LOOSE CHANGE: MARCH 5, 2023

Both the business and hobby of coins are both changing. Coin collecting simply isn't your grandfather's collecting anymore. Fortunately for the future, the hobby and the business are changing with the times, this being something not all other collectible fields are doing. Two speakers at the recent New York International Numismatic Convention likely didn't realize that their presentations dovetailed, illustrating not only where the hobby has come from, but where it is going.

To read the complete article, see:
Coin Collecting is Changing (https://www.numismaticnews.net/world-coins/coin-collecting-is-changing)

 

This month we will continue a visit to Western Pennsylvania to visit a town from which I just added a very nice grade large note to my collection. In rural Somerset County, southeast of Pittsburgh and close to the Maryland line, let's visit quaint Rockwood, Penn.

In the late 19th Century, Rockwood experienced significant growth as a result of the industrial revolution. The Rockwood Mill, a textile factory, was built in 1891 and attracted many workers to the area. The mill played a large role in the development of the town and in recent years was converted into the Rockwood Mill Shoppes and Opera House, which has become a tourist attraction. Rockwood also had a thriving coal industry. The Rockwood Electric Generation Station was built in 1904 and continues to operate today. It continues to be a major employer in the area.

The considerable economic activity in Rockwood resulted in the founding of not one but two national banks. The First National Bank of Rockwood, charter #5340, opened in May of 1900, a typical Gold Standard Act bank. It was closed by the receiver on April 20, 1934. In the 34 years of its operations, it issued a paltry $512,000 in notes, of which just $25,000 was outstanding at the close. I recently obtained a rather Choice XF large size note on this bank, which nicely filled my slot for this small bank. I have included a photo with this article. Note the strong signatures of J.R. Shanks, cashier, and H.F. Berkbile, president. The current census shows 5 large and 4 small notes reported, of which my large note is the finest known by far.

To read the complete article, see:
Two Banks, One Small Town (https://www.numismaticnews.net/paper-money/two-banks-one-small-town)

On February 24, the first anniversary of Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, the Ukrainian postal service released a new stamp featuring a Banksy mural and the shorthand FCK PTN! in Cyrillic. The mural, which the British street artist painted in the fall of 2022 on a bombed building northwest of Kyiv, portrays a young boy in Judo robes flipping an older man. Many speculate Banksy depicted Vladimir Putin getting body slammed, as the Russian President is reportedly a Judo practitioner.

In a press statement, the national post shared that the image is allegorical, representing the struggle between Ukraine and Russia. Our small country, compared to Russia, courageously entered into an unequal battle with the enemy and, despite all the difficulties, is fighting for the Victory, wrote Ukrposhta.

Banksy had completed seven murals in Borodyanka, including a painting of a gymnast performing a handstand in 2022. The town had been devastated by Russian forces early on in the war and was briefly occupied until Russian troops withdrew in April. The murals allude to and celebrate Ukrainians' spirit and courage during the war.

To read the complete article, see:
Ukraine Marks First Year of War With Banksy Stamp (https://hyperallergic.com/803952/ukraine-marks-first-year-of-war-with-banksy-stamp/)

 

To read earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
WAYNE'S NUMISMATIC DIARY: MAY 22, 2022 : Ukrainian Banknotes, Stamp Money, and a Famous Stamp (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n21a19.html)
UKRAINE BANKNOTE MARKS ONE YEAR OF WAR (https://www.coinbooks.org/v26/esylum_v26n09a33.html)

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