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About Us The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit association devoted to the study and enjoyment of numismatic literature. For more information please see our web site at coinbooks.org Subscriptions Those wishing to become new E-Sylum subscribers (or wishing to Unsubscribe) can go to the following web page link Membership There is a membership application available on the web site Membership Application To join, print the application and return it with your check to the address printed on the application. Print/Digital membership is $40 to addresses in the U.S., and $60 elsewhere. A digital-only membership is available for $25. For those without web access, write to: Charles Heck, Treasurer Numismatic Bibliomania Society P. O. Box 2058, Bluffton, SC 29910-2058 Asylum For Asylum mailing address changes and other membership questions, contact Chuck at this email address: treasurer@coinbooks.org Submissions To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com BUY THE BOOK BEFORE THE COIN Sale Calendar Watch here for updates!

 

Content presented in The E-Sylum is not necessarily researched or independently fact-checked, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.

WAYNE'S WORDS: THE E-SYLUM JANUARY 1, 2023

New subscribers this week include: Allen Menke, courtesy of Harry Waterson; Welcome aboard!

Thank you for reading The E-Sylum. If you enjoy it, please send me the email addresses of friends you think may enjoy it as well and I'll send them a subscription. Contact me at whomren@gmail.com anytime regarding your subscription, or questions, comments or suggestions about our content.

This week we open with updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, National Numismatic Collection exhibits, notes from E-Sylum readers, and more.

Other topics this week include Dutch Trading Company banknotes, sloppy slab labels, medallions, SIN founder Pauline Pauling Emmett, Walt Husak, sale highlights, the Royal Mint commemoratives, Dickin medals, Congressional gold medals, and whaling on banknotes.

To learn more about Henry Evanson, one-foot passengers, 1804 dollar news, the Queen's Golden Jubilee, PNG awards, Hard Times satirical banknotes, the Faneuil-Hall lottery, coins and medals of the Welf lands, uncirculated 1909-S VDBs, the Flying Scotsman, Steve Wosniak's Hobo Nickel, most expensive pigeon, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

NNP ADDS THE GRANITE STATE PHILATELIST

Courtesy of Neal Musante, a number of issues of the The Granite State Philatelist have been added to Newman Portal. Although primarily philatelic, the masthead proclaimed a devotion to “Stamps, Coins and Curiosities.” In addition to covering stamps, the publisher John H. Hubbard issued a numismatic “prices paid for” list and solicited rare coins from the public. Hubbard further carried numismatic auction announcements and reported sale results.

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NEWMAN NUMISMATIC PORTAL 2022 REPORT

NEWMAN PORTAL COLLECTION APPROACHES FIVE MILLION DIGITIZED PAGES

The Newman Numismatic Portal (NNP, http://Newman Portal.org), administered by Washington University in St. Louis, is chartered with the mission of making the documents and images of numismatics, especially American numismatics, universally available on a free and forever basis. The Portal is sponsored by the Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society (EPNNES), which was founded in 1958 and further supports the American Numismatic Society, American Numismatic Association, and other numismatic initiatives.

With 4.941 million pages in our collection as of December 2022, Newman Portal is set to exceed the 5-million-page milestone in early 2023. Since we began scanning operations at Washington University in 2015, collection growth has been steady, with contributions from scanning centers in St. Louis (Washington University) New York (American Numismatic Society), and National Archives locations in Philadelphia, Denver, and College Park, MD.

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VIDEO: HENRY EVANSON

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FORBES REVIEWS SMITHSONIAN MONEY EXHIBITS

Before declaring independence on July 9, 2011, becoming the world’s youngest officially recognized nation-state, the Republic of South Sudan selected a flag, an anthem, and a currency. Within a week of secession, the South Sudanese pound was in circulation, featuring a portrait of the deceased revolutionary leader John Garang de Mabior. By September, the currency of neighboring Sudan was no longer deemed legal tender.

The Bank of South Sudan did not have to print banknotes, let alone pay the South African Mint to strike coins showing subjects of national pride ranging from giraffes to oil derricks. Neighboring Kenya already had years of experience running payments through a mobile banking system called M-Pesa, and the blockchain was starting to host a range of cryptocurrencies beyond bitcoin. The decision to follow tradition was political, equivalent to the choice Eritrea made in 1998, shortly after seceding from Ethiopia. Even more than a flag or anthem, a state currency broadcasts national identity.

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MORE BORN OR DIED ON CHRISTMAS

Mark Borckardt writes:

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NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: JANUARY 1, 2023

Good For One Foot Passenger
Yosef Sa'ar of Elat on the Red Sea writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: DECEMBER 25, 2022 : Oil City Transportation Token (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n52a20.html)

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DUTCH TRADING CO. BANKNOTE INFO SOUGHT

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SLOPPY SLAB LABELS

Ron Haller-Williams writes:

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PNG ACCEPTING 2023 AWARD NOMINATIONS

The Professional Numismatists Guild (www.PNGdealers.org) is now accepting nominations for its 2023 awards, according to PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman.

“The PNG publicly recognizes outstanding achievements in the hobby and the profession by honoring deserving recipients with prestigious awards. We cordially welcome and strongly encourage nominations from all collectors and dealers,” said Brueggeman.

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VOCABULARY TERM: MEDALLION

Medallion. A large medal, round or nearly so. In America a medallion is a medallic item larger than three and one-eighth inches, in Europe it is larger than eighty millimeters (80mm). The term is frequently misused in sales literature for a medal of any size and has even appeared on medals of less than 3-inch diameter. Generally medallions less than 5-inches can be struck and have two sides; less than 8-inch diameter can have two sides but only if cast. All those over that size are cast uniface. The upper size of a medallion is not defined.

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PAULINE PAULING EMMETT (1902-2003)

This week I was reviewing the list of people who were named as a Numismatic News Numismatic Ambassador. They included Baber, Hendershott, Lenker and Newman, already noted as attaining the century mark. New to me was a woman whose name and name changes become a big part of her story. Before we get to her, I want to mention her brother. Herman Henry William Pauling (1876-1910) and Lucy Isabelle Darling (1881-1976) had a son on February 28, 1901. They named him Linus after his mother’s father and Carl after his father’s father.

New Scientist named Linus Carl Pauling as one of the 20 greatest scientists of all time. He won a Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954 and a Nobel Peace Prize in 1962. I wonder if his little sister had difficulty living up to his accomplishments.

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MORE ON WALT HUSAK

What to tell you about Walter, so that you know how much he is missed?

• He loved people—he always wanted to know who you were and what made you tick.
• He paid local bills in person—so he could check in with people and chat.
• He could talk to anyone, anywhere, about anything, and almost always you would leave the conversation as his friend, and would soon be invited over for wine.
• He was a man of numbers, with a mind that listed and categorized and compared, which assured his success in the aircraft parts business, and in his great passion, collecting Early American large cents.

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ROSA AMERICANA FIXED PRICE LIST #23 SELECTIONS

18. 1740-B [Rouen Mint] French Colonies Sous Marques, Vlack 51. Rarity-3. PCGS Graded MS62. A lovely representative example of this type, or the variety in particular. Well struck, the legends, date, mintmark and differents (the symbols for the engraver and mint master) are all bold around the peripheries. The central designs are full, a shade less sharp than the legends, and the whole coin is a lustrous silver that has whispers of light golden toning. There is a thin pair of striations running through the crown on the obverse, which were in the planchet prior to striking, and no marks or damage from actual circulation, and the piece has lovely eye appeal. To this cataloguer’s mind – and he’s formed two collections of the French Colonies coinages that each had over 800 pieces! – the billon Sous Marques offers so much collecting enjoyment. They are listed in the Redbook, meaning collector interest will always be there.

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PANIC OF 1837 SATIRICAL BANKNOTES

Paper money and pieces that look like paper money have historically served as the platform for airing political and economic views. In the United States, for example, colonial paper money made extensive use of patriotic emblems and mottos to promote independence and resistance. More recently, so-called notgeld notes, which offered thousands of distinctive designs and themes, were issued in post-World War I Germany. Many of these notes served as tiny billboards for messages decrying real and perceived wrongs endured by the nation in the years following the War to End All Wars, often in a humorous or satirical fashion.

The period in United States history known as the Panic of 1837 or Hard Times resulted in the issue of a large number of both tokens and paper money look-alikes that were used to attack the Government policies and practices of that era.

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NATIONAL BANKNOTE WITH MISMATCHED PREFIX

Today, World Banknote Auctions, the only auction firm in the United States specializing in US & World Paper Money announced the discovery of only the third National Banknote with a mismatched prefix letter. Part of the Navy Commander Collection of U.S. National and Gold Banknotes, the note is a 1929 Type 1 $10 National Banknote on Charter #200, the First National Bank of Boston, Massachusetts. The note displays serial number B011362A on the left side and serial number E011362A on the right side and has been graded Very Fine 25 by PMG.

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WORLD BANKNOTE AUCTIONS SALE 37

World Banknote Auctions has now launched Live Sale 37 at www.worldbanknoteauctions.com. Live Sale 37 takes place on January 12, 2022, with live bidding that day at 1 PM Eastern / 10 AM Pacific. Please note that Sale 37 is divided in two parts, each selling on a different day. The first live session with 592 lots takes place on January 12 at 10 AM PST. The second session with 519 lots closes on January 15 at 3 PM PST (special bidding rules apply for the timed sale, please see our website for details). Our bidding platform can be accessed directly by going to bid.worldbanknoteauctions.com or through our mobile apps.

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EARLY AMERICAN JANUARY 2023 SALE HIGHLIGHTS

Early American History Auctions is proud to host our major auction, containing exceptional consignments of the American Colonial era through the Revolutionary War period, to the War of 1812 and beyond from various consignors. The diverse array includes numerous original historic autographed documents and engraved prints. As the former six-times United States Secretary of the Navy, with a family lineage tracing back to the very founding of the American Revolutionary Navy, Ambassador Middendorf’s collection is deeply focused on these areas, often seen illustrated and discussed in history books. A few notable highlights include:

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KEUNKER SALE 381 HIGHLIGHTS

The Dr. Eberhard Werther Collection

On 7 February 2023, Künker will auction off the Dr. Eberhard Werther Collection with coins and medals of the German states from the Middle Ages to the 19th century as well as world coins. The focus is on Brunswick.

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FRANK S. ROBINSON 120TH AUCTION

ANCIENT JEWISH COINS FEATURED IN ROBINSON AUCTION

Dealer Frank S. Robinson will conduct his 120th mail and internet auction of Ancient and Early Coins with a closing date of February 7. The sale will include 585 lots, low minimum bids, and bids to be reduced as competition permits. Robinson notes that reductions have averaged 15-20% in his recent sales. There is no buyer fee.

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NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: JANUARY 1, 2023

Charles I Gold Crown

Charles I gold Crown, mint mark plumes, with pellet either side of crown reverse
Regular price £2,500

Charles I (1625-49), gold Crown, Tower Mint, group C, third elaborate crowned bust left, value V behind, initial mark plumes (1635-36) both sides possibly over bell on reverse, beaded circles and legend surrounding, CAROLVS. D: G: MA: BR: FR: ET. HI: REX., rev. crowned quartered oval shield of arms with frame, pellet either side of crown, C to left, R to right, CVLTORES. SVI. DEVS. PROTEGIT, weight 2.23g (Schneider 240; Brooker 204; N.2183; S.2714). With copper red tone both sides, a little double struck, very fine and a rare variety with the pellets.

The abbreviated Latin legends translate as on obverse "Charles by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland," and on the reverse "God protects his worshippers."

The original pyx trial records show that a total of £337,000 of crown gold was struck under the mint mark plumes a.k.a. feathers at full weight from 23rd June 1630 until 30th June 1631.

To read the complete item description, see:
Charles I gold Crown, mint mark plumes, with pellet either side of crown reverse (https://www.sovr.co.uk/products/charles-i-gold-crown-mint-mark-plumes-with-pellet-either-side-of-crown-reverse-gm26281)

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ROMAN COINS UNEARTHED IN ROMANIA

A Romanian man who went for a stroll to walk off Christmas lunch stumbled on a hoard of 800 Romania coins in western Romania, the state news agency Agerpres reported.

Csaba Koloszvari who made the find at Christmas in a plowed field in the western county of Alba, is already known in the area as a keen amateur detectorist. He found a trove of 100 silver coins this autumn in the nearby town of Ocna Mures.

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MANX MUSEUM BALLAQUALYE HOARD EXHIBIT

The discovery of Viking silver during building works in Douglas in 1894, part of which ended up being dumped at a tip, fuelled the frustration of one man in particular, Victorian scholar Philip Moore Callow Kermode.

Unbeknownst to those who found it, the Ballaquayle hoard was the largest single collection of Viking silver ever found on the Isle of Man.

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NEW COMMEMORATIVE CHARLES III COINS

New coins to celebrate the Windrush Generation, the NHS and the Flying Scotsman train have been revealed.

The coins have been chosen as they will all mark important anniversaries and moments in history next year.

It will also be the first commemorative set to feature the King's official coinage portrait.

The Royal Mint says that all coins made from January 1, 2023 will bear his image.

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WHEN MIMI GAVE WOZ A HOBO NICKEL

After seeing Del’s 1981 COIN WORLD articles on hobo nickels, Mim contacted Del and invited him to come to speak to her class. This was shortly after Mim’s fourth grade class had finished a unit on Numismatics. More could be shared including Del Romines second visit to Mim’s 4th grade class.

I need to share a little more about Mim. Mim had the opportunity to be one of the first teachers to use Apple Computers in the classroom. Through this relationship, she got to know and become friends with Steve Wozniak, one of the founders of Apple.

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ANTIQUES ROADSHOW APPRAISES DICKIN MEDAL

In a resurfaced episode of Antiques Roadshow, Paul Atterbury was presented with a "truly rare" medal which was bestowed upon a pigeon who escaped a plane crash in World War Two and found its way home. The bird was affectionately named Cologne and was the recipient of a Dickin Medal for its bravery. The BBC guest who owned the medal was stunned when she discovered how much it could fetch at auction.

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WEARABLE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS

Life Saving Table Medal of the First Class

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ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE MEDALS

In 1973, to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Wellings Mint produced 48 Sterling silver as well as 48 bronze medals.

2023 marks the 150th Anniversary of the RCMP so I’d like to share four of the medals that helped define the early days of the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) in the 1870s and 1880s.

The NWMP was founded in 1873 by an Act of the Canadian Parliament shortly after American hunters and wolfers from Montana murdered sleeping First Nations Assiniboines. The purpose of the mounted armed force was to bring law and order to western Canada.

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WHALING INDUSTRY ON NEW ENGLAND NOTES

“Thar She Blows”: The Whaling Industry of New England Illustrated on State Bank Notes

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CHINESE ARTIST DRAWS BANKNOTES

Handcrafted US banknotes drawn by a young Chinese man were so much like the real thing that he was questioned by police over suspected counterfeiting in an episode that has seen him attract more than a million followers on mainland social media.

Shi Yunlong, 30, has been posting videos on Douyin of himself drawing 1996 and 2013 US$100 bills at his home since September 2021.

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LOOSE CHANGE: JANUARY 1, 2023

Ukrainian Air Assault Forces Challenge Coin

Cortland sent firefighting gear to Ukraine. The Ukrainians it helped sent back a Russian fighter jet, in the form of a challenge coin.

Fashioned from the shrapnel of a jet that was downed in Kyiv …

To read the complete article (subscription required), see:
Council presented with challenge coin after sending gear to Ukraine (https://www.cortlandstandard.com/stories/council-presented-with-challenge-coin-after-sending-gear-to-ukraine,25294)

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HAPPY NEW YEAR CARDS

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