NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: APRIL 3, 2022

PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE FULL ISSUE PREV FULL ISSUE

V25 2022 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 25, Number 14, April 3, 2022, Article 8

NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: APRIL 3, 2022

Front-Facing Portraits Lose By A Nose
Regarding front-facing portraits vs. profile views on coins, Pabitra Saha writes:

"In circulation coins, front facing is generally avoided since the nose tends to suffer highest wear and the person looks really bad with nose having suffered like traditional punishment."

Indeed. Thanks. For an example, look no farther than the debased silver groats of Henry VIII. -Editor

Henry issued a secret indenture to start reducing the amount of silver in pennies and groats. To keep the weight the same and to hide the debasement Henry created copper coins and gave them the thinnest covering of silver possible. These coins were minted for 2 years before they were released into general circulation.

The fun thing about these silver coated copper coins was that Henry's nose was the bit that stuck out the most on the coins. As the coins rubbed against each other in people's pockets the silver on the nose was the first to rub off, leaving Henry with a reddish nose and earning him the nickname ‘Old Copper Nose'.

To read the complete article, see:
Old Copper Nose (https://thewealthgap.substack.com/p/old-copper-nose?)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
FRONT-FACING VS. PROFILE VIEWS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n13a15.html)

More on Dealer David Gotkin
Julian Leidman writes:

"I knew Dave for many years, as he was a staple at most eastern US coin shows, venturing to the FUN show and the ANA, wherever it happened to be. Dealing in world coins, he built up a following in modern world coins and sets, also dealing in foreign exchange, as well. He also will be missed by his clients and colleagues."

Jeffrey S Zarit writes:

"I did business with him for more than 40 years. He had he own way of doing that. Last time I saw him I asked him why he carried so much weight in mostly modern silver coins (capsulgeld another colleague called them). He had no answer.

I went to his home once, and he asked what kind of music I liked. You see, he had hundreds or maybe thousands of CD's, DVD's, records, cassettes, and the like. Although I saw him selling CD's in Baltimore (I also bought some), I never knew he had so much music.

Like myself, he was an old time dealer choosing to do business his way, and not change much. We both remembered how business was done 20-30-40 years ago and he was reluctant to change. Never saw him with very many slabbed coins, just wasn't his style. And that was fine. A person with integrity and honor, I shall miss him."

Thanks, everyone. -Editor

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
DAVID R. GOTKIN (1944-2022) (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n13a11.html)

Guess the Price of the Eliasberg 1898 Quarter

Ron Guth posted a video challenging viewers to guess the price of the Eliasberg 1898 Quarter coming to market this week. -Editor

The Eliasberg Quarter Dollar is coming back onto the market after a quarter of a century. The big question is "What will it sell for?"

The person who guesses closest to the actual price (hammer price plus buyer's premium) without going over will win a 2022 Redbook. Only guesses received by midnight PST on April 4, 2022 will qualify. The coin sells on April 5 and the winner will be announced shortly thereafter.

This contest is open to all U.S. citizens and participation is free.

To watch the video, see:
The Eliasberg 1898 Quarter - Guess the Price (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Dlg5FM3sL0)

Countermarks Sans Coins
David Pickup writes:

"Archaeologists have discovered a hoard of countermarks which are not with the coins. This is unusual as countermarks are usually on coins. It is believed that these were either trial strikes, the ancient countermarker could not obtain host coins to stamp, or simply the person missed the coin when stamping.

"In ancient times coins were sometimes countermarked for use by Legions or to refer to a new emperor. In these cases where only the countermark is left and not the coin – probably the ancient coin maker ran out of coins."

The Cheshire Cats of numismatics... -Editor

Wayne Homren, Editor

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com

To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum

PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE FULL ISSUE PREV FULL ISSUE

V25 2022 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE