The E-Sylum v7#39, September 26, 2004

[whomren at coinlibrary.com]

Welcome to The E-Sylum: Volume 7, Number 39, September 26, 2004:
an electronic publication of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.
Copyright (c) 2004, The Numismatic Bibliomania Society.


BIBLIOPHILE FRANK VAN ZANDT ILL

   We have received news that former NBS officer Frank
   Van Zandt is in the hospital, seriously ill.  Your good
   wishes are appreciated.  The address is:

   Frank Van Zandt
   6032 Van Zandt Road
   Livonia, NY 14487


KARL MOULTON OCTOBER 2004 PRICE LIST

   Karl Moulton's October 2004 fixed price list of numismatic
   literature has been published.  In his welcome letter he writes:
   "The market for American numismatic literature exploded on
   June 1, 2004.  That's the day the John J. Ford Library, Part I
   was sold for $1.66 million in Riverside, California by everyone's
   good friend, George Frederick Kolbe.  I attended the sale and
   was frequently frustrated by the record setting prices.  For
   instance, by top bid of $14,000 wasn't enough to secure a
   deluxe copy of Ard Browning's 1925 Quarter book...
   You've probably heard and seen it before, but right now both
   the coin and literature markets are extremely active.  Even items
   on e-Bay are receiving very strong bids."


LAKE BOOKS SALE #76 CLOSING

   Fred Lake of Lake Books writes: "This is a reminder that our
   sale #76 closes on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at 5:00 PM
   EDT. You may view the sale at
   http://www.lakebooks.com/current.html

   A cautionary note: We have another hurricane (Jeanne) bearing
   down on the Florida peninsula as I write this (Saturday noon)
   and, although we do not anticipate that our location will suffer
   wind damage, there is a real possibility that we may lose power.
   If that happens and lasts until the day of the sale, we will
   postpone the closing date until Tuesday, October 5, 2004. I
   will email everyone after the storm passes to keep you informed."

   [Following up his email with a phone call this afternoon, Fred
   reports that the storm has indeed knocked out their power,
   and the contingency plan is in effect - the sale closing date will
   move to October 5, 2004.  We wish our best to the Lakes
   and hope their power will be restored quickly.  -Editor]


MORE ON IVAN'S WRATH

   Nolan Mims writes: "Sorry to hear that Ivan caused so much
   trouble in Pittsburgh. He was not a welcome guest anywhere.

   We got hit pretty hard in Mobile, but Gulf Shores and Pensacola
   were much worse. For all practical purposes, Gulf Shores no
   longer exists. Much of Pensacola was heavily damaged. For
   them it was a lot worse than Frederick in 1979. The storm
   took a 20 mile eastward jog at the last minute and that saved
   Mobile.  The highest winds recorded here were 102 MPH
   which is still pretty bad.  I lost power a little before 11
   Wednesday night and got it back Monday around 7 PM, so
   it was off almost a week.  I was fortunate with just a few tree
   limbs down, but I don't have many trees. It will be weeks
   before power is fully restored to some areas.

   I appreciate the phone calls and e-mails from my friends in the
   numismatic community."

   [I learned Monday that Tom Fort's home was affected a bit
   by the storm with some basement water, but nothing major.
   However, they were without power for two days and ended
   up moving out for the weekend.   I also spoke Monday with
   Ed Narcisi, owner of the nearby Etna Coin shop in Etna, PA,
   one of the towns hit hard by Ivan in Pittsburgh.  Our tour bus
   passed the shop on the way back to the convention center.
   Luckily, the shop is on a patch of high ground.  Neighbors
   just a block or two away were under three feet of water.

   Ed had to spend Friday night in his shop - his neighborhood
   was an island, leaving no way out.   Local police imposed a
   curfew and patrolled the street every fifteen minutes to prevent
   looting.   The cleanup continues, with traffic still being detoured
   around some work areas a week later.  President Bush
   swooped in earlier this week to tour the affected areas.   I
   visited Ed's shop Saturday afternoon, and the nearby area is
   still a frightful sight.  Rail traffic won't be "on track" again for
   some time - there are still mounds of debris on the rails.
   Now back to numismatics...   -Editor]


PARMELEE STRAWBERRY LEAF CENT FOUND

   John Kraljevich of American Numismatic Rarities writes:
   "After 60+ years, the Parmelee Strawberry Leaf has come
   back to light. It's the finest of 4 known Strawberries (the
   unique NC-2 and 3 NC-3s) by a factor of 2: the Condition
   Census is 7-3-3-2.

   The piece was first offered in an 1877 Scott sale, then was
   sold in the Parmelee sale, which was its last auction
   appearance. The piece was owned by Dr. Hall and Virgil
   Brand, then was sold to a Mr. Staples in 1941 for $2,750 by
   James Kelly. A few months earlier, B.G. Johnson had
   purchased a group of no less than 17 choice 1793 cents,
   all of which were Condition Census. All 5 1793 NC
   varieties then known were included in that single purchase
   from the Brand collection.

   The coin is still with the original 1941 envelope marked
   $2,750. The piece has remained in the same family until
   now, hidden from sight for years. Mr. Staples, the last
   owner of record, was killed in action in 1943 in the Solomon
   Islands, and he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star
   for his service there.

   Of course, the whole story will be told in great detail in the
   November 2004 ANR sale catalogue. The sale itself will be
   held in Baltimore November 30-December 1.  If you weren't
   at the Starr sale in 1984, this might be the first time in most
   of our lifetimes we've had the chance to bid on a Strawberry
   Leaf cent.

   The coin has been certified by NGC at the request of the
   owners of the coin (as F-12). We're thrilled to be chosen to
   handle this piece!

   If folks need more information about the auction, I can be
   reached at johnk at anrcoins.com."

   [An article about the coin's rediscovery was published early
   Tuesday evening on the Associated Press wire and posted
   on the web site of Maine Today.  The article was datelined
   Auburn, Maine.  Here are some excerpts:

   "A 1700s penny that´s nearly the size of a half dollar and if
   authentic could be worth a fortune surfaced in a jewelry
   and coin shop.

   The 1793 coin is known by the "strawberry leaf" name
   because of a trefoil sprig on its tail side."

   "The coin was in the possession of the owner´s family since
   1941, when it was purchased by a collector for $2,750..."

   To read the full story, see:
   http://news.mainetoday.com/apwire/D8584U300-264.shtml

   This article in the Boston Herald has an image of the coin:
   http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=45400


KLEEBERG ON THE NC-2 STRAWBERRY LEAF CENT

   For more information on the Strawberry Leaf cent, see the
   Proceedings of the 1996 American Numismatic Society
   Coinage of the America's Conference.  The Sheldon NC-2
   variety is being discussed; the recent discovery of the
   Parmelee coin is Sheldon variety NC-3

   "ANS curator John Kleeberg re-examined the strawberry leaf
   cents of 1793. The term "strawberry leaf" was coined by David
   Proskey, when he wrote a series of articles on large cents for
   the Coin Collector's Journal. The unique strawberry leaf cent,
   with ONE CENT low, was first found in circulation by Mr.
   Meader of Providence, RI, in 1845. He sold it to Richard
   Winsor, and Winsor lent it to be photographed for the Levick
   plate. At the Winsor sale in 1895, Crosby bought it, and he
   sold it to Dr. Thomas Hall a few months later. A particular
   thrill for the audience was that the present owner of this piece
   brought it to the conference and displayed it. Kleeberg
   reviewed the evidence, and pointed out that there are so many
   differences in the lettering of the strawberry leaf cent that it is
   clear that its letters are hand-cut, not made with punches. It is
   not a product of the United States Mint. Kleeberg argued that
   it was a counterfeit made circa 1793-95. A lively discussion
   ensued, when some members of the audience, including R. W.
   Julian, suggested that the cent might not be a counterfeit, but a
   private pattern by a coiner who did not have access to punches."

   http://www.amnumsoc.org/newsletter/fall96/museumnw.htm


STAHL HEADING TO PRINCETON

   From the press release: "The Princeton University Library is
   very pleased to announce the appointment of Alan M. Stahl
   to be Curator of Numismatics, effective 13 September 2004.
   Stahl holds a PhD in history from the University of Pennsylvania.
   From 1980 to 2000, he served as Curator of Medieval
   Coins and of Medals at the American Numismatic Society
   (New York), with responsibility for two collections containing
   about 50,000 objects in total. In addition to his curatorial work,
   Stahl has taught ancient and medieval numismatics and has
   been a visiting professor at the University of Michigan, Notre
   Dame University, and Rice University. His research and
   publications have focused on the late antique and early medieval
   world. He is the author of seven books and more than 75 articles.
   His monograph Zecca: The Mint of Venice in the Middle Ages
   (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2000) was the recipient of
   American Publishers' Professional/Scholarly Award in
   Economics (2001). His current research involves a manuscript
   notebook kept by Michael of Rhodes, a Greek seaman of the
   early 15th century.

   The Numismatic Collection of the Princeton University Library
   is in the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections,
   in Firestone Library. The collection includes nearly 10,000
   classical Greek and Roman coins; 800 Byzantine and Western
   medieval coins; thousands of late antique and early Islamic
   coins excavated at Antioch-on-the- Orantes between 1932
   and 1939; 2,000 American coins and more than 2,500 pieces
   of Colonial, Continental, and Confederate paper money;
   more than 2,000 medals, including the recently donated C. C.
   Vermeule Collection; and thousands of other items. Stahl's
   responsibilities for the Princeton Numismatic Collection will
   include acquisitions and donor relations, description and
   data-base cataloging, public services, outreach to Princeton
   faculty and students, and exhibitions. Stahl succeeds Brooks E.
   Levy, who served as Curator of Numismatics from 1966 until
   her retirement in June 2004."


GEORGE THOMAS PORTRAIT PLAQUE INFO SOUGHT

   Philip Mernick, London, England writes: "I wonder if a
   subscriber to The E-Sylum can help me with this medal - it is a
   mystery (to me). It is 75 mm in diameter and is NOT made of
   metal.  It commemorates Major General George H. Thomas's
   defence of Chickamauga(?)    It was engraved by Borrel, Paris
   and  published by Tiffany & Company, New York in 1866. The
   fact that it was designed in France (and purchased in Paris some
   years ago) and Tiffany exhibited at the Paris International
   Exhibition of 1867 makes me wonder if it is made of Bois Durci.
   This composition material made by heating a mixture of wood
   flour and blood proteins under great pressure and temperature
   was used to make a large series of portrait plaques which
   include Washington, Lincoln and Seward. Can anyone with
   access to information on Civil War commemoratives tell me if
   this medal is recorded and if so what material it is believed to be
   made of?"


TAYLOR & CHALLEN COIN PRESS INFO SOUGHT

   Dan Gosling writes: "I need help researching the coining
   presses of Taylor & Challen Ltd.  Are there any books or
   articles on equipment used to strike coins?   I have read the
   sections in:  "A Numismatic History of the Birmingham Mint"
   by James O. Sweeny and "Striking Impressions" by James A.
   Haxby. Thanks for your help."


OCALA NUMISMATIC BOOK PROJECT

   Art O'Connell, President of The Ocala Coin Club writes:
   "The Ocala Coin Club, Ocala Florida has undertaken a
   project to provide numismatic reference books to the
   Media Centers in each of the Middle Schools in Marion
   and Citrus Counties.

   Each school is being given a hardbound copy of the Red
   Book and a copy of "Coin Collecting for Dummies" during
   September of 2004. The club plans to make this an annual
   event."

   [Great job!  Is anyone aware of other local clubs with
   similar projects?  -Editor]


DOLLAR HOARD RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES

   Chick Ambrass writes: "I was just watching a CSI episode
   (based in Las Vegas), where the son of a casino owner is
   killed,  and he has a vault outside town in the desert, with
   23 tons of silver.   This is similar to the story of the Las Vegas
   Morgan dollar hoard that turned up a couple of years ago."

   [Has anyone else seen the episode?  Are there other parallels
   to the real-life story?  -Editor]


ANS BUILDING NAMES QUIZ CONTINUES

   Last week's quiz question regarding the numismatic
   luminaries whose names are chiseled in stone on the
   old American Numismatic Society building in New
   York is someone who "was a 19th century French
   numismatist.  He was probably most well-known for his
   study of Spanish coinage struck in the time of the Visigoths
   and during the rise of Christianity on the Iberian peninsula.
   He is also known for his volumes on Italian Renaissance
   medals."

   The still-very-much-alive John Burns was the first to
   respond, submitting the following one-word answer:
   "Heiss"    If I were a schoolteacher, I'd only give half
   credit.  Heiss who?

   NBS President Pete Smith writes: "This week's quiz
   was a challenge for me. I have one book on Renaissance
   medals and have studied the topic but not all related literature.
   I thought of people like Philip Grierson and George Miles
   but they are too modern.

   Last night I pulled my Clain-Stefanelli bibliography off the
   shelf and found the name of Aloeiss Heiss after about a
   ten minute search. He appears to meet your criteria but is
   not a household name in my household."

   The answer is indeed Aloeiss Heiss.

   Now for the next quiz.  The next name belongs to "a Polish
   historian and numismatist.  His works on Polish history ...
   were published in twenty volumes.  In addition, he wrote
   two  important works on numismatics: the two volume
   La Numismatique du mayen age (1835) and Etudes
   numismatiques (1840)."


FIRST CONFEDERATE CURRENCY COLLECTOR

   Bibliophiles and numismatic history buffs needn't be
   collectors of Confederate Currency to enjoy Fred Reed's
   article in the October 2004 issue of Bank Note Reporter
   (see p34).  Titled "Who Was the First Confederate
   Currency Collector?" the article is a very interesting read,
   and makes use of a number of contemporary newspaper
   accounts.

   Since we seem to have fun with quizzes I won't publish
   the name of the collector until next week's issue.  Anyone
   care to hazard a guess?


ERIC NEWMAN HONORED BY UNIVERSITY

   Washington University in St. Louis recently honored
   numismatic scholar Eric P. Newman and his wife
   Evelyn:

   Eric Pfeiffer Newman

   Eric Newman was born in St. Louis in 1911. He earned a
   bachelor's degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology
   in 1932 and a juris doctoris from WUSTL in 1935.

   After practicing law for 52 years, he retired from Edison
   Brothers Stores in 1987 and now serves as president of the
   Harry Edison Foundation.

   As one of America's foremost numismatists, Newman is
   renowned for his scholarly contributions to the subject and for
   his exceptional private collection of U.S. and Colonial American
   coins and paper money. The avocation began more than eight
   decades ago, when his grandfather gave him an 1859 U.S.
   copper-nickel cent.

   Selections from his collection will soon be displayed in the
   University's Newman Money Museum, which will occupy 3,000
   square feet in the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at the
   Sam Fox Arts Center."

   To read the full article, see:
   http://record.wustl.edu/news/page/normal/3880.html


VERDIGRIS ON LITERATURE?

   Nancy W. Green, American Numismatic Association
   Librarian writes: "Have other readers experienced verdigris
   on literature? The library has a Stack's catalog of the
   Anderson Dupont sale, September 24, 25, 1954. The
   cover is copper  and has great verdigris.  It does not appear
   to be mold because it does not wipe off even when
   moistened slightly. Just wanted to "share"."


FIRST COIN STILL A MATTER OF DEBATE

   Regarding David Klinger's question about the first coins,
   Reid Goldsborough writes: "The question of the world's first
   coin, long debated, is still very much under debate, with many
   scholars joining in. In trying to answer the  question, much
   depends on the definition you use for "coin." All coins are
   money (doesn't include exonumia) but not all money is in the
   form of  coinage. Few numismatists would classify the flat
   roll of uninscribed  bronze bullion at the Numismatic Museum
   in Athens, described in last week's  E-Sylum, as a coin. Much
   also depends on how you interpret the archeological evidence
   or whose interpretation of the archeological evidence you
   believe. And much depends on how definitive you feel the
   evidence needs to be before you put forth or accept any
   given theory. I  covered this debate, and argued for the
   Lydian Lion as the world's first coin, in recent articles for
   The Numismatist and The Journal of the Classical and
   Medieval Numismatic Society. I've also put together an
   expanded version of these articles at this Web page:
   http://rg.ancients.info/lion "


INTERVIEW WITH NEW NICKEL DESIGNER

   The Silver Springs Gazette has an article interviewing the
   designer of the newest jefferson nickel:

   "Joe Fitzgerald, a Silver Spring artist who dabbles in portrait
   paintings and specializes in landscape pieces, is probably most
   proud of the work he recently did on a canvas spanning less
   than an inch wide.

   His work will be found in people's pockets, car ashtrays and
   between couch cushions beginning early next year when the
   United States Mint releases two newly designed nickels,
   Fitzgerald's recent project.

   "It's beyond imagination to have 1.5 billion pieces of your art
   out there," Fitzgerald said. "The idea that people will collect
   these for hundreds and thousands of years is unbelievable."

   Fitzgerald's design was among 144 submitted by U.S. Mint
   sculptor-engravers and members of the Mint's new Artistic
   Infusion Program."

   "The first nickel, one of two that will be released next year,
   was in part designed by a North Carolina artist, who depicted
   an image of a grazing buffalo on one side to recognize
   American Indians and wildlife encountered by the expedition.
   The front side of the nickel, which will appear on the two
   designs released, is of a newly designed Jefferson, created by
   Fitzgerald.

   The image includes a profile of Jefferson in the early 1800s
   with his pointy nose and sharp chin. Next to him, "Liberty" is
   written in Jefferson's handwriting. Fitzgerald said he wanted
   to emphasize the former president's role in creating the
   Declaration of Independence and defining liberty for the
   United States.

   "I wanted to convey the intelligence, the strength and the
   incredible determination that you see in Jefferson's eyes,"
   said Fitzgerald, 54.

   It was a challenge to fit all of Jefferson' traits on such a small
   portrait of one of Fitzgerald's greatest heroes, he said."

   To read the full story, see:
   http://www.gazette.net/200439/silverspring/news/236591-1.html


FOUR IDEAS FOR THE 2009 LINCOLN CENT

   Dick Johnson writes: "Two Senators from Illinois have
   expressed four ideas for the 2009 Lincoln cent – the cent that
   will honor the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth and the
   centennial of the introduction of the Lincoln Cent with Victor
   David Brenner’s designs.

   On Tuesday September 21, 2004, they announced they would
   like to see the U.S. Mint create four separate designs for the
   reverse of the 2009 cents: (1) Lincoln’s birth in Kentucky;
   (2) his youth in Indiana; (3) a professional life in Illinois (where
   he was lawyer and state lawmaker); and (4) the presidency in
   Washington DC.

   Senators Dick Durbin and Peter Fitzgerald made the
   announcement which has the backing of the Lincoln Bicentennial
   Commission. Durbin serves as the co-chairman of the commission.

   I have written about this upcoming numismatic event previously
   in The E-Sylum (latest: vol 7, no 28, July 11, 2004).  I hope all
   this is not just political talk, that Congress will authorize the
U.S.
   Mint to do something really interesting for collectors."

   This week’s story:
   http://www.dailyherald.com/search/main_story.asp?intid=38252169


AUCTION ETIQUETTE

   Steve Pellegrini writes: "I think that the recent discussion
   about auction bidding is perhaps the most important and
   potentially the most helpful subject we members have tackled
   in quite awhile. I hope that both our Dealers and Collectors
   will consider submitting their experiences, observations and
   advice about participating in numismatic auctions. This is a
   subject in which we all have a vested interest in fully
   understanding and mastering - and which, I believe, we've
   just begun to scratch the surface.

   Because travel has become difficult for me over the last few
   years I now exclusively participate in auctions as a Mail
   Bidder or as an On-line Bidder.  Even after years of bidding
   in this way I still have enough questions to fill the space of
   our Newsletter twice over. And I'm pretty sure that my
   questions fall into the category of Frequently Asked Questions.

    'Snaps' for Numsiguru Dick Johnson for providing his 10 Tips
   For Bidding. (I've recently noticed that the teens in my family
   are now using the term 'Snaps for' in the same way we might
   use the term 'Kudos for.' Don't ask me the origin of this new
   phrase. Any educated guesses out there?  I may not make it
   to the next edition of the OED and am curious."

   One tip offered to dealers by an anonymous reader is:
   "If you are upset by bidders always bidding the minimum
   prices, don't publish them!"


TWENTY-CENT BOOK STILL MISSING

   Regarding Lane Brunner's quest for the Rupp work on
   Twenty Cent Pieces, American Numismatic Association
   Librarian Nancy Green rites: "The library had a copy of this
   booklet but according to the shelf list it was lost in 1983.
   (Yes, we still have the old card catalog and shelf list with
   lots of helpful information.) There is a note on the card that
   says, "privately published in a limited edition of seven
   copies." Another note in Lynn Chen's handwriting says,
   "No more copies."

   The library does have two copies of Paul Andersen's "The
   Twenty-cent piece, an introduction to the series" (GB25.A6
   1980, 13pp.).  There was a Mr. Rupp in the membership
   files but he is no longer a member and would be quite elderly.
   So perhaps this illusive monograph can become the new
   "Holy Grail" of numismatic literature. I will look for further
   developments in The E-sylum."


PRICING AND BARGAINING

   Regarding our earlier item about pricing in 99s, Henry
   Bergos writes:

   "Some years ago when I had my fabric store I decided
   that "9's" were a trick.  I marked all my "89" cents a yard
   fabric 90 cents, 79 cent, 80 cents and so on. It HURT
   my business! the people were so STUPID that they wanted
   something in the "70's not 80's" etc. Back to 79 and 89 ...

   Numismatists MUST bargain. It seems congenital. Some
   years ago I decided to make all coins at my table net priced.
   One jerk --- err--- gentleman asked about a BU war nickel.
   I told him $8. "But how much is it for me?"  "You see the sign
   I made. All coins net priced."  We can save time on the
   arguing. He didn't buy it.   Same next month, same guy.
   Business DIED.   Next month same jerk - err - guy, same
   coin. "How much is this coin?" I said $12.  He offered $10.
   I said YES."


2005 ANA SUMMER SEMINAR

   Dan Gosling send this recipe for a "2005 Dream Vacation"
   at the next American Numismatic Association Summer
   Seminar:

   June 25
   Arrive at Colorado Springs for Session 1 ANA Summer
   Seminar. Gail Baker and her staff are sure to host another
   FABULOUS week of education and entertainment. The
   Summer Seminar is the numismatic bargain of the year.

   June 26
   Line up early for the ANA Library Spares Sale. Nancy Green
   always provides the best opportunity each year to fill up your
   empty shelves.

   July 1
   Celebrate Canada Day (like your July 4th) at the Colorado
   Springs Coin Show. Summer Seminar attendees get in early.
   After loading up on bargains at the coin show drive to the
   old mining town of Cripple Creek and play the slots and
   enjoy an inexpensive steak dinner.

   July 2-8
   Sight see the Colorado Rockies and visit Aspen, Leadville,
   Vail and Estes Park on your way through Wyoming and
   Montana. Cross the Canadian Border and stay in Calgary,
   Alberta in time for the opening of the Calgary Stampede.

   July 8-20
   Tour Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and Edmonton.
   World class scenery and the World's largest mall with 800
   shops and service.

   July 21-24
   Attend the Canadian Numismatic Association annual
   convention hosted by the Calgary Numismatic Society.
   Learn why Canadian coins, tokens and paper money are
   all the rage! View the numismatic collection at the Nickle
   Arts Museum.

   July 24
   Drive to San Jose via the Rogers Pass, Vancouver, Seattle,
   and the Oregon Coast.

   July 27-31
   Attend the ANA convention.

   July 31
   Drive back to Colorado Springs via Yosemite and Salt Lake.

   If driving is not your thing, you could attend the second week
   of Summer Seminar instead and fly to Calgary in time for the
   rodeo and the CNA convention . Remember to rent a car
   and do the loop through Banff, Jasper and Edmonton. Calgary
   has lots of flights that will get you to the ANA convention.

   Here's hoping you can find the time!"


CHRISTIE'S BOBBY MURDOCH SALE REPORTED

   The Evening Times of Scotland reported on a recent football
   memorabilia at Christie's in London. (that's "soccer" for us
   ignorant Yankees).

   "A MILLIONAIRE city businessman today revealed he had
   spent £44,000 buying Lisbon Lion Bobby Murdoch's medal
   collection.

    The most expensive single item bought by former Parkhead
    director Willie Haughey was the player's 1967 European Cup
    winners' medal which cost £17,925."

    "Today the businessman said he planned to pass all the
    Murdoch items to the club museum for Celtic fans to enjoy."

    "I will hand over the medals to the club museum, so all Celtic
    fans can enjoy them for years to come.

    "That was the main reason why I was so keen to bid for
    them."

    "Mr Haughey bought 28 other medals belonging to the Scottish
    international during a sale of football memorabilia at Christie's
    in London.

    The collection includes a silver runners-up medal from the
    Milan final along with three league championship medals and
    four Scottish Cup winners badges."

   To read the full article, see:
   http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/lo/news/5030807.html


NEW BOOKS ON HAMILTON AND NEW YORK HISTORY

   Arthur Shippee forwarded reviews of two books which also
   caught my eye.  They are not directly numismatic, nor do they
   dwell only on financial matters.  But  Ron Chernow's "Alexander
   Hamilton", and Russell Shorto's "The Island at the Center of the
   World." look like very interesting books related to the early
   history of New York City and the roles played by the founding
   fathers of the U.S. financial and monetary system.
   The reviews are by Walter Isaacson and was published in
   New York Magazine, 17 May 2004.  Here are some
   excepts:

   "In addition to The Federalist Papers, Hamilton made one
   other great contribution. As Washington's choice to be the
   first Treasury secretary, he created the financial structures
   that tied the nation together and made it, and New York, a
   commercial power. The capital was then in lower Manhattan,
   and on his second day in office, Hamilton arranged a large
   loan from the Bank of New York. He then set to work on
   a plan for the government's fiscal machinery, which resulted
   in his famous 40,000-word Report on Public Credit."

   "Hamilton wanted New York to become the nation's capital,
   which likewise aroused Jefferson's opposition. The city was
   so associated with Hamilton and his commercial vision that
   his enemies called it Hamiltonopolis. "They saw it," writes
   Chernow, "as an Anglophile bastion dominated by bankers
   and merchants who would contaminate the republican
   experiment." Washington and Jefferson were pushing instead
   for a rural site alongside the plantations of the Potomac.

   Realizing that Madison had the votes to block his cherished
   debt plan, Hamilton was willing to trade away the capital as
   a compromise. The stage was thus set for the most historic
   dinner party ever held in Manhattan. Present at Jefferson's
   rented house on Maiden Lane were Hamilton and Madison.
   The Virginians pointed out that the plan unduly penalized their
   state, which had paid off most of its debts. They would need
   something in return: a national capital on the banks of the
   Potomac.

   In some ways, Hamilton struck the better bargain. The debt
   plan determined forever that the states would be weaker than
   the central government. Creating this foundation for federal
   power and taxation in America was more important to
   Hamilton than winning the capital for New York. Indeed, the
   creation of vibrant financial markets helped make New York
   what it is today, and helped New York make America what
   it is today.  In the realm of economics, if not politics,
   Hamilton's New York vision of America would end up
   prevailing. "He was the messenger of America's economic
   future, Chernow notes, "setting forth a vision of an urban
   manufacturing society."

   "Hamilton had succeeded in binding the country together
   under one central economic and fiscal system.  Hamilton
   had promoted a forward-looking agenda of a modern
   nation-state with a market economy and an affirmative
   view of central government," Chernow writes. "It was the
   northern economic system that embodied the mix of
   democracy and capitalism that was to constitute the
   essence of America in the long run."

   http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/arts/books/reviews/n_10365


MORE ON UNWANTED COINS

   David Gladfelter writes: "Undoubtedly the Canadian "Loonie"
   finds acceptance because it does not have to compete with the
   paper dollar as does our "Cagi." The only argument for
   retaining our paper dollar is inertia ... same reason the Canadians
   have gone metric and we haven't.

   When riding our local rapid transit I like to change $10 or $15
   into dollar coins and then pass them out, one at a time, sort of
   like a numismatic Johnny Appleseed.  In Prague recently I traded
   a Sacagawea dollar for the lovely Czech 10 and 20 korun
   millennium commemorative coins. Made my day.

   The Kennedy half dollar admittedly has <101 uses but here in
   timely fashion is one of them. For Halloween treats we get a
   few rolls of half dollars and put fright stickers on them. Some
   of the kids have never seen this coin before. Others say "Wow,
   I got an alien ... I got a Frankenstein ..." etc.   No unwanted
   candy or fruit to police up off the ground, and no hidden razor
   blades or needles for their parents to worry about. Try it in
   your neighborhood."


FEATURED WEB SITE

   This week's featured web site is about the Canadian Loon dollar.
   http://www.currencymuseum.ca/eng/learning/coins_loon.php

  Wayne Homren
  Numismatic Bibliomania Society


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