TOM'S NUMISMATIC DIARY: OCTOBER 29, 2023

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V26 2023 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 26, Number 44, October 29, 2023, Article 20

Last Tuesday, October 17th, I attended the monthly meeting of my Northern Virginia Numismatic Social group, Nummis Nova. Member Tom Kays kindly provided this nicely illustrated account of the evening. Thank you! I didn't manage to get it into last week's issue, but here goes. Some great numismatic material went around the table. -Editor

Nummis Nova assembles anew at Kob Kum Thai Cuisine Restaurant in Oakton, Virginia. Here are Eric, Jon, Jonas (guest), Lorne, Steve, Daryl (our host), Wayne, Kellen (guest), Roger, and Mike. Seating designed for efficient discussion proved so cozy that just out of picture are Tom (behind the camera) and Julian hanging onto the edge of the extra table we discovered and appropriated from storage at the back of the restaurant.

The public has got to wonder what this unusual bunch is up to as they pass around strange talismans in hushed tones and speak in numismatic tongues. Arcane and obscure incantations like Trihemitetratemorion were spoken, while looking at tiny squares of cardboard with nearly invisible silver dots in the center, hailing from the very dawn of coinage itself. Large brass disks with fantastic designs resembling cave entrances in rock, and small bamboo talismans inscribed with oriental characters in plain, vanilla envelopes passed hand-to-hand, as tales of cultural significance invoked by their bringers, were debated by these hungry numismatic oracles, already feasting upon Thai-spicy oriental appetizers. Other diners must have felt the powerful magic of this coven and wisely kept distant from us.

In the quest to bring something new to these dinners to impress Nummis Nova potentates a Flying Eagle cent was offered up. ‘Ho Hum' you say? ‘Seen that' you say?

Did I mention it was dated ‘1856' making it one of approximately one thousand minted? Impressed yet? Did I mention it was graded Proof-65, Brown, by PCGS? You might be a little impressed now, but wait…did I mention it was a pattern cent of the variety: Judd-181, Pollock-211, a ‘Snow-1' die variety with tilting ONE CENT reverse with about ten examples known? Did I mention it was a prototype struck in copper, not copper-nickel, being only the second known? This was a ‘discovery piece' and likely one of the first die trials of the Flying Eagle design. OK, now even Nummis Nova regulars were impressed.

Also seen and admired were the brand new, Fall 2023 edition of the C4 Newsletter (it reaches east coasters before west coaster by mail); a pair of silver 1/48th Staters from the Lydian Kingdom (circa 564-539 BCE), and Ionia, Miletos (circa 550 – 496 BCE); a British medal by Ron Dutton, his Moon Cloud Strike in patinated bronze, (an abstract design of bird wings, lunar shapes and clouds); a 1987 British medal by Derek Morris, In Praise of Limestone in patinated bronze (celebrating the rock in the Yorkshire Dales and Cotswolds); an early 20th century uniface bronze German medal of Ella Heintz, presumably by Hans Schwergle; the current auction catalog of Vente Aux Encheres Numismatique (A Collection of a Gentleman) by MDC in Monaco; and a selection of US type coins in outstanding, uncirculated condition, not yet slabbed, including a key date 1885 ‘V' Nickel, 1916 and 1930 quarter dollars, and toned Morgan and Peace dollars.

"Among other things, I brought a nicely toned 1885 Liberty V nickel. Had a good discussion with Daryl Haynor about whether it was a business strike or a proof. Daryl finally concluded, after looking at the pictures I sent him, that is was a proof. A shame, since a business strike in nice condition is worth considerably more that a proof, despite the proof's lower mintage."

Lastly, here is an ephemeral ‘whatchamacalit' tendered after the Civil War (no longer to be termed a sutler item?) from a clothing establishment that catered to returning soldiers with empty pockets, needing civilian clothes and owed Army backpay.

This is a pre-printed paymaster ticket by H. K. Dickinson & Co., Clothier in Jackson City, Michigan to Paymaster U. S. A., for Michigan soldiers to sign away money due them from the Government after mustering out of the U. S. Army at the end of the Civil War. The U.S. Army offered a bonus of $100 for joining and $16 per month in 1865. With the war winding down the signing bonus must have been attractive.

Theodore Franklin of Eaton County, Michigan enlisted in Company K, 10th Michigan Cavalry (about a month before the end of the war) at Rives on March 6, 1865 for a one-year enlistment at 21 years old. It took him two months to report for duty, joining his regiment in Lenoir, Tennessee on June 28th, 1865 (nearly two months after the war had ended). He was mustered out at Memphis, Tennessee on November 11, 1865, and five days later had made his way back to Michigan. Shopping at H. K. Dickinson & Co., Clothier he spent a months' pay on November 16th, by signing a pre-printed pay slip against his $150 U.S. Army enlistment bounty and back pay. He endorsed the payment as follows:

As always, Nummis Nova discussions ranged far and wide, high and low, from the beginning of coinage to what happened last week, and most importantly, how much importance should be placed on all the little chili pepper icons trailing after each Thai Restaurant dish listed on the menu.