The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 42, October 2, 2005, Article 17

LESTER MERKIN ENAMELED COIN COLLECTION

"The Atlanta Sale" planned for October 6, 2005 is a joint
offering of Stack's and American Numismatic Rarities in
conjunction with the the Whitman Coin and Collectibles
Atlanta Expo. Included is a most unusual offering of 351
lots of enamel-inlaid coins from the estates of Lester Merkin
and Joseph B. Stack. I don't believe there has ever been
a reference work devoted to this subject, but this catalog
will probably become the primary reference by default.

A web page we pointed out in the January 16, 2005 E-Sylum
(v8n3) is a useful one-page article on the topic:

"The majority of enamelled coins are based on the existing
design of the original coin. The first task in the production
process was to take out all the background of the coin, leaving
the letters and pattern in. In some cases the letters and design
were even removed. The enamel was then applied in layers,
fired and then ground down to enable the colours to come
through in varying shades. This process was often done in more
than one stage to enable the intricate colours and painted effect
to be perfected. "

"Two of the finest coin enamellers were William Henry Probert
and the Steel family. The earliest enamelled coins were thought
to have been produced by William Henry Probert in his
Birmingham workshop. His initial designs were very plain with
no more than three colours used. However, the coins were
expertly engraved."

Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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