THE RIBBIT BACKSTORY

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V27 2024 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 27, Number 45, November 10, 2024, Article 19

As often noted, the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) is a separate organization from ours, the Numismatic Bibliomania Society (NBS), but we share a love of the numismatic hobby and numismatic research and writing in particular. I was honored this year to receive one of NLG's special awards, The Ribbit. Its purpose is stated as "This award recognizes an individual who has achieved prominence in numismatics while maintaining approachability, a sense of humor and essential modesty."

The "sense of humor" part is reflected in the award's name and physical form - a figure of a frog. But there's a backstory somewhat related to coins that was nicely described in an article in the Summer 2012 NLG Newsletter. Here's an excerpt. -Editor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Well, my money frog is safely placed far from any bedrooms, kitchens or toilets. It's been lax at bringing in money, but I hadn't been instructed about proper placement; although it's in my home office and near our front door, I haven't been turning it nightly per the above instructions. Fortune hasn't been unkind to us this year though, so I'll give the Ribbit some credit regardless.

And it's brought some good humor with it in the form of gentle ribbing (or "Ribbiting"?) from friends. Numismatourist Howard Berlin wrote to say "Congrats (croak)" with a frog emoji. And on the floor of the ANA convention Steve Roach implored me to "say it!" So I went "ribbit, ribbit..." Those requests may follow me until the day I croak. -Editor

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