NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: MARCH 24, 2019

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V22 2019 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 22, Number 12, March 24, 2019, Article 23

Here's a selection of interesting or unusual items I came across in the marketplace this week. Tell us what you think of some of these. -Editor

"G. LOOMIS & Co / G. LOOMIS / ERIE"
1784-L French Ecu
The two company name marks are in raised letters.
Brunk L-487.
Ex. Tony Terranova collection.

Born in 1795, Guy Loomis worked as a silversmith in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. In the October 31, 1816 edition of the Berkshire Star, Loomis advertised that he had "taken the stand recently occupied by David Bert, watchmaker and jeweler, nearly opposite the meetinghouse in Sheffield, where he keeps constantly for sale a handsome assortment of goods in his line, among which are English and French watches, gold and silver cornelian set watch seals and keys, silver teaspoons, candlesticks, thimbles, knives and forks, ear & finger rings, etc." In 1837, Loomis moved to Erie and by 1853 was listed there as a jeweler at 4 Brown's Block. There he advertised "clocks, watches, jewelry, etc., also manufacturer of silver spoons." His obituary was printed in an 1874 edition of the Erie Observer, noting that he passed away in Windsor, Connecticut, and that he was a captain and in his 80th year.

Nice piece. Erie is north of Pittsburgh, my hometown. Counterstamps on foreign coins are superb evidence of the circulation of foreign coins in the U.S. Without the mark, it would just be an ordinary 1784-L French Ecu. From the eBay auctions of reader Bob Merchant. -Editor

34 mm, round aluminum brothel token. Obv: YOU HAVE GOT TO SHOW ME. I'M FROM MISSOURI / surrounding an image of the famous Ferris Wheel. Rev: PRESENTED FOR HAVING / THE LARGEST / image of a young rooster. Historically, the red-light district lined the street across from the entrance to the fair grounds. City: St Louis State: Missouri Date: 1904

From the Holabird 2019 WESTS Auction held this week. The piece hammered for $500. -Editor

To read the complete lot description, see:
World's Fair Brothel Token (101995) (https://holabirdamericana.liveauctiongroup.com/World-s-Fair-Brothel-Token-101995_i32828563)

"INSPIRATION" - MULTI-PART MEDAL, (1974). 56mm. .999 silver. (7.4 oz.) Frank Eliscu, Sc. (MACO). Unc. Original case & pamphlet. Edge numbered BB92/1000. A four surface medallion; obverse, reverse and two internal surfaces which can be viewed only when the medal is parted. The obvers shows Pegasus being released from the hand of God. The reverse, struck in bronze, shows the head of man and Pegasus. The two interface surfaces show man the artist harnessing Pegasus by the use of tools. The two surfaces, one intaglio, lock together and form a unified medal.

This medal was struck in three editions. (1) The medal struck in all bronze was issued at $15.00 and had an edition limit of 2500.00; (2) The medal struck half in silver and half in bronze was issued at $60.00 had a limit of 2,000 and (3) the medal struck in all silver was sold for $120.00 and was limited to 1,000. No firm mintage figures are available, but we would be quite surprised if any of the versions were struck in quantities any where near their edition limits $225.00

Interesting medal - I hadn't seen this one before. From Joe Levine's Token and Medal Mini fixed Price List #152. Joe can be reached at JLevine968@aol.com. -Editor

THE BOOK BAZARRE

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