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NUMISMATIC NUGGETS: NOVEMBER 10, 2019Here'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 Fountain Tavern Token
 Description: Fountain Tavern token, created on a shaved down halfpenny (6.39g), pierced hole at edge, obverse inscribed in running script, 'Mary/Hopper at ye/Fountain/Tavern', reverse also inscribed in running script, 'little/old Bailey/LONDON'. Very fine. Notes: The Fountain Tavern was sited on the west side of Little Old Bailey and was demolished in 1793; the site is now under Holborn Viaduct Station. The tavern was nearby to Newgate Prison and most probably operated as a brothel. The above token is possibly an indentured servant's ID disc. From the Noble Numismatics November 20, 2019 sale. -Editor To read the complete lot description, see:
Silver Palmetto Medal
  Palmetto medal in silver, 47 mm. dia., 45.2 g, engraved by William J. Keenan and struck by Gregg, Hayden & Co., 1850s. Obverse with depiction of American troops landing at Vera Cruz encircled by border featuring the names of Mexican-American War battles; reverse with central palmetto and eagle motif surrounded by the names of the Palmetto Regiment's commanders, "Dickinson," "Butler," and "Gladden," and variously placed additional text including "TO THE / PALMETTO REGIMENT," "SOUTH / CAROLINA," the name of the medal's recipient, "Sergt. Thomas Beggs," and the years "1846" and "1847," all encircled by border with legend bearing the two state mottos of South Carolina, "ANIMIS OPIBUSQUE PARATI" and "DUM SPIRO SPERO," meaning "prepared in mind and resources," and "while I breathe I hope," respectively. The Palmetto Medal was authorized by the South Carolina Legislature in 1848 and issued in the 1850s to men who fought in the Palmetto Regiment during the Mexican-American War. The medal was struck in silver for enlisted men and non-commissioned officers, and in gold for officers. Many veterans wore their medals on watch fobs or chains, causing many of the surviving medals to be quite worn or damaged. The fine condition of this example alone makes it an impressive specimen, let alone an important piece of history. The Palmetto Regiment of Volunteers was an infantry regiment formally organized on June 26, 1846. It contributed ten companies of men to the US forces in the Mexican War. Having numerous volunteers, the regiment was trained by cadets from the South Carolina Military Academy and was recognized as the first regiment to fly American colors over Mexico City. The regiment's landing at Vera Cruz is captured in the obverse design of the medal featured here, showing Colonel Pierce Mason Butler ready to spring from his ship with the Palmetto flag in hand. Both Colonel Butler and Lieutenant Colonel Dickinson (the names of whom appear on the medal's reverse) received fatal wounds at the later Battle of Churubusco in August of 1847. I was unfamiliar with this South Carolina medal. Offered in Cowan's Auctions November 15, 2019 sale. -Editor To read the complete lot description, see:
Atlantic Telegraph Cable Medal
  Description: Medals Maritime/Cable: Unusual bronze Transatlantic Cable medal, presented by the American Chamber of Commerce Liverpool, the obverse the SS Great Eastern is depicted with the legend Atlantic Telegraph Cable 1866. 210g. 76mm. A nice medal commemorating one of history's great engineering achievements: the laying of the Atlantic telegraph cable which united two continents. -Editor To read the complete lot description, see:
1890 $5 Treasury Note
  Fr. 359. 1890 $5 Treasury Note. PMG Extremely Fine 40. The 1890 Treasury Note series has always been a banknote enthusiasts favorite as they all incorporate highly ornate design on the reverse. This piece shows with ornamental floral work and the word "FIVE" spelled in large letters. The centering is near perfect on both sides and the colors are amazing. An excellent example of this popular type note that is seldom seen in this condition. A great note. From the Stack's Bowers November 2019 Baltimore sale. -Editor To read the complete lot description, see:
1952 Studebaker Centennial Medal
  Description: Studebaker 100 year centennial commem token I don't know about Millenials or Gen-Xers, but as a later Baby Boomer I'd heard of the Studebaker and knew it as a brand of automobile. So I was a little confused when I first saw this medal dating the founding of the Studebaker Corporation to 1852. It turns out the firm began as a blacksmith shop in South Bend, IN and later became a leading manufacturer of horse-drawn wagons, as shown on the reverse. -Editor To read the complete lot description, see:
I found a much nicer one on eBay (it sold for $60) -Editor   To read the complete lot description, see:
For more information, visit the Studebaker National Museum web site see:
 Wayne Homren, Editor The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
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