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About Us The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit association devoted to the study and enjoyment of numismatic literature. For more information please see our web site at coinbooks.org Subscriptions Those wishing to become new E-Sylum subscribers (or wishing to Unsubscribe) can go to the following web page link Membership There is a membership application available on the web site Membership Application To join, print the application and return it with your check to the address printed on the application. Print/Digital membership is $45 to addresses in the U.S., and $65 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 1/8/2025 - Numismatic Antiquarian Bookshop Lang 1/25/2025 - Kolbe & Fanning

 

Content presented in The E-Sylum is not necessarily researched or independently fact-checked, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.

WAYNE'S WORDS: THE E-SYLUM DECEMBER 29, 2024

We now have 7,253 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.

We managed to get the issue out on time this week after all! We open with a final group of selections from the upcoming Workman's Books numismatic literature sale, three new books, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, and more.

Other topics this week include digital numismatic images, Large Cents, paper money artist Walter Shirlaw, Mint Director Nellie Tayloe Ross, rare Confederate currency, Pakistan's State Bank Money Museum, the coins of Gladiator II, trained dogs, medals for Wes Moore and Tom Cruise, and the superpower of reading and research.

To learn more about military tokens, the coinage of Sri Lanka, Islamic coinage, the Osborne Coinage Company, vasilopita, Dan Holmes, Ed Fulwider, Claude Proulx, the First Wednesday Numismatic Study Group, another early Confederate States of America note, raw edges, new designs for the $5 through $100 bills, and the Standing Liberty Half Dollar, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

 

WORKMAN'S BOOKS SALE 7 SELECTIONS, PART FOUR

Lot 110: Calico, Ferran & Xavier Calico & Joaquin Trigo. MONEDAS ESPANOLAS DESDE JUANA Y CARLOS A ISABEL II 1504 A 1868. Gabinete Numismatico Calico, Barcelona. 1985. 4to. 544, (2) pages. original brown leatherette, photo plate device, gilt. b&w coin photos throughout. Spanish text. Some cracking along front and back edges of spine. Very Good. This book is a comprehensive illustrated catalog and price guide to the gold, silver, and copper coinage of the various monarchs and mints in Spain and Spanish America from 1504 to 1868. Lot weight: 3 lbs 10oz. Subject(s): Spanish, Spanish American Coinage.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Calico: Monedas Espanolas desde Juana y Carlos a Isabel II 1504 a 1868 (https://www.icollector.com/Calico-Monedas-Espanolas-desde-Juana-y-Carlos-a-Isabel-II-1504-a-1868_i54896645)

Lot 118: Carson, R.A.G. & Colin M. Kraay [editors]. SCRIPTA NUMMARIA ROMANA - ESSAYS PRESENTED TO HUMPHREY SUTHERLAND. Spink & Son Ltd., London. 1978. 4to. (2), xiv, 250, (2) pages. original blue cloth, gilt, jacket. Frontispiece photo. Maps. Tables. 24 b&w coin plates. English text. Very Good. Good collection of fifteen scholarly articles on Roman numismatics. Lot weight: 2 lbs 4oz. Subject(s): Ancient Coinage.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Carson: Scripta Nummaria Romana - Essays Presented to Humphrey Sutherland (https://www.icollector.com/Carson-Scripta-Nummaria-Romana-Essays-Presented-to-Humphrey-Sutherland_i54896653)

Lot 151: Cohen, Roger S., Jr. AMERICAN HALF CENTS - THE 'LITTLE HALF SISTERS'. Wigglesworth & Ghatt Co., Arlington. 1982. 4to. (2), xxii, 131, (3) pages. original yellow pictorial cloth lettered in black. Tables. Diagrams. b&w coin photos throughout. English text. Fine. Clain-Stefanelli 12278. Lot weight: 1 lbs 14oz. Subject(s): United States Coinage.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Cohen: American Half Cents - The 'Little Half Sisters' (https://www.icollector.com/Cohen-American-Half-Cents-The-Little-Half-Sisters_i54896686)

Lot 183: Cunningham, Paul A. MILITARY TOKENS OF THE UNITED STATES. VOLUME I (DOMESTIC ISSUES). Michigan Exonumia Publishers, Tecumseh. 1995. 4to. xiii, 440 pages. original black cloth, gilt. Inscribed by the author. Appendices. B&w historical and token photos and line illustrations throughout. English text. The Melvin and George Fuld Library. Fine. This book is a guide to the military tokens issued by the military installations of the United States armed forces and this volume only includes domestically issued tokens. The tokens are organized by state and then alphabetically by installation and then by denomination. Each token is described and where possible a photo is presented. Lot weight: 3 lbs 11oz. Subject(s): United States Tokens.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Cunningham: Military Tokens of the United States. Volume I (Domestic Issues) (https://www.icollector.com/Cunningham-Military-Tokens-of-the-United-States-Volume-I-Domestic-Issues_i54896718)

Lot 200: Doughty, Russell B.B. THE TOP FLYING EAGLE AND INDIAN HEAD CENT DIE VARIETIES. Russell B.B. Doughty. 2017. 12mo. (6), 157, (1) pages. original pictorial card covers. Signed by the author. Color photos throughout. English text. The David Baker Library. Fine. The authoritative reference for die varieties of the Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cent series of United States Coinage. Pages feature full color and full page photographs. Lot weight: 0 lbs 13oz. Subject(s): United States Coinage.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Doughty: The Top Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cent Die Varieties (https://www.icollector.com/Doughty-The-Top-Flying-Eagle-and-Indian-Head-Cent-Die-Varieties_i54896735)

Lot 201: Douglas, Duane D. GUIDEBOOK TO THE TEN PESO BANKNOTES ISSUED BY BANCO DE MEXICO, S.A. Sociedad Numismatica de Mexico, A.C., Mexico City. 1977. 4to. 114 pages. original pictorial card covers. Inscribed by the author. B&w currency photos throughout. Spanish and English text. cover sun-faded and browned from age. Very Good. This book is a catalog and price guide to the ten peso banknotes of Mexico issued by the Central Bank of Mexico that circulated from 1925 to 1975. Lot weight: 0 lbs 14oz. Subject(s): Mexican Paper Money.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Douglas: Guidebook to the Ten Peso Banknotes Issued by Banco de Mexico, S.A. (https://www.icollector.com/Douglas-Guidebook-to-the-Ten-Peso-Banknotes-Issued-by-Banco-de-Mexico-S-A_i54896736)

Lot 387: Lasser, Joseph R. & Jorge Emilio Restrepo. THE COB COINAGE OF COLOMBIA 1622-1756. Pertinax Press, New York. 2000. 4to. xvii, 150, (8) pages. Original blue cloth, lettered in silver, gilt center device. Inscribed by the author to Alan Craig. Map. Tables. Charts. Bibliography. b&w coin and coin detail photos throughout. English text translated and edited from Spanish by William L. Bischoff. The Alan Craig Library. The David Baker Library. Fine. This book is a study of the gold and silver cobs of all types and denominations minted and produced in the areas now known as Colombia. The book starts with a history of Nuevo Reino de Grenada and its silver and gold cob production. The second part of the book is a catalog of the coins as listed according to rulers and according to denomination, mint and assayer. All coin types have an obverse and reverse coin photo, type designation, assayer information, notes on rarity and other descriptive information. Lot weight: 1 lbs 5oz. Subject(s): Colombian Coinage.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Lasser: The Cob Coinage of Colombia 1622-1756 (https://www.icollector.com/Lasser-The-Cob-Coinage-of-Colombia-1622-1756_i54896922)

Lot 631: Smith, A.M. ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF GOLD AND SILVER COINS OF THE WORLD - ILLUSTRATING THE MODERN, ANCIENT, CURRENT AND CURIOUS, FROM A.D. 1885 BACK TO B.C. 700. A.M. Smith, Philadelphia. 1886. 8vo. 511, (1) pages. original brown cloth decoratively stamped in black; lettered in gilt. Finely engraved frontispiece portrait of the author. Lithographic title preceding the printed title. Tables. B&w line illustrations and print illustrations throughout. English text. shelf wear along edges, corners bumped and worn, Very Good. A popular nineteenth-century American numismatic work. Smith (born Anders Madsen Schmidt in Denmark) became interested in numismatics in the mid-1870s and published several works on coins before this work. It may have been written to compete with John S. Dye's popular 1883 Coin Encyclopedia, and, judging from current availability, was at least as successful. A delightful feature of this work is the extensive use of reproductions of numismatic frontispieces and vignettes taken from early numismatic publications. Lot weight: 3 lbs 10oz. Subject(s): World Coinage.

To read the complete lot description, see:
Smith: Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Gold and Silver Coins of the World - Illustrating the Modern, An (https://www.icollector.com/Smith-Illustrated-Encyclopaedia-of-Gold-and-Silver-Coins-of-the-World-Illustrating-the-Modern-An_i54897166)

To visit the firm's website:
https://workmansbooks.square.site/

Sale link: https://www.icollector.com/The-David-Baker-Numismatic-and-Treasure-Library-and-other-Consignments-Sale-7_a68681
PDF sale catalog: https://workmansbooks.com/downloads/WB%20Auction%20007%20catalog.pdf
Print catalog: https://www.lulu.com/shop/alan-workman/sale-7-the-david-baker-numismatic-and-treasure-library-and-other-consignments/paperback/product-v8jre6n.html

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
WORKMAN'S BOOKS SALE 7 SELECTIONS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n48a02.html)
WORKMAN'S BOOKS SALE 7 SELECTIONS, PART TWO (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n49a03.html)
WORKMAN'S BOOKS SALE 7 SELECTIONS, PART THREE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n50a02.html)
WORKMAN'S BOOKS SALE 7 REMINDER (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n51a02.html)

NEW BOOK: COINAGE OF SRI LANKA

Coinage of Sri Lanka (Pre-Colonial Era)
by Eranda Adikaram

Through this book, I have attempted to provide numismatists with some insight into the coinage system of Sri Lanka.

The twelve chapters offer a detailed account of the coins of Sri Lanka, starting from the earliest times and continuing up to the Colonial Period. The three appendices give an overview of the development of world trade, politics and weight standards, as well as Sri Lanka's involvement during the ancient and medieval periods.

This paperback edition consists of 260 pages and features color photographs.

• Chapter 1 Kahapana (punch-marked coins)
• Chapter 2 Copper coins – railed swastika series (early Anuradhapura period)
• Chapter 3 Copper coins of Anuradhapura between the first and fifth centuries
• Chapter 4 Lakshmi coins or plaques
• Chapter 5 Copper coins with an influence of South Indian coin designs (late Anuradhapura period)
• Chapter 6 Inscribed coins from Ruhuna
• Chapter 7 Seals and sealings
• Chapter 8 Roman coins and imitations found in Sri Lanka
• Chapter 9 Gold coins of Sri Lanka
• Chapter 10 Massa coins (post Anuradhapura period)
• Chapter 11 Coins of the Tamil rulers of Jaffna
• Chapter 12 Foreign coins used in Sri Lanka
• Appendix 1 History of Sri Lanka
• Appendix 2 World trade and trading empires
• Appendix 3 Coins and weight standards

For more information, or to order, see:
Coinage of Sri Lanka: Pre-Colonial Era (https://www.amazon.com/Coinage-Sri-Lanka-Pre-Colonial-Era/dp/B0DP49B7QQ/)

Having developed a popular online website on Lankan coins (coins.lakdiva.org.lk) I have frequently been urged to compile a book. However, I have remained focused on the digital domain, avoiding the intricate work of print layouts. It is, therefore, a welcome development that Eranda Adikaram has recently stepped forward with Coinage of Sri Lanka (Pre-Colonial Era).

At the 100th anniversary of the Colombo Museum's seminal publication The Coins and Currency of Ceylon by H. W. Codrington which is regarded as the primary guide for Lankan numismatics, Eranda's work serves as a timely more readable introduction to the field for both the beginner and the more knowledgeable collector. Cataloging ancient coins is a challenge, given the complexities and gaps inherent in archaeological research. Without the context of excavation finds, coins that circulate primarily through trade risk being misclassified or regarded as speculative items. Eranda's research, grounded largely in a personal collection, which originated from that of the prominent civil lawyer late Chula De Silva, stands out in this respect.

Eranda's approach, using line drawings by his daughters for coins not available in his collection, is both creative and commendable. It engages the younger generation and lends a personal touch to an otherwise scholarly pursuit. The book offers a comprehensive and readable introduction to Lanka's pre-colonial coinage, and while it is richly illustrated with photographs of historical sites, it eschews the trappings of a coffee table book. The coin images, printed in colour at 220 dpi are slightly larger than actual size, provide useful visual clarity, though some details remain obscured by corrosion. Unfortunately, the lack of a bibliography is a notable shortcoming, though Eranda compensates somewhat by providing provenance for rare coins via footnotes.

Eranda's work is a well-crafted contribution to the study of Lankan numismatics. With a few Appendixes with trade and historical context the book provides both enthusiasts and scholars a valuable resource for understanding the island's pre-colonial monetary systems.

I hope Eranda will consider putting his book to an online platform which would significantly enhance its accessibility and impact. In today's digital age, most research is conducted online, with scholars and enthusiasts relying heavily on searchable content for quick reference and comprehensive exploration. Making the book available online would ensure that with higher resolution images, its valuable insights reach a wider audience, fostering greater engagement and understanding of Lanka's numismatic heritage, while preserving the book's legacy beyond the confines of a physical shelf.

To read the complete review, see:
A valuable resource with a personal touch for both scholars and enthusiasts (https://www.sundaytimes.lk/241124/plus/a-valuable-resource-with-a-personal-touch-for-both-scholars-and-enthusiasts-578251.html)
Coinage of Sri Lanka (Pre-Colonial Era) by Eranda Adikaram (https://coins.lakdiva.org.lk/publ/eranda_review.html)

 

NEW BOOK: DINARS AND DIRHAMS

Dinars and Dirhams: Coins of the Islamic lands
Part One: The early period
Aram R. Vardanyan

The Islamic coinage in the Collection is among the most outstanding in private hands, with some 14,500 issues in gold, silver and copper. The coins were issued across the Islamic world, from North Africa to Central Asia and India, in the 7th to the 20th centuries. Many series are represented in larger numbers and in greater variety than in any other collection. The entire collection will be published online, but in the meantime it was decided to publish a representative 2,100 of them, selected for their rarity, historical significance, clarity and overall numismatic importance in two volumes, of which this is the first.

The gold, silver and copper coins featured in this volume were issued between the 7th and the 13th centuries. They include many rare and hitherto unpublished specimens. Of special interest among the early gold coins is the group of Arab-Latin gold solidi from Spain and North Africa, as well as the first post-reform dinar of AH 77 (AD 696–7), the rare dinar of AH 105 (AD 723–4) which mentions and the rare Abbasid dinar of the year the family assumed the caliphate, AH 132 (AD 749–50). The silver coinage contains many unparalleled series and a number of presentation issues while the copper coins include the expressive Artuqid issues of the Jazira and eastern Anatolia. The volume opens with a general introduction detailing the highlights of the Collection, and each of the six chapters is preceded by a historical overview. A second volume is dedicated to a selection of coins issued between the 13th and 20th centuries.

About the author(s)
Dr Aram R. Vardanyan is a private researcher in the field of Islamic Numismatics and Near Eastern History

Details
fully illustrated in colour; hardback with dust jacket (slipcased); 36 × 26 cm; ISBN: 978-1-874780-82-3

David Fanning adds:

For more information, or to order, see:
DINARS AND DIRHAMS: COINS OF THE ISLAMIC LANDS. PART ONE. THE EARLY PERIOD. KHALILI COLLECTION. (https://www.numislit.com/pages/books/7507/aram-r-vardanyan/dinars-and-dirhams-coins-of-the-islamic-lands-part-one-the-early-period)
Dinars and Dirhams: Coins of the Islamic lands Part One: The early period (https://www.khalilicollections.org/portfolio/dinars-dirhams-coins-islamic-lands-later-period-part-one/)

 

NEW BOOK: OSBORNE COINAGE CO. RECORDS

In 2002 I learned that some encased coin production records survived the purge of encased coin materials at the Osborne Coinage Company. Recognizing the value of these records, over many years I have worked to make them available to the public.

While a listing of all 4,735 Osborne encased coin production records was far too large to publish in printed form, it was practical to create an online catalog of all the records, and print only this excerpt of just the Fankhauser records. The catalog of all of the Osborne production records can be viewed at tokenandmedal.org/Osborne.

TAMS published the first Catalog of Earl Fankhauser's encased coins back in 1995. In the last twenty-nine years, more pieces have been discovered and new varieties have been found. The location of most of the remaining maverick pieces have been identified, and other pieces have been attributed to different cities than they were originally.

In addition to these updates, the Catalog now contains valuable information from the Osborne production records. The records revealed the order quantities and actual order dates, along with other interesting facts, such as the original cost, whether a new die was to be made, and whether coins were provided by Fankhauser for the order.

From the production records I learned that Fankhauser was still taking orders in 1966, a year later than first believed. Osborne was using up their excess supply of 1963 and 1964 cents in 1964, 1965 and 1966, making it impossible to tell the date of manufacture from the date of the coin in the encasement during those years.

Not all of the production records for the Fankhauser encased coins survived. But for those that did, you can find the Osborne Order Number in this Catalog. With that number, you can pull up an image of the production record. Simply add the order number to the end of the main web address. For example, to see the production record for order #10240, look up tokenandmedal.org/Osborne/10240.jpg.

This updated Fankhauser Catalog contains all of this information and more. There are new stories and information about many of the pieces. Quite a number of typos and errors have been fixed from the original Catalog. Given the wide range of prices being paid for his pieces today, the Value field has been replaced with an Availability rating to give collectors a better idea of a piece's scarcity. The Catalog also lists six unknown and yet to be found Fankhauser pieces, known only from their Osborne production record.

There is also information on the encased coins I was involved in making, including the Old Fort Coin Club 40th anniversary pieces and the pieces made in collaboration with Elaine Rexdale. Many of the Rexdale designs broke new ground. They are catalogued after the Fankhauser pieces, along with stories about the pieces and our adventure together.

Those interested in learning more about Earl Fankhauser should locate a copy of the original 1995 Catalog, Frederick Earl Fankhauser "The Penny Man", His Life And Work With Encased Coins, published as TAMS Journal 35:6(2). It tells of the struggles of Fankhauser's early life during the Depression, and his eventual involvement with encased coins as "The Penny Man". Many colorful anecdotes about his life are shared as well. He was my wife's grandfather.

This Catalog cannot be re-issued without recognizing the enormous contribution made to the first Catalog by the late George Courtesis. He spent untold hours in the Allen County Public Library attributing maverick pieces and digging up background stories. George's enthusiasm, feedback, and friendly prodding were instrumental in providing me with the motivation to keep going. He was a good friend, and I miss him. Perhaps if he were still alive today, this Catalog would have been completed a lot sooner.

Bob Byrne was an invaluable source of information for reporting new finds and for helping establish the new Availability ratings. Bob has been a most active collector of Fankhauser pieces for the past twenty-five years. Bruce Perdue of EncasedCoins.info helped find errors in my Osborne database, and lent his expertise to build some early trials of the online Osborne Catalog. Robert Lloyd helped point out more errors in the first Fankhauser publication than I thought possible, and contributed a number of interesting stories on several of the pieces. Richard Greever of TokenCatalog.com created the Osborne Catalog webpage, which displays the records in a searchable format and links the Osborne order sheets to images of the pieces from his site.

Upon publication of this Catalog, additional pieces may be discovered, more stories may surface, and errors found. So that all may benefit, please send any information or comments to the author at the address below.

I hope you find the discovery of the Osborne Coinage Company's production records exciting, and enjoy this fresh look at Earl Fankhauser's work. Best wishes, and happy hunting.

Bryan writes:

For more information on the Token and Medal Society, see:
https://tokenandmedal.org/

BILL ECKBERG ON NNP DIGITAL IMAGES

BILL ECKBERG ON DIGITAL IMAGES

Bill Eckberg has contributed a monograph examining imaging technology, as related to numismatics, and the limitations of digital images such as those found on the Newman Portal. From the NNP perspective, there are several considerations. First, there is always a trade off between quality and cost. Higher-resolution images take longer to create and are more expensive to process and maintain. When operating at large scale, these differences result in significant costs. Most NNP materials are scanned at 300 dpi, although our equipment is capable of scanning at greater resolution when needed. The state of the art is conveyed by our digitization of the Hart (1851) plate of colonial paper money, scanned on a Digital Transitions Titan copy stand. Note, this image file is over 500Mb and may take several minutes to download. Conversely, one will be able to zoom-in to the smallest details.

Second, imaging technology has advanced considerably since we started scanning in 2015 and will continue to do so. Most scans from the early period are via the Internet Archive Table Top Scribe, which we have operated with an ongoing series of more capable cameras. Today our digitization lab at Washington University in St. Louis has additional scanning equipment donated by James and Joan Schiele, longtime supporters of the University.

Third, NNP provides both raw scan files and processed PDF files. The PDFs are compressed to minimize download times and will contain lower quality images. The raw scan files (.jp2 format) will be higher resolution and more appropriate for reproduction in print or for more detailed examination of the images. These files are all open access. For information on how to access them, contact NNPCurator@wustl.edu.

NNP acknowledges Lianna Spurrier for formatting Bill's paper.

Link to Bill Eckberg's Coin Images From Books and Catalogs and the Newman Numismatic Portal:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/643165

Link to the Adolpus Hart plate of colonial paper money:
https://archive.org/download/historyofissueso1851adol/2024numismaticexhibitphoto_1.TIF

WORD OF THE WEEK: VASILOPITA

Word of the Week: Vasilopita

According to Google, vasilopita is a sweet New Year's Cake that is traditionally baked with a coin inside. Originating from Greek culture, the individual who receives the slice containing the coin is said to be blessed with good luck in the New Year. Newman Portal contains but a single mention of "vasilopita," from a November 1976 Danny Boy Enterprises mail bid sale. Loaned for scanning by Eric Schena, this run of sales featured terse cataloging, but conversely listed thousands of tokens and medals likely found cataloged nowhere else.

Lot 3672 of this sale was described as "Brass. Vasilopita token, crude imitation of a British sovereign." This piece was dated 1962 with the following lot being a similar piece dated 1965. A quick check of current eBay offerings reveals a possible match. The legend reads ??T???? ??? TH ??S???????, which I translate as "souvenir of the vasilopita."

Image: 1962 vasilopita token, imitating a George V British sovereign

Link to Danny Boy Enterprises auction sale catalogs on Newman Portal:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/auctioncompanydetail/510605

 

VIDEO: COLOR HISTORY OF LARGE CENTS

Just exactly what color is brown? Words used to describe copper coins can be varied and very unusual. John Kraljevich is a well-known researcher, lecturer and cataloguer of early American coins. Hear and see examples of the different shades of copper coins and how people have attempted to describe them.

Speaker(s): John Kraljevich.

To watch the complete video, see:
Color History of Large Cents (https://youtu.be/oo7VC5GWfVs)

VIDEO: DAN HOLMES REMINISCENCES

Dan Holmes is the current president of Early American Coppers. He has one of the finest and most complete collections of early US large cents including varieties. Dan has decided to sell his collection later this year due to a medical situation. In this sincere and important moment he reminiscences about his memories and encounters as he built this fabulous collection.

To watch the complete video, see:
Dan Holmes Reminiscences on His Large Cent Collection (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbddIPzBeOY)
Dan Holmes Reminiscences on His Large Cent Collection (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/560189)

NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: DECEMBER 29, 2024

San Francisco Mint Business Enterprise Token Hoard
Joel Anderson of JoelsCoins.com in Grover Beach, CA writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
SAN FRANCISCO MINT VENDING MACHINE TOKENS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n51a25.html)

More on the Half Eagle Vignette
Regarding John Ferreri's paper "1822 Eagle", David Gladfelter writes:

David adds:

To read the complete lot description, see:
New York, NY- Bank of the United States (First) Counterfeit $10 May 5, 1807 PMG Choice Fine 15.. ... (https://currency.ha.com/itm/obsoletes-by-state/new-york/new-york-ny-bank-of-the-united-states-first-counterfeit-10-may-5-1807-pmg-choice-fine-15/a/142348-85097.s)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
JOHN FERRERI'S 1822 HALF EAGLE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n51a26.html)

The First Wednesday Numismatic Study Group

In his article last week about the Colorado Springs area Bill Henderson Supper Club, Pete Smith asked:

Bob Metzger writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
BILL HENDERSON SUPPER CLUB (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n51a16.html)

Standing Liberty Half Dollar (?)
Loren Gatch writes:

Saul Teichman of uspatterns.com writes:

United States Patterns and Related Issues author Andrew Pollack writes:

To view the St. Louis Fed Photo Gallery, see:
Money & Coin Collection: Photo Gallery (https://museum.stlouisfed.org/money-photo-gallery)

Another Early Confederate Note

Steve writes:

T3 $100 1861 PF-1 Cr. 3 PMG Extremely Fine 40.
The story of the Montgomery CSA notes is well known, but can be briefly recounted. The so-called Montgomery notes were originally ordered by the Confederacy, using an agent in New York, G.B. Lamar, before the war started. Lamar placed the order with ABNCo who, in order to expedite deliveries, subcontracted the Treasury Note portion of the order which included other fiscal instruments to National Bank Note Company. National, using pre-war vignettes, shipped 607 four subject sheets to Montgomery before the war started. It is interesting to note that National took some amount of care and time to "defederalize" the shield leaning by America at left by reducing the number of vertical bars appearing on it to three from the prewar number of thirteen. This note, which bears the second lowest serial number, 12, was issued from Montgomery on April 5, 1861; one of only 19 $100s and 5 $50s issued on that day, the first day of issue for Montgomery notes. This beautiful note has great paper and design details that retain their original bright color. Margins are also quite acceptable, with just the right margin being trimmed just into the design. The note is free of repairs and meaningful impairments, with PMG mentioning only a few closed pinholes. A desirable and historic piece of Confederate monetary history.

To read the complete lot description, see:
T3 $100 1861 PF-1 Cr. 3 PMG Extremely Fine 40.. ... (https://currency.ha.com/itm/confederate-notes/1861-issues/t3-100-1861-pf-1-cr-3-pmg-extremely-fine-40/a/3597-22007.s)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
THE EARLIEST SURVIVING CONFEDERATE NOTE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n42a08.html)

Eligius Devotee Claude Proulx
David Gladfelter writes:

An 1823 Swiss Cambist

Larry writes:

Christopher Lyman Magee Memorial
Larry Dziubek writes:

For more information, see:
Christopher Lyman Magee Memorial (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Lyman_Magee_Memorial)

1910 Numismatic New Year Greetings
In the spirit of New Year's Pete Smith writes:

 

FINDING MY 1794 S-28 LARGE CENT

Last year, I sold my raw 1794 S-31 large cent in EAC 40/25 to help purchase several pedigreed colonial coins that I wanted for my modest collection. I bought the S-31 from Tom Reynolds in 2014. Even though I'm quite fond of my Massachusetts and New Jersey coppers, I really missed having a 1794 large cent in my U.S. type collection!

I decided that my goal would be to find a details or straight graded 1794 large cent in VF-EF. Several months ago, I began to examine hundreds of 1794 large cents online in grades ranging from AG 3 to MS 66, before picking out three finalists. The one that I ended up buying was my top choice.

I stumbled across a wonderful 1794 large cent on MA-Shops (ma-shops.com), being offered for sale by a German dealer. It was described as "USA Liberty Cap Cent 1794 in dieser Qualität sehr selten VF-EF, Randfehler" (Very rare in this quality VF-EF, edge defects). I thought that it was one of the most beautiful 1794 large cents I had ever seen in that grade range.

Joachim Schwiening, a German engineer, created MA-Shops as an online marketplace for rare coins and other numismatic collectables in 2005. It features a network of certified dealers.

I decided to contact the German dealer, Dr. Andre Hansen, to inquire about this coin. I felt sheepish in doing so due to my lack of German. Although I've studied six languages, German was not one of them! The raw 1794 large cent that I had my eye on was listed without a Sheldon number. I've read several books and numerous articles on 1794 large cents. However, I lacked the expertise to figure out the correct Sheldon number or Early American Copper (EAC) grade when buying an expensive specimen. I needed help and advice from experts!

Initially, I showed pictures of this coin to Ray Williams and Bill Liatys at dinner before our November New Jersey Numismatic Society (NJNS) meeting. Next, I contacted Greg Hannigan and Bill Eckberg, to request their help in evaluating this specimen. Williams and Eckberg recommended that I ask Andre for edge images of this early cent. Hannigan's first impression of the coin was an "EAC grade [of] 30/20 because of the rim bumps but it is nice!" (email from Hannigan, November 20, 2024). He said that he would refer to his books and notes on 1794 large cents and get back to me.

Fortunately for me, Hannigan is one of the top experts on large cents. At the Dan Holmes Collection auction in 2009, Greg purchased the first U.S. large cent to exceed the one million dollar mark!

In one of our email exchanges he mentioned "I've owned all of them [1794 large cents] four times personally except for four and put together a complete Sheldon and NC [non-collectable] 1794 collection that cannot be done again." (email from Greg Hannigan, November 21, 2024). He had some excellent follow up questions for me to ask Hansen.

Dr. Hansen sent me three edge images of this specimen and answered my other questions:

Andre was friendly and gracious throughout our email correspondence. He was born in 1972 and started collecting coins in 1990. Andre collects pre-1945 coins from around the world with a focus on high quality. He earned his Ph.D. in natural science with a biochemistry topic at the University of Leipzig in 2002. Hansen started to become a professional coin dealer in 2002 and is a PCGS authorized dealer. Andre is a member of The Association of German Coin Dealers (https://www.vddm.de/) and the Federation of European Coin Dealers Associations (https://www.fenap.com/). (synopsis of email from Andre Hansen, November 23, 2024).

Hannigan and Eckberg confirmed my 1794 large cent is an S-28 R-2. Greg added "My final grade is 30/20… the surfaces are original if not that there are few rim bumps it would [straight] holder 30 maybe 35." (email from Hannigan, November 22, 2024).

I felt such joy and excitement when I purchased this coin on Friday night, November 22nd !

From Frankfurt to JFK, my coin finally arrived on a snowy day five days before Christmas. I was shocked by how beautiful it was in person. The golden brown color of this large cent is extraordinary.

What an adventure this has been! During my childhood, Tewes Rohlfs, my maternal grandfather of German ancestral origins, gave me an 1851 large cent and a small leather pouch filled with Fractional currency from the Civil War. These gifts helped me develop a passion for numismatics. I've come full circle. Now I own an early U.S. large cent that was mailed to me from Germany.

Acknowledgements:
Dr. Andre Hansen kindly gave me permission to use the obverse and reverse images of my coin from the MA-Shops website to accompany this article. Separately, he sent me edge pictures of my specimen which are also shown. Special thanks to Greg Hannigan, Bill Eckberg, Ray Williams and Bill Liatys for helping me evaluate my 1794 S-28 large cent.

VOCABULARY TERMS: RAW EDGE, RAW MEDAL

Raw Edge. The edge of a blank after it has been blanked and before it is upset. Raw edge blanks have burrs on one side from the shearing action of the blanking die and cutter plate (a small amount of debris forms on the edge on the side opposite the initial contact of the blanking die). Upsetting removes this raw edge, rounds the edge and makes the blank uniform for coining. See upsetting.

Raw Medal. A fully struck up but unfinished medal; it has completed every step in the pressroom but none in the finishing department. Such a medal is ready for some other operation to be performed – as piercing, plating, or, obviously, finishing. A raw medal should not be confused with a base medal, though both require additional work to be performed. See base medal.

To read the complete entries on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Raw Edge (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516587)
Raw Medal (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516588)

NELLIE TAYLOE ROSS (1876-1977)

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon read a proclamation on December 20 declaring that January 5, 2025, would be Nellie Tayloe Ross Day in commemoration of her inauguration as Wyoming Governor. She joins our collection of articles about hundred year old numismatists.

She was born as Nellie Davis Tayloe in St. Joseph, Missouri, on November 29, 1876. She was the daughter of James Wynns Tayloe (1832-1920) and Elizabeth Bruce Green (1845-1889). Her maternal grandmother was a Davis.

Nellie learned to play the piano and gave music lessons before she graduated from high school. She had two years of teacher training and then taught kindergarten in Omaha, Nebraska, for four years.

At the age of twenty, her brothers paid for her trip to Europe and the first time she had been in any city larger than Omaha. This led to a love of travel. She met attorney William Bradford Ross (1873-1924) while visiting relatives in Tennessee in 1900. They continued to correspond and were married on September 11, 1902. Nellie joined William in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he had established a law practice. He became active in Democratic Party politics. As a Democrat, William represented families of modest means. He did not attract the corporate clients that could have paid larger fees. His practice was successful but not lucrative.

The couple had twin boys eight and a half months after the wedding. They were premature and frail but survived. Their third son died of a tragic accident as an infant. A fourth son was born in 1912. Nellie was content to be a wife and mother.

Women were given the right to vote in Wyoming Territory in 1869. When Wyoming applied for statehood, there were fears that the right of women to vote might be taken away, When Wyoming was admitted in 1890, it was the first state to recognize women's right to vote. Unlike most other states, Women also had the right to own property and to control their income and finances.

Wyoming was a Republican state but the Teapot Dome Scandal hurt the Republican cause. William Bradford Ross was a Democrat who had lost previous elections at a lower level. He ran for governor in 1922 and won. He served as Governor of Wyoming from January 1, 1923, until his death on October 2, 1923. A special election to fill the vacancy was scheduled for November 4, 1924. Nellie was somewhat reluctantly convinced to run to fill her husband's vacant seat. Her Republican opponent, Eugene J. Sullivan, ran a strong campaign while Nellie did little to campaign. She had never made a public speech before becoming governor. She won with 43.323 votes to her opponents 35,275.

Ross was inaugurated governor on January 5, 1925, becoming the first woman governor of Wyoming, and the first woman governor of any state. The second was Miriam Ferguson who was inaugurated governor of Texas just fifteen days later on January 20, 1925. The two women had been elected on the same day. Ross failed to get legislation passed through the Republican legislature. She was defeated for reelection by Frank C. Emerson in 1926.

When she appeared in public, she frequently wore a hat and gloves. She maintained her femininity and claimed she valued her role as wife and mother more than her role as governor. She gained experience as a public speaker while she was governor. Although she lost the election, she was famous nationally. She supported herself and her family as a lecturer on the Chautauqua circuit.

She campaigned for Al Smith in the 1928 election and gave a seconding speech at the Houston convention. In 1931 she was selected to be vice-chair of the Democratic party and leader of the women's division of the party.

President Franklin Roosevelt appointed her to serve as the first woman director of the Mint in 1933. She took office on April 30, 1933, under William Woodin as Secretary of the Treasury. As Director, Ross set policy and made public appearances. Her assistant, Margaret O'Reilly managed day-to-day operations.

She took office shortly after President Franklin Roosevelt issued an executive order to turn gold coins in to the government and, obviously, to stop the production of new gold coins. During the Depression, the demand for coinage was low and the Mint issued fewer new coins. In 1933, two mints struck about 20.5 million new cents. By 1940, production was increased with three mints striking more that 781 million cents. She served four five-year terms and retired in 1953.

In March of 1934, Ross resigned her position on the Democratic National Committee to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest. In 1935 she promoted the sale of "Baby Bonds," especially to women.

Also in 1935, she organized the United States Mint Guards to protect the gold reserves held at various locations. Without funds to acquire weapons, the guards were issued machine guns confiscated from gangsters.

Director Ross was required to hire new staff, expand the production facilities and increase production to 24 hours a day and seven days a week. She supervised new construction of the San Francisco Mint, the gold depository at Fort Knox and the silver depository at West Point. Her name appears on the cornerstones of those buildings, which may also be a first for women.

During the Second World War, there was a need for copper and nickel to produce brass shell casings and other strategic war materials. The brass cent was replaced with a cent made of steel with a zinc plating. The copper-nickel five cent coins were replaced with coins that were 35% silver.

There was a proposal to produce a three-cent coin with the image of Benjamin Franklin. This did not happen but the Franklin design was resurrected by Director Ross for a half dollar first issued in 1948. Director Ross said that she had long wanted a Franklin design.

A medal for Ross was struck at the Mint. This was promoted as the first medal struck for a woman at the Mint. Those who study Mint medals might point out that Martha Washington appeared on a small medal dated 1876. Hannah Dodd appeared earlier on school medals for Boston and Philadelphia.

She died on December 19, 1977, at age 101 and is buried with William in Lakeview Cemetery in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She was the oldest living former governor in the United States.

The Mint Director Medal for Ross was sculpted by John R. Sinnock, the same sculptor who did the Roosevelt Dime for 1946 and the Franklin Half for 1948. Mrs. Ross approved their designs over the objections of the Commission of Fine Arts.

A biography, Governor Lady: The Life and Times of Nellie Tayloe Ross, was written by Teva J. Sheer and published in 2005.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NELLIE TAYLOE ROSS DAY PROCLAIMED (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n51a17.html)

HERITAGE: THE ARTISTRY OF WALTER SHIRLAW

It is impossible to deny the resounding, intrinsic links binding US paper currency and American art history, and nowhere is this relationship more clearly exemplified than in our upcoming FUN Currency Signature Auction, scheduled for January 14-17.

Next month we are offering a "Sepia Photograph" of Walter Shirlaw's original design for the $5 Educational Series note, today considered by many to be the most beautiful banknote in US history. Not only does this offering reveal the preliminary sketch of an iconic banknote design, but it also provides invaluable insight into the creative process of one of the most prolific American artists of the nineteenth century.

Born in 1838, Shirlaw had early admiration and aptitude for art, however his parents discouraged his interests, fearing the financial instability that often comes with being an artist. After learning of the benefits of a career in engraving, Shirlaw began training and by 1852, he was a skillful engraver at the American Bank Note Company in New York. He could not, however, shake his desire for a formal art education, and in 1861, he accepted a position at the Western Bank Note Company in Chicago where he would work to save money for school in Europe. At this point, Shirlaw was already considered "one of the country's most expert men in his line."1 After three years in Chicago, Shirlaw went to study art in Munich before eventually returning to New York in 1878.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing commissioned Shirlaw, alongside muralists Edwin Blashfield, and William H. Low to design nominations for a series of neoclassical silver certificates referred to as the "Educational Series." By that point, all three artists had already completed works for US government buildings and represented the United States in international competitions. The Bureau's chief, Claude M. Johnson, intended for the series to highlight the country's artistic and industrial strengths while encouraging a sort of celebratory nationalism. Low's $1 design featured a vignette of History Instructing Youth, while Blashfield's $2 design was entitled Science Presents Steam and Electricity to Commerce and Manufacture. Finally, Shirlaw's vignette of Electricity Presenting Light to the World, remains one of the most recognizable today.

Shirlaw's obverse design places the allegorical figure of Electricity holding a lightbulb over her head in the center. To her left, the Roman god Jupiter rides a chariot while wielding a lightbulb. To her right, Peace is portrayed with a dove, gracefully positioned in front of the Capitol Building and White House. Seated beside Electricity are a Bald Eagle and the allegorical figure of fame blowing a horn. Also in our upcoming auction is another sepia photograph of Shirlaw's design from an earlier stage of his creative process. This "Sepia Photograph" of Early Design Proposed by Walter Shirlaw only shows the central vignette of Electricity Presenting Light to the World and does not include the traditional banknote markers which are present on the above offering.

Walter Shirlaw's artistic achievements spread far beyond his numismatic creations. Considered one of America's first great decorators, he is contemporarily remembered for his "Peace and Plenty" frieze created for the dining room of Dr. Ogden Mills, his designs in the big dome of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building in the Chicago World Fair, and "The Sciences" allegorical figures in the entrance hall of the Congressional Library. He's also accredited as an integral figure in the founding of the Art Institute of Chicago. Today, Shirlaw's paintings can be found at museums around the country, and sometimes even in Heritage's own Fine Art auctions.

Despite Shirlaw's impressive oeuvre, his work went largely unrecognized for several years until Katherine Dreier, an artist and former pupil of Shirlaw's, organized an exhibition of his works at the Brooklyn Museum in 1929. It seems that Walter Shirlaw's legacy lives on through that of his students; Katheirne Dreier is best remembered today for forming the Société Anonyme alongside Dadaists Man Ray and Marcel Duchamp. This organization operated on the belief that a museum dedicated to the preservation of modern art and works by living artists should be established in the United States.

This striking $5 Silver Certificate sketch presents a fantastic opportunity for those collectors whose interests sit at the intersection of numismatic and art history to take home a beautiful piece which so excellently exemplifies both!

HERITAGE: CONFEDERATE CURRENCY AT FUN 2025

Our Confederate rarities. Many of these pieces have been off the market for years or even decades, being tightly held by serious collectors. This impressive grouping includes multiple sets of the renowned Montgomery issues, as well as many other rare types, such as the T19 and T35. Good quality, scarcer Confederates are only becoming more elusive as collectors snatch them up for record-setting prices. Let's delve into a small selection of the remarkable types we have available for acquisition at this auction.

Of course, our auction would not be complete without a set of Montgomery notes. These first four types in the 72-type series of Confederate Treasury Notes are the quintessential notes for the serious collector striving to finish a full typeset. Authorized by the Act of March 9, 1861, the Montgomery series was issued before the Confederate government moved from Montgomery, Alabama to Richmond, Virginia. A total of $1,000,000 worth of these high denomination pieces was authorized for circulation. The set of four above comes to us from the landmark Charlton Buckley Collection. Buckley amassed a sizeable arrangement of some of the scarcest notes available across all categories of paper money collecting, and these four examples were no doubt the crown jewels of his Confederate holdings. They feature intricate green lathework which was the result of Cyrus Durand's invention of the geometric lathe. In addition to Buckley's set, we also are pleased to offer another set of the Types 1 through 4, which come to us from The Confederate Treasury Collection. Montgomery notes of this caliber are unlikely to appear again anytime soon.

Both the Charlton Buckley and Confederate Treasury Collections each contain an example of the coveted T19 $20. This type is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest produced by the Southern Bank Note Co., which was the New Orleans branch of the American Bank Note Company. The use of red-orange overprints highlights the vignettes which are present on the face. All three vignettes were also utilized on numerous Obsolete Notes of the era. Buckley's example is unique in that it is the note plated in Pierre Fricke's 2008 and 2014 books. The Confederate Treasury Collection's piece features magnificent color for the type, with bright white paper. Both are nearly fully framed and possess the key characteristics of being true VF notes.

The most iconic of the types produced by Hoyer & Ludwig, the T35 $5, also known as the Indian Princess note, is one of the types that many collectors (myself included) dream of obtaining. For reasons lost to time and history, the Confederate Treasury pulled the plug on production for this type and its sheet mate, the T27 $10, after just eleven days in printing. This meant that only 7,160 pieces were issued. The iconic vignette of a Native American maiden traveling through the forest is featured at right. Again, both the Charlton Buckley and Confederate Treasury Collections boasted examples of this type. Buckley's note traces its provenance back to The Eric P. Newman Collection, and it is impairment free, an extraordinary feat for a T35. The Confederate Treasury Collection's note is characterized by wonderful eye appeal for the assigned grade, in addition to extremely bold signatures. It will be a challenge to acquire either piece, and potential buyers will have to bid aggressively to own one of the most popular types available.

Yet one more curiosity that we are delighted to offer in this auction is a batch of uncut sheets of Confederate notes. Above are two selections from this grouping that originate from the Confederate Treasury Collection. Sheets of T18s, T20s, T44s, T68s, T69s, and T72s, as well as a sheet of T69 backs, are soon to be auctioned. These are becoming increasingly difficult to purchase as both dealers and collectors cut them up to make more single notes accessible. The above T18 sheet attains its rarity from its condition. Broad selvage reveals the last name of "Altschu" at upper center. Paper quality is superb and, save for trivial ink burn in a couple of the signatures, the EPQ designation from PMG might have been earned. The T44 sheet is also a great rarity; in fact, we have not offered a T44 sheet since September 2018. All eight notes on the sheet are boldly signed. We hope you have enjoyed this walkthrough of just a small portion of what we are offering in our upcoming January 2025 FUN Signature auction. Be sure to check out our auction page for a full list of items. There are many more unprecedented rarities that will surely attract quite an audience!

KUENKER AUCTION SALE 418, PART THREE

World Rarities in Gold and Silver

No matter what field you are interested in, auction 418 features the very coin that could become a centerpiece of your collection. The offer ranges from Charlemagne to Elizabeth II of England. There are treasures from the German States, Europe, Asia and the United States of America, all of which have just two things in common: they are extremely rare and of above-average quality.

Russian Treasures

Collectors of Russian coins will find an interesting selection of extremely rare pieces. There are 64 lots to choose from, ranging from issues of Peter the Great to that of Tsar Nicholas II. Many of the pieces are of particular historical interest, for example a "Trubetskoy ruble", created after the model of the 1825 Constantine ruble for the Russian consul in Marseille. Trubetskoy is said to have tried to sell these rubles as genuine Constantine rubles at the time. At least as exciting is a gold medal commemorating the landmark peace with Persia in 1828, which led to the establishment of an Armenian district under Russian rule. Thousands of Armenians from the Iranian and Ottoman Empires found a new home there.

Please note that, unlike previous years, the auction will not take place on the Thursday before the World Money Fair, but on the Wednesday, 29 January 2025!

To order a catalog contact Künker, Nobbenburger Straße 4a, 49076 Osnabrück; phone: +49 541 / 962020; fax: +49 541 / 9620222; or via e-mail: service@kuenker.de. You can access the auction catalogs online at www.kuenker.de. If you want to submit your bid from your computer at home, please remember to register for this service in good time.

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
KUENKER AUCTION SALE 418, PART ONE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n50a19.html)
KUENKER AUCTION SALE 418, PART TWO (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n51a21.html)

PAKISTAN'S STATE BANK MONEY MUSEUM

Nestled in the heart of Pakistan's commercial capital of Karachi, the State Bank (SBP) Museum and Art Gallery stands as a testament to the region's monetary history, with an extensive collection of artefacts like ancient coins, currency notes and rare documents, including cheques signed by the nation's founding father.

The museum — housed in the hundred-year-old building of the former Imperial Bank of India on Karachi's I.I. Chundrigar Road — takes visitors through a journey of the evolution of finance, from ancient barter systems to sophisticated financial instruments available today.

Notable exhibits displayed at the museum include the first cheque issued at Habib Bank from the personal account of Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and his original account-opening form.

"This State Bank Museum is the first and only specialized money museum of Pakistan which covers the theme of the evolution of money, starting from barter trade till e-banking," museum official Jibran Ali told Arab News.

"One of the specialties of this museum is the coins ... Starting from the 6th century BC up to the coins of Pakistan today, we have all of the different dynasties' coins available in this museum."

One gallery displays a collection of coins from emperors that once ruled the region, including the British, the Mughals and the Arab rulers of Sindh. The first currency notes printed by the Reserve Bank of India after India and Pakistan's independence from British rule in 1947 are also on display.

One of the highlights is Hajj notes, specially designed for pilgrims from 1949 to the 1980s, which could be used in Saudi Arabia.

"On the same note, we can see that the Government of Pakistan [logo] is also mentioned alongside the Reserve Bank of India," Ali said.

A range of cowrie shells, Indus seals and Ratti seeds as well as coins from various ancient cultures such as the Indo-Greek and Kushan eras are also on display.

"Cowrie shells were initially used as money and also as ornaments in jewelry until the 19th century in different parts of the world," Ali explained. "We have a vast collection of more than 7,000 rare coins available today."

Old minting machines are another interesting part of the collection.

"These machines used to produce coins and paper money and give visitors a rare glimpse into the craftsmanship behind currency production before modern technology took over," the museum in-charge added.

The original office furniture of the central bank's first governor, Zahid Hussain, and the bank's inaugural account ledger are also showcased. Visitors can also view antique coin-minting machines, a currency printing press, and the first automated teller machine (ATM) in Pakistan, introduced by Habib Bank in 1988.

To read the complete article, see:
‘Heritage within heritage' at Pakistan's only specialized money museum in Karachi (https://www.arabnews.com/node/2583470/pakistan)

BELAGAVI, INDIA COIN EXHIBITION

The Rotary Club of Venugram and the Rotaract Club of Venugram, Belagavi, in association with Birla International School, will organize a coin and paper money exhibition on December 28 and 29 at Mahaveer Bhavan in Tilakwadi. The exhibition features a 65-year collection by noted numismatist Arun Kamule from Belagavi. Entry is free for school children.

The exhibition will showcase coins from India dating back to 600 BC, as well as foreign coins. Day one will focus on Indian coins and foreign currencies, while day two will feature commemorative coins, Indian paper money, and other items.

Noted numismatist Arun Kamule highlighted some of the key exhibits, including coins from the Magadh region, punch-marked coins of Gandharva Janapada, coins of the Maurya dynasty, and those from the Shatavahana, Kushan, and Chola periods. Visitors will also find Indian Princely State coins, coins from the British India/East India Company, the Mughal Empire, and more. Additionally, there will be a special display of Indian paper currencies and fancy number notes.

Kamule emphasized the historical significance of the coins: "Since the beginning, coins were introduced by the kings and the governments based on the availability of metal and the value of the metal. Usually, low-cost metal was used in making the coins. I also have some coins made of low-cost sisal and high-valued gold coins. The value of the coin depends on the cost of the metal. One can see centuries-old history through the coins." Vinaykumar Balikai, President of the Rotary Club of Venugram, invited history enthusiasts and numismatists to attend the rare exhibition. "On the first day, the coins of India from 600 BC to the present and foreign coins will be exhibited. On the second day, there will be commemorative coins, Indian paper money, and others," he said.

To read the complete article, see:
Rotary Club to organize rare coin and currency exhibition in Belagavi; here's what you can expect (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/rotary-club-to-organise-rare-coin-and-currency-exhibition-in-belagavi-heres-whatyoucanexpect/articleshow/116708021.cms)

To read the complete article, see:
Rare Coin and Paper Money Exhibition to be Held in Belagavi (https://belagaviinfra.co.in/rare-coin-and-paper-money-exhibition-to-be-held-in-belagavi/)

THE COINS OF GLADIATOR II

Gladiator II, Ridley Scott's long-awaited sequel to his film Gladiator (2000), was released to nearly universal derision by classicists. Put bluntly, the history in the film is a hot mess. However, while few people go to the movies to learn ancient history, the appearance of another Hollywood sword-and-sandal epic may stimulate greater interest in the actual Roman rulers represented so inaccurately on the screen.

The brothers Caracalla and Geta–and their successor Macrinus–are major characters in the 2024 sequel. The extensive coinage of their reigns helps us to understand the dramatic events of the early third century.

To start, "Caracalla" was not his name. His troops gave him this nickname and it has stuck for almost 2,000 years. A caracallus was a colorful hooded cloak worn by the Celts of Gaul where Septimius Bassianus was born on April 4, 186 CE. Young Caracalla grew up among these people and adapted some of their customs (such as wearing a caracallus) while his father, the future emperor Septimius Severus, served there as the Imperial governor. Elite Romans could change their names as easily as they changed togas, and in homage to the revered late emperors Antoninus Pius (ruled 138-161) and Marcus Aurelius (r. 161-180), the young man was renamed Marcus Aurelius Antoninus–names that would one day appear on his coins.

His younger brother Geta was born about a year later. From early childhood, the two boys hated one another (in the film, they are incorrectly described as twins).

Father and Sons

In 193, Septimius Severus was the ultimate victor in a complex civil war that saw five rival emperors take power in a single year. On his coinage, Severus often depicted members of his family, including his highly educated and capable Syrian wife, Julia Domna, and his squabbling sons. On the reverse of a rare gold aureus issued about the year 200, the two boys face one another, with the hopeful inscription "Eternity of the Empire."

Caracalla as Caesar Aureus

In December 195, after his father defeated the usurper Pescennius Niger, Caracalla, aged nine, was given the rank of Caesar, designating him an imperial successor. An extensive coinage in gold, silver, and bronze of Caracalla as Caesar bears his youthful portrait. A silver denarius from the mint of Laodicea in Syria also includes his title as Pontifex, high priest of the Roman state religion. The coin bears a standing figure of the goddess Minerva on the reverse with the inscription SECVRITAS PERPETVA ("Perpetual Security").

To read the complete article, see:
The Coins of Gladiator II: Caracalla, Geta, and Macrinus (https://coinweek.com/the-coins-of-gladiator-ii-caracalla-geta-and-macrinus/)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NUMISMATICS OF GLADIATOR II (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n48a23.html)

MORE COIN FINDS AT EGYPT'S ABU QIR BAY

Egyptian authorities have arrested two men for attempting to steal hundreds of ancient artifacts from the bottom of the sea, the country's interior ministry said in a Monday statement.

The men took the artifacts from the sea floor of Abu Qir Bay, near the port city of Alexandria, the ministry said. When confronted by authorities, the men said that had planned to traffic the items, according to the ministry. The men obtained all of the antiquities by diving to the bottom of the sea, it said.

Some 448 objects were taken by the men, the ministry statement said, including 305 coins, 53 statues, 41 axes, 14 bronze cups, 12 spears, and three statue heads.

The items date back to Greek and Roman Antiquity, a period that lasted about 900 years, from around 500 BCE to 400 CE.

The artifacts, turned turquoise by layers of patina, depict objects and people from the era they are from. Some statues depict ancient soldiers in uniform, while others appear to be people draped in fabric.

The coins are also intricately carved, featuring depictions of animals including lions, elephants, turtles, dolphins, and scorpions. Two coins appear to show the immortal winged horse Pegasus from Greek mythology.

To read the complete article, see:
Two arrested in Egypt after attempting to steal hundreds of ancient artifacts from the bottom of the sea (https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/24/middleeast/alexandria-egypt
-stolen-artefacts-intl/index.html)

To read the complete articles, see:
GOLD COINS OF AUGUSTUS FOUND AT "EGYPT'S ATLANTIS" (https://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n49a28.html)
The Aboukir (Abu Qir) Medallions (https://www.reddit.com/r/AncientCoins/comments/15dtds2/
the_aboukir_abu_qir_medallions/?rdt=55146)

H. B. WEST AND HIS TRAINED DOGS

I recently came across a listing for a small, 28 mm brass medal I had seen many times but never really thought about. On one side is a depiction of a man in a carriage drawn by two dogs, identified as H. B. West's famous trained dogs, Tray and Troy. The other side bears a view of New York's Crystal Palace and the date 1853. Charles Ira Bushnell listed this piece in his groundbreaking 1858 book An Arrangement of Tradesmen's Cards, Political Tokens, also, Elections Medals, Medalets, &c. Current in the United States of America in the Last Sixty Years. Bushnell placed it as number 83, under New York Tradesmen's Tokens. At least four other medals exist with the H. B. West obverse, though these appear to be mules, struck in very limited numbers for collectors, and have no real relation to West.

To date, there has been virtually no reliable information published about Mr. West, or his famous trained dogs. There have been a few suggestions that his act might have appeared at the Crystal Palace as part of the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations, even though it was not known as a venue for popular entertainment. In March 1918, H. G. Bennett of Louisville, Kentucky wrote a letter to the editor of The Numismatist asking for information about the H. B. West token. The inquiry specifically asked if the dogs were exhibited at the Crystal Palace or of the building was simply used on the token, and if it was actually issued in 1853. It seems that Mr. Bennett never received a reply.

The American Numismatic Society has four examples of this medal in its collection, one of which was donated by an early member, William Leggett Bramhall, in 1859 (Fig. 1).

Apart from the depiction of the Crystal Palace, there is no real reason to associate this medal with New York City. A look at the New York City Directory for 1853 reveals four people who might fit the bill for H. West, but none have an occupation that would suggest a match to the person on the medal. There is, however, at least one contemporary reference to West and his act. A notice in the Washington [D. C.] Sentinel of November 16, 1853, under the column "Local and Personal" was a single paragraph describing how "A Deformed Man, occupying a small carriage, drawn by two black dogs, is exciting not a little attention from the passers-by on the public thoroughfares, and drives a pretty brisk trade, when he is not driving his dogs, by the sale of medals of two kinds, the metal resembling gold." The article continues to describe one of these medals as the Crystal Palace piece. The other is a 21 mm temperance medal bearing an eagle on one side with the motto Honesty is the Best Policy, and a reverse "Dedicated to the cause of virtue, honesty, and temperance" (Fig. 2). West also sold a miniature book on the history of the Mexican Mustang Liniment, priced at 12 ½ cents.

Cure-alls, often referred to as snake oil medicines, were common products a hundred and fifty years ago. As with others of its type, Mexican Mustang Liniment purported to be a wonder drug capable of curing a wide range of ailments in man and beast. Sounding a bit like the Beverly Hillbillies' Granny Clampett's rheumatiz medicine, it could cure people of sore throat, rheumatism, fresh cuts or wounds, and burns, to name just a few, and could also be applied to horses for a similar range of ailments. It was also the subject of a number of advertising banknotes from "The Mustang Bank," noting that that it could be exchanged for one bottle of Mexican Mustang Liniment "at any store in the civilized world" (Fig. 3). Not unduly modest, the note also advised that the product was "secured by a pledge of public confidence in every city, village town parish & hamlet throughout America, Europe and the Islands of the Ocean."

The image of a dog-drawn cart may seem odd to us today, but was not all that unusual in the mid-nineteenth century, though probably not common in an urban environment (Fig. 4). As for the dogs, Tray is possibly named after the dog of the popular Stephen Foster song, Old Dog Tray. Troy, alas, might not have such an illustrious namesake. Just as we know nothing about Mr. West's deformity, we have no idea if the celebrated dogs did anything more than pull the carriage. Still, it makes a great piece of advertising, and a rare glimpse into a forgotten aspect of life in the days prior to the Civil War.

To read the complete article, see:
H. B. West and his Trained Dogs, Tray and Troy (https://numismatics.org/pocketchange/h-b-west-and-his-trained-dogs-tray-and-troy/)

GOV. WES MOORE GETS HIS BRONZE STAR

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore received a Bronze Star Friday evening for his deployment to Afghanistan 18 years ago, a belated honor bestowed after a roiling controversy that blemished his rising political career.

Moore's close friend and former commander, Lt. Gen. Michael R. Fenzel, who had recommended Moore for the medal, on Friday pinned the Bronze Star for "meritorious service" onto the governor's chest during an emotional private ceremony at the governor's mansion in Annapolis.

Moore — dressed in the blue suit of a politician and not the uniform of a soldier — beamed.

Fenzel, the top U.S. general in Israel, personally walked Moore's award recommendation through the process this fall after the charismatic governor became embroiled in controversy over revelations that he had on a 2006 application to a White House fellowship claimed to have been awarded the Bronze Star. In fact, the paperwork had not been fully processed.

"I'm so happy to be in a position to right a wrong," Fenzel said during the ceremony.

While deployed, Moore had been recommended for the medal by his superiors, including Fenzel, and Fenzel encouraged Moore to include it in the application because it had received the necessary approvals, both men said. Moore, then 27, questioned it, but said Fenzel assured him it would be awarded by the time fellows were selected. Yet the award paperwork never went through. Around the time Moore ended his 11-month deployment, he won the fellowship.

While the Bronze Star is awarded only for service in a combat environment, it does not necessarily require battlefield heroics. The rarer version of the award comes with a "V" device denoting valor in combat. The more common version, which Moore received, is for commendable job performance, or "meritorious service" in military parlance.

The meritorious version of the award was issued somewhat liberally to officers like Moore during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, military experts say.

Fenzel said Friday that the controversy was the first time he learned that Moore, a former captain, had never received the Bronze Star. (The pair stayed in touch long after Moore's deployment ended; Moore had asked Fenzel to be a groomsman in his 2007 wedding).

On hearing this in August, the lieutenant general said, he immediately called the chief of staff to U.S. Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth to notify her that he planned to recommend Moore for the award again and create the paperwork anew, including collecting approval from Moore's old chain of command.

The citation was signed on Nov. 19. But Moore learned he received the medal Dec. 14, when Wormuth personally told him at the Army-Navy football game, according to the governor's staff.

To read the complete article, see:
Eighteen years and one controversy later, Wes Moore gets a Bronze Star (https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2024/12/21/wes-moore-bronze-star/)

 

U.S. NAVY HONORS TOM CRUISE

Tom Cruise has been awarded the US Navy's highest civilian honour for "outstanding contributions" to the military with his screen roles.

Cruise's lead role in the 1986 smash hit Top Gun shot him into celebrity status, and the film's record-breaking success spiked military enlistment.

The Distinguished Public Service Award was presented to Cruise during a ceremony on Tuesday at the Longcross Film Studios in Chertsey, Surrey.

The 62-year-old star expressed his gratitude for the "extraordinary acknowledgement".

"I admire all of the servicemen and women," Cruise said, standing next to US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro who handed him a certificate and medal.

"I know in life, something that is very true to me, is that is to lead is to serve. And I know that to my core. And I see that in the servicemen and women."

The Navy thanked the action hero, who it said had "increased public awareness and appreciation for our highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform".

Cruise starred as the pilot Maverick in Top Gun, a movie about Cold War flying aces, and it was so influential that the Navy even set up recruitment tables in theatres.

The Oscar nominated star reprised his role as Lieutenant Pete Mitchell in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick, which the Navy said "reinvigorated" military interest from younger audiences.

On Tuesday, Del Toro said: "Tom Cruise has spent nearly four decades as an unwavering supporter of the men, women and families of the navy and marine corps."

To read the complete BBC News article, see:
Tom Cruise honoured with US Navy's highest civilian award (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj90ww3ld3ro)

To read another article and the press release, see:
‘Top Gun' star Tom Cruise becomes a military hero in real life (https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/17/entertainment/tom-cruise-top-gun-navy-award/index.html)
SECNAV Del Toro presents Tom Cruise with the Distinguished Public Service Award (https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/4007343/secnav-del-toro-presents-tom-cruise-with-the-distinguished-public-service-award/)

WILCOX BLUE-STAINED SECURITY PAPER

This blog is the result of a recent interaction I had on a post I made elsewhere. That post detailed a note that had been previously mounted at some point in the distant past. The mounting was quite subtle yet detectable with a close visual examination. However, those who responded failed time and time again to even acknowledge the evidence of that mounting and instead kept referring back to the scattering of fibers found in the Wilcox Security Paper that was used through 1880.

Answers ranged from incredulous explanations such as "horsehair" or even a fault in the production process, while a number of posters specifically mentioned the fibers without any context. And so, I would like to highlight the Wilcox Security Paper and set the record straight on this short-lived albeit appealing technical distinction that once stood at the forefront of anti-counterfeiting methods during the 19th century

First used for the Series of 1869 Legal Tender Notes, Wilcox Security Paper is best known for its distinct blue color and excess of fibers. The color, which resembles an almost cool-blue, can often be observed unaided. A number of large fibers can also be observed and largely correlate with the blue strip. These are often of varying thicknesses and range in size from small hair-like fibers to large fibers of considerable thickness that can even be felt through a PMG or PCGS Banknote holder (as in the case of lot 21012 from out August 2024 Global Showcase Auction.

This distinct blue coloration resulted from the spreading of a localized slurry of blue-stained pulp (which contained the aforementioned fibers) onto the white pulp that would eventually form the core of the paper stock. Both layers would merge as the paper proceeded through a series of rollers that squeezed it to a specified thickness before drying. Additional information can be found in Peter Huntoon's article The Origin of the Series of 1875 and Blue Stained Paper, which primarily details the impetus behind the Series of 1875 National Bank Notes and the lessening influence of private companies in the manufacture of banknotes.

This type of paper would linger through 1880 when existing supplies were finally exhausted; Congress had opted not to renew their contract with the Wilcox Company. The contract instead went to the Crane Paper Company as Congress desired to minimize costs.

Late printings are best distinguished by a horizontal rather than vertical orientation of the blue strip seen on most notes using Wilcox Security Paper. Possibly the result of measures taken to prolong a limited supply, the horizontal orientation is seldom encountered and can be reliably dated to between 1879 and 1880.

The Series of 1878 Legal Tender Notes and Series of 1878 Silver Certificates are by far the best examples of the horizontal arrangement, while National Bank Notes account for a sizable portion of the notes printed using the horizontal arrangement.

Notes printed using the blue-stained paper favored by the Wilcox Company are not rare, but premium examples with exceptional color and eye appeal are seldom offered. Such a distinction is best emphasized by the $1 and $2 Legal Tender Notes issued under the Series of 1869 where demand outstrips the supply of high-grade examples. Consider Lot 21011 from our August 2024 Global Showcase Auction and you'll see why notes produced using this short-lived anti-counterfeiting measure attributable to the Wilcox Company are as popular as they are with collectors.

To read the complete article, see:
The Curious Case of the Wilcox Company's Blue-Stained Security Paper (https://stacksbowers.com/the-curious-case-of-the-wilcox-companys-blue-stained-security-paper/)

NEW U.S. CURRENCY DESIGNS STARTING IN 2026

The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has announced a strategic timeline for the introduction of redesigned dollar bills, with the $100 bill set to debut in 2034. This initiative, detailed on the BEP's official website, underscores the agency's commitment to bolstering security measures against counterfeiting, a challenge that evolves with technological advancements. The Advanced Counterfeit Deterrence (ACD) Steering Committee collaborates with the BEP and the Federal Reserve to develop designs that are increasingly difficult to replicate fraudulently.

According to the published schedule, the redesigned $10 bill will be the first to enter circulation in 2026, followed by the $50 bill in 2028, the $20 bill in 2030, and the $5 bill in 2032. The culmination of this effort will be the introduction of the new $100 bill in 2034. The BEP has clarified that existing bills will remain legal tender, ensuring that there is no need for exchange once the new designs are released. This policy applies to all Federal Reserve notes issued since 1914, maintaining their validity for commercial transactions.

The current design of the $100 bill, featuring Benjamin Franklin, was introduced in 2013. While the BEP has not confirmed whether Franklin's portrait will remain on future designs, the focus is primarily on integrating new security technologies. However, potential changes in visual appearance may be considered during the development process. The Department of the Treasury has emphasized that redesigned bills will incorporate advanced security elements such as special inks, embossing, and holograms to protect the financial system and uphold public confidence in U.S. currency.

Developing each new bill can take over a decade, from initial research phases to final implementation. This extensive process ensures that security features meet required standards and that mass production is free from defects. The BEP has highlighted that the security features of the new bills will be designed for quick verification by both machines and the general public. Enhanced elements like watermarks, security threads, and transparent windows will be reinforced, and the possibility of incorporating digital authentication technology is being explored, a measure already adopted by other international currencies.

The redesign of the $100 bill is part of a large-scale effort to update all denominations in circulation. Collaboration with the Federal Reserve and the Department of the Treasury ensures that each design stage meets high technical and aesthetic standards. The introduction of easily recognizable visual elements will enable merchants and consumers to quickly identify authentic bills. The BEP has urged businesses and financial institutions to stay informed about future changes in bill design and to implement training for staff handling cash, aiming to prevent counterfeit bills from entering the financial system.

In terms of public education, the BEP will conduct informational campaigns before the circulation of each redesigned bill. These campaigns will include printed, digital, and audiovisual materials, as well as interactive demonstrations at public events. The goal is to familiarize the public with the new features of the bills and reduce the risk of fraud. The BEP's proactive approach in educating the public and financial sectors underscores its commitment to maintaining the integrity of U.S. currency.

To read the complete article, see:
The Future of U.S. Currency: New Dollar Bill Designs Set for 2034 (https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/the-future-of-u-s-currency-new-dollar-bill-designs-set-for-2034/ar-AA1wrtqZ)

PERPETUAL DUTCH BOND'S 400TH BIRTHDAY

Four hundred years ago — on New Year's Day in 1624 — drifting ice on the river Lek in the Netherlands smashed up a dike outside Utrecht. This was a pretty big problem in a country that is roughly one-third below sea level. 

Soon, the region was flooded, with even Amsterdam threatened by the water. The locals eventually managed to staunch the flood, but they still needed to do a full, durable rebuild — which would be extremely expensive. 

Fortunately, the Dutch were brilliant, sophisticated financial pioneers, and had developed the era's most vibrant bond market. The local water authority — called Hoogheemraadschap Lekdijk Bovendams — swiftly sold over 50 bonds that raised about 23,000 Carolus guilders to finance the repairs.

Of these bonds the only surviving one is a 1,200 guilder bond sold on December 10, 1624, to a wealthy woman in Amsterdam called Elsken Jorisdochter. In return for her money, the water board promised Jorisdochter, her descendants or anyone who owned the bearer bond 2.5 per cent interest in perpetuity.

Remarkably, this bond is still alive and pays €13.61 of interest a year. Yesterday, the current owner — the New York Stock Exchange — collected £ 299.42 of owed interest for the bond's 400th birthday, which FT Alphaville was able to attend.

Keen readers will remember that FTAV wrote about the handful of surviving Dutch perpetuals last year. So why are we banging on about this again?

Well, partly because this bond is a physical, living reminder of how fixed-income markets built the modern world, which bears repeating. Bonds have won wars and broken countries. They have funded hospitals, slave-worked tobacco farms and sugar plantations. They're now bankrolling the data centres and chips that power artificial intelligence, as well as more obvious boondoggles, like Manchester United.

As a result, it's highly likely that over half of all global debt is in the form of bonds rather than loans (comprehensive and accurate global data on this is patchy). This is a big deal, as MainFT laid out in a magazine piece last year.

The 1624 bond ended up in NYSE's possession thanks to a Dutch-American banker called Albert Andriesse, a senior partner in Pierson & Co. and board member of the Amsterdam Stock Exchange.

Andriesse acquired the perpetual at an auction as a historical curio, and on a 1938 visit to New York donated it to the NYSE as a sign of friendship, given how 1624 was the year the city was founded as New Amsterdam.

Two years later, Andriesse and his family fled the Netherlands to escape the Nazis, and settled in New York in 1941. There he became an American citizen before passing away in 1965.

Even at the time his gift was novel enough to get a brief notice in the New York Times, with the following clip courtesy of his granddaughter, who was at yesterday's interest payment ceremony.

Pablo adds:

Pablo adds:

To read the complete article, see:
Happy 400th birthday to the world's oldest bond (https://www.ft.com/content/5122706e-39ca-4bbc-95cc-373188a9b1c9?)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
1624 PERPETUAL DUTCH BOND STILL PAYS INTEREST (https://www.coinbooks.org/v26/esylum_v26n47a32.html)

THE SUPERPOWER OF READING AND RESEARCH

It's a magical thing. A superpower, if you think about it.

No mortal can raise the dead. No one can bring back someone who has left this world.

Except, of course, through art.

In fact, when the filmmaker Ken Burns was on the Daily Stoic podcast recently (a must-listen episode!), he shared that someone once pointed out just how mind-blowing his job really is.

If you've ever watched one of his documentaries, this makes perfect sense. Through the photos that he slowly pans across, through the diaries he has voice-actors read, through the historians he interviews, Burns brings the Civil War back into the present moment. He puts us in the ring with Jack Johnson, puts us with Da Vinci in Florence. He wakes them from the dead.

As it happens, Zeno, the founder of Stoicism, received a similar prophecy as a young man. The secret to wisdom, the Oracle told him, was to have conversations with the dead. It wasn't until years later, as he listened to a bookseller read a dialog of the long-dead Socrates, that he realized that this is what books allow us to do. Indeed, this is what philosophy is–a conversation with Marcus Aurelius, a walk with Seneca, a chance to examine Cato in the flesh.

Every time we open a book, watch a documentary, or listen to the words of someone long gone, we're waking the dead. We're bringing them back into the present, giving them voice, allowing their experiences and wisdom to shape our lives. And in doing so, we become part of something eternal—a chain of memory and meaning that stretches across time. Through this superpower, we ensure that the dead are never truly gone, and that their lessons continue on.

To read the complete article, see:
You Can Wake The Dead (https://dailystoic.com/you-can-wake-the-dead/)

LOOSE CHANGE: DECEMBER 29, 2024

JP Koning

What follows is an essay on how my thinking on bitcoin has changed since I began to write on the topic starting with my first post in October 2012. Since then I've written 109 posts on the Moneyness Blog that reference bitcoin, along with a few dozen articles at venues like CoinDesk, Breakermag, and elsewhere...

I was relatively open to Bitcoin for two reasons. First, I like to think in terms of moneyness, which means that everything is to some degree money-like, and so I welcome strange and alternative monies. "If you think of money as an adjective, then moneyness becomes the lens by which you view the problem. From this perspective, one might say that Bitcoin always was a money," I wrote in my very first post on bitcoin. Second, prior to 2012 I had read a fair amount of free banking literature—the study of private money—so I was already primed to be receptive to a stateless payments system, which is what Bitcoin's founder, Satoshi Nakamoto, originally meant his (or her) creation to be.

A lot of bitcoin-curious, bitcoin-critics and bitcoin-converts were attracted to the comments section of my blog, and we had some great conversations over the years. My bitcoin posts invariably attracted more traffic than my non-bitcoin ones, all of us scrambling to understand what seemed to be a newly emerging monetary organism.

To read the complete article, see:
After twelve years of writing about bitcoin, here's how my thinking has changed (https://jpkoning.blogspot.com/2024/12/after-twelve-years-of-writing-about.html)

Bronze Statues Covered by 6,000 Coins Discovered

Archaeologists in Italy discovered more than two dozen beautifully preserved bronze statues from San Casciano dei Bagni, a hilltop town in the Siena province. This site has been under excavation by archaeologists who have been exploring the muddy ruins of an ancient bathhouse since 2019. "It is a very significant, exceptional finding," Jacopo Tabolli, an assistant professor from the University for Foreigners in Siena who coordinated the dig stated according to Reuters. The discovery of the statues was considered to be an exceptional find and they dated back to ancient Roman times in the thermal baths in Tuscany. The location was situated around 160 kilometers (100 miles) north of Rome.

The discovery was considered to be remarkable "in the history of the ancient Mediterranean" and very significant since the Riace Bronzes, a giant pair of ancient Greek warriors were retrieved from the sea off the coast of Italy in 1972. The statues that depicted Hygieia, Apollo, and other Greco-Roman divinities adorned the sanctuary before they were immersed in thermal waters, which could be some sort of ritual, "probably around the 1st century AD." The ritual could be based on the belief that you give an offering to the water and it returns blessings and prayers to you, according to Forbes. "You give to the water because you hope that the water gives something back to you," the archaeologists said of the ritual. Most of the statues were dated to the second century BC and the first century AD.

To read the complete article, see:
Over Two Dozen 2,300 Years Old Bronze Statues Covered by 6,000 Coins Discovered, Thermal Baths Helped Preserve Them (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/over-two-dozen-2-300-years-old-bronze-statues-covered-by-6-000-coins-discovered-thermal-baths-helped-preserve-them/ar-AA1weV5v)

Happy Holidays From Coin Rarities Online

This year we are celebrating the holidays in style with this totally over the top and very well illuminated Slug which is both stunning and timely, since we have had some very cool ones this year (though admittedly none of those were quite this colorful).

To visit their website, see:
https://www.coinraritiesonline.com/

ABOUT THIS ISSUE: DECEMBER 29, 2024

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
COLLECTING GIFT CARDS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n36a13.html)

Wayne Homren
Wayne Homren is the founding editor of The E-Sylum and a consultant for the Newman Numismatic Portal. His collecting interests at various times included U.S. Encased Postage Stamps, merchant counterstamps, Pittsburgh Obsolete paper money, Civil War tokens and scrip, Carnegie Hero Medals, charge coins and numismatic literature. He also collects and has given presentations on the work of Money Artist J.S.G. Boggs. In the non-numismatic world he's worked in artificial intelligence, data science, and as a Program Manager for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Garrett Ziss
Garrett Ziss is a numismatic collector and researcher, with a focus on American paper money and early U.S. silver and copper coins. He is also a part-time U.S. coin cataloger for Heritage Auctions. Garrett assists Editor Wayne Homren by editing and formatting a selection of articles and images each week. When he's not engaged in numismatics, Garrett is a Senior Honors student at the University of Pittsburgh.

Pete Smith
Numismatic researcher and author Pete Smith of Minnesota has written about early American coppers, Vermont coinage, numismatic literature, tokens and medals, the history of the U.S. Mint and much more. Author of American Numismatic Biographies, he contributes original articles to The E-Sylum often highlighting interesting figures in American numismatic history.

Greg Bennick
Greg Bennick (www.gregbennick.com) is a keynote speaker and long time coin collector with a focus on major mint error coins and US counterstamps. He is on the board of both CONECA and TAMS and enjoys having in-depth conversations with prominent numismatists from all areas of the hobby. Have ideas for other interviewees? Contact him anytime on the web or via instagram @minterrors.

John Nebel
Numismatist, photographer, and ANS Board member and Fellow John Nebel of Boulder, CO helped the ANA and other clubs like NBS get online in the early days of the internet, hosting websites gratis through his Computer Systems Design Co. To this day he hosts some 50 ANA member club sites along with our coinbooks.org site, making the club and our E-Sylum archive available to collectors and researchers worldwide.

Bruce Perdue
Encased coinage collector (encasedcoins.info) Bruce Perdue of Aurora, Illinois has been the volunteer NBS webmaster from its early days and works each week to add the latest E-Sylum issue to our archive and send out the email announcement.