Visit our NBS Sponsors

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 1/4/2025 - Workman's Books

 

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 NOVEMBER 10, 2024

New subscribers this week include: Rudy Dillen of Belgium, courtesy Ad Lansen. Welcome aboard! We now have 7,261 subscribers.

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 books from the Krause Publications numismatic library, an obituary, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, the 1933 Double Eagle, and more.

Other topics this week include Philippine emergency currency, Levantine coins, the earliest known currencies, provenance, Kellen Hoard, Ken Bressett, Bernt Ahlstrom, the Carson City Mint bullion scales, auction previews, the Dickin medal, and Hard Times Tokens.

To learn more about English pattern coins, California National Bank Notes, the Gallatin, Missouri Election Day Battle of 1838, Flying Horse money, Robert Scot, coin columnist Barbara Lyon, the Catholic Diocese of New York centenary medal, the NENA News, New England trim, the "Indian Princess" note, German inflation money, Sam and Penn Jillette, and the Chinese Money Frog, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

 

MORE KRAUSE LIBRARY BOOKS OFFERED

For the complete listings, see:
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?item=116385163783&rt=nc&_trksid=p4429486.m3561.l170197&_ssn=cuhaj

 

NEW BOOK: PAPER DREAMS

Delve into the captivating narrative of California's evolution with Paper Dreams: A History of California Through Its Paper Money, a new book by Dennis Hengeveld. Now released, this work, published by Stack's Bowers Galleries, invites readers to explore the dynamic interplay between currency and the Golden State's cultural, economic, and social developments. The volume is beautifully illustrated with California National banknotes from the Eric Agnew Collection (which will continue to be sold by Stack's Bowers Galleries at the Spring 2025 and August 2025 Showcase Auctions) and features hundreds of contemporary postcards, photographic images, newspaper clippings, and more.

Paper Dreams offers a unique perspective on California's history by examining the evolution of its paper money, from the Gold Rush to the present day. Hengeveld weaves together stories of the people, businesses, and events that have shaped the state, highlighting how paper currency reflects broader societal changes and economic trends.

With meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Hengeveld sheds light on the history of banknotes and scrip, illustrating how these pieces of paper became symbols of ambition, hope, and sometimes turmoil. Readers will gain insight into pivotal moments in California's past, such as the rise of the banking industry, the impact of immigration, and the quest for economic stability in a state that was hesitant to use paper money in its early years.

Paper Dreams is not just a history of currency; it is a celebration of California's vibrant heritage. Peter Treglia, Vice President and Managing Director of Currency at Stack's Bowers Galleries calls the book a welcome introduction to paper money and its history, not just for collectors who are familiar with these objects, but also for anyone interested in history, whether it be local or statewide. National Banknotes, in particular, provide a connection to the past, whether it be to your local community, your family heritage, or both.

Paper Dreams: A History of California Through Its Paper Money is now available on Amazon and eBay, as well as at select upcoming coin shows.

About the Author:
Dennis Hengeveld is Director of Consignments and Senior Numismatist at Stack's Bowers Galleries. He is a noted specialist in both United States and World paper money and is an acclaimed author of online blogs and articles. Paper Dreams is his first full-length book.

For more information, or to order, see:
Paper Dreams: A History of California Through Its Paper Money (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLLNKNCL)
Paper Dreams: A History of California Through Its Paper Money (https://www.ebay.com/itm/116380627569)

ADDENDUM: PHILIPPINE EMERGENCY CURRENCY 2ND ED

Greetings Fellow Collectors,

In April of this year, we released the Second Edition of Neil Shafer's classic book, Philippine Emergency and Guerrilla Currency of World War II. This book is over 850 pages and contains hundreds of full-size color pictures of these notes, along with their estimated values and other pertinent information.

Since the book's publication, we have identified a few corrections along with newly discovered notes and varieties. These are compiled in [an] addendum.

Because we do not have a complete list of everybody who has purchased the book, we are sending this addendum to everybody on our mailing lists (you may contact either of us for a copy) and also various websites. We also plan to continue to send updated addenda as warranted.

For those who have not yet purchased the book, it is available from the publisher, tradition. (See https://shop.tredition.com/search/dm9pZ3QgYmVyZ2VyIHNoYWZlcg==).

If you have any questions, suggestions, additions, and/or corrections, please feel free to contact either one of us.

Matt Voigt
voigt-shafer2024-2nd-edition@gmx.de

Ken Berger
csinotes@juno.com

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NEW BOOK: PHILIPPINE EMERGENCY CURRENCY 2ND ED. (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n18a03.html)

JAMES RICHARD BARRY (1936-2024)

James R. Barry of Evans, GA. passed away Tuesday, October 29, 2024. He was born in Hartford, Ct., March 15, 1936. His parents, Thomas H. Barry IV and Laura Miller Barry and brother, Thomas H. Barry V, have predeceased him. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen Rose Barry of Evans, Ga, sister, Patricia Barry Harrison, Huntley, Illinois and many nephews and nieces.

Jim received his BA in Sociology from Duke University in 1958, Masters in History Education 1958-59 from University of Hartford. From 1959-1991 Jim taught Social Studies at East Hampton Union Free School District, East Hampton, N.Y. including Social Studies Coordinator from 1980-1991. He brought creativity to the classroom. Through his work he had traveled to China, Japan, Thailand, West Africa, Egypt and South America.

Jim was instrumental in starting a student exchange program between E.H. High School and Asahikawa Daigaku High School, Asahikawa, Japan. He presented workshops on Asia to the NYS Council of Social Studies and NY Asia Conference through the 1980's. He was a board member of the NY Asia Conference, past president of American Field Service- East Hampton Chapter and Past President of East Hampton Teacher's Association

Upon retirement, with his interest in history, he collected ancient Greek and Roman coins and studied numismatics at the ANA at Colorado College, Colorado Springs. Jim and his wife were charter and founding members of the Stephen James CSRA Coin Club, he was a life member of the American Numismatic Assoc., member of the Augusta Coin Club, Board Member and Past President of the South Carolina Numismatic Association and a member of various other numismatic clubs. Jim taught numismatic courses and received many awards in recognition of his hobby and written articles for several national numismatic magazines. He is also a retired Coast Guard Auxiliary member. Since retirement Jim and Helen have traveled to New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, Panama Canal and the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

Jim's widow Helen adds:

To read the complete obituary, see:
James "Jim" Richard Barry (https://www.thomaspoteet.com/obituaries/james-jim-barry)

GALLATIN, MISSOURI ELECTION DAY BATTLE OF 1838

Gallatin, Missouri Election Day Battle of 1838

Lest anyone think election controversy is a relatively modern affair, the Gallatin, Missouri Election Day unrest in 1838 reminds us otherwise. Wiki reports:

A generation later, the First National Bank of Gallatin issued this large sized $5, Fr-574. This example is ex. Newman VI (Heritage Auctions, 4/2015), lot 19863, where it realized $6,462.50. The Freidberg reference, Paper Money of the United States (22nd edition), indicates ten known large examples of all types and denominations of this issue. We found only one other piece on Newman Portal, a $10 note offered by Lyn Knight in the June 1980 Bank Note Reporter.

Image: Gallatin, MO $5 note, 1882 Value Back, Friedberg 574.

Link to Eric P. Newman research files on Missouri paper money:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/archivedetail/532241

VIDEO: EVOLUTION OF A COLLECTOR

The path of a collector can take many turns. When someone starts collecting they may change over the years to add many different items to their holdings. Hear and see the many changes that veteran collector Bob Fritsch has been through as he has collected over time.

From the 2009 Central States Numismatic Society convention.

To watch the complete video, see:
Evolution of a Collector (https://youtu.be/mBqtpf_ZWCY)

 

PAWN STARS VIEWS 1933 DOUBLE EAGLE

Rick checks out the most expensive item in Pawn Stars history--the only 1933 Double Eagle gold coin for sale in the world. See more in this scene from Season 22, Episode 10, "The 30 Million Dollar Deal."

To read the complete article, see:
Pawn Stars: Over 30 MILLION DOLLARS for a COIN?! (Season 22) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P39CJbUH37E)

 

LEVANTINE COINS ONLINE

The American Numismatic Society (ANS), The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, the Israel Antiquities Authority, and Tel Aviv University are pleased to announce that Levantine Coins Online (LCO) has now launched at numismatics.org/lco. This joint project is the latest in a number of projects that these institutions have undertaken together, including exhibitions and publications. LCO is a digital, open-access database of Achaemenid and Hellenistic period coin typologies from the southern Levant, currently linking to coin examples from the major collections of the Israel Antiquities Authority, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, and the ANS. In the near future additional examples from other major collections, including those in Europe, will be added. At the time of launch LCO focuses solely on the coinage of Judah, but additional typologies for the coinages of Philistia and Samaria will be added in 2025. As a born-digital project, the database will be continuously expanded and updated to reflect the evolving nature of coin classifications and attributions, and will serve as an essential research tool for numismatists, archaeologists, historians, and enthusiasts.

The LCO project relies upon stable numismatic identifiers and linked open-data methodologies established by the Nomisma.org project, and integrates seamlessly with a well-established and growing network of open-access numismatic data. LCO benefits from the inclusion of the Israel Antiquities Authority's extensive database of coin finds from controlled archaeological excavations in Israel which have been published, and the partnership of the ANS, a pioneer in online resources for ancient coins. Funding for the project has come from the Israel Science Foundation (Personal Research Grant no. 2537/23), with project co-leaders Prof. Oren Tal and Drs. Haim Gitler, Mati Johananoff, Robert Kool as well as Jessica Schellig, who has been instrumental in preparing the data, working in partnership with Ethan Gruber and Dr. Peter van Alfen at the ANS.

On the launch, Tamar & Teddy Kollek Chief Curator of Archaeology and Curator of Numismatics at The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, Dr. Haim Gitler noted This is a momentous occasion for the study of ancient and Levantine coinages. Having the opportunity to present the typologies of the coinages of Yehud, Samaria, and Philistia in an open-access online format will, I'm sure, have a tremendous impact on the future study of the coinages and the economies of these regions.

To read the complete article, see:
Levantine Coins Online (LCO) Project Now Live (https://numismatics.org/pr-lco-live/)

THE EARLIEST KNOWN CURRENCIES

The oldest well documented currency is the White Stag note (100,000 Wu Zhu denomination) issued By Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty, ca 118 B.C.. The Tang dynasty followed ca. 700 A.D. No known White stag notes exist - too valuable to not cash in.

Here are some images of other early currencies.

The First is a brick that mimics an early type of "Flying Horse" money supposedly used to aid the Han dynasty economy to be redeemed in cash but easier to carry than a cart load of coins. Similar to a gold-backed paper money used in our recent history that we considered money. This form of "money" often starts the debate of what is money. The unillustrated Han dynasty White Stag note was worth 400,000 cash in these books and again causes a debate about what is money. (if parchment-like material could be considered paper)

 

The second is a paper note from the Sung dynasty used with a similar use.

The third is the earliest note of which I could find an image, again from the Sung dynasty made in 1024 A.D.

The "Origins of Value" book is one of my favorites because my daughter the librarian gave it to me. It was on the unused (unloved) book pile to be discarded so she said "It looks so boring that I knew you would like it." and saved it for me. It is really a fascinating history book for any bibliomaniac.

The other references are other unloved books that I had to purchase to enjoy. These references are as rare as the items reviewed, such a temptation for the bibliophile.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
LOOSE CHANGE: NOVEMBER 3, 2024 : Oldest Circulating Currencies in the World (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n44a30.html)

 

 

NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: NOVEMBER 10, 2024

Robert Scot, Banknote Engraver
Bill Eckberg writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: NOVEMBER 3, 2024 : Mint Engravers Also Banknote Engravers (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n44a14.html)

Bitcoin Tokens
Ted Puls writes:

https://www.amazon.ca/3Pcs-Bitcoin-Coin-Cryptocurrency-Commemorative/dp/B08PNYZLT7
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005265569305.html
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804696694763.html

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
LOOSE CHANGE: NOVEMBER 3, 2024 : Mystery Tipped Bitcoin (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n44a30.html)

NEW YORK CATHOLIC DIOCESE CENTENNIAL MEDAL

Jim adds:

1908 Centennial of the Catholic Diocese of New York Medal. By J. Edouard Roine. Miller-21. Bronze. Mint State.

76 mm. Housed in the original green case, as issued by the American Numismatic Society, which is in excellent condition with minor interior discoloration and trivial signs of handling. (Total: 1 medal; 1 case)

The obverse bears portraits of the seven archbishops who presided over the Diocese of New York during its first century. Archbishop Farley in the center.

The reverse displays a view of St. Patrick's Cathedral in he center; at sides, partial representations if St. Peter's Church of 1808 on Barclay Street and St. Patrick's Church on Mott Street. consecrated in 1815. Four coats of arms entwined in a wreath at the sides.

Edge contains maker's mark, MED. ART CO & (D within diamond);

This medal was issued by both the American Numismatic Society (ANS) and the Catholic Diocese of New York. Only medals which bear edge numbers were issued by the ANS. One medal in gold was presented to Pope Pius X. Silver and bronze medals with the edge number 1 were presented to Archbishop Farley and 100 medals each in silver and bronze (numbered 2-101) were for ANS members. There is an unknown number of silver and bronze medals struck without numbers for the Diocese.

The medal measures 76mm in diameter and was struck by the Medallic Art Company of New York. The reported mintage is 1 piece in gold, and 101 each in bronze and silver.

References: Baxter 299

To read the complete Medallic Art Collector article, see:
Catholic Diocese of New York Centennial1908 (https://medallicartcollector.com/ans-1908.shtml)

To read the complete lot description, see:
1908 Centennial of the Catholic Diocese of New York Medal. By J. Edouard Roine. Miller-21. Bronze. Mint State. (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1A78TB/1908-centennial-of-the-catholic-diocese-of-new-york-medal-by-j-edouard-roine-miller-21-bronze-mint-state)

DR. HEINRICH TRAUN MEDALS

With regard to the hard rubber medal mentioned briefly in an earlier issue, and by way of some coincidental background information, Ms. Susan Brustmann, director of the Poppenhusen Institute in College Point, sent a note asking if I could assist a gentleman in Hamburg working at the Museum der Arbeit, (Museum of Work). It is located in the building that once housed the New-York Hamburger Gummi-Waaren Compagnie, a rubber factory that Conrad Poppenhusen founded in Hamburg in 1871. He was seeking information on the Traun Rubber Company, another Hamburg firm that had opened a factory in College Point in the late 1890s.

I was able to send him a lot of information and look forward to reading what he writes. When doing research for what became my Poppenhusen biography published in 2004, I had contacted the museum, and in appreciation for the information received, sent a copy of my Poppenhusen biography in which the name Christian Julius Traun appears. He was the father of Dr. Heinrich Traun, who in 1856 founded the Harburger Gummi-Kamm-Compagnie, in English the Hamburg Rubber Comb Company.

The medal was designed by Dutch sculptor and medalist Johann von Langa, a coin engraver and cutter. It features a left-facing profile of Dr. Heinrich Traun (1838-1909) along with the inscription July MDCCCXCIII, the Roman numeral for 1893. According to Dr. Hendrik Böttcher of the New York-Hamburg Gummi-Waaren Compagnie, formerly the Hamburg Rubber Comb Company, it is possible that the medal was produced for the World's Columbian Exposition, but because company archives were unfortunately lost, it is not possible to confirm that a rubber version was produced, distributed or displayed in the German pavilion located in the Manufactures Building.

According to Dr. Böttcher, it is probable that the New York-Hamburg Gummi-Waaren Compagnie did make hard rubber tokens for their trading posts in Africa. Around 1902 the company changed its name to Dr. Heinrich Traun & Söhne. (and Son)

A second medal recognizes a man named Karstens for his twenty-five years (1898-1923) of loyal work at the Dr. Heinrich Traun & Söhne Company. The obverse shows a right-facing profile of Traun, who in 1901 was elected to the Hamburg Senate, hence the inscription. This medal was also designed by Johann von Langa, whose initials are inscribed above the first m in KAMM. Dr. Böttcher speculates that the medal was designed sometime between 1902 and 1911 when Langa's name last appeared in the Hamburg City Directory. He supposed further and accurately that the company might have cast a number of them and then engraved the name on the back manually, in this case in 1923. Mr. Karstens given name is not mentioned.

The reverse shows a female figure holding a hammer extending a congratulatory laurel branch. The beehive is symbolic of industry, thriftiness and service, in this case faithful service. A second medal dated 1916 acknowledging 10 years of work went to auction in 2022 in Germany. It showed only the Obverse, so the recipient's name is unknown. I've written to the auction house and hope to receive a positive reply.

Jim adds:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
VOCABULARY TERM: PRODUCT MEDAL (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n41a22.html)

 

VOCABULARY TERM: PROVENANCE

Provenance. A pedigree; the record of previous ownership of an artifact or numismatic item. A provenance is important only for the most valuable or rarest items and is highly regarded when an appraisal is made on the item. A search of auction catalogs, sales literature, trade publications and such is required to compile such a pedigree or provenance. When this information is found the item is said to be traceable.

Private treaty sales without publication of such transactions often provide stumbling blocks to compiling such prior list of owners, but research is conducted to learn who owned it, when each purchase or transaction was made, and how much was paid at each sale, a price study. When histories of rare items are written, provenance often plays an important role, as in the case of the book on the 14 known 1804 U.S. silver dollars by Eric P. Newman and Kenneth Bressett. The documented knowledge that a famous collector once owned an item adds greatly to its charm (and often its auction price!).

Note: this term is spelled correctly above and is not the provenience – which also means origin – that will appear on computer spellcheckers.

Reference:
NC7 {1962} Newman and Bressett.

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Provenance (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516567)

COIN COLUMNIST BARBARA ANN LYON

Last week I mentioned coin columnist Barbara Lyon. This week I tried to find out more about her.

Barbara Lyon was born (possibly) on November 28, 1938, the daughter of William R. Lyon (1918-1990) and Sonja Kowha Lyon (1919-2006). William was a self-employed fur buyer. Barbara worked as a secretary.

Her interest in coin collecting began as a child when her grandfather gave her an Indian Head Quarter Eagle. She was a wooden money collector and served on the membership committee for the International Organization of Wooden Money Collectors. She was publicity chairman for The Wooden Nickel Society of America.

Barbara lived in Pleasant Valley, New York. In 1962, she was involved with the formation of the Pleasant Valley Stamp Collectors' Club. This became the Ferrary Society, named after an important European collector. It was later known as the Ferrary Numismatic Society. Barbara Ann Lyon was very active and served as club secretary and president in 1972. She had a specialized collection of stamps featuring Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In 1963, Lyon contributed Numismatically Speaking to The Register Herald of Pine Plains, New York; The News Review of Riverhead, Long Island; The Pleasant Valley News in New York; The News Republican in Millerton, New York, and probably more.

In 1964, Barbara offered her column free to any paper that wished to publish it. She asked only that the paper return a tear sheet with the article.

Barbara Lyon contributed the Realm of Coins column to the Asbury Park Press beginning with the issue of April 3, 1965. That first column appeared with no introduction.

Her column, The Realm of Coins continued until April 26, 1970. At the time, Ed Reiter was a staff writer for the Asbury Park Press. He continued the column with the issue of May 17, 1970. He went on to be one of the most successful coin columnists syndicated through the New York Times.

Barbara Lyon contributed The World of Coins in as many as twenty papers at various times. These are examples:

• Press Tribune of Roseville, California, in 21 issues from October 13. 1964, to October 28, 1965.
• The St. Tammany News Banner of Covington, Louisiana, 22 times January 1, 1965, to September 24, 1965.
• The Morning Pioneer of Mandan, North Dakota, in 16 issues, July 26, 1966, to December 24, 1966.
• Morning Sentinel of Waterville, Maine, in 45 issues, August 24. 1966, to April 9. 1969.
• Santa Maria Times of Santa Maria, California, just 9 times. October 26, 1968, to November 18, 1972.

Although the columns theoretically ran weekly, there were seldom four issues in a month. There is little overlap in the publication date of these papers and few examples of the same column running in two papers.

The Morning Pioneer identified her as an editor with Numismatic Information Service. That name has been connected to several other numismatists, including Don Taxay around the same time.

Last week I mentioned that Barbara was a member of the Amateur Coin Collectors Club and writer for the ACCC Bulletin. She took over as editor of the Bulletin upon the death of founder William Hibbert.

Barbara married Frederic Luis White (1938-2017) of Poughkeepsie, NY, on December 31, 1972.

She retained her interest in stamps. In 1974 she was secretary of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Philatelic Society and in 1973-75 assistant treasurer of the Ferrary Philatelic Society.

In 1975 she began contributing a column to Coin Collectors Digest. About the same time, she wrote a column for Antique and Art Weekly.

In 1977, as Barbara White, she received the NLG Maurice Gould Literary Award as best coin columnist for The World of Coins in The Newtown Bee. I could not find those columns in the newspaper's archives.

She was still living at the time of Frederic's death in 2017. They were living at The Hideout at Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania.

Most of her columns are not available on the Newman Numismatic Portal or the newspapers.com website.

Barbara Lyon's first column in the Asbury Park Press was followed by this brief item:

When Silberman was unsuccessful with this effort, he placed an ad in Coin World promoting a club for collecting old large cents. That was the beginning of the Early American Coppers Club, but that's another story.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
WILLIAM CHARLES HIBBERT, SR. (1909-1968) (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n44a18.html)

KELLEN HOARD INTERVIEW, PART FIVE

GREG BENNICK: That's great. I'm excited for this. This is fantastic. So, okay. So, thinking about the badass coin threw me off just for a second because I love it so much. I was just going to ask: being a younger collector, younger researcher, younger writer, how do you feel about the hobby and where it's going in general? I'm not looking for It's bad. It's good. I am looking for, what are your feelings about it?

KELLEN HOARD: I think it's more hopeful than it's been in a long time in that, the constant conversation since I was at the first entry point collecting is, Where are all the young people? We are screwed. I don't hear that very much anymore, and about five years ago, I stopped being concerned about it. Because increasingly what you see is that there are a lot of young people involved in numismatics. I mean a lot and not just YNs, but 20-year-olds, 30-year-olds and so on. There's a few reasons why. One is that the internet has really done great things for coins.

The Instagram people. There are countless transactions on Instagram and Facebook every single day totaling in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. There is real business happening online. So, it's harder to see visually, but there's real activity. There's also real activity outside the United States and that's harder for collectors at local shows to see. Collectors in Japan or in Europe. They're not in Hong Kong, they're not seeing that at their local show, so it's you know kind of hard to judge where the young people are there.

But also what we see, is that there's a lot of young vest pocket dealers who are very excited about the hobby, who are very engaged, who are making a lot of money. That is an incentive to draw people into the hobby. There's a lot of money in it to be made, and they're not just dealers. They're collectors. They really enjoy the hobby. I was just at the ANA show. There were a lot of young people on the floor. I mean what you just saw, and that's why I think you hear less of that conversation. A lot of programs have kind of popped up at larger, more institutional, coin companies, to harvest the talent. Witter Coin University was one of them that popped up. Stacks Bowers' Professional Numismatist Program. PNG Next Gen, Heritage has internships, PCGS internships, ANA summer seminar with the YN program there. I mean there are a lot of opportunities for young people popping up, to be basically picked up and brought into these, now billion-dollar, corporations that are happening. It is hard to stop the momentum of that. And I think young people just get sucked in automatically.

I think there are collectors and dealers and all this kind of stuff. So I'm not worried about it. I think there may be some transition with increasing craziness online. And I hope that we are able to preserve the social element of the hobby into that. Social element is key, I think, to preserving it as a hobby and not just as an investment practice. But yeah, I think it's hopeful.

GREG BENNICK: That's great.

KELLEN HOARD: What do you think, Greg? I want to know your take on this. I've been talking too much. What is your take on the hobby here in the next, five to 10 years?

GREG BENNICK: You rule. And you haven't been talking too much. You've been talking the perfect amount. I loved every word of this. I agree with this. Okay. I've been collecting since I was 10. And back then, we heard all the time, the story that you told. You know, you get into it, you get out of it, you get into it. And that there's not enough young people. I absolutely agree. That's not true anymore. There's more and more and more young people involved. And there's going to be more and more and more young people. I think a key is for us to all stay positive about that. Instead of saying sadly, Oh, there's not going to be and there's not enough young people. There won't be any young people. Let's stay positive about it.

Let's stay positive about the fact that there's going to be more people. And then invite more people in and be thinking creatively about ways to bring people in with the storytelling element, the online element, the social element. People ultimately are insecure creatures looking for something to do, and something to latch on to, something to feel like they matter in, and something of meaning that they want to be a part of. Let's invite that because it's possible for a young collector, a young person, to get involved in the hobby and find or discover something that hasn't been discovered before or learn something and have a perspective on something that hasn't been written about before.

Sure, there's tons of books - I collect numismatic literature too. There's literally a room over here filled with books. We'll get together sometime and talk literature. The point though is, is that not everything's been written. There's tons of opportunity. You just got done talking about how one person can create opportunity for others in a social or political context. That's certainly true in numismatics. My gosh, we see it all the time in whatever sub-facet we're interested in, whether that's error coins or counterstamps.

I interviewed Bill Groom for this series. Bill Groom is a collector of counterstamps not many people know about. Bill Groom calls counterstamps, the last great frontier of numismatics because he sees it as this entirely unwritten-about, undeveloped area of numismatics other than Brunk's work, Rulau, and his own writing and what not. There's so much potential for it. I think that people are hungry for it - to be part of something meaningful like that. I think there's a lot of potential for more and more young people. I'm excited about it. As I go to shows all around the country, I'm having a great time seeing that. I'm glad to hear that reflected.

KELLEN HOARD: We'll get him into sample slabs too. That's the other frontier there. We'll get him into both.

GREG BENNICK: I agree with that because I remember when I bought David Schwager's book, the original sample slab book, I bought it because I'd never heard of sample slabs. I thought this was the most unusual thing that I'd encountered that summer or whatever it was. I bought it. I read through it. I'm like, This is fascinating. Are there really collectors of this stuff? That wasn't me being critical because remember that I collect weird, broken error coins. I was like, This is fascinating. We have seen an exponential rise in the number of people collecting sample slabs.

KELLEN HOARD: That book, which was published first in 2015, then second issue, 2016, is deeply outdated now because there's new ones being made all the time. There's a third edition coming out with a new author and its multiple volumes and it is still incomplete. They had to make a cutoff date because there were just constantly new ones being made. It's kind of a neat thing. I think you're right. People seek community in so many different ways. This is also a tie-together of both politics and coins in that we are a fundamentally social creature and we're going to seek community wherever we can find it. And what we see in America today are fewer and fewer opportunities to build that community. I think to our detriment. We are an isolationist culture in the first place. America is very individually driven. That's the mindset of a lot of people.

And we have nuclear families since the fifties and the sixties. We're very road-centric communities and not a lot of this kind of European model of plazas to bring people together and to have that social life. There's this whole concept of third places beyond your home and your work. Where's a third place where you can gather with your community, like a park? Are we investing in those, especially the ones that don't have paid barrier to entry?

So, what we see in America today, especially post-pandemic and during the pandemic, was this amplification and exacerbation of this individualistic thing where one in seven adult men today in America say they have no close friends. It's a huge number. Church attendance is declining. So, no matter your opinion on religion, that was a place of community for many people. Civil society is struggling. So, clubs and organizations. So where are people seeking community today? Often, I think it's online. And that can be both good and bad, depending on how we direct it. It can be good if, hey, you discover coins online, and suddenly you have this great new hobby, and maybe you end up coming to shows in person or seminars, and you end up finding this new community.

It can also be bad. It can lead to radicalism. It can lead to further feelings of hatred or anger, especially if you find the wrong Facebook group. And there's some dark holes you can go down. So how we as a society are tackling this, is I think relevant. How we as a hobby are tackling this, is I think, quite relevant to us recruiting new collectors and saying, hey, this is not just us collecting metal widgets, and not just us collecting metal widgets with a cool story, but it's sharing those stories, having those people together. One of the things I say that I love about this hobby is there's such a range of people, both some of the most intelligent people I've ever met, some of the kindest people I've ever met, some of the weirdest people I've ever met.

You have such a mix of people. And that is really a compelling part of the hobby to me, is that you actually have the opportunity to learn from people who know their area so well, and know other areas so well, and are just engaging people to hear from and learn from. If we as a hobby are able to drag people in from online into these in-person settings, whatever that looks like, I think that's going to be an opportunity for us to do our part in addressing isolation in America.

GREG BENNICK: I love it. Okay, this is immense. This is fantastic. This could probably be the first of a series of these. I love all of this. This might be a good place to just wrap up to give people a 45-minute nice chunk of information about you that they can digest.

KELLEN HOARD: Sure. That'd be great. We'll see what the reaction to this one is and how people end up feeling here. I'm not looking for any emails asking like, Oh, I'm so alone. Help me? Ideally. But we'll see. But if that's how you feel, email me and we'll sort something out.

GREG BENNICK: Exactly. If people are feeling alone and they don't have any friends, right, Kellen and Greg. We will be your friends. We'll talk about whatever you want to talk about.

KELLEN HOARD: You can join us next time and we'll have a long, granular discussion of something that only Greg and I care about.

GREG BENNICK: (Laughs) Okay. So, everybody, this has been yet another interview in the series for the Newman Numismatic Portal. I'm Greg Bennick with Kellen Hoard. And if you're interested in this interview, there's been a number of these interviews and there will be a number more. So, if you have ideas for people you'd like to have be interviewed, send me a message. That's how Kellen and I got together today. Somebody mentioned, You should talk to Kellen. I was like, Oh yeah! I should talk to Kellen. So, with that in mind if you have ideas, be in touch anytime. I'd love to hear from you. And Kellen, thanks so much for being here today. I really appreciate it.

KELLEN HOARD: Thanks so much, Greg.

About the Interviewer
Greg Bennick (www.gregbennick.com) is a keynote speaker and long time coin collector with a focus on major mint error coins. Have ideas for other interviewees? Contact him anytime on the web or via instagram @minterrors.

To watch the complete video, see:
Kellen Hoard Interviewed for the NNP by Greg Bennick (https://youtu.be/tBb-Bt4NR8k)

To read the complete transcript, see:
Kellen Hoard Interviewed for the NNP by Greg Bennick (Transcript) (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/641580)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
KELLEN HOARD INTERVIEW, PART ONE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n41a24.html)
KELLEN HOARD INTERVIEW, PART TWO (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n40a13.html)
KELLEN HOARD INTERVIEW, PART THREE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n43a21.html)
KELLEN HOARD INTERVIEW, PART FOUR (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n44a19.html)

KEN BRESSETT AND NENA NEWS

The New England Numismatic Association (NENA) got its start in the early 1940's and continues to thrive today. They send out a quarterly newsletter called NENA News and this year, 2024, marks the 75th anniversary of that publication. It is an important milestone for any type of magazine or newsletter – most don't last seventy-five years – but NENA News has never looked better in the hands of its current editorial staff.

The mantle of leadership for NENA News has been passed along from one capable member to another, but as we celebrate this year's important birthday, we can proudly point to one of the first NENA News publishers, and we can even ask him about that experience as well! Ken Bressett was the publisher of NENA News in the 1951-1952 era. Today, Ken lives in Colorado near the American Numismatic Association (ANA) headquarters where he has continued to write about, teach, and support the hobby of Numismatics into his 95th year.

Ken has spent his lifetime in Numismatics. He is probably best known as the Editor of A Guide Book of United States Coins, better known as the Red Book. Ken took over the editorship of the most prominent book in every coin collector's library when the originator, R.S. Yeoman, retired in 1971. He remained in that position until 2018 and today he is the Editor Emeritus of the current edition. But before, during, and after his tenure with the Red Book, Ken lived a life which can only be admired and envied by fellow numismatists everywhere.

Ken has written about numismatics, taught numismatics, assisted prominent collectors, reviewed thousands of coins including the Eliasberg collection, won every award available to numismatists, helped design new coins, and led the ANA, the largest coin organization in the world, in a variety of positions including President from 1995-1997. The timeline of his collecting life could be used as a checklist for every important event, position, award, and accomplishment that every numismatist should strive for.

Ken has taught at the ANA Summer Seminars since 1975. Today, he and Ken Hallenbeck are the roving instructors. The two Kens visit each classroom and answer any questions from students or instructors which may come up. Mr. Hallenbeck is only 92 years old, so that's a total of 187 years of numismatic experience roving the hallways of Summer Seminars, in addition to the greatest instructors available who are already teaching the classes.

It was at this year's Summer Seminars that I got a chance to meet with Ken Bressett and ask him if he would have the time to answer a few questions about his lifetime of experience, and especially his memories of those first days on the NENA News. Ken was most agreeable and politely asked if we could exchange emails to accomplish this goal as he was too busy that week during Summer Seminars. The following is the exact exchange with Ken's answers to my questions word-for word.

Interview With Kenneth Bressett

Q - What is your first recollection about collecting coins when you were a child in Keene? How, why, where, did you get your start as coin collector? Did you have a mentor?

A - A neighbor gave me some foreign coins to play with and I found them fascinating. Later my parents and other friends gave me any Indian Head pennies or other odd coins they got in change. I was only 4 or 5 at the time and clearly remember seeing the date 1933 on new cents for the first time. By age six, I was a ‘serious collector.'

Born at the height of the Great Depression in 1928, the first 30 years of my life were spent in Keene, New Hampshire where I learned as much as I could about numismatics by reading and studying history, art, geography, and other related things. My big breakthrough came in 1948 when I first met Eric P. Newman and he became my mentor. We remained very close friends until his death in 2017 at age 106.

The second 30 years of my life were spend in Racine, Wisconsin where I worked at Whitman Publishing Co., under the direction of R. S. Yeoman (author of the Red and Blue books), and eventually took over as senior editor of all their numismatic products. Another 30-year part of my life brought me to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1982, to begin working at American Numismatic Association Headquarters, as Educational Director and head of ANACS, among other duties. After a few other short stops along the way, I am currently a free-lance author writing various articles for The Numismatist and other publications.

Q - How well do you remember the Keene Coin Club? Were you a charter member? How big was the club when you were a member? Do you know why it is no longer around?

A - I organized and founded the first coin club in Keene in 1950 and named it the Cheshire County Numismatic Society. I believe it was the first ever in New Hampshire, and it started with a half dozen or so local collectors who were eager to get together and share their interest in coins. A close friend, Charles Nims, was particularly helpful in unifying and expanding the group. By 1953 the club had grown to about thirty members who met monthly in the Keene library.

After I moved to Racine in 1959, I was only able to attend a few of the Keene meetings or events but stayed in touch with many of the members at least until sometime around 1975 when they celebrated their 25th anniversary. I am unsure of how, when, or why the club eventually disbanded, but suspect it may have been in deference to some of the newer and larger nearby coin organizations.

Q - Do you recall when you joined the New England Numismatic Association (NENA) and also, when you took over as Publisher of the newsletter (NENA News)? What were the differences between Editor and Publisher as far as general duties were concerned? Other than Newsletter Publisher, did you hold any other offices or functions for the club? Do you remember any other NENA personalities from back in the late forties/early fifties? Do you have any funny or interesting stories about them? When did you move away from New England? Did you stay in touch with any of the members who were still active in the club?

A - The early beginnings of the New England Numismatic Association go back to sometime around 1941 when Shepard Pond proposed organizing such a group. A few ‘Annual Conferences' were held prior to 1947 when the name NENA was established, but little else was done prior to 1957 when the 13th annual conference was held at the Sheraton Plaza Hotel in Boston.

I became a member of the American Numismatic Association in 1947, and occasionally went to some of the NENA events and meetings of the Boston Numismatic Society. I remember going to my first ANA convention in Boston in 1948, and meeting many of the leading numismatists of the day at that show. From that time on, I became well acquainted with many of the founders and officers of NENA and tried to take an active part in that organization. It was my pleasure to have known James Ford Clapp, Earl Tuttle, June Pond, Max Khuner, Harold MacIntosh, Maurice Gould, Harold Whiteneck, and Henry Schulmacher. Especially close friends were Cliff Howe, John Kitteredge, and Charles Dupont, an early Editor of NENA News, who encouraged me to become the editor in 1951. While working as a printer in Keene, I was able to write, edit and publish several editions of NENA NEWS.

Perhaps the most colorful, entertaining, and cherished friend of those halcyon days was Sam Jillette, a coin collector and dealer from Turners Falls, Massachusetts, who later moved to Greenfield and was an avid collector of both large and small size U.S. cents. Because of his close proximity to Keene, he was a frequent visitor to our coin club and both he and his wife Valery soon bonded as family friends with me and my wife.

When they were expecting a child, Sam wanted to name her Penny, however it was a boy, so they named him Penn. As our families grew throughout the years, we visited frequently, and our children often played together. Yes, Penn is the person you know today as the famous magician Penn Jillette of the Penn and Teller show in Las Vegas.

I still read every issue of NENA News and enjoy it very much. Don't know if they recognize any difference between being an editor or publisher, or if there really is much difference in the way that affects the content. I only see that the magazine seems to get even more professional and entertaining with every issue."

Author's Note: I enjoyed Ken's answers very much, but especially the last line regarding his current opinion of the NENA News getting better with every issue. At 95 years of age, he has the memory, energy, and the willingness to answer questions about his long past but also still has the forward thinking optimistic attitude of a much younger man. Congratulations Ken, for a long lifetime of Numismatic Greatness.

To see all the back issues on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
NENA News: Periodical of the New England Numismatic Association (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/publisherdetail/529533)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF BERNT AHLSTROM

You will hardly find a dealer in the numismatic world who is completely unfamiliar with the name Bernt Ahlstrom. When I picked up my first coins and books on numismatics in Schleswig-Holstein in 1978, he was already a regular guest in the far north of Germany, bringing both consignments and stories with him. Numismatics was his passion, his life, and there was no place he would have avoided in order to pursue this passion. He could be found at almost every coin fair or auction around the world, usually accompanied by his dog.

1950s – Early Stockholm Years

Bernt Rickard John Ahlstrom was born in Stockholm on March 2, 1936. Before he began his sixty-year numismatic career, he gave it a start as a young nightclub owner in Stockholm's old town. In 1954 – at the age of just 18 – he opened the B. Ahlstrom Mynthandel (also in Stockholm) at his father's suggestion (who, by the way, was a passionate and well-known philatelist). And just a short time later we already find him at the legendary auction of the Farouk collection – held by Sotheby's in Cairo in February and March 1954 – as one of the buyers of the Swedish part of this enormous coin collection. A few years later, he took his brother Bjarne with him into the business. While Bjarne remained in Stockholm and continued to run the business with great success – his last Stockholm coin auction took place in 2004 – Bernt took his ideas and ambitions out into the world.

1960s and 1970s – Galerie des Monnaies: Geneva, Düsseldorf, New York

In the 1960s, he settled in Lausanne and built up the Galerie des Monnaies (GDM) group of companies, which initially operated in Lausanne (1965) and later in Geneva (1973), Düsseldorf (1969), New York (1976) and Paris (1979). By the end of the 1960s, close business contacts had already been established with New York (a Gold-catalog of the Galerie des Monnaies from 1969, for example, listed Robert L. Steinberg, N.Y. as a cooperation partner on the cover). In the mid-1970s, Bernt Ahlstrom shifted his operational focus entirely to New York. He set up a large office in Manhattan and made a name for himself as an extremely influential coin dealer in the years that followed. Impressive sales, including world records at the time, which he was able to achieve in cooperation with established auction houses such as Hans Schulman Auctions, Sotheby's, Credit Suisse and Spink & Son Ltd, contributed to his success.

He was thrilled when he set up the New York branch of the Galerie des Monnaies of Geneve Ltd. in a former branch of the Chase Manhattan Bank with vaults in the basement. These years marked the climax of his numismatic career.

Here is a brief anecdote that succinctly captures his character – as a bon-vivant and a trader (but could you really tell the difference with him?): in 1968, he married his second wife Eva.They decided to spend their honeymoon in Japan. During their trip, they explored cities such as Kyoto, Tokyo – even Nagasaki – and enjoyed the culture of the island nation with its wealth of sights, charismatic places and traditional customs. Equally remarkable, however, was that Bernt Ahlstrom managed to turn even his honeymoon into a profitable business: By selling a single Japanese coin, he covered the entire cost of their luxurious trip (including the exquisite hotel addresses where they stayed). A classic example of Bernt Ahlstrom's ability to combine savoir-vivre with an entrepreneurial spirit.

1970s and 1980s – Conquest of Paris and eventual retreat to the United States

Together with his second brother John Ahlstrom, he founded a wine store, the Galerie des Vins, in Paris in the mid-1970s. A little later, he decided to purchase a private bank in Paris, the Crédit de la Bourse (1976). Finally, in 1980, the prestigious Place Vendôme became the location of another branch of the Galerie des Monnaies sharing the premises with the renowned Italian jewelry house Buccellati. A company brochure from around this time proudly states: Rare coins and classical antiques will now share this superb location with examples of the world's finest handcrafted jewellery. Ahlstrom's group of companies now advertised the impressive locations of Geneva, Düsseldorf, New York and Paris. The ambitions of the group of companies and the breadth of the business areas were generously conceived; probably too generously – in Paris, one could say, he ultimately failed.

In the mid-1980s, Ahlstrom gradually closed his European businesses, retreated to the USA and founded the auction house El Dorado with Alcedo Almanzar in San Antonio, Texas. In an obituary (2020), Paul J. Bosco summarized their relationship as follows: Later Ahlstrom partnered with Alcedo Almanzar, operating an auction house in the 1980s, El Dorado. Significantly, it was sometimes called 'El Diablo'. It is believed Almanzar cheated his partner, likely making him the only person ever to get the drop on Ahlstrom.

Passion for the Olympics – Opening up a New Entrepreneurial Niche

Also in the 1980s, Ahlstrom discovered a new field of business, which he conquered withhis own blend of passion, persuasiveness, tenacity, networking and entrepreneurial instinct, and in which he eventually became recognized as one of the world's leading dealers and connoisseurs. We are talking about memorabilia and collectibles related to the modern Olympic Games.

It all began like this: During an auction at Heinrich Winter's in Düsseldorf, a set of pins from the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome was sold for 15,000 Deutsche Mark (DEM). Ahlstrom, who was present, whispered to a colleague: If someone is prepared to pay that kind of money for a few Olympic pins, then there must be good business opportunities here. Some time later, he met Juan Antonio Samaranch, then President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Samaranch told him about his ideas and plans for an Olympic Museum in Lausanne (Switzerland). Ahlstrom's business interest was finally piqued – and with it the prospect of a new entrepreneurial niche in the collectibles sector: Olympic memorabilia.

He from then on was scouring the world for anything bearing the five Olympic rings, and became so well known in the relevant circles that the US Olympic Committee included him among the participants in the torch relay at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta in 1996 (and, as a matter of course, he kept the torch...) Bernt Ahlstrom's obsession with Olympic items was not just of a business nature, however – over the decades he had amassed an impressive private Olympics collection. Ingrid O'Neil once stated: He's not a collector, Bernt. He just wants to have it all. Entering his home, you could suddenly find yourself standing in front of a two-man bobsleigh, an official uniform of Olympic organizers, not to mention the numerous pennants, flags and other souvenirs.

In 2014, Ahlstrom offered a winner's medal from the 1896 Olympics at an auction in London. It was estimated at around 40,000 pounds sterling. In his presence, two wealthy collectors got engaged in a hard-fought bidding battle for the medal on offer. The starting price of 20,000 pounds rose steadily and relentlessly until the hammer finally fell at 180,000. – The audience rose to its feet and applauded with a standing ovation. Who else but Ahlstrom could have achieved such an crazy result?

Global Player, Clever Networker, Excellent Numismatist

At one of our last meetings in Zurich, he told me a lot about his 60-year career – unfortunately far too little, he hadn't written anything down.

What remains is the memory of a clever, sometimes cunning businessman who knew his trade as a dealer and collector. For me personally, he was one of the first internationally operating coin dealers and embodied the type of global player that we take for granted today.

He was an excellent numismatist whose knowledge covered a remarkable wide range of fields. He had excellent contacts. He was a key player in several markets and was present at all the major fairs worldwide. He was full of ideas and ambition, and not afraid to take risks. He enjoyed considerable respect, but was not always easy to deal with and sometimes came up with somewhat – shall we say – dodgy solutions.

Bernt Ahlstrom passed away in December 2019 after a serious bout with cancer, having challenged doctors, illness and the devil. He was still traveling and bidding at auctions until his last week.

His magnificent numismatic library, which we are pleased to offer through several Gut-Lynt auctions (the first part was sold on April 6, 2024 in Gut-Lynt Auction 16), is evidence of what a passionate numismatist he was. He not only traded coins and medals, but studied them carefully – even if we may rightly assume that he usually lacked the time he would have wished for.

To read the complete article, see:
Bernt Ahlstrom (1936–2019) – a Biographical Sketch by Arne Kirsch (https://www.gut-lynt.de/about-bernt-ahlstrom)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
BERNTH AHLSTROM (1936-2019) (https://www.coinbooks.org/v23/esylum_v23n15a11.html)
BERNT AHLSTROM NUMISMATIC LIBRARY, PART 1 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n11a02.html)
MUENZEN GUT-LYNT ONLINE AUCTION 18 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n37a02.html)

THE RIBBIT BACKSTORY

It is known by several names including the Chinese Money Frog, Wealth Toad or the three-legged toad. In the Chinese language it is called Ch'an Chu. The Money Frog is associated with Feng Shui, the ancient art used to create balance and harmony in the home.

The frog holds a Chinese coin in its mouth and sits atop a pile of gold coins or ingots. Some representations have a pattern of seven dots on the back in the shape of the little dipper or the seven Great North Pole stars. It is believed the frog will appear during the full moon near homes where wealth will soon be received.

There is an ancient Chinese myth about the Archer who married the sister of the Water Spirit. He became a hero by shooting down nine of 10 suns that circled the Earth and burned the crops. He was rewarded with the pill of immortality from the Goddess of the West. His greedy wife coveted the pill and stole it while he was absent. She swallowed the pill and immediately discovered that she could fly. Upon his return her husband inquired about the pill. The fearful wife opened the window and flew out toward the Moon. The Archer followed but was turned back by a strong wind.

The other deities punished the wife by turning her into a three-legged frog and sending her to live on the Moon. The husband was rewarded with the Palace of the Sun. He built a palace on the Moon for his wife, but he could visit her only on the 15th day of each moon. All this is wrapped together with yin and yang, sun and moon, male and female.

There are many versions of this myth. It is also the foundation for the Chinese mooncake festival celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar moon.

Thus the three-legged frog is a symbol of the Moon and also of Greed. It strives to protect the wealth it has and to acquire more. It has become a good luck charm and a symbol of good fortune.

Chinese shop owners will place the Money Frog near the cash register. It may be placed near the safe or any place associated with money. Gamblers may place the frog at the altar of the Wealth God.

A Chinese Money Frog may be placed in the home in the southeast comer of the living room diagonally across from the door. The frog is placed facing the door to welcome in wealth. However, at night it should be turned inward or it may escape and never return. Money frogs should be treated like frogs rather than deities. They may be placed low or on the floor. If they are placed too high, they may be afraid to jump down and go look for money.

Multiples of three, six or nine frogs may be arranged about the home or garden with nine being the best number. Money frogs go out to collect money in the afternoon and return at night with money sticking to their feet. Money frogs should never be placed in a bedroom, kitchen or toilet.

To read the Summer 2012 NLG Newsletter on the Newman Portal, see:
Numismatic Literary Guild Newsletter, Numismatic Literary Guild (2012) (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/530959)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
2024 NUMISMATIC LITERARY GUILD AWARDS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n38a02.html)
TOM'S NUMISMATIC DIARY SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n38a26.html)

SOVEREIGN RARITIES WORKMAN COLLECTION, PART 4

This extremely rare pattern has the older widow style head of Victoria designed by Thomas Brock with a pattern reverse trialling the idea of adding a beaded inner circle around Britannia, though the figure breaks the circle at trident, shield and helmet. The proposed design never went ahead and this pattern piece remains elusive and extremely rare, it is graded PF64 brown and estimated at £6,000-£8,000.

This is the final coronet head pattern from the Bernard Workman collection to highlight in the Esylum. This pattern is dated 1865 which is the year T. J. Minton who engraved the obverse die became the Resident Engraver in the Mint, a post that had been officially vacant since the previous incumbent George Wyon died in 1862. The design is based on that of sculptor W. Theed who worked for Wedgewood and though it was not used for British currency a version of it was used for colonial coinages. This bronze Pattern is graded as PF64 brown and estimates at £6,000-£8,000 for the auction of November 19th.

Each week we have featured one of the die number pennies of 1863 in the Esylum for the auction of 19th November. This is the duplicate die number 3 Penny of 1863 which is the only one of the four die number pieces that has been straight graded as VF30 brown. The tiny die number 3 is displayed below the 8 and 6 of the date in the exergue and was part of a die marking process to trace the journey of such pennies from manufacture to release into circulation. The coin is estimated at £3,000-£4,000.

One of the rarest currency die combinations fo the year 1862 is that with the earlier obverse 2 with L C WYON signature on the base of the bust and later reverse G with convex style shield, bell topped lighthouse and no L.C.W. initials for Leonard Charles Wyon on the groundline. This is an extremely rare pairing and seemingly the finest known as it is graded MS63 brown and estimated at £3,500 to £4,500 for November 19th.

Another very rare die combination is this 1861 Penny with the later obverse without signature coupled with a reverse with lighthouse having three horizontal lines depicting the junction between bricks and lantern. There is also a thicker helmet plume and a rock now touches the lower left of the shield as well as there being no designer initials. The coin has not straight graded but estimated to sell for £2,000-£3,000 as Freeman rates the coin in his catalogue as R16 out of a 20.

Another very rare die coupling is the 1861 Penny of Freeman number 24 obverse die 4 which has the L.C.WYON engraver signature mostly off the truncation of the bust into the field and the L appears more like an I. The reverse die F is as the coin above and the combination is rated as R17 out of 20. This coin has received the highest grade in the Bernard Workman selection for this auction as MS66 brown and is estimated to sell for £1,500-£2,000

This Penny is another very rare combination for the date 1861 with the obverse at a slightly earlier stage to the above also without a signature below the bust but retaining the recess in the truncation where the engraver signature should have been. There is also a fifteen leaf laurel wreath as opposed to the sixteen of the coin above, and the leaf veins are double incuse. The reverse is similar to the above but has an extra line to the left of the sailing ship and the sea level meets the inner linear circle rather than crossing it like the earlier reverse of the coin above. Freeman catalogued this coin as number 28 and obverse die 5 with reverse die G and rated it as R18 out 20, the coin is graded as MS63 red and brown and estimated conservatively at £800-£1,000.

In week one of this Esylum feature we showcased the other example of this unusual muling combination where a toothed rim obverse has ended up coupled with a beaded rim reverse. Such coins are an extreme rarity in any grade of preservation, nevermind one as nice as this with red lustre still apparent. This example is one grade higher as MS64 red and brown and estimated to sell for £3,000-£4,000 on November 19th.

The last two pennies we are featuring are both bronzed copper proofs of the 1860 beaded border Penny. This one above is struck on a thicker 2.35mm heavier flan weighing in at over 13.5g and is straight graded PF65+ brown. This extreme rarity is estimated at £3,000-£4,000.

Lastly, we feature the bronzed copper proof on the regular flan dated 1860 with the beaded rim border. This coin has once been lightly scratched negating it from a straight grade but they are so rarely encountered that we expect the coin to fetch between £3,000 and £4,000 on the afternoon of 19th November in London.

Please check in with www.sovr.co.uk for the latest on the live auction and status of pre-bidding upon the lots.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
SOVEREIGN RARITIES WORKMAN COLLECTION (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n42a21.html)
SOVEREIGN RARITIES WORKMAN COLLECTION, PART 2 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n43a29.html)
SOVEREIGN RARITIES WORKMAN COLLECTION, PART 3 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n44a24.html)

SBG NOVEMBER 2024 CURRENCY SHOWCASE

Stack's Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce the November 2024 Showcase Auction of U.S. Currency. Featuring over 400 lots, the sale draws together a diverse offering of bank notes, from iconic rarities to historic items that reflect pivotal times in American history.

Leading these highlights is a Fr. 2231-B 1934 $10,000 Federal Reserve Note that was once part of the legendary assemblage of $1,000,000 in cash that was displayed at Binion’s Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas. Composed of approximately 100 $10,000 Federal Reserve Notes all issued by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, this display was contained within a giant golden horseshoe and was one of many Las Vegas attractions that appealed to tourists and gamblers alike. Broken up for sale in the early 2000s, the display itself has been replaced, but this note is a reflection of the Las Vegas of old and will be offered as lot 7296.

Additional exciting rarities include a piece which can trace a continuous provenance back to the 1930s through the hands of William Philpott Jr., who for much of his adult life was the head of the Texas Bankers Association. Later the note was owned by Peter Huntoon, and most recently the consignor, who acquired it from Huntoon within the past few years. This 1934 $20 Federal Reserve Star Note from the Dallas district, representing a scarce Friedberg number and bearing serial number K00000001*, is found in lot 7237.

Lot 7059 presents a T-35 $5 "Indian Princess" note issued under the authority of the Confederate States of America during the early months of the American Civil War. Believed to have been saved by a distant ancestor of the consignor around the time of that conflict, this piece was discovered in an antique copy of John S.C. Abbott's The History of the Civil War in America that had been passed down through his family since at least the 1920s. Assigned a grade of Very Fine 25 by PMG, this is among a small number of examples representing this catalog number that are free of the restorations and impairments frequently encountered on this short-lived and extremely rare design type.

The November 2024 Showcase Auction also presents notes from the Santa Claus Collection, comprising a number of Obsolete notes depicting the jolly saint synonymous with the Christmas holiday. The Santa Claus Collection offers Obsolete specialists the opportunity to acquire multiple renditions of Santa Claus encountered on notes issued by various banks across the United States. Lot 7048 presents the sole example of a Type IV vignette known to exist on an issued note. Also included are a variety of proofs and associated items such as steel cylinder dies featuring engraved Type I, II, and III Santa Claus vignettes.

A trio of high denomination Gold Certificates in lots 7182, 7183, and 7309 round out this auction, all attractive specimens for their Friedberg numbers. Each features a denomination that has long been discontinued, and all represent huge sums of money for the time in which they were issued.

The entire Stack's Bowers Galleries November 2024 Showcase Auction is now available for viewing and pre-sale bidding at StacksBowers.com. For questions about the November auction or to consign your numismatic items to an upcoming sale, please contact Stack's Bowers Galleries at (800) 458-4646 or by email at info@stacksbowers.com.

CARSON CITY MINT BULLION SCALES

Introduction
Most of us in the Numismatic collecting field love everything from the Carson City Mint. The silver dollars and other CC minted coins excited collectors in the 1800s and still do today. While the ultimate prize of some of those first 1870 gold and silver coins remains out of reach of most collectors, we can still admire the glistening Morgan dollars we all bought in the GSA holders decades ago.

Over the years, I've assayed and written about Carson City silver coins. We've had hundreds of original silver assay sheets from various Comstock mines, and a few gold assay certs as well. Other Carson Mint documents are really rare, as are the original coin bags - another cherished Carson City Mint treasure.

What excited many, and perhaps most of us, was seeing the original Carson City bullion scales at John Ascuaga's Nugget casino in Sparks. I first saw them about 1971. Then in later years, I made sure to take the pilgrimage to see them whenever I was in the casino. Everybody – certainly all the Carson City coin collectors - talked about them. They'd been on display since about the late 1950s, though in a different place than the solid gold rooster that became infamous over times. They were one of those great special things that you didn't have to be a coin collector to appreciate. But one day they were gone. And so was that fabulous solid gold rooster. The Nugget had been sold by the Ascuaga family, and new owners took over. Where did they go? I enquired and was simply told they're gone. Gogh. Nobody ever heard another word.

Then I got a phone call more than a decade later. They were rediscovered, but never lost. Just kept private, held in the family, like any cherished treasure.

Tracing the history of the historic scales became a passion. After the closure of the Mint amid serious scandal and precious metal theft, the contents of the old Mint became variously known as junk or relics, as stated by both Treasury and Carson Mint officials. Only the Mint coin presses were of interest to the Treasury Department. Everything else went out the door, discarded, relegated to a useless relic status.

The Carson City Mint Bullion Balance (scale)
The Carson City Mint balance was made by famous scale and balance manufacturer Henry Troemner & Co. of Philadelphia. Troemner had a secure contract with the Treasury Department for his special and very accurate balances and scales, and had that contract since the Gold Rush days. But how did a huge Troemner scale get to Carson City?

Here's the story of how a Philadelphia scale and balance manufacturer from Germany got his product into the most famous of all the US Mint facilities – the Carson City Mint.

Henry Troemner, Bullion Scale Manufacturer for the US Mint System
Henry Troemner in Philadelphia had developed a great business. As a scale manufacturer, he built some of the finest scales in the world. He attracted the very best businesses, and hit the jackpot when the US Treasury Department decided in about 1856 that all of their scales for the US Mint and all of its branches and assay offices would be afforded only the very best scales for measuring the weight of gold and silver bullion and coins. At the same time, he secured a contract with the Mexican government for providing scales for their Mint. This put Troemner absolutely as the top scale manufacturer in North America.

While scales and balances were provided to Government and private entities, there is an important distinction between scales and balances. Scales measure the weight of an item where the weight is measured on the balance bar, adjusted by weights on the bar. A balance uses a neutral bar with pans hanging at either side, where weights are placed in a pan on one side, and the items to be weighed in the other side, thus a balance. The Carson City Mint, and all the other bullion weighing devices at the Mints are technically balances. Troemner called them Troemner Special Bullion Balance.

Congress Calls for Three Branch Mints.
In 1835 Congress passed an Act to construct three Branch Mints. Two of these were located in the newly discovered Appalachian gold belt. The Charlotte (North Carolina) Branch Mint opened in July, 1837, followed by the Dahlonega, Georgia Branch Mint in February, 1838 and the New Orleans Branch Mint in March, 1838. The New Orleans Branch Mint was created to serve as not only a convenient receiving port for foreign shipments of metal, particularly from South America, but for needed geographic employment.

The California Gold Rush
With the advent of the California Gold Rush and a massive influx of over $50 million in gold per year coming into the Treasury system, the US Mint built its fourth Branch Mint in San Francisco in 1854, which was also the first Branch Mint west of the Mississippi River. California had become a state in 1850, the first western state in North America, becoming so important because of its gold production that it bypassed the Territory status.

Gold production in California overwhelmed the San Francisco Mint. For the first time, the US Mint system was getting silver into its coffers from domestic ores as a byproduct of the gold. Indeed, the average dore gold ingot was about 88% pure gold and 12% silver. Soon, it became unnecessary to receive and melt foreign silver coin in order to produce American silver coinage.

Troemner's bullion balances were used in San Francisco, and were replaced when worn out or better technology caused replacement. Troemner remained the steadfast balance at the Mint for more than 100 years, as it did for the other mints as well.

The Comstock Lode, Nevada
With California gold production at such a high level throughout the 1850s, prospectors combed every inch of the West in search of riches. Soon, California prospectors discovered rich gold-silver deposits just over the Sierra Nevada not far from a beautiful mountain lake that they had named after California's first governor, Lake Bigler. Even explorer John Charles Fremont hadn't named the lake – he just called it Mountain Lake. Known as Lake Tahoe today, it is a scant 45 minute drive from Virginia City, the center of the great Comstock Lode, discovered for good in 1859.

The Comstock was a precious metal behemoth. Within just a few years, the Comstock was producing over $30 million a year –not from a state – not from a county - not from a mining district, but from a single ore deposit. It became the richest single ore deposit ever discovered in the world to that point. That's about $751 million per year in inflation-adjusted dollars, but even more if we look at the rise in silver and gold prices. The financial impact of the Comstock ore deposits on American finance was tremendous. California and Nevada gold and silver production vaulted the United Sates to the top of the financial world, a place they would stay for more than a century.

With the San Francisco Branch Mint overflowing in gold, and Nevada producing tons of silver and gold, another Branch Mint was needed. Carson City, the site of the Nevada State Capital, was chosen as the site. It was a central location along the Nevada-California border, an ideal site geographically.

Construction began in 1866, and was completed and opened January 8, 1870. Most of the equipment had been delivered and setup by 1869. The Mint coin press was installed, tested and working. The Troemner bullion scales were there. The assay office was setup and ready for business and the coin rooms were waiting for their first products.

The Carson City Branch Mint Troemner Special Bullion Balance. 1870-1893 Henry Troemner's bullion balance in Carson City became a workhorse from that first day in 1870 onwards. Troemner's name was placed on a bright brass plaque at the top of the stand just under the massive arm, attached by four screws. This same plaque appears on all of the older Troemner scales, and is also evident in John Shannon's The Assay Balance (1999, p103).

The balance went on to weigh hundreds of millions of dollars in gold and silver – both bullion and coin. Coins minted at Carson City were highly valued right away – the production was almost always less than at other branch mints, and collectors clamored for them from the first year onward. The only place they were ever common was in the pockets of Carson City residents.

Over the ensuing years, the Carson City Mint became the subject of much politicizing. The Mint inadvertently became the punching bag of the American political system. Coin production went up and down at the whim of the politicians. Much has been written on the subject, from the Crime of 1873 issues to the 16 to 1 silver-gold standardization issues, and more.

To read the complete article and lot description, see:
Carson City Branch Mint Troemner Special Bullion Balance 1870-1893 [190720] (https://holabirdamericana.liveauctiongroup.com/Carson-City-Branch-Mint-Troemner-Special-Bullion-Balance-1870-1893-190720_i54643324)

HOLABIRD NOVEMBER 2024 SELECTIONS

Lot 3147: Gold Medal of Merit
Gold medal of merit; 7.1 grams of 14 carat gold; 20 x 30 mm, with loop. Engraved on reverse: "From / R. Marie J. C. / 1923 /to / M. V. Brennan." Stamped at bottom Dieges & Clust. Dieges & Clust were jewellers established in New York in 1898 by Col. Charles Joseph Dieges and Prosper Clust.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Gold Medal of Merit [187144] (https://holabirdamericana.liveauctiongroup.com/Gold-Medal-of-Merit-187144_i54642998)

Lot 3367: Check Signed by Madame Le Tang
Check signed by Madame Le Tang, Tombstone Whorehouse Madam. Drawn on the Pima County Bank, 1881. LeTang was a professional and beautiful French Madame known as Blond Marie in Tombstone. She ran the best prostitution house in the city. Deposit is for $1,000 - a rather large amount. Must represent a portion of the cash flow that this prominent Madame had collected. Signed twice by Letang. Also signed by PW Smith the Manager of the bank. [ Tombstone Arizona

To read the complete lot description, see:
Tombstone Whorehouse Madame LeTang Autograph-Rare! [182138] (https://holabirdamericana.liveauctiongroup.com/Tombstone-Whorehouse-Madame-LeTang-Autograph-Rare-182138_i54643217)

Lot 4240: Early California Counters by Fauver
Rare Complete set of 7 Volumes of "Early California Counters" by L. B. Fauver, Oak Grove Publications, 1990. [ Fred Holabird Collection

To read the complete lot description, see:
Complete Set of Early California Counter by Fauver [181025] (https://holabirdamericana.liveauctiongroup.com/Complete-Set-of-Early-California-Counter-by-Fauver-181025_i54643563)

Lot 4248: Raffle Ticket for an Ingot of Gold
Original raffle ticket 2" x 3 1/4", No. 4685, "Tickets $1, Mammoth Ingot of Gold Raffle to be decided in the Chinese Sales room on July 5, 1853. 2,400 prizes, value $65,000"_x000D_

This raffle was held by Tobin & Duncan of San Francisco at Long's Wharf, where they regularly advertised their Chinese Sales Room. The firm had a significant success, having sold more than 64,000 tickets for the raffle, giving away 2,237 prizes. The sale of tickets went so well that the company continued to sell them until July 11, six days after the original announced drawing date. The winning ticket was drawn July 13th, and the Mammoth gold ingot, of which no description was ever published, went to ticket number 23633. A list of all the winners was posted in the Alta California newspaper. There were reports of other ticket numbers winning the ingot, but the number used here was from the full winners list. This piece is a choice reminder of just how popular the California Gold Rush gold bars were to the average person. No wonder the 560-plus gold bars found on the SS Central America remain popular today!

To read the complete lot description, see:
Raffle Ticket for an Ingot of Gold, San Francisco, 1853 [179364] (https://holabirdamericana.liveauctiongroup.com/Raffle-Ticket-for-an-Ingot-of-Gold-San-Francisco-1853-179364_i54643571)

Lot 4308: Olympics Participation Medal
Rare official participation medal for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. 68 mm. [ Los Angeles California Salvatore Falcone Collection

To read the complete lot description, see:
4308 Olympics Participation Medal 1932 [179165] (https://holabirdamericana.liveauctiongroup.com/Olympics-Participation-Medal-1932-179165_i54643631)

Lot 4340: Louisiana Purchase Expo Medal
In original case: Universal Exposition 1904 Saint Louis. Obv.: Gold Medal / Louisiana Purchase / Exposition; Reverse: Universal Exposition St. Louis United States of America / MCMIV. Bronze, triangular shape, 71 x 71 mm; 145 grams. [ 1904 Salvatore Falcone Collection

To read the complete lot description, see:
Louisiana Purchase Exposition Award Medal 1904 [179262] (https://holabirdamericana.liveauctiongroup.com/Louisiana-Purchase-Exposition-Award-Medal-1904-179262_i54643663)

MORTON & EDEN OFFER DICKIN MEDAL

Alsatian puppy discovered in war-torn France goes on to save life of Czech airman master and fly on active combat missions

The Dickin Medal (the animal equivalent of the VC) was awarded to the Alsatian called Antis, the famous ‘Dog of War' who was discovered as a starving puppy by the Czech Airman Vaclav Bozdech while hiding from German search parties after being shot down over ‘No-Man's Land'. He escaped with his handler into France, taking to the skies with the French Airforce until forced to flee to Britain where dog and master flew together in active combat.

The Dickin medal is expected to reach £30,000-40,000 and is for sale on December 4th, 2024, through Morton and Eden, coin and medal auctioneers. David Kirk from Morton and Eden, said of the medal, 'This is a rare and important medal with an extraordinary story behind it. Dickin medals are scarce to the market and we are very pleased to be selling this one'.

One of just 75 awards of its kind, the citation for this medal reads: ‘For outstanding courage, devotion to duty and lifesaving on several occasions while serving in England and overseas with the RAF and the French Airforce from 1939 – 1945.'

Bozdech discovered Antis as a puppy in an empty farmhouse and originally planned to kill him in case he gave their location away. Unable to do this, he put him in his flying jacket instead. Determined to fight the Nazis, Bozdech fought briefly with the French Foreign Legion before being seconded to the French Air Force. Antis sat calmly for hours at his master's feet in the rear gun turret of his aircraft.

Forced to leave France, Bozdech and Antis were shot down in their first attempt to make for Britain in a private aircraft, they were briefly held as P.O.W.s until the ship of their Italian captors was torpedoed by a British destroyer, and pulled from the sea. Travelling clandestinely to Britain in the hold of the passenger ships Northmoor and Neuralia, Bozdech joined No. 311 (Czechoslovakia) Squadron, Royal Air Force, based as Speke, where Antis soon became the mascot of this famous squadron.

With an uncanny knack of hearing the approach of German bombing raids, far sooner than through the use of modern technical equipment, in the aftermath of a severe air raid Antis assisted during the search and rescue of survivors. Returning to ‘normal duties', Antis went on to take part in 32 combat missions with his master, Bozdech - the only dog in WW2 to accompany an R.A.F. pilot on active combat missions.

Being three times wounded in action by shrapnel in the skies over Kiel and Hannover, Antis later saved the life of his master one last time, by assisting him during his escape from Communist Czechoslovakia in 1948, alerting Bozdech to the presence of search parties, and attacking and pinning down an armed border guard.

The two returned to Britain, where Antis received his Dickin Medal from Field-Marshal Earl Wavell on 28 January, 1949 – the first ‘foreign-born' dog to receive it. Antis finally died in 1953 and is buried in Essex.

For more information, or to bid, see:
https://www.mortonandeden.com/

FRANK ROBINSON 126TH AUCTION

Dealer Frank S. Robinson's 126th mail and internet auction of Ancient and Early Coins will include 583 lots, low starting bids, and no buyer fee. LIVE BIDDING will take place beginning at 11 AM Eastern Time Dec.7 on the biddr.com website. (The deadline for pre-bidding will be Dec.6.)

Featured in this sale is a further segment of a major collection of Judaean and Judaic related material, highlighted by an AVF/VF Vespasian Judaea Capta Sestertius (with a starting bid less than half its realized price at its last auction appearance).

Greek coins include a slabbed EF Armenian Trigranes II Tetradrachm; a classic Athenian Owl tetradrachms in choice quality; VF Baktrian Tetradrachm of Eukratides I with heroic bust type; an excellent run of Parthian coins; and a special selection of the tiniest Greek coins.

Among Roman coins there is a Choice EF Tiberius Tribute Penny denarius; an EF Sestertius of Agrippina Senior; an AEF Titus Sestertius; EF Faustina Senior Sestertius, and an interesting selection of coins of the Ostrogoths, Vandals, etc.

The sale includes early Irish coins from the dealer's personal collection. Also Chinese cash coins, Russian, Byzantine and other early coinages, group lots, literature, and a section of items offered at fixed prices.

Robinson holds about three auctions annually, and tries to offer a broad range of material for advanced collectors as well as bargain hunters. Catalogs are free; contact Robinson at Box 8600A, Albany, NY 12208; phone 518-482-2639; e-mail frank@fsrcoin.com. The full catalog is at his website, www.fsrcoin.com.

HERITAGE SELLS SCHUMAN HARD TIMES TOKENS

1837 American Silver 25 Cents, Low-50, HT-74, W-NY-480-80j, R.8, MS62 NGC. Feuchtwanger's composition (German silver), plain edge. Ex: Bushnell-Low-Ryder-Raymond-Boyd-Ford. The Schuman plate coin (page 89) in The True Hard Times Tokens. The Bowers plate coin in A Guide Book of Hard Times Tokens (page 204). The Rulau plate coin in Standard Catalog of United States Tokens 1700-1900 (page 120). Charles Ira Bushnell described this piece in his 1858 study, An Arrangement of the Tradesmen's Cards, Political Tokens and Election Medals. The phrase "American Silver Composition" was Dr. Feuchtwanger's name for his alloy that is often called "German Silver."

The present offering is the fifth auction appearance of the legendary Low-50 token. This example was previously offered in 1882 and 2004, while the other example appeared in 1990 and 2020. For several decades, the variety was believed to be unique since its discovery in 1858. When we brought the Partrick collection to auction in 2020, we recorded the provenance of that example originating with Virgil M. Brand. However, John J. Ford once claimed that he found that piece and sold it to Mr. Zeddies in the 1960s. Ford's claim is unverifiable today.

Lyman Low, who purchased the present example from the Bushnell auction as agent for Hillyer Ryder, mistakenly included this token among his "Bushnell Fantasy" tokens, although it is now considered an emission of 1837. Analysis of the present piece indicates that it is a true Hard Times Token as Dr. Schuman reports:

"Wayte Raymond, John Ford, George Fuld, Dave Bowers, Russ Rulau, and the author (RAS) all feel that this piece is Dr. Feuchtwanger's Neutral Specie 25 cent pattern for his American Silver composition, a phrase used by Dr. Feuchtwanger on his merchant tokens a 2 Cortland St. and 377 Broadway. The eagle and shield with arrows and leaves are quite typical of and consistent with the 1837 time frame and are remarkably similar to that seen on Low 49 and Low 14, as well as other tokens of that era."

The present American Silver token is sharply struck and free of disturbances. The light gray surfaces show a few splashes of dark patina. Both sides of this lovely rarity present excellent eye appeal. Many of the great token collectors in American numismatics never owned an example of Low-50.

To read the complete item description, see:
1837 American Silver 25 Cents, Low-50, HT-74, W-NY-480-80j, R.8, MS62 NGC. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/hard-times-tokens/1837-american-silver-25-cents-low-50-ht-74-w-ny-480-80j-r8-ms62-ngc-feuchtwanger-s-composition-german-silver-plain-edge-ex-/a/63304-93157.s)

(1835) Carpenter & Mosher, Troy, NY, Low-146, HT-359, W-NY-1680-10a, High R.7, AU55 NGC. Copper, plain edge. Ex: Boyd-Ford. The Rulau plate coin. The Bowers plate coin (page 243). This is the finest of just four known examples of the variety, according to Dr. Schuman's research. He was fortunate to acquire this golden-brown example from the 2004 Ford auction.

To read the complete item description, see:
(1835) Carpenter & Mosher, Troy, NY, Low-146, HT-359, W-NY-1680-10a, High R.7, AU55 NGC. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/hard-times-tokens/-1835-carpenter-and-mosher-troy-ny-low-146-ht-359-w-ny-1680-10a-high-r7-au55-ngc-copper-plain-edge-ex-boyd-ford/a/63304-93297.s)

1838 Am I Not a Man & a Brother, Low-54A, HT-82, W-11-725a, High R.7, XF45 NGC. Copper, plain edge. Ex: Ryder-Boyd-Ford. The Schuman plate coin (page 98). The Bowers plate coin (page 117). A kneeling male slave in chains asks AM I NOT A MAN & A BROTHER on this 1838-dated token that borrows its obverse design from an earlier, undated British token. Similar and plentiful 1838-dated tokens depict a female slave in chains. The late Eric P. Newman researched these pieces, locating contemporary evidence that the American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS) commissioned a New Jersey firm, Gibbs Gardner & Co., to strike the female slave tokens, and advertised these male slave tokens. Some modern researchers consider these to be pattern issues based on their rarity, although there is no contemporary evidence for such a label. This example is the second finest of four known based on NGC grading, although it has been called the finest known at other times.

To read the complete item description, see:
1838 Am I Not a Man & a Brother, Low-54A, HT-82, W-11-725a, High R.7, XF45 NGC. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/hard-times-tokens/1838-am-i-not-a-man-and-a-brother-low-54a-ht-82-w-11-725a-high-r7-xf45-ngc-copper-plain-edge-ex-ryder-boyd-ford-the-schuman-plate/a/63304-93108.s)

(1834) Andrew Jackson, Low-2, HT-4, W-09-30b, R.8, VF35 NGC. Brass, plain edge. Ex: Raymond-Brand-Boyd-Ford. The Schuman plate coin (page 21). The Rulau plate coin (page 110). The Bowers plate coin (page 93). There are just two examples known of this variety that commemorates the achievements of Andrew Jackson in times of war and in times of peace as noted on the reverse inscription. The obverse displays a civilian bust of Andrew Jackson facing right with the inscription ANDREW JACKSON PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. The reverse has WE COMMEMOat THE GLORIOUS VICTORIES OF OUR HERO IN WAR & IN PEACE, with ELECTED A.D. 1828 REELECTED A.D. 1832. The unusual appearance of the word "Commemorate" was the result of poor planning on the part of the die engraver. The word "Salute" might have been a better choice given Jackson's military service.

Dr. Schuman records just two examples in his 2010 book The True Hard Times Tokens. This example is complete, and the other known piece has a hole at 12 o'clock. The census will show the rarity of this important token variety. The present piece from the Schuman collection has just one auction appearance 20 years ago. While both sides show minuscule handling marks and trivial surface roughness, this piece presents great eye appeal with a well-centered strike and lovely beige and golden-tan surfaces.

To read the complete item description, see:
(1834) Andrew Jackson, Low-2, HT-4, W-09-30b, R.8, VF35 NGC. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/hard-times-tokens/-1834-andrew-jackson-low-2-ht-4-w-09-30b-r8-vf35-ngc-brass-plain-edge-ex-raymond-brand-boyd-ford-the-schuman-pla/a/63304-93012.s)

1837 Illustrious Predecessor, Low-19A, HT-33A, W-11-530f, High R.7, MS65 NGC. Silver, plain edge. Ex: Miller-Ford. The Schuman plate coin (page 50). Lyman Low reported in his reference: "This piece was also struck in silver, it is said, for 'Capt. Davenport,' in 1837, concerning whom I have not been able to learn anything." Henry Davenport (1811-1898) was an early American numismatist and a founder of the Boston Numismatic Society. Q. David Bowers provides a biographical sketch of Davenport in A Guide Book of Hard Times Tokens.

This beautiful Gem may be the finest known example despite the Ford duplicate receiving a higher numerical grade. Dr. Schuman purchased both Ford examples in 2004 and chose to retain this example for his collection based on his opinion of its higher quality.

Both sides exhibit original iridescent toning on lustrous silver surfaces. While NGC shows the certification of five examples that grade MS66, MS65, MS63 (2), and MS62. Dr. Schuman records four examples that are known of this silver token variety.

To read the complete item description, see:
1837 Illustrious Predecessor, Low-19A, HT-33A, W-11-530f, High R.7, MS65 NGC. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/hard-times-tokens/1837-illustrious-predecessor-low-19a-ht-33a-w-11-530f-high-r7-ms65-ngc-silver-plain-edge-ex-miller-ford-the-s/a/63304-93092.s)

1834 Whig Victory, Low-6C, HT-14C, W-10-10f, R.8, MS61 NGC. Silver, reeded edge. Ex: Ford. The Schuman plate coin (page 28) as Low-6b. Numbering inconsistencies exist: Dr. Schuman labels the brass pieces as Low-6a, this variety in silver as Low-6b, and a reported German silver example as Low-6c. Bowers follows the lead of Rulau who labels those varieties as Low-6, Low-6C, and Low-6B respectively. Regardless of its label, there are just three known examples in silver. This is the finest of the three known silver examples, and at least two of those are struck over early U.S. quarters. While we are uncertain, we believe that this example is struck over an 1831 Small Letters quarter, possibly B-1 or B-4. This lustrous piece exhibits antique gray surfaces with blue, violet, and gold toning. It presents a high degree of aesthetic appeal and will prove to be a centerpiece of any advanced Hard Times token collection.

To read the complete item description, see:
1834 Whig Victory, Low-6C, HT-14C, W-10-10f, R.8, MS61 NGC. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/hard-times-tokens/1834-whig-victory-low-6c-ht-14c-w-10-10f-r8-ms61-ngc-silver-reeded-edge-ex-ford-the-schuman-plate-coin-page-28-/a/63304-93017.s)

1837 Millions for Defence, Bushnell Fantasy, Low-43A, HT-55A, W-X-700f, R.8, MS61 NGC. Silver, plain edge. Silver examples of the Bushnell Fantasy tokens are extremely rare, and the present variety is possibly unique. There was no example in the Ford collection, nor in the Charles Litman collection. Lyman Low wrote in 1899 that he believed just one silver example was produced for each of these fantasy tokens.

Just five different varieties are listed in A Guide Book of Hard Times Tokens, struck from the dies of Low-41, 42, 43 (offered here), 70, and 71. A detailed census of silver Bushnell pieces, indeed of all silver Hard Times tokens, should be compiled.

This lovely Mint State example has delicate gold and iridescent toning on antique-silver surfaces. Slight central weakness is noted on this imperfectly centered token.

Ex: Massachusetts Historical Society (Bowers and Merena, 11/1994), lot 3008; Dice-Hicks Collections (Stack's, 7/2008), lot 3057.

To read the complete item description, see:
1837 Millions for Defence, Bushnell Fantasy, Low-43A, HT-55A, W-X-700f, R.8, MS61 NGC. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/hard-times-tokens/1837-millions-for-defence-bushnell-fantasy-low-43a-ht-55a-w-x-700f-r8-ms61-ngc-silver-plain-edge-silver-examples-o/a/63304-93125.s)

1837 Feuchtwanger Three Cents, Low-118, HT-263, W-NY-480-65j, R.4, MS65 NGC. Feuchtwanger's composition (German silver), reeded edge. Ex: Boyd-Ford. This example and another from the Ford Collection are likely the two finest known examples of the variety, and the cataloger of the Ford tokens wrote: "There will be spirited debate as to whether this or the one above is really the finest known." The two tokens brought identical prices in the Ford auction; thus, we conclude that they are tied for the best in existence. All design elements are boldly rendered, with brilliant luster that accompanies lovely light gold and iridescent toning. The surfaces of this Gem are virtually flawless.

Ex: F.C.C. Boyd; John J. Ford, Jr. (Stack's, 6/2004), lot 212.

To read the complete item description, see:
1837 Feuchtwanger Three Cents, Low-118, HT-263, W-NY-480-65j, R.4, MS65 NGC. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/hard-times-tokens/1837-feuchtwanger-three-cents-low-118-ht-263-w-ny-480-65j-r4-ms65-ngc-feuchtwanger-s-composition-german-silver-ree/a/63304-93154.s)

1837 Millions for Defence, Low-170, HT-43, W-11-90a, R.8 -- Cleaned -- NGC Details. Unc. Copper, plain edge. Ex: Ford. The Schuman Plate Coin (page 62). Glossy brown surfaces show hints of light blue overtones with traces of artificial red luster in the protected areas. A few trivial marks and faint scratches are evident on both sides. The present piece is the finest of three known, and while cleaned, it is the only undamaged example.

To read the complete item description, see:
1837 Millions for Defence, Low-170, HT-43, W-11-90a, R.8 -- Cleaned -- NGC Details. Unc. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/hard-times-tokens/1837-millions-for-defence-low-170-ht-43-w-11-90a-r8-cleaned-ngc-details-unc-copper-plain-edge-ex-ford-the-s/a/63304-93056.s)

1837 Feuchtwanger One Cent, Low-120, HT-268, W-NY-480, Dies 3-C, Low R.8, AU58 NGC. Feuchtwanger's composition (German silver), reeded edge. The Bowers plate coin (page 199). This impressive Choice AU example has golden-brown surfaces with a dark toning spot at the left reverse that identifies the coin as the Bowers plate coin. The strike is nearly complete, showing the usual softness on the highest points of the eagle and opposing central reverse. We are aware of just two other examples of this die combination that Bowers describes as one of the "Holy Grail" varieties among circulation strike Feuchtwanger cents. The other two examples are low grade pieces.

Purchased from a descendant of Dr. Lewis Feuchtwanger.

To read the complete item description, see:
1837 Feuchtwanger One Cent, Low-120, HT-268, W-NY-480, Dies 3-C, Low R.8, AU58 NGC. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/hard-times-tokens/1837-feuchtwanger-one-cent-low-120-ht-268-w-ny-480-dies-3-c-low-r8-au58-ngc-feuchtwanger-s-composition-german-silve/a/63304-93131.s)

1837 Feuchtwanger Three Cents, Low-119, HT-265A, W-NY-480-70j, Low R.7, MS64 NGC. Feuchtwanger's composition (German silver), reeded edge. Cataloged here as HT-265A. The listings for HT-265 and HT-265A are for the same extremely rare token variety that is offered here, the difference being designations of prooflike Mint State for HT-265 and proof for HT-265A.

When this example was offered in 2008, the cataloger for Stack's identified six examples, relying on earlier research that was presented when two examples were offered from the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection in 2004. Today, we have records of 10 different examples that are recorded in our census below. The present piece is the Rulau plate coin.

This example features a bold strike with no evidence of weakness on either side, save for indistinct leaves at the top of the right branch. Both sides are brilliant and fully mirrored with a hint of amber and blue toning. The fields and devices provide a high degree of contrast. The late C. Douglas Smith, a well-known large cent collector and friend of Dr. Schuman, had a favorite term to describe the appearance of pieces like this: "Bottomless Pool Effect."

To read the complete item description, see:
1837 Feuchtwanger Three Cents, Low-119, HT-265A, W-NY-480-70j, Low R.7, MS64 NGC. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/hard-times-tokens/1837-feuchtwanger-three-cents-low-119-ht-265a-w-ny-480-70j-low-r7-ms64-ngc-feuchtwanger-s-composition-german-silver-/a/63304-93155.s)

NEW ENGLAND TRIM

Regardless of the hobby certain qualifiers will always be a constant. Within paper money collecting terms like trimmed often evoke a negative connotation that a note lacks originality and has been likely been modified to improve its appearance. However, when it comes to contemporary trimmings when the note actually circulated, as in the case of National Banknotes from New England, a trimming is not so much a negative owing to the history of banking in the region.

Dubbed a New England Trim, this practice was believed to be the result of bank employees trimming notes to fit cash boxes that were originally made for Obsolete notes, which were often smaller than the post-1861 federal issues.

The typical host for this phenomenon is an Original Series or Series of 1875 National in which the margins are entirely trimmed away and the leading edge of the engraved portion of the design essentially becomes the new margin.

The practice was particularly prominent in Boston and the rest of Massachusetts, with banks as far as Bangor, Maine and even banks in Upstate New York adopting the practice briefly before it eventually died out around the early 1900s. This leaves Brown Backs the last type where a New England Trim can be encountered with regularity.

Today's collectors typically pay no special attention while others simply see it as part of the numismatic calculus of collecting National Banknotes from New England. Examples of this practice can be had with regularity depending on the issuing bank.

Stack's Bowers Galleries will have a number of National Banknotes from New England including one issued by the First National Bank of Bangor, Maine (Charter# 112) which sports an atypical New England Trim where the top margin remains intact. This may be reflective of an unusual in-bank dictate, resulting in the existence of similar examples recorded by the National Bank Note Census.

Offered as lot 7349 collectors will have the chance to bid on this National Bank of Bangor note as well as a fine selection of seldom-offered rarities as part of our November 2024 Showcase Auction.

To read the complete article, see:
What is a New England Trim? (https://stacksbowers.com/what-is-a-new-england-trim/)

GERMAN INFLATION SPIRALS OUT OF CONTROL

With the occupation of the industrial Ruhr in January 1923, inflation spiralled completely out of control. A hundred thousand French soldiers invaded the region on the grounds that Germany had deliberately fallen behind with reparation payments. To reinforce their demands, the French wanted to cut off German industry from its raw materials and redirect the coke, coal and steel into their own country. In spite of brutal attempts at intimidation, however, the workers refused to go to the smelting furnaces or down the mines for the occupying forces. Over 150,000 people, not only workers but officials and office clerks, were violently expelled from the Ruhr. The rest went on striking or, sometimes with the help of Freikorps members, engaged in acts of sabotage.

For a while the German public pulled together, as they had during the domestic political truce (Burgfrieden) declared during the war. It was only on the far right that people went on mocking what was known as the 'policy of fulfilment' — an agreement to repay reparations with a view to renegotiating the deal in due course. But there was little sign in government of its supposed submissiveness towards the victorious forces. On the contrary: in order to maintain resistance against the occupation, the state went on paying damages to the Ruhr companies and wages to the approximately 2 million striking workers. These strikers were known as 'Curio pensioners' after the acting non-party-aligned Wilhelm Cuno, President Ebert's sixth chancellor. To keep them fed, the government went on printing money for almost nine months — in vast quantities. More than 5,000 printing works were now churning out notes on behalf of the Reichsbank. New bills were constantly being designed to make the money manageable, in terms of weight at least, so that people didn't always have to go to the baker's with a wheelbarrow full of notes. In November, a pound of rye bread cost a thousand billion marks. In February 1923 the 100,000-mark note entered circulation. This was followed within eight months by the 50-million mark note, the 200-billion and finally the 100-trillion note.

The Germans might not have had much of an idea what was going on, but they could still count. Never again were they such masters at calculating numbers with 12 zeros as they were in the autumn of 1923. It took some people a matter of seconds to work out how long they could survive on the trillions they had in their pockets. But the 100- trillion note marked the end. It was the largest denomination ever printed on a German banknote. As if this record had been predicted, the 100-trillion mark note was particularly fine to look at — a masterpiece of the money-maker's art. It was truly heart-rending that such trouble should have been taken with such a debilitated currency. On the right-hand edge of the note, there was a symbol of German culture: Albrecht Durer' s portrait of the humanist Willibald Pirckheimer. The watermark was a row of thistles; a complicated braiding of lines artfully made the note difficult to forge. But who would have wanted to forge it? This absurd level of accuracy didn't enhance the note's value. According to a widespread story; some thieves stole a whole laundry basket full of money. They threw away the money and kept the basket."

To read the complete article, see:
When money dies -- 10/22/24 (https://delanceyplace.com/view-archives.php?p=5142)

UPDATE: NEPAL NOTE'S MAP RILES INDIA

Nepal's decision to print a redesigned 100-rupee note — featuring disputed border territories and produced by a Chinese company — has reignited a longstanding boundary dispute with India. The banknote, bearing regions like Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani, reflects Nepal's revised map, a move India views as an ‘artificial enlargement' of borders

Nepal's decision to redesign its 100-rupee currency note has sparked a fresh wave of tension between Kathmandu and New Delhi, with the primary cause being the inclusion of disputed border territories in the new map.

This decision, entailing the involvement of a Chinese printing company, has fuelled political and strategic sensitivities.

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the central bank of Nepal, has granted China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation a contract to design, print, and deliver 300 million copies of the redesigned 100-rupee banknote.

To read the complete article, see:
Why Nepal's new currency production and redesign may anger India (https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/nepal-new-currency-production-redesign-may-anger-india-13830862.html)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NEW NEPAL NOTE'S MAP RILES INDIA (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n18a25.html)

CHICAGO SALVATION ARMY GOLD COIN DONATIONS

Len Augsburger writes:

The Salvation Army announced they have received two gold coins, worth over $4,000, donated in Waukegan before Red Kettle season has even begun.

The Salvation Army North and Central Illinois Division said the two coins were donated on Monday afternoon.

The first gold coin of the season was a one-ounce South African Gold Krugerrand and the second was a half-ounce $25 gold American Eagle coin.

The first coin, valued at approximately $2,750, was hand-delivered to the Waukegan Corps Community Center just after 1 p.m. Monday.

The second coin, valued at approximately $1,500, was walked into the Waukegan Corps on behalf of another donor at 3:30 p.m. Monday.

Gold coins, like the ones dropped off in Waukegan, help The Salvation Army support families who are struggling to stay in their homes, put a warm meal on the table and provide Christmas gifts for their children.

The Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign dates back to 1891 in San Francisco.

Gold and silver coins donated to The Salvation Army Red Kettles have become a holiday tradition and the organization said they are grateful to the donors for their support.

Len adds:

Tom DeLorey writes:

To read the complete article, see:
2 gold coins valued at more than $4,000 donated to Salvation Army in Lake County ahead of holiday season (https://www.lakemchenryscanner.com/2024/11/06/2-gold-coins-valued-at-more-than-4000-donated-to-salvation-army-in-lake-county-ahead-of-holiday-season/)

WHEN A WINNING BIDDER DOESN'T PAY

The Holy Grail Wayne Gretzky rookie card case is going back on the market.

In February, Heritage Auctions made headlines by selling a case of 1979 O-Pee-Chee hockey cards, stored away for decades in Regina, Saskatchewan, for $3.72 million. It's a case that included 16 sealed boxes with 48 packs per box and more than 10,000 total cards, and the potential to pull a stack of Gretzky rookie cards. It was a story of discovery, nostalgia and treasure hunting, until the original auction winner didn't pay the tab.

Now, thanks to that unpaid bill, collectors will have another shot at it.

The Director of Sports Auctions for Heritage, Chris Ivy, said the auction house discussed options on how to proceed with the consignors of the case and ultimately decided to put it back up for sale in its upcoming Winter Sports Catalog Auction in a twist to an increasingly bizarre story.

After downing Red Bulls to stay up late and win the initial auction, Jack Arshawsky told the CBC in April that his passion for the hobby went away when he saw the reaction of others who lost out on the case. He said he paid $3 million of the total price upfront while Heritage held the case in its vault, pending payment of the outstanding balance.

However, according to Heritage Auctions, no payment was made by Arshawsky.

Arshawsky claimed to have offered the case to prominent business owners and celebrities, attempting to find a suitable buyer for it, but was unsuccessful.

I just hope that whoever gets it is someone who really appreciates this kind of an item, Arshawsky told The Athletic, noting how serious collectors are about such rare finds. They live and breathe it. … It's like a religion to them.

It is extremely rare for someone to fail to complete a sale. It has happened in less than 1 percent of Heritage auctions, Ivy said.

We've never had a situation quite like this where a buyer who went to the press and essentially announced that he was looking to sell the item prior to making any sort of payment for it, Ivy said. It's very, very odd circumstances.

The botched sale isn't expected to negatively impact the value of the case, Ivy added. Despite the amount of media attention given to the item, no one has come forward with any other unopened cases, which Ivy said underscores the belief that it is the only one.

To read the complete article, see:
Wayne Gretzky rookie card case going back to auction after $3 million unpaid tab (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5903800/2024/11/06/wayne-gretzky-rookie-cards-auction/)