The E-Sylum v16#51 December 15, 2013

The E-Sylum esylum at binhost.com
Sun Dec 15 19:00:55 PST 2013


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The E-Sylum
  
  An electronic publication of
  The Numismatic Bibliomania Society


Volume 16, Number 51, December 15, 2013
**
WAYNE'S WORDS: THE E-SYLUM DECEMBER 15, 2013
<#a01>
**	
NEW BOOK: STANDARD CATALOG OF WORLD COINS 1701-1800, 6TH ED
<#a02>
**	
NEW BOOK: STANDARD CATALOG OF WORLD PAPER MONEY, 12TH ED
<#a03>
**	
NEW BOOK: COLLECTING CONFEDERATE PAPER MONEY, 2014 ED.
<#a04>
**	
JOURNAL OF NUMISMATIC RESEARCH, SUMMER 2013 PUBLISHED
<#a05>
**	
JOURNAL OF NUMISMATIC RESEARCH, AUTUMN 2013 PUBLISHED
<#a06>
**	
REVIEW: CRYSTAL PALACE MEDALS AND TOKENS 1851–1936
<#a07>
**	
HERITAGE OFFERS THE ERIC P. NEWMAN COLLECTION PART III
<#a08>
**	
RITTENHOUSE CLOCKS AND THE FUGIO CENTS
<#a09>
**	
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: DECEMBER 15, 2013
<#a10>
**	
ORIGINAL LOVETT CONFEDERATE CENT OFFERED BY HERITAGE
<#a11>
**	
THEFTS SHOCK THE RARE BOOK WORLD
<#a12>
**	
GIROLAMINI LIBRARY BOOK THEFTS
<#a13>
**	
U.S. GOVERNMENT SHUTS DOWN PHYSICAL BITCOIN MINTER
<#a14>
**	
TOOLS AND TIPS FOR NUMISMATIC PUBLISHERS 
<#a15>
**	
KENNEDY'S DOLLAR TOSSED AS 2013 ARMY-NAVY GAME
<#a16>
**	
2014 AMERICAN PLATINUM EAGLE DESIGN THOUGHTS
<#a17>
**	
ROBERT M. PATTERSON AND THE SEATED LIBERTY DESIGN 
<#a18>
**	
A  PHILADELPHIA MINT  CHIMNEY BRICK?
<#a19>
**	
TOM KAYS' NUMISMATIC DIARY: DECEMBER 15, 2013
<#a20>
**	
E-SYLUM READERS ON MEETING JESSE OWENS
<#a21>
**	
PHOTO SLEUTH SAYLES QUESTIONS COIN FIND REPORT
<#a22>
**	
CITY VIEW COINS
<#a23>
**	
QUERY: NUMISMATIC ITEMS PICTURING TURKEYS SOUGHT
<#a24>
**	
POSTCARDS AND NUMISMATICS
<#a25>
**
FEATURED WEB SITE: INTERNATIONAL BANK NOTE SOCIETY
<#a26>




Click here to read this issue on the web
		


Click here to access the complete archive
	
To comment or submit articles, reply to 
whomren at gmail.com

		



WAYNE'S WORDS: THE E-SYLUM DECEMBER 15, 2013






New subscribers this week include
Sanjiv Gupta and
Bruce Bartelt.
Welcome aboard!
We have 1,684 email subscribers, plus 256  followers on Facebook.


This week we open with three new numismatic books, two periodicals and one book review (shades of Twelve days of Numismatic Bibliomania)!  
Other topics include the Eric P. Newman Collection, Part III, Rittenhouse Clocks and Fugio Cents, an original Confederate cent, rare book thefts, physical Bitcoins, City View coins, and postcards in numismatics.

 
To learn more about Robert M. Patterson and the Seated Liberty coin design, the true purpose of the $3 Gold coin, valiant attempts to prevent gold and silver from falling into the hands of an invading Japanese Army in WWII, medals and tokens of the Crystal Palace, Eric Newman's coin-buying journey through the Khyber Pass and the Kennedy Dollar, read on.   Have a great week, everyone!


Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum




	
NEW BOOK: STANDARD CATALOG OF WORLD COINS 1701-1800, 6TH ED


George Cuhaj at Krause Publishing forwarded this information about the new edition of their Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800.  Thanks.
-Editor




Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 6th edition.
ISBN: 978-1-4402-3884-0, 
KP Product U8548. 
List price of $85.00
1440 Pages.


All prices needed to be reviewed as bullion values increased since the fifth edition. Extensive editorial material (descriptions and illustrations) have been added to the Austrian States, German States, Indian States, Italian States, Malta, Portugal, Russia, Spain and the new world colonies of Brazil and Mexico.


CDs exhibit offered separately. 
Order at 

shopnumismaster.com

or from your favorite hobby distributor.



	
NEW BOOK: STANDARD CATALOG OF WORLD PAPER MONEY, 12TH ED


George Cuhaj at Krause Publishing forwarded this information about the new edition of their Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Specialized Issues .  Thanks.
-Editor




Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Specialized Issues, 12th edition.
ISBN: 978-1-4402-3883-3, 
KP Product U8547. 
List price of $90.00
1296 Pages.


Extensive price review for the vast number of Chinese issues, Canadian Provincial and Mexican Revolutionary issues. A full revision of Sweden is presented along with expanded illustrations.


CDs exhibit offered separately. 
Order at 

shopnumismaster.com

or from your favorite hobby distributor.



	
NEW BOOK: COLLECTING CONFEDERATE PAPER MONEY, 2014 ED.


A new edition of Pierre Fricke's  Confederate Paper Money Field Guide will be available January 20th.
-Editor



Confederate Paper Money Book—2014 Edition!!!
By Pierre Fricke
Portable (6x9), 576 pages, quality hard back, full color.


“...The additions and updates in Pierre Fricke’s 2014 edition further solidify this book as the standard Confederate money guide”, Travis Butler, CSA paper money collector, Millennial Generation



 

Easy beginner type ID plates

More than 200 people’s input included

100 pages of introductory material including history, ways to collect, and the only photo grading guide for CSA currency

Values for type notes in choice, average, cut-cancelled and impaired quality for each grade

Values for rare varieties, counterfeit types and CSA bonds & updated market analysis

Type/rare variety condition census

Hundreds of color pictures drawn from the most extensive type and variety collections

Montgomery notes, T-27, T-35 up-to-date census

PCGS, PMG, CC&A pricing

Military, civil and place issue T-39-40-41 rarity and values

Trans-Miss rarity and values



Please send $40 ppd. to:
Pierre Fricke,
P.O. Box 1094,
Sudbury, MA 01776


Personalized and Signed by Author



www.csaquotes.com
Email — pfricke at csaquotes.com


Pierre adds:


The major new things in this book are:  Updated prices and rarity; PMG/PCGS pricing; new varieties and a variety roadmap for each type to make it easier to ID varieties; T-39-40-41 issuers and places issued pricing; Trans-Mississippi reissued notes pricing; Easy to use type picture ID appendix for beginners; updated commentary on the market; improved photo grade section.




  EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY!  
Live and Work in Southern California
 


Stack’s Bowers Galleries offers an important employment opportunity for the right person. We are seeking an experienced numismatist in the American series—coins, tokens, medals, and paper money—to work with our “dream team” of catalogers, building on the tradition of the Ford, Eliasberg, Bass, Cardinal, Norweb, Battle Born and other great collections. 


If you can write in an authoritative and compelling manner with a high degree of accuracy, this may be just right for you!
You will be working in Irvine, a modern community in dynamic Orange County, California—one of the finest areas to live. We offer generous benefits including medical and dental coverage, 401K plan, and more. Our offices are in our own modern, state-of-the art building with all amenities. 


If you would like to be considered for this position please contact Q. David Bowers by mail or by email with your resumé, samples of your past writing (on numismatics or other subjects), and salary requirements:
 Mail to the attention of Q. David Bowers, PO Box 1804, Wolfeboro, NH  03894.  Email to: 

Ckarstedt at stacksbowers.com





	
JOURNAL OF NUMISMATIC RESEARCH, SUMMER 2013 PUBLISHED


Roger Burdette forwarded this press release for the summer issue of the Journal of Numismatic Research (JNR).  
-Editor




Issue #3 of the Journal of Numismatic Research (JNR) has just been released by Seneca Mill Press LLC.  
Copies may be purchased directly from the distributor, Wizard Coin Supply, Chantilly, VA 

www.wizardcoinsupply.com, or from leading coin dealers.


This issue, Summer 2013, is devoted to the valiant attempts by Filipino and American military and civilian personnel to prevent gold and silver from falling into the hands of the invading Japanese Army at the onset of World War II.


The successful voyage of the “golden ship” USS Trout from Corregidor Island to Honolulu with its ballast crammed with gold, received considerable publicity on the American Homefront. Several popular articles appeared during and after the war that outlined the general events but omitted, or altered many details for war-time consumption. The article beginning on page nine, presents the best modern research on the background, execution and conclusion of this amazing event. Copies of declassified relevant War Patrol Reports are included.


After all the gold and some of the Philippine silver were smuggled out on the Trout, a large quantity of silver coins remained. These were dumped into Manila Bay. The Japanese soon learned the location and conscripted American Navy divers to bring the money to the surface. This fascinating story of bravery and determination was unknown during the war and received little public attention afterward. This is the first comprehensive description and analysis of silver recovery. 


A closing feature reveals the U.S. Mint’s role in recovering Nazi looted treasure following VE Day, and provides the first numismatic estimates of American gold coins contained in the treasure.



	
JOURNAL OF NUMISMATIC RESEARCH, AUTUMN 2013 PUBLISHED


Roger Burdette forwarded this press release for the latest issue of the Journal of Numismatic Research (JNR).  Roger tells me it's at the printers now.  Next week I should have a review of an earlier issue.
-Editor




Issue No. 4 of the Journal of Numismatic Research (JNR) has just been released by Seneca Mill Press LLC.  Copies for the 45-page volume may be purchased directly from the distributor, Wizard Coin Supply, Chantilly, VA 

www.wizardcoinsupply.com, or from leading coin dealers.


This issue of the Journal of Numismatic Research, Autumn 2013, features original research about two of the unusual denominations of American coinage: the $3 gold and the 3-cent silver coins. These enigmatic coins were authorized by Congress and dutifully struck by the mint for thirty-five years, yet they had almost no role in daily commerce.


The first article, Origin of the 3-Cent Silver Coin, reveals details of how this first “postal currency” came about, and why it was initially produced in a non-standard silver alloy.  A subsidiary 3-cent coin was proposed in 1850 by Senator Daniel S. Dickinson (D-NY). His idea was that the seigniorage on new one cent and three-cent pieces would pay the expenses of purchasing and recoining underweight Spanish fractions then in circulation.  Dickinson’s bill received assistance from the Mint in the form of technical assistance and creation of two pattern pieces: a small cent and a three cent. Eventually Dickenson’s proposal died in committee, but the 3-cent coin remained as part of postal rate legislation.


A second research article examines the Purpose of the $3 Gold Denomination and dispels the myth that the coin had any relationship to postage rates. As Mint Director Kimball noted, “This is a denomination which serves no useful purpose, its present coinage being in fact limited to its production for cabinet purposes [proofs for coin collectors and supplementary coinage designed to prevent speculation.]”


A bonus article, Gold Dollars Used for Jewelry, discusses the use of the gold one dollar and three dollar coins in jewelry. Lastly, an editorial opinion disputes the claim that engraver James B. Longacre was incompetent as a coin designer and die engraver. 


Special thanks to the Central States Numismatic Society. A grant from CSNS contributed to production of this issue of the Journal of Numismatic Research.



	
REVIEW: CRYSTAL PALACE MEDALS AND TOKENS 1851–1936


Many thanks to Dan Gosling, Editor of The Canadian Numismatic Journal for sending at my request this article from their December 2013 issue about a book on Crystal Palace Medals and Tokens.
-Editor



Reprinted from The Canadian Numismatic Journal, Vol. 58 No. 10 (December 2013), the Official Publication of The Royal Canadian Numismatic Association, www.rcna.ca. Used with permission.


 
Ex Libris: The World’s Show: Coincraft’s Catalogue of Crystal Palace Medals and Tokens 1851–1936 by Leslie Lewis Allen
 

The book’s title originates from London’s Great Exhibition of 1851 and its innovative Crystal Palace edifice. The book’s contents lead to a catalogue array of the official and sundry medals from that early event followed by sections with similar medallic groupings from subsequent exhibitions and other significant events in the relocated Crystal Palace or its counterparts.


Arrangement of the book divides its catalogue and text into four major sections of Crystal Palace ventures: 


        The Palace in Hyde Park, 1851, site of the Great Exhibition of Works of Industry; 

        after the building’s relocation to Sydenham, 1854–1936 where it was reassembled to serve as an education and recreation facility; 

        the surrogate Palace in Manchester, 1857, for the Exhibition of Art Treasures, and

        the Palace’s substitute building in South Kensington, 1862, for the International Exhibition.



Each section begins with an Introduction to give its reader the historical background and generalities of the event described or the series of activities held. Following that, the section has a catalogue of the Official Medals, Unofficial Medals, Trade Tokens, and Associated Pieces related to its venue.


The 1851 Exhibition building with its cast iron structure and glass enclosure, akin to a massive floral conservatory, quickly attracted its public moniker: Crystal Palace, a name the public associated with the building and the Exhibition as well. This sentiment continued with the subsequent locations and events that derived from the Great Exhibition. Allen acknowledges this in his choice of title. That habitual use of the Palace name explains the segmented catalogue and also the length of time defined for this series of medals.


The entire catalogue has over 800 medallic illustrations; these include nearly all of the entries. Pictures are of excellent quality in full-size greyscale. Items are catalogued and numbered by section. Each numbered item shows: subject; maker; metal; size; design; references, and rarity. Many of the Exhibitions’ important prize medals, and medals for dignitaries or officials, have added explanatory information. The author includes pictures and descriptions of specially prepared sets of some Official Exhibition Medals; he also adds comments that help distinguish the souvenir medals, trade tokens, advertising checks, and associated pieces listed.


Leslie Allen, a long-time collector and London resident, who developed a serious interest in Crystal Palace medals, discovered that no single reference for this material existed. He set out to rectify that shortcoming by researching and cataloguing these medals. His quest awarded him a surprise: the existence of many obscure Palace tokens and checks known to some few specialist collectors, but mostly unknown to others. These pieces, together with the official medals and souvenir issues he first encountered, form the content of his definitive work. Allen’s catalogue accomplishment attracted the generous support of Coincraft, London, as its publisher.


The World’s Show: Coincraft’s Catalogue of Crystal Palace Medals and Tokens 1851–1936 (2000) serves as the authoritative guide to the numismatics of the Palace in its time. The accompanying text complements the catalogue material by including a historical context and offering reference sources. An Index ends the catalogue, and a nominal price guide follows it with suggested valuations for many of the example medals. The book is 8" x 11½" hardbound with a lithographed cover. It has 276 pages on glossy paper. Your RCNA Library has this book for loan to members.



I contacted CoinCraft, and Carol Benton responded that they "nearly out of stock".   Sounds like a great book if you can get one.
-Editor



To contact CoinCraft, see:

www.coincraft.com




	
HERITAGE OFFERS THE ERIC P. NEWMAN COLLECTION PART III


Heritage Auctions has posted the electronic version of Part III of the Eric P. Newman auction sales.   Here's the catalog's introduction to the sale, which describes Eric's many foreign travel adventures.
-Editor



 
Eric P. Newman began traveling at an early age with his family and has never stopped. During their 74
years of marriage, Eric and Evelyn Newman have literally been from Afghanistan to Zanzibar. The couple
has visited, and sometimes revisited, more than 150 countries. Their first journey together took place in
December of 1939. While on their honeymoon cruise, they witnessed the culmination of the first active
battle of World War II: the scuttling of the German battleship Graf Spee in Montevideo’s harbor.


Eric’s habit of keeping meticulous records extends beyond his numismatic transactions and research to
documenting his worldwide journeys with Evelyn. A small sampling of their international travel file folders
reveals the following titles:


1947: Peru; 1956: England, Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda,
Belgian Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, Zanzibar; 1963: Moscow,
Mongolia, Siberia, Tokyo, Hawaii; 1965: Central, East and
South Africa via Land Rover; 1967: Germany, East Germany,
Hungary, Russia, Romania, Poland, Denmark, Norway; 1974:
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ireland; 1978-9: Antarctica, Easter
Island; 1985: India; 1987: Ecuador, Galapagos, Jamaica;
1995: England—QE2 and Concorde; 1999: Vietnam, Laos;
2003: Cuba.


Eric and Evelyn’s love of travel off the beaten path led to numerous adventures. They fondly (yes, fondly!)
recall sleeping on top of a dining room table at an airport in India as they waited for the fog to lift in Nepal,
their next destination. Later, during the Cold War, the two were shadowed while on a visit to Moscow. On
one of at least eight trips to Africa, the Newmans were detained when soldiers commandeered their Land
Rover for military use. It was later returned, as promised.


Many of their voyages included the acquisition of numismatic items. After a harrowing automobile journey
through the Khyber Pass where tribesmen “greeted” them with gunfire, they reached Afghanistan. Eric’s
inquiries about coins led to a foray through a maze of alleyways to a shopkeeper near Chicken Street in
Kabul. The merchant had a large sack of copper coins, perhaps 5000 pieces, and emptied them out pile
by pile, onto his mattress; for eight cents each, Eric had his pick. Among these were some unknown pre-
Kushan items. On a trip to New Guinea, they were invited to attend a wedding ceremony. There they
exchanged paper money for coins on a blanket next to the dowry pigs. It was a win-win situation for all.
The groom’s family was pleased because they didn’t have to tote the weighty coins back to their village;
Eric was happy to acquire new material for his collection.


Not surprisingly, Eric’s world coins also range from Afghanistan (1925 1/2 Amani) to Zanzibar (1908 Ali
Bin Hamud Cent), and encompass nearly everything in between. If studied, all provide a glimpse into a
particular place and time. One stellar example from Italy is the 1684 Marcantonio Giustinian gold Osella
of 4 Zecchini. Its unique reverse is as breathtaking as the iconic city it portrays: Venice. The viewer
sees the Piazza San Marco, the Palace of the Doges, St. Mark’s Cathedral and, of course, the Grand
Canal. 


The undated Basel City gold 2 Ducats (1680-1700) is noteworthy for depicting an elevated
view of the Swiss city, with a bridge spanning the Rhine, boats sailing downriver, and multiple spires
aglow on the gold surface of the coin. The 1674 Emden Leopold I City 2 Taler is a masterpiece in
silver. Remarkably, the foreground shows horses prancing on a small area of land. Ships under sail
are seen rocking in the waves of the outer harbor. One boat enters the calm waters of the protected
inner harbor; the charming city is seen behind its sea wall, and freewheeling birds circle above. These
three city view coins, and others like them, transport the viewer to a precise spot on the globe. Today,
captured with a smartphone, these scenes might have a rather ephemeral existence, but here, they
are memorialized for eternity.


To read the complete catalog, see:

SELECTIONS FROM THE
ERIC P. NEWMAN COLLECTION PART III

(coins.ha.com/common/auction/frontmatter/3029_catalogpdf.pdf)









	
RITTENHOUSE CLOCKS AND THE FUGIO CENTS


Franklin Noel submitted this note about the connection between a Rittenhouse clock and the design of the Fugio Cent.  Thanks!
-Editor




If readers want a more concrete numismatic reason to acquire a Rittenhouse Clock, beyond the obvious, Sylvester Crosby provides this information in his description of FUGIO cents: 


"This coin was issued by authority of Congress in 1787.  It is generally known as the Franklin Cent, but should properly be called the Rittenhouse Cent, if named after any individual."  



In a footnote, quoting Barton's Memoirs of David Rittenhouse, p. 467, Crosby explains: 


"In the year 1756 he (Rittenhouse,) made an eight-day clock, for his brother in law, Mr. Barton; over the dial plate of which, was engraven this mementory motto -- Tempus fugit; and underneath, this blunt but too often necessary precept
-- Go about your business." 



The Barton quote goes on to note that these mottos also appeared on continental currency during the "American war," 
and on the one cent piece struck in 1787.


See Crosby, Sylvester Sage, The Early Coins of America p. 302.  Recall that Crosby himself was a watchmaker by profession.



Thanks!  I'd forgotten about the reference to Rittenhouse.  The Franklin connection has drowned it out over the years, but one doubts Crosby only at one's peril.  He may be on to something there.  What do readers make of this connection?


While searching for information about this particular clock, I came across the following references.   There was a big exhibit of Rittenhouse clocks and instruments at the Franklin Institute, and there has been a complete book written about one of Rittenhouse's clocks: The Most Important Clock in America.
-Editor




To read the complete articles, see:



THE RITTENHOUSE EXHIBITION, THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE MUSEUM

(ojs.libraries.psu.edu/index.php/pmhb/article/viewFile/28250/28006)



An Early David Rittenhouse Clock
In the Philadelphia History Museum
At the Atwater Kent

(www.colonialinstruments.com/im/pdf/An_Early_David_Rittenhouse_Clock.pdf)



Drexel University’s Rittenhouse Clock Now the Subject of a New Book - See more at: 

(www.drexel.edu/now/news-media/releases/archive/2009/October/Drexel-Universitys-Rittenhouse-Clock-Now-the-Subject-of-a-New-Book/)


To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:

THE CLOCKS OF DAVID RITTENHOUSE

(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n50a09.html)



	
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: DECEMBER 15, 2013


 Greetings from Inner Mongolia 
Li/Tiesheng of Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China writes:


As a sincere reader of The E-Sylum, please accept my hearty thanks for your work.




You're welcome!   I never cease to be amazed at the reach of The E-Sylum.   We started as a simple email newsletter for Numismatic Bibliomania Society members, and today we have readers in every corner of the globe.    It's both a pleasure and honor to work on it every week, knowing that it's awaited and appreciated by eager readers everywhere.
-Editor


 Still More Collective Terms in Numismatics 
Fred Schwan writes:


A squad of military payment certificates or even a squad of warnicks (either could also be companies or battalions.



Bob Metzger writes:


I think the collective term for editors should be a "parenthesis of editors."



Fred Michaelson writes:


A "comma-d of editors" is beautiful.   What was your train of thought coming up with that?  Editors fix errors---comedy of errors----comedy of editors---comma-d of editors?  




Well, editors spend a lot of time putting commas where they think they belong, so that’s where it started.   They also introduce plenty of their own errors while trying to fix others'.    So yeah, I thought of "Comedy of Errors", and out popped a "comma-d of editors."    
-Editor



Fred Michaelson adds:


Since you spend time putting commas where they belong, try getting people to stop omitting the serial comma.  "A, B, and C"
is correct.  "A, B and C" isn't.  It makes me cringe.  People come up with all kinds of arguments that say it's optional, but the bottom line, the thing that transcends it all, is the simple fact that a comma shows a pause in speech.  I have spoken and am now pausing.




I don't remember if I was ever taught this, but for better or worse what I learned is that "A, B and C" is correct.   See what I mean about introducing new errors?   I try not to worry about it too much.  I got into the Internet publishing business because the standards are lower and I wouldn't have to spend days tracking down proper citations and the like.   I appreciate when those jobs are done right, but don't have the time for it most days.  
-Editor



To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:

NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: DECEMBER 8, 2013 : More on Collective Terms in Numismatics

(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n50a07.html)


 Big Coins, Big Holes 
Granvyl Hulse writes:


Regarding the unwanted dollar coin, having lived for a number of years in England during the days of the big pennies and half crowns, I can state one reason why big coins are not wanted - their edges cut holes in your pants pockets and everything in them goes on the ground when you stand up.



To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:

THE UNWANTED, UNLOVED U.S. DOLLAR COIN

(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n50a19.html)

 Pistrucci's St. George and the Dragon 
Pete Smith writes:


The St. George and the Dragon reverse has been revised a number of times. I have a vague recollection that the British Royal Mint produced a commemorative set showing the various reverses. I suspect some E-Sylum reader will have a better recollection than mine.



To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:

PISTRUCCI'S ST GEORGE AND DRAGON THROUGH THE YEARS

(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n50a13.html)

 V. Arefiev  on the Quentin Archer Sale 
David Fanning writes:


Our friend, the scholar V. Arefiev, has published an overview in Russian of our January 11 sale of the Quentin Archer library on Russian numismatics. The article, “Обзор библиотеки русской нумизматической литературы Квинта Арчера,” can be found on the Staraya Moneta website at

staraya-moneta.ru/lib/1758/




 Query:  Feuchtwanger Cent Images and Ephemera Sought
Dave Bowers writes:


I am doing some research on Hard Times tokens. Does anyone have pictures of the Feuchtwanger cents Low 120, HT-268 dies 3-C and 4-F. Also any contemporary printed advertisements or ephemera of the various issuers? Thanks for anything you can furnish.




I've never come across ads or ephemera of Feuchtwanger, although I do have a couple of his (non-numismatic) books.  Can anyone help with this or Dave's image requests?  Thanks.
-Editor




	
ORIGINAL LOVETT CONFEDERATE CENT OFFERED BY HERITAGE


CoinWeek published an article by Heritage on their upcoming sale of an original Confederate cent.  Here's an excerpt.
-Editor




Generations of numismatists have repeated a canon of commonly held beliefs about original Confederate cents, one of which Heritage will be able to offer as a part of the 2014 January 8 – 12 FUN US Coin Signature Auction in Orlando. The maxim still holds true that once a numismatic fallacy is repeated it becomes fact; after it is repeated again it becomes an absolute fact. Very little is known as fact about original Confederate cents. What is known is either 12 or 16 pieces were struck in early 1861. Robert Lovett, Jr. was the engraver responsible. The first appearance at auction was in January 1874. Beyond that, just about everything is open to conjecture.


Much of the uncertainty about the original Confederate cents stems from an address made by John Haseltine at the 1908 ANA Convention. By 1908, Haseltine was “one who belongs to the old school of numismatics,” as Henry Chapman considered him. His address introduced several previously unmentioned “facts” about the discovery of the Confederate cents. These so-called facts were listed and debunked in Harold Levi and George Corell’s book The Lovett Cent, a Confederate Story.


The greatest concentration of truth about the original strikes of the Confederate cents seems to be clustered around the time of their discovery and the sale at auction of the discovery piece. In Haseltine’s January 1874 sale, he apparently knew some of the facts, but appears to have not known how many pieces were struck. It appears that Haseltine believed the mintage was limited to the coins he had seen. This fact was later clarified by Dr. Maris, who actually owned the coins.


In Dr. Maris’ catalog from 1886, he stated “I believe only about sixteen were ever struck.” This number is in line with the number of pieces known today (13), allowing for a loss of three coins over the period of 150+ years.


This original Confederate cent has been off the market since 1974. It was bought by the consignor’s father, Dr. Dudley Noble, in April 1974 for $14,995. Mr. Noble died at the all-too-early age of 48. His sons saw the significance of the coin and how it would fit into their collections of Civil War memorabilia that included guns, swords, ambrotypes, tintypes, buckles, buttons, and Confederate currency.


To read the complete article, see:

1861 Confederate States of America Cent

(www.coinweek.com/us-small-cents/1861-confederate-states-america-cent/)




 THE BOOK BAZARRE
 MONEY OF THE BIBLE. 
Kenneth Bressett presents the third edition of his award-winning book, redesigned, updated, and revised for Christmas 2013. Give this beautiful numismatic chronicle of Biblical events as the perfect gift. Coffee-table format, full color. $29.95 
at

Whitman.com (or call 800-546-2995). 




	
THEFTS SHOCK THE RARE BOOK WORLD


American Numismatic Society Librarian Elizabeth Hahn submitted this report about some strange goings-on in the world of rare books.  Thanks!
-Editor



Although not specifically numismatic, there have been some interesting recent news updates in the antiquarian book world in regards to that major book theft in Italy (where thousands of rare books were stolen from the Girolamini library), and possibly of interest to E-Sylum readers.   The New York Times> reported on it at the end of
November:



Rare Books Vanish, With a Librarian in the Plot

(www.nytimes.com/2013/11/30/books/unraveling-huge-thefts-from-girolamini-library-in-naples.html)


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

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

To join, print the application and return it with your check
to the address printed on the application. Membership is only
$15 to addresses in the U.S., $20 for First Class mail, and
$25 elsewhere.  For those without web access, write to:

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

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

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

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

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

Issues from September 2002 to date are also archived at this address:
http://my.binhost.com/pipermail/esylum
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.binhost.com/pipermail/esylum/attachments/20131215/69fa0e19/attachment.html>


More information about the Esylum mailing list