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About Us The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit association devoted to the study and enjoyment of numismatic literature. For more information please see our web site at coinbooks.org Subscriptions Those wishing to become new E-Sylum subscribers (or wishing to Unsubscribe) can go to the following web page link Membership There is a membership application available on the web site Membership Application To join, print the application and return it with your check to the address printed on the application. Print/Digital membership is $40 to addresses in the U.S., and $60 elsewhere. A digital-only membership is available for $25. For those without web access, write to: Charles Heck, Treasurer Numismatic Bibliomania Society P. O. Box 2058, Bluffton, SC 29910-2058 Asylum For Asylum mailing address changes and other membership questions, contact Chuck at this email address: treasurer@coinbooks.org Submissions To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com BUY THE BOOK BEFORE THE COIN Sale Calendar Kolbe & Fanning August 27, 2022 Workman October 22, 2022

 

Content presented in The E-Sylum is not necessarily researched or independently fact-checked, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.

WAYNE'S WORDS: THE E-SYLUM AUGUST 14, 2022

New subscribers this week include: Malcolm Mathias and Elizabeth Mackenzie. Welcome aboard!

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 NBS and Whitman events at the ANA, two numismatic literature sales, one new book, a book review, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, and more.

Other topics this week include Canadian coins, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, Clifford Mishler, J.S.G. Boggs, Mark Collet, the Cleveland Fed money museum, auction previews, the Harriet Tubman commemoratives, and sculptures made out of coins.

To learn more about 1794 Large Cents, Chapman catalogues, Mason's Coin and Stamp Collectors' Magazine, the Iowa Numismatic Association, the 2022 NLG Awards Luncheon, a Union Soldier's 1857 gold dollar, President Coin Company coin albums, Mike Kolman, the American Auction Association, the Bombardment of Fort Sumter medal and the coin restoration machine, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

NBS 2022 ANA CONVENTION EVENTS

Here are a few highlights of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society's events at the upcoming ANA Convention in Rosemont the week of August 16th to 20th. Tuesday through Friday the NBS will host our club table (#730). We hope you will stop by to view a few highlights from Friday's charity auction, purchase a NBS commemorative coffee mug to support the NBS and, most of all, share your enthusiasm for the numismatic literature hobby.

The NBS Board Meeting will be held on Thursday from 11:30 to 1:00 in room 11. Our Symposium will Immediately follow the Board Meeting at 1:00 also in room 11. We are delighted to have NBS Treasurer and early American coppers authority, Chuck Heck, speaking about his marvelous new book Die States of 1794 United States Large Cents.

The General Meeting will be Friday at 11:30 in room 12. The meeting will feature The Asylum author awards, a video tour of the extensive library of NBS Historian, Joel Orosz and our all- important charity auction. The auction catalog will be posted on the NBS website www.coinbooks.org. David Fanning cataloged the sale and will accept absentee bids by phone (614)256-8915 or email df@numislit.com until 5PM central time Thursday, August 18th.

If your schedule permits, we would like to invite those attending the General Meeting to remain after the formal meeting to enjoy an informal social time. We encourage you to bring a special item from your library to share or just stay for the fellowship. While it will be fun to see what others bring, the goal is to provide an opportunity to connect with your fellow biblio enthusiasts.

Thank you to everyone who has stepped up to serve and support the NBS during our annual events. We look forward to seeing you at the NBS events!

Each year at the ANA World's Fair of Money, the Numismatic Bibliomania Society conducts a charity auction to raise funds for the organization. All items sold are donated to the NBS by members and 100% of the proceeds go to the NBS treasury.

Absentee bids due by close of day Thursday, August 18 Absentee bids should be sent to David Fanning at df@numislit.com by the end of Thursday, August 18.

The sale will take place on Friday, August 19 as part of the NBS General Meeting, to be held in Room 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Please read the terms of sale before bidding.

Thank you for your support of the NBS!

To view the Benefit Auction Catalogue, see:
https://mcusercontent.com/5c68a72f4948c463818f613c2/files/c7279743-ce57-c0ea-fc8d-b48ae2f6e30d/NBSAuction2022.pdf

To read earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
NEW BOOK: DIE STATES OF 1794 LARGE CENTS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n22a04.html)
NBS 2022 ANA CONVENTION EVENT SCHEDULE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n31a02.html)
2022 NBS BENEFIT AUCTION (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n32a02.html)

KOLBE & FANNING 2022 SUMMER SALE HIGHLIGHTS

Kolbe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers will be holding our Summer Americana sale on Saturday, August 27, 2022. Including highlights from the Bourne Library of U.S. numismatic periodicals, the Jim Neiswinter Library of works on U.S. large cents, the Cardinal Collection Library of American numismatic auction catalogues, and other properties, the sale promises to be one of the most important of the year. The sale also features American items featuring ancient and foreign coins, making for a sale that includes something for everybody.

Some highlights of the sale include:

 

Lot 61: the Fuld set of 86 small-format Chapman catalogues, including a plated Morris sale and other plated catalogues

Lot 152: a large-paper copy of Edward Cogan's important 1869 sale catalogue of the Mortimer Mackenzie collection, with five photographic plates

Lot 179: the extremely rare plated version of Tom Elder's 1910 catalogue of the Ebenezer Gilbert collection, in the original binding

Lot 129: Colonel Green's plated copy of the William Streicher catalogue, one of S.H. Chapman's rarest plated sales

Lot 180: a plated copy of Elder's 1911 catalogue of the William Woodin collection, one of the greatest gold sales of all time

Lots 204: the Stack Family set of the catalogues of Ed Frossard, including 76 catalogues bound in six volumes, four of them with plates

Lot 288: one of 12 copies printed on large paper of the catalogue of the 1865 J.N.T. Levick sale, postponed due to Lincoln's assassination

Lot 302: a complete set of Mason's Coin and Stamp Collectors' Magazine (1867–1872), with an unfolded Photographic Gallery plate

Lot 331: one of ten copies of the deluxe, leatherbound edition of Howard Newcomb's work on the cents of 1801–1803, inscribed by the author

Lot 421 and 422: both printings of the landmark 1851 auction catalogue of the Lewis Roper collection, the first major coin sale in the United States.

Register early to bid online
Bids may be placed via post, email, fax or phone, as well as online. Kolbe & Fanning use Auction Mobility as our third-party online bidding platform. Auction Mobility is an app-based platform allowing users the ability to participate in the sale through phones, tablets and computers. To register for the sale, bidders must go to bid.numislit.com and sign up. Once you have set up an account, you may browse lots, place advance bids, or participate in the live sale online. Those wishing to participate on their devices can download the Kolbe & Fanning app through the Apple or Google Play Store. The sale is also listed on Biddr and NumisBids.

The printed catalogue of the Summer Americana sale is being mailed to active customers on our mailing list. As international mail speeds have been inconsistent, we encourage our foreign clients to consult the electronic catalogue in case their printed catalogue does not arrive promptly. A PDF of the printed catalogue has been posted to our main website at numislit.com for those who prefer that format. Bids placed via post, email, fax or phone must be received by August 26, the day before the sale, in order for them to be processed. Advance absentee bids may also be placed at any time online at bid.numislit.com. Live internet bidding will be available during the sale itself through the same platform.

Kolbe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers LLC is a licensed and bonded auction firm in the State of Ohio. For more information, please see the Kolbe & Fanning website at numislit.com or email David Fanning at df@numislit.com. To register for the sale, go to bid.numislit.com. We look forward to your participation.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
KOLBE & FANNING 2022 SUMMER AMERICANA SALE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n32a03.html)

KENNY SAMMUT OFFERS NUMISMATIC LITERATURE

Right after finishing up my sophomore year at Seton Hall in May, I flew down to Sarasota to begin my second summer internship at NGC. Finished up last week and once again, I had a great time while increasing my numismatic knowledge. Mr. Rick Montgomery, President of NGC, and the entire staff made me feel welcomed. I hope to go back during my Christmas vacation.

During the internship, I had an opportunity to attend one week of the ANA's Summer Seminars. It was my sixth Summer Seminar and I highly recommend all numismatists make it a point to add it to your bucket list of things to do.

While at the Summer Seminar, I purchased approximately 160 books during the ANA Library book sale. Many of those books have been listed on my eBay store. I invite you to take a look.

In regards to my eBay store, I just created a new category - So-called dollars. I have the pleasure of working with a well-known so-called dollar collector and dealer. Each month, I plan on listing up to 80 so-called dollars. The first 20 have just been listed. If you collect so-called dollars, I invite you to visit my store and follow it so you are notified when new listings go up.

Lastly, during the next two weeks before my junior year begins, I will be listing approximately 100 world and US coins, numismatic books, a lot of exonumia, and some bullion each day.

Click here to visit my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/numismaticswithkenny

I am excited to share more than 19,000 items totaling over 21,000 coins, books, and exonumia have been sold since I opened the store three years ago. I truly appreciate all of you who have purchased items.

My latest article will be appearing in The Numismatist next month.

 

NEW BOOK: 100 GREATEST CANADIAN COINS AND TOKENS

Whitman Publishing announces the United States release of 100 Greatest Canadian Coins and Tokens, by Dr. Harvey B. Richer, at the American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money in Chicago, August 16, 2022.

The 160-page hardcover coffee-table book debuted in July at the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association convention in Ottawa. In conjunction with the RCNA show, the Bank of Canada held a reception at its Money Museum with a display of many of the 100 Greatest coins from Richer's book. The exhibit included, for the first time in history, all three of the existing 1911 Canadian pattern silver dollars on public display.

In 100 Greatest Canadian Coins and Tokens, Richer explores Canadian money that has captured the imagination of collectors for generations. He includes such factors as historical significance, rarity, value, popularity, beauty, and innovation.

Instead of listing the 100 Greatest from 1 to 100, Richer presents the coins and tokens in a chronological narrative. He illustrates historical connections in the development of Canadian money and numismatics, from the earliest examples of wampum all the way to coinage after Confederation, when Canada had its own mint and was a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. He gives mintages and quantities known, physical details, auction and private-sale data, market values, museum notes, rarity information, and other fascinating background.

Kenneth Bressett, Editor Emeritus of the Guide Book of United States Coins (the Red Book), says, Professor Richer has not only laid this intriguing meal before us, but has added to it a concise history of Canadian numismatic items ranging from primitive trade beads to some of the Royal Canadian Mint's latest innovations, designs, concepts, and assorted novelties. If you already collect Canadian coins, Harvey Richer's book will refresh your interest and bring back wonderful memories. If you're new to the hobby, you'll be inspired to begin a richly satisfying lifelong journey.

Emily S. Damstra, an award-winning designer of Canadian and U.S. coins, says, Richer's thoughtfully guided tour of the 100 Greatest Canadian Coins and Tokens is a marvelous journey.

100 Greatest Canadian Coins and Tokens is available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide, and online (including at www.Whitman.com), for $34.95. The book can also be borrowed for free as a benefit of membership in the ANA, through the Dwight N. Manley Numismatic Library.

100 Greatest Canadian Coins and Tokens
By Harvey B. Richer; forewords by Kenneth Bressett and Emily S. Damstra.
ISBN 794849830. Hardcover, 10 x 12 inches, 160 pages, full color.
Retail $34.95 U.S.

BOOK REVIEW: TREASURE!

I recently ordered the book Treasure by Peter Jones. This is a different type of book than I normally acquire but the initial information about the subject intrigued me. Sometimes it is difficult to order a book without seeing even a single page. I often wonder about not only the content but the quality of publishing and printing.

When the book arrived I showed it to my wife and said This book is a gem! It truly was great and I have barely set it down since opening the package. Most importantly is the content which I said is different from your typical coin or numismatic book. As the book states It is a collectors numismatic journey into maritime history. Discussed are 75 maritime shipwrecks from the 1500's to early 1900. Also covered is the history of shipping and shipwreck salvage.

The writing technique is a bit different but easily readable separated by tidbits of information rather than pages and standard paragraphs. It is filled with numerous color images and many full page images of recovered coins. It has a wealth of information and some could consider it a coffee table book. It consists of 398 pages in 8x11 format. It is full color and printed on glossy paper. Retail price is listed at $99 but I found my copy discounted on eBay for $77 including tax and shipping. If this subject is of interest to you I would highly recommend this book.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NEW BOOK: TREASURE! (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n13a05.html)

NNP ADDS IOWA NUMISMATIC BULLETINS

I take great personal pleasure in learning about the history of American numismatics, the (often quite unusual) people who shaped it, and the organizations which were integral to forming the hobby as we know it today. It was therefore with great curiosity that I examined a recent addition to the Newman Numismatic Portal: the Iowa Numismatic Association newsletters from 1942-1946.

I hoped when first reading through that it might provide some slice of insight into the state of the hobby as it was in the 1940s, and it did. But what I found more exciting were the lessons, of sorts, which modern numismatists might glean from its pages. The following is a list of some such enlightenment I received from these newsletters.

DO:

• Shamelessly promote the most famous numismatists you know. The INA newsletter made every effort to share the organization's notable members, including one instance where it was noted that by the way, do you know that nine of the thirteen members of [the ANA board and staff] are members of the INA? The INA roster was replete in various instances with such names as B. Max Mehl, J. Hewitt Judd, Lee Hewitt, Harry X. Boosel, Morton Stack, Abe Kosoff, R.S. Yeoman, and M. Vernon Sheldon.
• Capitalize upon numismatists' compulsion for competition to benefit the greater good. See one such provoking question in the March 1944 issue: do you know that some other state beat Iowa last year in the number of books borrowed by ANA members from the library?
• Discuss the intersection of agriculture and numismatics extensively. See December 1944: Paul Campbell was there! Guess Paul must have finished husking the corn he was so busy planting that he could not get to Cedar Rapids in the spring. That was the first convention Paul had ever missed, too.

DON'T:

• Share the addresses of every club member. The INA certainly didn't hesitate to detail the home locations of theirs in several different issues. But I guess things might have been more easy-going then. We have Whitepages online now, anyway.
• Accept cigarettes in lieu of membership dues, as INA Secretary Lewis M. Reagan did.
• Publicly blame the bidders for making your own convention auction a disappointment with ridiculously low prices. Whenever auctions are lackluster nowadays, we just blame the catalogers (but never Mark Borckardt).

See the newsletters here:
https://archive.org/details/inanewsbulletin1/page/n3/mode/2up

CCAC RESOURCES ON THE NEWMAN PORTAL

As a spot on the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) opens up to the general public, you may be considering applying for the position. But as we—all readers of The E-Sylum, but particularly the bibliomaniacs among us—are well aware, it pays dividends to do your research (buy the book before…). In this instance, if you plan to apply, it is worthwhile to utilize the diverse offerings on the Newman Numismatic Portal in order to conduct that research and subsequently strengthen your application.

A simple NNP search of CCAC reveals materials in a variety of mediums which may improve your expertise in the organization. Learn about its official activities via Coin World and inside perspectives from E-Sylum archives. Listen to audio of former CCAC member Heidi Wastweet to understand the experience of being a member. Read official CCAC reports to glean insight into accompanying responsibilities. View dozens of images related to the group to see if the other members seem like pleasant enough people. Read biographies of past and present members to gauge whether you are the right fit. The only thing you won't find there is the application (but we at the NNP are confident in your ability to find that elsewhere on the internet).

Image: Past CCAC member and NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabar is sworn in in this picture from the NNP E-Sylum archive. This could be you!

More than 1,300 resources await you, future CCAC member. Find them here:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/searchwithterms?searchterm=CCAC

VIDEO: CLIFFORD MISHLER AT PAN

Cliff Mishler: Thoughts About Numismatics

Clifford Mishler, Governor, American Numismatic Association
David Lisot, Video Producer, CoinTelevision.com
May 20, 2022.

Clifford Mishler, former President, Krause Publications, speaks to Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists Coin Show Banquet 2022 and shares his thoughts about the coin hobby.

25:53

David adds:

An excerpt of the video is available for viewing on the Coin Television YouTube Channel at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtLwRLNOfqY

 

WHITMAN AUTHORS TO SIGN BOOKS AT ANA

Coin collectors have a chance to meet hobby legends Kenneth Bressett and Jeff Garrett, and the newest Whitman Publishing author, Harvey B. Richer, at the American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money, held August 16–20, 2022. Whitman authors will visit with collectors and sign copies of their books at the Whitman booth at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago (Rosemont), Illinois.

Ken Bressett is editor emeritus of the Guide Book of United States Coins (popularly known as the Red Book), which celebrates its 76th edition this year; the Handbook of United States Coins (the wholesale-pricing Blue Book); and Mega Red (the 1,504-page expanded version of the Red Book). More than 25 million copies of the Red Book have been sold since it debuted in 1946. Many hobbyists collect the Red Book itself, including varieties, special editions, and autographed volumes.

Among Bressett's newest titles are A Penny Saved: R.S. Yeoman and His Remarkable Red Book, a richly illustrated volume that tells the history of Whitman Publishing and the Red Book, along with a biography of its original author (R.S. Yeoman), and an autobiography of Bressett himself. His latest book, Bible Lore and the Eternal Flame, is an archaeological study of the Old and New Testaments, from the earliest cuneiform writing to pottery, oil lamps, glass, and—of course—coins and other money.

Jeff Garrett, a professional numismatist and former president of the ANA, took over from Bressett as senior editor of the Red Book and the Blue Book in 2018. He also serves as valuations editor of Mega Red, which is edited by another hobby legend, Q. David Bowers.

Harvey B. Richer's new book 100 Greatest Canadian Coins and Tokens enjoys its United States unveiling at the ANA show, after debuting in July along with an impressive Bank of Canada exhibit at the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association convention in Ottawa.

Autograph sessions at the Whitman booth give collectors a unique chance to chat in person with some of our favorite hobby writers, said Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker. We invite collectors to bring their cameras and take pictures. The ANA World's Fair of Money is a place to make wonderful memories.

Whitman Publishing is located at booth #1900, right next to the United States Mint display. Whitman is the Official Supplier of the American Numismatic Association. As a benefit of membership in the ANA, members receive 10% off all Whitman purchases.

 

NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: AUGUST 14, 2022

On Indian Peace Medal Recipients
Nathan Markowitz writes:

Alan V Weinberg writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: AUGUST 7, 2022 : Indian Peace Medal Recipient List Sought (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n32a16.html)

More on the Joseph Reakirt Collection
Dave Hirt writes:

Alan V Weinberg writes:

To read the complete lot description, see:
1827/3/2 Capped Bust Quarter. Original. B-1. Rarity-7. Curl Base 2 in 25 C. Proof-65 Cameo (PCGS). CAC. (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-S47VP/182732-capped-bust-quarter-original-b-1-rarity-7-curl-base-2-in-25-c-proof-65-cameo-pcgs-cac)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: AUGUST 7, 2022 : More on the 1963 "Famous Old Collection" (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n32a16.html)

2022 NLG Awards Luncheon
Patrick Ian Perez is the Executive Director of our sister organization the Numismatic Literary Guild. He writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NEW NLG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PATRICK IAN PEREZ (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n19a17.html)

For more information, see:
http://www.nlgonline.org/

1922 U.S. Mint Die Records Sought
Tom DeLorey writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: AUGUST 7, 2022 : Missing: Denver Mint Coinage Dies Volume (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n32a16.html)

More on Counterstamped Chinese Cash Coins
Regarding the Nanking Inn coin discussed recently, Michael Wehner writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: JULY 24, 2022 : Nanking Inn Counterstamp (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n30a20.html)
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: JULY 31, 2022 : Counterstamped Chinese Cash Coin Identified (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n31a09.html)
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: AUGUST 7, 2022 : Thanks to Ted Puls (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n32a16.html)

Blank vs. Uniface
Duane Feisel writes:

Duane adds:

To read the Newman Numismatic Portal dictionary entries, see:
Blank (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/510404)
Uniface (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516963)

Lecture: Benjamin Franklin and the Making of Modern Money

Robert Hoge writes:

For more information, see:
Director's Hour with Michael Barsanti: Benjamin Franklin and the Making of Modern Money (https://librarycompany.org/calendar/)
Join & Renew Membership Online! (https://librarycompany.org/development/development-member-form/)

Union Soldier's 1857 Gold Dollar
Nate Fick writes:

For more information, see:
Shiloh Battlefield Visitor Center (https://www.nps.gov/shil/planyourvisit/index.htm)

PRESIDENT COIN COMPANY ALBUMS

Pete Smith's piece on Burton Hobson made mention of his being the sales manager for President Coin Company in 1961. This immediately rang a bell, as that company produced a line of coin albums bearing a 1961 copyright date. There was a volume for each denomination, but these did not list dates and mints at the openings, as was the custom for most lines. Instead, the albums were more like stock books, with a pair of horizontal lines under each opening for the user to write the "Date" and "Value" of his coins. The page backings were of clear cellophane, permitting the user to see both sides of each coin, and the albums were comb bound to lie flat when open. Also included in this line was the President "GIANT" album, which assembled all of the various pages of the individual albums under one cover.

Another entry was the President "SCOUT" album, which did have labels at the opening for each type of 20th Century USA coin, excluding gold. The name SCOUT may have been a reference to the requirement of Boy Scouts that they complete a 20th Century type set to earn their merit badge for coin collecting. This requirement was enacted in the early 1950s, at which time Whitman introduced its 20th Century coin folder for just this purpose. Like the Whitman entry, the SCOUT type folder also includes openings for the user to collect a set of coins of his birth year, which was also a requirement for the coin collecting merit badge. Interestingly, however, the President line's album has openings for all five denominations from each mint, which the Whitman does not and which the Boy Scouts didn't require.

My collection of these albums is complete with one big exception. I've seen images of a President book titled Coins of Mexico. While not a coin album, its similar graphics and comb binding make it a natural tie-in item that I'd like to have.

I'm including several scans of my own President albums, as well as a poor photo found online of the Mexican book.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
BURTON HAROLD HOBSON (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n32a21.html)

 

DAFRAN HOUSE COIN CHECKLISTS

I bought a group of mostly undistinguished coin books to get the item in these scans. It's a USA coin check list and grading guide of the sort intended for the non-numismatic market. These items once were commonplace at supermarket check-out counters but are seldom seen today.

I don't know anything about who was behind the publisher, Dafran House, but it was located at 42 W. 39th Street in NYC and likely produced similar, inexpensive books about other subjects that would result in impulse purchases while waiting on line. Dating to 1973 (the mintages are complete through 1972 with the 1973 dates being in larger print), the most curious page is that for Eisenhower Dollars. An earlier edition evidently came out before the actual design of that coin was known, and this still hadn't been updated two years later.

 

CCAC SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR TWO OPENINGS

Pursuant to United States Code, Title 31, section 5135(b), the United States Mint is accepting applications for appointment to the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) as the member specially qualified to serve on the CCAC by virtue of their experience in the medallic arts or sculpture. The CCAC was established to:

Advise the Secretary of the Treasury on any theme or design proposals relating to circulating coinage, bullion coinage, Congressional Gold Medals, and national and other medals produced by the United States Mint.

Make recommendations with respect to the mintage level for any commemorative coin recommended.

Total membership consists of 11 voting members appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury:

• One person specially qualified by virtue of his or her education, training, or experience as nationally or internationally recognized curator in the United States of a numismatic collection;
• One person specially qualified by virtue of his or her experience in the medallic arts or sculpture;
• One person specially qualified by virtue of his or her education, training, or experience in American history;
• One person specially qualified by virtue of his or her education, training, or experience in numismatics;
• Three persons who can represent the interests of the general public in the coinage of the United States; and
• Four persons appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury on the basis of the recommendations by the House and Senate leadership.

Members are appointed for a term of four years. No individual may be appointed to the CCAC while serving as an officer or employee of the Federal Government.

The CCAC is subject to the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury. Meetings of the CCAC are open to the public and are held approximately four to six times per year. The United States Mint is responsible for providing the necessary support, technical services, and advice to the CCAC. CCAC members are not paid for their time or services, but, consistent with Federal Travel Regulations, members are reimbursed for their travel and lodging expenses to attend meetings. Members are Special Government Employees and are subject to the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch (5 CFR part 2653).

The United States Mint will review all submissions and will forward its recommendations to the Secretary of the Treasury for appointment consideration. Candidates should include specific skills, abilities, talents, and credentials to support their applications. The United States Mint is interested in candidates who, in addition to their experience in the medallic arts or sculpture, have demonstrated interest and a commitment to actively participate in meetings and activities, and a demonstrated understanding of the role of the CCAC and the obligations of a Special Government Employee; possess demonstrated leadership skills in their fields of expertise or discipline; possess a demonstrated desire for public service and have a history of honorable professional and personal conduct, as well as successful standing in their communities; and who are free of professional, political, or financial interests that could negatively affect their ability to provide impartial advice.

To read the complete notices, see:
Request for Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee Membership Applications (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/10/2022-17108/request-for-citizens-coinage-advisory-committee-membership-applications)
Request for Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee Membership Applications (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/10/2022-17089/request-for-citizens-coinage-advisory-committee-membership-applications)

For more information on the CCAC, see:
https://www.ccac.gov/

J.S.G BOGGS ESTATE AT 2022 SUMMER FUN

Craig writes:

To read an earlier E-Sylum article, see:
J.S.G. BOGGS (1955-2017) (https://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n05a04.html)

VOCABULARY TERM: LIMITED EDITION

Limited Edition. A controlled quantity of an object whose production and sale to the public will not exceed the number stated when the object is first offered on the market. The size of the edition is sometimes stated on the object – on medallic items if may be a part of the edge lettering – and often has a serial number which should not exceed that edition size. No one, however, has the insight to know for certain exactly how many of any collectible item will sell, least of all the publisher who must set the edition limit.

Establishing a limited edition quantity is difficult, no amount of market research will reveal what this size should be, and it is often a no-win situation. Under estimating market demand – and setting too low an edition size – will result in lost profits. Overestimating the demand – and setting too high an edition size – results in unsold remainders. If the former happens an unscrupulous published may want to supply the demand and create duplicate numbers, or create a slightly different new edition, both of somewhat questionable ethics.

In theory unsold remainders preclude any limited edition item from advancing in value (anyone who wants the item or set can obtain it easily). In reality, however, it sometimes creates greater demand because they are available, advertised and promoted to new buyers.

Collectors prefer small editions, making any piece they own as rare as possible. Publishers like large edition sizes to maximize their profits. While setting edition sizes as an estimate at best, a crystal ball game, and no amount of logic will dictate a limited edition size for any particular item, integrity is more important than size.

With the rise of mass manufactured collectible items (plates, medals, figurines, chess sets, et al since the 1960s), a new concept of limited edition arose: the cut off date. As many people who wanted the item could order by a certain date – that gave the maker the exact number to manufacture – and the size of the edition. This curtailed any remainders overhanging the market.

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Limited Edition (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516233)

THE COLLET AND KOLIT SCALES

Mark Wilks Collet (1826-1863) was a physician practicing in Camden, New Jersey. He was married to Rosalie Jane Donath and had three children.

Collet was one of eight men to form The Numismatic Society of Philadelphia, holding their first meeting on January 1, 1858. It is credited as the first numismatic society in the United States. An earlier group in New York is also noted.

He joined members J. Ledyard Hodge and Alfred B Taylor as co-authors of Catalogue of American Store Cards, &c., With Space for Marking the Condition, Price, Rarity, &c. of Each Piece, Designed for the use and Convenience of Collectors, published in 1858. The book included more open space than text.

Attinelli (Numisgraphics) wrote, Though useful at that time, the above-named society would probably find more honor than profit in issuing a revised copy. The above has, like an old city directory, become useless. Bowers wrote in American Numismatics Before the Civil War, Apparently, Hodge and his co-authors ventured into a territory beyond their collective expertise.

The book included on page 1 Scale of the Numismatic Society of Philadelphia which was divided in increments of 1/16 inch and used to describe the size of medals. This is more commonly known as The American Scale. Although Collet is credited with developing the scale, it is never called the Collet Scale. Any contributions from Hodge and Taylor are ignored.

Collet had prior experience serving in the army of czarist Russia and served as a colonel in the Union Army during the Civil War. He died during the battle of Chancellorsville (Salem Church). He is buried at Saint James the Less Episcopal Churchyard in Philadelphia. A son, also named Mark W. Collet, was born six months after his death.

Michael Robert Kolman, Jr. (1906-1970) was born in Glassport, Pennsylvania. He was married to Violet Mason and had a son and a daughter.

Kolman owned the Mason Coin Shop in Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, before opening Federal Brand Enterprises, Inc, in Cleveland in 1942. In 1958 he opened a branch office in, The Arcade, in Cleveland. He conducted 41 mail bid sales between 1956 and 1964.

He joined the ANA in 1944 as member 10398. In 1954 he converted to life membership LM-79. He was also a member of the ANS.

Kolman was a specialist in error coins, one of the founding members of the Collectors of Mint Errors (C.O.M.E.) and founding president in 1956. He served as editor of the C. O. M. E. Bulletin.

Kolman and Dr. Jack Litman developed The Kolit Position Gauge which was announced in the December issue of the newsletter. It was used to describe the size for off center strikes and clipped planchets.

Directions were based on the hands of a clock. Thus a clip at 3 o'clock was in the K-3 direction. The system was also described in Hobbies Magazine.

He was the author of Numismatic Lincoln Cent Errors in 1960. This illustrated the Kolit Position Guide and brought it into public usage. In 1963 the book was enlarged and revised as Numismatic Flying Eagle, Indian and Lincoln Cent Errors.

The use of Kolit position numbers has been adopted beyond the field of error coins. An example might be a rim ding described as located at K-3.

Kolman died in a Pittsburgh nursing home with the funeral at the Byrne Memorial Home. This was run by Pittsburgh numismatist Ray Byrne. He is buried at Homewood Cemetery in Pittsburgh.

Jack Howard Litman (1916-1967) was born in Pittsburgh but lived most of his life in Akron. He graduated from the University of Akron and later the Ohio University Dental College. He was a captain and dentist in the Air Force during World War II.

He was married to Beverly with two sons and practiced as a dentist in Akron.

Litman joined the ANA in 1955 as member 24354. He was an award-winning numismatic exhibitor. He served as president of the Akron Coin Club, the Penn-Ohio Coin Club and Collector of Mint Errors (C.O.M.E). Also he was general chairman for Akron coin shows.

Litman did not write books or articles. It was Kolman who got all the attention and most of the credit for the Kolit Position Gauge.

Litman died in Akron General Hospital and is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery.

THE FIRST BOWERS AND RUDDY PUBLIC AUCTION

In 1972, our predecessor firm Bowers and Ruddy presented their first public auction, which featured The Armand Champa Collection and other important properties. The catalog bore the company name as American Auction Association. This name would also be used on the next four auction catalogs produced by Dave Bowers and Jim Ruddy before they began to use Bowers and Ruddy Galleries on the Austin Collection catalog in May 1974.

This first sale was held at the Holiday Inn in Hollywood California where the firm was located and contained over 1,200 lots. Mr. Champa would return to Dave Bowers more than two decades later to auction his incredible numismatic library in a series of four sales offered by Bowers and Merena Galleries in 1994 and 1995.

To view The Armand Champa Collection and other catalogs by Bowers and Ruddy Galleries, click here:
https://stacksbowers.com/auctions/catalog-library/

To read the complete article, see:
DID YOU KNOW- 50 YEARS AGO BOWERS AND RUDDY PRESENTED THEIR FIRST PUBLIC AUCTION? (https://stacksbowers.com/did-you-know-50-years-ago-bowers-and-ruddy-presented-their-first-public-auction/)

THE MONEY MUSEUM AT THE CLEVELAND FED

Mike writes:

Money can't buy happiness, but at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland it can educate you.

The interactive and informative all-ages Learning Center and Money Museum, which has been shut down since coronavirus pandemic restrictions took hold in 2020, is reopening its exhibits geared for all ages Monday, July 18. It's really a smart mashup of American history and accessible economics.

The museum, which attracts 10,000 to 12,000 visitors annually, is popular with families, summer campers and walk-in visitors – especially out-of-towners strolling around downtown.

It's a fun museum worth sauntering in to learn about all things currency. A video gives a glimpse into the bank's vault, which is closed to the public.

A timeline of the history of the federal reserve, a breakdown of what the codes mean on a bill, and other educational features are presented.

And, of course, the bank's famed money tree with assorted dollar bills dangling from its branches is a hit with kids, as is a giant dollar bill with George Washington's face cut out – a photo opportunity for visitors. It sits below typographical artwork depicting printed synonyms for money – shinplaster to sawbuck and more.

The updated 1923 building is a fortress: Part of the exhibits will show how the building is protected, originally with gun turrets and now bulletproof glass and other modern security measures. Equipment like gas masks and old-fashioned billy clubs also are shown.

Safest building in the city, Finley said.

Bank officials maintain a good relationship with schools, he said. Two levels of educational classroom spaces have been renovated and are technologically up to date. New flooring, light fixtures, carpets, video screens and more have been installed.

Mike adds:

To read the complete articles, see:
After hiatus, Federal Reserve Bank's Money Museum re-opens Monday, July 18 (photos) (https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2022/07/after-hiatus-federal-reserve-banks-money-museum-re-opens-monday-july-18.html)
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland (https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/310)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
THE ECONOMY MUSEUM AT THE ST. LOUIS FED (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n24a16.html)
THE MONEY MUSEUM AT THE CHICAGO FED (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n24a17.html)

HERITAGE TOKEN AND MEDAL SELECTIONS

Lot 91098: 1861 Bombardment of Fort Sumter Medal

1861 Bombardment of Fort Sumter, Silver, So-Called Dollar, HK-11f, Unique, MS64 Prooflike NGC. An early, popular, and rare Civil War so-called dollar issue, the Bombardment of Fort Sumter medal is listed in the printed Second Edition of Hibler-Kappen as HK-11 (white metal), HK-11b (brass), and HK-11c (copper), all as Rarity-7. To the great surprise of exonumismatists, NGC in 2017 identified an example struck in silver. Designated as HK-11f, It remains unique in silver to this day, though NGC suspects that a few others may exist in silver but have yet to be discovered. Brilliant and sharply struck with a few delicate obverse hairlines.

To read the complete lot description, see:
1861 Bombardment of Fort Sumter, Silver, So-Called Dollar, HK-11f, Unique, MS64 Prooflike NGC. An early, popular, and... (https://coins.ha.com/itm/so-called-dollars/1861-bombardment-of-fort-sumter-silver-so-called-dollar-hk-11f-unique-ms64-prooflike-ngc-an-early-popular-and/a/60273-91098.s)

Lot 91443: 1858 Pioneer Baseball Club Token

1858 Pioneer Baseball Club, Springfield, MA, Rulau Mass-528, Musante JAB-1, MS61 NGC. Silver-plated white metal, plain edge, 32 mm. A famous early baseball token from one of the best-known 19th century token medalists. J.A. Bolen was born in New York City but spent most of his life in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he died in 1906. His baseball token was his first issue. The mintage was 125 white metal pieces and 75 copper pieces, though far fewer have survived. The white metal pieces tend to be in circulated grades, but the present example is unworn. The lavender, walnut-brown, and powder-blue surfaces are lightly abraded. The rims show a few ticks and a small depression at 1:30.

To read the complete lot description, see:
1858 Pioneer Baseball Club, Springfield, MA, Rulau Mass-528, Musante JAB-1, MS61 NGC. Silver-plated white metal, plai... (https://coins.ha.com/itm/u.s.-merchant-tokens-1845-1860-/1858-pioneer-baseball-club-springfield-ma-rulau-mass-528-musante-jab-1-ms61-ngc-silver-plated-white-metal-plai/a/60273-91443.s)

Lot 91489: New York Civil War Sutler Token

To read the complete lot description, see:
(1861-65) G.C.F. 5th New York Volunteers, Civil War Sutler Token, S&I-NY-5-50Z, R.9, MS62 NGC. Lead.... (https://coins.ha.com/itm/civil-war-tokens/-1861-65-gcf-5th-new-york-volunteers-civil-war-sutler-token-sandi-ny-5-50z-r9-ms62-ngc-lead/a/60273-91489.s)

Lot 91506: New Orleans International Industrial & Cotton Exposition

To read the complete lot description, see:
(1884-85) International Industrial & Cotton Exposition, New Orleans, LA, Rulau-LA-NO-57B, MS64 Brown NGC. Bronze.... (https://coins.ha.com/itm/u.s.-trade-tokens-1866-1889-/-1884-85-international-industrial-and-cotton-exposition-new-orleans-la-rulau-la-no-57b-ms64-brown-ngc-bronze/a/60273-91506.s)

Lot 91538: 1924 Manitoba Gold Indian Head

To read the complete lot description, see:
1924 Manitoba (Canada) 9 kt Gold Indian Head, Greene-798, MS64 PCGS.... (https://coins.ha.com/itm/western-souvenir-gold/1924-manitoba-canada-9-kt-gold-indian-head-greene-798-ms64-pcgs/a/60273-91538.s)

FEISEL AUGUST 2022 TOKEN SALE HIGHLIGHTS

The color on-line version of the auction listing has been posted on the website of the National Token Collectors Association (NTCA) and can be viewed on-line if you are a NTCA member. The printed version of the listing in "Talkin' Tokens" (the monthly publication of NTCA should soon. be delivered by the USPS. If you are not yet a member of NTCA, please let me know and I'll provide you with membership information.

Lot 20 PALACE SALOON / E. STOCKER / PROP. / FOSTERIA, CAL. / (sm: L.A. RUB. STP. CO.) // Good For / 10 / (on label across: Cent) / Drink, br rd 23mm. Listed 2F-1 $750/1,500. G3-MB$750

Lot 134 DOLLY OGDEN / 326 MASON STREET // Toujours / Le / Meme / / (sm: L.H. Moise. S.F.), (San Francisco CA), br rd 29mm. G4-MB$500

Lot 137 EVA YOUNG / PROPRIETRESS / SHERIDAN, WYO. // Good For / 20¢ / In Trade, al rd 29mm. G4-MB$500

Lot 163 LEWIS & CLARK / CENTENNIAL / 19 (cent 1905) 05 / SOU-VENEER / PORTLAND, ORE. // Wood Keep / A Lucky Cent / (cent) / Fir Fortune / Don't Pine – Spruce Up – All's Oak'a, black imprint wood rd 38mm, crack. Most unusual! G5-MB$50

Lot 212 THE COMET / J.D. VIETTI / PROP. / CONGRESS, A.T. // Good For / One / Drink / (sm: C.A. Klinkner & Co. S.F.), br sc-12 26mm, center punchmark. Listed CON-135 R8 $600. G3-MB$500

Lot 528 WINTER BROS. / GEN'L. / MDSE. / CARLOCK, S.D. // Good For / 10 / Cts. / In Trade, br rd 24mm. Listed, rare locality! G3-MB$225

Color images of lots can be viewed on-line at:
https://collector-ca.smugmug.com/Tokens-Exonumia/2022-AUGUST-MAIL-BID-SALE/

 

ANCIENT JEWISH COINS IN ROBINSON 119TH AUCTION

Dealer Frank S. Robinson will conduct his 119th mail and internet auction of Ancient and Early Coins with a closing date of September 6. The sale will include 602 lots, low minimum bids, and bids to be reduced as competition permits. Robinson notes that reductions have averaged 15-20% in his recent sales. There is no buyer fee.

Featured in this sale is the first segment of a major collection of Judaean and Judaic related material, including some rare and important items. Highlights include a VF Yehud coinage Gerah with large ear (of God?); a First Revolt Year One Shekel in VF; an AEF Bar Kokhba Zuz with grapes/trumpets; and a Choice VF+ Judea Capta denarius of Vespasian.

Greek coins include several very Choice classic Athenian owl tetradrachms; a rare Elymais silver Tetradrachm of Kamnaskires V in Choice EF; a rare VF Kroton Didrachm with facing bust; and a Choice EF Shekel of Tyre.

Among Roman coins there is Choice EF Agrippa As; a Caligula Sestertius in F-VF; an AEF/VF Domitian Sestertius; and an EF Constantius I Argenteus.

This sale will also feature final offerings from Robinson's personal collections of early Spanish and English coins; and a selection of early Chinese coins, many in group lots; Byzantine and other early coinages, other group lots, literature, and a section of items offered at fixed prices.

Robinson holds about three auctions annually, and tries to offer a broad range of material for advanced collectors as well as bargain hunters. Catalogs are free; contact Robinson at Box 8600A, Albany, NY 12208; phone/fax 518-482-2639; e-mail frank@fsrcoin.com. The full catalog is at his website, www.fsrcoin.com.

COIN Restoration Machine, the device you've always dreamed of, combining the latest in AI, 3-D printing & quantum computing technology; just place a coin in the slot, press the button, and the coin comes out as new, minus any corrosion, nicks, wear, etc. Satisfaction guaranteed $199.95

NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: AUGUST 14, 2022

Antonius Pius Gold Aureus

Antonius Pius 138-161 Ausreus gold 6.9g rare condition very fine to extremely fine

To read the complete lot description, see:
COME ON. NUMBER 1 Anthony Pius 138-161 (https://muenzenonline-auktion.ch/catalog-archiv-detail/detail/weekly-auktion-118-1658146076/antonius-pius-138161-69121)

1797 Scotland Ayrshire Half Penny Token

SCOTLAND. Ayrshire. 1/2 Penny Token, 1797. NGC MS-65 Red Brown.

D&H-3. Obverse features armored bust left of William Fullarton (1754-1808) MP, later Governor of Trinidad in 1802, "GULIELMUS VALLAS" around; Reverse: female seated, left arm resting upon a shield, "SCOTIA REDIVIVA" around, 17 TC 97 in exergue. Edge: Plain. Comes with dealer tag.

To read the complete lot description, see:
SCOTLAND. Ayrshire. 1/2 Penny Token, 1797. NGC MS-65 Red Brown. (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-XVZ6M/scotland-ayrshire-12-penny-token-1797-ngc-ms-65-red-brown)

1890 Danish West Indies 3 Cent Mex Token

To read the complete lot description, see:
DANISH WEST INDIES. 3 Cents Token, 1890. PCGS AU-55. (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-XVDGJ/danish-west-indies-3-cents-token-1890-pcgs-au-55)

Japan Meiji gold Pattern 10 Yen Year 3

Meiji gold Pattern 10 Yen Year 3 (1870) MS66 NGC, Osaka mint, KM-Pn19, J&V-Ma1, JNDA-pg. 83, JC-Unl. Arguably one of the finest representatives within the entire Japanese series, indescribable in just a few words, which remains the epitome of both conditional and absolute rarity. Pattern coins produced during the Meiji era remain a notoriously difficult section of the Japanese numismatic market, with so few ever reaching the market, especially in as advanced a preservation as seen here.

For hundreds of years prior to the Meiji era, during a tumultuous time of shogunate rule, commerce had been conducted using various cast and hammered coinage, with cash pieces the inspiration of circulating Chinese issues of the day. Similar to their western counterparts, minting in this fashion had numerous drawbacks as economies grew and evolved, including inconsistency of quality and volume of production to keep up with increasing demand. The 19th century brought about substantial foreign influence in Japanese politics, leading to the Meiji Restoration in 1868. This period of "Enlightened Rule" marked the beginning of industrialization for the nation, radically changing economic conditions and accommodated by the establishment of a gold standard based on the Yen. This required the modernization of minting capabilities, and thus a central minting facility in Osaka was established. Presses purchased from the British colonial Hong Kong mint, which shuttered after just two years from both poor economic performance and negative local reception of its coinage, would produce a series of Patterns and circulation issues shortly thereafter, including the present example.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Japan: Meiji gold Pattern 10 Yen Year 3 (1870) MS66 NGC,... (https://coins.ha.com/itm/japan/japan-meiji-gold-pattern-10-yen-year-3-1870-ms66-ngc-/a/3101-34307.s)

1927-D Double Eagle

1927-D $20 MS66 PCGS. Ex: Dallas Bank-Simpson. In their classic reference, Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933, Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth call the 1927-D Saint-Gaudens double eagle "a legendary rarity-the rarest regular-issue gold coin of any denomination of the 20th century." Of course, the 1933 double eagle was once even more elusive, before a group of 10 specimens was discovered in 2005. Unfortunately, the U.S. government contends the 1933 was not "regularly issued" and only one of the known specimens is legal to own, making the issue essentially uncollectible. For all intents and purposes, the 1927-D is "truly the king of all 20th century gold coins", as Garrett and Guth contend. Heritage Auctions is proud to present a spectacular Premium Gem example of this celebrated gold rarity in just its third auction appearance.

To read the complete lot description, see:
1927-D $20 MS66 PCGS.... (https://coins.ha.com/itm/saint-gaudens-double-eagles/double-eagles/1927-d-20-ms66-pcgs-pcgs-9187-/a/1348-3417.s)

A BRONZE FOLLIS OF ANASTASIUS

The Roman Senate issued this bronze follis long after the Rome that ruled so much of the known world had disappeared, sometime in the AD 512-522 period, during the reign of Anastasius in the East. The coin with its image of Roma on the obverse and the she-wolf suckling the twins Romulus and Remus was a distinctive use of symbols that were reminiscent of coins of the long-gone Roman Republic.

Theoderic (454-526), an Ostrogoth, had been a hostage in Constantinople when he was young. He had a Roman upbringing there and his appreciation for Roman culture was such that a modern historian, Peter Brown, states that Theoderic was in the habit of commenting that ‘An able Goth wants to be like a Roman; only a poor Roman would want to be like a Goth.' He was a fierce leader but he also is credited with restoration of buildings and public structures in both Ravenna and Rome. Heather's volume comments about an astonishing manuscript, a luxury copy of a translation of the four Gospels into the Gothic language, a colossally expensive book commissioned by quite likely Theoderic…in the sixth century.

His life was a series of battles about ruling Italy. In 471, after the death of his father, he became leader of the Ostrogoths (471-526). In 489, Zeno, the Eastern emperor (474-491) had Theoderic march into Italy to defeat the ruler Odoacer whose claim to kingship of Italy was based on his overthrow of Romulus Augustus. The comprehensive Wikipedia entry on Theoderic notes that he controlled an empire stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Adriatic Sea and adds that some of his subjects referred to him by the title augustus. He was tolerant of Roman customs and governance. He had a relationship with Anastasius, Zeno's successor, that resulted in the issuance of this coin by a temporarily revived Roman senate.

A personal note: This coin came in a consignment and was unfamiliar to all three of us. In following up on the piece, I found myself spending an afternoon revisiting an era that I read about many years ago when I first ran into works by Peter Heather, an historian of this era. This period in history can be fascinating but it can also be confusing with the unfamiliar names and the shifting alliances, borders and battles.

Heather comments that In 453 after a decade of mayhem stretching from Constantinople to Paris, Attila the Hun died from the after-effects of one-too-many wedding nights. The frenzied race for power began not only with his sons but across his empire. Theodoric the Amal (family name) was one of the successful leaders who emerged later in the century. But this period of turmoil was not always clearly chronicled. Nor are many of the names and events familiar to most modern casual readers.

During the hours I spent trying to pin the story down I found some consistency but also some variation of opinion. Wikipedia—a reference I discouraged in bibliographies when I was teaching—has what seems a particularly well researched account of Theodoric. David Sear's authentication certificate has a lengthy discussion of the background of this coin as well. And two volumes by Heather (Empires and Barbarians, The Fall of Rome and the Birth of Europe 2009. Oxford Univ. Press, and The Fall of the Roman Empire, A New History of Rome and the Barbarians 2006, also Oxford…) are particularly helpful as they place this period in a larger context.

To read the complete lot description, see:
E-Auction 44 Lot 101 (https://davcoin.com/lot/e-auction-44-lot-101)

For more information on the sale, see:
https://davcoin.com/

ANCIENT COIN IMPORT RESTRICTIONS

Ask a collector of ancient coins if they have ever bought a coin from an overseas vendor, and you will more likely than not receive a positive response.

And while many collectors will have never experienced a problem with Customs, everyone will have heard at least a few horror stories of coins being delayed or even seized. While these collectors are not smugglers–and the vendors have almost definitely filled out the paperwork as accurately as possible–they have still fallen victim to an overly complex and ill-defined system of enforcement that represents what has been called by my CoinWeek colleague Mike Markowitz a global war against collectors of ancient coins.

It would be futile to argue that ancient coins are never subject to archaeological looting. In fact, a grouping of 91 gold Roman Imperial coins and 3,000 other coins, valued at over half a million dollars US, were recently seized in a massive operation called Pandora VI. Initiated by the Spanish Guardia Civil and organized by Europol, INTERPOL, and the World Customs Organization, it engaged 28 different countries. This operation made national news in March of this year. But while definitely a major case, Pandora VI is actually rather unusual, since most items of cultural importance seized by Customs are in fact smuggled coins. Usually, coins make up only a fraction of looted and smuggled goods.

Despite this, many Western countries have begun to ban the importation of ancient coins.

In the United States, this drive began back in 1983 when the national government first passed the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act (CPIA). This law was created as a vehicle to implement the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. By creating this framework, UNESCO was hoping to enable cooperation between governments in the fight to protect cultural heritage and limit the looting or smuggling of archaeological items.

Shortly thereafter, the CPIA was used to establish the Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC). This panel of presidential appointees has 11 members sorted into several categories: two represent museums; three represent the fields of archaeology, anthropology, and ethnology; three are experts in the international sale of cultural property; and the last three represent the general public. Unfortunately, this panel is not finely attuned to the details surrounding ancient numismatics.

To read the complete article, see:
Collecting Ancient Coins in an Era of Import Restrictions (https://coinweek.com/education/collecting-ancient-coins-in-an-era-of-import-restrictions/)

THE "UPRIGHT 5" GOLD DOLLARS

In 1856, the United States Mint struck gold dollars with two distinctly different date logotypes. The Slanted 5 variety, which is the much more frequently encountered version, features an italicized 5. This had been the style employed by the Mint through the first six years of the 1850s. The other style, Upright 5, cut a more up-and-down figure.

In June 2002, Krueger and noted expert John W. Dannreuther produced an article for The Numismatist titled A New Slant on Coins of 1850-56, in which the two posited their belief that the appearance of the upright date logotype towards the end of 1856 was the result of an effort to standardize the dates on all U.S. coins. They also put forward evidence that the Upright 5 was produced after the Slanted 5 variety – a position that is supported by the complete shift away from italicized numerals on all U.S. denominations starting in 1857. The quality of research undertaken to produce the article earned the pair the ANA's prestigious Wayte and Olga Raymond Memorial Literary Award.

Krueger's deepening understanding of the variety also led him to write a follow up piece about the variety, which was published in the The Numismatist in 2005. In the piece Making the Grade: The 1856 Upright 5 Gold Dollar, Krueger approximated the relative scarcity for the variety, citing opinions from leading numismatists and his own observations. According to Krueger's research, the Mint likely struck no more than 75,000 examples of the Upright 5. A paltry sum compared to the 1,687,936 coins that were likely struck using dies with the italicized date.

A limited number of coins will be on display in Chicago at the 2022 World's Fair of Money at dealer Julian Leidman's booth. Some of the finer pieces will likely head to auction.

To read the complete article, see:
Deadwood Collection of Upright 5 Gold Dollars Comes to Market (https://coinweek.com/us-coins/large-hoard-of-upright-5-gold-dollars-the-deadwood-collection-comes-to-market/)

 

HARRIET TUBMAN COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT

Harriet Tubman Home, Inc., has two years to prepare for what could be a sizable windfall.

The passage of the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act would be reason enough for the Auburn landmark's leaders to celebrate. The legislation gives them one more: Half of the surcharges paid for the coins will be given to the Harriet Tubman Home.

When the Tubman coins go on sale in 2024, up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins and 750,000 half-dollar coins will be available. The surcharges would be $35 for the $5 coins, $10 for the $1 coins and $5 for the half-dollars. If all the coins are sold, the total surcharges paid will be $9.5 million. The Harriet Tubman Home would receive $4.75 million.

It would be a welcome influx of cash for the organization, which owns and operates the South Street property that's now part of the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in Auburn. While there are park rangers on site, the Tubman Home maintains a presence. When park rangers aren't giving tours, Tubman Home staffers lead the tours.

When asked what they could do with the money, Karen Hill, who is the president and CEO of the Harriet Tubman Home, responded, What couldn't we do with it?

We have needs everywhere, she said.

If the initial version of the bill had passed, the Harriet Tubman Home would not have benefited from the sale of the coins.

In 2020, the measure was first introduced with the goal of releasing the coins in 2022 — Tubman's 200th birthday. However, the organization that would've received the surcharges was Brooklyn-based Project Legacy.

Hill credited U.S. Rep. John Katko, who co-authored the Tubman coin bill, for securing the change and ensuring that the Tubman Home would benefit from the sale.

He was the real driver in terms of putting the Harriet Tubman Home into the legislation, she said.

Katko, who spoke on the House floor before the final passage of the bill on Tuesday, called the vote one of the most significant steps forward in strengthening federal recognition of the Harriet Tubman Home since its designation as a national park in 2017.

Specifically, I am pleased that the coins issued under this legislation, bearing (Tubman's) likeness and symbolizing her legacy, will directly benefit preservation and education efforts at the Tubman Home in Auburn, he said.

The bill now heads to President Joe Biden's desk for his review. He is expected to sign the legislation.

To read the complete article, see:
Upstate New York historic site could benefit from Harriet Tubman coins (https://romesentinel.com/stories/upstate-new-york-historic-site-could-benefit-from-harriet-tubman-coins,138976)

To read the additional articles, see:
House passes Harriet Tubman coin bill benefiting Auburn historic site (https://www.syracuse.com/politics/2022/07/house-passes-harriet-tubman-coin-bill-benefiting-auburn-historic-site.html)
Biden signs bill for 2024 Tubman commemorative coins (https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/biden-signs-bill-for-2024-tubman-commemorative-coins)

MPC SERIES 641 50 CENTS PROGRESSIVE PROOF SET

A Progressive Proof Set of the Series 641 50 cents
by Larry Smulczenski

It has always been a thrill for me to see a progressive proof set of any note and observe how the various individual colors and engraved lines meld together to form a beautiful banknote. The Comprehensive Catalog of Military Payment Certificates by Fred Schwan says that there were only two complete Progressive Proof Sets of Series 641 known in private collections. One set of the seven denominations remains in a collection while the other set has been broken up and individual denominations reside in the homes of several lucky collectors.

The 50c of the series is shown in black and white on page 69 on the MPC Catalog but we would like to show it to you here in living color. The face of the note is comprised of four colors. The first two colors, a light green and light blue may be a little hard to see but the dark brown is clear, and the vivid orange is exciting. The fifth image is a composite while the sixth has the plate position and serial number which are 48 and J00000000J respectively with the serial number indicating a specimen.

BANKNOTE RECONNECTS HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR

In 1945, Lily Ebert, now 90, was liberated from a German munitions factory where she worked as slave labor after being transferred from the Auschwitz death camp.

A few weeks after being liberated, an American soldier shared some words of positivity with her, "The start to a new life. Good luck and happiness," he wrote on a German banknote.

The simple gesture was life-changing for Ebert and the banknote became one of her most treasured keepsakes.

"This soldier was the first human being who was kind to us," she told NBC News. "It was the first time after this terrible life that somebody was kind and I knew that somebody wants to help."

Ebert's mother, brother, and sister were all killed at Auschwitz. Her two younger sisters were liberated with her at the munitions factory. She believes that she survived the ordeal due to her responsibility to take care of her sisters.

"I promised myself that if I survived by some miracle, I would tell the world what happened there," Ebert said. "The next generation and next generations should know the story so that something like that should not be repeated to any human being ever."

Ebert kept the banknote in a photo album at her home in London where it was discovered by her great-grandson, 16-year-old Dov Forman. Forman had taken it upon himself to start documenting his great-grandmother's stories as a survivor so they would never be forgotten.

Intrigued by the transcription on the banknote, Foreman tweeted out a photo of the bill along with photographs of the unknown soldier and Ebert taken a few days after liberation.

The only clue to the man's identity was an inscription on the banknote that reads: "Assistant to Chaplain Schacter."

The "Chaplain Schacter" eluded to on the bill was Chaplain Herschel Schacter, an American Orthodox rabbi who served as a chaplain in the Third Army's VIII Corps. Schacter participated in the liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp and helped relocate survivors, including Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel.

The tweet went viral and Forman received responses from all over the world. Eventually, he learned the identity of the solider, Private Hyman Shulman from New Jersey.

Unfortunately, Shulman died seven years ago at the age of 91.

However, Forman was able to locate and contact Schulman's children in New York and bring the families together digitally through Zoom. "It was really special. It felt like we were family, we just clicked," Forman said.

To read the complete article, see:
Holocaust survivor uses banknote clue to find the family of 'kind' soldier who liberated her (https://www.upworthy.com/holocaust-survivor-finds-family-of-the-soldier-who-liberated-her-using-a-clue-on-old-banknote)

DUMPSTER BANKNOTE STIRS VISION OF RICHES

You wouldn't expect your life to change from dumpster diving, but for one Alaskan, that's exactly what she thought happened.

Just a few weeks ago, Ella Guest found herself restless in the middle of the night. To clear her head she decided to go for a walk with a friend. That friend suggested they dumpster dive — something Guest had never thought to do before.

Initially, it was some antique desks and posters that caught her eye. Digging deeper, she started throwing things around before she realized a paper note and what appeared to be foreign coins fell out of a stack of documents.

The first thing that I thought of when I found this was, I was like, ‘oh, it's probably like five bucks,' Guest said.

After doing some of her own investigating online, Guest would later be shocked when she discovered that the notes appeared to be worth so much more.

What Guest found was 5 million Turkish lira. But what Guest first thought was a jackpot soon went bust. It turns out Turkish currency underwent new modifications several years ago and all the old currency is no longer in circulation. According to currency expert Tom Brosnahan, until the end of 2016, that old 5 million lira note could have been exchanged for 5 new liras, but that deadline has passed. It now has only souvenir value and a whole lot of disappointment for Guest.

Also consider: would a country ever issue so large a bill that had huge value? The largest US note is now $100; in Europe it was EUR500, but those are deprecated and the largest will soon be EUR100. There's a reason the 5 million lira note was in the dumpster, Brosnahan said.

To read the complete article, see:
Anchorage woman thought she had a multimillion-dollar dumpster-dive find; hopes dashed (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/anchorage-woman-thought-she-had-a-multimillion-dollar-dumpster-dive-find-hopes-dashed/ar-AA10rFHq)

LOOSE CHANGE: AUGUST 14, 2022

Audio: Photographing Coins with a Smartphone

ANS photographer Alan Roche has been making coin images for the American Numismatic Society for 20 years. He brings his collected wisdom, creativity, and humor to The Planchet to offer listeners tips and tricks for creating great pictures with mobile devices of any numismatic material.

Total Time: 32 minutes

The Planchet is available wherever you get your podcasts or listen below:

To listen the complete podcast, see:
S3, Ep. 4. Tips for Photographing Coins with a Smartphone (with ANS Photographer Alan Roche) (https://numismatics.org/pocketchange/03-04/)

Lafayette Medals

Patriotic artisans found a popular subject in the Revolutionary War hero Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. Born on 6 September 1757 in Chavaniac, France as the orphaned son of a French aristocratic family, Lafayette traveled to the rebelling American colonies in July 1777 to obtain glory as a revolutionary fighter. Despite his lack of experience, the young soldier quickly won the friendship of George Washington. Lafayette earned distinction and fame for his actions at the Battle of the Brandywine in 1777, Barren Hill in 1778, and his successful campaigns against British commanders Benedict Arnold and Lord Charles Cornwallis in 1781.

By the war's end, Lafayette had attained nationwide fame, so much so that several states named him an honorary citizen during a 1784 visit. Lafayette's youth and reputation marked him as an ideal figurehead and symbol for Revolutionary War medals and tokens.

To read the complete article, see:
Highlight from the Collections: The Lafayette Medals (https://www.masshist.org/beehiveblog/2022/08/highlight-from-the-collections-the-lafayette-medals/)

Zimbabwe To Issue Smaller Size Gold Coins

Gold coins used as currency in Zimbabwe will soon be available in smaller denominations, the central bank says.

The average yearly salary in Zimbabwe for a civil servant is US$2,600, and according to the state-affiliated Herald newspaper 4,475 gold coins have been sold since their introduction last month.

This makes it a success in the eyes of the central bank.

To read the complete article, see:
Zimbabwe hails gold coin success and wants to issue more (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-62520693)

VIDEO: SCULPTURES MADE OUT OF COINS

To watch the complete video, see:
VIDEO: See Incredible Sculptures Made Out of Coins by a Finnish Artist (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz5ypRhmrPY&t=5s)