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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: Jeff Dickerson, Treasurer Numismatic Bibliomania Society P. O. Box 578, Weatherford, TX 76086 Asylum For Asylum mailing address changes and other membership questions, contact Jeff 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 February 17, 2024 Kolbe & Fanning

 

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 JANUARY 28, 2024

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 BCD sale numismatic literature highlights, five new books, a conference, one obituary, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, and more.

Other topics this week include the Lviv Museum collection, Ireland banknotes, collecting Bust Half Dollars, the maker of the U.S. Mint's first pantograph, fantasy bank bags, medallic paperweights, commemorative coin legislation, the Washington Before Boston medal, Greenbacks, and anti-Truman satirical notes.

To learn more about the Numismatic Chronicle, Savings Certificates used in India, the Britannia Nummaria conference, researcher Joe Cribb, dealer Ira S. Stein, collector William Sumner Appleton, the 2024 Newman Grants, streetcar tokens, the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation, the 1933 Chicago Illinois Worlds Fair Jewish Day, coins of the Gallic Emperors, and reassembling shredded banknotes, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

 

KOLBE & FANNING BCD LIBRARY HIGHLIGHTS

BCD Library Sale Highlights

The initial sale of material from the extraordinary BCD Library on the coinage of antiquity will be held by Kolbe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers on Saturday, February 17. The BCD Library was formed over the course of half a century, and this is reflected by both the breadth and depth of its holdings, most particularly those pertaining to ancient Greek coinage. This first auction, which can be accessed at bid.numislit.com, primarily focuses on published collections, general works, periodicals, and landmark publications.

Some highlights include:

 

Lot 81: an exceptional complete set of Hans von Fritze and Hugo Gaebler's important periodical Nomisma, bound in two volumes with the plates on hinges

Lot 168: a complete set of the 338 engraved folio plates depicting ancient coins prepared for John Jacob Gessner's 1735–1738 Specimen Rei Nummariae

Lot 106: a fine complete set of the Numismatic Chronicle (1838–2022), one of the truly great scholarly numismatic periodicals

Lot 203: Joseph Eckhel's rarely encountered 1779 folio catalogue of the Vienna Cabinet, Catalogus Musei Caesarei Vindobonensis Numorum Veterem

Lot 242: the complete plates for Visconti's extraordinary 1811–1817 Greek and Roman iconography, rendered with exceptional skill in a large folio format

Lot 325: a complete first edition set of the 29-volume Catalogue of the Greek Coins in the British Museum (1873–1927), the most comprehensive reference on the subject ever published

Lot 395: the Collection du Vicomte de Sartiges, complete with supplement, featuring 48 very fine plates of ancient Greek and Roman coins

Lot 413: the photographic record of the collection of ancient bronze coins of Magna Graecia and Sicily formed by Tom Virzi, with 2238 coins depicted on 77 original photographic plates

Lot 485: Robinson and Clement's rare and desirable work on The Chalcidic Mint, the only substantial reference on the coins of Olynthus

Lot 502: the classic work on the coins of Athens, Svoronos & Pick's 1923–1926 Trésor de la numismatique grecque ancienne : les monnaies d'Athènes.

Register early to bid online
Bids may be placed via post, email, phone, as well as online. Kolbe & Fanning use Auction Mobility as our third-party online bidding platform. Auction Mobility is an app-based platform allowing users the ability to participate in the sale through phones, tablets and computers. To register for the sale, bidders must go to bid.numislit.com and sign up. Once you have set up an account, you may browse lots, place advance bids, or participate in the live sale online. Those wishing to participate on their devices can download the Kolbe & Fanning app through the Apple or Google Play Store. The sale has also been listed on Biddr and NumisBids.

To bid and view lots, see:
https://bid.numislit.com/

To view the catalogie PDF, see:
https://numislit.cdn.bibliopolis.com/images/upload/sale169-bcd-small.pdf

The printed catalogue is being mailed to all active customers on our mailing list. As international mail speeds have been inconsistent, we encourage our foreign clients to consult the electronic catalogue in case their printed catalogue does not arrive promptly. A PDF of the printed catalogue has been posted to our main website at numislit.com for those who prefer that format. Bids placed via post, email, or phone must be received by February 16, the day before the sale, in order for them to be processed. Advance absentee bids may also be placed at any time online at bid.numislit.com. Live internet bidding will be available during the sale itself through the same platform.

Kolbe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers LLC is a licensed and bonded auction firm in the State of Ohio, and our sales are conducted by licensed auctioneers. For more information, please see the Kolbe & Fanning website at numislit.com or email David Fanning at df@numislit.com. To register for the sale, go to bid.numislit.com. We look forward to your participation.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
KOLBE & FANNING BCD LIBRARY SALE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n03a03.html)

NEW BOOK: ANCIENT COINS IN LVIV MUSEUM

The Collection of Ancient Coins in Lviv Historical Museum
ed. by A. Degler

Lviv Historical Museum
Wroclaw, Lviv, Paris 2023
ISBN: 978-83-950094-5-7
Description: hardback, 441 pp. (29,5x22,5cm), plates
Condition: new
Weight: 1455g.

Work on this book, which began in 2017, continued beyond February 24, 2022. The color of the cover and the choice of the coin on it emphasize that cultural heritage unites societies and nations in their pursuit of freedom. Polish-Ukrainian ties, tightened in the spring of 2022, will surely bring many joint scientific initiatives in the future. We hope this book will follow this trend. The assemblage of ancient coins in Lviv Historical Museum is published for the first time in its entirety thanks to the cooperation between Lviv Historical Museum and August Bielowski Scientific Society.

Polish and Ukrainian authors described various parts of the collection in accordance with the available information about their provenance. These are the coins of the Greeks, Romans and other ancient peoples, from various Lviv's public or private collections, single finds and hoards of Roman denarii from Luczyce, Przedzel, Olejów and Zbuz, as well as a part of the famous hoard from Boroczyce, discovered in 1928 in Volhynia. The collection are the few modern coins similar to the ancient ones and imitations from the workshops of the Barbarians are interesting addition to the collection.

Text in English, Ukrainian, Polish.

For more information, or to order, see:
The Collection of Ancient Coins in Lviv Historical Museum (https://www.archeobooks.com/products/the-collection-of-ancient-coins-in-lviv-historical-museum)

NEW BOOK: LOOK AT THE COINS!

Look at the Coins! Papers in Honour of Joe Cribb on his 75th Birthday
Edited by Helen Wang, Robert Bracey

Paperback
£45.00
Includes PDF

PDF eBook
(personal use)
£16.00

PDF eBook
(institutional use)
£45.00

The twenty-four contributions in Look at the Coins! reflect the vast scope of Joe Cribb's interests, including Asian numismatics, museology, poetry and art. The papers are arranged geographically, then chronologically or thematically.

The first seven papers look at coins, charms and silver currencies in or from China: Chinese coin-shaped charms, Han dynasty gold unearthed in the Tomb of the Marquis of Haihun, Jiangxi, silver in the history of Chinese currency, a metallurgical and historical study of Song dynasty coins, the Department of Iron Coins at Dongtangzi Hutong in Beijing and the only known annotated plan of a Chinese mint, the six million dollars in silver of the Canton Ransom, and a hoard of Chinese coins found in Turkey. One paper focuses on the coins and medals of the two Pahlavi Shahs of Iran.

Nine papers look at finds from ancient Central Asia and Afghanistan: coins of South Soghd in the first two centuries AD, the identity of the rider on Indo-Greek coins, the phonology of Greek names in Kharo??hi script, questions of identity and interpretation in Gandharan reliefs, first-century AD coins in stupa deposits and the beginning of the Buddhist relic cult in Afghanistan, a hoard of Kushan gold coins from Swabi, Gandharan Jatakas, Avadanas and Purvayogas, Indian imitations of Kushan coins, and a new gold coin of Vasudeva I.

Four papers relate to India: Roman coins found in India, ‘Hera?ika' in the inscriptions of the Western Deccan (c. 200 BC–300), the peck and shroff marks of sixteenth-century North India, and Henry Ernest Stapleton and the coin collection in the Heberden Coin Room, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. Two papers relate to South East Asia: one revisits the Stamford Raffles' Collections, and the other discusses a hybrid pendant found in Thailand. The last contribution celebrates some of Joe's less well-known interests: poetry, art medals and art photography.

Contents

• Look at the Coins!
• Auspiciousness in Ancient Chinese Coins – Dai Zhiqiang
• Han Dynasty Gold Currency Unearthed in the Tomb of the Marquis of Haihun, Jiangxi – Yao Shuomin
• A Thousand Glistening Years — Silver in the History of Chinese Currency – Wu Danmin
• A New Interpretation of the Jiaxiqian (Coins Containing Tin) of the Song Dynasty – Dai Jianbing, Tong Yu, Nan Fang
• Cast Iron Furnaces of Modern Diplomacy in China: The Department of Iron Coins at Dongtangzi Hutong in Beijing – Alex Chengyu Fang
• The Canton Ransom – What Happened to the Six Million Dollars of Silver? – Helen Wang
• A Hoard of Chinese Coins Found in Turkey – François Thierry
• Un dépôt monétaire chinois trouvé en Turquie – François Thierry
• Coins of Kesh with the Legend FS??G? X???S (South Soghd, Second Half of the 1st to the End of the 2nd Centuries AD) – Aleksandr Naymark
• Imperial Ambitions: Coins and Medals of the Two Pahlavi Shahs of Iran – Vesta Sarkhosh Curtis
• The Identity of the Rider on Indo-Greek Coins – Simon Glenn
• The Phonology of Greek Names in Kharo??hi Script – Stefan Baums
• Questions of Identity and Interpretation, or When is a Parrot a Goose? – Elizabeth Errington
• First-Century AD Coins in Stupa Deposits and the Beginning of the Buddhist Relic Cult in Afghanistan – Wannaporn Rienjang
• A Hoard of Kushan Gold Coins from Swabi – Pankaj Tandon
• Gandharan Jatakas, Avadanas and Purvayogas – David Jongeward
• Notes on Indian Imitations of Kushan Coins – Emilia Smagur
• A New Gold Coin of Vasudeva I with Investiture Scene – Gul Rahim Khan and Wasi Ullah
• Speculation is Futile: Reflections on 30 Years of Studies of Roman Coins Found in India – P.J. Turner
• Interrogating ‘Hera?ika' in the Inscriptions of the Western Deccan (c. 200 BC–300 AD) – Suchandra Ghosh
• Preliminary Thoughts on the Peck and Shroff Marks of Sixteenth Century North India – Robert Bracey
• Henry Ernest Stapleton and the Coin Collection in the Heberden Coin Room, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford: Impact, Importance and Insight – Sutapa Sinha
• Stamford Raffles' Collections: Entangled Objects – Alexandra Green
• Key to the Riddle of Hybrids: a Pendant from Khlong Thom – Susmita Basu Majumdar
• My Mate the Poet Joe Cribb – Stephen Sack

About the Author
Joe Cribb is a world authority in numismatics. He retired in 2010, having worked in the Department of Coins and Medals at the British Museum for over forty years, the last ten years as head of the department. Since then he has continued his research in Asian numismatics, producing over 40 publications. He is currently Adjunct Professor of Numismatics in the School of History and Culture at Hebei Normal University, Honorary Vice President of the Royal Numismatic Society, and Deputy General Secretary and member of the Editorial Board of the Oriental Numismatic Society. This volume has been prepared for his 75th birthday by friends and colleagues in appreciation of his contribution to the field, and especially for his support and guidance.

For more information, or to order, see:
Look at the Coins! Papers in Honour of Joe Cribb on his 75th Birthday (https://www.archaeopress.com/Archaeopress/Products/9781803276106)

 

BANKNOTE BOOK IRELAND CHAPTER PUBLISHED

To read the complete article, see:
Ireland chapter now available (https://banknotenews.com/?p=42767)

NEW BOOK: 2024 MRI BANKER'S GUIDE TO FOREIGN CURRENCY

The MRI Bankers' Guide to Foreign Currency

Since its first issue – published in 1990 – central and commercial banks, exchange bureaus, libraries, universities, coin dealers, travel agents, financial printers, banknote equipment makers, currency logistics and those involved in international trade rely on MRI BANKERS' GUIDE TO FOREIGN CURRENCY™ to find which currencies are used anywhere in the world, which banknotes are current, new issues and recalls, and virtually everything else they need to know about foreign currency.

In this manual, updated frequently, you'll find timely information about:

• Description of all current banknotes of all countries, with 2,200+ color pictures.
• Description of outmoded and redeemable currency, with their exchange limit date.
• Monetary units of 220+ countries.
• A brief monetary history of each country, detailing currency changes in the last eighty years.
• Usual and ISO currency codes.
• Tourist and parallel rates of exchange for every country.
• Limits on currency import and export for travelers.
• Announcements about upcoming issues and changes of monetary units.
• Warnings about mistakes to avoid.
• A pictorial guide to identify exotic currencies.
• How to verify dubious American bills by phone.

For more information, or to order, see:
https://mriguide.com/

NEW BOOK: SAVINGS CERTIFICATES USED IN INDIA

Anil Bohora writes:

 

To download the catalog in PDF format for FREE, see:
https://dl.orangedox.com/PgU4PSGTTir3pyo4kD

2024 BRITANNIA NUMMARIA CONFERENCE

The Britannia Nummaria 2024 numismatic conference will be held on Thursday 18th July 2024 in the main hall at The Guildhall, St Helen's Square in central York. A wonderful medieval riverside location. The bi-annual York Coin Fair takes place at York Racecourse on the following two days. The conference programme and registration will be available in January 2024. A precursor to this event was Moneta Britannnia 2011 and the website for this conference is still available here: https://monetabritannia2011.blogspot.com/ .

One reason for the conference is to "launch" the following numismatic books that are due to be published in 2024:

Ghey, E. (ed.) 2024. Recent Discoveries of Tetrarchic Hoards from Roman Britain and their Wider Context, British Museum Research Publication no. 236, London. Publication expected February 2024.

Cloke, H and L Toone with A Marsden, 2024. The London Mint of Constantine and Constantius, 2nd Edition, Spink, London. Publication expected March - June 2024.

Moorhead, S. 2024. Roman Imperial Coinage Vol. V, pt 5 ; Carausius and Allectus, Spink, London. Publication date to be confirmed.

The first of these includes full catalogues of the Wold Newton, Rauceby and Fyfield hoards – for further details see here: https://www.casemateuk.com/partner-publishers/british-museum-press .

We envisage the scope of the conference to be slightly broader than the Britannic/Tetrarchic period and to include other numismatic topics with links to Britannia, the Severans for example. There may be other fringe events held around the conference itself.

Registration is now open and the programme and speakers have largely been confirmed. Additional speaker information will be added shortly. Please bookmark and follow this page to ensure you are advised of any updates: https://britannianummaria2024.blogspot.com/ .

IRA S. STEIN (1940 - 2023)

Ira S. Stein
Born: 3/14/1940
Died: 7/30/2023

Ira is a 1963 graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, with a degree in photography. Over the course of his life he had many different careers. He began his entrepreneurial endeavors when he formed his own company, Starlight Studios, while still in high school. He traveled Long Island taking baby pictures for new parents Later, after graduating from RIT, he began a career as a chemist with Xerox Corporation. He quickly realized that life in the lab was not for him, and decided to pursue a career in real estate sales. He found success on this path and ultimately owned his own real estate company. After many years in real estate, he decided to turn his childhood passion for collecting coins into a third career. Ira bought and sold rare coins on the internet, and traveled the country in pursuit of inventory. In this final career, Ira found the perfect opportunity to use his skills as a photographer, salesman, and master of technology.

Ira was a lifetime member of the American Numismatic Association, and a member of the Rochester Numismatic Association since 1987. He also served as the 86th president of that club in 1998. His knowledge and helpful nature were appreciated by club members, and he was a mentor to new collectors.

Ira was a survivor of several different types of cancer, and he would offer to talk with newly diagnosed individuals. His fighting spirit and ability to overcome the odds offered hope and inspiration to many.

Ira had many interests. He was great a animal lover, having a long series of pets whom he doted upon. He was a first adopter of computer technology, beginning with owning the first Apple computer made for the public, and subsequently many later models. He delighted in performing magic tricks for his friends and grandchildren. He was well known for his comedic skills - no one could tell a joke like Ira. He was a dedicated collector of his three Cs; cameras, coins and cars. He was an influencer before that was a term, accompanying family members and friends when they were buying cars or houses. He had very strong opinions on these matters! He was a photographer in high demand at all family and friend events, even though he could exasperate his subjects as he fussed over every detail of the picture. He was quite interested in politics and the news, loving to converse about these matters.

Ira's last year of life was spent at The Friendly Home due to needing a great deal of care because of Parkinson's Disease. He was popular with the nurses, aides and all staff. He spent time there mostly watching or listening to 1950s music on TV. The family is very grateful for the attentive and loving care he received there, especially in the last week of his life.

John writes:

To read the complete article, see:
Ira S Stein 1940 - 2023 (https://harlofffuneralhome.com/tribute/details/2711/Ira-Stein/obituary.html)

 

2024 NEWMAN GRANT PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society Invites Applications for Newman Grants

The Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society (EPNNES) announces the opening of the application period for the 2024 Newman Grant program. Newman Grants are designed to financially assist numismatic authors and organizations pursuing original research in American numismatics. This program was launched in 2019 and supports research projects related to colonial numismatics, U.S. federal coinage, counterfeit detection, and other areas.

Authors, researchers, and numismatic organizations are encouraged to apply for amounts between $1,000 and $5,000. Awards may be applied toward related research costs including but not limited to photography, reproduction of research material and graphic art services, database access fees, and travel. Electronic publications will be preferred as EPNNES wishes to direct funds toward expenses specifically related to numismatic research, rather than the print publication of research. Newman Grant awardees agree to non-exclusive publication of their research on the Newman Numismatic Portal (NewmanPortal.org). EPNNES intends to make approximately half a dozen grants in 2024.

The Newman Grant program is administered for EPNNES by the Newman Numismatic Portal (NNP). Applications may be found on the Newman Numismatic Portal at https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/archivedetail/530553?Year=2024 and should be submitted to NNPCurator@wustl.edu. The application deadline is April 15, 2024, with the grant awards to be announced on May 25, 2024, coincident with the late Eric P. Newman's birthday.

It is the hope of EPNNES that this program will continue the legacy of Eric P. Newman in a way that would reflect his high standards for numismatic research.

VIDEO: BUST HALF COLLECTING

Bust Half Collecting for the Serious Collector

This literal pantheon of top numismatists discusses the more esoteric aspects of collecting Bust half dollars covering such topics as, Bust Half Dollar Die State Studies, Multi-Struck Bust Halves, and Pictorial Attribution Technique of Bust Halves. Brad Karoleff discusses new areas of investigation for Bust half die marriages and explains the value of a good reference library. David Finkelstein talks about the hair curls on the coins of 1812 in die emission sequence and what other information can be determined. Glenn Peterson gives a quiz on die varieties using examples of the most prominent and desirable coins. He explains why Overton is not always the best source for identification. This tape is a must for any advanced collector. Lecture with slides.

Speaker(s): Brad Karoleff, Dave Finkelstein, & Dr. Glenn Peterson.

To watch the complete video, see:
Bust Half Collecting for the Serious Collector (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/560337)

 

PNG 2024 ANA SUMMER SEMINAR SCHOLARSHIPS

The Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.org) again will provide a scholarship to a deserving young numismatist (YN) to attend one of the four-day sessions of the American Numismatic Association (www.money.org) 2024 Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

We are delighted to continue our long tradition of providing a YN scholarship for the popular, annual ANA educational programs. The PNG scholarship will cover airfare, tuition for one of the two 2024 Summer Seminar sessions, meals, and dormitory accommodations on the campus of Colorado College, adjacent to the ANA headquarters, said PNG Executive Director John Feigenbaum.

All young numismatists between the ages of 13 and 22 are eligible to enter and are cordially invited to apply for the scholarship, but time is short. Entrants must submit a short essay outlining why they should be chosen as this year's scholarship recipient. The deadline for receipt of the entries is Friday, March 29, 2024, explained Feigenbaum.

Entries must include the applicant's name and contact information. The essays can be sent by email to info@PNGdealers.org or by mail to the PNG Executive Director, 27890 Clinton Keith Rd., Suite D141, Murrieta CA 92562.

The two separate ANA Summer Seminar four-day sessions will be held from Sunday, June 16, to Wednesday, June 19, and from Sunday, June 23, to Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Participants ranging from teenagers to seniors take class instruction on specific coin and paper money collecting topics or the hobby's technical and business aspects.

Additional information about the ANA Summer Seminar can be found on the ANA website at www.money.org/summer-seminar.

The PNG is a nonprofit organization composed of many of the top rare coin and paper money dealers in the United States and four other countries. PNG member-dealers must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics in the buying and selling of numismatic merchandise.

For additional information about PNG or the young numismatists scholarship program, visit online at www.PNGdealers.org or call (951) 587-8300.

PORTRAIT LATHE MAKER CLAUDE CONTAMIN

The Identity of Contamin, maker of the U.S. Mint's Portrait Lathe

In last week's E-Sylum, Contamin is mentioned as a maker of a pantograph engraving machine obtained from France and used by the US Mint in the 1830s. Contamin's first name and other details about him are indicated to be unknown. I decided to see if I could determine more information about Contamin. I did some digging and then independently came up with the same possibility, which David Powell wrote about in the March 22, 2020, E-Sylum - perhaps Contamin is Vincent Contamin, and this Contamin was the individual who later invented and sold piano chairs.

I dug deeper to find direct evidence of this hypothesis and now feel confident that Contamin of the pantograph fame is not Vincent Contamin, but Claude Contamin (1806-1876) and that he is indeed the same person who sold piano chairs.

In the 1844 Paris Exposition M. Contamin was awarded a bronze medal for his piano stool design. The jury report states that (via Google translate): In the construction of a simple piano stool M Contamin was able to show his ability as a mechanic, a capacity already well demonstrated in 1839 by the construction of a very good, perfected portrait lathe and which earned him a bronze medal.

After much searching, I was finally able to locate Contamin's first name in an 1842 French patent listing for a piano chair.

I also found a death notice for Claude Contamin on Ancestry.com that indicated he died in Paris at the age of 70, on March 29, 1876. He was described as a mécanicien, and this is the same title Contamin gave himself in his advertisements and on the token discovered by David Powell.

One other piece of info I had to link the Portrait Lathe Contamin to the Piano Chair Contamin is in the 1842 France business almanac Contamin is listed with the address of 14 rue Salle au Comte, as a mécanicien and also a maker of a "Tour à portrait." This is the same address listed in his ad for piano chairs.

The A in the circle symbol indicates he won a silver medal.

Julia adds:

To read the original 1844 Paris Exposition report, see:
Rapport du Jury central ... 1844

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: MARCH 22, 2020 : Vincent Contamin, Contamin Pantograph Inventor? (https://www.coinbooks.org/v23/esylum_v23n12a16.html)
REDUCTION MACHINES AT THE U.S. MINT (https://www.coinbooks.org/v23/esylum_v23n11a13.html)
VOCABULARY TERM: PANTOGRAPH, PART TWO (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n03a10.html)

NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: JANUARY 28, 2024

Tom Caldwell's Work as a Mentor
James Ricks of Atlas Numismatics writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
TOM CALDWELL INTERVIEW, PART ONE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v26/esylum_v26n53a15.html)
TOM CALDWELL INTERVIEW, PART TWO (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n01a16.html)
TOM CALDWELL INTERVIEW, PART THREE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n02a14.html)
TOM CALDWELL INTERVIEW, PART FOUR (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n03a12.html)

John Adams Remembers Peter Mitchell
John Adams writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
PETER DAVID MITCHELL (1933-2024) (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n03a04.html)

Fred Holabird Remembers Rex Stark
In an email to clients this week, Fred Holabird wrote about the late Rex Stark:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
REXFORD ADDISON STARK (1947-2023) (https://www.coinbooks.org/v26/esylum_v26n52a06.html)

Missouri Numismatic Society DANSCO Album
Chris Sutter writes:

Justin writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
DANSCO LIBRARY AND PRESERVATION UPDATE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n03a09.html)

More on the 1899 Peru Counterfeit Dinero

Regarding the contemporary counterfeit 1899 Peruvian dinero, Bob Shippee writes:

Arthur Shippee writes:

Bob responds:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
THE COIN THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n01a20.html)

San Francisco Municipal Railroad Tokens
Thomas Lovelace writes:

Video: America's Golden Age
Michael Wehner of the Pacific Coast Numismatic Society writes:

America's Golden Age: Private and Pioneer Gold Coins 1786–1862
by Dr. Donald Kagin & David McCarthy

Don and David take us on a tour of pioneer gold coins via timeline as detailed in their new book.

To watch the video, see:
America's Golden Era: Private and Pioneer Gold Coins 1786–1862 by Dr. Donald Kagin & David McCarthy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azTp7le0t8I)

Mint Packing Slip Snafu
Steve Rush writes:

FANTASY BANK BAGS FOR SALE

As an indication of the popularity of bag collecting, promoters have started to produce fantasy bags for sale on eBay. Shown on this page are bags for the Carson City Mint, Bank of Tombstone, Arizona, and Bank of Virginia City.

The seller claims, These are Printed on Authentic Bank Money Bags 9" wide and 17" tall and are made of Natural Heavy Duty Canvas with Tie Straps. What does it mean that they are printed on Authentic Bank Money Bags? It means they bought the same unprinted canvas bags that anyone can buy from various vendors. These are fantasy designs meaning they have not reproduced actual designs used by these banks.

 

To read the complete issue on the Newman Portal, see:
Journal of the Old Bag Collectors Club Vol. II, no. 1. Edited by Pete Smith. (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/publisherdetail/549372?Year=2024&displayAmt=50)

VOCABULARY TERM: PAPERWEIGHT

Paperweight. A medallic item intended for use on desktops to hold down paper. Usually fairly heavy in weight and large size, metal paperweights sometimes have half-ball or square feet (2 to 4) on the reverse. Or, if no feet, paperweights often have a felt backing. Often medallic paperweights are uniface, and if they are unusual shape they do not have sharp corners (and often have rounded edges). A large paperweight – always a medallion – is called a letterweight. Since any large medallic item could be used to hold down papers, a paperweight is usually not designated as such unless intended in some way. Thus the reverse feet or felt backing are often the only characteristic of a purely paperweight item. See half ball feet.

Some glass paperweights have a medallic connection in that medals were used as their model. Called sulphides, these objects usually contained the portraits or other devices modeled from the bas-relief medal design. Only infrequently did their makers include the lettering. Collectors and museum curators like to match up the medal and the sulphide or paperweight to display together (as an associated item).

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Paperweight (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516456)

WILLIAM SUMNER APPLETON (1840-1903)

Last week I read a book; this week I read a periodical. The item was Memoir of William Sumner Appleton, A.M. by Charles C. Smith in Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Volume XXXVII, Oct. 1903, pages 516-527. Here are some excerpts:

The published memoir includes an extensive description of six trips to Europe and of his many publications on genealogy. I have always liked Appleton because of the charming portrait published with the memoir. It was also published in the American Journal of Numismatics at about the same time.

The first sale from his collection was conducted by Charles Steigerwalt on May 21, 1907. This was composed of Canadian and British coins and medals. The second sale was conducted by Steigerwalt on January 18, 1910. This included ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian coins. Lot 232 was a collection of 259 coins from Alexandria. Lot 259 was a collection of 247 Roman Family Denarii.

Thomas Elder sold coins and medals from Appleton in his 81st sale on July 8 & 9, 1913. The sale began with a long run of world medals including strong groups of the medals of Luther and of Napoleon. It is unfortunate that Appleton did not leave a journal of his travels and records of his purchases. The collection shows what could be acquired by someone with free time, unlimited funds and a love of the cultural articles of history.

When Thomas Elder promoted his auction of the Appleton library, he stated This collection of Books is the largest ever offered in the United States. The sale was conducted May 10, 1913, with 414 lots. Many lots of periodicals were sold in group lots.

The Massachusetts Historical Society did not have adequate resources to provide security for the coins and to make them available for research. Some had gone missing by 1920. Eventually they put the coins in a bank vault where they were not available to anyone. The coins were consigned to Stack's for a series of six auctions conducted over 1970 to 1976.

Samuel Appleton appears on a medal struck at the U. S. Mint for the Massachusetts Historical Society. (Julian AM-43) Samuel Appleton was the uncle of William Sumner Appleton.

CANADA'S SNOWFLAKE PHOTOGRAPHER

What's more Canadian than a snowflake?

Don Komarechka reflects that sentiment as an artist on the new $20 Canadian coin, which is as unique as a snowflake.

The pure silver hexagon coin with crystal features the former Barrie resident's stellar dendrite (tree-like) snowflake on one side, and the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, by Susanna Blunt, on the other.

I think that seeing a snowflake … those times you look out on the yard or the lake and you can see it's glistening, it's sparkling a little bit … to know that every one of those little sparkles is something as unbelievably beautiful as what is on that coin, Komarechka said.

It's the Royal Canadian Mint's first hexagon coin and features a sparkling snow crystal.

Komarechka — who now lives in Bulgaria with his wife, Desislava, and their seven-year-old daughter, Danika — bills himself as a nature, macro and landscape photographer.

His snowflakes have graced two other Canadian coins, one issued in 2017 and the other in 2018.

And it began in Barrie, where almost all of his snowflake photos have been taken.

Originally from Sudbury, Komarechka spent his formative years in Barrie after high school, is a former president of Barrie Photo Club and has sat on its executive.

The actual gear kind of makes you feel like you're holding a microscope outside. It's all done hand-held, he said. You get to see all the shadows and all the textures among the surface (of the snowflake), which makes a great transition to an engraving on a coin."

To read the complete article, see:
'Unbelievably beautiful': Here's the story behind the snowflake on new $20 coin (https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/local-news/unbelievably-beautiful-heres-the-story-behind-the-snowflake-on-new-20-coin-8102807)

NEW LEADERSHIP AT ACEF

Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation elects new leaders

A new board of directors comprised of well-known and respected leaders in the numismatic community has been elected to guide the non-profit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation, Inc.

John Albanese is the new president. Officers serving with him include Barry Stuppler, vice president; Beth Deisher, secretary; and Ian Russell, treasurer. Also serving as directors are Don Bonser, John Dannreuther, Steve Ivy, David McCarthy, Mary Sauvain, Ute Wartenberg Kagan, Fred Weinberg, Reid Wolf, and Jack Young.

The new board took over the reins of responsibility Jan. 1.

Our new ACEF Board is committed to revitalizing the foundation's mission, which is to assist and provide educational training to law enforcement at all levels who are seeking to combat the flow of counterfeit coins and paper money entering the United States as well as to alert dealers, collectors, and investors in the numismatic marketplace of the deceptive means counterfeiters are employing to entice them to unknowingly purchase fakes, Albanese said.

Albanese added: ACEF can't do this alone. We need the numismatic community's support. Our work is funded entirely by donations.

Originally a task force working under the umbrella of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets in 2017, ACEF became a 501(3)(C) non-profit corporation with Public Charity status in 2018. From the fall of 2019 through December 2023 the Professional Numismatists Guild supplied administrative support to the foundation. Beginning in January 2024 ACEF is no longer dependent upon another organization for administrative support.

For news and informative articles as well as information on how to donate, visit ACEF's website: acefonline.org.

REPLACE PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL WITH A COIN?

PETA is offering to send a giant gold coin to replace Punxsutawney Phil.

The animal rights organization wrote a letter to The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's president saying they'd send a giant coin in exchange for Phil's release to a reputable sanctuary.

Using multiple coin toss puns, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk points out in her letter that Phil's predictions are correct about 40% of the time, so flipping a coin would give a more accurate forecast.

"Groundhogs can't make heads or tails of the weather forecast and shouldn't be jostled around by large members of a different species and thrust in front of noisy crowds for a photo op," Newkirk said in a news release. "PETA is urging The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club to send Phil to a reputable sanctuary that will give him the care he needs and not to treat him as a wildlife prop."

PETA calls Groundhog Day inhumane, saying groundhogs are highly intelligent animals that enjoy burrowing, exploring and hibernating -- activities Phil can't do in the small enclosure where he's kept.

To read the complete article, see:
PETA offers to replace Punxsutawney Phil with giant gold coin (https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/peta-replace-punxsutawney-phil-giant-coin-groundhog-day/)

This offer is not the first time PETA has tried to replace Phil. Previous offers from the organization included a human replacement for Phil, who would live in his small enclosure and take his place making unscientific weather predictions, and planting a persimmon tree, whose seeds are believed by some farmers to indicate the weather ahead. PETA says both of those offers still stand, alongside their new coin offer.

Groundhog Day is on February 2, 2024.

To read the complete article, see:
PETA Wants to Replace Punxsutawney Phil with a Giant Gold Coin (https://phl17.com/phl17-news/peta-wants-to-replace-punxsutawney-phil-with-a-giant-gold-coin/)

CLEMENTE COMMEMORATIVE COIN CONSIDERED

Pittsburgh Pirates great Roberto Clemente may be honored on a commemorative coin if a measure currently before Congress is approved.

U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-New York, joined local Reps. Chris Deluzio and Guy Reschenthaler in introducing legislation that would require the secretary of the treasury to mint commemorative coins honoring the legendary baseball star.

The Hall of Famer was described in the bill as a legend in life and death, a baseball star, a humanitarian activist, and a symbol of Latin American pride.

Roberto Clemente Jr. told TribLive news partner WTAE that Espaillat, the bill's primary sponsor, is a big fan of Clemente.

We're very happy that he did make the move, and we're hoping that it will pass, and I think it will, he said.

If Congress approves the measure, the treasury will mint $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins and half-dollar coins bearing a depiction of Clemente. The designs would need to be approved by Clemente's living family members, as well as the Roberto Clemente Foundation and the Commission of Fine Arts.

To read the complete article, see:
Congress considers commemorative coin honoring Roberto Clemente (https://triblive.com/sports/congress-considers-minting-commemorative-coin-in-honor-of-roberto-clemente/)

To read the complete article, see:
Congressional medal legislation awaiting possible action (https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/congressional-medal-legislation-awaiting-possible-action)

NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: JANUARY 28, 2024

1797 Capped Bust Right Eagle

The mintage for the 1797 Small Eagle provided in most numismatic references is 3,615 coins, based on Walter Breen's 1988 assertion that the 3,615 eagles delivered from March 25 through May 2, 1797, were of this issue. Based on a more exhaustive study of die states, emission sequences, and coins extant, John W. Dannreuther provides an estimated mintage of 1,250 to 3,615 coins for the 1797 Small Eagle in his 2006 early gold coin reference. The 1797 is the scarcest date in the Capped Bust Right, Small Eagle ten-dollar gold series of 1795 to 1797. At least one 1796 is known to have been struck after all known 1797 Small Eagle coins, a conclusion based on the presence of a reverse die crack from the border through the right side of the letter O in OF to the wreath. Whether a remarriage for the 1797 Small Eagle is also known is pending discovery of an example of this date with that reverse die crack. Sure to be a highlight of a highly regarded numismatic cabinet, this piece comes highly recommended.

To read the complete item description, see:
1797 Capped Bust Right Eagle. Small Eagle. BD-1, Taraszka-7. Rarity-5. AU-58 (PCGS). (https://stacksbowers.com/product/1797-capped-bust-right-eagle-small-eagle-bd-1-taraszka-7-rarity-5-au-58-pcgs/)

1862 $50 Virginia Treasury Note

1862 Cr.7 $50 Virginia Treasury Richmond VA Obsolete Banknote PCGS CAU55 PPQ

To read the complete lot description, see:
1862 Cr.7 $50 Virginia Treasury Richmond VA Obsolete Banknote PCGS CAU55 PPQ (https://www.ebay.com/itm/155289564878)

1933 George V 'Wreath' Crown

George V (1910-36),0.500 silver Wreath Type Crown, 1933, bare head left, BM raised on truncation for engraver Bertram Mackennal, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX,rev.Imperial crown, date above, emblematic wreath surrounding of roses, shamrocks and thistles, small K.G. to right of lowest rose for engraver Kruger Gray, denomination in words at bottom, Latin legend surrounding, .FID. .DEF. .IND. .IMP., weight 28.27g (Bull 3644; ESC 374 R2; Davies 1636; S.4036).Toned with usual touch of wear to high points and abrasion on cheek, otherwise extremely fine.

Mintage 7,132 struck.

The legends translate across both sides of these denominations as "George the Fifth by the grace of God, King of all the Britains, Defender of the Faith, Emperor of India."

The Wreath Crown design by Kruger Gray was much admired and the type design continued in succeeding years at the request of the Bank of England who liked to stock them at Christmas time to present to good clients, hence why the mintages were always quite small for the normal currency pieces. Bertram Mackennal (later knighted) was the Australian engraver responsible for the obverse design.

To read the complete item description, see:
George V 1933 'Wreath' Crown, mintage 7,132 struck for Christmas 1933 (https://www.sovr.co.uk/products/george-v-1933-wreath-crown-mintage-7132-struck-for-christmas-1933-hm32991)

1933 Chicago Worlds Fair Jewish Day Token

1933 Chicago Illinois Worlds Fair Souvenir Token. 1933 Jewish Day Chicago A Century Of Progress. The Romance Of A People.

To read the complete lot description, see:
1933 Chicago Illinois Worlds Fair Token Jewish Day Hebrew Star Of David Moses (https://www.ebay.com/itm/386649708586)

Anti-Semitic Over-printed Banknote

Third Reich Anti-Semitic over-printed inflation banknote.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Third Reich Anti-Semitic over-printed inflation banknote. UK... (https://www.easyliveauction.com/catalogue/lot/
a9b1f3a89934336619347f4ada49f796/0af8d24542e81eb9357e7ef448a6646f/
warrington-northwich-auction-lot-2100/)

COINS OF THE GALLIC EMPERORS

FOR FOURTEEN YEARS during the late third century (260 – 274 CE), the western provinces of the Roman Empire maintained a separate state independent of Rome. Rulers of this so-called Gallic Empire issued coinage that was often of better metal and workmanship than Rome was producing.

In the Spring of 260, the Sassanian Persian ruler Shapur I disastrously defeated the Roman emperor Valerian in battle. When this news reached the legions on the Rhine frontier, they proclaimed Postumus, the military governor of the German provinces, as emperor, in opposition to Valerian's son, Gallienus.

Postumus

Postumus, 261 CE, Treveri Mint. AV Aureus. Image: British Museum.

Preoccupied with threats in the East, Gallienus lacked the strength to fight Postumus and reluctantly accepted his breakaway empire. A capable administrator, Postumus organized his regime on classic Roman lines, with its own Senate and an extensive coinage of gold aurei (73 types), alloy antoniniani (108 types; often described as radiates because of the radiant spiked crown on the imperial portrait) and bronze sestertii (73 types).

Frequently reproduced (for example, on the dust jacket of David Sear's Roman Coins and Their Values, Volume III) a unique gold aureus of Postumus bears a remarkably sensitive facing head of the emperor, turned slightly to the left, work of a talented master engraver. Gifted to the British Museum in 1864 by the collector Edward Wigan (1823-1871) this coin is described as the finest portrait executed on a Roman coin in the 3rd century. The reverse, evidently the work of a less skilled hand (reverse dies wore out more quickly, and were often assigned to apprentices), shows the emperor seated, with a Latin inscription celebrating the dutiful generosity of emperor Postumus. This was probably a special issue intended for distribution to officers and members of the elite. The coin was crudely pierced in antiquity.

Postumus, 260 – 269 Aureus, Cologne 261. Image: NAC.

Another very rare gold aureus struck at Köln, bears a more conventional profile portrait wearing a laurel wreath. On the reverse are three heads of the sun god Sol, wearing his signature radiate crown. This may represent the three provinces of Roman Gaul: Belgica, Lugdunensis, and Aquitania. The simple inscription is AETERNITAS (Eternity).

To read the complete article, see:
Breakaway Empire: Coins of the Gallic Emperors (https://coinweek.com/breakaway-empire-coins-of-the-gallic-emperors/)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
WAYNE'S NUMISMATIC DIARY JANUARY 21, 2024 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n03a20.html)

WASHINGTON BEFORE BOSTON MEDAL

Fort Ticonderoga, on the west bank of Lake Champlain, was taken by American forces under Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold in May 1775. Once Washington began assembling his plans to push the British out of Boston, it became evident that the 59 British cannons captured at Ticonderoga represented the nearest American-held artillery - and those cannons were 300 miles away.

Fortunately, Washington's army included an amateur engineer (and professional bookseller) from Boston named Henry Knox, who had familiarized himself with fortifications and cannon during the early days of the campaign. Knox, just 25 years old, impressed Washington enough that the General gave Knox command of an expedition to deliver the guns of Ticonderoga to Boston. Knox left on November 17, 1775, and arrived at Fort Ticonderoga on December 5. The winter weather was brutal on Washington's troops, but welcome beneath the oxen hooves and the sleighs that Knox used to carry 60 tons of iron eastward. Knox took the guns south to Albany, then east to Boston, arriving in Cambridge on January 27, 1776.

The cannon were not originally intended for Dorchester Heights, a high ground that looked down on Boston from the south, but that's where they ended up - and they ended up there all in one night. Under cover of darkness, with the view somewhat blocked by hay bales and other temporary fortifications, Washington's men humped the big guns to the top of the Heights. On the morning of March 5, the British forces awoke to an unimaginable sight: the high ground fortified, the guns of Ticonderoga looming, and their own position under grave threat. Washington had overseen the seemingly impossible, and made the dug-in occupation of the British in Boston indefensible. The British commander on the scene, General William Howe, is supposed to have said "My God, these fellows have done more work in one night than I could make my army do in three months."

When the British artillery erupted on the night of March 9, it was clear to all present that the noisy cannonade was a cover for evacuation. It took ten days for the entire occupation force to leave. After they left, it took Congress less than a week to vote to award their very first ever medal to the man who oversaw the bloodless triumph that saved Boston.

By rights, this medal could just as easily depict the stout Henry Knox, whose image is measurably less easy on the eyes than Antoine Houdon's elegant bust of the godlike Washington. While Washington conceived the plan for the siege of Boston, only Knox's dashing-through-the-snow derring-do enabled the Commander-in-Chief to push Howe's army out to sea.

Du Simitière produced a nice design and was paid for it by the Continental Congress. It was never produced. As Congress moved on to prosecuting a full-fledged war against the most powerful nation on the planet, Washington's medal was back-burnered by every committee assigned to it. Eventually, Benjamin Franklin, serving as the minister plenipotentiary to France, was asked to help in September 1779. Franklin dropped the ball, succeeding in obtaining only De Fleury's medal for Stony Point and his pet medallic project, the Libertas Americana medal. Time passed, and David Humphreys was asked to pick the medal project back up in the summer of 1784. He arrived in Paris soon thereafter, set to work, and by the spring of 1785 had successfully nailed down designs and inscriptions from the Academie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres in Paris. Washington's medal, along with those for Horatio Gates and Nathanael Greene, was finally coming along.

Humphreys wrote to Washington with an update on May 10, 1785, describing the designs and inscriptions the medal would feature. "I think it has the character of simplicity & dignity which is to be aimed at in a memorial of this kind, which is designed to transmit the remembrance of a great event to posterity," Humphreys wrote, adding "you really do not know how much your name is venerated on this side the Atlantic." The next letter Humphreys sent to Washington from Paris, dated July 17, 1785, noted that "M. Houdon" was set "to depart for Mt Vernon" from Paris, with the help of Thomas Jefferson. Jean-Antoine Houdon and three assistant sculptors arrived at Mount Vernon on October 2, 1785 to produce a statue of Washington that had been commissioned by the state of Virginia. Houdon took a life mask during his two week stay, then returned to Paris to complete the project. Humphreys updated Jefferson on Washington's medal on January 30, 1786, noting "there is no obstacle to commencing the medal for Gen. Washington, since Houdon's return, etc."

While Humphreys apparently inquired with Augustin Dupre about accomplishing the Washington medal, the duty of executing the Houdon bust and other design elements fell to Benjamin Duvivier, who finally finished the dies in the spring of 1789. He was paid 3,600 livre tournois, more than twice the sum he received for the Cowpens medals for Howard and William Washington, and more than the 2,400 livre tournois Dupre was paid for each of the medals to be given to Daniel Morgan and John Paul Jones. The completed gold Washington medal was displayed at the Salon of 1789 that summer in Paris, then hand carried to the United States by Thomas Jefferson in October 1789.

To read the complete entry, see:
Betts-542 1776 Washington Before Boston Medal (https://stacksbowers.com/coin-resource-center/coin/betts-542-washington-before-boston/)

GOLD NOBEL PRIZE MEDAL EBAY FIND

The Nobel Prize Medal in Physiology or Medicine RARE USA Swedish With Case
good gift for a young doctor

Weight : 1Oz, Size : 40mm, Base Material : Bronze.Gold Content : Heavily Gold Layered.Thickness : 3mm.The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1962 was awarded jointly to Francis Harry Compton Crick, James Dewey Watson and Maurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins "for their discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material."

This is a Gold Coin Commemorating the Nobel Prize Medal Awarded to their Discovery. The 1962 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine awarded to Dr. Francis Harry Compton Crick, along with Drs. James Dewey Watson and Maurice Hugh Frederick Wilkins, for …their discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material, or what would become known as DNA, sold on April 11, 2013, for $2.27+ million (including Buyer's Premium) as the highlight of Heritage Auctions' Historical Manuscripts Signature Auction at the Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion. The discovery of the structure of DNA launched a scientific revolution and forever changed human understanding of life, said Sandra Palomino, Director of Historical Manuscripts for Heritage Auctions. Crick's initials are engraved on the reverse of the medal, along with the year of the prize, 1962, presented in Roman numerals: F. H. C. Crick/MCMLXII.

John added:

John writes:

To read a New York Times article about obituary pirates, see:
He Died in a Tragic Accident. Why Did the Internet Say He Was Murdered? (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/25/nyregion/obituary-pirates-matteo-sachman.html)

To read the complete eBay lot description, see:
The Nobel Prize Medal in Physiology or Medicine RARE USA Swedish With Case (https://www.ebay.com/itm/355140499186)

To read the complete Heritage lot description, see:
Francis H. C. Crick Nobel Prize Medal and Nobel Diploma.... (Total: 2 Items) (https://historical.ha.com/itm/miscellaneous/ephemera/francis-h-c-crick-nobel-prize-medal-and-nobel-diploma-total-2-items-/a/6093-34001.s)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
FRANCIS CRICK'S 1962 GOLD NOBEL PRIZE MEDAL TO BE AUCTIONED (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n09a34.html)

 

THE DECISION TO ISSUE GREENBACKS

In one of the most momentous developments of the Civil War, the U.S. -- which had not had a national currency of any type to that point -- elected to begin printing currency. It was a highly contested decision, and yet that currency, which came to be called greenbacks, was a key early part of the successful financing of that war:

"In the desperate winter of 1861-1862, the financial crisis threatened to halt the Union armies. The Treasury was empty; the banks had suspended; the government had no currency. Chase had few ideas, other than a labored program for bank reform. Almost by default, the Republican Congress seized the initiative. The most likely vehicle for financial resuscitation was the House Ways and Means Committee. Ways and Means had two subcommittees. One dealt with revenue, but revenue legislation was unlikely to provide help in the near term. The other subcommittee, on currency, was chaired by Elbridge Spaulding of New York State. Spaulding had been working on Chase's proposal to reform the banks, but when the banks went off gold, Spauld­ing realized there would not be time. He himself was an investor and director in Bank of Attica and the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank, both in Buffalo. In the 1860s, it was not uncommon for representatives to tailor legislation affecting personal investments. Spaulding, who had been a popular Whig mayor before running for Congress, was untrou­bled by any idea of conflict of interest. He simply reckoned that the banking channel was stuck and it was in the public interest -- also in his private interest -- to unstick it. On December 30, 1861, with the Union nearly overwhelmed by fiscal problems, Spaulding reported another bill -- for a government currency.

"In theory, Spaulding could have proposed more of the Treasury demand notes, but as we have seen, the demand notes were refused in some quarters. Spaulding wanted a universally acceptable currency that the Treasury could use to pay for the war. His bill was revolutionary. As if by a conjurer's trick, it authorized the Treasury to print United States Notes to distribute to soldiers, suppliers, and others. The catch was that, unlike virtually every other bill in circulation, Spaulding's notes would not be redeemable for silver or gold. This meant the gov­ernment would not be constrained by the supply of metal; it could print as much as it liked, or at any rate as much as Congress authorized.

"And Spaulding's notes would not pay interest. Today, we scarcely pause to consider that the money in our wallets does not yield a return. After all, it is 'money.' In 1861, virtually all government paper did pay interest. That was the inducement for holding it. Finally, Spaulding's paper would not have a maturity date. This, too, was unusual. A matu­rity date was a pledge that the paper could be exchanged for something of value at a specified time. But these notes would not be redeemable. They were issued for perpetuity.

"To the Civil War mind, these features were both shocking and blasphemous. Several years before the war, a Boston merchant named Sam­uel Hooper had published Currency or Money, a tract that had considered -- and denounced -- such a currency. Hooper did not mince words. 'They [paper bills] are not money,' he wrote disdainfully. 'They are, in fact, only promises to pay money.' The son of a shipper in Mar­blehead, Massachusetts, Hooper had learned finance at a counting­house on State Street in Boston, and then become a prosperous businessman, trading in the Pacific Northwest and China. A savvy appraiser of financial risk, he had written that paper money was no more like the real thing than a contract to deliver flour was flour itself 'Paper money possesses no intrinsic value,' Hooper had patiently explained. 'It has only a derivative or secondary value, founded upon the good credit of those who issue it.'

"What, then, was Spaulding proposing to offer-if not an interest payment and not redemption at a maturity date -- to induce people to take his currency? Spaulding's U.S. Notes would be 'legal tender' ­they would be money by proclamation, that is, by government fiat. They would suffice for all debts and commercial exchanges; acceptance would be compulsory and universal.

"The legal tender debate was among the most profound of the war. Opponents maintained, and firmly believed, that issuing paper would cause a ruinous inflation. Thus far, inflation in the North had been relatively modest. But legislators were well aware that war currencies had come a cropper in the past, including in America during the Revo­lutionary War and in Britain and France during the Napoleonic era. Congressmen frequently quoted the Founding Fathers; all had been skeptical -- if not dead set against -- paper money.

To read the complete article, see:
THE DECISION TO ISSUE GREENBACKS -- 1/22/24 (https://www.delanceyplace.com/view-archives.php?p=4718)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NEW BOOK: WAYS AND MEANS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n10a05.html)

ANTI-TRUMAN SCRIP OF 1952

Of the three pieces of scrip, the Truman Dollar is the most enigmatic note. The front features a rather ungainly building that may be a rendering of the proposed Truman presidential library. Despite featuring the denomination 100, the note is labeled Good for One Red Herring, a reference to Truman's dismissive reaction, in 1948, to the House Un-American Activities Committee investigation into communist influence in the government, which he termed a red herring meant to distract the American public from congressional inaction on the President's domestic priorities. Above that are the words, Made for Womans [sic] Brigade for Eisenhower.

Dating from March of 1952, just around the time that Truman announced his intention not to run, the Inflation Certificate made something of a splash when it appeared, attracting newspaper commentary around the country and even some hostile scrutiny from the Secret Service, which objected to its anti-Truman parody of the U.S. dollar. Like their anti-LBJ product the Bettor Deal Certificate that would appear twelve years later, Edwin James Mantooth and Graves Nellis (Jack) Fulshear affected a yuk-yuk style of satirical humor that piled on reference after reference to Truman Administration peccadillos. In their overall effect, their notes were quite similar to the novelty currency put out at the time by another Houstonian, Leo Urban Luke Kaiser, the owner of Premier Printing. An amateur magician and something of a jokester, Kaiser and his company produced a wide variety of gag money over the years, typically in exaggerated sizes, that made affectionate fun of their topics, notably the State of Texas. Unlike Mantooth and Fulshear, Kaiser steered clear of politics.

To read the complete article, see:
The Buck Stops Here: Anti-Truman Scrip of 1952 (https://spmc.org/blog/buck-stops-here-anti-truman-scrip-1952)

COMPUTER VISION REASSEMBLES SHREDDED BANK NOTES

The fate of old notes is a critical issue for central banks that oversee their disposal. These notes cannot be thrown away like ordinary rubbish. Instead, central banks have developed standards to ensure the disposal is safe and secure.

This often involves a type of shredding that slices each note into hundreds of tiny pieces, each typically smaller than about thirty square millimeters. The shredded paper, or increasingly plastic, can then be disposed of, or recycled, off site.

Some central banks have even taken to selling shredded banknotes as souvenirs. And this raises the question of whether it is possible to reassemble the notes and reclaim them at face value.

Clearly manual re-assembly is a challenging task. But now Chung Kong, a PhD student at Hong Kong University, has shown that computer vision can help reassemble shredded notes at least partially.

Kong became intrigued after noticing that the Hong Kong Monetary Authority visitor center sells souvenir paperweights filled with shredded notes. Each paperweight, it says, contains the remains of 138 notes each worth HDK 1000 (equivalent to just over $100).

Kong imagined that, when reassembled, the notes ought to be worth HDK138,000. A tempting amount. And since computer vision systems can already solve jigsaw puzzles, he began the task of testing whether such a system might help reassemble a complete note.

Kong's approach was straightforward. He first scanned complete versions of the HDK1000 notes to create ground truth images. He then broke open the paperweights, scanned each shredded piece, and cropped it to a rectangular form. Finally, he used a machine vision system to match the pattern on the shredded piece to a location on the ground truth image.

This process was hugely successful. It appears to be straightforward for a computer to find these locations.

However, there is another crucial step that Kong does not deal with in his paper. The shredded pieces are irregular shapes but the matching is done with parts of the patterns cropped into rectangles.

The problem is that the pieces may not have all come from the same note. So even if the computer vision system were to find matches for an entire note, there is no guarantee that those irregular pieces would fit together to form a complete note.

To read the complete article, see:
When One Man Used Computer Vision To Reassemble Shredded Bank Notes (https://www.discovermagazine.com/technology/when-one-man-used-computer-vision-to-reassemble-shredded-bank-notes)

To read an earlier E-Sylum article, see:
TIME-LAPSE VIDEO: SHREDDED BANKNOTE RECONSTRUCTION (https://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n04a36.html)