain-based platform to digitally issue and manage forensic reports from TIS. These forensic reports ascertain the validity and authenticity of artwork using a number of different techniques including digital radiography and infrared photography.

This solves a major challenge in the world of fine art where pieces are assessed for their authenticity every time there is a valuation or transaction, often by experts who have to travel to the artwork. There is currently no trusted ledger to record, or access the data supporting an artwork’s existence or authenticity.

To read the complete article, see:
Everledger and TIS drive new breakthrough standard in fine art authentication (http://artdaily.com/news/106489/Everledger-and-TIS-drive-new-breakthrough-standard-in-fine-art-authentication#.W1rl0dJKiAs)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
BRONZECHAIN: NEW HALLMARK FOR BRONZE (http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n15a39.html)
LIVEAUCTIONEERS ADDS BLOCKCHAIN PROVENANCE (http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n05a25.html)
ROYAL MINT PLANS GOLD-TRACKING BLOCKCHAIN (http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n45a35.html)

IN OTHER NEWS: JULY 29, 2018

Bowers on Postcards and So-Called Dollars

I am in the middle of a Whitman project to create a book on American postcards. In the works for a decade, this will be a popular volume with much general information and many prices. One section will be devoted to world’s fairs and expositions. For numismatists, many of these fairs issued tokens and medals, some issued So-Called dollars, and a few issued commemorative coins. General information is given below, which I share as a matter of possible interest...

To read the complete article, see:
Bowers on collecting: American World’s Fairs (http://news.coinupdate.com/bowers-on-collecting-american-worlds-fairs/)

Wired Interviews Forrest Fenn

In 1988, at the age of 58, Fenn was given a diagnosis of kidney cancer. Two years earlier, his 81-year-old father, William, was told he had pancreatic cancer, Fenn says. After 18 months, William killed himself by taking 50 sleeping pills, according to his son. “I respected him for having the courage to go out on his own terms,” Fenn recalls. After being racked by chemotherapy and an unsuccessful surgery to remove the cancer, he says, he was given a 20 percent chance of surviving three years. As Fenn tells the tale, he decided to follow in his father’s footsteps—but with his own swashbuckling twist. He would fill a treasure chest with gold and jewels, he thought, and carry it to a special place in the Rockies. Then he would swallow a bottle of sleeping pills and die beside his riches. But first, he would write a poem containing clues to the treasure’s location. “Take the chest,” read an early draft of his poem, “but leave my bones.”

The “problem” with the plan, Fenn says, is that he recovered. Over the next several months, then years, he slowly grew stronger, and in 1993 he was declared cancer-free. After being homebound by his disease for years, Fenn was overcome with a renewed appreciation for nature and an urgent sense of purpose. “We need to get off the couch, out of the game room, and away from our electronic gadgets,” he says. He now saw his hunt as a way to entice people into the wild.

To read the complete article, see:
A DEADLY HUNT FOR HIDDEN TREASURE SPAWNS AN ONLINE MYSTERY (https://www.wired.com/story/forrest-fenn-treasure-online-mystery?mbid=nl_072618_daily_list1_p1&CNDID=33563271)

To read the earlier E-Sylun articles, see:
TREASURE SEEKERS SEARCH FOR AUTHOR'S HIDDEN CHEST (http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v18n29a41.html)
AUTHOR'S TREASURE SEARCH BRINGS ANOTHER DEATH (http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n26a35.html)
IN OTHER NEWS: JULY 15, 2018 : Forrest Fenn Interviewed (http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n28a34.html)

D.L. Hansen’s Numismatic Moonshot

Dell Loy Hansen is no stranger to success. The Utah businessman aims high – sky high. He operates dozens of businesses, owns a Major League Soccer team (Real Salt Lake), and has his eyes set on a most grandiose of numismatic challenges: building the greatest U.S. coin collection of all time. Of course, cobbling together the thousands of coins necessary to lay legitimate claim to the “all-time greatest collection” title is no easy task.

“I’ve always admired what Mr. Eliasberg put together and it’s quite amazing,” said Hansen. “To add to the challenge, I thought that it would be fascinating to try to eclipse his collection and take it to the present day. It adds a lot of complications and a lot more coins, but I thought that we should simply try to bring it to the present and see what we can do.”

To read the complete article, see:
Eclipsing Eliasberg: D.L. Hansen’s Numismatic Moonshot for the Greatest Collection of All Time (https://coinweek.com/people-in-the-news/eclipsing-eliasberg-d-l-hansens-numismatic-moonshot-for-the-greatest-collection-of-all-time/)

Thomas Paine was a coin collector!

Rumor has it that Thomas Paine was a coin collector who tried to save old and unique pennies, but all he could come up with was,

wait for it...

common cents.

To read the complete article, see:
TODAY’S GHASTLY GROANER July 26, 2018 (http://www.cdapress.com/local_news/20180726/todays_ghastly_groaner)