WAYNE'S NUMISMATIC DIARY: MARCH 23, 2025

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V28 2025 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 28, Number 12, , Article 18

Tuesday March 18th brought the monthly dinner meeting of my Northern Virginia Numismatic Social group Nummis Nova. Eric Schena was our host, at Seasons 52 in Tyson's. The restaurant was in a large mall next to a Cheesecake Factory. I parked in a nearby garage. I was late because of traffic and a missed turn (causing me to swear like a Longshoreman with Tourette's Syndrome), but a few seats remained and I squeezed in next to Jon Radel and across from Eric.

Next to Eric was Dave Schenkman, sporting a nose bandage from a minor operation. We told him he must have stuck it where it didn't belong. He was a good sport. Others already at the table included Mike Packard, John Kraljevich, Wayne Herndon, Robert Hoppensteadt, Erik Douglas, Wayne's guest Evan Saltis and my guest Kellen Hoard. Soon Julian Leidman and Roger Burdette arrived to complete our group for the evening. Later in the evening Kellen took this group photo.

Clockwise from front left: Erik Douglas, Evan Saltis, Jon Radel, Wayne Homren, Julian Leidman, Roger Burdette, Mike Packard, John Kraljevich, Eric Schena, Dave Schenkman, Wayne Herndon, and Robert Hoppensteadt.

As usual, I had some new numismatic literature to pass around, starting with some current periodicals. Unsurprisingly, some of these included articles by people at the table. I took the above group picture at home - the table was too cramped for many displays.

Also above is a photo of my meal - a salmon salad. It was tasty, and everyone's meal looked great. Below are a few more shots I was able to take as the food arrived and people began digging in. But first, the other literature I brought - three books and an auction catalog.

Paper Money Galore!
Jon Radel flaunted his wealth with this brick of 1,000 Venezuelan 500 mil Bolivar notes (500,000 Bolivares).

Jon also displayed this cool binder combining a presentation about the nominations for the International Bank Note Society's 2024 Banknote of the Year competition with examples of the actual notes.

"To the extent that exchange rates mean anything in cases of hyperinflation, my best determination, at the time I acquired the notes from someone in Colombia, was that the entire brick was equivalent to about 13 US dollars."

As usual, a number of other great numismatic items got passed around the table. Here are some examples.

Ancient Architecture on Coins
Robert Hoppensteadt collects ancient coins depicting architecture. Here are two nice items he brought along, with his comments.

Large bronze of Augusta Traiana struck for the emperor Caracalla with a wonderful city gate reverse.

A bronze of Anazarbus struck for Germanicus with a reverse of the acropolis of that city on a hilltop with a bust of Zeus in the foreground.

1815 New Haven Scrip
Dave Schenkman brought a nice AU slabbed 1795 half dime and this neat scrip note issued in New Haven, CT during the War of 1812.

cover-of-a-history-of-ancient-rome-in-twelve-coins-by-gareth-harney

A History of Ancient Rome in Twelve Coins
And there was more numismatic literature at the table, too - Kellen brought a copy of this recently reviewed book.

As I usually remark here, it was another great night of numismatic fellowship. I never feel more civilized than when I'm out for a meal with good friends while learning something and enjoying our common interest. 'Til next time.