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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 Watch here for updates!

 

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

WAYNE'S WORDS: THE E-SYLUM NOVEMBER 6, 2022

New subscribers this week include: Mark Chamberlin, courtesy John and Nancy Wilson; Chris Jones, courtesy Mike McNeil; and Charles Derby. 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 two new catalogs, two new books, Occasional Numismatic Papers number two, and updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal too.

Other topics this week include U.S. Mint fixed price lists, money of the Holocaust, astronomy and Guy Fawkes in numismatics, machine doubling, Purnie Moore, Syd Martin, Gen. Colin Powell, Athenian tetradrachms, a Zodiac medallion, and Viking silver.

To learn more about Oriental numismatics, Morgan Silver Dollars, the Atocha treasure, remnants of the Newman Collection, Harry Houdini, 1864-L Indian Head Cents, chronograms, cabinets of the Vertuosi, Conjugal Duties coppers, British trade tokens, the Order of the Rising Sun, banknotes from the S.S. Central America, the 1964-D Dollar, Build-A-Bear for money nerds, and coins dropped from the top of the Empire State Building, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

S.S. CENTRAL AMERICA ARTIFACT CATALOGS

S.S. Central America Artifacts December Auction Catalogs - 2 Piece Set

$100.00

Our most anticipated auction of the year will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022, and will be presented in 2 catalogs.

Catalog A features shipwreck artifacts retrieved exclusively from the S.S. Central America The Ship of Gold, and is presented in a collectors edition spiral bound format inclusive of 3D Glasses and 3D underwater imagery of the spectacular treasure artifacts as they were discovered on the ocean floor.

Catalog B contains complimentary Gold Rush era artifacts including gold, gold pokes, Gold Rush related documents and more.

*If you make a purchase in this auction your catalog purchase of $100 will be refunded or credited to your invoice upon request.

*Catalogs will be shipped directly from the publisher approximately mid-November

For more information, or to order, see:
S.S. Central America Artifacts December Auction Catalogs - 2 Piece Set (https://www.holabirdamericana.com/shop/p/ss-central-america-december-auction-catalog-set)

CHINESE EDITIONS ON ORIENTAL NUMISMATICS

From correspondence with the authors I have learned that two important English-language books on Oriental numismatics will be published in Chinese editions.

Ch'ing Cash (2016) by Dr. Werner Burger is being translated and, according to the author's widow, will be printed in the same format and quality as the original. This oversized slipcased work contains a detailed, illustrated history of Qing minting in one volume, and extensive by-year charts for the cash coinage in a second volume. Even with an $800 list price, the edition is nearly sold out and the list price has been raised to $960. The Chinese edition is expected in 2023.

The Historical Cash Coins of Vietnam (2004) by Dr. R. Allan Barker, is the standard work on official cash of the country. Political and numismatic history supplement an extensive variety catalog illustrated with both rubbings and color photos of the cash coins. The Chinese edition has been printed in the same format and quality, and is being marketed in China. I have no information on availability outside China. The original English-language edition is still available from myself and other dealers worldwide.

As a side note, the Barker work is in effect incorporated into the comprehensive series of collector guides to the Oriental square hole" series produced by David Hartill. This consists of Cast Chinese Coins (2005), with a largely unchanged 2nd edition (2017), Early Japanese Coins (2011) which includes non-round gold and silver issues, Cast Korean Coins and Charms (co-author Dr. Wybrand Op den Velde, 2013), Cast Chinese Amulets (2020), and A Guide to Cash Coins (2017), with a comprehensive cross-national finding guide illustrated with actual coins, and a broad sampling of the extensive unofficial Vietnamese series which circulated there, in China, and abroad, along with smaller cash series from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Central Asia. Barker's is the referenced work for official Vietnamese cash in Hartill's finding index. Most of the Hartill works are print-on-demand editions and tend to be readily available.

To visit Scott's website, see:
https://coincoin.com/

 

OCCASIONAL NUMISMATIC PAPERS NO. 2

Contents of Occasional Numismatic Papers No. 2

I. Letters to the Editors (page 3)

II. Arithmetical Tables for the Use of Schools by Warren Baker (page 5)

III. Disproving an Alibi (page 8)

IV. LeRoux-1233: The Collége Saint-Laurent Medal by Jacob Lipson (page 9)

V. Breton 919 (1857) ID Markers by Richard Saunders (page 15)

VI. A Note on the Denver Museum of Nature & Science (page 17)

VII. Documents, Artifacts, Photographs: A Letter From Jim Charlton (page 18)

VIII. Uniface Copper Blacksmith Token Research Help Needed by Jeff Rock (page 19)

IX. Obituaries from Yesteryear: John Gibbs (page 21)

X. Contributor Guidelines (page 23)

The Papers are available through the Newman Numismatic Portal at the following URL: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/publisherdetail/545751.

If you wish to receive Occasional Numismatic Papers, please contact one of the editors with your email address. Let us know if you do not want to continue receiving the Papers.

Chris Faulkner: chris.faulkner@carleton.ca
Jacob Lipson: jacoblipsonrarecoins@gmail.com

To read the issue on the Newman Portal, see:
Occasional Numismatic Papers No. 2 (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/publisherdetail/545751)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
PERIODICAL: OCCASIONAL NUMISMATIC PAPERS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n15a08.html)

BOOK REVIEW: MORGAN SILVER DOLLARS, 7TH

The seventh edition of Whitman Publishing's best-selling Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars, by Q. David Bowers, will debut this December, available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide. Here, Jeff Garrett, the Senior Editor of the Red Book, reviews the new volume and shares some thoughts on these popular coins.

American numismatics closely relates to the historical events of the nation. Nearly every issue of coinage and paper money was created because of important cultural, social, economic, technological, and related developments. No one explores this relationship between numismatics and history like Q. David Bowers. His thoughtful examination brings coins to life and informs the reader of their relevance. Thousands of collectors have been drawn to the hobby by the magic of Bowers's literary brilliance. No other numismatist has had a greater impact on the hobby.

A Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars fulfills Bowers's mission of examining these coins date by date and, more importantly, giving the full historical context for their creation. Their deep connection with Western politics of the day makes for interesting reading. Even more compelling is their connection to the settling of the Wild West and the associated romance of the era.

Morgan silver dollars were produced in prodigious numbers from 1878 to 1921, and vast quantities never entered circulation. While hundreds of millions were relegated to the melting pot because of the 1918 Pittman Act, millions still remain for collectors. The great Treasury Release in the 1960s and the GSA sale of Carson City silver dollars in the 1970s ensured large numbers would be saved for collectors today. These were two of the most important developments in the history of American numismatics. Bowers gives his readers a ringside seat to these seminal events.

Collecting Morgan silver dollars has changed dramatically over the decades. Many issues were virtually unknown to dealers and collectors until the Treasury release of the 1960s. The advent of third-party grading and population reports in the 1980s has given modern collectors a much clearer indication of true rarity. The current hyper-focus on quality and the popularity of set-registry collecting are other recent phenomena. The data provided by Bowers give collectors the tools to make educated collecting decisions.

The popularity of Morgan silver dollars has soared in recent years due to the U.S. Mint's production of tribute coins that started in 2021. These new coins were issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the last year the coins were struck. The Mint released coins from its facilities in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco, and also produced coins with privy marks representing the now dormant Carson City and New Orleans Mints. Excitement around these new issues has inspired thousands of beginning collectors and energized those already involved with the series.

Morgan silver dollars have long been among the most actively collected U.S. coins. They can be collected on a modest budget by those satisfied with lower-grade examples. For collectors seeking the finest, Morgan silver dollars represent an incredible challenge. Many dates are nearly unknown in superb condition. Bowers's date-by-date analysis gives collectors the information they need, regardless of the quality they choose to pursue.

A Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars also gives insider tips on collecting that can only be garnered through decades of experience. Over the course of his career, Q. David Bowers has handled most of the finest known examples, including coins owned by Norweb and Eliasberg and other great collectors. His incredible insight has assisted collectors at every level for more than 60 years. No American numismatic library is complete without the latest edition of A Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars.

A Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars, seventh edition
By Q. David Bowers; foreword by Jeff Garrett
ISBN 0794849164 • 6 x 9 inches, softcover, 336 pages, full color • Retail $24.95 U.S.
URL: https://whitman.com/guide-book-of-morgan-silver-dollars-7th-edition/

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NEW BOOK: MORGAN SILVER DOLLARS, 7TH EDITION (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n41a02.html)

U.S. MINT FIXED PRICE LISTS ON NEWMAN PORTAL

U.S. Mint Fixed Price Lists on Newman Portal

The U.S. Mint has been issuing fixed price lists since at least 1859, when a set of proof master-coins (face value $41.50) was offered at $43.00. As current U.S. Mint customers are well aware, a single order from the present-day Mint will result not only in coins, but also a long string of print solicitations offering yet more product. The coins are nearly all saved; the print pieces not so much. At Newman Portal we've been accumulating a virtual collection of U.S. Mint fixed price lists, and currently have 24 examples in our collection, dating from 1859 to 2017. We are sure many more exist and would welcome a loan of any such accumulations for scanning purposes.

Image: Offering of proof coins and medals from the U.S. Mint, c. 1890s.

Link to U.S. Mint fixed price lists on Newman Portal:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/publisherdetail/512757

 

VIDEO: LISOT DIVES FOR ATOCHA TREASURE

Financial News Network: Consumer Corner 10-23-85

FNN's Eva Dorn interviews David Lisot about his part on the dive on the Atocha treasure ship. David takes calls from a national audience to answer questions about coin collecting.

To watch the complete video, see:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/584181

MONEY OF THE HOLOCAUST PRESENTATION

Money of the Holocaust: A presentation by Steve and Ray Feller

Sponsored by the Newman Educational Foundation and Olin Library Special Collections Division, Washington University

Per the announcement to invitees: This presentation will explore forms of money used in World War II concentration and internment camps, and will reveal how money was used to control prison populations, as well as its use as a tool of propaganda. The Fellers were introduced by Leonard Augsburger, Project Coordinator for the Newman Numismatic Portal (NNP) project. Addressing an audience of both numismatists and non-numismatists, Ray and Steve held the attention of all for over an hour with a combination of history and stories of the people behind the money. Chits, notes, and a few coins from all theaters of the war were shown in a flying tour of WWII camp numismatics.

Left: Steve and Ray Feller receiving Numismatic Ambassador award
Right: Olin Library "Stories from World War II" Exhibit

In attendance were Festers Dave Frank, Joseph and Louise Boling, and Coin World Senior editor [world coins] Jeff Starck, as well as numerous others with an interest in World War Two history, numismatics and financial history, or just good stories. The Fellers' presentation was given in conjunction with an exhibit in the Newman Tower of Collections and Exploration, John Olin Library, Stories from World War II, featuring items from several WWII related personal collections, including material from Joseph Boling and the Fellers.

Prior to the talk, we enjoyed a fascinating and eye-opening tour of the Washington University facility that does all the digitization for the Newman Numismatic Portal, as well as for the university (course catalogues, campus flyers, etc,) as well as a significant amount of other numismatic work. We saw images from the hundred-year archives of a western Pennsylvania coin club that had recently been digitized at this facility. Introducing us to the capabilities of her domain was Kim Dumas, Library Technical Assistant to the NNP project and her staff.

There are three large scanners in routine use. Between them there is the capacity to scan books, magazines, full size newspapers, posters, and maps – pretty much anything a client might want. Following that, we walked over to the offices of the Newman Portal, where we saw what Len called the remnants of the Newman Collection – material ranging from mundane to quite fascinating, and all of it actual, physical objects that had been handled by Eric Newman. Though much of it will be digitized, there is still something to be said for having history in your hand, material coming to you from another human being.

The evening was capped off by a great evening meal of fellowship with the Fellers, Dave Frank, Jeff Starck, Len Augsburger and his wife and parents, as well as the Bolings. Many stories were told, numismatic and otherwise. The evening ended with happy anticipation of Fest and other get-togethers in the future.

REMINDER: NOVEMBER 2022 NNP SYMPOSIUM

The NNP Symposium is a free, online event that brings together a variety of numismatic speakers and covers a wide array of numismatic subjects. Featuring approximately 25 presentations, attendees will easily find topics of interest. This is the fifth such event, which was launched in fall 2020 in response to the pandemic.

In the area of U.S. coins, our feature presentation will cover U.S. material in the cabinet of the American Numismatic Society (ANS). The ANS holdings in this area are both substantial and surprising. The financier J.P. Morgan made sizable donations to the ANS collection in the beginning of the 20th century, and over time many others have additionally contributed to this important New York repository. Jesse Kraft, the ANS Resolute Americana Assistant Curator of American Numismatics, will be on hand to answer audience questions following this presentation.

Representing another important institutional collection, Benjamin Hellings, the Jackson-Tomasko Associate Curator of Numismatics at Yale University, will also be presenting. Yale recently opened a new space, the Bela Lyon Pratt Gallery, to exhibit materials from one of the oldest collections in the United States. Among other speakers, Chris McDowell will share new details from his continuing research on the Betts medal series, while Kevin Vinton of Stack's Bowers will present highlights of the incomparable Syd Martin collection. Matthew Tavory, representing the next generation of numismatists, will speak on coins and the history of the Revolution. Also appearing will be John Albanese, who will discuss the new CAC Grading service and answer attendee questions on this newly-formed venture.

"Your Club Publication: Creating and Sustaining Relevance"

In this open forum, three experienced hobby editors—Wayne Homren (E-Sylum), David Heinrich (The Cincinnati Numismatist) and Barbara Gregory (The Centinel, The Numismatist)—will share their knowledge and tips for engaging club members/readers, as well as ensuring the continued relevance and value of your club's publication. Following the hour-long discussion, the panel will entertain questions from viewers.

To register for the November 2022 NNP Symposium, see:
https://nnpsymposium.org/

For the November 2022 NNP Symposium schedule, see:
https://nnpsymposium.org/schedule

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NOVEMBER 2022 NNP SYMPOSIUM ANNOUNCED (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n40a07.html)

MORE ON THE "CAPTAIN OF KÖPENICK" TOKEN

It was surprised to see a token (Stephen Album Rare Coins Lot 1340) I have in my collection presented in last week's E-Sylum. But I was really astonished by its attribution to the German Schutzgebiet of Kiau Chau. As far as I know the token is from Berlin, Germany. It is described as number 418 in the book Berlin Marken und Zeichen by W. Hasselman (1987).

Several varieties are listed in this catalog and also the portrait is identified as that of Wilhelm Voigt, better known as the "Hauptmann von Köpenick" (Captain of Köpenick). The issuer of the token is given as Paul Herpich, owner of a Konfektionsgeschäft (Clothing Store). The reference given in the auction description is Menzel-4287.1.2. This obviously refers to „Deutschsprachige Notmünzen und Geldersatzmarken im In- und Ausland by Peter Menzel.

Several editions of this catalog have been published, the first one in 1982 (Transpress Verlag Berlin). Checking the „Erste digitale Ausgabe 2014 the catalog number 4287 refers to a completely different token however. Several slabbed specimens of the token can be found on the internet. The ones graded by PCGS all have the Menzel-4287.1.2 reference while those graded by NGC have as a reference Menzel-2951.4. This latter reference is the correct one. The attribution given by Menzel is the same as given by Hasselmann although Menzel does not identify the portrait.

Right: Statue of the Hauptmann von Köpenick in front of the Köpenick Town Hall, erected in 1996 (Photo Wikipedia)

The earliest listing using the Menzel 4287.1.2 reference I found is in the description of Lot #26403 in the Heritage 2012 September 6-11 Signature World & Ancient Coin Auction - Long Beach. The description reads as follows:

No arguments for the Kiau Chau attribution are given. In fact there are arguments against such an attribution:

• The currency in use in Kiau Chau was the Mexican (Chinese) dollar, divided into 100 cents. The coins issued for Kiau Chau, dated 1909, are denominated in cents (KM #1 and 2);
• All tokens issued for Kiau Chau, with a stated denomination, have cents.

Also the token is not listed in Marken und Token der ehemaligen deutschen Kolonien by Nils Leipner (2016);

It seems proper to use the portrait of the "Hauptmann von Köpenick on a clothing store token as after returning to Berlin he bought a set of civilian clothes. Also the whole episode is an apt illustration of the saying Clothes make the man. In fact the clothing store issuing the tokens may well have been the actual one where he bought his new outfit. I did not find any documentation supporting this but the store was located not far away from the Neue Wache where he watched, in a nearby café, how the Mayor and chief cashier he arrested in Köpenick, were brought there.

This, not uncommon token, certainly is quite interesting but cannot be attributed to Kiau Chau.

https://www.ngccoin.com/census/world/china-provincial-period/sc-76/10p/?c=406163&des=MS&grade=62&from=ngcresearch

https://www.pcgs.com/valueview/kiau-chau/early-20th-c-tk10-pfg-menzel-4287-1-2-ni-plated-brass/1062?sn=682050&h=pop

https://www.ha.com/c/search-results.zx?N=0+790+231&Ntk=SI_Titles-Desc&Nty=1&Ntt=kiau+chau+token&limitTo=all

https://archive.stacksbowers.com/?q=87e791fa-a182-43d6-be9c-5b2e2249d189

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
STEPHEN ALBUM INTERNET AUCTION 18 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n44a15.html)

NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: NOVEMBER 6, 2022

Outstanding Club Publication Award
An The E-Sylum subscriber writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
ASYLUM AUTUMN 2022 ISSUE PUBLISHED (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n37a02.html)

Halloween-themed Houdini Medal

Mel Wacks writes:

David Lisot Funeral Services Livestreamed

Bill Rosenblum writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
DAVID LISOT (1953-2022) (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n43a08.html)
MORE ON DAVID LISOT (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n44a07.html)

Indian Head Cent Find
James Haas writes:

Image references:
https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1864-1c-l-ribbon-bn/images/2079
https://www.cointalk.com/threads/1864-l-indian-head-cent.148423/

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: OCTOBER 30, 2022 : Hopi Prayer for Rain Medal (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n44a08.html)
HAYDEN 2022 TOKEN AUCTION SELECTIONS : Lot 11: Indian Head Brockage Error (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n44a17.html)

ASTRONOMICAL HISTORY IN NUMISMATICS

Mike Marotta writes:

With some exceptions, astronomical images seldom appeared on ancient coins of the archaic Hellenic and ancient Hellenistic koine social contexts before the extension of the Roman republic in the second century BCE. Some Roman coins of the Pax Romana early empire do show one or more stars within a crescent Moon, clearly intended to set the time of a notable conjunction though symbolic rather than representational. Easily the most famous examples are the Caesar's Comet with Octavian Augustus on the obverse and a comet on the reverse with the inscription DIVVS IVLIVS referring to the deification of Gaius Julius Caesar following his assassination in 44 BCE.

Broadly accepted by numismatists as markers of an actual event the coins remain putative among astronomers. Stronger acceptance is found for the issues of Tigranes II (Tigranes the Great) of Armenia (140-55 BCE) depicting a prominent star in the king's crown which is correlated to an appearance of Halley's Comet in 82 BCE while Tigranes was extending his empire.

Whereas most national banks and treasuries maintain legal monopolies on the issuance of monetary media, the United Kingdom stands apart in that the obligations of the Bank of England circulate alongside private issues from the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Northern Bank (now Dansk Bank) of Belfast. The Bank of England one-pound notes of 1978 to 1984 featured Sir Isaac Newton on the back. He sits with a prism and his reflecting telescope next to him. In his lap the Principia Mathematica is open to Proposition XI Problem VI. An American space shuttle appeared on the 1999 £5 note of the Northern Bank. In 2017, the Royal Bank of Scotland placed Mary Somerville on their current issue circulating £10 note.

To read the complete newsletter (see pages 20-24), see:
Number 100 * October 2022 (https://had.aas.org/sites/had.aas.org/files/HADN100.pdf)

GUY FAWKES DAY NUMISMATICS

Today is the British holiday known as Guy Fawkes Day. Fawkes was born in 1570; he was a tall, well-built man with thick reddish hair and a quick mind. A school friend described him as pleasant of approach and cheerful of manner, opposed to quarrels and strife … loyal to his friends. Though he had been born and baptized a Protestant, he converted to Catholicism as a teenager, when his widowed mother remarried a Catholic man named Dionis Baynbrigge. When he was 21, he sold his father's estate and went off to Europe to fight with Catholic Spain against Dutch Protestants. While he was in Flanders, he was recruited by a member of what would become known as the Gunpowder Plot: a plan devised by English Catholics to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate King James I, who was a Protestant. The group's leader, Robert Catesby, had heard of Fawkes' military prowess, particularly his expertise with explosives.

So, on November 5, 1605, Fawkes was attending to the 36 barrels of gunpowder that the conspirators had stashed under the House of Lords. Authorities stormed the cellar, tipped off by an anonymous informant, and arrested Fawkes. They tortured him for two days before he gave up the names of his co-conspirators, at which point he was sentenced to death for treason. Traitors were typically hanged, drawn, and quartered — a grisly and slow death — and Fawkes knew this. So, on the day of his execution, he jumped from the gallows, breaking his neck and dying instantly. To celebrate the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot, the king's subjects lit bonfires, shot off fireworks, and burned Guy Fawkes and his fellow plotters in effigy.

Terrorist Plot Foiled

Copper jeton or medal which commemorates the foiling of the Gunpowder plot. It is unsigned, and shows a snake gliding among lilies and roses on the reverse with the inscription,

DETECTVS • QVI • LATVIT S • C • which means the concealed one is discovered.

On the reverse is the name of Jehovah written in Hebrew script within a border of thorns. The reverse bears the inscription NON DORMITASTI ANTISTES IACOBI, translating to you, the keeper of James, have not slept.

Some of the letters are slightly bigger than the others. This means the date is written chronogrammatically which means some of letters in Roman numerals add up to the date.

NON DORMITASTI ANTISTES IACOBI

M = 1000
D = 500
C = 100
I x 5 = 5

= 1605

To read the complete articles, see:
The Writer's Almanac for Saturday, November 5, 2022 (https://www.garrisonkeillor.com/radio/twa-the-writers-almanac-for-november-5-2022/)
MASK UP: HOW THE GUY FAWKES MASK BECAME ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC DESIGN OBJECTS IN RECENT HISTORY (https://archive.pinupmagazine.org/articles/article-guy-fawkes-mask-v-for-vendetta#43)
https://www.tokenpublishing.com/issue/587 (Free Trial Issue)

VOCABULARY TERM: MECHANICAL DOUBLING

Mechanical Doubling. Tiny lines or offset around the edge of lettering because of loose dies in the coining press. Also called double line by collectors, it shows a shift to one side forming a double outline of letters or numbers near the rim. The phenomenon is not in the die – it is not a doubled die – but is a chattering of a loose die during striking, particularly after a long press run. It has been described as a twisting of the die as it withdraws pulling small metal relief from its fixed position leaving large heavy relief, as a portrait or device, unaffected. It is cleared up by tightening the set bolts in the chucks holding the die in place. Such errors are usually not collected by numismatists because of their minor interest in the field.

A coin with mechanical doubling can be discerned from double die coins by the clarity of the letters or figures. True double die strikes (with a die that has two identical images) have distinctly formed letters, two distinct over-lapping complete letters. Mechanical doubling is a distortion of letters which look misshapen; the top of their letters or figures are smaller than their base, with a movement of the upper part of the letters or figures to one side.

Reference:
NM19 {1991} Margolis, p 321-324.

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Mechanical Doubling (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516283)

DOUBLED DIES VS. MACHINE DOUBLING

The distinction between genuine die doubling and mechanical doubling can be subtle, but they can easily be differentiated with just a loupe and a bit of knowledge.

One of the more common questions that NGC Customer Service receives is regarding the difference between a doubled die and machine doubling. This distinction is very important, because a doubled die variety may be worth a large premium, while machine doubling is a mere novelty and does not usually add value.

Double dies
A true doubled die is a variety in that it is created during the die making process. As a result, the doubling will appear on every coin struck from that die. In the past, doubled die errors were often much more dramatic due to the process in which dies were created. This method often required multiple impressions from a working hub to impart the detail into a die. If the hub or die shifted at all during this process, the finished die would feature two distinct impressions with separation between them. The design, letters and digits will be doubled.

One of the most famous doubled die coins is, of course, the 1955 Lincoln Cent with a doubled die obverse. It is extremely rare that such dramatic doubling would slip through unnoticed at the US Mint. At the time, the Philadelphia Mint was running two 12-hour shifts in order to help alleviate a cent shortage. At least seven people were supposed to have inspected the die before it was put into use, but that clearly was not the case here. Instead, the die was placed in service for a midnight to 8:00 am shift. The problem was not discovered until some 20,000-24,000 cents had already been mixed in with the millions of other cents struck that night. The Chief Coiner of the Philadelphia Mint, Sydney C. Engel, decided to let the coins through instead of melting a total of approximately 10 million cents to contain them. Those 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln cents are now one of the most sought-after varieties in coin collecting.

Mechanical doubling
On the other hand, there is mechanical doubling. This type of doubling, which is also known as strike, ejection, shelf or shift doubling, is not the result of the design on the die being doubled. Rather, this type of doubling occurs when the die strikes a planchet. If the die is not properly seated, it can move slightly or bounce during the moment of striking, creating a flat, shelf-like doubling. This effect will be different on all coins struck, so it is technically not a variety, but rather more of a striking error.

Above is an example of machine or strike doubling. Notice how the doubling is very flat in appearance and there are serifs in the letters that are not separated.

Above is another example of a genuine doubled die coin (the 1972 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent). Notice how there is a clear separation between the serifs on all the letters. This proves that the doubling was created during the hubbing process rather than during the striking of the actual coin

To read the complete article, see:
Doubled Dies vs. Machine Doubling (https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/5688/Double-Dies-vs-Machine-Doubling/)

PURNIE MOORE (1907-2008)

The topic of hundred-year-old numismatists comes up occasionally in The E-Sylum. Apparently, I have become the keeper of the list. I recently added another name that had previously been overlooked.

Purnie Estelle Doss was born in Adamsville, Alabama, on August 26, 1907, the daughter of railroad foreman John Wesley Doss and Olive Bradford Doss.

She was married in Alabama on June 4, 1927, to Earl Moore. He died of wounds in France on March 17, 1945, during World War II. They had no children. In 1954, Purnie was chapter president of Gold Star Wives and national parliamentarian in 1958.

She worked as a teller and vault clerk at the First National Bank of Birmingham from 1929 to 1969. She Frequently spoke about coins to local organizations.

Purnie Moore was active with several civic organizations. In 1957 she was first vice president and in 1958 to 1959 she was president of the Birmingham Women's Junior Chamber of Commerce. In 1956 she was treasurer and in 1959 she was elected president of the Birmingham Symphony League. She was treasurer of the Birmingham Chapter, American Institute of Banking (1955-1956).

When has a coin collection became too large? Purnie reported that she kept her best coins locked in a vault. The weight of another coin collection stored in her attic caused the kitchen ceiling to fall down.

She joined the American Numismatic Association as member 23161 in 1954 and was recognized as a fifty-year member in 2004. She served the ANA as district representative (1980) and regional representative (1975) and received an ANA Medal of Merit in 1987. She converted to life membership (LM-1722) in 1994. She was not noted as a sixty-year member in 2014. There was no obituary for her published in The Numismatist.

She was secretary (1957) and past president (1961) of the Birmingham Coin Club. She served as General Chairman for the Alabama Numismatic Society shows 1961-1964. Then she was elected treasurer (1964-1965) and executive secretary of the Alabama Numismatic Society promoting club shows (1974-1996). Also on the board and president in 1987 was her cousin Clyde H. Fisher. She served on the U. S. Assay Commission in 1971 and was a member of the Old Time Assay Commission (OTAC). In 1980 she was named a Numismatic News Numismatic Ambassador. She was also a member of the Society of Paper Money Collectors (SPMC).

Purnie Moore died at home at age 100 on May 3, 2008, in Birmingham, Alabama, and is buried at Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in Corner, Alabama.

She is an example of an active volunteer serving on a local or regional level who may not be recognized for service on a national level.

• Dorothy Baber, 100 (1920-2021)
• Carl G. Boehmer, 105 (1906-2011)
• James E. Charleton, 102 (1911-2013)
• Edward Louis Dence, 103 (1917-2021)
• William S. Dewey, 100 (1905-2006)
• Edward Gans, 103 (1887-1991)
• Dr. Jesse C. Green, 103 (1817-1920)
• Robert L Hendershott, 106 (1898-2005)
• Genevieve T. Herdegen, 103 (1886-1989)
• Clyde Hubbard, 104 (1916-2020)
• Honora Nora W. Hussey, 105 (1915-2020)
• Robert Hepworth Lloyd, 103 (1906-2009)
• Purdie Estelle Doss Moore, 100 (1907-2008)
• Eric P. Newman, 106 (1911-2017)
• Nellie Tayloe Ross, 101 (1876-1977)
• Carl H. Subak, 103 (1919-2022)

SYD MARTIN PART II AUCTION AND TRIBUTE EVENT

During the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Winter Expo last week we hosted two auction sessions showcasing selections from the Sydney F. Martin Collection. It was said that the series featured in these sessions ranked high on the list of Syd's numismatic passions, as did his fellow enthusiasts in the Colonial Coin Collectors Club (C4). Thus, last week's auction venue for Part II of Syd's collection gave us the perfect opportunity to honor our friend and colleague.

The sale itself saw spirited bidding which resulted in numerous price records. The unique 1670-A French Colonies copper double de l'Amerique, the earliest dated coin bearing the word America, realized an astounding $504,000 – the highest price ever paid for a French Colonial coin. The expansive Rosa Americana offering generated considerable excitement, highlighted by the 1717 Pre-Patent twopence that realized $28,800 – a record for a Pre-Patent Rosa Americana coin – and the famous 1733 twopence Pattern PCGS PR-62 BN that sold for $57,600. The eagerly anticipated 1785 and 1786 Connecticut coppers set many new high-water marks for that series, such as $43,200 for the unique 1785 Miller 6.6-A.3 die variety. Other notable prices realized included those for high-end type coins such as the 1786 Miller 5.3-N Hercules Head PCGS AU-55 at $22,200 and the 1786 Miller 6-K Draped Bust Left PCGS AU-55 at $26,400.

The second session offered a fabulous array of Washingtoniana and there was intense demand for the finest and rarest pieces. Prices realized for Washington Seasons medals reached new heights with the silver versions of The Shepherd and The Home medals realizing $114,000 and $132,000 respectively. The rare Roman Head cent in PCGS Proof-64 RB brought $132,000 and the Funeral Urn medal in gold, PCGS AU-55, realized $66,000.

On Friday, October 28, after the hammer fell on the final lot of the day, we gathered with the C4 group, and some friends and family to share stories about Syd, acknowledge his accomplishments in the colonial coin field and express appreciation for his many contributions to the hobby. C4 created the Sydney F. Martin Memorial Numismatic Publication Award to recognize writers for their contributions to the field of colonial and early American coinage. A medal was created with Syd's image to be presented to the recipients. Craig MacDonald, president of C4, presented to Syd's family, represented at the event by his daughter Jessica, their personal medal.

John Kraljevich led the evening with a discussion about Syd's collections and included a very pertinent quote from Daniel Eccleston to Thomas Jefferson from January 1, 1810:

It's quite remarkable that we can still touch history in a very up close and personal way through the hobby of numismatics. Here's to Syd, a shining light whose literary works will continue to educate and spark the collecting fires in future generations.

To read the complete article, see:
SYDNEY F. MARTIN PART II AUCTION AND TRIBUTE EVENT (https://stacksbowers.com/sydney-f-martin-part-ii-auction-and-tribute-event/)

NUMISMAGRAM SELECTIONS: NOVEMBER 2022

102097 | FRANCE. "Conjugal Duties" Trials/Father Lustucru satirical copper Jeton. Issued 1660. On the topic of trials alleging impotence and promoting the "re-education" of "deviant" women by Father Lustucru (27mm, 6.71 g, 6h). VNICVS EST S[P]ECIE (he is unique in appearance...), two blacksmiths standing around anvil, both hammering and with one holding head of woman with pincers upon anvil / OMNE FERENS MALVM (...bearing all that is evil), monkey, holding whip and reins, riding donkey left and bearing basket filled with heads of women. Feuardent 9608; Neumann 39921; Mitchener 3489-91 (though erroneously described as a type pertaining to the many wars of Louis XIV). Choice Extremely Fine. Glossy brown surfaces, though a few minor edge bruises noted for completeness. $495.

If one thinks that the explosion of reality TV of our era, with its poking and prodding into the private lives of some merely for the morbid curiosity of others, is actually anything new, it may come as a surprise that, in fact, it is not. In 17th century France, for instance, married couples were required, by law, to "perform their conjugal duties" with one another, submitting on demand for one partner to the other. In the instance of male impotence, such duties obviously created an impossible task for the husband, and one for which he could be tried for committing a larcenous act. The wife, who may wish to seek a divorce, could bring about a trial that would subject the couple to bedroom inquisitions and every type of examination to determine what exactly did, and did not, function properly. Needless to say, such trials were publicized, making them a voyeuristic forerunner to the most salacious stories of today.

One such instance, and quite possibly the most famous, involved a French nobleman, René de Cordouan, the Marquis de Langey, who married Mademoiselle Marie de St Simon de Courtemer in 1653. Their marriage is described as happy for the first four years, though Madame Langey charged her husband with the claim of impotence in 1657, causing much in the way of examination into their intimate lives and bodies as well. The court found both husband and wife physically capable, though Madame Langey nevertheless insisted in the inadequacies of the Marquis, causing him to seek her damning allegations to be disproven so that his good name (and abilities) would be cemented in the eyes of the heavily invested public. His Trial by Congress, however, was not successful, as it was required that the couple submit to a private bathhouse for an evening, with a not-so-private jury of 15 individuals (five surgeons, five physicians, and five matrons) there to observe any fulfillment of conjugal duties. The Marquis, likely on account of the prying eyes all around, was unable, condemning his reputation and granting unto his wife a legal dissolution of their marriage. It is interesting to note that, years later, the Marquis would marry again, this time to Diana de Montault de Navaille, with whom he would father seven children.

Given the nature of these allegations and subsequent trials, it seems obvious that some men become highly suspicious of "deviant" women who would use such a legal means as a way in which to seek a new marriage (and destroy their aura of masculinity). It was around this time that a mythical figure, Father Lustucru, appears in writings and engravings, with the goal of "re-educating" women who were seen as rebellious or hysterical to the patriarchy. This figure was presented in the setting of a blacksmith, with the severed heads of women being beaten with hammers upon anvils in an attempt to "cure" them of their wicked and wild ways. A simian-like creature, usually a monkey, was employed to ride a donkey, collecting the heads of various women in satchels and bringing them to Lustucru's forge for such "corrections," with a sign above his shop bearing some form of the phrase "the best woman is one without a head."

To read the complete item description, see:
102097 | FRANCE. Conjugal Trials/"Between the Sheets" satirical copper Jeton. (https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/102097)

102125 | GREAT BRITAIN. Queen Anne white metal Medal. Issued 1711. The Concord of Britain (44mm, 27.54 g, 12h). By P. H. Müller. ANNA D G MAG BR FR ET HIB REGINA, draped bust left / DVLCE MELOS VNITA SONAT (in unison she produces sweet harmony, [the larger letters indicating the date in a chronogram]), harp left, with top terminating in head of cherub; CONCORDIA BRI–/TANNORVM in two lines in exergue. Edge: Plain. MI 386/238; Eimer 451. Choice Mint State. Extremely brilliant and prooflike. $345.

The concord represented on the reverse of this medal likely refers to the brief cessation in hostilities for Britons, in that there was an aim to end participation in the conflict involving so much of Europe, that of the War of Spanish Succession, upon the death of then-Emperor, Joseph I, in 1711. Beginning with the death of the childless Carlos II (Charles), the last of the Spanish Habsburgs, a power struggle ensued, with claimants hailing from France and Austria. Ultimately, the crown of Spain would pass to the Bourbons of France, with the new Spanish monarch (Felipe) renouncing his line in the French succession, while that of the Holy Roman Empire would stay with Habsburgs.

To read the complete item description, see:
102125 | GREAT BRITAIN. Queen Anne white metal Medal. (https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/102125)

102169 | FRANCE. Compagnie de Navigation Sud-Atlantique Art Deco bronze Medal. Issued 1931. Commemorating the maiden voyage of the "Atlantique" service line (68mm, 148.44 g, 12h). By L. Bazor in Paris. Venus, holding trident, in facing marine quadriga pulled by four sea horses / COMPAGNIE DE NAVIGATION SUD–ATLANTIQUE, perspective view from the right of the vessel breaking waves left; L'ATLANTIQUE / 1931 in exergue. Edge: «cornucopia» BRONZE. Choice Mint State. Charming brown surfaces, with some lighter highlights and pleasing relief; a few scattered marks are noted merely for completeness. An exceptional Art Deco design by an ever-popular medalist. Rare, especially this attractive. $365.

The grandest and most luxurious passenger ship on the Europe–South America line, the Atlantique herself was in operation for little over two years, with her maiden voyage occurring in September/October 1930, and her demise—caused by a fire while in the English Channel—happening in January 1933. The Art Deco motif of this medal conveys the nature of the ship's interior design, which was heavily influenced by the style

To read the complete item description, see:
102169 | FRANCE. Compagnie de Navigation Sud-Atlantique Art Deco bronze Medal. (https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/102169)

102230 | ITALY. Vatican City. Pope Saint Ioannes XXIII silver Medal. Issued 1961/Year III. The canonization of Gregorio Barbarigo (44mm, 36.36 g, 12h). By P. Giampaoli in Rome. IOANNES • XXIII • PONT • MAX / AN • III, bust left, wearing camauro, mozzetta, and stole / SANCTVS • GREGORIVS • BARBADICVS, St. Gregorio seated facing at desk, wearing stole, biretta, and nimbus crown, and holding quill; in two lines in exergue, 26-V / AN • D • MCMLX. Edge: E•988. Bartolotti E961; Modesti 96; Rinaldi 155. Choice Gem Mint State. Highly brilliant and prooflike, with a deep iridescence spread mostly throughout. Includes box of issue. Mintage: 4,300. $225.

A cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church who served as Bishop in both Bergamo and Padua, he was greatly revered for pastoral initiatives and scholarly learnings, as well as visitations within his ecclesiastic dominions. Given his strong standing within the Church hierarchy, he was considered a frontrunner to become Pope during the papal conclaves of 1689 and 1691. He was beatified in 1761 under Pope Clemens XIII (Clement), and was finally canonized, as celebrated on this medal, in 1960 under Pope Ioannes XXIII (John), who himself would later be canonized in 2014 under current Pope Franciscus (Francis).

To read the complete item description, see:
102230 | ITALY. Vatican City. Pope Saint Ioannes XXIII silver Medal. (https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/102230)

 

DAVISSON'S E-AUCTION 45 ANCIENTS

Our Greek offering is highlighted by several carefully selected consignments. Look for fine silver and bronze from Sicily, Macedon, Thrace, Thessaly, Lycia, and more. Of particular note is the first offering from a collection of classic Larissa facing head issues, and several choice single and small group lots from the Robert Hoge collection.

Our Roman selection opens on several fine Provincial issues, particularly of Augustus and Hadrian. The Republican offering consists of denarii from the Zabel collection, and the Imperial section includes several nice early bronzes of Augustus and Titus, and choice late silver including a rare legionary issue of Gallienus.

A few nice Byzantine pieces conclude the ancients–two well centered early folles on broad even flans, and a well struck silver issue from nearly 1000 years later.

Several noteworthy lots are below, but there is more to see! Do take a minute to browse the whole ancient section.

To read the complete auction ancients section, see:
E-Auction 45 Ancient section

For more information, see:
https://davcoin.com/

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
DAVISSON'S E-AUCTION 45 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n41a24.html)

DAVISSON'S E-AUCTION 45 TOKENS

British trade tokens are the story of the need for small change in daily life when the government was unable or unwilling to provide an official currency. Tokens for daily trade became a part of British life in England and Wales soon after the death of Charles I. Not much later, Irish tokens became a part of commerce there as well. (The Scots avoided the problem by allowing an extensive issue of base metal coins.)

The governments of the era simply did not issue small change. Until 1696 there was the additional problem of hammered silver lacking full value because of all the clipping of pieces in circulation. Political instability was a major reason. The Civil War disrupted life. The reigns of the sons of Charles I—Charles II and James II—dealt with the turmoil after Commonwealth rule fell apart after the death of Cromwell. Then the Glorious Revolution when William of Orange, ruler of the Dutch Republic, came to England with his wife Mary, the daughter of James II, and took over the British throne eventually brought some minting stability, and the great recoinage of 1696 brought a substantial issue of silver.

British tokens are a regular feature of our catalogs. My involvement with them goes back to the time when we (Marnie and I) were just beginning to build a numismatics-based business. We attended local and regional coin shows and published fixed-price lists (with no photos). I first saw these copper pieces about the size of a US large cent in boxes that an older part-time coin dealer had on his table at a coin show. For a couple of dollars each I could buy coppers from the American colonial era that came from England and featured wide-ranging designs. Early on, I responded to an ad run by someone whose name I had seen in coin newspapers offering a dozen (or so, as I recall) uncirculated examples of these pieces for something on the order of $100 or $125. When the parcel arrived, there were more pieces than promised, all of which were pretty close to Uncirculated, along with a note that the extras were because he could not provide as many choice pieces as he had advertised. That was my first transaction with David Bowers.

Our offering of British trade tokens in this catalog includes some marvelous pieces from Baldwin's basement I came upon while researching my update of Dalton & Hamer in the 1980's, and others from the iconic Jim Noble Sale I attended in Melbourne in 1998. Provenances of former owners include Cokayne and Richard Doty, former curator at the Smithsonian.

A marvelous Pidcock piece picturing a rhinoceros and an antelope is followed by some Spence tokens that show his influence on the architects of the American Revolution and their fight for freedom and independence across the ocean.

Next follows a lovely group of classic tokens from Wales featuring the iconic Druid's head.

And some classic tokens from Scotland.

A small but satisfying listing with some gems included. Take a look before the sale closes on Wednesday and these modest mementos of the turbulent late 18th century go to their next owners.

To read the complete auction British Tokens section, see:
E-Auction 45 British Tokens section

For more information, see:
https://davcoin.com/

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
DAVISSON'S E-AUCTION 45 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n41a24.html)

COLIN POWELL MEDALS, MEMENTOS UP FOR SALE

Colin Powell's career spanned some of the most significant moments of the last 40 years so it's no surprise that an auction of items from his estate reflects that: gifts and medals from foreign dignitaries and presidents, photos of his swearing-in as secretary of state.

But it might be the more whimsical items that better tell the story of what kind of man he was: the Star Wars lightsaber given to him by George Lucas, a race car helmet, the memorabilia connected to the Buffalo Soldiers, the 19th-century African American Army regiments that Powell championed throughout his career.

In all, nearly 400 items big and small, momentous and mundane, are up for auction with proceeds to benefit the America's Promise Alliance — which Powell once chaired — and the Colin Powell School at the City College of New York, his alma mater.

It's really a capsule of American history in the last four or five decades, said Elizabeth Haynie Wainstein, owner and president of The Potomack Company, the auction house conducting the estate sale.

The auction is already underway and will run through Nov. 16. Bids can be placed online, and items can be viewed in person at the auction house in Alexandria.

A few items are already proving popular — a Baikal shotgun presented to Powell by Mikhail Gorbachev at a 1988 summit in Moscow had already received a $7,000 bid by Thursday afternoon, well above the $3,000 to $5,000 estimate given by the auction house.

The estimates, though, are for the intrinsic value of the items and do not account for how bidders value the fact that the items belonged to Powell and his wife, Alma.

"That's the unknown thing about provenance and auction," Haynie Wainstein said.

Powell died last year at the age of 84. He served as secretary of state during the first term of President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005, including the Iraq War. Before that he served as national security adviser in the Reagan administration and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the George H.W. Bush administration, when Powell played a key role in the Persian Gulf War.

To read the complete article, see:
Medals, Mementos from Colin Powell Estate Go Up for Auction (https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/11/04/medals-mementos-colin-powell-estate-go-auction.html)

SELECTED GENERAL COLIN POWELL MEDALS

Lot 1099: ORDER OF THE RISING SUN MEDAL AND PIN, GRAND CORDON 1ST CLASS, AWARDED TO GENERAL POWELL BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT, 1991
the medal in silver with gold highlights, with white enamel, depicting a rising sun; the medal on the red and white ribbon with purple berries in enamel, with small pin; in black lacquer box with Japanese inscription, the interior in purple silk and velvet (3)

Catalogue note:
Established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji, the Order of the Rising Sun recognizes individuals who have accomplished distinguished achievements in international relations, the promotion of Japanese culture, and the preservation of the environment.

To read the complete lot description, see:
ORDER OF THE RISING SUN MEDAL AND PIN, GRAND CORDON 1ST CLASS, AWARDED TO GENERAL POWELL BY THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT, 1991 (https://www.potomackcompany.com/auction-lot/order-of-the-rising-sun-medal-and-pin-grand-cordo_4BC4827B6E)

ORDER OF KUWAIT, FIRST CLASS, BREAST STAR AND SASH BADGE, GIVEN TO GENERAL POWELL
in light blue and white enamel, with an eight-point star, the flag of Kuwait, set against a gold starburst, the sash bad of identical design, both with English gold hallmarks for Birmingham; with blue and white sash (2)

To read the complete lot description, see:
ORDER OF KUWAIT, FIRST CLASS, BREAST STAR AND SASH BADGE, GIVEN TO GENERAL POWELL Diameter of largest: 3 1/4 in. (8.26 cm.) (https://www.potomackcompany.com/auction-lot/order-of-kuwait-first-class-breast-star-and-sash-_8A74A81A5F)

Lot 1110: RONALD REAGAN FREEDOM AWARD TO GENERAL POWELL, MADE BY TIFFANY & CO., 1993
the gilt-silver medal depicting the seal of the President/Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, the border 'Ronald Reagan Freedom Award,' the obverse 'Presented to General Colin L. Powell/Twelfth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff/November 9, 1993/Los Angeles, California', the medal rim signed 'Tiffany & Co./Sterling/.925', suspended on a purple ribbon; in original fitted blue box

Catalogue note:
The highest honor awarded by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award is bestowed upon those who have made monumental and lasting contributions to the cause of freedom.

To read the complete lot description, see:
RONALD REAGAN FREEDOM AWARD TO GENERAL POWELL, MADE BY TIFFANY & CO., 1993 (https://www.potomackcompany.com/auction-lot/ronald-reagan-freedom-award-to-general-powell-mad_F734384AD2)

Lot 1114: CANADIAN MERITORIOUS SERVICE CROSS, TO GENERAL POWELL, 1994
the bar etched with General Powell's name to reverse, the obverse of the medal 'Meritorious Service Meritorie' and the cipher of Queen Elizabeth II; in original fitted case; underside written "Canada" in Powell's hand

Citation:
"By his contribution to American/Canadian relations during his tenure as national security advisor and subsequently as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee; by his assistance to the role played by the Canadian Forces during the Gulf War, to the Canadian battle group at Sarajevo in July 1992 and to the Canadian task force in the Coalition Intervention Force in Somalia; by his help during the rescue operation following the 1991 CFS Alert plane crash, General Powell has demonstrated outstanding professional leadership and concern for relations between the United States and Canada. In so doing, he has rendered invaluable service to Canada and to the Canadian Forces."

To read the complete lot description, see:
CANADIAN MERITORIOUS SERVICE CROSS, TO GENERAL POWELL, 1994 (https://www.potomackcompany.com/auction-lot/canadian-meritorious-service-cross-to-general-pow_10B4EED904)

Lot 1115: FORD'S THEATRE LINCOLN MEDAL PRESENTED TO ALMA POWELL, 2019
the medal depicting President Abraham Lincoln, the reverse with a depiction of the façade of Ford's Theater, the medal stamped 'Medallic Art Co., NY/ .999 + Pure Silver', and suspended from a red black ribbon, housed inside a mahogany box with a brass plaque dated June 2, 2019, and inset into the lid a copy of the medal in brass, the interior of the box burgundy silk and black velvet (2)

Catalogue note:
General and Mrs. Powell received this medal at the Ford's Theater Society's annual gala on June 2, 2019. The medal is given to a person or persons who, through their body of work, accomplishments or personal attributes, exemplify the lasting legacy and mettle of character embodied by the most beloved president in our nation's history.

To read the complete lot description, see:
FORD'S THEATRE LINCOLN MEDAL PRESENTED TO ALMA POWELL, 2019 Width of medal: 2 1/2 in. (6.35 cm.) (https://www.potomackcompany.com/auction-lot/fords-theatre-lincoln-medal-presented-to-alma-pow_0B6462DB12)

Lot 1132: COMMENCEMENT AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP, RICE UNIVERSITY, AWARDED TO GENERAL POWELL, 2015
the medal, with a loop for hanging, depicting the seal of Rice University, etched border 'General Colin Powell Commencement Award for Leadership,' the obverse with his name and dated 'May 16, 2015'

To read the complete lot description, see:
COMMENCEMENT AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP, RICE UNIVERSITY, AWARDED TO GENERAL POWELL, 2015 Diameter: 2 1/2 in. (6.35 cm.) (https://www.potomackcompany.com/auction-lot/commencement-award-for-leadership-rice-university_C494A56A32)

S.S. CENTRAL AMERICA BANKNOTES OFFERED

A unique $3 denomination note issued by a New Jersey bank is among a small number of banknotes that survived the 1857 sinking of the fabled Ship of Gold, the S.S. Central America, and soon will be offered to collectors for the first time. They are among the many highlights of California Gold Rush-era artifacts in an auction to be conducted on December 3, 2022 in Reno, Nevada and online by Holabird Western Americana Collections (www.HolabirdAmericana.com).

The $3 note was issued by the State Bank of Newark, New Jersey, and is the only known example to have been in circulation, apparently used to purchase a ticket on the legendary ship.

Other numismatic items recovered from the legendary ship, including gold treasure shipment boxes, gold miners' pokes, and bags from the Purser's safe that contained coins during the ill-fated voyage, are also in the first of two planned auctions of never-before-offered unique artifacts from the ship.

Some collectors have been waiting for these extraordinary items to come on the market since the legendary, submerged ship was located in 1988 and Life magazine proclaimed it America's greatest treasure ever found, said Fred Holabird, President of Holabird Western Americana Collections.

The auction will be conducted at the Reno, Nevada Convention Center and online on Saturday, December 3. A second auction of hundreds of additional one-of-a-kind artifacts retrieved from the famous shipwreck will be offered in February 2023.

There will be five recovered banknotes in the December auction. They are among 11 ‘broken bank' notes found in the Purser's safe that was retrieved from the seabed in 2014 after being submerged for 157 years about 7,200 feet below the surface of the Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina. The other recovered notes will be offered in an auction in February 2023, explained Holabird.

 

The five banknotes in the upcoming auction are:

• Bank of Syracuse, New York, $5, Haxby G12c.
• Exchange Bank, Bangor, Maine, $5, Haxby G8.
• North River Bank, New York, $20, Haxby G50c.
• Peoples Bank $5, Charleston, South Carolina, Haxby G2a.
• State Bank of Newark, New Jersey, $3.

The notes have been expertly conserved by the Northeast Document Conservation Center in Andover, Maryland.

Some of the notes undoubtedly were used by passengers to pay for their tickets. The money was accepted perhaps because the Purser did not yet know the banks that issued the paper money had failed, explained Dwight Manley, Managing Partner of the California Gold Marketing Group which consigned the notes to the auction.

Cargo treasure boxes in the auction include the lid from a Wells Fargo gold shipment box and a treasure shipment box from San Francisco Gold Rush-era bankers Sather & Church. There are also gold miners' pokes (small satchels or pouches usually made of buckskin) and a cloth bag found in the Purser's safe with the word Dimes written in black ink on it, although records indicated it had held U.S. quarters and half-dollars.

A gold stickpin crafted with a U.S. Type II $1 gold coin of 1854-1856, the Purser's keys to the treasure storage room and a sampling of nine unconserved pocket change coins gathered from the seafloor around the shipwreck of the SS Central America will also be offered along with nearly 300 lots of recovered exquisite Gold Rush jewelry, vintage 1850s clothing and other unique artifacts from the legendary ship.

Clothing items include the important discovery of the oldest known Gold Rush-era miner's work pants jeans with a button fly that may have been made by or for Levi Strauss in his early years in business. The pants and early Brooks Brothers undershirts with the company's famous emblem that will also be in the auction were in the first-class passenger trunk of merchant and Mexican-American War military veteran John Dement of Oregon.

Seemingly ordinary items from the passengers and crew today give us extraordinary insight into the everyday lives of the people who traveled on the steamship, said scientist Bob Evans who was on each of the recovery missions.

The tragedy of the S.S. Central America sinking took the lives of 425 of the ship's 578 passengers and crewmembers, and the loss of the gold cargo was a major factor in the economically devastating financial Panic of 1857 in the United States.

Insurance claims for the loss were paid in the 1850s and the company that discovered and retrieved the treasure starting in 1988 settled with the insurers and their successors in 1992. With court approval, California Gold Marketing Group acquired clear title to all of that remaining treasure in 1999 as well as all the items recovered in 2014.

Holabird Western Americana Collections has prepared an extensive, limited edition 280-page catalog with dozens of previously unpublished illustrations of the S.S. Central America recovery operations, some reproduced in 3-D as shot during the discovery missions with a remote-controlled submersible nicknamed Nemo. Copies of the catalog are available while supplies last for $100 each with the price refundable with any purchase from the auction. Auction lots can also be viewed online.

For additional information about the recovered artifacts auctions planned for December 2022 and February 2023 and to obtain a printed catalog, visit Holabird Western Americana Collections of Reno, Nevada at www.HolabirdAmericana.com, call 775-851-1859, or email info@holabirdamericana.com.

NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: NOVEMBER 6, 2022

Libertas Americana Medal

"1781" (1783) Libertas Americana Medal. Original. Paris Mint. By Augustin Dupre. Adams-Bentley 15, Betts-615. Bronze. MS-63 BN (NGC).

To read the complete lot description, see:
"1781" (1783) Libertas Americana Medal. Original. Paris Mint. By Augustin Dupre. Adams-Bentley 15, Betts-615. Bronze. MS-63 BN (NGC). (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/
lots/view/3-ZXU68/1781-1783-libertas-americana-medal-original-paris-mint-by-
augustin-dupre-adams-bentley-15-betts-615-bronze-ms-63-bn-ngc)

Trafalgar Naval General Service Medal

The superb Naval General Service Medal awarded to Ordinary Seaman P. Cherry, Royal Navy, who was aboard the famous "Fighting Temeraire" at Trafalgar, whose ship played one of the most significant parts in that famous battle and later went on to find everlasting fame as the subject of one of artist J. M. W. Turner's most memorable and evocative paintings

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Trafalgar (Peter Cherry.), good very fine

To read the complete lot description, see:
THE SUPERB NAVAL GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL AWARDED TO ORDINARY SEAMAN P. CHERRY, ROYAL NAVY, WHO WA... (https://live.spink.com/lots/view/4-7TFBY4/
the-superb-naval-general-service-medal-awarded-to-ordinary-seaman
-p-cherry-royal-navy-who-wa)

1907 Brenner Lincoln Plaque

Victor D. Brenner (1871-1924, NY) bronze plaque of Abraham Lincoln in relief. Signed lower right, copyright 1907 by VD Brenner. Titled "Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865". Victor David Brenner was one of the premier American metalists of the late 19th and early 20th c. He is best known for his design of the Lincoln penny. In fact, it was this 1907 relief plaque design which brought him to the attention of Theodore Roosevelt. He insisted that Brenner be the one to design the 1 cent coin to celebrate the Lincoln centenary. Mounted on a green marble back with bronze easel support. The plaque is 9 1/2" x 7", overall with mount 11" x 8 1/2".

To read the complete lot description, see:
Lot 148: Victor D. Brenner (1871-1924, NY) bronze plaque (https://www.invaluable.com/
auction-lot/Victor-D.-Brenner-1871-1924,-NY-bronze-plaque-148-c-89642969D5)

Dual Magical Stave Wayfinder

Vegvisir Wayfinder
The Vegvísir, or Norse compass, is an Icelandic magical stave, which, according to the Huld manuscript, protects one from losing their way in bad weather.

The Helm of Awe
Ægishjálmur, or Œgishjalmr` or in English, The Helm of Awe, is a Nordic magical Stave which is meant to imbue its carrier with protection, and inspire victory in battle. We like to imagine helping in the day to day challenges of every day life, and how the stave might remind its carrier how strong they truly are at heart.

For more on their Viking offerings, see:
https://www.shirepost.com/collections/viking

Dan Carr's 1964-D Morgan Dollar

Earlier this year we sent out an email offering a large selection of Dan Carr pieces. Well, we're back with another big group that we acquired from a long-time customer of ours.

These are fantasy issues, all designed and produced by Mr. Carr. They are quite popular among many collectors (and a bit controversial among others). For those not familiar with him, he designed the actual New York and Rhode Island state quarters for the U.S. Mint.

All but one are ANACS certified. Some have the accompanying tag with his signature, most do not. You can find them in our Tokens category

To read the complete item descriptions, see:
https://www.northeastcoin.com/inventory.jsp;
jsessionid=17C11F51EC771E5BFE031D8ECE6B0126

Bank of England Museum Shredded Currency Ornament

Thursday 15 December, 5pm to 8pm

Deck the halls! Get into the Christmas spirit by filling your own bauble using shredded banknotes. Sing along to a few carols with the Bank of England Choir and enjoy festive refreshments.

Baubles will be available while supplies last, limit one per person. Free, no need to book ahead.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Museum Late: The Christmas special (https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum/whats-on/2022/museum-late-the-christmas-special)

 

THE AMAZING ATHENIAN TETRADRACHM

The Athenian owl is considered one of the greatest coins, not only because of its beauty, but because of its elegant design — head of Athena on the obverse, iconic owl image on the reverse, and identifying inscription — making it the prototype for centuries of coins worldwide.

There are several types of Athenian owls, with the first appearing circa 510 BCE. The owl graced Athenian coinage for centuries. The earlier designs, though highly collectible, are a far cry from the classical artistic standard beginning in 465 BCE and flourishing between 440-404 BCE.

The Athens tetradrachm [features] the obverse depiction of Athena, the Olympian goddess of wisdom and war.

Here is the Athenian owl reverse with olive spray (representing olive oil and peace — a gift from Athena) with a crescent moon and inscription ?T?, an abbreviation of ?T?????? (The Athenians).

As you can see, the above coin has a test cut to make sure it is not a fourrée or silver-plated base metal counterfeit from ancient times. Below is an example of an owl fourrée from the Heritage archives, which also has a test cut, revealing its counterfeit composition.

Test cuts appear on many ancient coins. Precious metals were especially desirable not only for coins but also for use in jewelry, ornamental, and religious objects. Silver from the great mines at Laurian, about 50 kilometers from Athens, played a central role in the rise of the city-state, underwriting a great navy and powerful military.

To read the complete article, see:
The amazing Athenian tetradrachm (https://world.mintnewsblog.com/2022/11/the-amazing-athenian-tetradrachm/)

APHRODITE ZODIAC MEDALLION FOUND IN RUSSIA

Russian archaeologists have unearthed an intricately detailed silver medallion of the Greek goddess Aphrodite in the 2,100-year-old grave of a young woman, possibly a priestess, on the northeastern coast of the Black Sea.

The medallion also shows 10 — not the known 12 — signs of the zodiac, and gives unique insight into religious practices at that time and place.

Some researchers have proposed that the woman in the grave was a priestess of Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of beauty and love, but there's no way to be sure — although there are indications that her rings, silver earrings and other grave goods were also dedicated to the goddess.

"I do not call the woman buried with this medallion a 'priestess,'" Nikolay Sudarev(opens in new tab), an archaeologist with the Russian Academy of Sciences who helped make the discovery, told Live Science. But the burial and its goods appear to be "connected with the cult of Aphrodite," he said.

The silver medallion found in the early first century B.C. grave shows the embossed head, shoulders and hands of Aphrodite — identified by Sudarev and his colleague, archaeologist Mikhail Treister(opens in new tab), based on other contemporary iconographic portrayals.

The portrait is surrounded by 10 embossed symbols that correspond to signs of the zodiac, including a lion for Leo, a bull for Taurus and a scorpion for Scorpio. But the symbols for the zodiac signs Aquarius and Libra are missing, and the researchers don't know why.

According to Haaretz(opens in new tab), an Israeli newspaper, the inclusion of the zodiac indicates the medallion is a portrayal of "Aphrodite Urania" — the heavenly aspect of the goddess, as distinct from her Earthly aspect, "Aphrodite Pandemos."

It also suggests a belief in astrology, the idea that the positions of celestial bodies can influence events on Earth, which was widespread throughout the ancient world. "This is one of the earliest depictions of the signs of the Zodiac in the Greek world," Sudarev said. "This could have been brought from Ptolemaic Egypt."

To read the complete article, see:
2,100-year-old burial of Aphrodite 'priestess' discovered in Russia (https://www.livescience.com/ancient-greek-phanagoria-aphrodite-cult-burial)

 

SWEDISH CACHE OF VIKING SILVER FOUND

A hoard of Viking silver, described as a once-in-a-lifetime discovery by onsite archeologists, has been unearthed in Täby, a municipality north of Stockholm.

As the Archaeologists, a team of specialists under contract from Sweden's National Historical Museums, dug beneath the decayed wooden floor of a building in a Viking Age settlement, they discovered a small ceramic pot. Inside lay eight neck rings, two arm rings, a finger ring, a pair of pearls, and 12 coin pendants deposited in a linen pouch.

The neck rings provoked particular excitement. Forged in the torque-style, a symbol of wealth and status for Viking men and women, the nearly 1,000-year-old rings were extraordinarily well-preserved despite having been made and deposited almost a thousand years ago, said Maria Lingström, the archeologist who removed them from the ground. They looked almost completely new.

Silver hoards are significant in many ways. They reflect that their owners were very wealthy and are proof of advanced craftsmanship, said Johan Anund the group's regional manager, but they also reflect ancient rituals and religion said , the excavation also revealed more than a thousand other artifacts

The hoard of coins evidences the international nature of commerce in Viking Age Scandinavia, and includes silver from England, Bohemia, Bavaria, as well as dirhams, a type of Arabic coinage. The collection makes up what the Archaeologists termed a perfect example of [the era's] far-reaching connections and blossoming trade.

The cache also includes a 10th-century coin minted in Normandy, an area in northern France to which Vikings migrated in the early ninth-century, which had only ever previously been documented in an 18th-century book of drawings.

The artifacts have since been transferred to the Acta Konserveringscentrum, a conservatory company in Stockholm, to be cleaned and documented.

To read the complete article, see:
In a ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime' Discovery, Swedish Archaeologists Have Unearthed a Cache of Viking Silver That Still Looks Brand New (https://news.artnet.com/art-world/in-a-once-in-a-lifetime-discovery-swedish-archaeologists-unearth-a-cache-of-viking-silver-2202955)

 

HOW MUCH IS THAT IN DOLLARS?

Something we are asked from time to time is how much a past coin was worth in terms of present-day money. It can be hard enough sometimes to say what the coin was worth at the time it was in circulation. Equating it to present-day money brings in some additional difficulties.

Let's consider one of the most important trade coins of the late Middle Ages, the Florentine gold florin. This was famously recognized as a stable standard of value in western Europe for centuries. Many works in economic history use the Florentine florin as a standard for comparing values between late medieval currencies.

There are various ways one could translate Florentine florins into United States dollars. The interesting thing is how different the results can be.

First, one could start with the material of the coin itself. In medieval European monetary theory, the value of the coin was derived from its precious-metal content, in this case, gold. At a current price of 1650 dollars per troy ounce, the 3.53 grams of gold in a full-weight Florentine florin would be worth about 187 dollars. So that's one way to give a dollar value to the medieval florin.

For comparing one year to another, economists use various measures to compare currency values such as the consumer price index (CPI), producer price index, and so on. These indices work by comparing prices of a variety of goods chosen to represent typical expenditures. Over time, the goods used in the index obviously change: personal computers cannot be used to measure consumer prices in 1922, whereas coal is probably not a significant part of calculation of consumer prices in the United States in 2022 (though they would certainly figure in a producer price index). However, very few goods can be compared between today and the Middle Ages, and evidence for medieval prices is limited.

Ordinary consumer expenses in medieval Florence were usually reckoned in lire, soldi, and denari di piccioli, and the value of the gold florin varied relative to this money of account. This billon denaro from 1336 illustrates the base unit of this system.

One commodity that does allow comparison is wheat, a basic foodstuff widely consumed both in medieval Europe and today. In Florence in the early 1330s, the price of wheat varied considerably depending on harvests (between 10 and 26 soldi per staio), but the 1331 cost of around 13 soldi per staio was not unusual. Assuming around 18 kilograms to the staio (a unit of volume), this equates to about 722 soldi per metric ton. By comparison, a metric ton of wheat currently costs about 340 dollars. A Florentine florin was worth around 60 soldi di piccioli in the early 1330s, so a metric ton of wheat would have cost around 12 gold florins at the time. In the wheat comparison, a Florentine gold florin in 1331 would be worth about 28.3 dollars.

Another comparison could be made using labor costs. The federal minimum wage in the United States is currently 7.25 dollars per hour, or 58 dollars for an 8-hour day. The median cost of an unskilled manual laborer in Florence was around 4.5 soldi per day. A gold florin could thus buy 13? person-days of unskilled labor so, in terms of labor costs, a Florentine florin would be worth around 773 dollars.

So three different points of comparison—wheat, gold, and unskilled labor—have given the gold florin values ranging from 28.3 to 187 to 773 dollars. All of these are reasonable points of comparison but clearly this range is so large that we have to question the meaningfulness of any one number. The relationships between agricultural productivity, household expenditure, and the overall economy are so different between 1331 and 2002 that any one point of comparison is misleading.

To read the complete article, see:
How Much Is That in Dollars? (https://numismatics.org/pocketchange/florin/)

1930 AUSTRALIAN PENNIES COME TO MARKET

Six lucky Australians have found rare 1930s pennies potentially worth a small fortune after searching through their drawers.

It comes after one rare penny sold for a record-breaking $60,000 at auction last month.

Since then, a handful of Australians have searched their homes for their own rare pennies.

Following the news of the penny breaking a record at Lloyds Auctions, people were flooding our phones in hopes they had one of these rare pennies and from this we have now seen six more come to auction, Lloyds Auctions chief operations officer Lee Hames said.

We had customers going through their drawers following the news of the last penny sale and to the surprise of some custodians they found their own 1930s penny which we now have up for auction.

Hames said the six 1930s pennies up for auction this Sunday are expected to collectively achieve well into a six-figure sum.

Two of the pennies have a grading of very fine, that being better than the penny we sold last month, so we could possibly see these two pennies break another record, he said.

The six 1930s pennies will go under the hammer from 7pm this Sunday, November 6 through Lloyds Auctions.

Hames said the record-breaking penny was a product of the Great Depression in 1929, when Australia's shrinking economy caused lower demand for currency. While about 3000 pennies were accidentally minted in 1930, only about 1,500 ended up in circulation.

Many were damaged and discarded over the years and it is unknown exactly how many are in collectors' hands today.

To read the complete article, see:
Six rare 1930s Australian pennies up for sale (https://7news.com.au/business/finance/six-rare-1930s-australian-pennies-up-for-sale--c-8735524)

COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL ON THE BLACK DEATH

As very recent history should show, any emergence from the specter of mass disease is always most welcome and worthy of commemoration. This sense of optimism and yearning for life as it was before is recounted through numerous works of medallic art from the early modern period. One such instance is a rather rare and interesting silver medal in our upcoming November Collectors Choice Online (CCO) auction. Issued in 1683 for the city of Erfurt in Germany, this specimen—likely holed for wearing as a charm—features a scene that would be quite appropriate for this past week's Halloween festivities, with the Archangel Michael standing facing in full armor. With a radiant nimbus crown encircling his head, he places his sword back in its scabbard, as he had finally slain the wickedness of the disease that had so ravaged the city.

From the summer of 1682 and stretching into 1683, the black death—a common pestilence to strike the urban locales of Europe—would consume nearly half of Erfurt's population, over some 10,000 citizens. Understandably, the iconographic representation of the disease on this medal is that of a skeleton—as it represented human frailty; it is upon this heap of bones that Michael triumphantly stands. To further drive home the poignancy and the idea that the medal was a memento mori, a skull and crossbones rests atop a draped altar in the background to left. On the reverse is a city view of Erfurt along with a radiant personification of the sun—symbolizing the new dawn rising within a city that had lost so much.

To read the complete article, see:
A MEDALLIC COMMEMORATIVE PERTAINING TO THE BLACK DEATH (https://stacksbowers.com/a-medallic-commemorative-pertaining-to-the-black-death/)

 

CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM ADDS VICTORIA CROSS

Tommy Holmes' Victoria Cross is now in the Canadian War Museum's care.

Holmes is one of three Victoria Cross winners celebrated in Owen Sound, along with Billy Bishop and David Currie. At 19 years, Holmes was one of the youngest Canadians to be awarded the Commonwealth's highest military honour for bravery.

The War Museum already displays the VCs of Bishop, the First World War flying ace, and Currie, the Second World War tank battle group commander. There are no immediate plans to display Holmes' medal, confirmed Eric Fernberg, a collections specialist at the War Museum.

But having the Holmes VC is important for posterity as well, he said.

Each story is of exceptional bravery, extraordinary circumstances . . . They represent the very best of the brave, he said. For many people, the VC symbolizes that ultimate commitment and sacrifice to military service.

The Billy Bishop Museum in Owen Sound displays replica Victoria Cross medals of its three war heroes.

It's really exciting that the Canadian War Museum has found a real Victoria Cross that was Tommy Holmes', said Emily Jolliffe, the Billy Bishop Museum's director and chief curator.

Holmes grew up in Owen Sound and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, as are Bishop and Currie.

To read the complete article, see:
Canadian War Museum has purchased Tommy Holmes' Victoria Cross (https://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/news/local-news/canadian-war-museum-has-purchased-tommy-holmes-victoria-cross)

LOOSE CHANGE: NOVEMBER 6, 2022

Friends and Family Who Just Don't Get It.

One of the great things about our hobby community is the friendship that develops over time. When you're with other collectors, you speak the same language, you know the same stories, you have the same background—even if you were born miles apart, generations apart, or in different cultures.

When you go to a coin show, or attend a club meeting for the first time, it's easy to make new friends. Just ask the question, What do you collect? Boom! An instant ice-breaker that immediately launches an interesting conversation, and an easy way to get to know somebody!

If your new friend has been collecting longer than you, you have an opportunity to absorb knowledge. If you've been collecting longer, it's a chance to share and teach. But you'll both be learning.

On the other side of the coin are non-collector friends and family who just don't get it. Hard as it is to imagine, some people are immune to the bite of the collecting bug. I remember when I was about fourteen and a friend's father, who learned about my hobby, asked with a laugh, What do you do after school, go home and polish your coin collection? The nerve! Never mind that you should never clean a coin with polish. Of course I didn't clean them—I constructed little boxes filled with cotton to store and study them, like any reasonable coin-collecting kid would!

To read the complete article, see:
COLLECTING FRIENDS: WHEN FRIENDS AND FAMILY ATTACK! (https://blog.money.org/coin-collecting/friends-and-family)

Victoria Cross Medal Export Blocked

A Victoria Cross awarded to RAF Squadron Leader A.S.K. Scarf is at risk of leaving the UK after being sold abroad for more than £660,000.

The medal, along with four others - the 1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal and British War Medal - was awarded posthumously to Scarf in 1946. The Victoria Cross was presented to his widow, Mrs Elizabeth Scarf, by King George VI at Buckingham Palace.

While the campaign medals within this group are relatively common and were issued to all personnel who met the qualifying criteria, the Victoria Cross is incredibly rare. Only 1,358 have been awarded since its inception in 1856 with just 181 awarded during the Second World War. Of the 22 awarded during the conflict to the RAF, this Victoria Cross is of particular interest because it is the only one awarded to the RAF for their service in the Far East.

To read the complete article, see:
Rare Victoria Cross awarded following Far East battles in Second World War at risk of leaving the UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/rare-victoria-cross-awarded-following-far-east-battles-in-second-world-war-at-risk-of-leaving-the-uk)

Empire State Building Penny Drop

On Veritasium, they wanted to check out the oft-repeated myth that you could be killed, or at least badly injured, by a penny dropped from the top of the Empire State Building.

To test the idea, they recruited none other than MythBuster OG, Adam Savage.

To read the complete article, see:
Can a penny dropped from the Empire State Building really kill you? (https://boingboing.net/2022/11/02/can-a-penny-dropped-from-the-empire-state-building-really-kill-you.html)