WAYNE'S WORDS: THE E-SYLUM MARCH 11, 2012

New members this week include D. G. Gibbons and Benjamin D. Gastfriend. Welcome aboard! We have 1,518 email subscribers, plus 173 followers on Facebook.

This week we open with a note from Fred Lake, a new Redbook edition, and two book reviews (OK, one of them is a web site review).

Other topics include numismatic literature in the Capping Liberty exhibit at Princeton, Bronze vs Brass, the Flying Dragon Dollar, Pakistani counterfeiting, and satirical medals.

To learn more about Hank Spangenberger, R.C. Davis, Roman "brothel tokens", a new country in the latest edition of Krause's 19th century world coin catalogue, Napoleon the French Vampire, and how a belly dancer flips a coin, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren (whomren@gmail.com)
Numismatic Bibliomania Society

ANNOUNCEMENTS REGARDING LAKE BOOKS SALES #110, #111

The prices realized list for our sale #110 featuring Part One of the John R. (J.R.) Frankenfield library is now available for viewing on our web site at http://www.lakebooks.com/current.html

Lots that contained personalized presentation copies of books and catalogs commanded premium prices with a large number of bidders on each. Results were strong and reflected the quality of this type of material. Overall the sale generated strong participation by our subscribers with many lots bringing bids from dozens of bidders.

Our next sale will be held in May, 2012 and will feature Part Two of the Frankenfield library and also will include material from other consignors who have helped to make this coming sale a complete picture of what is available in reference works from the various facets of the numismatic experience.

Many thanks to our bidders and consignors who have helped to make our sales a continuing success since 1989.

Lake Books
6822 22nd Ave. N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
727-343-8055 Fax 727-345-3750

NEW BOOK: THE 2013 GUIDE BOOK OF UNITED STATES COINS

The new 2013 (66th) edition of the Guide Book of United States Coins (known to collectors as the "Red Book") is 16 pages longer than the 2012 edition. At 448 pages, it includes many new features, plus more than 300 additional or updated color photographs. The new edition, debuting in four different formats March 22 at the Whitman Baltimore Coin & Collectibles Expo, is available for preorder online (including at Whitman.com) and will be in bookstores and hobby shops nationwide April 10.

The 2013 edition has 1,974 full-color images. It prices 7,045 entries in up to 9 grades each, with more than 32,000 total valuations. More pages have been added to the sections on pre-federal coinage, silver and related dollars, commemoratives, and Proof and Mint sets.

"Readers will scarcely recognize the 2013 Red Book when they see its extensive upgrades and additions," said longtime senior editor Kenneth Bressett. "It is not 'your father's old pricing catalog.' Changes have been made throughout to keep it up to date with the outpouring of new and innovative issues from the United States Mint. That alone is no small consideration for it includes an assortment of more than $23,000 worth of new Mint products. And, of course, the same amount of attention is given to the older coins that extend back to 1616."

Collectors will benefit from auction records provided for significant recent sales. "More than 160 auction results are included within the chart listings," said Valuations Editor Jeff Garrett. "These combine with the retail valuations to paint an accurate picture of the high-end rare-coin market. In addition, the appendix on the Top 250 Auction Prices for U.S. Coins has been fully updated. Since the last edition, three more coins have broken the $1 million mark, for a total of 45."

Research Editor Q. David Bowers, commenting on the book's continuing popularity (more than 22 million copies have been sold since 1946), noted that "Even in the Internet age, the Red Book remains solidly the collector's best and first choice for instant information."

Due to popular demand and strong interest in the bullion markets, a special appendix on the Mint's American Arts gold bullion medals (1980-1984) has been added.

Also new is an illustrated essay on "Coin Collecting Yesterday and Today," describing the coin market and hobby going back to the mid-1940s, when the Red Book debuted.

Commentary on today's rare-coin market has been expanded in the introduction, with sections on third-party grading and authentication.

Mintage figures for all circulating coins and commemoratives have been updated as currently as possible with official data from the U.S. Mint.

"Two exciting new features have been added to the pre-federal, or colonial, coin section," said Kenneth Bressett. "One is an expanded and carefully organized coverage of the copper coins of New Jersey, and the other is a more extensive listing of the enigmatic pieces commonly known as Machin's Mills coins." Appendix B, "Collectible Red and Blue Books," has also been expanded with more details. Coverage of recent collectible Red Books includes the 2012 American Numismatic Association special edition, currently valued at $100 in New condition.

In perhaps a good measure of the health of the hobby, the listings in the Red Book's numismatic bibliography include more than 20 standard references published in the past five years.

About the Guide Book of United States Coins

A Guide Book of United States Coins is the world's most popular annual retail price guide for U.S. coins, tokens, and other numismatic items. More than 22 million copies have been purchased since 1946, making it one of the best-selling nonfiction titles in the history of U.S. publishing.

For the 66th edition, more than 140 professional coin dealers, scholars, and other numismatic experts contributed their knowledge under the direction of Editor Kenneth Bressett, Valuations Editor Jeff Garrett, and Research Editor Q. David Bowers.

The 66th edition of the Red Book is available in April 2012, online and at bookstores and hobby shops nationwide. In addition to offering a Large Print Edition and several formats of the regular edition, Whitman Publishing is also taking pre-orders for the leather-bound Limited Edition (1,000 copies autographed by Bressett). For more information and to order, the Whitman web site is www.Whitman.com. The publisher is offering free shipping on every order placed online that includes a 66th-edition Red Book, through April 17.

448 pages
Full color
By R.S. Yeoman; senior editor Kenneth Bressett; research editor Q. David Bowers; valuations editor Jeff Garrett
$14.95 spiralbound
$16.95 hardcover
$19.95 spiralbound hardcover
$29.95 Large Print Edition
$69.95 leather-bound Limited Edition (1,000 copies)

BOOK REVIEW: LES MONNAIES ROYALES FRANÇAISES 1610-1792, 4TH ED.

Pastrone, Francesco. Les monnaies royales françaises 1610-1792, 4th ed. Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2012. French language. Hardbound with colour photos, 508 pages. ISBN 978-2906602403. Price: 49 euro.

Éditions Victor Gadoury recently launched the fourth edition of its Les monnaies royales françaises 1610-1712 (Royal Coins of France, 1610-1792), commonly referred to as the "White Gadoury," a well respected publication first published in 1978 and written by the late Victor Gadoury himself.

This new edition of what I would call "The Four Louis" (since it covers the coinage of kings Louis XIII, XIV, XV, and XVI) has benefited from considerable research on the subject over the past few decades. Indeed, Gadoury's text has been updated with the research of some twenty renowned French numismatists.

The coins are presented by reign, from the smallest denomination to the largest. A list of all mint marks is at the beginning of each reign. One of the biggest changes introduced in this edition has been the discard of mintage figures that have been deemed inconsequential since many of the pieces struck by these kings were later reformed. A rarity scale has thus taken their place: C (common), R (101-500 known), R2 (51-100), R3 (11-50), R4 (5-10), and R5 (less than 5 known).

Another change is the presentation itself. Each coin type is presented with spectacular colour images that are accompanied by the following data: reference number, fineness, official weight, diameter range, edge, engraver, and some notes. The values for three conditions are presented in a table. These conditions are: TB (Très Beau = Fine), TTB (Très très beau = Very Fine), and SUP (Superbe = Extremely Fine). Also included in the table is the date, mint, rarity, and whether the known pieces are reformations (identified by the use of "rf") or struck on new planchets (identified by "fn").

All in all, a superb book well worth the 49-euro price for those that specialized in these series. My rating: 5/5. It is available directly from the publisher at www.gadoury.com/fra/libro-134-monnaies-royales-francaises-2012.htm .

BOOK REVIEW: THE BANKNOTE BOOK

Linzmayer, Owen W. The Banknote Book. www.banknotebook.com

For the past few years, Owen Linzmayer, a past editor of the IBNS Journal, has been working on an electronic book called The Banknote Book. Like most of us, Owen had been using Krause's Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (SCWPM) and found it wanting in some areas, particularly when it came to images. That is when he decided to tackle the huge undertaking of putting together a new world catalogue that would meet the needs of bank-note collectors, beginners and advanced alike.

He has been doing so one step at a time, or more precisely, one chapter (country) at a time. Thus far, he has completed 111 chapters, that is over 1000 pages containing more than 1400 notes and 8300 types and varieties. Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-colour images, and accurate valuations, as well as:

• Sharp colour images of note's front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety is assigned an individual sub-number
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Red stars highlight notes missing in the SCWPM
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Since it is an electronic book available for download from the website, collectors can buy the chapters individually. The price varies according to the size of the chapter.

My rating: 5/5, but you don't have to take my word for it, download the free sample from the web site, you'll see.

For more information about Moneta and the Ottawa Numismatic Society, see: ons-sno.ca

BOOK ON SPINTRIAE: LE TESSERE EROTICHE ROMANE

The long running discussion on the subject of Roman spintriae sent me digging through boxes of part of my library that hasn't been unpacked since my last move... ten years ago. I don't believe anyone brought up this little brown book.

About 28-30 years ago, a dealer friend talked me into purchasing sight unseen a catalog of, as he described, Roman brothel tokens. He needed to order five copies to receive a discount so reluctantly I let my arm be twisted. I do not recall for certain whom the dealer ordering the books was but the circumstance immediately brings David Schenkman to mind.

In any case, I acquired this approximately octavo sized 1981 dated glossy 44 page catalog, skipped the numerous pages of Italian text (I don't read Italian), read the summary (I do somewhat better with English), looked at the photographs and then put it on a top shelf until I needed it for an attribution. Needless to say I haven't opened it in about 28 years or so. At least now after 28 years I can justify the purchase in the name of edification.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: SPINTRIAE ARE NO BROTHEL TOKENS (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n05a09.html)

NUMISMATIC LITERATURE IN THE CAPPING LIBERTY EXHIBIT

I only had about a half hour available to see this exhibit, so can't write a fair review of it, but noted the following displayed items of particular interest to students of numismatic literature (all right then, I'm being pedantic, make that bibliomaniacs):

Henry Phillips's personal copy of his two volume treatise, Historical Sketches of the Paper Currency of the American Colonies Prior to the Adoption of the Federal Constitution (Roxbury, MA., W. Elliot Woodward's Historical Series, 1865), interleaved, with actual specimens of colonial currency mounted in the interleaves; the books on exhibit are opened to the New Jersey and Continental Currency sections.

A copy of Jacob R. Eckfeldt and William E. DuBois's Manual of Gold and Silver Coins of All Nations Struck within the Past Century (Philadelphia, Office of the Mint, 1842), opened to Plate II (United States -- silver), alongside an exhibit of coins from the University's special collections matching the coins illustrated on the plate. The images on these coins include the familiar allegories of Liberty wearing the pileus and the seated Liberty holding the cap on a pole.

A copy of the only book written by the author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, from the University's rare book collection, signed by Jefferson with annotations in his own hand. Jefferson, along with Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, had much to do with the choice of images to be placed on our coins and currency, and sections of the exhibit are devoted to the numismatic legacy of these men.

The exhibit, drawn entirely from the University's holdings, will remain open through July 8. There will be curatorial tours led by Stahl at 2:30 p.m. on March 25, May 6 and May 31. The May 6 tour will be followed by a lecture by Louis Jordan of the University of Notre Dame on the topic "Transformations in Numismatic Iconography during the American Revolution".

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: CAPPING LIBERTY: NUMISMATIC ICONOGRAPHY FOR THE NEW AMERICAN REPUBLIC (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n09a05.html)

HANK SPANGENBERGER 1934 - 2012

Heath MacAlpine writes:

Henry "Hank" G. Age 79 of Kettering, OH, passed away on March 7, 2012. Hank considered himself a collector of anything unusual, interesting or rare with the professional title of Numismatist. His interest in coins surfaced as a youngster when he joined the Dayton Coin Club in 1947 and he continued in this career for the remainder of his life.

He was a lifetime member of the American Numismatic Association, the largest organization of coin collectors in the world and a lifetime member of the Dayton-Kettering Coin Club. He was also past Historian for the ANA and received the "Writer's Award" from the Numismatic Literary Guild. He was also member of The Rittenhouse Society and won the Numismatic Ambassador's Award. President Ford appointed Spangenberger to the 1976 Assay Commission, the first Daytonian to receive this honor in the 184 year history of the commission.

He was a 1950 graduate of Fairview High School of Dayton, OH and 1958 graduate of Bowling Green State University where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He was a Korean War Veteran.

He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly thirty years, Marcia Gastineau. He is survived by his brother John Spangenberger; John's son Richard and daughter Sue Frisbee; Henry's sons: Douglas, Matthew, and Gregory; his daughter, Heather and son-in-law Tom Murray. Their children, Meghan, Jason, and Jacob, and by his long time friend and companion Phyllis Thompson.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 16 at 2pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 33 W. Dixon. Oakwood, OH, 45419. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ANA's YN Programs, 818 North Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Arrangements in care of SWART & WOLFE FUNERAL HOME, West Carrollton.

To read the complete article, see: Henry Spangenberger (www.legacy.com/obituaries/dayton/obituary.aspx?
page=lifestory&pid=156402942)

Larry Dziubek forwarded this note from Jerry Schaeper Jr., who writes:

R.C. DAVIS, DRUG PUSHER TO THE MINT?

Regarding Pete Smith's follow-up question about pharmacist-collector Robert Coulton Davis, Barbara Barbara Bonous-Smit writes:

Dave Bowers writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: QUIZ ANSWER: ROBERT COULTON DAVIS (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n10a08.html)

To read the complete article, see: QUIZ ANSWER: ROBERT COULTON DAVIS (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n10a08.html)

NUMISMATIC VOCABULARY: BRONZE VS BRASS

The Manhattan Beach California struck piece mentioned in the last two issues of E-Sylum is an attractive numismatic item. It is called a "coin" which does not bother me -- it is not a coin by numismatic definitions because it does not bear a denomination -- but it is struck in a coining press so the term can be considered appropriate because it squeaks in under the umbrella of "coining."

What does bother me, however, is calling the bronze version "brass." Granted, the boundary line between bronze and brass is not finite. Both are alloys of copper. I once wrote that copper is the word's most popular coinage metal. Mixed with a portion of zinc and or tin it is bronze, it is alloyed in coinage nickel, with silver it forms sterling or .900 fine silver. Copper is even alloyed with gold to lessen its karat content.

So what is the difference between bronze and brass? If the zinc is less than 10% it is bronze. But numismatists are not satisfied with the term at this precise formulation.

For numismatists -- who can best describe an item by inspection -- the term is determined by color. If the piece is brown it is bronze. If it is golden yellow it is brass. But the color of the metal alloy doesn't change until the zinc content is above 15%, or as expressed in the metalworking trades, copper 850 zinc 150. This adds to 1000, but sometimes expressed .850 and .150 to add to 1 -- the total amount.

Technically that area between 10% zinc and 15% zinc alloyed with 90% to 85% copper is called red brass. At zinc 160 copper 840, one percent more zinc you find a solid yellow-brass color. This continues as the amount of zinc increases. However red brass is not permanent. Like a freshly struck U.S. cent it is copper-red color that after about six month's time harsh exposure or much handling in circulation has turned brown. It is the copper content that causes the color change.

All of these copper alloys have been used for coins under a variety of terms for the various compositions. These include French bronze, tombac, Dutch metal, Mannheim gold, copper-nickel, and ultimately oroide or goldene. The latter is at 33% zinc content with an obvious brass-gold color.

In medal rank, brass is beneath bronze: Gold, Silver, Bronze, Brass. Thus bronze is a tad bit more éclat with a higher esteem. respect, repute, it is more desirable.

This wide diversity of zinc content in copper alloys also has another popular use -- foundry casting of statues. Statues can be made from the same metal as copper, bronze or brass alloys used for coins. The standard alloy for bronze casting is 900 copper, 030 zinc, 070 tin. Makes the best for casting and the patina afterwards for both indoor and outdoor statues.

When the zinc is entirely replaced by tin it can be used for bell manufacture. However, after centuries of bell manufacture, bell foundries like to get as close as possible to 78 to 80% copper and replacing the zinc entirely with tin content at 20 to 22%. I guess this is best for the sound quality.

Impurities can be found in all these compositions by spectrographic analysis. Other metal elements are often found in these alloys. A trace of phosphor is sometimes beneficial (up to 0.2%). A trace of lead is undesirable. However, even lead in a copper-zinc composition is permissible for making cartridge casings for ammunition. Since these encase lead projectiles, lead will be found in spent cartridges, particularly when reused over and over, or melted and made into new cartridges.

We could not have all the world's coins if we did not have copper. The alloys of copper for numismatic items have been called many things. But it's okay to call brown coins or medals "bronze" and golden yellow coins and medals "brass." One variety of the Manhattan Beach Centennial Medal is brown. Let's call it bronze.

The bronze medal is illustrated at: manhattanbeachcentennialcoin.com .

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: MANHATTAN BEACH CENTENNIAL MEDALS ISSUED (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n09a17.html)

QUERY: PROFESSOR STEVEN R. YOUNG SOUGHT

QUERY: A SILVER AMULET

Dick Grinolds writes:

Lot #6308. Mysterious Gold Medal Issued By Albert Wiss

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: SOME STACKS-BOWERS JANUARY 2012 AMERICANA SALE LOTS (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n04a17.html)

NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: MARCH 11, 2012

Paul Bosco Typo
Joe Boling submitted notes on several items this week. First up:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: MARCH 4, 2012 (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n10a10.html)

More on Lee Shin Song
Joe Boling writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: THAI NUMISMATIST LEE SHIN SONG (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n10a07.html)

Tax Deductibility of Commemorative Surcharges
Joe Boling writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: QUERY: WHY AREN'T COMMEMORATIVE COIN SURCHARGES TAX-DEDUCTIBLE? (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n10a11.html)

Counterfeit Dollar Coins
Joe Boling writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: ARTICLE EXPLORES THREAT OF DOLLAR COIN COUNTERFEITING (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n10a16.html)

Smuggling Ancient Coins
Arthur Shippee writes:

To read the complete article, see: Greek Antiquities Bust and the No-Questions-Asked Antiquities Trade (paul-barford.blogspot.com/2012/03/more-arrested
-in-greek-antiquities-bust.html)

American to Get CBE Medal
Gar Travis writes:

One of Britain's highest honors will be bestowed on William Kelso, Historic Jamestowne's director of archaeology.

Kelso will become Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), an honor awarded for especially inventive and celebrated contributions to the recipient's field, according to a press release from Colonial Williamsburg.

Kelso led archaeologists in the discovery of over a million artifacts on Jamestown Island, including the location of the original 1607 fort that had been thought lost to the James River. The site includes the original fort, the later statehouse and other buildings. The most recent find is a church dating back to 1608 and was the wedding site of Chief Powhatan's daughter, Pocahontas, and John Rolfe.

To read the complete article, see: Jamestown Archaeologist to Receive British Top Honor (wydaily.com/local-news/8534-jamestown-archaeologist
-to-receive-british-top-honor.html)

The Smithsonian's Trove of Numismatic Rarities
Regarding the current "world tour" of a 1933 double eagle from the National Numismatic Collection, Gene Brandenburg writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: THE 1933 DOUBLE EAGLE WORLD TOUR OPENS IN LONDON (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n10a22.html)

Krause Discovers a New Country!
Gene Brandenburg writes:

War of 1812 Medals Sought for Whitman Exhibit
David Crenshaw of the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo writes:

Numismatic Brainiacs
Phil Iversen writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: THE FIRST REGIONAL CONVENTION OF THE NUMISMATIC BIBLIOMANIA SOCIETY (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n08a02.html)

Bert Bressett
Phil Iversen writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: BERT BRESSETT, 1925-2012 (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n08a05.html)

QUERY: INFORMATION ON CHAPMAN'S FLYING DRAGON DOLLAR SOUGHT

In the February 20 issue of Coin World, there was an article by Ron Gillio, beginning on page 62, concerning some documents from the Philadelphia Mint in his possession. The invoices, on Philadelphia Mint stationery, record that in 1921 the mint made a pair of dies for Philadelphia coin dealer, Henry Chapman, and struck 25 gold and 50 silver medals for him from those dies.

The dies were apparently engraved by George Morgan, as his name appears on one of the documents. The medal is described only as "1-1/2 inches [38mm] in diameter portrait of Chinese general -- reverse dragon with inscription." Mr. Gillio claims that the medal Chapman had made was the well known Yuan Shih Kai Flying Dragon Dollar of 1916 (Yeoman 332; Kann 663).

It is well known to collectors of Chinese coins, that the Italian, Luigi Giorgi, then Chief Engraver at the Tientsin Central Mint of China, engraved the dies for the obverse and designed the reverse (in smaller size, for a gold coin) of this coin. In my opinion, the assertion that the Philadelphia Mint would copy the dies for and strike what are essentially counterfeit coins of China, is a slander on the mint and its engraver, George Morgan.

I have looked through the U.S. Mint Reports (online) for 1920, 1921 and 1922 and find that the report simply lumps together in one total all the various dies made for medals each year, without even naming the subjects.

I have looked through The Numismatist, page by page, from 1918 through 1923, and find no mention (even in the club reports) of the actual Chinese coin or the imitation by Chapman. There is no mention of it in Chapman's advertisements in The Numismatist. I do not have access to Chapman auctions for the 1921-1925 period, when he should have been selling whatever Chinese medals he had made, so I do not know if they were distributed in that way.

Does anyone have any insight into this matter? Do records exist of individual medals made at the U.S. mint in the 1920's? Are Chapman's papers or perhaps a diary preserved somewhere? Would the Philadelphia Mint really make copies of foreign coins or medals? Since he paid for the dies, would Chapman have taken possession of them after the medals were struck, and if so, where would those dies be today?

To read the complete Coin World article, see: editions.amospublishing.com/WDCN/default.aspx?d=20120319

MORE ON THE FLEA MARKET CONTINENTAL DOLLAR

Ken Berger writes

Along similar lines Tom Caldwell writes:

To read the complete Coin World article, see: $1 purchase from 1969 proves windfall (www.coinworld.com/articles/1-purchase-from-1969-proves-windfall/)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: FLEA MARKET FIND STORY: CONTINENTAL DOLLAR IN PEWTER (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n10a18.html)

QUICK QUIZ: WHO ARE THESE 1930S NUMISMATISTS?

Regarding the image from Stack's Bowers accompanying Harvey Stack's recent reminiscences, Robert Rightmire writes:

Here's a link to the latest installment in Harvey's series: Remember When: A 1970 Gold Story (stacksbowers.com/Blogs/remember-when-1970-gold-story.html)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: THE NEW YORK NUMISMATIC SCENE IN THE 1930S (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n10a13.html)

MANHATTAN BEACH NUMISMATIC CONNECTIONS

Bill Rosenblum writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: MARCH 4, 2012 / Manhattan Beach Centennial Medals (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n10a10.html)

THE 1933 DOUBLE EAGLE WORLD TOUR MOVES TO IRELAND

To read the complete article, see: Golden opportunity: World's most expensive coin goes on show (www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0307/1224312919094.html)

To read the complete article, see: Lucky 'double eagle' coin lands in Ireland (www.independent.ie/national-news/lucky-double-eagle-coin-land
s-in-ireland-3041664.html)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: THE 1933 DOUBLE EAGLE WORLD TOUR OPENS IN LONDON (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v15n10a22.html)

PAKISTANI GROUPS COUNTERFEITING INDIAN BANKNOTES

Of all the threats that India tries to keep from spilling across its borders, one has been particularly difficult to block: fake Indian rupees printed in Pakistan.

Bank transactions involving counterfeit currency increased 400 percent in the past year, according to India's Finance Ministry, and officials in the capital made a record seizure of fake cash during a search of fabric shipments from Pakistan this year.

Officials say Pakistani groups produce the high-quality fake notes and use them to fund terrorism and drug networks in India. Counterfeiting is also a form of economic sabotage, the officials say, that could deter global investors if left unchecked.

The high quality of the notes indicates that sophisticated machines are used to make them, the officials say, adding that such equipment is available only to governments. The fakes typically have security features found in genuine notes, such as watermarks, silver security threads and micro-lettering, intelligence reports say.

Under Indian law, carrying and using counterfeit currency is punishable by up to seven years in prison. But security officials are now debating a proposal that would make currency counterfeiting an offense related to terrorism that could carry a life sentence.

Counterfeit currency is smuggled into India along with weapons or drugs, or is hidden in legitimate cross-border trade, officials say. In the New Delhi seizure, for example, police found about $460,000 in fake money in a search of two truckloads of fabric from Pakistan. The notes were hidden in cardboard boxes that the fabric was wrapped around, police said.

To read the complete article, see: India faces flood of counterfeit cash from Pakistan (www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/india-cracks
-down-on-counterfeit-cash/2012/02/24/gIQA3T0DuR_story.html)

QUERY: BRONX COIN CLUB MEDAL INFORMATION SOUGHT

Bill Marquis of Plattsburgh,NY writes:

NAPOLEON III, THE FRENCH VAMPIRE

Some numismatic items scream to be acquired. A few years ago, I saw a piece at Alliance Coins, in Almonte, that did just that, and immediately got it, even though I had no idea what the story behind it was. Simple research revealed the bare facts: it was a satirical medal that used distorted imagery from the circulating coinage, and was issued after the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War. The loss was blamed on Emperor Napoleon III, who was captured in the battle of Sedan and deposed days later.

Is this the whole story? Is it just another piece similar to the "Diefenbucks" issued in Canada in the 1960s, after the devaluation of the Canadian dollar? Do we just chuckle and move on?

Deeper research tells another story. In fact, there are many stories. There is the story of the satirical piece, the story of Napoleon III, and the story of the Franco-Prussian War. Of course, all of them are intertwined, and this short article can only touch on them and perhaps whet your appetite to learn more.

For more information about Moneta and the Ottawa Numismatic Society, see: ons-sno.ca

Since January 2012, moneta is the only entirely bilingual (English/French) numismatic publication in North America (before only 30% of the material was also published in French). It won first prize in the Best Local Numismatic Publication of the ANA in 2010.

It is published ten times a year and is distributed electronically. Membership is only 12 CAD. Soon after the publication year ends, a library-quality hardbound book is prepared and published in full colour on 80-lb acid freed paper (letter size). The 2011 edition will have 408 pages.

For more information please contact the Ottawa Numismatic Association's president at president@ons-sno.ca.

PAKISTANI BANKNOTE FOUND IN NEW PAIR OF JEANS

Schoolboy Oliver Mawson- Lewis got an unexpected bonus when he put on his new pair of jeans.

The 10-year-old from Prestbury discovered a Pakistani bank note in one of the pockets. When his parents looked at the label in the item bought in the Cheltenham Matalan store, they saw the jeans were made in Pakistan.

Dad Tim said: "The note was folded in half in the jeans pocket and is quite well worn. We were so surprised to find it and didn't know whether it was a practical joke at first.

"The 20 Rupee note must have been placed there when the jeans were made in Pakistan, but the reason remains a mystery."

Ollie, a pupil at St Mary's Junior School who is keeping the note as a souvenir, said: "I was a bit disappointed when my dad looked up the exchange rate and found the note was only worth around 15p."

To read the complete article, see: Bank note surprise in boy's jeans (www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Bank-note-surprise-boy
-s-jeans/story-15455751-detail/story.html)

HOW A BELLY DANCER FLIPS COINS

Kavan Ratnatunga writes:

To watch the complete video, see: Guinness belly trick (www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Yik7c0EXV0M)

FEATURED WEB PAGE: LE MONETE SATIRICHE

www.roth37.it/COINS/Satirical