The E-Sylum v10#5, February 4, 2007

[esylum at binhost.com]

Welcome to The E-Sylum: Volume 10, Number 5, February 4, 2007:
an electronic publication of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.
Copyright (c) 2007, The Numismatic Bibliomania Society.


WAYNE'S WORDS

Among our recent subscribers are François Velde and Pascal Brock.  
Welcome aboard!  We now have 1,060 subscribers.

This issue opens with an announcement of George Kolbe's 102nd sale 
of numismatic literature, and a note from Myron Xenos about his 
consignment of antiquarian numismatic literature.  Next up is word 
from Karl Moulton that pre-publication orders are now being taken 
for his new book on Henry Voigt.  

Karl also takes a position you might not expect for a dealer in 
printed numismatic literature, advocating that auction houses switch 
to digital media. Speaking of media, we learn that a new television 
program is in the works on the topic of the 1933 Double Eagle.

Our discussions on U.S. medallic literature continue, including an 
announcement on a planned update to the classic Hibler-Kappen 
'So-Called Dollars' book.  Other topics include tampered-with U.S. 
encased postage stamps, research material on Nazi counterfeiting in 
WWII, notes on recent numismatic periodicals, and an 1865 Medal of 
Honor saved years ago from a scrap metal drive. 

A little birdie told me that former American Numismatic Association 
Executive Director Ed Rochette will be 80 years old on February 17 
- Happy Birthday!

To learn which numismatic author has a connection to 'Tubby the Tuba' 
and Meredith Vieira, read on.  Have a great week, everyone.

Wayne Homren
Numismatic Bibliomania Society


KOLBE NUMISMATIC LITERATURE SALE #102 ANNOUNCED

George Kolbe writes: "On March 15, 2007, George Frederick Kolbe/Fine 
Numismatic Books will conduct their 102nd sale of rare and out of 
print numismatic literature. Featured are 707 lots on a great variety 
of topics, written in many different languages and dating from the 
middle of the sixteenth century to the present. The sale is particularly 
rich in rare and unusual books, periodicals, and catalogues on American 
numismatics, along with standard works on ancient numismatics, and a 
fine collection of numismatic books printed before 1800 from the library 
of Myron Xenos. Catalogues may be ordered by sending $15.00 to Kolbe at 
P. O. Drawer 3100, Crestline, CA 92325 or the catalogue is accessible 
free of charge at the firm’s web site (www.numislit.com).

Some sale highlights include: a delightfully illustrated early nineteenth 
century manuscript on the Coinage of England; a mint example of the first 
Stack’s sale, issued in 1935; near mint copies of several early American 
Numismatic Association auction sale catalogues; two extensive runs of the 
American Journal of Numismatics; a heavily illustrated 1913 Cuban guide 
to the coins and paper money of all nations; a very fine example of 
Charles Pye’s 1795 work on Conder tokens; the 1559 first edition of 
Erizzo’s Medaglie Antiche, with over 500 woodcut illustrations of ancient 
coins; rare United States Coin Company catalogues; a good selection of 
Heath counterfeit detectors; a set of The Shekel; the “revised” edition 
of Newlin’s rare work on United States half dimes; Nunn’s Numismatic 
Magazine, the inspiration for The Numismatist and the American Numismatic 
Publication; the 1864 first American auction catalogue accompanied by a 
printed list of buyers’ names; a complete set of Davenport works on 
crowns, along with allied publications; Q. David Bowers’ now elusive 
work on silver dollars; and many other interesting and important works."


THE MYRON XENOS NUMISMATIC LIBRARY

When I learned that Myron Xenos was selling part of his library in the 
102th Kolbe numismatic literature sale, I asked him to tell us more about 
his books and his decision to sell.  He writes: "I started a library in 
the early 1980's, and by 1986, due to a chance meeting with Ken Lowe, we 
became partners in the numismatic literature business. I found the really 
old tomes fascinating in the context of their drawings of coins and medals, 
not that I was ever able to read gothic German, Latin, Dutch, French,  or 
one other language I couldn't identify.

"I tried to visualize someone in Saxony or elsewhere setting type and 
doing woodblock drawings with meticulous accuracy, not as easy as today's 
digital printing. I was surprised at just how many books were actually 
printed since the 1500's, many of them extra-large to huge. 

"I have two favorites.  One was handwritten and hand-drawn in England in 
the 1800's, but only partially finished, presumably because the author 
died. The other, which I once sold and later bought back, but am keeping 
for now, is a small economics book signed by John Locke in 1692. 

"I will be 69 this year and it just seemed like time to thin out my 
library. I am keeping the books I need for research and those from which 
I might glean some information in the English language. My love of bust 
half dollars is taking much attention, as I am 348/450ths complete with 
dates and die marriages. I guess everyone has to be obsessive about 
something. I hope the new owners enjoy my books as much as I have."


KARL MOULTON'S WINTER 2007 FIXED PRICE LIST ANNOUNCES VOIGT BOOK

Karl Moulton's Winter 2007 fixed price list of American Numismatic
Literature 1855 to Date is now available.  I've had my copy for a week 
or so, but haven't had a chance to write about it until now.  The 
50-page list presents American Numismatic Literature from 1862 to date, 
and announces the availability of his long-awaited new book on early 
U.S. Mint personnel.

In his welcome message, Karl writes: "My 228 page hardbound book, 
'Henry Voigt and Others Involved With America's Early Coinage' will 
be ready to ship this spring.  Pre-publication orders are now being
accepted. The price is $79 postpaid.  If you have any interest at all 
about the first 25 years of American coinage, you must have this book 
in your library.  Q. David Bowers has written a wonderful foreword. It 
will definitely 'change' your thinking about what you now know.  The 
pictures and Mint document alone (most never before seen) are worth 
the price.  Further information can be found on our website at 
www.coincats.com."

[I've already written my check.  Please support Karl's efforts. This 
indeed sounds like a must-have book and I look forward to its arrival. 
-Editor]


KARL MOULTON CALLS FOR ELIMINATION OF PRINTED COIN AUCTION CATALOGUES

In his Winter 2007 fixed price list Karl Moulton also comments on the 
accelerated state of the rare coin market today and its effect on the 
collecting of auction catalogs.  He writes: "It used to be 'buy the 
book before the coin', now, it's 'buy a bookcase before the books or 
catalogues that will come pouring in to entice you to buy the coins.'  
Just one year's catalogues from the various auction companies can 
equal 15 feet of shelf space if you keep them all."

"In the age of CDs and DVDs it remains an expensive and silly concept 
for these companies to spend huge amounts on production costs for 
temporary sales and pay the continuous postage expenses.  A 3x5 
bookshelf would easily hold all the CDs and DVDs of all the coin 
auctions for the next 50 years; and each company's bottom line profits 
would actually increase! Why don't they get realistic?

"I, for one, believe it's time to make a change in the coin marketing 
business, and do away with the printed auction catalogues that often 
weigh several pounds each... Who agrees?"

[Not me, at least not yet.  In time I do believe the world Karl 
envisions may come to pass, but I would argue that he's already 
pinpointed the reason for the existence of so many beefy color 
catalogs - to entice people to buy the coins.  Yes, images and 
text are available online, yet it's having that glossy catalog in 
hand that often entices people to bid.  Flipping thru the pages of 
a catalog takes just seconds, and the human eye is drawn immediately, 
almost subconsciously, to items of possible interest.  Online, it's 
out of sight, out of mind.  Few buyers would sit for hours poking 
thru online catalogs in the hopes of finding something they might 
want to bid on. 

The catalogs are, have always been, and shall always be a marketing 
tool for the sellers.  And unless all competing firms make the same 
change at once, the first firm to do so would be cutting their own 
throat - without a catalog, interest would drop, or perhaps plummet.
  
The computer age has not led to the demise of the printed catalog in 
other merchandising fields. The effect there has been the same as 
in numismatics - the flow of catalogs has INCREASED and shows little 
sign of slowing.  -Editor]


NBS ASYLUM BACK ISSUES FOR SALE

Numismatic Bibliomania Society Secretary-Treasurer David M. Sundman 
writes: "This week I received our first order from the price list of 
back issues of The Asylum that was inserted in the latest mailing of 
the publication.  It was for $96.00 from a Life Member.  Hopefully, 
this is the first of many orders.   

The pricelist is also available on our NBS website at
http://www.coinbooks.org/asylum_back_issue.html" 


TWO GREAT REFERENCES ON MEDALS: MARQUESEE COLLECTION, BEAUX ARTS 

Scott Miller writes: "With regard to Dave Bowers and Dick Johnson's 
remarks regarding the need for catalogues of US medals, there are 
two books that should be mentioned as worthwhile and easily available.  
'One Hundred Years of American Medallic Art 1845-1945, the John E. 
Marqusee Collection' lists over 400 medals.  'The Beaux-Arts Medal 
in America' by Barbara Baxter, published by the American Numismatic 
Society discusses American medals of that period, as well as French 
and other European influences. 
  
"I would also be interested in any update on Dick's planned 
Biographical Dictionary of American Medalists."
 
[I have both of Scott's recommendations in my library.  Agreed - these 
are both great books.  As for Dick Johnson’s BDAM, it's not quite ready 
for publication.  But he writes: “In the meantime I offer a service to 
numismatic researchers to do a lookup and answer most questions about 
American medallists, or medals by known artists. If inquirer wants a 
listing of all the works by one artist, I do make a small charge for 
these. Long entries, like Victor D. Brenner of 50-page length, for 
example, would be $10 or less. Contact:  dick.johnson at snet.net." 
-Editor]


HIBLER-KAPPEN'S SO-CALLED DOLLARS TO BE REVISED

Dick Johnson writes: "The authors of a long-needed revision of a 
standard work for medal collectors announced this week they should 
have a book ready for publication by mid-year. The book is a revision 
of "So-Called Dollars," by Hibler and Kappen, originally published by 
Coin & Currency Institute in 1963. C&C will also publish the revision. 

"The authors are Tom Hoffman of Crystal Lake, Illinois and Jonathan 
Brecher of Cambridge, Massachusetts, both enthusiastic so-called dollar 
collectors. I talked to both authors this week to learn the status of 
their venture. Collectors who want a major comprehensive revision will 
have to wait a while longer, however. 

"'We are setting realistic goals,' said Jonathan Brecher, 'this will 
not be a carbon copy of the original, things obviously need changing 
and updating without expanding the existing book.' 'It's a stepping 
stone,' said Tom Hoffman. They will concentrate on adding new 
compositions of existing medals, listing known mules, and correcting 
some of the original authors' errors (like the misspelling of Greenduck, 
a Chicago medalmaker). 

"They plan to essentially keep Hibler-Kappen's original numbering 
system while recognizing it needs to be changed in the future, but 
will change designations of sizes from HK's sixteenths of an inch to 
millimeters. For this edition they do not plan to add additional items 
that meet the criteria of a so-called dollar, nor carry forward medals 
issued after 1961 that was the cutoff date in the original book. The 
book will carry new illustrations, however, and they hope to have a 
color illustration section. No decision yet to carry prices. 

"Recent activity in the numismatic field indicates accelerated interest 
in this medal collecting specialty. In March 2004 a group of collectors 
met at the suggestion of Jeffrey L. Shevlin, of Carmichael California 
to organize a new club (reported here in E-Sylum, vol 7, no 23, art 9). 
Jeff Shevlin is working on a major revision with new listings and 
carrying forward from 1961. He will assist in this present revision 
while working on his book of greater comprehensive scope. 

"In June 2006 NGC announced they added so-called dollars to their 
grading service and began a Census Report of these medals. They noted 
off-metal strikes not listed in HK and other varieties. These will be 
included in the new revision according to Hoffman and Brecher. Other 
collector interest has been reported by auction houses when they sell 
these items, notably Heritage's September 2006 sale of the Troy Wiseman 
collection and Joseph Levine's yearly Presidential auctions. 

"The pair of authors have created a website, www.So-CalledDollars.com, 
basically a dump of all the current content with new color illustrations. 
Already, the authors state, ten collectors have assisted them by 
contributing to the website. They seek other collectors' input for 
this and the bound book. They can be contacted through the website."

To view the So-Called Dollars book web site, see:
http://www.So-CalledDollars.com    

NEW CLUB FOR COLLECTORS OF SO-CALLED DOLLARS
http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v07n23a09.html 

FIRST ISSUE OF JOURNAL FOR SO-CALLED DOLLAR COLLECTORS
http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v09n06a08.html 


GADOURY ESSAI CATALOGUE UPDATE UNDERWAY

Michel Taillard of France writes: "I am creating the new Gadoury 
catalogue for "essais", "pieforts", "concours", "pré-séries"... for 
the Edition Gadoury in Monaco (France).  I am looking for good 
information to complete my research. 

I would like to contact all collectors who can help me in order to 
have new coins not reported in the last edition or older catalogues 
like those of J. Mazard and V. Guilloteau. (For example, I know there 
is a famous collector of french "essai" in Texas).  

I am also looking for the catalogue of the Ferrari's sale in 1934 
which has an enormous stock of rare French coins. Does anyone know 
where I can find it?  Thank you." 

[Please assist Michel if you can.  His email address is 
Mich342000 at aol.com. -Editor]


BANKNOTE REFERENCE: OEANG REPUBLIK INDONESIA

Howard Daniel writes: "This week I received a booklet titled 'Oeang 
Republik Indonesia' (ORI) by Penerbitan Naskah Sumber, Arsip Nasional 
Republik Indonesia, Jakarta, 2003, 138 pages.  It is entirely in 
Indonesian with no illustrations, so I had to use a dictionary to 
see what it is about.  It appears to be a history of all of the 
banknotes issued from 1945 to date.  Now I need to find a translator 
who can translate it for me and others who collect this country.

"The booklet was sent by Will and Anita Tuchrello in Jakarta, which 
they found in a bookstore in Bali while on vacation.  They are very 
old friends and Will is the Director of the Library of Congress office 
for Southeast Asia.  We met in the Library of Congress in 1981 when I 
started my research there on Southeast Asia.  He saw that I was serious 
and greatly assisted me in searching the entire library for numismatic 
information of interest to me.  I cannot remember how many years of 
weekends I was researching there but it was probably most of the 1980s."


CNLF ONLINE UPDATE: NONREGAL BRITISH COUNTERFEITS

Jim Spilman announced in the Yahoo Colonial Coins group this week the 
revival of the Colonial Newsletter Foundation eSIGs (Special Interest 
Groups).  He writes: "The first of the restructured CNLF eSIGs is now 
back online. This is the NonRegal British 1/2d and 1/4d British 
Counterfeits eSIG.  The name of the eSIG is NonRegalBritish and the 
URL is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NonRegalBritish

"A major feature of the restructured eSIGs is the inclusion -- within 
the LINKS section -- of an FTP link to the CNLF-Harvest FTP images and 
other documents that have been harvested during the past several years. 
The name of the LINK is NonRegalBritish and at the moment contains over 
2000 images and is a total size of about 312 Meg.

"You must be a member of the eSIG to access these new features. It 
was necessary to totally delete the membership to accomplish the 
restructuring.  SO -- please rejoin if you are interested in this 
series, just go to the Homepage and request membership."


THE LOSS OF COLONIAL COIN SPECIALIST MIKE RINGO
 
Also in the Yahoo Colonial Coins group this week was a flurry of 
messages on the declining health and death of colonial coin expert 
and dealer Mike Ringo.  Mike's brother Peter Ringo wrote: "I've 
asked my brother Tim to forward this message to the Colonial 
Numismatics list because I want you all to know how grateful I feel 
that Dan Freidus drove all the way from Michigan to be with Mike in 
what turned out to be his final moments. Whether Dan was a chosen 
or self-chosen representative of Mike's coin community, you couldn't 
have had a better one, in my opinion. He was very personable, 
sensitive, and helpful, and I am very thankful for his presence 
and for the presence he lent to Mike's friends and acquaintances.

"For me, it was at once touching and surreal to see Dan sit by Mike's 
bedside, hear him tell Mike how well-regarded he was, and have him list, 
by name, the many, many people who sent their best wishes. Dan was there 
for Mike in whatever way he could--even feeding him ice cream at a time 
he could no longer verbally express his desire for it -- and I like to 
think he was there for me as well. I continue to be deeply appreciative 
of his ready conversation and good ear on a day that I had expected to 
be the only attendant from Mike's personal sphere. 

"I hope Dan considers his time in Burlington well-spent and his many 
long hours on the road rewarded. Certainly, I think all those who knew 
Mike can."

[Our best wishes go out to Mike's family; all of us in numismatics 
know how deep and longlasting hobby friendships can be.  I'm reminded 
every week of how special our numismatic friends are, and Dan's efforts 
are a wonderful example to us all.  -Editor]


MORE ON THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR EMERGENCY PAPER MONEY REFERENCE

Some of our readers have asked where to find a copy of the 1976 
Raymond Habrekorn reference on the emergency paper money of the 
Franco-Prussian War that Bob Leonard told us about.

Bob Leonard writes: "As I recall, I bought my copy from Spink at 
the time it came out.  It is not for sale.  Surely this book can 
be located through European dealers.  The Bibliotheque Nationale 
may have a copy (it wouldn't circulate, though)."


RESEARCHER SEEKS INFORMATION ON 1854-1855 FLYING EAGLE PATTERNS

As noted in earlier E-Sylum issues, R.V. Dewey has been compiling 
information on the 1855 flying eagle cent pattern he purchased from 
Abe Kosoff. Subscriber Rick Kay writes: "I am doing comprehensive 
research on the 1854-1855 flying eagle cent patterns and would like 
to get the word out that I’d like any information or other leads 
they may have as to Mint or other records."

[Rick's email address is kayfamily at bigplanet.com - his phone number 
is 310-804-9346.  -Editor]


GRAMERCY STAMP COMPANY OWNER SOUGHT

Dave Lange writes: "As part of my ongoing research into the people 
who published coin boards, I'm attempting to identify the owner of 
Gramercy Stamp Company, which operated 1936-43 in New York City at 
323 W. 16th Street. I've tried the city directories, but no name was 
given other than that of the business. Perhaps one of the readers 
can help." 


SMITHSONIAN NETWORKS TO AIR SHOW ON THE 1933 DOUBLE EAGLE

Smithsonian Networks, a joint enterprise of the Smithsonian 
Institution and Showtime Networks, will debut in the spring.   

"A signature series will be "Stories From the Vault," a 30-minute 
program hosted by Cavanagh. It will explore the artifacts and people 
that have made the Smithsonian one of the most recognized museums in 
the world; on one episode, a curator will examine a Stradivarius 
using a CT scan.

"Another of the new shows is "The Hunt for the Double Eagle," about 
the extremely rare 1933 solid gold coin, of which only a handful are 
in existence.

"The programs will be shown on an entity called Smithsonian on Demand. 
Officials are still negotiating with cable carriers and satellite TV 
providers to make the programming available, but Royle said Showtime 
and Smithsonian officials are also considering a regular, 24-hour 
channel."

To read the complete Washington Post article, see:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/28/AR2007012801
407.html 

To visit the Smithsonian Networks home page, see:
http://www.smithsoniannetworks.com 

[Here's the summary of the episode taken from the press release. 
-Editor]

"The story of the 1933 solid gold Double Eagle is a mystery story 
about the intrigue and greed stirred by the world's most valuable coin. 
Two examples of this coin, which last sold for $7 million, exist in 
the Smithsonian's coin collection, and our film will draw upon 
Smithsonian experts to tell this tale. Commissioned by President 
Theodore Roosevelt to reflect the growing glory of America in the 
early 20th century, the 1933 Double Eagle never entered legal 
circulation and was thought destroyed, except for the two at the 
Smithsonian. 

"Mysteriously, a handful of the coins escaped the US Mint and led 
authorities on a decades-long chase. Both beautiful and unattainable, 
the coin has been on the United States Secret Service's Most Wanted 
list for over 70 years. This film will retrace the Secret Service 
investigation of the 1933 Double Eagle through nearly three-quarters 
of a century of American history. It's a dramatic story that crosses 
continents and includes corruption at the US mint, illuminates the 
decadence and avarice of King Farouk of Egypt until it is finally 
recovered in a sting at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York."

To read the complete press release, see:
http://sev.prnewswire.com/entertainment/20070129/NYM17029012007-1.html

[I've been unsuccessful in trying to contact the producers for 
more information on the show.  But I did learn that one of our 
subscribers (an author of a book on the subject) was involved. 
-Editor]

David Tripp writes: "I've known about the program for some time, 
was interviewed for it, and I assume I will be appearing on it as 
a talking head.  I also did give the producers permission to borrow 
from my book 'Illegal Tender', but to what extent they did I don't 
know. I don't know when it is scheduled to be aired."


DAVID TRIPP'S NON-NUMISMATIC PROJECTS

David Tripp's been busy in other areas this past year.  He writes: 
"I'm working on a couple of other projects.  But last year was 
largely consumed by a very non-numismatic (but close-to-the-heart) 
project: 'Tubby the Tuba' which my father wrote (and which put me 
through college! [it sold some 13 million records]).
 
"My sister and I have longed to get it to a new generation of kids, 
and last October Dutton published it in book-form (with a CD in the 
back of one of my father's narrations).  The new illustrations (by 
Henry Cole) are wonderful, and we hope it will get parents to 
educate their kids about classical music!  
 
"Tubby was originally conceived by my father as an orchestral story 
(my dad created it and wrote the story) and the music was composed 
by George Kleinsinger.  And so, in addition to the Dutton book, we 
wanted to get a new CD out there as well.
 
"We were very lucky in this regard, and Meredith Vieira (of the TODAY 
show) narrated the original Tubby and also one of Tubby's other 
adventures (Tubby Meets a Jazz Band).  She did wonderful work.  (I 
ended up as co-producer on the album...there's a new one!), and it 
also came out in October (Koch Records).
 
"So if any of our numismatic brethren have children, they can also 
go to TubbytheTuba.com, for more information.  
 
"(As it happens I also performed Tubby late last year in Boston, 
and was accompanied by [among others] the Tuba player for the 
Boston Symphony!...He is brilliant!)."

[The following in from the 'Tubby the Tuba' Web site. -Editor]

"In 1941, one week after the attack on Pearl Harbor, following the 
performance of Paul Tripp and George Kleinsinger’s first musical 
piece, Tripp and Kleinsinger thanked the musicians, including the 
tuba player, who said: 'You know, tubas can sing too.' That very 
night Paul Tripp wrote a story about how a tuba found a melody to 
play, and later he and George Kleinsinger translated the story into 
music. But it wasn’t until after World War II that Tubby was finally 
shared with the world and BECAME an instant hit! 

"Tubby has been translated into more than 30 languages, played by 
every major orchestra in the world, used as a clue in The New York 
Times crosswords, made into two films, and narrated by a galaxy of 
stars, including Meredith Vieira of the Today Show. In 2006 Tubby 
the Tuba was enshrined in the Library of Congress’ National 
Recording Registry as one of the landmarks in American audio 
history."


CORRECTIONS: HISTORY CHANNEL'S SECRETS OF THE DOLLAR BILL

Laura Cortner, Executive Producer at Hieronimus & Co. writes: "I 
stumbled on your website last night while trying to find more 
information about Andy Burr and Iconologia (not your topic, I do 
realize).  I was pleased to read your review of the History Channel's 
'Secrets of the Dollar Bill', since we had a lot to do with that 
production.  I'm writing to ask you to correct the spelling of one 
of the participants you listed in that review.  It's in the 8th 
paragraph, and his name is Robert Hieronimus.

"We've seen some interesting misspellings of his last name over the 
years, but inserting a "g" in the middle is a new one!"  

[Our web site holds an historical archive of past issues, warts and 
all.  While we don't go back and rewrite history, we do publish errors 
and corrections in subsequent issues, so here it is.  A bigger error 
in the item is that it was actually written by Dick Johnson, and in 
my haste to publish that week's issue I forgot to mark it as such.  
That rarely happens, but shame on me - sorry!  Thanks again to Dick, 
and thanks to Laura for her comments and correction.  If you haven’t 
seen the program, be sure to read Dick's review and keep an eye out 
for any scheduled re-airings.  -Editor]

  REVIEW: HISTORY CHANNEL'S SECRETS OF THE DOLLAR BILL
  http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v09n31a12.html


ON SUBSTITUTING STAMPS IN ENCASED POSTAGE 

Katie Jaeger writes: "I'd like to sample expert opinion on a statement 
of John J. Ford's about Civil War encased postage.  In his inimitable 
style in an August 1991 ANA presentation entitled "Frontiers in 
Numismatics" Ford stated:

"People tamper with values in this philatelic/numismatic series by 
substituting higher-denomination stamps for 1-cent and 2-cent 
denominations.  Go ahead and buy these 'rarities' for an arm and a 
leg if you want a complete denomination set, but don't delude yourself; 
all the higher denominations are concoctions."

"Your own 1994 COAC presentation on the subject ("J.C Ayer and John 
Gault") stated, "Eight denominations of stamps were used in Gault's 
encasements: 1 cent, 3 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 12 cents, 24 cents, 
30 cents, and 90 cents. The four smallest denominations corresponded 
to circulating coins and are the most common. 

"The larger odd-value denominations were used only for postage and 
would have been more difficult to use in circulation.  The 24-cent, 
30-cent, and 90-cent encasements are very rare."

"You published a photograph of a ten-cent stamp in an encasement 
taken directly from Gault's patent model, so that belies Ford's 
opinion that only 1- and 2-cent varieties circulated.  I'd be interested 
to hear viewpoints on Ford's statement about the highest three 
denominations, especially if they can furnish primary source proof 
of their circulation."

[1991 was the Chicago ANA Centennial convention.  I was there and 
probably attended Ford's talk, but don't recall him saying or implying 
that only the 1- and 2-cent varieties circulated.  By "higher 
denominations" I believe Ford meant anything above 10 cents.  The 12, 
24, 30, and 90 cent denominations are scarce to rare and have always 
been worth more in the numismatic market than the 10 cents and lower 
denominations.  

"Scoundrels could buy a legitimate encased postage stamp of the lower 
denomination and substitute a genuine stamp of a higher denomination 
and create an instant rarity worth much more than the sum of the parts. 
I've never bought a denomination higher than 10 cents, unless you 
include the one and only 12-cent piece I bought then fought to return 
to the dealer after further inspection and consultation revealed that 
it could have been tampered with.  -Editor]

Katie adds: "I transcribed Ford's ANA presentation myself, having 
borrowed the video from the ANA Library.  He also said, "People who 
catalog these things will tell you, "There are no fake encased postage'.  
Lemme tell you, there are fake everything!"   
 
"I did write down "one and two-cent" so I guess that could be a mis-
transcription...maybe Ford said "one and three-cent."  According to 
the Friedbergs, who list these things in A Guide Book of U.S. Paper 
Money, there is only one two-cent specimen known - maybe it's a 
fabrication too!"


WILLIAM APPLETON CAMEO QUESTION

Regarding the latest edition of Maine Antique Digest, Alan V. Weinberg 
writes: "Check out the William Appleton cameo sold to the Museum of Fine 
Arts, Boston (page 23E) - is this the famed numismatist William Sumner 
Appleton or his father?  The Appleton cameo is pictured and mentioned 
as to sale at auction to the Museum of fine Arts but I think it might 
be Appleton's dad as I think "our" Appleton lived decades later when 
his fine numismatic collection went to Boston."

Maine Antique Digest editor Sam Pennington writes: "Appleton's 
Cyclopaedia of American Biography (published 1888 by D. Appleton and 
Co., New York) says about William: APPLETON, William, merchant, b. in 
Brookfield, Mass., 16 Nov., 1786; d. in Longwood, near Boston, 
20 Feb., 1862."

[The William Appleton of numismatic fame was born in 1840 and died 
in 1903, according to an entry in Pete Smith's 'American Numismatic 
Biographies'.  Alan is correct - the Appleton of the cameo is much 
older. -Editor]


ON REBASING THE ONE-CENT PIECE

David F. Fanning writes: "Regarding Dick Johnson's proposal (echoed 
by Stephen Searle) to rebase the one-cent piece, I'm curious what 
effects this would have, at least in the short run. In particular, 
I'm wondering what effects rebasing just one denomination would have 
on inflation. I have no knowledge of economics, but it seems to me 
that there would be a short-term spike in prices as retailers and 
others tried to take advantage of everyone's sudden (if small) increase 
in pocket money. How would it affect the use of other small-denomination 
coins?

"Another concern: although I see how everyone would stand to gain from 
such an act, it goes without saying that banks would be the real winners. 
What possible effect could that have on the economy? Plus, I find it 
hard to believe that, were the government to suggest such an action, 
the secret would be kept. Word would get out, spread along with other 
gossip, and who knows what kind of events could take place. Maybe I 
simply take a dim view of human nature, but I don't see this turning 
out well."


ARCHAEOLOGISTS, ECONOMISTS AND NUMISMATISTS - OH MY!

Howard Daniel writes: "Last week's item 'Archaeologists Find 
Contemporary Debased Spanish Coin in St. Augustine', reminded me 
of my attending the last ANA show or convention in Jacksonville, 
Florida, just north of St. Augustine.  

"A few months before that ANA, I read an article somewhere about the 
University of North Florida discovering some coins in digging in the 
old waterfront of Jacksonville.  It has been awhile and I cannot 
remember the exact pieces they found.  I wrote to the department head 
at the university and said I would be glad to speak to him and his 
students about coins found in other archaeological digs.  He immediately 
replied in the affirmative and we set up a two-hour session from 11AM 
to 1PM on the day before the ANA.

"I arrived about an hour early and was shown to a "lab" room where I 
set up.  They were all archaeological and anthropology students working 
on their masters and/or doctorates, and a couple of professors.  I had 
bought several references and photocopied many articles that I gave to 
them.  Then I started telling them about the digs I knew about in 
Southeast Asia where coins were found and how important they were to 
deciphering what was being found.
 
"The audience was mostly unknowledgeable about numismatics and they 
were quite pleased that the coins they had found could be of a great 
help to them.  It was a most enjoyable two hours for me and I think I 
probably got five or six of the twenty-four plus people in the audience 
strongly interested in numismatics.  I would highly recommend your 
readers to contact these departments (plus history and economics) in 
their nearby colleges and universities and volunteer to speak to them 
about numismatics.  It will be a great time!"

[I'll wholeheartedly endorse Howard's suggestion.  Interdisciplinary 
encounters can have remarkable consequences on all sides.  We numismatic 
bibliophiles have at our fingertips volume after volume of great 
information about coinage (and history, economics and other topics), 
yet people in those fields may only be aware of a small portion of 
that body of work.  Similarly, archaeologists, historians and economists 
may well be quite familiar with information sources that numismatic 
authors have yet to find and tap into.  

As one example, in the notes to Chapter 1 of "Krueger's Men", author 
Lawrence Malkin cites "World War II Remembered: History in Your Hands, 
A Numismatic Study" by Fred Schwan and Joe Boling.  He writes: "This 
study is known to specialists; when I began my researches, it was the 
first publication cited to me by William Bischoff, former curator of 
the Newark (New Jersey) museum." (p214).  -Editor] 


KEY INFORMATION SOURCES ON OPERATION BERNHARD

Regarding last week's mention of Lawrence Malkin's new book "Kreuger's 
Men", Jeff Reichenberger writes: "To follow up on the Nazi's Operation 
Bernhard. The story is one of many covered in the book 'Money of Their 
Own, The Stories of the World's Greatest Counterfeiters', by Murray 
Teigh Bloom (1957). It is fascinating, taken from what Bloom describes 
as "a detailed and secret account of the operation. 

"Between 1947 and 1949, Dr. Andre' Amstein made what is unquestionably 
the most thorough study extent of Operation Bernhard. Dr. Amstein, one 
of the world's leading authorities on counterfeiting, had access to the 
secret reports of American, British, French and German agencies; he 
interviewed some of the men who helped engrave, print, check, and 
distribute the false pound notes. His final report, which runs more 
than two hundred type written pages, is easily one of the more 
fascinating reports to emerge out of WWII." 

"Bloom says he gained access to the Amstein report in Paris through 
a friend's 'measured indiscretion.' Amstein calls Operation Bernhard, 
"the greatest forgery and counterfeiting enterprise of all time." 

"Bloom expounds; "He does not exaggerate. It was the biggest; it 
delivered the most bogus money over the longest period of safety; it 
turned out the finest counterfeit notes ever seen; it had the world's 
largest distribution network; it operated with the lowest overhead 
even though it had the greatest number of conspirators and prisoner 
'employees' - probably more than three hundred at it's peak - and had 
the finest equipment ever assembled for a counterfeiting operation. 

"The story details Captain Bernhard Krueger's rise in the ranks and 
also that of his main artisan engraver, a Jewish prisoner by the name 
of Solomon Smolianoff. 'Bernie and Solly' they were known. According 
to Solly's diary, in late 1944 there was great pressure from Himmler, 
to complete plates for U.S. one hundred dollar notes. At the end of the 
war Krueger fled. Russian and American secret service looked for him 
for ten years fearing he was still in possession of counterfeit plates. 

"He was found in 1955 during a routine census, on the outskirts of 
Hanover, Germany. He was charged with no crime so the West German 
authorities left him alone. He has refused to talk to eager journalists 
and is working slowly on his own account of the Barracks 19 
counterfeiting operation. In 1956 he moved to Brunswick and sells 
stamps to collectors.
 
"Perhaps some of the research is dated, but I wonder if this account 
is cited in the Malkin book or the others you suggested, or if Kruger 
was ever interviewed. I think it would make a nice companion next to 
these other books." 

[In the notes to Chapter 5, author Malkin writes that "Bloom, an 
experienced reporter and World War II counterintelligence agent, met 
with Krueger more than a decade after the war, having already made 
himself an expert on counterfeiting and published a minor classic on 
the subject, 'Money of Their Own.'  He interviewed Krueger and chose 
to turn his notes into a first-person account under Krueger's name 
for greater impact (and tabloid sales).  Later Bloom posed more 
difficult questions, to which Krueger replied in German.  They were 
never cast into narrative form, but the two kept up an t extensive 
correspondence in the hope of making a film.  Bloom has kindly allowed 
me to view and quote from the surviving fragments, which cover 
Operation Bernhard only the first year of Krueger's involvement." 
(p224)  

The Amstein Report unfortunately, was unavailable to Malkin. It was 
missing from the U.S. Secret Service Archives.  Malkin says Bloom had 
been allowed to view it privately at the U.S. Treasury.  Amsteim, who 
was still alive in 2002 refused an interview "on the grounds that he 
was an old man, remembered little, and had no documents from the 
period.  This made is necessary to reconstruct the contents through 
archival research." (p272).

Malkin does note that another prisoner's memoir, published in Oslo in 
1949, was very useful.  He writes: "None was more valuable than 
'Falskmynter I block 19', by Moritz Nachtstern and Ragnar Arntzen. 
This virtually forgotten book was discovered on the Internet by 
Margaret Shannon with the remnants of the Norwegian language she 
picked during her childhood years in Oslo."  -Editor]


NOTES ON RECENT NUMISMATIC PERIODICALS

E-Sylum subscribers are a busy bunch - in reviewing recent periodicals 
a number of articles caught my eye, and it turns out (not surprisingly) 
that all were authored by E-Sylum subscribers and contributors:

The February 2007 issue of Bank Note Reporter has an illustrated 
article by Fred Reed on Civil War scrip notes payable in U.S. Postage 
Currency.  Kerry Rodgers, has an article in the same issue on 
Jonathan Swift's numismatic connections.  

Paul Gilkes' article on p5 of the January 29, 2007 Coin World 
discusses ephemera from the estate of numismatist William Cutler 
Atwater.  Saved from the landfill by Atwater's grandson, the files 
include catalogs, invoices and correspondence relating to the famed 
Atwater collection, sold by B. Max Mehl in 1946.  The collection 
had an example of every U.S. coin from 1793 to 1920, including two 
1804 dollars.

Daniel Gosling has an article in the January/February CN Journal 
(published by the Canadian Numismatic Association) about his trip 
to the United Kingdom with visits to Soho House, The Birmingham Mint, 
the Birmingham City Archives and the Birminham Museum & Art Gallery, 
the Royal Mint in Llantrisant, South Wales, The National Archives, 
the British Museum and Spink in London.   The Birmingham City Archives 
are the home of the papers of coiners Matthew Boulton and James Watt. 
The Soho House was the home of Boulton from 1766 until his death in 
1809.  Gosling calls it "a numismatic must-see."

Tom DeLorey has an article on "The Coins of Celestia" in the February 
2007 COINage Magazine (p70), about the wonderfully whimsical yet half-
serious coins issued by James Mangan in the 1960s for the "Nation of 
Celestial Space".  


ON THE SPELLING OF JAIL/GAOL/GOAL

Martin Purdy writes: "The modern French spelling "geôle" might help 
to clarify both the origin and the "correct" spelling a little.  "Goal" 
in English with this particular meaning would nowadays be considered 
an error, pure and simple.  My Concise Oxford says that "Gaol" is in 
official UK use, while both Gaol and Jail are in colloquial use, and 
Jail is the standard US form."

David F. Fanning writes: "Regarding the question of the spelling of 
"gaol" as "goal" on some Conder tokens, here is what the Oxford 
English Dictionary says:

'It is difficult to say whether the form goal(e), common, alike in 
official and general use, from the 16th to the 18th c., was merely 
an erroneous spelling of gaol, after this had itself become an 
archaism, or was phonetic.'

If the OED doesn't know, you can be sure it's a stumper."


ON SILVERPLATING COPPER IN THE 1700S

Regarding last week's item on the St. Augustine discovery of a 
silvered Spanish 2-Reale piece with a copper core, Dick Johnson 
writes: "I would be interested in learning how they coated a copper 
coin in the 1700s to look like silver. Silverplating had not been 
invented yet and firesilvering (like fire gliding for gold) would 
be a lot of work for such a small denomination coins.  Any thoughts 
anyone?"


CULTURAL PROPERTY ADVISORY COMMITTEE REVIEWING COIN BAN

Dave Kellogg writes: "You may know that Cyprus is the most recent 
country to add coins to its cultural property list, and the U.S. 
Cultural Property Advisory Committee is currently reviewing their 
request.  Obviously, coins present a completely different situation 
from antiquities and do not belong in the same Agreement.  
 
"Any readers interested in collecting ancient coins are encouraged 
to write the Committee expressing their views.  The Ancient Coin 
Collectors Guild (ACCG) has led the efforts to represent coin collectors 
and have prepared sample letters to help individuals get started.  
The following link provides an easy to use online fax service.  

"However, replies must be received by the Committee by Monday, Feb. 6.  
That doesn't give us much time!  I wish we could put this note in BOLD 
print; this topic is crucial to the continuance of our hobby as it 
relates to ancient coins.  See http://accg.us/ "
 

1865 MEDAL OF HONOR SAVED FROM WWII SCRAP DRIVE

An article published Friday in the Indianapolis Star told the story 
of a rare Medal of Honor, one of 1,520 awarded during the Civil War.  
The medal reappeared recently after being saved from a scrap metal 
drive collection in World War II.  The current owner is seeking to 
return it to the original family.

"Wrapped in a plain cloth bag, a rare piece of Civil War history 
passed through Brownsburg Public Library last weekend. Marjorie 
Grismore, 78, carefully unwrapped her treasure before the astonished 
eyes of Ron Wilkins, a member of the 19th Indiana, Company K, 
volunteer re-enactors.

"'Oh my god, that's a Medal of Honor,' he said.

"As he admired the star-shaped medal with the tattered royal blue 
ribbon, he read the inscription on the back. In elegant script, it 
reads: 'The Congress to Private Major Joseph F. Carter, third 
Maryland Volunteers, distinguished gallantry in action at Fort Stedman 
March 25, 1865.'

"Grismore wanted more than to just share her antique. She asked Wilkins 
if he could help her find out more about Carter, not to fill in the 
blanks of her family tree but to return the medal to Carter's heirs.

"Grismore said her father-in-law, Paul Stitt, acquired the medal, along 
with a few others from the same family, while collecting scrap metal 
during World War II." 

To read the complete article, see:
http://tinyurl.com/yts4xz 


RETAIL GIFT CARDS BECOMING A COLLECTIBLE

Just as many people have turned to collecting credit cards, those 
ubiquitous gift cards sold by retail stores are now also receiving 
attention as a collectible.  Someday, these may take their place in 
numismatic collections alongside credit cards, charge coins and other 
money substitutes.

The Victoria Times Colonist of Canada published an article noting that 
"A brisk collectibles market has sprung up online for retail gift cards 
that are worthless in terms of buying a latte or a DVD, but prized by 
aficionados for their design and rarity.

"BucksCards.com, a website devoted to collectors of Starbucks gift 
cards -- by far the most popular and lucrative on the market -- reports 
that two anonymous collectors recently paid more than $2,000 each for 
cards that carried no balance but were produced in limited quantities 
for employees or contest winners.

"'Gift cards are like stamp collectibles or coin collectibles -- just 
a modern version,' says Margaret Li, a collector from Vancouver who 
uses EBay to sell off duplicates or unwanted cards.

To read the complete article, see:
http://tinyurl.com/32roh7


MONTANA STATE QUARTER LAUNCH CEREMONY

The Helena Independent Record published a story on Tuesday, January 
30th about the previous day's launch ceremony for the Montana state 
quarter:

"Montana’s quarter, the 41st in the Mint’s popular series, was 
formally introduced in a ceremony that included several local and 
state dignitaries as well as hundreds of elementary school children 
from across the city, each of whom got a free quarter.

"The first Montana quarters were minted on Dec. 26, and Sam Gane, 
branch manager of the Helena Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of 
Minneapolis, said they’ve been in the branch’s Neill Avenue vault 
since last week, awaiting distribution to banks across the state.

"The ceremony included performances by the Capital High Jazz Band, 
the Helena High Ambiance Choir and Blackfeet singer and songwriter 
Jack Gladstone.

"Moy, who called Montana’s bison skull “an evocative image of the 
American West,” became director of the U.S. Mint in September, so 
this was just his second commemorative quarter release ceremony.

“There’s a lot of state pride with each of these,” he said. “There’s 
also a lot of pride involved for the U.S. Mint. Our sculptors and 
engravers take a lot of pride in the art they do on these quarters.”

To read the complete article, see:
http://www.helenair.com/articles/2007/01/30/helena_top/a01013007_01.txt 


PRESIDENTIAL DOLLAR COIN PROMOTERS TRAVEL TO PITTSBURGH AND TAMPA

I don't think George Washington ever slept there, but the U.S. Mint 
is traveling to Tampa, FL to publicize the new Presidential Dollar 
coin.

"The Mint is planning to inform residents of the Tampa area about 
the new coins with stops at Gorrie Elementary School and Citrus Park 
Town Center Mall. A George Washington historian will educate Gorrie 
Elementary School students about the life of President Washington. 

"At Citrus Park Town Center Mall, local residents can see the new 
dollar coin up close and personal, get a free picture of themselves 
on a Presidential $1 Coin rendering and pick up educational materials 
from the U.S. Mint.

To read the complete story, see:
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=48215

[This isn't an official launch ceremony, but part of the Mint's larger 
publicity program to raise awareness of the new coins.  The traveling 
troupe rolled through Pittsburgh, PA on Thursday.  The event was covered 
in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  The inside joke in the article is that 
the 40th Street Bridge leading to the Bloomfield neighborhood is also 
known as Washington's Crossing, where the real first President nearly 
died crossing the icy Allegheny River on December 29, 1753.  -Editor]

"The man portraying the father of our country was late for yesterday 
morning's appearance at Woolslair Elementary School in Bloomfield. 
Apparently George Washington's crossing was delayed by traffic on 
the 40th Street Bridge.

"He didn't seem to mind.

"George Washington, played by living interpreter Carl Closs, of 
Philadelphia, visited Woolslair Elementary School in Bloomfield 
yesterday to talk to students about history and the new $1 coins that 
will depict presidents. He spent time with some students and taught 
Bennie Murphy, 10, a fourth-grader, some fencing basics. 

"The Mint's latest money-making scheme is a 10-city road show 
introducing people to the golden coins that will be placed into 
circulation Feb. 15. The goal is to give the coins a more successful 
launch than the Sacagawea dollars experienced in 2000."

To read the complete article, see:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07033/758872-85.stm

To learn more about Washington's Crossing, see:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/rakeman/1753.htm


WEST VIRGINIA PROMOTES MOTHER'S DAY COIN

In other new-coin news, West Virginia lawmakers are promoting the 
idea of a commemorative coin honoring the 100th anniversary of 
Mother's Day. 

"The holiday was founded in 1908 by Anna Jarvis in Grafton. 

"In honor of the anniversary, several West Virginia legislators have 
drafted a resolution to ask the United States Mint to issue a 
commemorative coin. 

"The resolution asks that the coin carry an image of Anna Jarvis 
and the reverse bear an image of the International Mother's Day Shrine."

To read the complete article, see:
http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=19306 

To visit the web site, International Mother's Day Shrine see:
http://www.mothersdayshrine.com/ 

[From the small image on the web site, no inscriptions are visible.  
What immortal motherly words are worthy of enshrinement?  In our 
household, phrases like "Say EXCUSE me!," "don't step on your 
brother's head!" and "why in the world would you teach them to pull 
your finger?" are commonplace.  -Editor]


FORMER MINT DIRECTOR JAY JOHNSON HEADS TO FRANKLIN MINT

"Former Green Bay TV news anchor Jay Johnson, who served one term 
in Congress in the late 1990s, has been named chief numismatist of 
the Franklin Mint, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported today. 

"The Pennsylvania-based Franklin Mint is a private company that 
sells collectibles that include commemorative coins. 

"Johnson, who is in his early 60s, was director of the U.S. Mint, 
the federal agency that makes and sells the nation's coins, from May 
2000 to mid-2001. He was appointed to the job by former President 
Clinton."

To read the complete article, see:
http://tinyurl.com/37vww7 


ANA PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SURVEY SUMMARY RELEASED

The American Numismatic Association issued a press release last 
week summarizing the results of an independent performance evaluation 
of the Executive Director.  The survey was commissioned by the ANA 
Board of Governors and conducted by human resources consultant 
Personal Management Systems.  The press release only gave high-level 
summaries with numeric scores such as:  "... a cumulative average of 
2.93; ratings of 2.50 and above reflect positive results in this 
category."

This apparently answers the question Bill Rosenblum raised in The 
E-Sylum in December, when he wrote wondering who had ordered the survey: 
"In October employees at ANA headquarters were visited by someone who 
wanted their opinion about the Executive Director for the possibility 
of extending his contract. They were told that their answers would 
be confidential although at least some did not feel they would be."

  FORMER ANA LIBRARIAN SKLOW SPEAKS OUT
  http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v09n49a05.html

  THE ANA AND THE BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD OF NUMISMATICS
  http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v09n47a04.html 

According to the press release, "As part of the assessment, PMS 
interviewed 12 ANA employees, some of whom were selected by the 
Board and others at random. The identities of those selected were 
not released to Cipoletti, and employees were assured that the 
information they provided would not be disclosed in any identifying 
way to Cipoletti or the Board. Interviews were conducted by PMS 
staff, and additional anonymous feedback was accepted afterward."

Former ANA Library and Research Center Director David Sklow writes: 
"I was one of the employees interviewed - you can only imagine what 
I said!"

As discussed earlier in The E-Sylum, Sklow and Joel Orosz have 
disputed the ANA's position on a number of these issues.  E-Sylum 
subscriber Howard Daniel had called for a more exhaustive set of 
interviews.  He wrote: "I think the ANA Board of Directors should 
privately interview all of the staffers, one by one, to find the 
source(s) of the problems plaguing the headquarters."

In my own experience in industry, interviews with people LEAVING 
the organization are often much more informative.   Joel Orosz adds: 
"You bet--you learn more from exit interviews than from ten times 
that many in-house interviews."    

This give and take over the ANA's problems is likely to continue 
for some time.  It will make for interesting reading for future 
students of the history of the organization, but these are difficult 
times today for members and staff alike.  The latest volley is a 
Guest Commentary by Orosz in the February 5th issue of Coin World 
(p14).  Orosz offers to serve as an unpaid consultant to an IRS 
audit of the organization's finances, although it is unclear that 
any such audit is forthcoming.  -Editor]


FUN CONVENTION SITE SUGGESTION

Alan V. Weinberg writes: "With respect to the Orange County Convention 
Center treating FUN with "a condescending attitude" due to its smaller 
size: 
 
"I took the shuttle from the Orlando airport to the OCCC and we stopped 
at the huge, newly constructed Marriott Hotel nearby. If I'm not mistaken, 
I saw a huge Marriott convention center, with adjacent multi-level parking, 
being built adjacent to the Marriott Hotel,  appearing to be ready by  
mid-year.
 
"Perhaps FUN should look into this for future conventions. True, the 
Marriott is more isolated than International Drive (although not the 
North Concourse) but may be worth consideration." 
 
FUN issued a press release on Monday, January 29th, noting "'The robbery 
of a coin dealer after he left the recent FUN convention was preventable,' 
said Robert Brueggeman, President of Positive Protection, Inc. (PPI) of 
Fallbrook, California. 
 
"PPI provides on-site security for the annual Florida United Numismatists 
and American Numismatic Association conventions, as well as security for 
gem and jewelry trade shows for the past 31 years.
 
"Security on premises at FUN was ‘tight.’ But in all the years my teams 
have worked at shows with valuable merchandise I’ve learned that you 
can’t protect dealers against themselves. You can’t load or unload your 
merchandise in plain view in the front of a building and not create a 
potentially vulnerable situation," said Brueggeman.

"Wibker said a vast majority of dealers surveyed after the 2005 
convention in Fort Lauderdale said they wanted to keep the show in 
Orlando. 
 
"I received quite a few positive comments from dealers who followed 
FUN’s guidelines for exiting the building at January’s show in Orlando. 
Those dealers reported that they felt safe and secure, and thanked FUN 
for making these security options available to them," said Wibker. 
For additional information, contact Cindy Wibker, Convention Coordinator, 
Florida United Numismatists. Phone: (407) 321-8747..."

A second press release the same day addressed many of the topics brought 
up by Alan Weinberg in his previous E-Sylum post.

"The robbery of a coin dealer outside the Peabody Hotel in Orlando, 
Florida on January 6, 2007 generated national headlines.  It also 
produced inaccurate information regarding the annual Florida United 
Numismatists (FUN) convention.  

"“Some of the subsequent news stories, letters to the editor and hobby 
grapevine comments contain incorrect statements, false assumptions and 
erroneous speculation about safety and security at the convention.  FUN 
wants to set the record straight, and separate facts from rumors,” said 
Cindy Wibker, convention coordinator for FUN."

To read the complete FUN press releases, see:
http://www.funtopics.com/press_releases.html 


JOHNSON ANSWERS CRITICISM ON MICROCHIPS IN COINS PROPOSAL

Dick Johnson writes: "Right off I wish to thank Steve D'Ippolito for 
his comments on placing microchips in coins (in last week's E-Sylum). 
I have said it before in this newsletter, I appreciate criticism. I 
welcome your thinking, Steve.

"First no law would be necessary to encode each transaction, or to 
place a serial number on a microchip embedded in a high value coin. 
It would be done automatically. Steve mentioned not all transactions 
take place in stores. True. Many transactions are made person to person 
– these would not, of course, be recorded. It would only be done by 
institutions that have the proper encoding equipment, as banks, retail 
outlets, and such. Future cash registers would have this capability 
built in. As a coin enters the cash drawer it would be so recorded 
automatically. Banks’ equipment would be more sophisticated so it 
could encode a single coin, a roll, or an entire bag of coins at one 
time.

"Second, individuals would do nothing different from what they do now. 
The encoding would be so innocuous a person would not know it happened.
Everyone would be unaware of any encoding 

"Third, it would not identify individuals. The encoding would be by 
number (of bank, retail outlet or such). This number would be encoded, 
until the next transaction with an encoder. There is no invasion of 
privacy, Steve.

"Fourth, the microchip would be embedded after the coin is struck (or, 
perhaps, during). It is not going to be smashed during striking. I have 
the greatest admiration for American engineering – that is something 
we do best in the world – I am certain the great engineering minds in 
America can solve this problem. Hey, Americans invented the microchip 
and integrated circuits in the first place!"


THE HOLLOW SPY NICKEL'S HIDDEN MESSAGE 

Dave Kellogg writes: "With reference to recent discussions of hollow 
coins used for spying, the following link may be of interest:
http://www.fbi.gov/kids/spykids/extra.htm 

"The story goes back to 1953 and describes a nickel that a newspaper 
boy received in change.  When he dropped it on the floor, it fell 
apart revealing a hollowed compartment.  Inside was a message that 
led to the discovery of a Soviet Union spy ring."

To read the complete web page, see:
http://www.fbi.gov/kids/spykids/extra.htm

[We did cover this story in 2002, but it's fascinating and high 
time we revisited it.  

  "The face of the coin was a 1948 Jefferson nickel. In the "R"
  of the word "TRUST", there was a tiny hole -- obviously
  drilled there so that a fine needle or other small instrument
  could be inserted to force the nickel open.

  "An investigation which had started with a newsboy's hollow
  nickel ultimately resulted in the smashing of a Soviet spy ring.
  On February 10, 1962, Rudolf Ivanovich Abel was
  exchanged for the American U-2 pilot, Francis Gary Powers,
  who was a prisoner of the Soviet Union."

The web page Dave referenced is new, and is the first place where 
I've seen a transcription of the actual coded message from the spy 
nickel.  -Editor]

To read the earlier E-Sylum item, see:
THE CASE OF THE HOLLOW NICKEL 
http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v05n46a06.html 


UNIDENTIFIABLE ROMAN COIN DISCOVERED IN MUSEUM COLLECTION; MEDIA ALERTED

David Sundman writes: "I think our readers will enjoy this comment 
about a roman coin they found in the UK:  “"It's quite an uncommon 
one, because they were unable to say which particular emperor was 
on it.”

"A Roman coin buried in the depths of Malmesbury's Athelstan Museum 
has been unearthed.

"Volunteers auditing the museum's collection discovered the small, 
corroded piece of metal last week.

"Unsure of what it was, they sent it to Wiltshire County Council's 
conservation department, where it was identified as a Roman Denarius 
coin.

"It was almost a case of throwing it away, it was that unpromising.

"But we sent it to the county council's conservation department 
and they worked on it and found it's a Roman Denarius.

"It's quite an uncommon one, because they were unable to say which 
particular emperor was on it.

"They have taken photos of it, which will be sent to the British 
Museum, to get it positively identified.

To read the complete article, see:
http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1164454.mostviewed.scrap_m
etal_piece_is_rare_roman_coin.php 


FEATURED WEB SITE: CANDIAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION

This week's featured web site is the Canadian Numismatic Association, 
the national numismatic organization of Canada. The C.N.A. is a 
non-profit educational organization formed in 1950 and incorporated 
by Canada Charter in 1963.

http://www.canadian-numismatic.org/


The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization 
promoting numismatic literature. For more information please 
see our web site at 
http://www.coinbooks.org/.

There is a membership application available on the web site 
at this address:
http://www.coinbooks.org/club_nbs_member_app.html

To join, print the application and return it with your check 
to the address printed on the application. Membership is only 
$15 to addresses in the U.S., $20 elsewhere.  For those without 
web access, write to:

David M. Sundman, Secretary/Treasurer
Numismatic Bibliomania Society, 
P. O. Box 82 Littleton, NH 03561

For Asylum mailing address changes and other membership 
questions, contact David at this email address: 
dsundman at LittletonCoin.com

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, just 
Reply to this message, or write to the Editor at this 
address: whomren at coinlibrary.com

Those wishing to become new E-Sylum subscribers 
(or wishing to Unsubscribe) can go to the following web page:
https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum 

All past E-Sylum issues are archived on the NBS web site at this address:
http://www.coinbooks.org/club_nbs_esylum_archive.html

Issues from September 2002 to date are also archived at this address:
http://my.binhost.com/pipermail/esylum