The E-Sylum v9#06, February 5, 2006

[esylum at binhost.com]

Welcome to The E-Sylum: Volume 9, Number 06, February 5, 2006:
an electronic publication of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.
Copyright (c) 2006, The Numismatic Bibliomania Society.


NBS CONVENTION MEETING IDEAS

Last week, NBS President Pete Smith asked for some suggestions 
for our organization's annual meeting at the American Numismatic 
Association summer convention.  Len Augsberger writes: "How about 
a research-oriented "networking" event?  Everyone gets 60 seconds 
(someone should bring a timer with a loud alarm!) to talk about 
what they are researching, then the audience gets an equal amount 
to time to suggest research resources and other approaches.  If 
someone goes overtime they can network more afterwards.  Or we 
could have an auction for additional audience time, to raise NBS 
funds.  It would be a good way for everyone to find out what's 
out there and what everyone else is doing.

You could also pre-announce a research topic in The E-sylum and 
have a trivia contest on that subject at the meeting.  "History 
of the National Numismatic Collection" comes to mind, but only 
because I am doing a bunch of reading about that right now.  
Perhaps the topic could be relevant to the meeting site.  The 
prize could be the right to pick the topic of next year's contest."


LAKE BOOKS SALE #83 CLOSING FEBRUARY 7

Fred Lake writes: "Lake Books mail-bid sale of numismatic 
literature #83 closes on Tuesday, February 7, 2006 at 5:00 PM 
(EST). The 500-lot sale includes material from Part III of the 
Clarence Rareshide library and may be viewed at:
http://www.lakebooks.com/current.html   Bids may be submitted 
by email, telephone, or fax until the closing time."


NEW BOOK: R. ALLAN BARKER ON THE CASH COINS OF VIETNAM

Craig Greenbaum writes: "Collectors of old Vietnamese cash 
coins will be happy to know that a new book has been published 
on this subject.  The book is titled "The Historical Cash Coins 
of Vietnam by Dr. R. Allan Barker of Singapore.  It covers all 
official, semi-official and rebel coinage of Vietnam form 968 AD 
to the last Emperor Bao Dai in 1945.  Every reign has numerous 
varieties shown in full color and b/w rubbings.  All coins are 
assigned a rarity code to assist collectors in valuing their 
coins.  The book contains information on common and not so 
common forgeries of cash type coins and new research on 
unattributed coinage.  

Allan had this published in Singapore using four color, direct 
to plate technology on 90 gram matte coated art paper.   The 
book is hard bound is full color front and back.  The quality 
of the photography is excellent and each coin is shown in its 
true color.  Allan has worked on this book for over three years 
and the result is a superb numismatic achievement.

I have set up a website at http://coinsofvietnam.freeservers.com/ 
Please note these are low resolution scans on my site.

I bought 50 copies from Allan to help him defray his initial 
costs of printing 400 copies.  I can offer them to other members 
at the discounted price of $37.50 plus $4.50 media/insured to 
US addresses." 


NEW BOOK: MONEY OF GEORGIA

According to a February 3rd news release from Tbilisi, a new 
book has been published on the numismatics of Georgia.

"I am delighted with the brilliant book "Money in Georgia". 
This edition allows to become acquainted with fine, rich and 
ancient history of Georgia," reads the letter of Kathleen White, 
head of Public Relations Office of International Relations 
Department of IMF."

"According to NBG, 25-century history of money circulation 
in Georgia is illustrated in the book. The abovementioned edition 
tells not only about national heritage of Georgian money, but also 
gives exhaustive information on national achievements of money 
circulation to people interested in numismatics and bonistics. 
The book describes nearly all types of coins, minted and put in 
movement on territory of Georgia."

To read the complete article, see:
http://eng.primenewsonline.com/?c=122&a=5865 


VOCABULARY WORD: BONISTICS

The previous item mentioned "numismatics and bonistics".   
Bonistics is the study of paper money, but I don't believe 
we've ever used the term in The E-Sylum before.   Is anyone 
familiar with its origin?


1894-S DIME ASSAY COUNT ISSUE SETTLED

In recent issues we published information regarding the 1894-S 
dime from Kevin Flynn and Nancy Oliver & Richard Kelly, who had
independently researched and written about the coins.  Thanks 
to the exchange in The E-Sylum, your editor was able to put the 
parties in touch, and as a result one aspect of these discussion 
now seems to be settled.

Kevin Flynn writes: "My article was published on the 1894-S dime 
in the January 16th, 2006 issue of Coin World.  I stated that 
there were five 1894-S dimes which were sent for assay:  two on 
June 9th, 1894 as part of a special assay,  two collected from 
the Cashier on June 25th, 1895 as part of the monthly assay, and 
one on June 28th, 1894 as part of the annual assay submitted on 
a quarterly basis."  

Nancy Oliver & Richard Kelly offered "... to send along a copy 
of one page of the Journals of Bullion, Auxillary on Monthly 
Dispersing Accounts 1888-1894....which we copied from the National 
Archives in San Bruno.  It shows a monthly summary of the June 
totals for silver coins for assay."

In a note to purchasers of his new book on the 1894-S Dime, Kevin 
Flynn noted that although both parties had originally come to the 
same conclusion about five 1894-S dimes being assayed, the archive 
record subsequently found by Nancy & Richard "clearly shows that 
only 3 were assayed."

He added "I learned this after the books were printed.  I decided 
the best way to present these findings and update the book was to 
add a two page addendum as an insert page which went with the book."

[For more information on ordering the book, contact Kevin directly 
at kevinj50 at comcast.net.   I'm glad we were able to play a small 
role in sorting out this issue.  I commend all involved for their
willingness to share information and be guided by the facts of the 
case, and especially thank Kevin for his willingness to take on 
the added expense of updating his book.  -Editor]


ON NAMING NAMES

Last week we published a research request for information on 
the consignors of two anonymous collections.  Bob Lyall writes: 
"The idea of publishing the names of anonymous collections is 
hardly one to be applauded, after all, the vendor (or even the 
collector) specifically didn't want to be identified and may 
have very good reasons for this (I'm sure it doesn't take a great 
brain to work out one such reason).  It seems to me to be a 
gross infringment of privacy to publish their names."

[Bob has a valid point; anonymous sales have been part of the 
hobby for generations.  From a researchers' standpoint though, 
these represent a roadblock to the completion of pedigree chains.  
With the passage of time, the reasons for the initial decision 
may fade, but the urgency to record the information for posterity 
grows, for if not recorded it could be lost forever.  

But how much time is enough?  Unfortunately, one can never know, 
and it falls to the researcher to consider the tradeoffs involved 
in publishing the information.  Still, by its very nature, the 
publication of the information by anyone but the publisher of 
the original catalog can only be considered hearsay.  I've never 
heard that the "outing" of a previously anonymous consigner has 
ever had repercussions beyond adding to the general body of 
numismatic knowledge.  Are any of our readers aware of such a 
case?  -Editor]


FIRST ISSUE OF JOURNAL FOR SO-CALLED DOLLAR COLLECTORS.

Dick Johnson writes: "Volume one number one of the "So-Called 
Dollar Collectors' Club Journal" arrived this week and I am 
impressed. Granted, it is only 11 pages, but hey, it's a start! 
High quality, great illustrations in sharp detail and vibrant 
color; off to an excellent start with three interesting articles 
and a membership report.

The E-Sylum published the notice when a group of California 
so-called dollar aficionados started gathering names and dues 
for the proposed club (vol 7 no 23 article 9) 
http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v07n23a09.html .

Eighteen months later, it is out of the gate and worth the wait. 
I hope officers Jeff Shevlin and Tony Swicer continue this same 
quality as they step up the tempo of publication.

Masthead of the slick-paper journal list a dozen positions on 
the journal and the new organization with half of them open for 
volunteers. The hope is interested collectors among the 103 
members will step forward to fill these positions. Mention is 
made of the organization's website - www.SoCalledDollar.org - 
where discussion of the medal specialty has an internet forum. 
It lists 19 subjects open for discussion.

Numismatic author W. David Perkins wrote in this first issue 
about Dick Kenney's 1953 publication (published by Wayte Raymond 
in his Coin Collectors Journal), and the 1961 Announcement flyer 
of Hal Hibler and Charles Kappen, two major events in this field's
cataloging efforts. Shevlin contributed an article on Continental 
Dollar restrikes and Swizer on his collecting in the field in 
the 1980s.

There is an unchallenged rule in numismatics: if you want to 
spur interest in a specialty, then publish a catalog on it. Here 
we have a mature collecting specialty with the standard catalog - 
by Hibler and Kappen - now 43 years old. The field is ripe for 
some serious discussion and the new journal is the ideal forum. 
Perhaps a new catalog is in the near future as well.

Interest in the series remains high. Joseph Levine reports 
so-called dollars were the most popular area of his medal auction 
sale last December with surprising prices realized. Speaking of 
prices, as a group they have advanced beyond those listed in the 
price guide my partner, Chris Jensen, and I published in 1978. 
They have even exceeded the inflated values originally published 
by HK.

Shevlin reports he is holding open the charter status of membership 
for those interested in this coin-like medal series. If you are 
interested, join now, while you can still get volume one number 
one of the Journal. Initial dues $15. Email Tony Swicer at
Swicer at adelphia.net for an application. Or write to him at P.O. 
Box 5823, Lake Worth, FL 33466.  Shucks, send him the fifteen 
bucks now and fill out the application afterwards.

So-called dollar catalogers Dick Kenney, Hibler and Kappen 
wrote about this infant specialty decades ago; it has now reached 
adulthood as a collector topic of widespread interest. And now 
it has its own journal."


NEW ZEALAND MEDAL EXPORTS STIR CONTROVERSY

A February 5th article from New Zealand highlight the laws of 
that country regarding the export of medals and a local 
collector's problem in exporting a collection of the medals 
for sale abroad.

"A collector seeking to export New Zealand war medals has 
accused the Ministry of Culture and Heritage of institutional 
racism for treating only medals won by Maori as taonga. 

Last year Auckland collector Aubrey Bairstow applied to the 
ministry for certificates to export his collection of about 
140 medals, dating from the 1840s-70s, as required by the 
Antiquities Act. 

He bought most of the medals overseas and offered them to 
New Zealand museums before seeking to export them, but 
found no takers. 

Bairstow said he was told he could not export medals rewarded 
to members of the "Native Contingent"- Maori who fought on the 
Crown's side - but was permitted to sell identical medals 
awarded to European soldiers in New Zealand." 

"The Antiquities Act 1975 requires the ministry to consider 
the historical, archaeological, scientific, cultural, literary, 
artistic, or other special national or local importance of 
items, and their spiritual or emotional association with the 
people of New Zealand, or any group within New Zealand." 

To read the complete article, see:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3562857a8153,00.html 


DENVER MINT CELERATES 100TH BIRTHDAY

The Rocky Mountain News published an account of a celebration 
at the U.S. Mint marking the Denver landmark's 100th year:

"The United States Mint at Denver commemorated 100 years of 
service today at its historic facility at 320 West Colfax, 
where more than 550 former and current employees gathered in 
the building's Grand Hallway. 

"Today, we pay tribute to our craft and to the artisans of 
the coins that jingle in the pocket and purses of nearly 
every American," said Tim Riley, plant manager of the agency. 

During the event, a time capsule was presented with a set 
of 2006 uncirculated coins minted in Denver and a scroll 
signed by every current employee. The time capsule included 
a separate scroll with the autographs of former employees 
dating back to the late 1970s."

To read the complete article, see:
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4433195,0
0.html 

To view a video from a local Denver television station, see:
http://cbs4denver.com/local/local_story_032215626.html  


POLICE ON TRAIL OF FLORIDA COIN THIEVES

The Herald of Bradenton, FL reported that police have some 
suspects in one of the recent robberies of people returning 
from coin conventions:

"Local investigators said Wednesday they believe they are 
getting closer to the trail of the robbers who stole $200,000 
worth of collector's coins last month.

Two men recently released from federal prison for pulling 
a similar $1.8 million heist in Nebraska in 1999 top the 
list of suspects, Manatee County Sheriff's Office investigators 
said Wednesday. Also, detectives have collected a blood sample 
from another theft that may yield DNA evidence.

A Southwest Florida couple were on their way home from a coin 
convention in Orlando when they were robbed at a Bradenton 
Waffle House on Jan. 7.

A green car stopped behind the couple's silver Mercedes, 
and three men wearing ski masks jumped out and attacked the 
man, according to a sheriff's office report. They fought the 
victim for the key to the car, where two metal briefcases 
filled with rare coins and gold bullion were stowed."

"It happens all the time," Fitzwater said of thefts after 
a major coin or jewelry convention. "They target people who 
didn't have security guards."

"The thieves, who are Russians, were sentenced in federal 
court to 24 months and 27 months in prison respectively, 
Fitzwater said. They were released from prison last October 
and December."

To read the complete article, see:
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/news/local/13769805.htm 


MINT ENGRAVER PHOTOS SOUGHT

Saul Teichman writes: "I was wondering if any of the Esylumites 
had any images of Christian Gobrecht, William Barber, Anthony 
Paquet or J. Bailey for use on the uspatterns.com website."

[Coincidentally, the March 2006 issue of COINage magazine 
profiles the work of Charles D. "Chuck" Daughtrey, numismatist 
and artist who specializes in creating images of numismatic 
personalities, including Victor David Brenner, James B. Longacre, 
Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Frank Gasparro.  For more information, 
see Daughtrey's web site: http://www.coppercoins.com/  -Editor]


LEE HEWITT'S NUMISMATIC CREDIT BUREAU INFO SOUGHT

Mike Savinelli writes: "I recently read the book "Coins and 
Collectors" by Q. David Bowers.  On page 134 (of the 1964 
edition), there is a copy of a 1933 advertisement by Lee F. 
Hewitt for the Numismatic Credit Bureau.  The advertisement 
states, in part, "Dealers, Collectors, It Pays to Know.  
When the Cost is Only 9c Per Month.  Be Posted.  Subscribe 
to the Numismatic Credit Bulletin.  Issued Monthly."  

The book does not give much detail about this service, other 
than it offered credit information to dealers in 1933.  Does 
anyone have additional information on this service, such as 
(1) specifically how it worked and how reportable information 
was obtained, (2) whether the numismatic market at the time 
had a need for such a service and why, (3) whether the venture 
was profitable, (4) how long the service was in existence, (5) 
whether it was a type of collection agency or a credit reporting 
service, similar to today's Experian, (6) did Hewitt have a 
background in this type of activity, etc.  Any information 
would be appreciated.  I am interested in learning more about 
how this service interacted with, or otherwise influenced, 
the numismatic markets in the 1930s."


NUMISMATIC ORAL HISTORIES

Last week, inspired Dick Johnson's numismatic oral history 
project, I wrote: "Who out there might be a little less known 
to the general collecting public, yet has a wealth of numismatic 
history to relate?"

Dave Lange writes: "I would nominate Michael Lantz. He is a 
retired Denver Mint employee who has written a number of articles 
for Coin World. In private correspondence, however, he has told 
me many more interesting anecdotes and unpublished facts about 
the day-to-day workings of that facility during the 1960s, 70s 
and 80s, as well as relating the stories told to him by oldtimers 
who worked there as far back as the 1930s.

He is giving a program at the upcoming CSNS convention in 
Columbus, and I strongly encourage anyone who will be there to 
attend it. If Dick Johnson will be in Columbus, he should 
certainly make Michael's acquaintance."

Pete Smith writes: "I am interested in Dick Johnson's oral 
history project. This reminds me of my drive with Dick from 
Minneapolis to Green Bay. I recorded our conversation and 
wrote up about half of it for an article in The Asylum.

The other half of the conversation was more about medals. 
That half has never been transcribed and published. Transcribing 
the first half was much more work than recording it. Just as 
history can be lost, the value of this tape could be lost.

As members of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society, we like 
to see ink on paper. Audio tapes, video tapes, and digital 
recordings are wonderful. However, a single copy of a tape 
in someone's cabinet is of no use to another researcher who 
doesn't know it exists.

I hope Dick will get his recordings transcribed and published. 
I encourage anyone else who has similar valuable tapes to 
label them, transcribe them and make at least a few copies. 
I suspect the ANA library would be happy to receive a copy 
for their files."

Roger Siboni adds: "The ANS Archivist has begun an Oral 
History of the ANS with some fairly good success." 


REVAMPED $10 NOTE LAUNCHES MARCH 2, 2006

The following is from a Bureau of Engraving and Printing 
Press Release: "Businesses that handle cash and use machines 
that receive or dispense cash are encouraged to make final 
preparations for the new $10 notes that will go into circulation 
on March 2, 2006. Beginning on that day, Federal Reserve banks 
will distribute the new $10 notes to their banking customers 
for distribution to businesses and the public worldwide. 

The redesigned notes are expected to begin circulating 
immediately in the United States and will enter circulation 
more gradually in other countries as international banks place 
orders for $10 notes from the Federal Reserve. The older-design 
notes will continue to maintain their full-face value. 

The redesigned $10 note incorporates state-of-the-art security 
features to combat counterfeiting, including three that are 
easy to use by cash handlers and consumers alike: color-shifting 
ink; security thread; and, watermark." 

For more information and images of the new notes, see:
http://www.moneyfactory.gov/newmoney/main.cfm/currency/new10 


SELMA BURKE DID NOT CREATE ROOSEVELT DIME

[Featured Web Sites are often a last-minute choice, sometimes 
inspired by the subject of one of the week's articles.  The 
Roosevelt Dime became the subject last week.  I figured the 
Selma Burke reference would generate some discussion, since 
it has been a topic of a number of articles in the Numismatic 
press.  Many thanks to Dick Johnson for his review of the 
subject. -Editor]

Dick writes: "Last week's featured E-Sylum website recycled 
the Selma Burke controversy that she - not John R. Sinnock- 
designed the Roosevelt Dime portrait. It is time to put this 
false claim to rest once and for all.

I have examined enlarged photographs of both FDR portraits. 
Both are round, with similar view of the president, both face 
the same way and both are in modulated bas-relief. That is 
the extent of the similarity. If you examine minor points of 
the placement of features, the characteristics of the ear and 
hair plus the eyebrows you will learn, as I have, that Sinnock's 
design is 100 percent original, that he did the dime model 
entirely without any influence of Selma Burke's bas-relief 
model.

I must admit I did not do an even more conclusive test - 
an overlay of photographic negatives both to the same scale. 
That would improve the odds of proving Sinnock's original 
creation I'm sure.

Burke was a talented sculptor, educator and her portrait of 
the 32nd president is exquisite. But it is NOT the portrait 
which was placed on the Roosevelt dime. Burke was a New Year's 
baby, born either December 31st or January 1st, she was unsure 
of the year (1900 or 1907, sic!). Her study of sculpture had 
brought her commissions executed prior to World War II. She
had lectured widely on African art.

Following the war, when the Roosevelt dime first appeared in 
1946, Burke began making claims the work was hers. Black 
publications ran this as gospel. Art publications were more 
skeptical. But numismatic publications continued to flame the 
controversy. Breen mentions Burke in his section on the Roosevelt 
Dime in his Complete Encyclopedia (p 329-30). Numismatic author, 
and KP editor in Iola, Bob Van Ryzin ran a factual account in 
Numismatic News, November 30, 1993, two years before Burke's 
death in 1995. 

The worst account, perhaps, was the book "Notable Black American 
Women" by Jesse Carney Smith (published in 1992 by the reference 
book house, Gale Research) which gave Burke the entire credit 
and did not even mention Sinnock.

Until we read the final word in the numismatic masterwork on 
Sinnock's coin and medal creations, by N. Neil Harris (former 
editor of The Numismatist), we should stop being politically 
correct and nice-nice and hang up this false claim. I couldn't 
resist, however, taking a peek at Neil's manuscript to read 
that Gilroy Roberts assisted Sinnock in the modeling of this 
coin design. The controversy, thus, is not two white men versus 
one black woman, it's facts versus false claim."


FIRST-HAND REPORT: NEVADA STATE QUARTER LAUNCH CEREMONY

Hal Dunn writes: "The new Nevada state quarter, 36th in the 
state series, was launched in a ceremony beginning at 10 AM, 
January 31st, in front of the Capitol in Carson City.  The 
event was attended by an estimated 3,500 people, with well 
over 1,000 of those being school children bused in from 
various schools in western Nevada.  According to State 
Treasurer Brian Krolicki, presiding over the ceremony, this 
was the largest single event ever held in front of the Capitol, 
including inaugurations.  

It was clear and cold (mid-30s) and just about everything 
was soaked from a rain storm the evening before.  As the 
ANA District Delegate for Nevada I was fortunate to have an 
invitation to reserved seating on dry ground as contrasted 
to standing on wet grass.  The National Anthem and "Home 
Means Nevada" were sung solo by two young ladies, the blessing 
was given by a Paiute elder, a Mark Twain impersonator provided 
humorous remarks, and two re-enactors portraying Pony Express 
riders delivered a bag of "first strikes" to Governor Kenny 
Guinn.  

In typical Mark Twain style the impersonator said, "Wild 
horses - one end bites and the other kicks.  Perfect for 
Nevada."   United States Mint Acting Director David A. 
Lebryk made the official presentation of the Nevada quarter.  
There was one tense moment when Kate Krolicki, the young 
daughter of the treasurer, on horseback with one of the Pony 
Express riders, fell from the horse.  Fortunately she was 
uninjured, and the ceremony continued uninterrupted.

Immediately following the program $10 rolls of quarters went 
on sale (by 8:30 AM people were lining up at a tent on the 
grounds where an armored car was parked).  By a little after 
1 PM they ran out of rolls.  There was a Kid's Quarter Handout, 
where each person under 18 years could receive one free quarter, 
handed to them by the governor, treasurer, the acting director, 
or one of the other state constitutional officers.   

There were 3,000 commemorative quarter sets (one each from 
Philadelphia and Denver) with a special card in a plastic 
holder and certificate signed by the treasurer.  First limited 
to two per person, and later to one per person, these sold out 
quickly.  The proceeds benefit the Division of Museums and 
History, which includes the former Carson City Mint.  

There were also special postmarks and a limited edition 
commemorative medal struck on the historic coin press number 
1 at the old mint.  At the Nevada State Museum (the old Carson 
City Mint) there were demonstrations of the coin press and the 
Reno Coin Club had a table distributing literature and coin 
boards.  Hopefully, at the end of the day, we will have some 
new collectors that will stay in numismatics."


STATE QUARTER EPHEMERA

After reading Hal Dunn's report on the Nevada Quarter launch 
ceremony, I wrote to Hal: "Thanks for the first-hand account 
- this is great.   Did the Mint distribute any literature?   
This is the type of ephemera I love to collect.   It would be 
very hard to assemble a collection of the literature for all 
the state quarter launches."

Hal responded: "Sorry, no U.S. Mint literature, but the state, 
in cooperation with Nevada State Bank, provided a nice program 
on heavy stock - some have made it to eBay.  There are also 3 
photos being offered, one in which the photographer captured 
the backs of the state controller, the president of the Reno 
Coin Club, my wife, and yours truly.  I purchased one, "just 
because."  As an aside, we left Carson City at about 1:30 
arriving home at about 6:30.  I commented to my wife that I 
would "bet the ranch" that some of the material offered for 
the first time at the Capitol would be on eBay when we got 
home - and sure enough!"


MEDIA ACCOUNTS: NEVADA STATE QUARTER LAUNCH CEREMONY

There were some great (and lengthy) newspaper accounts of 
the ceremony:

To read an article based on the Mint press release, see:
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060131/NEWS07/601310358/101
0/NEWS 

The Reno Gazette-Journal also published an account of the 
launch ceremony:  "Nevadans celebrated their new quarter 
Tuesday by showing up in record numbers at the state Capitol.

The long-anticipated launch of the Silver State's wild 
horses quarter drew an estimated 3,500 people to the heart 
of Carson City, the largest for a single event at the Capitol.

"From everything I've been told, we've established a new 
threshold. I'm overwhelmed," said state Treasurer Brian 
Krolicki following the ceremony.

Officials for the Capitol police estimated the crowd at 3,500.

"Jean Sexton of Carson City, the first person in line, said 
she arrived at 8:30 a.m.

"For an event like this, you have to get here early. But it 
was worth the wait," the 62-year-old Sexton said. "This is 
our quarter, and I wouldn't have missed this event for anything."

"Schoolchildren from the Reno-Carson City area made up a 
large percentage of the crowd. All children received a free, 
shiny new quarter from the U.S. Mint and a complimentary green 
plastic piggy bank from Nevada State Bank.

Shawn Judd, 12, and his sister, Crystal Judd, 9, of Jacks 
Valley Elementary School in Douglas County walked away with 
happy faces from the tent where the free quarters and piggy 
banks were provided."

To read the full story, see:
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060201/NEWS07/602010361/101
0/NEWS 

The Las Vegas Sun published an Associated Press account 
of the event:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2006/jan/31/013110025.html 


SAFE DEPOSIT RESTRICTIONS?

Joe Boling writes: "In response to your piece about restrictions 
on release of items from safe deposit boxes in the event of a 
natural disaster: customers of Washington Mutual (who follow 
the rules) won't have to contend with those restrictions - they 
will not have any of the restricted monetary items in their boxes 
when the disaster strikes. I cite my 29 December 2003 submission 
to the MPC gram (which I see now was never published). 
 
"Remember my bank that does not use cash? They have recently 
taken another step down the road of non-service, with the 
publication of new rules, including: "Effective immediately, 
safeboxes shall not be used for the storage of coin or currency." 
I called the telephone banking number to check this out. What 
they call safeboxes are, indeed, what the rest of the world 
calls safe deposit boxes. When I asked the reason for the rule, 
I was given a runaround that seemed to center on liability. 
Well, guess what - the bank is already not liable for anything, 
and they also have a rule limiting their non-liability to $10,000. 
The contract for a box specifically tells the renter to acquire 
separate insurance. I then asked why jewels, stamps, sports cards, 
and other such items were considered OK, but not coins and notes. 
No reply. She promised to have the rule makers respond; so far, 
they have not. [And two years later I am still waiting.] If you 
are a Washington Mutual user, I recommend that you lodge strong 
objections to this asinine policy, and if not satisfied, remove 
accounts from WAMu. I am waiting to see what they have to say 
in writing (if anything) to my telephone query." 

Their issues might revolve around drug money, but they won't 
say so. In the absence of any intelligent rationale for this 
stupid rule, the boards of three numismatic organizations for 
which I am treasurer directed that their funds be moved to a 
less idiotic bank. WAMu lost deposits of over $100,000 because 
of their absolutely ludicrous policy. - which remains in effect."


PROFFERED LIBERTY DOLLARS LEAD TO ARREST

In recent issues we discussed the Liberty Dollars offered as 
an alternate currency by Bernard von NotHaus.   According to a 
lengthy article published on the alternative new site 
NewsWithViews.com , a man whose daughter offered Liberty 
dollars for payment (and paid with U.S. notes when the offer 
was refused) found himself pursued as a potential counterfeiter:

"Derby, New York businessman Dan Buczek 55, and 7 family members 
and friends were enjoying an evening out like thousands of other 
Buffalo, New York area hockey fans on Dec. 26, 2005-cheering their 
favorite Buffalo Sabres on to victory over the New York Islanders. 

During the course of the evening, Buczek's daughter Amanda and 
her boyfriend, Joel Lattuca went to the HSBC refreshment stand 
to buy a beer and a hotdog. And that's where the Buczek family 
trouble began that evening. Amanda Buczek asked the refreshment 
stand vendor if he accepted Liberties..." 

Because the vendor did not accept "Liberties," Amanda Buczek 
paid for the beer and hot dogs with a Federal Reserve Note. As 
Joel Lattuca carried the beverages his girlfriend had just 
purchased back to her family, neither realized they were being 
followed by off-duty Buffalo Police Detective Edward Cotter. 
When Cotter began to interrogate Amanda and Joel about what he 
thought might be counterfeit coins, Dan Buczek interjected 
himself into the discussion by asking Cotter who he was and 
what he wanted with his daughter. Cotter replied that he was 
head of security for the HSBC stadium, and he wanted to see 
the coin she was trying to use with the concession people."

"I've been looking all over this f*****g stadium for you all 
night," Cotter told Shane, adding that he'd received reports 
from several vendors at the stadium that people were trying 
to buy beer with counterfeit coins-claiming the coins were 
worth $100 each. Cotter called the Buffalo police department 
for back-up to take the Buczeks into custody. "

To read the complete article, see:
http://www.newswithviews.com/Ryter/jon120.htm


TELEVISION COVERAGE OF JULES REIVER AUCTION

Dave Perkins writes: "A link on the Heritage website leads 
you to this clip from ABC Television covering Jules Reiver 
and the sale of his collection:

"War hero's rare coin auction attracts thousands

Hundred of coin collectors flocked to Dallas Tuesday and 
were joined by 6,000 others on the internet to bid on the 
late war hero Jules Reiver's collection of rare coins. 
"This is the first coin the United States made," said Steve 
Ellsworth, a Virginia coin collector who traveled to Texas 
for a chance to buy a piece of American history as he eyed 
one coin."

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/VideoPlayer/videoPlayer.php?vidId=47926&ca
tId=104


HENRY BERGOS ON MEETING DON TAXAY

Henry Bergos writes: "I seem to have missed the earlier 
discussion about Don Taxay. Sometime in the early/mid 70s I 
went to the American Numismatic Society to ask about a 1915 cent 
I had just bought as a proof. Doc Brady, I think, said that only 
a few people could tell which ones are or aren't proofs. He then 
called me back and told me that Don was upstairs in the library 
on the second floor, and that he was one of the few. I excused 
myself and asked him about the coin. His eyes lit up and he 
pronounced it Proof. I thanked him profusely. He was a delight 
to meet. I THINK we met a few more times but it's been a LONG time. 

Regarding the most important numismatic books, I would nominate 
Taxay's books on "The U.S. Mint and Coinage" followed by his book 
on Commemoratives ONLY after Dickinson and Walter Breen's 
Encyclopedia.  When I moved I took them with me in my hand luggage; 
they were that important to me."


COINS VS PAPER

Stephen P. Woodland writes: "The article "TORN DOLLARS: TWO RIDES 
FOR THE PRICE OF ONE" (E-Sylum v9#5) intrigued me.  If public 
transportation authorities are worried about riders cheating the 
system by tearing dollar bills in half, they should lobby harder 
for the withdrawal of the paper dollar and its replacement by a 
dollar coin.  These days, it is much harder to counterfeit a coin 
and it is significantly more difficult to tear in half."


BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S CURRENCY PRINTING REMEMBERED

A recent article remembered Benjamin's Franklin's printing of 
New Jersey currency in 1728:

"Excited children huddled in front of a nondescript vacant lot 
within sight of the Delaware River.

Their eyes wide with wonder, they hung on every word as a man 
dressed in Colonial garb regaled them with tales of how Benjamin 
Franklin once walked where they now stood.

Jeff Macechak, education director for the Burlington County 
Historical Society, also told the home-schooled children how 
Franklin worked at a print shop that operated on the now-empty 
lot at 206 High St."

"Reading from Franklin's autobiography, Macechak told the 
children that Franklin stayed in the city for three months in 
1728. He printed currency for the then-colony of New Jersey 
using a copperplate press he built.

Though the print shop was torn down in 1881, its original door 
handle and latch survived. They are on display at the historical 
society library in the Corson Poley Center at 451 High St.

The ornate metal handle plate has the initials "H.R.H," an 
abbreviation Macechak said means "His Royal Highness" -- a 
reference to the king of England, who controlled the colonies.

The door handle plate was donated by Carrie B. Aaron, great-granddaughter 
of Isaac Collins, a Colonial government printer who operated the shop 
in the late 1700s."

"Alan Stahl, a curator of numismatics at Princeton University, said 
no currency Franklin printed in 1728 is known to exist."

To read the complete article, see:
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060201/NEWS01/
602010375/1006 


WHY I DON'T COLLECT CHINESE VASES
 
Dick Johnson writes: "The British Museum had a little boo-boo
this week. A visitor to their Fitzwilliam galleries tripped on 
his shoelace, fell down a flight of stairs and ended up at the 
base of a display that toppled over breaking three Chinese vases 
in the process.  Oops!
 
The three Qing dynasty vases are not quite ancient, dating only 
from the late 17th or early 18th century. Even so, they ended up 
in "very small pieces" said museum officials, who further declared 
"we are determined to put them back together."
 
The shoelaces and their occupant, it was reported, were undamaged.
 
Aren't you glad you collect coins, medals and tokens?  These are 
noted for their longevity. Coins are still in existence after 
2,500 years, medals for more than 500. No chance of broken pieces 
here. And the only possibility they won't be around for another 
2500 or 500 years would be the destruction of the entire earth. 
 
Can't claim that longevity for any other art form. Statues and 
even buildings of that age have nearly all crumbled or disappeared. 
Coins and medals are impervious to the vicissitudes of time.
 
Blog readers had some rare comments about this event. Check out:
http://www.shortnews.com/start.cfm?id=52566&rubrik1=Recreation&rubrik2=Colle
ctables&rubrik3=All&sort=1&sparte=4  
 
 
FEATURED WEB PAGE: SO-CALLED DOLLAR CLUB

This week's featured web page is the official web site 
of the So-Called Dollar Collector's Club:

http://www.SoCalledDollar.org 


Wayne Homren
Numismatic Bibliomania Society


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