LOOSE CHANGE: APRIL 30, 2023

 

The Croatian National Bank has released its first numismatic or collector coin denominated in euros since the country adopted the single currency in January of this year. The uniquely-shaped coin is in tribute to the humble necktie, which began its existence as an integral part of Croatian culture and has had a rich and fascinating history.

The coins are produced by the Mint of Croatia at their facilities in Sveta Nedelja, on behalf of the National Bank of Croatia. Designed by Nikola Vudrag, the concept includes a two-piece strike with the gold necktie itself designed and struck separately to the outer round silver coin with a specific cut-out to accommodate the necktie. The reverse side depicts Croatian soldiers who fought under the French flag in the Thirty Years' War during the 17th century. Around their necks is a scarf, better known today as a cravat, which immediately attracted the attention of the French. The scarf caught the attention of young King Louis XIV, who started wearing the cravat, and speaks volumes about its acceptance. As with the king, all the French quickly embraced it and wore scarves around their necks à la create, meaning, in the Croatian way. The inscription À LA CROATE is included as part of the design and an homage to this iconic fashion and cultural item. Below the primary design is the text REPUBLIKA HRVATSKA 6 EURO 2023. The obverse side depicts the tie as it is worn today with a gentleman's jacket and a button-down shirt. The text which is shown on the tie itself in a diagonal direction, reads REPUBLIKA HRVATSKA 100 EURO 2023.

To read the complete article, see:
Croatia: First euro gold and silver coin celebrates the iconic necktie with unique shape (https://news.coinupdate.com/croatia-first-euro-gold-and-silver-coin-celebrates-the-iconic-necktie-with-unique-shape/)

 

Harvard students and organizers staged a protest and die-in at the Harvard Art Museums Thursday to condemn the University's connections to Arthur M. Sackler and his family, whom they charge with enabling and profiting from the opioid crisis.

In an emailed statement Thursday, Harvard spokesperson Jason A. Newton confirmed the school is reviewing a proposal to dename the two buildings, which was submitted last fall by members of the Harvard College Overdose Prevention and Education Students to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Process for Denaming Spaces, Programs, or other Entities.

The university has established a process for considering de-naming spaces, programs, or other entities. A proposal to de-name the Arthur M. Sackler Museum and the Arthur M. Sackler Building has been submitted and is currently under review, Newton wrote.

To read the complete article, see:
Student Activists Call on University to Dename Sackler Buildings at Harvard Art Museums ‘Die-In' (https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2023/4/21/sackler-denaming-protest/)

Vintage comic books and figurines fill an abandoned house discovered by urban explorer Devin Dark, who suspects the '80s and '90s merchandise is worth millions.

You walk in and immediately you can see everything stockpiled right in front, Dark, who hails from Chicago, told SWNS. It's just overwhelming. You just stand there looking at everything, not knowing what to do.

At all times throughout the entire house, there were two feet of toys on the floor going right up to my knees, he explained. I was shocked. It's not like these are things that are junk.

Dark claims the owner of the two-story house was a toy store manager who died 15 years ago after an illness.

There were ‘Star Wars' figures, Superman, Spider-Man, anything that comes to your mind when it comes to comic book superheroes or collectibles. The place had it all, he recalled. There were too many [items] to estimate. It would be overwhelming to even guess a number at that point, there's just so much left behind.

I really wouldn't know how much it's worth. There's a possibility of millions of dollars left behind, he shared, noting that it clearly wasn't about the money for the previous resident.

To read the complete article, see:
Comic book hoarder's house buried in vintage collectibles ‘worth millions' (https://nypost.com/2023/04/21/comic-book-hoarders-house-buried-in-vintage-collectibles-worth-millions/)

Police are investigating a massive gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport, a location often used to ship gold mined in the province of Ontario.

Canadian officials say more than C$20m ($15m, £12m) of gold and valuables were stolen on Monday 17 April.

An aircraft container carrying the goods arrived at the airport in the evening and was transported to a cargo holding facility.

Police believe that is where the heist took place.

The theft could mark one of the bigger heists in Canadian history, a list that includes the 2011 and 2012 Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist when 3,000 tonnes of syrup valued at $18.7m were stolen from a storage facility in Quebec.

To read the complete article, see:
Toronto airport gold heist: Police say C$20m of valuables stolen (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65328968)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: APRIL 23, 2023 : On the Philadelphia Dime Heist (https://www.coinbooks.org/v26/esylum_v26n17a10.html)

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web