JULIAN BROOK

One of New Zealand's most learned and active numismatists has finally been beaten by ill health. He was 86 years old.

Julian was a pharmacist but he had a number of passions beside work - the movies, debating, numismatics to name but three. He was a founding and Honorary Member of the Numismatic Society of Auckland and a Fellow of the Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand. He was also a 50-year member of the ANA.

He produced over a number of years a series of essays on "The Man on the Coin" which were published in Mintmark, magazine of the N.S.A. When it was announced that NZ would go decimal he contacted tellers in banks and on the Auckland Harbour Bridge to watch for quality old-style coins as they worked. He then circled weekly to see what they had accumulated.

His most significant numismatic contribution was the discovery and recording of the varieties of the 1935 Threepence - our rarest circulating piece - which had hitherto been unnoticed. The difference between the wide and narrow date digits was 0.014mm!

Julian has been bed-bound for over a year, so his passing must be a relief for his wife and children. He was the 17th Julian in his family since the 17th century - a fact he was extremely proud of - and why not? He served his city as a Justice of the Peace.

Julian will be greatly missed, for his encyclopedic knowledge, his demeanor, and willingness to help others.

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web