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About Us The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit association devoted to the study and enjoyment of numismatic literature. For more information please see our web site at coinbooks.org Subscriptions Those wishing to become new E-Sylum subscribers (or wishing to Unsubscribe) can go to the following web page link Membership There is a membership application available on the web site Membership Application To join, print the application and return it with your check to the address printed on the application. Print/Digital membership is $40 to addresses in the U.S., and $60 elsewhere. A digital-only membership is available for $25. For those without web access, write to: Jeff Dickerson, Treasurer Numismatic Bibliomania Society P. O. Box 578, Weatherford, TX 76086 Asylum For Asylum mailing address changes and other membership questions, contact Jeff at this email address: treasurer@coinbooks.org Submissions To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com BUY THE BOOK BEFORE THE COIN Sale Calendar Watch here for updates!

 

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 MARCH 3, 2025

New subscribers this week include: Jims Warden. Welcome aboard! We now have 7,252 subscribers.

Thank you for reading The E-Sylum. If you enjoy it, please send me the email addresses of friends you think may enjoy it as well and I'll send them a subscription. Contact me at whomren@gmail.com anytime regarding your subscription, or questions, comments or suggestions about our content.

This week we open with a literature fixed price list, SEVEN new books, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, AI book slop, notes from readers, and more.

Other topics this week include Lithuanian coins and Estonian paper money, U.S. Naval medals, Operation Bernhard, reissues and rejects, the Hetrich Civil War token collection, auction previews, the Trial of the Pyx, Victoria Cross exhibits, the new Caribbean Guilder, and Souvenir Cards,

To learn more about the publications of Eric P. Newman, cast Chinese coins, the Bristol Pound alternative currency, U.S. Mint fixed price lists, the tokens of Thomas Spence, the Columbia Shield, John E. Morse, Mark Weller, Lord Ashcroft, and the new Postal Money Order design, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

NUMISMATISCHES ANTIQUARIAT LANG STOCKLIST 2

Stocklist 2 February/March 2025 has been published on our homepage... The list includes all facets of numismatic literature.

Order directly by email to info@numismatisches-antiquariat.de or via the order form included in the stock list.

The books can be handed over directly at Numismata Munich by our managing director.

We wish you much pleasure.

To read the complete stocklist, see:
https://www.numismatisches-antiquariat.de/
../../../../../../whomr/Downloads/Lagerliste
2 Numismatisches Antiquariat Lang.pdf

 

NEW BOOK: PUBLICATIONS OF ERIC P. NEWMAN

New Eric P. Newman Bibliography Released

A new bibliography of the publications of Eric P. Newman by Leonard D. Augsburger and Joel J. Orosz has been released and is now available from publishers Kolbe & Fanning.

Covering the whole of the prolific numismatist's career, the book not only describes the books and articles he authored, but provides important context for them by drawing upon the Newman papers, an incomparable archival record of his own research. This work represents an effort to more closely connect Newman's research papers with his corresponding publications, while also revealing forgotten publications that are now captured in this bibliography for the first time.

Eric P. Newman (1911–2017) was fascinated with numismatics from a young age, and his innate curiosity led to a constant stream of publications throughout his long life. From his research on Missouri paper money in the 1930s to his work on the Continental dollar in the 2010s, Newman's commitment to the discovery of long-hidden truths never waned. This work summarizes Newman's writing and research and provides the "making of" details behind his 166 books and articles. The authors explore connections to the Newman numismatic collection, as Newman especially enjoyed researching objects that he owned. The Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society provided access to Newman's voluminous research papers, a trove of hundreds of boxes that was invaluable in the creation of the present study. For collectors of numismatic literature, this book fully describes the various printings of Newman's publications, from offprints to inscribed copies to deluxe editions.

Newman's 1941 article on this 1817 Bank of St. Louis $10 note described in detail the buildings appearing on the St. Louis riverfront.

Newman won multiple awards for his publications, including this 1959 Heath Literary Award from the ANA.

This 1789 Bank of North America 3-pence marbled edge note appeared in Newman's 1971 article "Franklin Making Money More Plentiful."

Deluxe Edition Pre-Order
The deluxe edition, limited to 10 copies, bound using high-quality morocco goatskin and fine Japanese bookbinding cloth is also available for pre-order. It will be similar to the image shown, but in red.

 

Joel J. Orosz has for forty years been a numismatic scholar, bibliophile, and author. His byline appears on regular columns for the Numismatic Bibliomania Society's journal, The Asylum, and since 2010 on Coin World's "Numismatic Bookie" column. The author of scores of articles on coins, medals, tokens and related literature, he has written or co-authored six numismatic books, including three that have won the Numismatic Literary Guild's "Book of the Year" award. Other writing honors that he has shared or won outright include three American Numismatic Association first place Heath Literary Awards; one ANA first place Wayte and Olga Raymond Memorial Literary Award; The Clemy in 2020 from the Numismatic Literary Guild; and the Burnett Anderson Memorial Award in 2021 from the ANA, NLG and American Numismatic Society. He is a Fellow of the ANS, and a member of the Rittenhouse Society and the Attinelli Fellowship.

Len Augsburger is the Project Coordinator of the Newman Numismatic Portal, the largest online repository of numismatic texts. Administered by Washington University in St. Louis, this program has been underwritten by the Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society since 2014. Augsburger serves as president of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society and the Liberty Seated Collectors Club and writes frequently for the publications of these two organizations. With Joel Orosz, he has co-authored three books winning "Book of the Year" honors from the Numismatic Literary Guild. He is a Fellow of the American Numismatic Society, and a member of the New York Numismatic Club, Rittenhouse Society, and numerous other numismatic organizations.

For more information, or to order, see:
THE PUBLICATIONS OF ERIC P. NEWMAN: A COLLECTOR'S GUIDE (https://www.numislit.com/pages/books/7537/leonard-d-augsburger-joel-j-orosz/the-publications-of-eric-p-newman-a-collectors-guide)
THE PUBLICATIONS OF ERIC P. NEWMAN: A COLLECTOR'S GUIDE [Deluxe Edition] (https://www.numislit.com/pages/books/7538/leonard-d-augsburger-joel-j-orosz/the-publications-of-eric-p-newman-a-collectors-guide-deluxe-edition)

NEW BOOK: CAST CHINESE COINS: COLOUR PLATES

CAST CHINESE COINS – Colour Plates
By David Hartill

This work is intended as a supplement to my Cast Chinese Coins. Its purpose is to illustrate in colour a wide range of Chinese coins, from earliest times to the end of the Chinese Empire in 1912. Some forgeries, fakes and replicas are also included so that they can be distinguished from genuine coins. It is not a finding catalogue; details of history and issuers will be found in Cast Chinese Coins.

Publisher ? : ? New Generation Publishing (May 22, 2024)
Language ? : ? English
Paperback ? : ? 102 pages
ISBN-10 ? : ? 1835633463
ISBN-13 ? : ? 978-1835633465
Item Weight ? : ? 12.3 ounces
Dimensions ? : ? 8.27 x 0.28 x 11.69 inches

For more information, or to order, see:
CAST CHINESE COINS – Colour Plates (https://www.newgeneration-publishing.com/books/reference/new-book-11/)
Cast Chinese Coins: Colour Plates (https://www.amazon.com/Cast-Chinese-Coins-Colour-Plates/dp/1835633463)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
BOOK RECOMMENDATION: DAVID HARTILL'S CAST CHINESE COINS (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v10n16a05.html)

NEW BOOK: LITHUANIAN COINS 1495-1536, 2ND EDITION

Lithuanian Coins 1495-1536 Second Edition
Dzmitry Huletski, Giedrius Bagdonas

Edition 2nd Edition
Publication year 2025
Languages English
Publication location Vilnius, Lithuania
ISBN-13 9786094172854

Catalogue of Lithuanian coins of Alexander Jagiellon and Sigismund the Old. Variants of 21 Alexander pence, 178 Alexander half-groats, 1315 Sigismund the Old half-groats, 244 Sigismund the Old groats are described, their rarities and types of Eagle/Knight images are presented. The book is intended for lovers of numismatics and history of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

 

For more information, or to order, see:
Dz. Huletski, G. Bagdonas "Lithuanian Coins 1495-1536 Second Edition" (https://www.ebay.com/itm/267143347065)
LITHUANIAN COINS 1495-1536 SECOND EDITION (https://contribee.com/lithuaniancoins)
Lithuanian Coins 1495-1536 (https://en.numista.com/literature/volume.php?id=2841)

NEW BOOK: U.S. NAVAL AWARDS

A complete guide to the US Navy awards of the Spanish-American War, including the Marine Corps Brevet Medal.

• The Dewey Medal
• The Sampson Medal
• The Specially Meritorious Service Medal
• The Cardenas Medal
• The Brevet Medal

Each chapter contains an in-depth study of the medal, to include its history, production details, manufacturing variations, naming styles, and tips on spotting reproductions.

 

A meticulously researched and verified roster of all known recipients is included for each medal.

Hundreds of color photographs are used to illustrate variations of each medal. Details of brooch styles and other important identifying features.

453 large format 8.5 x 11 pages with 413 photographs and illustrations, 280 in color.

Available on Amazon. $79.95 plus shipping.

This book is the result of years and years of studying the US Navy medals of the Spanish American War and sorting out who made them, who got them and where the line is between a real medal and the other kind. Fake, spurious and meant to deceive. Allen Menke and John Strandberg have completed a lifetime of work with this book.

The medals are illustrated in all their varieties and iterations. There are excellent guides to the various strikes, so the reader will see the evidence right on the page as to what variety has what telltale or artifact to put a medal where it belongs in the pageant of US Naval Awards at the start of the 19th Century.

On a personal note, I hate two-column and three-column formats for books and magazines about coins and medals. The columnar format forces reductions in sizes to illustrations and often makes it impossible to see the obverse and reverse of a medal side by side at the size the author wanted, and the reader who wants to see exactly the point the author is making. On the page where the point is being made. There is one prestigious numismatic magazine that has no qualms about putting pictures of medals pages away from the copy about the medals. The reader needs a neck brace, a 2X monocle, a bookmark, nimble fingers, and a retentive mind to stitch together the thread of a numismatic narrative under these conditions. In U. S. Naval Awards etc., the book is a lonely example of full pages of copy. The authors do use two columns for Rosters, and other elements that lend themselves to that format. I really applaud the way they laid it out.

This is a book for anyone who is interested in how the US honored its military heroes and the stumbles the country made in that endeavor. Its successes and its failures. It is and will ever be a work in progress. This work is a snapshot of where the state of play was 125 year ago.

Harry adds:

For more information, or to order, see:
US Naval Awards of the Spanish-American War (https://www.amazon.com/US-Naval-Awards-Spanish-American-War/dp/B0DXCKWPN8/ref=sr_1_1)

NEW BOOK: ESTONIAN PAPER MONEY

A special programme for visitors will be run at the Eesti Pank Museum to celebrate Independence Day on 24 February, during which the book Estonian Paper Money – Eesti paberraha by the coin expert Kaupo Laan will be presented. There will be a treasure hunt game using smartphones to celebrate the 107th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, the year of the book in Estonia, and the 106th anniversary of the founding of Eesti Pank, while children can have their faces painted in the colours of the Estonian flag. The museum and the museum shop are open from 08.00 to 12.00, and there is no charge for the special programme.

The Eesti Pank Museum at Estonia pst 11 will open its doors for the special event from 08.00 to 12.00 on 24 February, as it traditionally does because the economic and national independence of the Estonian state has long been symbolised by the country having its own money and an independent central bank.

Kaupo Laan, who has collected coins and paper money for many years, will give a presentation in the museum at 11.00 of his new book Estonian Paper Money – Eesti paberraha. "Times that are difficult for people and countries tend to be the most exciting for people who are interested in paper money. The new state that emerged in 1918 having fought for its freedom was a poor country that lacked absolutely everything, including cash. The first currencies were not originally intended to be used as money, but they still went into circulation because such was the shortage of cash", he explained, to give the historical background to his book. "A large part of the Eesti Pank Museum is dedicated to the currencies of the early Republic of Estonia, which include currencies with strange names such as tax notes, short-term 5% bonds, state treasury notes, and of course banknotes. People today may not speak any longer about such currencies, but looking back at the times and circumstances when they were in circulation shows what an important role they had for the country", said Siiri Ries, the curator of the Eesti Pank museum. "The new book describes those times and brings them alive our generation".

Kaupo Laan will also speak in his presentation about the life of a numismatist and what he has learned about the history of Estonian money through his work. He will also present his earlier catalogues, and it will be possible to buy his books in the museum and have them signed by the author. The presentation will last about half an hour.

The first visitors to the museum in the morning, who are traditionally from among those who have been to see the flag raised on Toompea, will be offered hot tea and a snack. There will be activities for the whole family, as children can have their faces painted and can make themselves an Estonian flag to wave at the military parade that starts at 12.00. There will be a treasure hunt game using smartphones to celebrate the 107th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, the year of the book in Estonia, and the 106th anniversary of the founding of Eesti Pank. Entrance to the museum and all the activities of the special programme is free.

The new two-euro commemorative coin for 500 years of books in Estonian and the coin card for it will be on sale in the museum shop.

To read the complete article, see:
A book about money in Estonia will be presented at the Eesti Pank Museum to celebrate Independence Day (https://www.eestipank.ee/en/press/book-about-money-estonia-will-be-presented-eesti-pank-museum-celebrate-independence-day-20022025)

For more information, or to order, see:
Eesti paberraha. Estonian Paper Money (https://raamatukoi.ee/eesti-paberraha-estonian-paper-money)

NEW BOOK: OPERATION BERNHARD, 2ND EDITION

Operation Bernhard: The Counterfeits of block 19
History's biggest counterfeiting swindle
by Stefano Poddi

The second edition of the book on Operation Bernhard, written by Stefano Poddi, has recently been published.

This edition is in English, making it accessible to a broader audience, likely more emotionally engaged in this historical-numismatic event.

The second edition includes a preface by Joseph E. Boling, one of the world's leading paper money experts and a keen scholar of this specific historical episode. He also oversaw the editorial revision of the text.

Compared to the first Italian edition, this edition has been completely updated: the text has been revised and improved, the photos have been enlarged, and diagrams have been added to better illustrate the circulation of counterfeit British pounds worldwide. Additionally, an index of photographs has been included, along with an updated list of all recovered banknote series and serial numbers to date.

The book also features the full transcript of the author's 2007 interview with one of the last witnesses of this event, Adolf Burger.

The book provides a detailed analysis of the operation, immersing the reader in the atmosphere of those years an essential exercise to ensure that such events never happen again. The meticulous narrative, based solely on verified facts from primary sources, the careful choice of words, and the rich collection of photographs, diagrams, indices, bibliography, and appendices make this book a key reference for future generations of numismatists and contemporary history scholars interested in further exploring and investigating this fascinating case.

For those interested in purchasing the book, please contact Fabrizio Raponi email: runfab@gmail.com.

NEW BOOK: VALUE BEYOND MONEY

Value Beyond Money: An Exploration of The Bristol Pound and The Building Blocks for An Alternative Economic System

Paperback – August 1, 2024
by Diana Finch

Back in 2009, a group of people came together to try to create a currency that would change the economic system for the better. They called it the Bristol Pound. By 2015 it was one of the world's most prominent local currencies, featured in the Financial Times and Time Magazine, and even covered by Chinese state television. However, the Bristol Pound stopped circulating in 2021, and in 2023 the organisation finally wound up. Drawing on the lessons learned as Bristol Pound's managing director, the author examines the theory and practice behind many new economic ideas. What really is ‘money'? Can we imagine an economic system that prioritises non-financial value? Can we create a post-market economy? The author's conclusions shape a new narrative and understanding that will forever change how you think of money and the economy.

For more information, or to order, see:
Value Beyond Money: An Exploration of The Bristol Pound and The Building Blocks for An Alternative Economic System (https://www.amazon.com/Value-Beyond-Money-Exploration-Alternative/dp/1912092301)

The Bristol Pound has played a significant role in awareness raising and debates about alternative currency systems and the drive towards local economic practices. The development of a city wide approached was one of several ambitions which underpinned the endeavour. Within her new book exploring the history of the currency and its broader ambitions, Finch has provided an honest account and insight behind the curtain of public perception to show some of the inner workings of the scheme. For academics, practitioners and the interested general public, the book offers a lot of provoking insights and honest commentary about the challenges faced in developing the Bristol Pound. However, there are some silences within the text, which for the academic audience, will leave some questions unanswered.

The easy read, conversational tone of the text is a refreshing form of expression which engages the reader quickly and continuously throughout the book. This approach resonates well with the more personal touches within the text about key players and relationships involved in the Bristol Pound initiative. Interestingly, and perhaps with the audience in mind, the first part of the book orientates the reader well to the idea of alternative currency and quickly links this into the account of the Bristol Pound. Resultingly we are exposed to the practice insights first. There are some interesting lessons for the wider community currency community in these pages. Such as

• The engagement of like-minded members of the community rather than mass participation.
• Significant amounts of enthusiasm, good will as well as political support locally can drive a currency system forward in the early stages of development. But this can place a great demand for time and energy on a small number of people.
• Wider social/economic developments in the "free market" may outpace community currency innovation – the rapid development of electronic payments as an example, especially post-covid.

Although now concluded, the Bristol Pound therefore offers several insights which will resonate with those who have experimented with and/or researched alternative currency systems. Perhaps the ongoing challenge for the wider currency literature here is how to respond to these lessons. Developing a currency system which challenges the broader economic system remains elusive, and some reflection on what could be taken from these insights into future experimentation would have been a great addition from an author who has been at the heart of practice and a significant learning journey.

To read the complete article, see:
Book Review: Value Beyond Money. An Exploration of The Bristol Pound and The Building Blocks for An Alternative Economic System by Diana Finch (https://ijccr.net/ijccr-28-2024/vol-28-pp-110-112/)
VALUE BEYOND MONEY. AN EXPLORATION OF THE BRISTOL POUND AND THE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR AN ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIC SYSTEM BY DIANA FINCH (https://ijccr.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ijccr-2024-7-gregory.pdf)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NEW BOOK: VALUE BEYOND MONEY (https://www.coinbooks.org/v26/esylum_v26n46a07.html)

U.S. MINT FIXED PRICE LISTS ON NEWMAN PORTAL

U.S. Mint Fixed Price Lists on Newman Portal

Newman Portal has recently processed another batch of U.S. Mint fixed price lists (FPLs), bringing the total size of this series to 131 items, and ranging in time from 1858 to the present date. Although much of the current marketing is electronic, these FPLs serve to document what has become a profitable business for the Mint – creating collectable coins and medals while appealing to the public appetite for "completion" of a given series. A Newman Portal user recently consulted this series to investigate the issue price of American Gold Eagles in 1986.

Image: Cover of the 2017 U.S. Mint fixed price list, featuring the American Liberty 225h Anniversary gold coin on the front cover

Link to U.S. Mint fixed price lists on Newman Portal:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/publisherdetail/512757

2025 NEWMAN GRANT PROGRAM REMINDER

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

The Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society (EPNNES) announces the opening of the application period for the 2025 Newman Grant program. Newman Grants are designed to financially assist numismatic authors and organizations pursuing original research in American numismatics. This program was launched in 2019 and supports research projects related to colonial numismatics, U.S. federal coinage, counterfeit detection, and other areas.

Authors, researchers, and numismatic organizations are encouraged to apply for amounts between $1,000 and $5,000. Awards may be applied toward related research costs including but not limited to photography, reproduction of research material and graphic art services, database access fees, and travel. Electronic publications will be preferred as EPNNES wishes to direct funds toward expenses specifically related to numismatic research, rather than the print publication of research. Newman Grant awardees agree to non-exclusive publication of their research on the Newman Numismatic Portal (NewmanPortal.org). EPNNES intends to make approximately half a dozen grants in 2025.

The Newman Grant program is administered for EPNNES by the Newman Numismatic Portal (NNP). Applications may be found on the Newman Numismatic Portal at https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/archivedetail/530553?Year=2025 and should be submitted to NNPCurator@wustl.edu. The application deadline is April 15, 2025, with the grant awards to be announced on May 25, 2025, coincident with the late Eric P. Newman's birthday.

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

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
2025 NEWMAN GRANT PROGRAM ANNOUNCED (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n02a11.html)

VIDEO TIMES AND TOKENS OF THOMAS SPENCE

A discussion and display of the alluring copper tokens produced by late eighteenth century British radical socialist, Thomas Spence. Nearly a hundred halfpenny and farthing dies were cut to order by the incomparable Charles James, which were struck into hundreds of politically charged combinations by Spence on his very own screw press. Except for the seven months imprisonment in 1794 for "high treason and seditious libel," Spence held business at his "Hive of Liberty," which was located in London at Number 8 Little Turnstile, High Holborn. There, in addition to his coin business, he issued a penny-weekly entitled "Pig's Meat, or Lessons for the Swinish Multitude." The incredible tokens of Thomas Spence vividly chronicle the challenges of British life under the demented and freedom-destroying Crown of "Mad" King George III and his evil Prime Minister, William Pitt, the Younger.

Speaker(s): Jerry Bobbe.

To watch the complete video, see:
Times and Tokens of Thomas Spence (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/557316)
Times and Tokens of Thomas Spence (https://youtu.be/5UduPnWJSAk)

MORE AI BOOK SLOP

US Error Coin Guide: The Complete Handbook for Identifying, Valuing, and Collecting Coins – From Beginner to Expert to Enhance the Value of Your Collection

Paperback – January 22, 2025
by Theodore D. Steele

US Error Coin Guide is a step-by-step handbook designed to give you the knowledge, tools, and strategies you need to thrive in the error coin market. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced collector, this guide will help you identify valuable coins, avoid common pitfalls, and enhance the worth of your collection.

Theodore D. Steele is a seasoned numismatist with over 10 years of experience in the captivating world of coin collecting. A passionate historian and avid collector of various artifacts, Theodore combines his love for history with his expertise in numismatics to uncover hidden treasures, analyze minting processes, and help collectors unlock the full potential of their collections.

With a broad appreciation for valuable and historical items, Theodore brings a well-rounded perspective to his work, blending his deep knowledge of coins with an enthusiasm for all things historical. Renowned for simplifying the complexities of coin errors, he empowers collectors to confidently identify, authenticate, and value their finds while encouraging a broader appreciation for the stories behind these remarkable objects.

Gail and John wrote:

Jay Wexler wrote:

B Beal wrote:

Wes wrote:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
THE GOOD AND BAD OF AI IN NUMISMATICS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n41a21.html)

NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: MARCH 3, 2025

On the 2026 Red Book Changes
Mike Costanzo writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NEW BOOK: 2026 GUIDE BOOK OF U.S. COINS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n08a02.html)

Video: 1840 Quarter Eagle Condition Census

In this video, we feature the finest known 1840 Quarter Eagles. At one time, this early date Liberty Head Quarter Eagle was rarely found in Mint State or Uncirculated condition, but today we know of ten examples that are MS62 (on a scale of 70) or better. If you are considering buying or selling an 1840 Quarter Eagle, or any other US coin, visit the TrophyCoins.com website for the best Condition Census information available anywhere.

Be sure to check out www.TrophyCoins.com to explore 75,000+ coin images with complete ownership, grade, and pricing information.

To watch the video, see:
Exploring the Finest Known 1840 Quarter Eagles (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BSsANoUmUA)

Singapore Coin Show Photos
Jeffrey Zarit writes:

Another Herren Columbia Shield
Website visitor William Cox writes:

To read earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
HEEREN FAMILY BACKGROUND ON THE COLUMBIA SHIELD (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v18n23a22.html)
HERREN FAMILY COLUMBIA SHIELD LOCATED (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n39a08.html)

AI Coin Analysis Takes A Big Step Forward
Justin Hinh writes:

Justin adds:

To watch the video, see:
AI Grading - Live Stream (https://vimeo.com/1061854773)

TIPS FOR NAVIGATING THE ANS WEBSITE

At our February meeting of the New Jersey Numismatic Society (NJNS), Scott Miller presented an overview of how to access the ANS website to search for information about coins and medals. Once on the ANS website, he directed us to the listings for Online Resources, Collections and the ANS archives. Some of the ANS archives are available on the Newman Numismatic Portal. For others, you will need to write to the ANS for more information. The ANS homepage can be viewed for current information, recent blog posts and videos. The library catalog DONUM is an excellent resource for bibliographic information.

ANS online sources are mostly about ancient coins. Scott showed us how to conduct online searches for ancient coins on MANTIS, as well as subject specific resources, such as Hellenistic Royal Coins (HRC), Online Coins of the Roman Empire (OCRE), and Seleucid Coins Online (SCO). In addition to searching MANTIS by coin type and denomination, you can search by the donor's name or accession number. He also showed us how to find World War I medals and information on the Jewish-American Hall of Fame. Miller explained the Jewish-American Hall of Fame website is now administered by the ANS.

Next, we explored the Medallic Art Company Archives (MACO) and the MACO Specimen Archive, which has numbered dies. The MACO listings are available by decade. If you plan to visit the ANS headquarters in New York City, you can look up what you want to see before your visit to be efficient with your time.

During the meeting, NJNS President Ray Williams related how he and Jesse Kraft tackled a project for several months during COVID-19, which involved improving the data on the ANS website regarding the Society's colonial coin and paper money holdings. Ray explained they each worked from home, going through ANS holdings one item at a time over the phone, verifying that information was accurate and adding information.

I came away from our February meeting with renewed appreciation for the ANS website as a valuable numismatic research tool. And, if you haven't been to the ANS archives in person, it is definitely worth a visit. In 2017, I accompanied Dave Bailey to the ANS, and we had a wonderful time there!

NOTE: I am grateful to Scott Miller for reviewing an earlier draft of this article.

To visit the sites, see:
https://numismatics.org/
https://numismatics.org/hrc/
https://numismatics.org/ocre/
https://numismatics.org/MACO/
https://amuseum.org/

VOCABULARY TERMS: REISSUES AND REJECTS

Reissue. A second or repeated issue, after a lapse of time, by an authorized issuer, with only a slight change, if any, in form or composition. A reissue occurs when a need or demand exists, as the reactivation of an award program where the original award medal is again produced. Or perhaps, a once popular medal is issued again after the death of the artist or copyrights have expired and the design is in public domain. Copy dies are sometimes made to strike these reissued items if the original dies are no longer available. A reissue can be reinstated by the original sponsor or publisher, or by some new issuer who does have authority.

A reissue is not to be confused with restrike (issued without authority from original dies) nor is it to be con- fused with revision (a second or repeated issue requiring a change in dies) by the same issuer. See copies and replicas.

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Reissue (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516610)

Reject. An improperly made object; one that is damaged, malformed or otherwise not up to quality requirements. Rejects are usually caught by an inspection, discarded or destroyed, and never intentionally issued, although, obviously, some rejects reach the hands of the public, collectors or others. See inspection.

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Reject (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516611)

Rejected Design. A medallic design prepared by an artist that for any reason may be unacceptable for final publication; it may be in the form of sketches, clay or plaster models. Rejected designs are most often the early stages of a work which an artist later changes and completes for ultimate acceptance. Also rejected designs likely to be encountered are those of design competitions that were not the winning entry; even the most successful artist will have several of these around his studio if he enters any number of such contests. Infrequently rejected designs which have proceeded as far as models and which have redeeming artistic merit, sometimes become stock designs at a later time. Medallist Ralph J. Menconi had the habit of burying models he considered unacceptable in the back yard of his home-studio in Pleasantville New York; the subsequent owner of the property later unearthed several of these rejected plaster models.

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Rejected Design (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516612)

JOHN EDWIN MORSE (1861-1942)

I enjoy finding stories of numismatists who are not as well known as they might be. If I can connect them to collectible ephemera, so much the better.

John E. Morse was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on October 18, 1861. He was the son of Edwin Morse (1824-1879) and Martha Jane Worcester (1825-1910). Edwin was a carpenter.

John began collecting coins and paper money as a child, but coins tarnished and lost their luster. He developed a preference for paper money, documents and prints.

He was employed with Mechanics National Bank in Worcester from July 9, 1879, until January 31, 1885. He then worked at Mechanics Savings Bank as accountant, bookkeeper and teller until retirement on November 29, 1911. His banking career gave him access to currency that circulated at the time and possibly to uncurrent currency as well.

John then moved with his wife from Worcester to the century old Richardson House in Hadley, Massachusetts. His business address was also his home address.

The August 1891 issue of Plain Talk, then the official publication of the American Numismatic Association, listed the first twenty-five members of the ANA. John E. Morse was listed as member number twenty. His address was given as the Mechanics Savings Bank. In 1899, vacant membership numbers were reassigned to active members 1-99. In 1905, he was listed as member number ten.

He was married to Francis Stevens Sanborn (1866-1958) on November 14, 1900.

Morse was born during the administration of Abraham Lincoln and Lincoln had a large influence on his collecting interests. He had a significant collection of Lincoln medals. In addition, he collected Civil War envelopes, plaques, busts, books, engravings, lithographs, political cartoons, and other Lincolniana. He had a slightly smaller collection for President Grant and collections of medals for Garfield, McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.

Although Morse collected negotiable currency, his primary interest was in advertising and imitation paper money dating back to 1818. Sub-categories included stage money and school money.

Morse attended many of the ANA conventions from 1914 to 1942 and frequently placed exhibits.

At the 1914 convention, he had a large exhibit of paper money. The description in The Numismatist took 42 lines. This indicates the extent of his collection.

In 1916, his exhibit featured Massachusetts bank notes with the full description taking twenty lines.

In 1917 he had an exhibit of paper money including "shinplasters" and church scrip. He had another exhibit of paper money in 1919, described in sixteen lines.

In 1920 he had an exhibit of paper and card money plus fractional currency. In 1922 he exhibited medals and tokens of President Grant, New York state broken bank notes, New York card money and New York City tokens.

In 1923 he exhibited United States Notes, fractional currency and broken bank notes.

In 1933 he exhibited rare Lincoln medals, photographs, buttons, badges and paper money; Washington fractional currency in sheets; Eli Perkins currency; Meredith fractional currency caricatures; and World Columbian Exposition material.

At the 1937 ANA convention, Morse exhibited Bolen facsimile coins, Springfield, Massachusetts, medals and bank notes with the signature of J. Pierpont Morgan.

We can add Morse to the list of collectors who exhibited their collections in public places. In 1920, Morse placed an exhibit in the store window of G. Henry Clark of Northampton, Massachusetts.

For Lincoln's birthday in 1922 he had an exhibit of Lincoln medals and souvenirs in a Hadley, Massachusetts, store window. An unusual item was a carving of Lincoln on a Walrus tusk.

Another 1922 exhibit was placed at Northampton Bank with 500 varieties of paper money and 200 Lincoln medals.

He had a 1925 exhibit at the Hampshire County Trust Co. for National Coin Week.

The Jones Library in Amhurst, Massachusetts showed his exhibit of Lincoln material during coin week in 1926.

In 1921, he was elected president of the Springfield (MA) Coin Club. In 1935 he was president of the Northampton Numismatic Society across the river from Hadley.

In 1923, a collection of 125 $1 and $2 Massachusetts National Bank Notes formed by John E. Morse and purchased by Frank H, Shumway was presented to the Massachusetts Historical Society.

Under the heading of "RIDE YOUR HOBBIES." Morse ran ads in Hobbies Magazine during the period of 1931 to 1939. He also used that heading for ads in The Numismatist.

Morse was given a life membership by the ANA at the 1942 convention but did not enjoy the honor for long. At the time of his death on November 23, 1942, Morse had been a member of the ANA for 51 years. He was buried with his wife and parents at Hope Cemetery in Worcester.

The Heritage Auction of December 22, 2020, offered lot 84160, a 1905 advertising note overprinted by John E. Morse. It did not sell. The host note was copyrighted in 1905 by W. J. Wells. Printed in orange at the bottom center, "SOUVENIR OF MORSE'S MONEY MUSEUM."

Other versions of the host note have "Published by Federal Book Co. Wash. D.C." in orange at the bottom center.

John E. Morse did not move to Hadley, Massachusetts, until 1911. The overprint could have been done between 1911 and 1942.

The name "Morse's Money Museum" is not found on the Newman Numismatic Portal, The Numismatist archive, or the newspapers.com. site. Google has a match only for this note. The existence of Morse's Money Museum remains a mystery.

Morse overprinted advertising on common banknotes. He distributed these at several ANA conventions.

Before the 1916 convention, Morse sent out examples of "tainted money" with his advertisement on one side along with an invitation to the convention.

He gave out a souvenir imitation bank book at the ANA convention of 1921. It had facsimile bank notes protruding from the ends. Inside was a 10-cent note from the Northborough Bank of Marlborough, Massachusetts, dated November 1, 1862.

In 1922 he gave out a Georgia State $5 note with his advertisement on the back.

In 1924 he was unable to attend but sent Civil War scrip of Harmon & Root of Aurora, Ohio, with his advertisement.

Heritage has offered a Morse note described as a Richmond Confederate 50-cent note of 1864 more than ten times in this century.

Heritage also twice offered the same Joseph C. Tucker note of Townsend Bank at Brookline, New Hampshire. The three-cent advertising note is dated July 4, 1864. The Morse overprint is dated 1926.

An eBay listing had a Twenty-Five Cent note from Harris & Chapman in Boston dated December 1, 1862.

Morse could have printed advertisements on any number of other uniface banknotes besides those listed.

 

HETRICH CIVIL WAR TOKENS PURCHASED

We are very pleased to announce the purchase of the Dr. George Hetrich Civil War token collection. Hetrich, who died in 1928, was the co-author of Civil War Tokens and Tradesmen's Store Cards along with Julius Guttag in 1924. Their H&G numbering system was the standard in the hobby until the Fuld books in the 1960's. The entire collection, formed by an Anonymous collector, is just shy of 10,000 pieces. The Hetrich portion was purchased in a single 6,000 pieces lot in a 1954 Pennypacker Auction sale. We believe that this is the correct year though online accounts vary. We have yet to locate a copy of the actual auction catalog and would love to find one and pin down the exact date and lot description.

The collector who purchased that lot already had a collection and added to it in the 1950's, 1960's and through the early 1970's with the last piece being purchased more than 50 years ago. The purchase we made was from that collector's descendants in two separate transactions in late 2024 and early 2025. The family wants to remain anonymous so that part of the collection will be known as the Pennsylvania Civil War Token collection. We have already approved preliminary designs for two special NGC labels to house the collections.

We have been working on purchasing this collection for nearly 20 years, making two unsuccessful attempts in the past. Prior to that Steve Tanenbaum, Rich Rossa and Joe Levine tried and failed to acquire these treasures. It contains roughly 5,500 different Civil War tokens making it one of the most extensive collections ever formed. To put it in perspective, Steve Tanenbaum's collection contained roughly 4,800 different Civil War tokens. Even the duplicates contain many great rarities, gems and popular tokens. The Fuld's used notes about this collection to produce their books in the 1960's and 1970's. Still the collection has dozens of Unlisted and "Not Verified" varieties not to mention over 50 Unique varieties.

As we often mention after a major acquisition, now would be the perfect time to send in a Want or Have List. As the result of hints made over the last month, we have already received a number of lists. We will be proceeding differently with this collection, typically if tokens in a collection were raw, we sold them that way when servicing Want Lists. Because of the importance of this collection, we will be having the best pieces Professionally Graded with the custom labels prior to sale. Because grading many 1,000's of tokens will be multiyear project, we plan to start with the items on the Want Lists.

For more information, see:
https://civilwartokens.com/

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
PENNYPACKER HETTRICH AUCTION (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v04n24a06.html)
ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER AND ANOTHER (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v07n07a10.html)
GEORGE FULD ON JULIUS GUTTAG's CIVIL WAR TOKEN COLLECTION (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v09n49a16.html)
DR. GEORGE HETRICH (1862-1928) (https://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n05a16.html)
NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: DECEMBER 30, 2018 : Deluxe Leather Hettrich-Guttag (https://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n52a24.html)

HERITAGE AUCTIONS: THE TWELVE CAESARS

Julius Caesar, as Dictator (49-44 BC). AR denarius (17mm, 3.76 gm, 11h). NGC Choice VF 4/5 - 4/5. Military mint traveling with Caesar in northern Italy, ca. 49-48 BC. CAESAR, elephant advancing right, trampling horned serpent / Culullus, aspergillum, securis (axe surmounted by dog or wolf's head), and apex. Crawford 443/1. Sydenham 1006.

One of the most popular types Caesar minted were of an elephant stepping on a serpent, with CAESAR in the exergue. Although there is no clear record of what these coins allude to, this design is believed to commemorate Caesar's victory in the Battle of Thapsus in 46 BC, where he defeated the forces of his political rival, Pompey, so efficiently that it was like an elephant stepping on a snake and could be seen as good defeating evil. On the reverse, he included important pontifical religious implements, a reminder to the Roman people that he was a pious man, and that he held numerous religious positions, such as Pontifex Maximus (Highest Priest). This series of coinage effectively communicated Caesar's dual image as a capable military leader and a custodian of Roman tradition, helping to consolidate his support base and establish his legitimacy during the tumultuous events of the civil war.

To read the complete item description, see:
Julius Caesar, as Dictator (49-44 BC). AR denarius (17mm, 3.76 gm, 11h). NGC Choice VF 4/5 - 4/5. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-republic/roman-republic-julius-caesar-as-dictator-49-44-bc-ar-denarius-17mm-376-gm-11h-ngc-choice-vf-4-5-4-5/a/61482-25002.s)

Octavian, as Imperator and Triumvir (43-33 BC). AR denarius (19mm, 3.75 gm, 12h). NGC Choice Fine 3/5 - 2/5, brockage, edge cut, light smoothing. Uncertain Italian mint, ca. 31-30 BC. Bare head of Octavian right, linear border / Brockage of obverse. RIC I 250a, 254a, or 257.

Born on 23 September 63 BC into a wealthy plebeian family, Augustus, originally Gaius Octavius, was the grandnephew and posthumously adopted son of Julius Caesar. This inheritance set him on a collision course with Rome's political elite, leading to the formation of the Second Triumvirate with Marc Antony and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. Their initial unity against Caesar's assassins eventually gave way to conflict, from which Augustus emerged as Rome's first true emperor after victories in key battles like Philippi and Actium. In 27 BC, he was honored with the title "Augustus" by the Senate, signaling the start of his reign and the Pax Romana, a golden era of peace, prosperity, and cultural flourishing that lasted over two centuries.

Augustus' rule saw significant military, administrative, and cultural reforms that stabilized and enriched the empire. He established a standing army, including the Praetorian Guard, reorganized Rome's provinces, and became a patron of the arts, fostering the careers of poets like Virgil and Horace and commissioning monumental buildings that reshaped Rome. His savvy use of coinage to communicate his achievements and vision helped solidify his power and legacy. Augustus died in AD 14, he left behind a transformed Rome. Through Suetonius's "The Twelve Caesars" and his own "Res Gestae Divi Augusti," we glimpse the life and achievements of a ruler who balanced autocracy with republican ideals, setting a precedent for future emperors and leaving an indelible mark on Roman history.

Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 470 (17 June 2020), lot 273.

To read the complete item description, see:
Octavian, as Imperator and Triumvir (43-33 BC). AR denarius (19mm, 3.75 gm, 12h). NGC Choice Fine 3/5 - 2/5, brockage, edge cut, light smoothing. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-republic/roman-republic-octavian-as-imperator-and-triumvir-43-33-bc-ar-denarius-19mm-375-gm-12h-ngc-choice-fine-3-5/a/61482-25005.s)

Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). AR denarius (18mm, 3.69 gm, 6h). NGC XF 5/5 - 4/5. Spain (Colonia Patricia?), ca. 18-16 BC. Bare head of Augustus right with well-manicured hair; linear border / AVGVSTVS, Capricorn right, holding globe attached to rudder, bearing cornucopia on back; linear border. RIC I 126. Pleasant cabinet toning highlights the elements.

Ex Heritage Auction, Auction 61351 (11 December 2023), lot 24022; Numismatica Ars Classica, Spring Sale 2020 (25 May 2020), lot 830.

To read the complete item description, see:
Augustus (27 BC-AD 14). AR denarius (18mm, 3.69 gm, 6h). NGC XF 5/5 - 4/5. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/roman-imperial-augustus-27-bc-ad-14-ar-denarius-18mm-369-gm-6h-ngc-xf-5-5-4-5/a/61482-25010.s)

Claudius I (AD 41-54). AE as (29mm, 13.08 gm, 5h). Choice XF, bronze disease. Rome, ca. AD 50-54. TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP P P, bare head of Claudius left / LIBERTAS-AVGVSTA, Libertas standing facing, head right, both arms outstretched, pileus in right hand; S-C across fields. RIC I 113. Evidence of bronze disease, thus ineligible for encapsulation.

Son of the great general Drusus, and Antonia, niece of the emperor Augustus, Tiberius Claudius Drusus seemed well-positioned when he was born in 10 BC. But a serious childhood illness left him with a limp, a stammer, and other qualities that made him the black sheep of the family. While these problems barred him from a political career, such exclusion also granted him immunity from the family's murderous intrigues. Upon Caligula's assassination in January, AD 41, Claudius was the sole surviving Julio-Claudian male and, when members of the Praetorian Guard found him cowering behind a curtain in the palace, they immediately acclaimed him as Emperor. Claudius astutely awarded the Praetorians a substantial bonus, and with 10,000 heavily armed soldiers backing him, he easily forced the Senate to accept him as the next princeps. Once installed, Claudius surprised everyone by ruling with intelligence and moderation. In AD 43, he ordered the invasion and annexation of Britain, the first major addition of territory to the Empire since the days of Augustus.

He exercised discernment in his selection of provincial governors and exhibited adept diplomacy in handling foreign relations. However, his notable shortcomings lay in his excessive attention to minutiae, dependence on freedmen and close associates, and his questionable choices in romantic partners. His third wife, Messalina, known for her promiscuity, wielded significant influence as Empress and became embroiled in a scandalous conspiracy in AD 48, which posed a threat to his rule. Subsequently, his next wife, Agrippina the Younger, skillfully utilized her influence to consolidate her own power and advance the position of her son, Nero, from a previous marriage, within the succession plans. This done, she fed Claudius a dish of poisoned mushrooms in October AD 54 and brought his 13-year reign to an end. Despite many missteps and his unsavory demise, Claudius had been a fairly successful ruler and his regime set a pattern for the Flavians and the reigns that followed.

SOLD AS IS, NO RETURNS.

To read the complete item description, see:
Claudius I (AD 41-54). AE as (29mm, 13.08 gm, 5h). Choice XF, bronze disease. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/roman-imperial-claudius-i-ad-41-54-ae-as-29mm-1308-gm-5h-choice-xf-bronze-disease/a/61482-25053.s)

Nero (AD 54-68). AE as (28mm, 7h). NGC VF. Rome, ca. AD 65. NERO CAESAR AVG GERM IMP, laureate head of Nero right / PACE P R VBIQ PARTA IANVM CLVSIT, three-quarter view of temple of Janus with latticed window on left, front doors closed on right, garland draped across arched entrance; S-C across fields. RIC I 306.

The Temple of Janus was one of the oldest structures in the Roman Forum. In keeping with the spirit of Janus, the two-faced god, the temple had large doors on two opposing sides. According to tradition, the doors were kept open in wartime and closed during times of peace. The closing of the Temple doors was a rare event, even during the Pax Romana. In AD 66, having recently concluded a favorable peace treaty with Parthia, Nero closed the doors with great fanfare and marked the occasion on his coinage.

To read the complete item description, see:
Nero (AD 54-68). AE as (28mm, 7h). NGC VF. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/roman-imperial-nero-ad-54-68-ae-as-28mm-7h-ngc-vf/a/61482-25061.s)

Domitian (AD 81-96). AR denarius (19mm, 3.48 gm, 5h). NGC Choice XF 4/5 - 4/5, flan flaw. Rome, 14 September AD 95-13 September AD 96. IMP CAES DOMIT AVG-GERM P M TR P XV, laureate head of Domitian right / IMP XXII COS XVII CENS P P P, Minerva advancing right, brandishing javelin in right hand, shield on left arm. RIC II.1, 761.

Domitian, often remembered as a controversial figure in Roman history, lived a complex life marked by both admirable achievements and a dark reputation. Born in AD 51 into the esteemed Flavian family, his father Vespasian's rise to power marked the conclusion of the tumultuous Year of the Four Emperors in AD 69. Despite his auspicious lineage, Domitian spent much of his early life in the shadow of his elder brother Titus. This overshadowing may have contributed to the development of his reserved and resentful personality. However, when Titus passed away in AD 81 after a brief two-year rule, Domitian swiftly stepped into the role of emperor, marking the beginning of his own rule within the Flavian dynasty.

To read the complete item description, see:
Domitian (AD 81-96). AR denarius (19mm, 3.48 gm, 5h). NGC Choice XF 4/5 - 4/5, flan flaw. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/roman-imperial/roman-imperial-domitian-ad-81-96-ar-denarius-19mm-348-gm-5h-ngc-choice-xf-4-5-4-5-flan-flaw/a/61482-25080.s)

DAVISSONS AUCTION 44 GREEK SELECTIONS

Lot 1: NORTH AFRICA. Carthage. Circa 310-270 B.C. EL stater. 7.46 gm. 19 mm. Carthage mint. Head of Tanit to left, wearing wreath of grain ears, triple-pendant earring and necklace / Horse standing right; pellets below and on exergual line. Jenkins & Lewis Group VI, 325 (same obverse die). MAA 13. Good Very Fine; well centered; good style, well struck; luster traces with attractive red-gold tone; tiny hairline flan crack at 3; light marks. Attractive example of this appealing often problematic type.

To read the complete lot description, see:
https://davcoin.com/lot/printed-auction-44-lot-1

Lot 2: HUNNIC TRIBES. Kidarite Huns. Kidara. A.D. circa 350-385. AV dinar. 7.63 gm. 33 mm. Balkh. Kidara standing facing, head left, wearing crenellated crown with globe on top between two broad horizontally-pleated ribbons, sacrificing over lighted altar and holding trident; trident above small altar to left; tamgha above rosette to right; 'BAGO KI?APA OOZOPKO KOÞANO ÞAYO ('His Majesty, Kidara, Great King of the Kushan') in Bactrian around / The illustrous God Siva (Shiva) standing facing with flaming hair, holding diadem and trident; behind, the bull Nandi (his companion) standing left. ANS Kushan -. Cribb, Kidarites, p. 140, 15. Good Extremely Fine; beautifully centered with a bold, unusually sharply struck obverse, on a large flan; typically blundered reverse. Lovely red-gold tone. A spectacular example.

To read the complete lot description, see:
https://davcoin.com/lot/printed-auction-44-lot-2

Lot 22: ETRURIA. Uncertain inland mint Third Century B.C. Variously attributed to the Chiana Valley, circa 208-207 B.C. Æ. 4.85 gm. 18 mm. Head of black African right, wearing earring / Elephant standing right, bell hanging from neck; Etruscan C below. Vicari 235. Baglione 1b. HN Italy 69. Extremely Rare. Good Very Fine; attractive red-brown patina; well centered and sharply struck; good style. Exceptional for this rare type, and possibly the finest known for this series.

This interesting enigmatic issue has inspired much scholarship and speculation surrounding Hannibal's invasion, the possible seditious Etruscan hope that Hasdrubel would arrive from Spain to reinforce his brother against Rome, and the dramatic circumstances surrounding the Second Punic War.

To read the complete lot description, see:
https://davcoin.com/lot/printed-auction-44-lot-22

Lot 28: LUCANIA. Thourioi. Circa 280-213 B.C. AR nomos. 6.37 gm. 20.5 mm. Reduced standard. Laureate head of Apollo right / Bull butting right; A?I above, T????-O? and tripod in exergue. HN Italy 1897. SNG ANS 1107. Near Extremely Fine; bright lustrous tone. Fine style, with a particularly attractive head of Apollo, and a marvelous sculptural perfectly centered bull; sharply struck, and unusually nice. A lovely example. Rare issue.

To read the complete lot description, see:
https://davcoin.com/lot/printed-auction-44-lot-28

Lot 29: LUCANIA. Velia. Circa 334-300 B.C. AR nomos. 7.54 gm. 21 mm. Kleudoros group. Head of Athena right, wearing Attic helmet, the bowl decorated with a griffin, and a small swan's head above tip of visor / Lion standing left; F above, monogram below between legs, YE???O? in exergue. Williams Period VI, 297 (O165/R228). HN Italy 1289. SNG Ashmolean 1233, SNG Copenhagen 1553, BMC 60, Dewing 460 (all from the same dies). Near Extremely Fine; lovely old tone with underlying iridescence. Fine style, with a beautiful portrait paired with a magnificent lion. Well centered, portrait perfectly placed on the flan, with a full crest on the helmet / a complete lion, well centered on the reverse. All sharply struck. Choice coin.

To read the complete lot description, see:
https://davcoin.com/lot/printed-auction-44-lot-29

Lot 36: SICILY. Syracuse. Hieron I. 478-466 B.C. AR tetradrachm. 16.91 gm. 23 x 26 mm. Struck circa 475-470 B.C. Charioteer driving slow quadriga right, kentron in right hand, reins in left; above, Nike flying right, crowning horses / Diademed head of Arethusa right, wearing beaded taenia, pendant earring, and pearl necklace, hair looped up under band, four dolphins swimming clockwise around. Boehringer Series XIId, 344 (V169/R242). HGC 2, 1307. SNG ANS 107. Near Extremely Fine; fine style; attractive old collection tone with lovely red-gold iridescence highlighting the designs, particularly around the head of Arethusa. Well centered and sharply struck on a broad flan. Arethusa of particularly fine late Archaic style, though seemingly prefiguring the later finest Classical style to come, with her features simultaneously both severe and serene. The design and execution of the entire coin is most attractive.

These Syracuse tetradrachms are among the most beautiful and significant of ancient Greek coins. This example is of particularly fine style and condition. If you only ever buy one ancient Greek coin, this would be one good choice.

To read the complete lot description, see:
https://davcoin.com/lot/printed-auction-44-lot-36

Lot 64: CARTHAGE. Second Punic War. Circa 220-205 B.C. AR quarter shekel. 1.88 gm. 15 mm. Carthage mint. Head of Tanit left wearing wreath of grain ears, single-pendant earring, and necklace / Horse standing right. CNP 27. MAA 78. SNG Copenhagen 335. Near Extremely Fine; lovely iridescent tone; notably scarce fine style; well centered and struck. Beautiful example of the type.

To read the complete lot description, see:
https://davcoin.com/lot/printed-auction-44-lot-64

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
DAVISSONS AUCTION 44 ANNOUNCED (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n07a23.html)
DAVISSONS AUCTION 44 BRITISH SELECTIONS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n08a17.html)

 

FRANK ROBINSON 127TH AUCTION

Dealer Frank S. Robinson's 127th mail and internet auction of Ancient and Early Coins will include 583 lots, low starting bids, and no buyer fee. LIVE BIDDING will take place beginning at 11 AM Eastern Time March 22 on the biddr.com website. (The deadline for pre-bidding will be March 21.)

Featured in this sale is a further segment of a major collection of Judaean and Judaic related material, highlighted by an AEF Vespasian "Judaea Capta" Denarius, and a rare coin of Hadrian from Aelia Capitolina (Jerusalem), sold in a previous auction for $2160, with a starting bid now of only $600.

Greek coins include a slabbed EF Armenian Tigranes II Tetradrachm; a classic Athenian "Owl" tetradrachm in choice quality; VF Baktrian Tetradrachm of Eukratides I with heroic bust type; an excellent run of Parthian coins; and a lovely Syrian Tetradrachm of Cleopatra and Antiochos VIII.

Notable among Roman coins is an EF/AEF Tiberius "Tribute Penny" denarius; a Choice VF Germanicus Dupondius; an AEF Claudius Sestertius with rare arch reverse; and an EF Faustina Senior Sestertius.

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

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

 

KUENKER AUCTION SALE 420

Künker's Spring Auction Sales: Netherlands, Württemberg, Anhalt and Much More

Every coin enthusiast knows that Künker holds its Spring Auction Sales in mid-March. The coins can be viewed not only at the headquarters in Osnabrück, but also in Munich – before and during the Numismata. More information can be found on the Künker website and in the catalog.

There will be plenty to see, as four heavy-weight auctions will take place over the five days. A separate preview is dedicated to ancient coins, which will kick off the auction week on Monday, 17 March. This preview exclusively presents the three auctions with coins and medals from medieval and modern times.

On Tuesday, 18 March 2025, auction 420 will offer the third part of the Lodewijk S. Beuth Collection with Dutch issues. Auction 421 follows on 19 March 2025 with the second part of the Heinz-Falk Gaiser Collection with Württemberg coins. The week will be rounded off by auction 422 with world coins and medals. It includes the Dr. Kurt Sonnenberg Collection of coins from the various lines of the House of Anhalt.

Auction 420: Lodewijk S. Beuth Collection – Part 3: Coins of the Netherlands

In collaboration with Laurens Schulman B. V., Künker is offering one of the most important collections of Dutch coins that has ever come to auction: the Lodewijk S. Beuth Collection, the third part of which will be offered in auction 420. The catalog is likely to become a standard reference work.

Therefore, on 18 March 2025, all eyes in Osnabrück will be on the Netherlands, when the 659 lots of the Beuth Collection will change hands. The material covers three different fields that are of interest to collectors of Dutch issues. The auction begins with the coins of the Southern Netherlands, corresponding to the provinces of Limburg and North Brabant and modern-day Belgium. Next are Dutch emergency and siege coins with a focus on the period of the 80 Years' War. The day ends with issues for the Dutch overseas territories minted between 1601 and 1795, including mainly issues of the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie, but also spectacular gold coins from Dutch Brazil.

So if you are interested in Dutch coins, you should consider traveling to Osnabrück in person. For the auction is sure to be a social event, bringing together important collectors, dealers and scholars who are interested in Dutch coinage.

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.

 

KUENKER AUCTION SALE 421

Künker's Spring Auction Sales: Netherlands, Württemberg, Anhalt and Much More

Every coin enthusiast knows that Künker holds its Spring Auction Sales in mid-March. The coins can be viewed not only at the headquarters in Osnabrück, but also in Munich – before and during the Numismata. More information can be found on the Künker website and in the catalog.

There will be plenty to see, as four heavy-weight auctions will take place over the five days. A separate preview is dedicated to ancient coins, which will kick off the auction week on Monday, 17 March. This preview exclusively presents the three auctions with coins and medals from medieval and modern times.

On Tuesday, 18 March 2025, auction 420 will offer the third part of the Lodewijk S. Beuth Collection with Dutch issues. Auction 421 follows on 19 March 2025 with the second part of the Heinz-Falk Gaiser Collection with Württemberg coins. The week will be rounded off by auction 422 with world coins and medals. It includes the Dr. Kurt Sonnenberg Collection of coins from the various lines of the House of Anhalt.

Auction 421: Heinz-Falk Gaiser Collection – Part 2: Minted History of Württemberg

On 10 January 1693, the Emperor proclaimed the only 15-year-old Eberhard Louis of Württemberg of age so that the latter could rule the duchy himself after his guardian had been captured. Eberhard Louis was one of the most innovative rulers to ascend the throne of Württemberg. He shaped the destiny of his duchy for more than 40 years. The second part of the Gaiser Collection begins with Eberhard Louis' accession to power, and presents rarities of Württemberg coinage. As a dedicated specialist collector, Heinz-Falk Gaiser focused not only on the great rarities of this field such as double ducats or multiple talers. Connoisseurs will also find a rich selection of fractional pieces in the best possible condition in his collection. Therefore, Künker's auction 421 has something in store for every budget: from double ducats in the five-figure range to inconspicuous fractional coins with estimates starting at 25 euros.

In this catalog, Heinz-Falk Gaiser's minted history of Württemberg covers seven dukes up to 1796, when Duke Friedrich Eugen suffered a stroke during the peace negotiations following the military disaster against revolutionary France.

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.

MONEY, BOOKKEEPING, AND NEGATIVE NUMBERS

The expansion of money was made easier as it became more virtual with the arrival of the concept of negative numbers and double-entry bookkeeping:

"The fall of the Roman Empire saw a drastic reduction in trading activities, markets, and even the size of cities, with the population of Rome declining from as many as a million in the 2nd century AD, to about 30,000 by AD 550. The power vacuum was filled by the Christian and Islamic religious authorities who, instead of stamping out coins to pay soldiers, preferred to hoard precious metals in churches and monasteries, often melting it down as decoration for sacred symbols.

"One result of this transformation -- versions of which occurred also in China and India -- was that money became increasingly virtual. Like the Sumerian shekel, it was an abstract score-keeping device more than something you could weigh in your hand. And once again, the birthplace of this next monetary revolution was in Mesopotamia -- with the difference that this time it was led by Islamic money lenders. As today, Islamic finance did not allow usury, but did permit profit-sharing, or charging a range of fees. The system relied heavily on credit instruments, including the promissory notes known as sakk, or 'cheques'. The fact that such transactions were backed only by a signature meant that in business a person's reputation or credibility (from the Latin credere for believe or trust) was all-important.

"As seen in the previous chapter, the invention of money was closely tied to the invention of numbers. It is therefore unsurprising that this developing credit system coincided with the mathematical discovery of negative numbers (a concept which will be familiar to anyone who has overextended their credit card). The first explanation of how to work with both negative numbers, and the number zero was given in the 7th century by the Indian mathematician Brahmagupta, whose book The Opening of the Universe was written entirely in verse. He called positive numbers 'fortunes' and negative numbers 'debts', which made the connection with money clear. Zero was the unique number whose negative is itself (he didn't invent the concept, but he did show how to use it in equations). Translations of his book spread these concepts through the Islamic world, where the number zero was incorporated in the Arabic number system. From there, word spread to Europe through the Moorish conquest of Spain.

"The use of the Arabic number system was popularized by the Italian mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci (1170-1250), who learned the Arabic system as a child while growing up in Bugia (now in Algeria). In his 1202 book Liber Abaci (Book of Calculation) he showed how calculations such as division or multiplication were far easier using Arabic numbers than they were with the Roman system. Many of the examples involved financial activities such as money-changing, the calculation of interest, book-keeping, and so on, and the book soon found an audience with merchants.

"The Arabic number system received a less enthusiastic reception from the Church and the state, who worried about the ease with which a number like 3 could be modified to look like an 8. Or perhaps it was the 'not invented here' syndrome at work. In 1299 the government of Florence even banned its use. Merchants, however, continued to use the system in ciphered messages -- the word cipher, meaning code, is from the Arabic sifr for zero -- and the concept of negative numbers was key to the development of double-entry book-keeping, which was later codified by the mathematician Luca Pacioli in his 1494 book Summa de arithmetica. The technique was so named because every transaction was entered in two different accounts, once as a debit and once as a credit. The sum of all debits should therefore equal the sum of all credits, just as a positive number and its negative add to zero, which was useful for detecting errors."

To read the complete article, see:
MONEY AND BOOKKEEPING -- 2/27/25 (https://www.delanceyplace.com/view-archives.php?4855)

RECYCLED SILVER AT THE TRIAL OF THE PYX

The Royal Mint has today submitted 6,432 coins for testing at the UK's oldest judicial ceremony, the Trial of the Pyx, held at Goldsmiths' Hall in the City of London since 1871.

The 776-year-old ceremony aims to protect consumers by upholding the quality of the nation's coinage through rigorous testing – as important today as it was at the first recorded public trial in 1248. The process ensures that the coins produced by The Royal Mint meet the standards of precision, accuracy and exceptional craftsmanship for which it is internationally renowned.

A highlight of this year's submission is a silver sixpence made from silver recovered from expired medical and industrial x-ray films. Released by The Royal Mint to promote the revival of "Stir Up Sunday" – a Victorian tradition where a silver sixpence would be placed into the Christmas pudding mix, before family members took turns to stir the pudding and make a wish – their production forms part of the Mint's overall commitment to a sustainable future across its businesses.

Alongside gold bullion coins in the form of the 22ct Sovereign and the 24ct Britannia, this year's submission featured a range of collectable coins designs for the young, and the young-at-heart. Available in a variety of metals and finishes, these include a 20th birthday celebration of the Gruffalo's Child, new additions to the Royal Mint's Harry Potter and Star Wars collections, and a trio of designs based on the myth and legend of Robin Hood.

A sample of all new coins struck by The Royal Mint – whether currency or collectable - is submitted to the Trial of the Pyx each year. The coins are rigorously checked for fineness and quality by an independent jury which has been made up of members of the Goldsmiths' Company since 1327, before undergoing scientific analysis by the London Assay Office.

The Trial is opened by the King's Remembrancer, Senior Master (Jeremy David) Cook of the Kings' Bench Division of the High Court, who will also deliver the verdict once testing and analysis have been completed later in the year.

Anne Jessopp, Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Mint said: "The Trial of the Pyx has tested the integrity and quality of Britain's coinage for centuries and is an important part of our history. Our future focuses on bringing sustainability to the fore in our industry, and for the first time coins crafted from silver recovered from medical and industrial x-rays was submitted to the Trial for testing. It is important we act now to protect the world's finite resources. The Royal Mint is committed to being a leader in sustainable precious metals and setting a new standard for the industry."

Dan Thomas, The King's Assay Master (a position that has existed for centuries and maintains responsibility to answer for the purity of money) said: "Every year the nation's coins are submitted to one of the UK's oldest judicial ceremonies – testing the quality and accuracy of the coins in your pocket. We're excited that the first official UK coin produced from X-ray silver has been submitted for testing. This is an incredible milestone for coins and demonstrates our commitment to a more sustainable future for coinage."

Richard Reid, Prime Warden (Chairs the Board) of the Goldsmiths' Company commented: "Since 1327 it has been the proud duty of the Goldsmiths' Company to ensure the integrity of the nation's coinage. From currency for spending and saving, to limited production collectible pieces in precious metal, consumers can rest assured that the coins produced by the Royal Mint will be submitted to the most stringent tests for quality, precision, and accuracy."

To read the complete article, see:
Sixpences made from recycled silver cause a stir at the Trial of the Pyx (https://www.royalmint.com/aboutus/press-centre/sixpences-made-from-recycled-silver-cause-a-stir-at-the-trial-of-the-pyx/)

EVERYONE HATES PENNIES, EXCEPT THIS GUY

Whenever the penny is threatened, one man stands up to defend it.

Mark Weller has been on a roll for three decades, arguing for the one-cent coin's existence every chance he gets. When the penny is slighted in newspapers, it's Weller who writes letters to the editor. He's extolled the coin's virtues on television and radio shows. The pro-penny group he runs, Americans for Common Cents, spits out facts to lawmakers about the benefits of the smallest unit of U.S. currency. And he's been to Capitol Hill countless times to convince Congress to keep the penny, which the U.S. Mint has been producing since 1793.

"The penny is wanted, needed, and appreciated," he said in written testimony in 2012.

Giving his two cents about the one cent isn't just Weller's passion. It's his job: He's a lobbyist in Washington, D.C., working for Artazn, a Tennessee company with a vested interest in keeping the penny alive. It produces blank coins that are sent to the U.S. Mint, stamped with Abraham Lincoln's face, and turned into pennies. Artazn also funds Americans for Common Cents.

For decades, lawmakers have tried and failed to banish the penny, arguing the copper-plated coin costs too much to make. Weller has always been there to hit back, saying prices at stores will be rounded to the nearest nickel, raising costs for Americans.

Now, he's facing the biggest fight of his career.

He flipped into high gear to get his message out. "In all the years I've done this, you haven't had a directive to the Treasury to suspend production," Weller said. In the past two weeks, he's had a series of media interviews and meetings with members of Congress and policymakers.

While Trump can stop the penny from being made, there's confusion on whether the president can eliminate it. Congress ultimately authorizes what coins are cut or minted.

Weller's journey to becoming a penny pusher started in the 1980s. He left a job in the U.S. Senate to work for Ball Corp., known for its glass jars with zinc lids. The company was diversifying and won a contract to produce blank pennies made mostly of zinc and coated with copper. (The penny hasn't been pure copper since the 1800s.)

Ball's zinc business separated and became Jarden Zinc. It was renamed Artazn five years ago. The U.S. Treasury has paid the company more than $1.3 billion since 2008 to produce the blank coins.

The penny-protecting business isn't always so busy. "There's some years where there's not much going on and others, like the situation we're in now, where it's pretty active," said Weller, who has also lobbied for RV makers and doctor associations.

To read the complete article, see:
Everyone Hates Pennies, Except This Guy (https://www.wsj.com/business/mark-weller-penny-defender-trump-d543a9de)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
THE PENNY PURGE: COMMON CENTS OR CENTSLESS? (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n07a29.html)

MUSEUM TO CLOSE VICTORIA CROSS EXHIBIT

Like all museums, we regularly update our galleries to ensure we can share as much of the 33 million items in our collection as possible with the public.

We are very proud to have displayed the Lord Ashcroft Medal Collection at IWM London since 2010, made possible thanks to a generous 15-year loan by Lord Ashcroft.

IWM London has proudly displayed Victoria Crosses and George Crosses since 1968, and we remain committed to sharing these stories of the greatest acts of bravery and sacrifice in defence of our nation with the public. We plan for VC and GC medals from IWM's collection to continue to be displayed across our UK branches, integrated within galleries that tell the full story of the conflicts in which these acts of bravery occurred.

Over the past 10 years at IWM London, we have opened new galleries exploring the First and Second World Wars, The Holocaust, and our art, film and photography collection. Our displays exploring the past 80 years of post-Second World War conflict, including the Cold War, Falklands War and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, are less well represented. Our aim is to address this by creating new gallery spaces on upper floors at IWM London, which will allow us to share more stories of conflicts that are within many of our visitors' living memory.

To prepare for the development of these new spaces, The Lord Ashcroft Gallery at IWM London will close permanently from 1 June 2025. We are enormously grateful to Lord Ashcroft and the other private lenders who have enabled us to display these important medals since the gallery opened.

About the display

This display houses the world's largest collection of Victoria Crosses, alongside a significant collection of George Crosses. Discover over 250 stories of people who faced adversity and performed acts of bravery. All were awarded either a Victoria Cross (VC) or George Cross (GC) - the highest recognitions of bravery that can be given by Britain and, for many years, the Commonwealth.

Explore the concept of bravery and what motivates people to undertake acts of heroism. Objects on display include the extensively damaged backpack worn by Lance Corporal Matt Croucher GC who, in Afghanistan 2008, threw himself onto a grenade saving the lives of his comrades. The backpack also helped to save his own life. You can also see the diving suit worn by James Magennis VC, who left his submarine in order to free explosive charges that had got caught during an attack on a Japanese boat in 1945.

To read the complete article, see:
Closure of the Lord Ashcroft Gallery (https://www.iwm.org.uk/events/lord-ashcroft-gallery)

Lord Ashcroft yesterday said he was blindsided by the decision and sad the display will no longer be available to the public.

He told the Mail: 'Every year, generations of young people and their parents have visited the Lord Ashcroft Gallery and marvelled at the exploits of the brave men and women whose courage has protected our freedom.

'It makes me sad indeed to think that this remarkable record will now not be available to the public and will instead be hidden away in a secure vault.'

He also urged the public to visit the collection before its closure on June 1.

The billionaire was in Ukraine interviewing soldiers in the war against Russia when he was informed his tribute was being dismantled without his consultation.

It is believed Lord Ashcroft, who began collecting the medals in the 1980s, intended to leave the valuable collection to the museum in his will in the hope it would remain on public display.

The living medal holders were also not believed to have been informed of the decision ahead of the museum's formal announcement yesterday.

The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, which represents many of the medal holders, has also voiced its ‘disappointment' and said it was hoping to find another home for the collocation.

‘We look forward to another solution being found to ensure that these incredible stories stay in the public domain and continue to inspire generations to come,' it said in a statement.

To read the complete article, see:
Lord Ashcroft's sadness as Imperial War Museum is set to close landmark exhibition of medals celebrating British military bravery (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14436125/Lord-Ashcrofts-Imperial-War-Museum-close-landmark-exhibition.html)

To read the complete articles, see:
Lord Ashcroft's collection of Victoria Crosses pulled from display at Imperial War Museum (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/25/imperial-war-museum-largest-collection-victoria-crosses-uk/)
VC winners' families attack ‘appalling' Imperial War Museum decision to close gallery (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/28/vc-winner-families-attack-imperial-war-museum-close-gallery/)

SITE SOUGHT FOR AUSTRALIA VC EXHIBIT

The stories of 125 Anzacs awarded a Victoria Cross are waiting to be told as they sit in storage without a permanent home.

Over the last decade, Tony Banner has been putting together a legendary collection of Australian military heroes as part of his Anzac Victoria Cross Story exhibition — a 250sqm display diving into the lives of Australia's most awarded soldiers.

Initially, Mr Banner created the exhibition with the desire to take it on the road, with plans to tour the country and potentially beyond, but as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Mr Banner's plans were foiled.

So, he looked to set up his display permanently and moved to Harvey.

Before he could open the exhibition, the space he had planned to take over fell through.

Now, desperate to tell the story of the men he greatly admires, Mr Banner was looking for a new space to establish his mini-museum.

His collection began in 2011, when, already a keen military history buff, Mr Banner met Keith Payne, the oldest living Victoria Cross recipient who was 80 at the time.

"I already held him in high estimation, and he did this half-an-hour presentation . . . telling sorties about his Victoria Cross, his links with Indigenous soldiers and the experience he had with Indigenous veterans," he said.

That conversation inspired Mr Banner to start his collection, and more than a decade and thousands of dollars later, he had immortalised the story of every Victoria Cross recipient on posters, handcrafted wooden frames and display boards.

It was complete with replicas of the medals each solider was awarded.

Today the collection sits inside a shipping container waiting to be shared, with Mr Banner desperately wanting to show off his collection to the public.

"There's nothing like this in the world," he said.

"I just need somewhere to put it right now, whether that's someone's old farm shed, or a farmer offers me a chunk of their paddock and I build the shed.

"The cost to build it is nothing for the number of people that are going to come through it, and the national and international interest it generates."

Mr Banner said he would always keep the exhibition free to visit, with donations accepted, as he wants there to be nothing stopping the community from learning as much as possible about Anzac heroes.

"This is my gift to Australia," he said.

To read the complete article, see:
The stories of 125 Anzacs awarded Victoria Cross waiting to be told as they sit in storage (https://www.harveyreporter.com.au/news/harvey-waroona-reporter/the-stories-of-125-anzacs-awarded-victoria-cross-waiting-to-be-told-as-they-sit-in-storage-c-17815824)

MINT REMOVES JANUARY 6TH MEDALS

The U.S. Mint has removed the bronze medal commemorating law enforcement officers who defended the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, from its website. The removal appears to have been done without prior notice or explanation, leaving collectors and observers speculating about the reason behind the decision.

The medal was originally created as part of a congressional initiative to honor the U.S. Capitol Police, the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police, and other first responders who helped secure the Capitol during the events of January 6. Congress authorized gold medals to be awarded for their service, with bronze replicas made available to the public for purchase through the U.S. Mint.

The bronze duplicates, available in 1.5-inch and 3-inch versions, featured designs depicting an officer standing guard at the Capitol, while the other included imagery representing democracy and law enforcement's dedication to its protection.

To read the complete article, see:
U.S. Mint Removes January 6th Medal from Website (https://www.numismaticnews.net/us-coins/u-s-mint-removes-january-6th-medal-from-website-without-explanation)

To read some mainstream press articles, see:
U.S. Mint takes Jan. 6 coin honoring officers who protected the Capitol off its website (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/us-mint-takes-jan-6-coin-honoring-officers-protected-capitol-website-rcna192965)
Traces Of Jan. 6 Are Now Removed From The U.S. Mint Website (https://uk.news.yahoo.com/traces-jan-6-now-removed-153426872.html)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
U.S. CAPITOL POLICE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL (https://www.coinbooks.org/v24/esylum_v24n32a29.html)
LOOSE CHANGE: FEBRUARY 14, 2021 : Congressional Gold Medal For Officer Goodman (https://www.coinbooks.org/v24/esylum_v24n07a31.html)
JANUARY 6TH CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n50a28.html)

2025 TRUMP OFFICIAL INAUGURAL MEDAL

2025 Donald Trump Official Inaugural Medal. This is the medal you have been reading about. We are pleased to offer this official 2025 Inaugural Medal to our friends and clients. We have only four available and in order to be fair to all our customers there is a strict limit of only one per customer - in fact we will reject any orders of more than one.

This official Trump medal, is to the best of our knowledge only available in bronze with an antiqued finish, the obverse illustrates jugate portraits of Trump with his vice president J.D. Vance facing left. Inscribed around is INAUGURATION · 47th PRESIDENT · JANUARY · 20 · 2025. The reverse is inscribed DONALD J./TRUMP above J.D./VANCE. It includes the original box and stand. It is our understanding that none were issued with Certificates or brochures.

For Inaugural medal collectors this has been a frustrating journey mired in misinformation, speculation and secrecy as to what the plans were for the 2025 official inaugural medal. Several "proposed" medals have shown up on the market, some of which are attractive but were not selected by the inaugural committee, and others are cheap imports.

At this point in time, it is our understanding that there are no plans for the Inaugural Committee (which has pretty much disbanded at this time) to produce an official inaugural medal that will be available to the general public.

However, as you may have read about in the press, Medalcraft Mint was engaged by the Inaugural Committee to produce an official medal that was distributed in swag/gift bags to those VIPs who were present in the Rotunda at the inauguration.

We now have acquired four of these rare medals and we are offering them to our clients on a first come first served basis...

Will we ever acquire more? At this point Medalcraft Mint says there are no plans to reissue any more of these medals and it sounds doubtful that any more will be produced in the future. But that puts us in a tough position, which we hope our customers will understand....

We paid dearly for these medals in order to provide these medals to our good customers who receive our weekly You Snooze You Lose Sunday emails. But we only have four. Is $895 a fair price? If indeed these medals are never reissued then this may be the deal of the century akin, dare we say, to the Harding, Coolidge, and TR Tiffany medals. If they do, although it seems doubtful, reissue the medals then this was a high price to pay by all of us. Of course, there is always hope that some of the medals that were produced for the gift bags will show up on the market in the years to come. In fact, we will be the first ones in line to try and purchase them.

For more information, or to order, see:
2025 Donald Trump Official Inaugural Medal (https://www.loriferber.com/the-official-donald-trump-2025-inaugural-medal.html)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
2025 TRUMP INAUGURAL MEDAL (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n01a10.html)
MORE ON THE TRUMP INAUGURAL MEDAL (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n04a30.html)

COLONIAL GEORGIA COLORED SEALS, PART 4

To read the complete exhibit pages, see:
The Colored Seal Notes of Colonial Georgia (https://www.money.org/howlandwood2017/)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
Colonial Georgia Colored Seals, Part 1 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n06a25.html)
Colonial Georgia Colored Seals, Part 2 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n07a31.html)
Colonial Georgia Colored Seals, Part 3 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n08a23.html)

NEW CARIBBEAN GUILDER NOTES AND COINS

In 2010, Curaçao and Sint Maarten became autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. It was then decided that the two countries would form a monetary union with a shared central bank and one currency - the Caribbean guilder. This new currency will replace the Netherlands-Antillean guilder that has been in circulation on the former island of the Netherlands Antilles.

The Caribbean guilder will be legally pegged to the U.S. dollar at an exchange rate of US$1 = 1.79 Caribbean guilder. The exchange rate between the Netherlands Antillean guilder and the Caribbean guilder will be 1:1. The Netherlands Antillean guilder and the Caribbean guilder are of equal value. The Caribbean guilder is expected to be introduced in the monetary union on March 31, 2025.

The design for the Caribbean guilder banknotes draws inspiration from the "World Under the Sea". The front of the banknotes shows the vibrant marine life native to Curaçao and Sint Maarten, while the reverse shows historical and cultural landmarks in both countries.

The Caribbean guilder coins share the maritime theme, with the seashells, the turtles and the waves of the ocean. The coins have similar but distinct designs for Curaçao and Sint Maarten.

The 1 through 50 cent shows the Orange Blossom on the front and reads either "Curaçao" or "Sint Maarten". The back of the coin shows the denomination and the year of issue.

The 1-guilder coins show the effigy of King Willem-Alexander. The Curaçao 1 Cg shows the island of Curaçao, while the Sint Maarten 1 Cg shows the national coat of arms.

The CBCS launched the "My Caribbean Guilder" mobile application to make you familiar with the new banknotes and coins, even without physically having them in your hands. The app also provides information about the Caribbean guilder theme and everything that is featured on the notes and coins. Download the app for free and start exploring our treasures of the Caribbean.

To read the complete article, see:
Explore the treasures of the Caribbean Guilder (https://www.caribbean-guilder.com/)

The CBCS is working towards the introduction of the Caribbean Guilder - the new currency for the countries of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. This new currency will replace the Netherlands Antillean guilder that has been in circulation on the former island of the Netherlands Antilles - Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, and Saba - since 1952.

In 1986, when Aruba attained a separate status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it introduced the Aruban florin. In 2010, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba introduced the US dollar as their official currency, when the Netherlands Antilles ceased to exist, and the three islands became special municipalities within the Netherlands. At that same time, Curaçao and Sint Maarten became autonomous countries within the Kingdom. It was then decided that the two countries would form a monetary union with a common central bank and a common currency, being the Caribbean guilder.

The Caribbean guilder will be legally pegged to the U.S. dollar at an exchange rate of US$1 = 1.79 Caribbean guilder.

The exchange rate between the Netherlands Antillean guilder and the Caribbean guilder will be 1:1. The Netherlands Antillean guilder and the Caribbean guilder are of equal value.

The Caribbean guilder will go into circulation on March 31, 2025.

On August 22, 2024, the designs of the Caribbean banknotes and coins were revealed during a launch event in Curaçao and Sint Maarten.

To read the complete article, see:
Caribbean Guilder (https://www.centralbank.cw/functions/banknotes-coins/caribbean-guilder)

For more information, see:
Caribbean Guilder (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_guilder)

POSTAL SERVICE REDESIGNS MONEY ORDER

The U.S. Postal Service has launched a redesigned money order this month with added security features to deter a post-pandemic uptick in mail fraud.

The upgraded red, white and blue design adds a watermark, holographic security thread and QR code directing users to the USPS website. It also replaces the paper used on the older green documents with "tamper-resistant material."

Fraud experts interviewed by The Washington Times said the new features will make it harder for criminals using specialized printers and software to counterfeit the document.

They said the design update could also help federal agents identify suspicious transactions and larger-scale frauds such as fake lotteries, bogus sweepstakes, and romance scams that involve soliciting money through the mail from unsuspecting victims.

"I think everyone benefits from the added security features," said Mike Martel, a postal inspector and spokesman at the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which investigates mail crimes. "There are a whole host of scams out there right now. Always remember that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is."

Millions of Americans purchase money orders annually from the post office, banks and grocery stores to send payments more securely through the mail. Each money order is capped at $1,000.

In 2024, the Postal Service said it issued 58.5 million money orders.

In an annual report last year, the Postal Inspection Service reported learning that The Blossoms Experience, a Miami hydroponics shop, had become the top purchaser of postal money orders in South Florida.

Subsequent investigation revealed a sweeping mail order scam and roughly $22 million in cash hidden behind the walls of the home of Luis Hernandez, the store's co-owner.

To read the complete article, see:
Postal Service launches redesigned money order to deter thieves (https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/feb/12/postal-service-launches-redesigned-money-order-det/)

For more information, see:
Postal Service to Sell Newly Redesigned Money Orders (https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2025/0122-postal-service-to-sell-newly-redesigned-money-orders.htm)

ANS ACQUIRES SOUVENIR CARD COLLECTION

The ANS Library now has a great collection of souvenir cards, thanks to longtime donor and ANS life fellow Bill Burd. What is a souvenir card you ask? Mellone's Photo Encyclopedia of Souvenir Cards—a copy of which was kindly included with the donation—offers a definition. Generally, souvenir cards meet three criteria distinguishing them from other collectible cards, such as postcards: (1) they were created as mementos of a person, occasion, or place and were never intended for any other purpose, (2) they present the finest examples of printing and engraving, and (3) they are printed on premium card stock using engraved steel plates, i.e., the intaglio process.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) has been the main producer of souvenir cards in the United States, inaugurating its modern program in 1969, though such cards have been made since the nineteenth century. Early cards are known as "forerunners." Many of the cards depict one side of a bank note. Postage stamps are the other major category. Some cards just have vignettes, the detailed illustrations placed on banknotes and stock certificates to make them harder to counterfeit.

Private bank note printers, like the American Bank Note Company, also issued cards. Some were made at coin and stamp shows and for various societies. An official alphanumeric system was created to keep things straight, with letters indicating the series: forerunners (F), BEP (B), U.S. Postal Service (PS), American Numismatic Association (ANA), and so on. Many foreign countries also produce the cards.

The group that helps make sense of all of this is the Souvenir Card Collectors Society, which maintains a highly useful catalog of the cards and makes available back issues of its journal.

The beauty of these cards lies in the intaglio printing, often done from original nineteenth- and early twentieth-century plates, resulting in crisp reproductions offering the same visual and tactile sensation of a brand-new note printed for circulation—at bargain-basement prices. The print lacks only the serial numbers.

The Burd donation contains nearly all the BEP cards, lacking mostly those relating to postage stamps. There are also about seventy-five of the semi-official cards (SO), a category reserved for security printers like American Bank Note. There are some modern forerunners, ANA cards, and other types in the donation, all adding up to a great resource for studying and enjoying the artistry and history of financial printing.

To read the complete article, see:
Souvenir Card Collection Donated to the ANS Library (https://numismatics.org/pocketchange/souvenir-card-collection-donated-to-the-ans-library/)

TRUMP $250 BILL RIDICULED IN CHINA

A US congressman's proposal to print a US$250 banknote bearing President Donald Trump's face has amused Chinese netizens because in Chinese slang the number means a foolish and stubborn person.

On February 26, Joe Wilson, a Republican congressman from South Carolina, announced on social media that he is drafting legislation on the matter.

The US Secretary of the Treasury has the final say over whose faces are on the country's banknotes. Current laws prohibit living individuals from featuring.

A comment from a Chinese netizen sparked further discussion: "In China, 250 has a very interesting meaning. You would not want to know it. I hope you never do."

The poster was referring to the fact that 250 is common Chinese slang used to describe someone as foolish, stubborn, and reckless.

It is believed to come from a Warring States Period (475-221 BC) incident where four men falsely claimed to have killed statesman Su Qin for a reward.

They demanded to split the 1,000 gold coins equally, each getting 250, which angered the king and led to their execution.

From then on the number has been used to describe greedy and stubborn idiots.

Another theory ties 250 to ancient Chinese currency.

In those times, people would string 1,000 copper coins together to make one diao for easier use.

A half diao of 500 coins, called ban diao zi, refers to someone with limited knowledge or skill. Since 250 is less than half, it came to symbolise foolishness.

Wilson's proposal has racked up more than 14 million views on mainland social media, with most users finding it hilarious.

One online observer said: "I know next year marks the 250th anniversary of American Independence. Wilson is probably unaware what 250 means in China."

To read the complete article, see:
Plan to put Trump on US$250 bill tickles China as number means ‘stubborn idiot' in slang (https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3300586/us-plan-put-trump-250-bill-tickles-china-number-means-stubborn-idiot-slang)

ABOUT THIS ISSUE: MARCH 3, 2025

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.