The E-Sylum v10#35, September 2, 2007
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Sun Sep 2 17:13:32 PDT 2007
Welcome to The E-Sylum: Volume 10, Number 35, September 2, 2007:
an electronic publication of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.
Copyright (c) 2007, The Numismatic Bibliomania Society.
WAYNE'S WORDS: THE E-SYLUM 2 SEPTEMBER, 2007
Among our recent subscribers are Dwight Brown, courtesy of John
and Nancy Wilson, Leon Saryan courtesy of Karen Jach and Tom Valentine.
Welcome aboard! We now have 1,177 subscribers.
On September 4, 1998, the first issue of The E-Sylum was published.
The ninth anniversary of that date is coming up Tuesday. Our son
Christopher was born that December, and this year he'll be nine, too.
Next came our son Tyler in 2000. In 2004 our daughter Hannah came
along and later that year I was General Chairman of the Pittsburgh
ANA convention. Last year we moved our family to Northern Virginia
and since mid-May I've been working in London. That assignment and
my London Diaries will end soon, but life and The E-Sylum will go on.
In the course of publishing this newsletter we've grown from 49
subscribers to nearly 1,200. It's become so popular that I don't
think I'd be allowed to stop even if I wanted to. But I don't -
despite the work it's always fun for the same reason all of us love
this hobby. For the curious, there is always something new to
learn about numismatics and its connection to history, economics,
politics, people, collectors and the world at large.
This week we open with the latest Lake Books numismatic literature
sale, which includes a number of interesting items. Next, Howard
Daniel gives us a report on his visit to the former Krause Publications'
numismatic library, the ANS announces a new Saint-Gaudens exhibit,
and Dave Lange provides some background on the ANA and his U.S.
Mint book.
We have a number of responses to items published last week on
topics such as stuck book covers, Sacagawea dollars in Ecuador
and coin photography. We have one new research query relating
to the Katen numismatic library.
My London Diary has relatively little on numismatic topics this
week, but readers may find something of interest in my visits to
Kensington Palace, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Imperial
War Museum in Duxford and the Greenwich Observatory. Hey, it's
my last full weekend and I had to cram in a lot.
In the news an archeologist claims a coin find could prove Captain
Cook wasn't the first explorer to discover Australia, the BEP
adopts a new high-tech security thread, and interesting new coin
hoards are discovered in China and England. To learn what the
ditch-digger found, read on. Have a great week, everyone.
Wayne Homren
Numismatic Bibliomania Society
LAKE BOOKS SALE #90 CLOSING OCTOBER 2, 2007
Fred Lake of Lake Books writes: "Our sale #90 which has a closing
date of October 2, 2007 is now available for viewing at
http://www.lakebooks.com/current.html
"The sale features numismatic reference literature on a wide
variety of subjects including a copy of Sylvester S. Crosby's
1875 work on 'Early Coins of America' with the scarce Maris
Woodburytype plate, Hibler & Kappen's 'So-Called Dollars',
Bowers & Ruddy's 'Empire Topics' in hardbound, Folke's 1890
opus on 'English Coinage' containing 67 plates, 86 issues of
'El Boletin Numismatico', a fine set of Haxby's 'Obsolete Bank
Notes 1782-1866', Pinkerton's 'Medallic History of England'
written in 1790, a complete run of the Numismatic Bibliomania
Society's 'Asylum' including the scarce early issues, and many
other fine books and catalogs. Bids are accepted by email,
telephone, fax, or regular mail until the closing time."
[E-Sylum readers and newer members of NBS should consider
acquiring a set of back issues of our print journal, The Asylum.
Great stuff for bibliophiles and general collectors alike, and
it's not available in any other format. -Editor]
HOWARD DANIEL VISITS THE F&W PUBLICATIONS LIBRARY
Howard Daniel recently visited the F&W Publications Library
(the former Krause Publications Library). He writes: "I had
five full days (Monday-Friday) inside the Krause library and
two half days on Saturday and Sunday. Everyone in the numismatic
department was very helpful to me during my stay. I was lucky
to have the weekends because Colin Bruce and George Cuhaj
came in to do some overtime work.
"The library is on about ten movable units of about 20 foot
long shelves, back to back. The first unit has a roof leak
and is covered in plastic! There is legal action holding up
the repairs because the firm which was to have fixed the leak
long ago did not and has not correctly re-repaired it. One of
the building maintenance men looks in on the leak on a frequent
basis and checks the plastic to make sure the unit is covered.
Ugh!
"Many of the below listed journals, newsletters, periodicals,
auction catalogs and prices lists have been bound in nice
hardbound covers with gold lettering on the spines. There
are many small groups stacked on different shelves. There are
also MANY references and other materials scattered throughout
the Numismatic Department cubicles that need to be brought to
the library and properly bound/preserved and shelved.
"A new librarian has been hired and his name is Jonah M. Parsons.
His title is Corporate Resources Administrator. He has been
told he will be given an assistant (full or part-time?). His
address is c/o F&W Publications, Inc., 700 East State Street,
Iola, WI 54990-0001. His telephone is 800-726-9966 x427 and
his fax is 715-445-2294. His email is Jonah.Parsons at FWPubs.com
and the website is at www.FWPublications.com. His plans include
barcoding everything in the library, and I told him I would
respond to his requests for assistance in any way I can.
"I also showed him some rare references that should have chips
in them that will set off the exit alarms. I am hoping that the
inventory of the library is placed online and is available to
all employees and those of us on the outside. This will allow
many of us to see what is in the library and what we can send
to them to complete their collection, especially in my
specialized areas.
"I have estimated that I have looked through about one-third
of the library during my one week there, so I have two more
weeks more of researching it with its current contents. I was
given an empty desk next to the library. I set up my laptop and
printer/scanner/ copier on the desk and used them to record my
research. My plans are to return again in 2009 when the Central
States Numismatic Society has its convention in Milwaukee."
[Below is a list Howard provided of the major Numismatic
sections of the Krause library. -Editor]
Antiques & Collectibles
Foreign Coins (and World Coins?)
Foreign Paper Money
Foreign Tokens & Medals
Military Tokens
Miscellaneous
Tokens
United States Coins
United States Paper Money & Coins
World Coins (and Foreign Coins?)
Society Journals/Auction Catalogs
Asylum, The (Numismatic Bibliomania Society)
Essay Proof Journal (Essay Proof Society), Vol I 1944 to 1993
IBNS Journal (International Bank Note Society)
Military Medals (Orders & Decorations Society)
NI Bulletin (Numismatics International)
Numismatist, The (American Numismatic Association), 1896-2002
Oriental Numismatic Society Newsletter
Proof Collectors Corner (World Proof Collectors Society)
Philippine Numismatic & Antiquarian Society Journal
Periodicals
Bank Note Reporter
Coin World
Coinage
Coins
INTERPOL Counterfeits & New Issues
Money Trend, to 2006
Muenzen Revue
Numismatic News
Spink’s Circular
World Coin News
World Coins
Dealer Auction Catalogs/Price Lists
Almanzar’s
Christensen, Henry
Currency Auctions of America
Downie-Lepczyk
Elsen, Jean
Glendining’s
Heritage (huge numbers!)
Ivy, Steve
Knight, Lyn
Kolbe, George
Muenzen und Medallian
Peters, Jess
Ponterio & Associates
Rosenblum, William
Schulman
Stack’s (huge numbers!)
Whitford, Craig
NEWSPAPER INTERVIEWS AUTHOR GOE ABOUT CARSON CITY MINT
The Nevada Appreal, in an article publicizing the 2007 Carson
City Mint Coin Show interviewed Rusty Goe, author of 'James
Crawford, Master of the Mint at Carson City - A Short, Full Life'
about the Mint and his new book.
"The mint began operations in January 1870. During its short
lifespan of 23 years, the mint produced nearly $50 million face
value in gold and silver coins.
"By the time the coin presses shut down for good in 1893, it had
produced 111 different date/ denomination varieties including
three different kinds of silver dollars - for which the mint
later became famous.
"'It has really come into prominence over the last 35 to 40
years,' said Reno-based coin dealer Rusty Goe who operates
Southgate Coins with his wife, Marie. 'The government had
stockpiled silver dollars in the '70s and when they started
to release them, people immediately began to identify Carson
City with the coins.'
"For Goe, the hobby, which became his passion - turned into
a new livelihood, as author.
"From 1-2 p.m. Saturday, he will sign copies of his new release:
'James Crawford, Master of the Mint at Carson City - A Short,
Full Life'.
"'There were times they thought about tearing down that building,
what a terrible loss that would've been,' he said. 'Carson City
was so honored to have a mint. There have only been nine U.S.
mints - you look at the others, Philadelphia, San Francisco,
New Orleans, Denver ... it shows you what a special time and
place it was.'"
To read the complete article, see:
http://www.nevadaappeal.com/article/20070823/ENTERTAINMENT/108230092
ANS OPENS SAINT-GAUDENS EXHIBIT: “I SUPPOSE I SHALL BE IMPEACHED FOR IT
”
According to a press release issued August 24, "The American
Numismatic Society, in conjunction with the Saint-Gaudens
National Historic Site and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York,
takes great pleasure in announcing the opening of an important
and unprecedented new exhibition: “I suppose I shall be impeached
for it
” Theodore Roosevelt, Augustus Saint-Gaudens and America’s
Most Beautiful Coin. This exhibit, held at the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York at 33 Liberty St., will be on view from
September 20, 2007 through March 31, 2008.
"2007 marks not only the centenary year of both the death of
Augustus Saint-Gaudens, America’s greatest sculptor of the late
19th and early 20th centuries, but also the release of his
revolutionary and controversial designs for the twenty- and
ten-dollar gold pieces. Today these are hailed as the most
beautiful coins ever produced by the United States. At a White
House diplomatic supper in January 1905, President Theodore
Roosevelt approached Augustus Saint-Gaudens with his hopes to
improve upon the “atrocious hideousness” of America’s coins.
Although the artist was reluctant to agree to the President’s
wishes due to ill health and prior unpleasant experiences
with the United States Mint, Saint-Gaudens took on the task.
This partnership of artist and president to create new
designs for coinage remains unparalleled in American history.
"Saint-Gaudens approached the commission as he did any other,
making rapid-fire pencil sketches and rough clay models cast
in plaster. Guiding the younger and steadier hands of his chief
assistant, Henry Hering, the designs metamorphosed from concept
to reality. It was an arduous process which saw Saint-Gaudens
fine tuning the design elements as he met resistance every step
of the way from the United States Mint - most particularly from
its contentious and intensely jealous chief engraver, Charles
Barber.
"In February 1907, Saint-Gaudens held the first examples of
his concept struck in gold. More than mere coins, they were
fully realized sculptures on a miniature scale. The President
was overjoyed, but the high-relief of the coins rendered them
useless for everyday commerce. For the next half year (the last
few months of his life) Saint-Gaudens worked with his assistant
in an effort to retain the coin’s majesty while making it
suitable for the rigors of circulation.
"At the time of Saint-Gaudens’s death in August 1907 the job
was not yet done, but Roosevelt kept the flame alive, insisting
that a second mintage of reduced high-relief “double eagles” be
struck. Although approximately 12,000 of these were made, they
too failed the test and ultimately Charles Barber’s flattened
relief prevailed.
"The exhibition at the New York Federal Reserve Bank will, for
the first time, draw together elements of all phases of this
remarkable partnership and commission. The collections of the
Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site and the American Numismatic
Society contain an incomparable array of material charting
virtually all phases of the commission as well as Saint-Gaudens’
career as a cameo-cutter, sculptor and medalist.
"Examples of early cameos will be displayed along with some of
the classical numismatic prototypes that Saint-Gaudens is known
to have used as inspiration. Examples of his medallic work
ranging from private commissions for friends to the 1889 Washington
Inaugural Centennial to examples of the Columbian Exposition
Award medal will be included.
"The centerpiece of the exhibition will be the progression of
the design process for the new coinage and will concentrate on
the “double eagle”. Correspondence with the president, examples
of Saint-Gaudens’ original pencil sketches, plaster models, and
the massive 12-inch plaster of the famed Ultra High Relief will
be on view. Included will be the series of electrotypes for
the ultra high relief coin, showing the progression of the
multiple strikes needed to fully bring up the detail.
"Augustus Saint-Gaudens quite literally gave some of his
very last thoughts to bettering his fellow Americans’ coinage.
The depth of his impact can be still be felt in our pockets
today, for the inventiveness and artistic integrity that Saint-
Gaudens brought to American coin design was continued by his
students’ work: James Earle Fraser’s buffalo nickel, Adolf
Weinman’s mercury dime and walking Liberty half dollar, and
finally James Flanagan’s Washington quarter which is still
circulating today.
“I suppose I shall be impeached for it
” Theodore Roosevelt,
Augustus Saint-Gaudens and America’s Most Beautiful Coin will
be on view at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at 33 Liberty
Street, New York, NY from September 20, 2007 through March 31,
2008. Exhibition hours are 10:00am to 4:00pm Monday through
Friday. Those interested in attending the press preview on
September 19, 2007 should contact Megan Fenselau of the
American Numismatic Society at (212) 571-4470 ext. 1311 or
fenselau at numismatics.org."
ON THE ANA'S SPONSORSHIP OF LANGE'S 'U.S. MINT AND ITS COINAGE' BOOK
Author David Lange writes: "I want to clarify a couple of
misunderstandings in your story last week about my mint history
book and the ANA. The book was indeed commissioned by the ANA
in 1995, but the plan was to publish it in-house as part of
the ANA's series of correspondence courses. The manuscript
was completed early in 1996, but then it sort of languished
within the Education Department for the next several years.
"When the manuscript was finally laid out and illustrated by
Mary Jo Meade (who has performed the same work for my current
book), the resulting product was good enough that the ANA's
Money Market head Rudy Bahr desired to have it produced as a
commercial book, with the proceeds going to the ANA. I had
already signed away any rights to it a few years beforehand,
on the assumption that it would remain simply a correspondence
course for educational purposes.
"Still, I didn't object to the change of plans, and Rudy even
attempted to get me some sort of royalty as an honorarium.
Everything was set to go, and Mary Jo had already prepared a
beautiful cover design, which was shown to a few people during
the 2003 Summer Seminar to much approval.
"Things began to unravel when Rudy was let go by the ANA in the
fall of 2003 as part of a widespread purge of the then-current
staff. Mary Jo and I were left in the dark as to what, if anything,
was happening with the book. I wrote several emails to Chris
Cipoletti in an attempt to get an answer, but nothing was
forthcoming until early in 2005, when I found out that the ANA
had turned over the book to Whitman. Despite my repeated emails,
I was unable to affect the remaining changes I needed to make
to it before I learned second-hand that the book was already
in print.
"Nevertheless, I'm pleased with the finished product, though
I still prefer the original cover design, which featured the
familiar painting of the first mint's buildings. The cover
design actually used was prepared by Whitman's art department
without any input from Mary Jo or me, but it seems pleasing
enough to the public.
"I don't know what sort of deal was struck between the ANA and
Whitman, and my attempts to find out what the ANA received for
the book have been unsuccessful. As I stated before, I
understood years prior its publication that I would not be
paid or receive royalties. That's not where the injury lies,
but rather it is in the ANA's failure to acknowledge that
this was a commissioned work and that it was an outright
donation from the very beginning.
"I suspect that the ANA may have lost money on this project,
since it had to pay Mary Jo for her professional services,
and the book's very low list price suggests that Whitman
acquired it quite reasonably. If it was indeed a loss to the
ANA, the previous board of governors did not, to the best of
my knowledge, investigate, though I did raise this issue
with it.
"I'm not seeking money for the work I did on behalf of the
ANA, only a truthful acknowledgment of the facts to the
current board and the membership. While I'm pleased with the
recognition that the book has brought me, the ANA management's
handling of the project has left me feeling somewhat injured
by the whole experience."
[My note last week was based on my incomplete recollections
of what I'd heard about the project from various people. Many
thanks to Dave for clarifying his side of the story for us.
-Editor]
Roger Burdette writes: "The E-Sylum article about David Lange's
donation to the ANA of his book, and the work's subsequent
addition to a nationally recognized reading list touched a nerve.
I had seen nothing in the ANA's publications about this and am
concerned that the ANA has not been very appreciative of Mr.
Lange's efforts.
"I've written to ANA President Barry Stuppler and copied the
Board of Governors suggesting that some sort of immediate
recognition be provided. I hope they will understand how much
the ANA could benefit from the positive publicity, and how
much they owe the author for his research and work."
"This would be a great opportunity for the Board to show
they are not only in control but prepared to turn the ship
around and head back on course in a positive and productive
manner."
[As I noted last week, I think the ANA Board has many important
issues to deal with right now, but several board members are
regular E-Sylum readers. Roger's notes and these E-Sylum items
have made the board aware of the issue, and I trust that in due
course the board will review the situation and act appropriately.
Meanwhile, I would recommend to everyone to get a copy of the
book and enjoy reading it. Great job, Dave, and congratulations
again on the book's honors. -Editor]
LANGE'S U.S. MINT AND ITS COINAGE CHOSEN AS ESSENTIAL COLLEGE READING
http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v10n34a03.html
Dave adds: "By the way, the latest date on delivery of my
Coin Board books is September 10, yet another two weeks later
than I was told by the printer. The books are already printed,
but there seems to be a delay at the bindery. I apologize
to anyone who has ordered the book, and I ask for their
continued patience."
JOHNSON'S MEDALLIC OBJECTS ARTICLE FEATURED IN SEPTEMBER NUMISMATIST
Dick Johnson writes: "The lead article in the September Numismatist
is my piece on 'medallic objects.' This was chosen by editor
Barbara Gregory as a prelude to the FIDEM Congress in Colorado
Springs September 19-22.
"I had hoped this article would have run as the introduction
in the catalog of the medals from 540 artists on exhibition
at this Congress of world medal enthusiasts, artists and
publishers of medals from 32 countries. She choose, instead,
to run it in the Numismatist, where it would get a wider
readership among ANA members (and hopefully attract more
visitors to the medal exhibition!).
"What these visitors will see are medals in all possible
forms, what many call 'art medals.' However, the subject
of the article is 'medallic objects' the modern art of the
medallic field. The article points out the first ever of
these were created in America in December 1965. But the French
began creating medallic objects the following summer, and
virtually adopted this new art form as their own.
"The Paris Mint Director at the time, Piere deHaye, was the
greatest proponent of these and was producing one new medallic
object a day during his heyday in office! A decade later the
Paris Mint published a catalog of the first ten years of
these and fixed the term in numismatics by calling these,
the title of the catalog, la Medaille-Object."
[It's a nicely illustrated article. The opening paragraph
sets the scene well, and a tag line appropriately describes
how one can best appreciate these interesting works of the
medallists' art. -Editor]
"In just a few weeks, scores of medallic artists from around
the globe will converge on the American Numismatic Association
in Colorado Springs for the 30th Congress of the Fédération
Internationale de la Médaille (FIDEM), September 19-22. The
focus of their often imaginative work is as removed from medals
as medals are from coins, which are overburdened with restrictions,
such as size, weight and nationalistic propriety. “Medallic objects”
break the rules of coin and medal design, transcend technical
restraints and overcome medallic bias, all the while remaining
interesting, aesthetic pieces of art for the eye to behold . . .
and the hand to hold."
"Medals should never be hidden in a drawer or, heaven forbid,
a safedeposit box. They must be seen, appreciated, venerated,
enjoyed and loved."
MORE ON THE FOOTE COUNTERFEIT DETECTOR
Michael Sullivan, past president of the Numismatic Bibliomania
Society writes: "Thanks for mentioning the article I previously
wrote for The Asylum on the Foote Counterfeit detector.
Subsequent to publishing the article, I purchased an original
1850 manuscript letter Foote. The manuscript is a four page
folio size document on light blue paper. While a line by line
comparison of the text has not been completed, the majority of
the content appears to be a draft of the Foote Counterfeit
detector. The manuscript has been deacidified, encased in a
Mylar sleeve, and scored in an oversized acid free folder for
protection. The majority of my counterfeit detector collection
has also been archivally preserved via the hands of my trusted
bookbinder."
FEATURED WEB PAGE: THE FOOTE COUNTERFEIT DETECTOR AND ARMAND CHAMPA
http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v10n34a22.html
ON STUCK BOOK COVERS
Regarding Ray Williams' query about stuck-together book covers,
Carl Honore' writes: "These 'leatherette' book covers are most
likely a polymer material. Polymers can be lightly bonded by
weak bonds between the polymer molecules. The best way to
separate the book covers may be to try to break the bonds between
them. I might suggest perhaps rubbing them with silk to create
a static charge to break the bonds much like rubbing a glass
rod with silk to store electrons at one end. This might work
if in fact it is this kind of thing holding the covers together."
QUERY: HOW TO DEAL WITH STICKY BOOK COVERS
http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v10n34a05.html
ON SACAJAWEA DOLLARS IN ECUADOR
Regarding last week's question on the use of Sacagawea dollars
in Ecuador, Roberto Jovel writes: "I am sure you and your
readers will recall that Ecuador dollarized its economy many
years ago, and that since then U.S. coins and notes have been
used for daily transactions, including the Dollar coin.
Another Latin American country that dollarized its economy
recently is El Salvador, and U.S. coins and notes are used
as well, except for the one-dollar coin denomination."
Eric von Klinger writes: "Coin World has reported several
times on Ecuador's "dollarization" program involving circulation
of Sac dollars. We reported Feb. 11, 2002, that the U.S.
Treasury Dept. had supplied $5 million in Sacs to Ecuador;
the same article reported a large export of the coins to El
Salvador, where a similar program was in place. Other articles
followed in the July 25 and Oct. 21, 2002 issues of CW, and
in the April 19, 2004, issue. The article in October 2002
concerned a problem of widespread use of counterfeits of
the coin in Ecuador."
Eric sent along the text of a May 31, 2004 report on the
success of the program; here's one excerpt:
"U.S. currency officially became legal tender throughout
Ecuador in September 2000. The extraordinary action was an
effort to stabilize the South American nation's shaky economy
and to deal with rampant inflation of the up-till-then monetary
unit, the sucre. By New Year's Day 2003, the U.S. government
had shipped more than 500 million of the dollar coins to
Ecuador for use as circulating currency."
SACAGAWEA DOLLARS IN ECUADOR
http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v10n34a16.html
QUERY: WHEN DID KATEN SELL LINDSAY'S 'COINAGE OF THE HEPTARCHY'?
Timothy Cook writes: "I am writing to ask about a book I
recently acquired. The book is "The Coinage of the Heptarchy,
etc." by John Lindsay, published 1847 in Cork. It was a great
bargain from Abebooks.com for around $30. When I received it
there was a nice surprise in that it was inscribed by the
author. There was also a library stamp from the Katen
Numismatic Library and a small sticker from Frank Katen.
One of my favourite coin dealers, Allan Davisson, was kind
enough to give a bit of background information on Katen.
Allan also mentioned that Katen's library was auctioned off
some time ago. So now to my questions. Do you or any other
subscriber to the E-Sylum have a copy of the auction catalogue
of Katen's library and if so is my little book one of the
lots? If my book is one of the lots does anyone know the price
it went for? Lastly if anyone has any additional information
on Katen that would be helpful as well."
[The "Katen Numismatic Library" stamp is actually something
the Katens applied to most books and catalogs in their general
stock, and by itself is not a true indicator of whether a book
was actually part of the private Katen numismatic library the
couple dispersed in their final sales. But such a scarce
title isn't likely to have been offered in many Katen sales
and could well have been in the private Katen library sales.
I don't have my own library handy and can't look it up myself.
Could someone check for us? Thanks. -Editor]
WAYNE'S LONDON DIARY 30 AUGUST, 2007
Dick Johnson writes: "Here is a London joke from Reader's Digest
website: 'When I was in London, I went to buy some chocolates.
The cashier was like, “That will be ten pounds.” I’m like, “Rub
it in, why don’t you?”'" Well, I really did stay away from the
beer most of the time, but I think this stint in London has added
at least eight pounds to my frame despite all the walking I'm
doing. Time for a fresh diet when I get home.
Timothy Cook writes: "I am really enjoying your London exploits.
However, being a collector of English hammered coins and books
about them I am usually very jealous after I am done reading them."
Well, I wish you all could be here with me almost as much
as I wish my family were here. I'll be heading home soon,
but I hope my London Diaries have given you a taste of what
it's like here; perhaps some of you will have an opportunity
to follow in my footsteps someday. The British are a very
welcoming people, and London is, well, just awesome. As
Samuel Johnson once said, "If you're tired of London, you're
tired of life", and it's just as true today as it was in the
eighteenth century. I'm tired of being so far from home, but
I doubt I would ever get tired of being in London. Anyone
with half an opportunity to visit owes it to themselves and
their family to see it at least once.
Thursday morning I found myself on a train to Milton Keynes,
forty-five miles northwest of London. We were heading to another
important meeting with our clients. I had been in the office
until 11:30 Wednesday night preparing and didn't get to my hotel
until after midnight. But dammit, we were ready.
Later I read up on the town and learned that it was formed as
a planned community in the 1960s to relieve housing congestion
in London. The area had been mostly farmland and a few scattered
villages. Street plans were laid out and a train station, modern
office buildings and housing popped up. But the town must remain
close to its rural heritage; stepping off the train we could smell
only manure, reminding me of the time I stepped out of a plane in
Davenport IA. At our meeting one of our British colleagues said
that Milton Keynes "must be the most boring place in England."
Our meeting went so well we got a round of applause at the end.
Great! Now leave me alone so I can get some rest. I got back to
the hotel at the ungodly decent hour of 5pm and didn't quite know
what to do. I got out of my suit and dress shoes, showered and
changed, then went out for a nice Indian dinner at Maharaja.
Wanting to get some exercise I headed up Queensway, crossed the
street and entered Hyde Park. I spoke to my wife on my cell phone
while walking aimlessly along the Broad Walk. I came across a
phalanx of media vans with satellite dishes pointed skyward.
So what's going on now?
I looked around and saw some people gathered by the gates of
Kensington Palace, the former home of Prince Charles, Princess
Diana and their sons Princes William and Harry. It was August
30th, ten years after the Paris car crash that killed Diana.
People were coming from all over, like they did in 1997, to lay
flowers and candles and post pictures, cards, notes and letters
to the palace gates. People stood reading the notes and looking
at the pictures and flowers.
I called my wife back, since she'd always been a big fan of Diana,
Princess of Wales. I told her where I was and what I was seeing.
I read a couple of the notes and poems, but kept choking up. It
was such a tragic loss, particularly because of the two young
sons she left behind. The pictures of D,PoW with William and Harry
looked for all the world to me like pictures of my own sons with
their mother, whose name is also Diana (although she goes by Dee).
As I walked away I passed an older black woman who touched a
Diana photo with her hand. In what sounded to me to be a
Caribbean accent, I heard her say, "I bid you goodnight, Diana ...
until tomorrow."
By now it was dark. Rather than retrace my steps back to my hotel,
I turned onto Kensington Palace Gardens, a street I'd discovered
by accident while walking around the neighborhood when I first
arrived in London. The half-mile long tree-lined avenue is among
the most exclusive addresses in London, long known as Billionaires
Row. My favorite house is number 18 (actually 18-19 Kensington
Palace Gardens).
I guess I have Good Taste. When I looked up information on
the street, I discovered that the house is owned by Lakshmi
Mittal of Arcelor Mittal, the world's largest steel company.
Mittal is one of the richest men in the world. He bought the
house for 57 million GBP (over $100 million), making it the
world's most expensive home. It has twelve bedrooms, a 20-car
garage, Turkish baths, a ballroom, an oak-paneled picture
gallery and an ornate basement pool. It's decorated with
marble taken from the same quarry that supplied the Taj Mahal;
people have nicknamed the place the "Taj Mittal."
I crossed the street and made my way back to my one-room
hotel "suite". I wonder if Mittal collects coins?
For an account of events at Kensington Palace at the time of Diana's death,
see:
http://www.britannia.com/diana/article8.html
To read a New York Times article on the 10th anniversary of Diana's death,
see:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/30/world/europe/30diana.html?_r=1&ref=europe&
oref=slogin
To view some images of the Kensington Palace gate memorials, see:
http://www.star-telegram.com/629/story/219613.html
For a picture and more information about the Taj Mittal, see:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4722789/
WAYNE'S LONDON DIARY 31 AUGUST, 2007
Friday came for me like the movie Groundhog Day - the alarm
rang at the same time, met my colleagues in the lobby (again)
and took a cab to Euston station (again). The only difference
was that we went to Leavesden this time. Once we arrived,
while the others had breakfast I started working on The E-Sylum
- better all around than having another sausage sandwich.
It was a busy and productive day, and I was back at my hotel
at the very decent hour of 5:30. Some of the others were
going boozing, but I passed on the chance to go along. I
stopped in my room briefly to shed my jacket, tie and computer.
Out I went into the nice London evening. I walked past one
of the neighborhood churches, where I see weddings taking place
regularly. One time there was a white Rolls Royce parked out
front. I made my way across the main road into Hyde Park.
Tonight's destination: the Victoria & Albert Museum, among
the world's greatest museums of art and design.
But I was sidetracked a bit while passing Kensington Palace.
The crowds at the gates were much larger than the night before.
Princes William and Harry had held a memorial service for their
mother earlier in the day elsewhere in London. There were 500
attendees, but I understand the event was televised. I mingled
with the crowd and saw that many more people had added cards,
photos and flower bouquets to the palace gates. It was very
touching, yet on a smaller scale than the spontaneous outpouring
of ten years ago, when the walk where I stood had been
literally knee-deep in flowers.
I noticed that the palace gates were open tonight, and I walked
onto the grounds and stood about ten feet from the building.
A short local man dressed in a wild Union Jack outfit with the
word "DIANA" written across his forehead came over to ask me
about the flowers. It was an awkward-looking, but pleasant
conversation. Later I caught up with him and he let me take
his picture. I told my wife about the encounter, and she
later told me that she'd seen the same man on television.
I kept walking and stopped at an Italian restaurant for dinner.
I'd had a cold since Wednesday and had run out of tissues. I
asked my waitress for some paper napkins. She looked puzzled
and asked "Paper?" in an Eastern-European accent. "Yes", I
said - "paper". She came back with a pepper mill and put
pepper on my spaghetti. I finally got some paper napkins
from my Italian-accented (but English-speaking) waiter.
Wnet I got to the V&A the place was rockin'. A DJ was playing
loud Reggae music in the cavernous lobby. A bar was serving
drinks. What would Queen Victoria think? I walked through
to the gift shop and took a look at the books for sale. Topics
included 70's fashion, camouflage, sculpture, and ceramics.
Nothing on coins or medals.
I began walking through the galleries and came across a beautiful,
lifelike, serene sculpture. It was a monument to Emily Georgiana
by Lawrence MacDonald, 1850. The hall was filled with great
sculptural works on British and classical subjects. I continued
on through several galleries and did encounter some numismatic
items interspersed through the exhibits.
In the Northern Europe gallery I saw portrait medallions of George
Frederick Handel and Dr Conyers Middleton by Louis Francois Roubilic
(1702-62). Nearby I saw boxwood medallions from around 1550
representing the seasons, and large silver medals by Hans Krafft
the Elder dated 1521, 1537 and 1539.
I passed a doorway that would make any bibliophile drool - the
National Art Library. Closed for the evening, I could see
through the huge glass doors a tantalizing glimpse of a classic
two-story library of tens of thousands of volumes - a bibliophile's
dream.
In the Sacred Stained Glass and Silver room I spotted three
communion tokens of Birmingham or London dated 1803, ~1850 and
1871 (in silver, nickel and nickel, respectively). In the
Renaissance 1400-1600 Europe room I saw three coins of Emperor
Trajan (98-117AD). The text read: "ancient Roman coins were
very popular with Renaissance collectors. By owning them, and
copying aspects of them in their own commissions, patrons could
acquire some of the glory of the classical world."
In another hall I saw what looked to be cemetery monuments of
dead medieval knights in chain mail. I imagined the questions
I’d be asked if my kids were with me. “Daddy, why are their
legs crossed like that?” I would thoughtfully reply, “Because
eternity is a long to go without getting up to use a toilet.”
Before leaving the museum I stepped out into the courtyard,
which was delightfully lit. Another bar was set up and crowds
of people stood around drinking and talking. It was a really
lovely night. My work friends had gone out drinking, but I'd
had my own fun this evening (and two glasses of wine with
dinner to ease into the weekend). The V&A was very enjoyable,
and I'd recommend it to anyone visiting London.
WAYNE'S LONDON DIARY 1-2 SEPTEMBER, 2007
Saturday morning I joined a couple of my coworkers for an excursion
to the Imperial War Museum at the former Duxford air field. We
traveled by train to Cambridge then took a taxi to Duxford. The
air field, which was the headquarters of the American air force
through much of WWII, houses a marvelous museum of flight. We
saw some early biplanes, complete commercial aircraft, B25 and
B52 bombers, a Japanese Zero, an a prototype Concorde. There
is also a museum of land warfare including working tanks. I
only came across two numismatic displays, both consisting (not
surprisingly) of military medals. One case housed about 50 medals
"presented by Colonel R.G. Wilkes CBE TD DL". The collection
included miniature Victoria Cross and George Cross medals, the
British Empire Medal, a Queen's Gallantry Medal, and Gulf and
Iraq medals.
Sunday morning brought a 9:30 phone call from Phil Mernick.
Were we still on for our planned trip to the Greenwich Observatory?
Absolutely. We agreed to meet at half ten in front of the Mansion
House steps near the Bank station. Bless him, Phil had emailed
me a picture of the Mansion House with an X marking the meeting
spot. I knew that a meeting spot outside the station was a good
idea the minute he suggested it. Meeting up inside would be a
dicey proposition even for locals. Bank is a rambling junction
of underground lines connected by an interminable number of
walkways and passages, making you wish you had just gone up to
the street and taken a taxi to the other side.
As I stepped onto the street I recognized immediately where I
was - just down the way was the Bank of England on Threadneedle
Street, which I'd walked past a couple weeks earlier on my way
to St. Paul's Cathedral. I was right next to Mansion House,
which I'd learned from my guidebook on the tube ride was the
official residence of the Lord Mayors of the City of London.
Built in 1753, the palatial mansion is still in use today.
I took a walk around the outside of the huge building while
waiting for Phil and Harry to arrive.
Once we met up, the Mernicks walked me over to a nearby Roman
ruin, the Temple of Mithras. Discovered in 1954 during the
construction of a nearby office tower, the ruin (primarily a
foundation) was disassembled and reconstructed at modern street
level (the Roman layer is about 18 feet below modern London
street level). Clearly visible are the bases of seven columns
along each side and a well next to the altar for ritual baths.
Also found at the site were third-century white marble likenesses
of Minerva, Mercury the guide of the souls of the dead, and the
gods Mithras and Serapis. These are on display in the Museum
of London.
We walked back to the station and got on a train heading toward
Greenwich, but Harry suggested a sightseeing detour. We would
get off at Canary Wharf Station and walk from there. Canary
Wharf is a huge real estate development project begun about 1981
and now home to England's three tallest buildings. Canary Wharf
is built on the site of what were once the busiest docks in the
world. Heavily bombed in WWII, the area never fully recovered.
A huge influx of private and public money in the 1980s started
the area toward recovery. A new train line and stations were
built and incorporated into plans for the office towers. As
the newest line in London's system, our train was fully automated
and driverless. We sat in the first car facing forward, getting
a rare view of London's tunnels and elevated railways. It was
like being on a slower version of a Disneyland ride.
While on the subject of the bombings, I asked Harry about his
family's experience during the war. Their father was a bookkeeper
for a small company and in his off hours was stationed on rooftops
as a fire watchman. One day at home a German doodlebug bomb
destroyed a pub and row of houses just 50 yards from their house,
and their father's eye was injured by shattered glass.
Their mother had co-owned and managed a drugstore before having
children and becoming a housewife. But during the war she had a
job as secretary to an Air Raid Precaution warden. Her office
was in a series of tenements called the Hughes Mansions. One day
she took off to attend to young Philip - Tuesday 27th March 1945.
That day Hughes Mansions was hit by a German V2 rocket, killing
over 130 people including her boss. It was the last day V2
rockets hit London.
Canary Wharf was quite nice, but rather deserted since it was a
Sunday. We walked through the lobby of the main tower and visited
a massive underground station, the largest in the world. Eventually
we found ourselves in a nice park next to the river Thames. The
Mernicks pointed out our destination across the river - the
Greenwich Observatory and the nearby Queen's House and the Old
Royal Naval College.
We weren't going to take a train or bus to the other side of
the river - we were going to walk - UNDER it. On opposite banks
of the river stood two cylindrical domed structures. These were
the entrances of a pedestrian tunnel (the Greenwich Foot Tunnel),
built beneath the Thames in 1902. Each of the structures houses
a spiral staircase and a lift (elevator). We walked down the
stairs on the north bank and rode the lift up on the south bank,
emerging near the Greenwich dock and the Cutty Sark.
Arguably the most famous ship in the world, the Cutty Sark was
launched in 1869 and is the world’s sole surviving tea clipper
ship, with the majority of her original hull fabric intact. On
display in Greenwich, the ship was undergoing a major restoration
effort when struck by a devastating fire on 21st May this year.
I remember the anguished headlines and TV reports that week,
shortly after I first came to London.
Luckily, many of her major features had been removed for conservation.
Although damaged heavily, the restoration effort continues. We
were unable to view the charred ship which was covered by a huge
tent, but visited the temporary display and gift shop set up in
a small tent next to the Cutty. The tent's roof was pocked with
repaired holes where embers from the flaming ship burned had
through. Phil bought a souvenir Spanish piece-of-eight for his
reference collection of coin copies. I emptied all my pocket
change into the collection box.
After visiting the Cutty Sark we walked onto the grounds of the
Old Royal Naval College. The grounds are quite historic, like
everywhere else in London, it seems. It was here that the
royal residence stood for over two centuries. Henry VIII lived
and jousted here, and it was here that his daughter Queen
Elizabeth I was born and raised.
The "new" buildings of the Old Royal Naval College were designed
by Christoper Wren and begun in 1696. First we visited the
Painted Hall. Planned to be the hospital's dining hall, it
turned out to be the finest dining hall in the Western world,
decorated with stunning paintings throughout. Too beautiful
to be used for its original purpose, the room was a little-used
showpiece until the body of Admiral Lord Nelson was brought
there to lie in state in 1802.
The Mernicks knew of another secret little passage - I followed
them down to the basement of the building and we walked through
an underground tunnel to the Chapel on the opposite side of the
courtyard. I thought the Painted Hall was wonderful, but the
Chapel was simply stunning. I'd never seen anything like it and
felt it was probably the most beautiful indoor space I'd ever
seen. The bright light, bright pastel colors and elegantly simple
ornamentation were a wonder.
We weren't done yet - next we visited The Queen's House. Begun
in 1616 as a private house for James I's queen, Anne of Denmark,
it was completed in 1638. The design was a radical departure
from the Tudor period and quite controversial in its day. The
building is said to have been a model for The White House in
Washington, DC., and it's easy to see the resemblance. You gotta
love the name of the daring architect - Inigo Jones.
We took a break for lunch at a noodle place in the nearby streets
- the original Greenwich Village. The first shop we came across
proclaimed itself "the first shop in the world" because it stands
next to the primary meridian line - zero degrees longitude. Next
we visited a local flea market looking for treasures. Phil picked
up a book called The Collector, a compilation of articles and
illustrations from The Queen newspaper on various collecting topics
including numismatics. It was published in 1905. Harry found a
1961 medal with portraits of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
He collects these medals, but hadn't seen this particular one before.
We hoofed it up the long hill to get to the Royal Observatory,
another Christopher Wren design commissioned in 1675 by King Charles II.
It was here in 1851 that astronomers established the basis of longitude,
the Prime Meridian. Marked by a long steel strip in the courtyard
(and highlight by laser light at night), it's the spot where tourists
queue up for photos standing with one foot in the western hemisphere
and the other in the east.
The exhibits inside are simply wonderful for anyone with an
appreciation for the history of science. As I'd learned weeks
earlier when Harry discussed a Royal Mint medal honoring John
Harrison, the Observatory collection includes Harrison's prize-
winning longitude marine chronometer (called H4) and its three
predecessors. Essential for safe and accurate maritime navigation,
Harrison's invention, which took decades to perfect, is probably
one of the most important machines ever constructed by man.
While at the observatory we also took in a view of London produced
by a camera obscura, where light from a small slit is directed onto
a surface to show a faint outline of an outside scene. You have
to wait for your eyes to adjust, but an image does appear.
Interesting!
We'd had a fun day but it wasn't over yet. We walked away from
the Observatory, across a park and caught a bus to the Mernick's
neighborhood in East London. We passed the Millennium Dome.
After getting off the bus we took a shortcut through a housing
project. Once in their flat the brothers showed me some of
their literature.
First came a 1623 book by John Speed titled "The Historie of
Great Britaine" - part I, History & Geography. The book consistently
uses coins as illustrations, and many chapters also include an
illustration of the monarch's official seal.
Next came a four-volume set of Ruding's "Annals of the Coinage
of Britain &c.", 1817 (the plate volume is from 1819).
Finally, we viewed a two-volume 1769 work, "The History and
Antiquities of the Exchequer of the Kings of England".
It was time to call it a day, and Phil walked me to the nearby
tube stop. I headed back to my hotel and after dinner worked
on completing The E-Sylum. Many thanks to the Mernick brothers
for their kind tour and company - it was a great experience
having two knowledgeable local guides for an experience above
and beyond the usual tourist routine.
By this time next week my stint in London will be over. But I
do hope and expect to cram in some more numismatic experiences,
so look for one last London Diary in next week's issue.
To learn the difference between the Mayor of London and the Lord Mayor, see:
http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/business_city/lordmayor/mayoroflo
ndon.htm
For more information on the Temple of Mithras, see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Mithras,_London
For more information on Canary Wharf, see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canary_Wharf
http://www.canarywharf.com/
For more on the Hughes Mansions V2 rocket attack, see:
http://www.flyingbombsandrockets.com/V2_maintextc.html
For more information on the Greenwich Foot Tunnel, see
http://www.greenwich-guide.org.uk/tunnel.htm
For more information on the Cutty Sark, see:
http://www.cuttysark.org.uk/
For more information on the Old Royal Naval College Greenwich, see:
http://www.oldroyalnavalcollege.org/
For more information on the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Observatory,_Greenwich
For more information on John Harrison, see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Harrison
http://www.surveyhistory.org/john_harrison's_timepiece1.htm
For more on the Camera Obscura, see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camera_obscura
http://brightbytes.com/cosite/what.html
To view the web sites of Philip and Harold Mernick, see:
http://www.mernick.co.uk/
COIN FIND COULD PROVE COOK WASN'T FIRST EXPLORER TO REACH AUSTRALIA
An article in The Telegraph reports that "An archeologist
claims to have found a 16th century European coin in a swamp
on Australia’s east coast, raising new questions about whether
Captain James Cook was beaten to the continent by the Spanish
or Portuguese.
"The silver coin, which is inscribed with the date 1597, was
discovered by a group led by amateur archeologist Greg Jefferys.
"It was buried a few inches below the ground in the middle of
snake-infested Eighteen Mile Swamp on North Stradbroke Island,
Queensland.
"If proved to be authentic it will lend weight to the theory
that Spanish or Portuguese navigators ‘discovered’ Australia’s
eastern seaboard centuries before Capt Cook claimed it for
Britain when he landed at Botany Bay in 1770.
"Mr Jefferys hopes the coin may lead him to the wreck of a 16th
or 17th century ship rumoured to be lying beneath the swamp —
the so-called ‘Stradbroke Galleon’.
"But other experts were skeptical. Andrew Viduka, a shipwreck
expert from the Museum of Tropical Queensland, said: 'It’s what
we call a loose find — it’s an object that could have been
put there by anyone at any time.'
"There’s no archeological context to it.
"'If it could be proven, it would be hugely exciting but at the
moment you can’t infer anything from it.' It has long been
accepted that Dutch navigators sailed up Australia’s west coast
in the 1600s, preceding Capt Cook on the eastern seaboard by
nearly 200 years."
To read the complete article, see:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/08/30/wcoin130.xml
BEP TO ADOPT NEW SECURITY THREAD FOR $100 NOTES
This week The Associated Press published a lengthy article on the
new security thread technology to be used by the Bureau of Engraving
and Printing on the next version of the U.S. $100 bill.
"After six decades in which the venerable greenback never changed
its look, the U.S. currency has undergone a slew of makeovers.
The most amazing is yet to come.
"A new security thread has been approved for the $100 bill, The
Associated Press has learned, and the change will cause double-takes.
"The operation of the new security thread looks like something
straight out of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
This magic, however, relies on innovations produced from
decades of development.
"It combines micro-printing with tiny lenses - 650,000 for a
single $100 bill. The lenses magnify the micro-printing in a
truly remarkable way.
"Move the bill side to side and the image appears to move up
and down. Move the bill up and down and the image appears to
move from side to side.
"'It is a really complex optical structure on a microscopic
scale. It makes for a very compelling high security device,'
said Douglas Crane, a vice president at Crane & Co. The Dalton,
Mass-based company has a $46 million contract to produce
the new security threads.
"Holograms, used extensively on credit cards, were considered
for the $100. They were rejected because they did not offer
the strong visual signal the government wanted.
"The new security thread is used on the Swedish 1,000 kroner
note and has been selected by the government of Mexico for
some higher denomination notes.
"In addition to redesigning the money, the bureau is putting
in new printing presses with more capabilities to handle the
increasingly sophisticated security features.
"The new presses can vary the size of the bills being printed.
That is something the American Council for the Blind is urging
the government to consider as a way of helping the visually
impaired distinguish between different denominations of currency.
"Felix says no decision has been made on such a change. The
government is appealing a federal court ruling that could
force such a redesign."
To read the complete article, see:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/26/AR2007082600
320.html
WRITER CALLS FOR NEW FACES ON U.S. PAPER MONEY
Wallace Baine of the Santa Cruz Sentinel published an article
August 31st calling for new faces on U.S. paper money. It reads
like more of a fluff piece than a real editorial, but we could
see more calls for change like this in the future. Many other
countries have far more variety in the personalities honored on
their banknotes, and Baine correctly points out that the U.S. Mint
has paved the way for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing via
the great variety of subjects honored in the State Quarter and
commemorative coin programs.
"There are roughly 5 billion handsomely engraved pictures of
former president Andrew Jackson floating around the U.S. today,
most of those exchanged from one person to another for goods
and services. Reach into your pocket, wallet or purse right now
and there's a good chance you have a portrait — or two or more
— of Old Hickory, as Jackson was known in his day.
"We're talking, of course, about the $20 bill, the second most
circulated paper currency in America behind only George
Washington's picture on the $1 bill. The twenty owes much of
its popularity to the ATM, of which it is the favorite
denomination. And since the ATM is how most of us procure
cash these days, the twenty reigns supreme.
"But only the slightest minority of Americans have even
the foggiest idea of who Andrew Jackson was. Which raises
this obvious but never-addressed question: Why exactly is
he on our money?
"I'm not making the argument that Jackson doesn't belong
on the twenty ... I'm saying that it's about time to give
someone else that privileged position. It's time to put a
little rotation in the faces on our currency."
[Baine suggests James Madison, Thomas Edison, Jackie Robinson,
Mark Twain, Thomas Paine and Albert Einstein. His "Sexy
pick with no chance of being seriously considered: Walt Whitman".
His other "sexy picks" are Eleanor Roosevelt, Paul Robeson, P.T.
Barnum, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams and Rachel Carson. -Editor]
To read the complete article, see:
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2007/August/31/style/stories/07styl
e.htm
2008 OLYMPIC MEDALS TO HAVE JADE INSERTS
Dick Johnson writes: "Surfing the internet this week brought
a rare discovery. I didn't pick it up when it was announced
March 27th this year, but it has great numismatic significance.
"Five hundred days before the opening of the 2008 Olympic
Games in Beijing China, illustrations of the Olympic medals
were released to the press. The medals will bear genuine
jade ring inserts on their reverse. White jade on the gold
medals, light green jade on the silver medals, dark green
jade on the bronze medals. More than 1500 medals are to
be awarded!
"The host country has the obligation and privilege to design
and produce the Olympic award medals. Seldom are they
announced this far in advance. And seldom are they this
distinctive. The medal bears a simple motif with the Beijing
Games logo and the five-ring Olympic symbol as the center
emblem. The medals are struck with a wide rim and a recessed
area between. Here is where a thin circular ring of genuine
jade will be inserted.
"Brilliant. Stunning. Attractive. Distinctive. Appropriate.
I may run out of superlatives. The Chinese designers have
outdone themselves!
"The obverse design is modified from previous Olympic medal
designs. The medal bears an ornate wide loop for the red neck
ribbon inscribed "Beijing 2008" and the 5-ring Olympic logo.
"Medals are numismatics' contribution to the world of art,
where a creative designer can do most anything with a piece
of metal to give it permanent meaning and beauty, ideal for
an award honor or memorable event. My hat is off to the
Chinese who have done this with their Olympic medal. The
winning athletes will be proud to take these medals home
from Beijing.
"I found a web site generated by Richard R. Wertz who
documented all this in one of his Special Reports. It is
in English, illustrated in color, and very enlightening."
For more information and images of the 2008 Beijing Olympic medals, see:
www.ibiblio.org/chinesehistory/contents/07spe/olympics/image.medals.htm.
[Be sure to take a look at the images. The medals seem nicely
done and I'm willing to bet they'll look even better when seen
in person. -Editor]
MASSIVE NORTHERN SONG DYNASTY COIN HOARD DISCOVERED IN CHINA
The People's Daily of China reports that "A cellar containing
1.5 tons of ancient coins, including some 2,000-year-old ones,
have been discovered by a villager in Changzi County, north
China's Shanxi Province.
"The man in Qianwanhu village discovered the cellar with some
10,000 coins, ranging from 3 cm to 1 cm in diameter, on Aug. 23
when he was digging a channel to place pipes for tap water,
said Li Lin, an official of the Changzi Center of Cultural
Heritage and Tourism.
"The 'money cellar' was 1.5 meters under the earth, with coins
being piled orderly into a cuboid of 1.3 meters long, 0.65 meter
wide and one meter high, Li said.
"Most of the coins were made during the Northern Song Dynasty
(960-1127) with the remainders made during Han Dynasty (206
BC-220 AD) and Tang Dynasty (618-907), Li said.
"Many coins were in good condition, and characters on the
surface were still legible, while some others were rusty.
The largest coin is 3 cm in diameter and the smallest is
one cm, Li said."
To read the complete article, see:
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/6251751.html
DITCH-DIGGER FINDS SIXTEENTH CENTURY GOLD COIN HOARD
John Andrew forwarded this article from The Sun after Jeff Starck
from Coin World brought it to his attention. It concerns the
discovery of a hoard of gold angel and half-angel coins. He
was working to confirm details of the find with British authorities
including the Treasure Liaison Officer at Bristol Museum. John
will write up the story after the legal process has been complete,
by which time accurate information about the coins will be available.
Here's what The Sun said:
"A labourer will soon be quids in after finding a hoard of 500-year-old
gold coins. Lucky Jason Clarke, 19, helped uncover 204 Angel and
half-Angel coins while digging a drainage ditch. The coins were in
circulation in 1510 — and experts at top auction house Sotheby’s
say the collection is worth at least £160,000.
"“We were using a mechanical digger and the boss was controlling
it while I was on the ground. Then we both spotted a glint of gold.
The hole was full of coins.
"“I scrabbled around and kept finding more and more. I ended up
filling a bag full of them.”"
To read the complete article, see:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007390909,00.html
[OK, that's enough. I quit my job and bought a metal detector.
I told my family I'm staying here in England to make our fortune.
The next London Diary will be uploaded from a ditch at an
undisclosed location. -Editor]
MORE ON COIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Larry Gaye writes: "Regarding the question on tilting coins
and medals for photography I have found a slight tilt to be
quite effective on high lustre copper and silver. Coins that
are worn and with nice earthen or other highlights do better on
a "flat" surface, these in my case are always ancients.
"I still like to experiment when I shoot as you never know
what will happen. I use a digital camera and always experiment
with the lighting source as well as the camera's ability to adapt
to different sources such as daylight, cloudy, fluorescent, and
normal incandescent sources. Try it yourself and see what it
looks like."
COIN PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNIQUE QUESTION
http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v10n34a09.html
ON CLEANING COINS
Tom Caldwell writes: "The article on the San Antonio coin hoard
really got my attention as it did yours for the same reasons.
Without a doubt the "cleaning" that has no doubt already been
done has already pretty much destroyed a large percentage of
the value. A shame the local dealer could not have given the
owner better advise, unless it was already too late at that
point."
SAN ANTONIO COIN HOARD FOUND
http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v10n34a13.html
EBAY MEDAL HUNTER BUYS RARE WELCOME HOME MEDAL
The Sun Times of Owen Sound, Ontario published an article on
the latest find of Dave Thomson, the eBay medal hunter:
"When soldiers returned home from the First World War, some
communities bestowed special welcome-home medals like the one
Sydenham Township gave Robert Charles Fraser.
"Eighty-nine years after the War to End All Wars ended,
Fraser’s medals have surfaced on EBay.
"His Sydenham medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal
were purchased by Dave Thomson, the war medal enthusiast from
St. George, Ont., who has helped return medals he’s found at
online auction site EBay about 70 times in the past year.
"He hopes Good Samaritans or family who hear of the find
will offer to purchase the medals and possibly donate them
to a local museum.
"Thomson’s interventions have returned three war medals to
Grey-Bruce, most recently to a Port Elgin widow of a Second
World War soldier. In that case the woman’s son bought them.
The other times interested citizens have bought them. “The
people of your county, they obviously haven’t forgotten,”
Thomson said. Thomson said he finds it unusual to have found
so many medals with ties to Grey-Bruce."
To read the complete article, see:
http://tinyurl.com/2apuet
SALE OF BLACK SOLDIER'S MEDAL CAUSES UPROAR
http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v10n08a10.html
FEATURED WEB PAGE: NNDB NAME DATABASE
This week's featured web page is suggested by John and
Nancy Wilson. They write: "We found another terrific site
for researchers and historians. NNDB does indeed track
the entire world. Put in almost anyone famous and you will
get a detailed history of that person."
http://search.nndb.com/search/nndb.cgi
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