Court Jester with Colin Bruce II

EGYPT - Cairo Merchant Issues

Colin — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:00:43 GMT

I have listed a small but rather interesting group of Jewish merchant tokens issued in Cairo, Egypt after WW I in the latest edition of "Unusual World Coins". They consist of imitations of Spanish and Spanish colonial silver 2 and 8 reales coins. Most likely these were advertising pieces and enjoyed some limited circulation or could end up being used as jewelry. As we know Spanish silver and especially Maria Theresa talers of Austria were very popular in trade in all of North Africa for centuries.

The example illustrated is cast silver weighing 24.83 grams and measures 40.88 mm. The obverse portrays a very crude bust of Ferdinand VII of Spain dated 1920. The obverse legend reads: • FERDIN • VII • - DEI • GRATIA •. The reverse has a very stylized crowned arms between pillars with rather unusual banners. The reverse legend reads: • CAIRO . SAGA - SAAD. MEAWAD • with "28" below the arms.

CHINA EMPIRE - Modern Coin Fabrications

Colin — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:44:26 GMT

Lately we have been getting many inquiries with attached scans of Chinese dragon dollars and taels asking for our opinions as to whether they are genuine or not. So far the fakes are batting 100% and possible genuine pieces zero. While carefully looking at these scans I look for the obvious at first which is imperfections in the denticles around the rim and the dot pattern of the inner circle on the obverse. On genuine pieces these are usually almost perfect. The on-line auctions are currently loaded with various offerings of such material from the mainland. Several years ago I won a few lots which included some fakes of rarities and some really bazaar fabrications. My first response to these inquiries is to have them weigh their coin or coins. Most of the modern fakes will come in underweight and are not struck in good silver . The standard weight for the 7 Mace 2 Candareens dragon dollar is 26.86 grams which happens to be 72 % of the Kuping Tael weight of 37.31 grams.

For an example of a rather exotic dragon tael lets take a look at the silver fantasy Sinkiang Tael that I have listed as X # M345 in the current edition of "Unusual World Coins". Now my example is not struck in silver and being quite oversize at 45.2 mm and underweight at 31.7 grams. The edge does have rather uniform reeding. The misspelling of TAEL as "TEAL" is a definite give away to those whom are somewhat knowledgeable with Chinese coinage but perhaps not to a casual collector. No genuine coins are known to exist of this particular type during the reign of Emperor Kuang-hsü, 1875 - 1908.

Now for a more unusual design for a Kirin Province Tael dated year 10 (1885) of Kuang-hsü I have again an oversize piece measuring 45 mm and very underweight at 30.53 grams. Similar genuine coins were actually struck in silver with this design but measure only 39 mm with a thickness of 3-1/4 mm but slightly underweight at 35.5 grams. The weight of the tael in China varied somewhat to different standards but the Kuping Tael weight was used for most all dragon coinage. This fabrication is really a wonderful example of excellent workmanship. Skinny dragons facing each other are on the obverse. The edge lettering is really a classic and refers to the well known designer L. Georgi. The edge lettering reads: GIORGI L • GIORGI • GIORGI LNCI x (9 Chinese characters) • (7 Chinese characters) x

A recent inquiry that I received from Charles Chalhoub located in Lebanon prompted me to post this subject and will provide a review of a false no date ( 1901 ) Szechuan dragon dollar. Starting off I had Chalhoub check the weight of this coin and at 26.86 grams we had a remote possibility of it being genuine so I had him send along scans at 300 dpi for a visual inspection. The four vertical Manchu characters at the center of the obverse are very deteriorated and the dots of the inner circle are very uneven and missing a dot at left and also one dot is missing at right. The denticles along the rim on both obverse and reverse vary from full to nonexistent. This is a very poor fabrication but will certainly plague the antique flea and numismatic markets for years to come.

Military Coinage - Honduras

Colin — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:51:42 GMT

One very unusual item I was given many years ago was a military coat button that was hammered flat and most likely placed into circulation as a coin. Many Latin American military forces used their country's national arms for their uniform buttons after they gained independence which is also portrayed on their respective coinages.

This particular button was hollow and struck in copper-nickel with the legend: "REPUBLICA DE HONDURAS" above the national arms. The draped flags hung on lances in the coat of arms certainly adds to the military flavor The legend on the reverse reads: "EXTRA FEIN" which most likely refers to a German manufacturer. Notice the crushed area from the thread loop and battered stem on the reverse. The flattened button measures 24.22 mm.

The similarity to the Honduras 25 Centavos KM # 36 dated 1871 sort of gives one an idea of age of this button and the denomination it was possibly circulated as because this particular style of national arms was only used on a very few coins.

JAPAN - Enthronement Medals

Colin — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:09:14 GMT

I have always had quite an interest in the ribboned medals issued by Japan. The first medal was issued in 1874 commemorating Japan's involvement in the China War of 1874. The last was issued in 1944 commemorating the Great East Asia War. The first medal is extremely rare whereas the last is also rare as very few were actually issued. Amongst this small but interesting series of 23 different are 2 enthronement medals.

The first medal was issued for the enthronement of Yoshihito / Taisho Era in November 1915. Struck in silver it measures 30.41 mm in diameter with a large gold Imperial Seal at top center above two draped banners and comes in a wooden box.

The second type was issued for the enthronement of Hirohito /Showa Era in November 1928. Also struck in silver it measures 30.32 mm in diameter having a small gold Imperial Seal at center on an altar and comes in a paper covered wooden box.

Recently I purchased a group of eight different Japanese ribboned medals on e-Bay from a vender with an FPO address at a rather decent price. While checking further with a friend who is also an OMSA member he told me that apparantly a stash of these medals has turned up in Japan and released into the collector's marketplace. A great time to buy as they most likely will be quickly absorbed by collectors worldwide.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY - ENGLAND WW II

Colin — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:50:12 GMT

The Great Western Railway (GWR) was originally a British Railway Company founded in 1833 connecting London with the West Country, South West England and South Wales. The GWR kept it's identity through the 1923 grouping and became the Western Region of British Railways in 1948. World War II took certainly took it's toll on the GWR mostly through heavy wear and tear and of course the bombing of London by Hitler's Luftwaffe.

Since my greater interest is in all orders and medals issued during the World War II era somewhere along the line I added two GWR First Aid Efficiency medals to my collection.

The first example is struck in 0.375 fine gold and was awarded for 15 years. The central shield is for the GWR surmounted on a cross of the Order of St. John. It measures 25.82 mm in diameter and weighs 6.86 grams. The reverse is engraved 3363/ JOHN SNELL / 1939 at center with the usual jeweler's hallmarks below just above the raised rim - "J. T & Co."

The second example is much more elaborate having the GWR shield in colored enamels with the cross of St. John in white against a field of black and was awarded for 25 years. I would assume it might also be struck in 0.375 gold but it isn't marked as such on the rim as the first example is. It measures 25.96 mm with a weight of 8.51 grams. The reverse is engraved 1584 / WILLIAM J. ROBERTS / 1944 and has the same jeweler's initials but this time in a small shield below just above the raised rim.

MILITARY PAYMENT COINAGE - CARTHAGE

Colin — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:48:29 GMT

Hannibal, a Carthaginian general, was born in 247 B.C. and committed suicide in 183 B.C. He was trained in Spain at an early age the art of warfare. In 221 B.C., he assumed command of the army and province of Spain, conducted a campaign against the Holcades and a year later against the Vaccaei, and overcame the Carpetani in a battle near the Tagus. Hannibal then laid seige to Saguntum, despite a warning from Rome, and took it after eight months. The Romans declared war and there we have perhaps the most terrible war of ancient times- the Second Punic War.

For the first decade things went rather nicely for Hannibal and his forces. During the second decade however, attrition and lack of a naval force, and usually being outnumbered by the Roman forces, were starting to take its toll. He was defeated in 202 B.C., barely escaping to Carthage.

Of course his employment of elephants in his army is legendary.

In my accumulation of odds and ends, I have 6 billon tetradrachms struck by his traveling mints in the period of 205-202 B.C., which were catalogued under Zeugitania. They measure 25.8-26.2 mm in diameter with a weight averaging 11.2-11.3 grams. What is most interesting to me is the three varieties of the obverse die, portraying the head of Tanit left, which I refer to as small, medium and large heads. The reverses have a horse standing right with a palm tree in the background with minor varieties. The other three examples I have are nice fine condition so these types were in circulation for some time.

There never were any coins struck portraying Hannibal himself, so by adding one of these coins to a collection represents not only Hannibal and Carthage, but the end of the Second Punic War.

BANK OF ENGLAND NEW 20£ BANK NOTE

Colin — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:01:16 GMT

I am not really a serious collector of world bank notes as I once was over a decade ago when the "Standard Catalogs of World Banknotes" were still my responsibility. Presently I collect the occasional historical, unusual or attractive world banknote.

Since my favorite color is purple I was delighted to add this new Bank of England 20 £ note to my holdings with the help of Claire Lobel of Coincraft located in London.

Two earlier portraits of Queen Elizabeth II adorn the right side and also included as the watermark while a bust of Adam Smith, 1723-1790, is found at left on the back of the note. Smith was a Scottish moral philosopher and also a pioneering political economist.

The vertical security silver band includes "20", "£" alternating with a bust of Smith.

CIVIL WAR STORE CARDS

Colin — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:52:33 GMT

Indian cent illustrations courtesy of Fox Valley Coins and Diamonds, etc. Kimberly, WI

During most any war in the past, coins in circulation disappear quickly mainly due to hoarding or purchasing needed items provided through the black market. During these coin shortages many varieties of substitutes have been created in various metals and paper "good fors" by local businesses, organizations, towns to larger cities and provinces.

One of the most interesting series were struck during our Civil War comprising of political and store card tokens which have similar properties to the then-current circulating Indian Head cents.

My favorite store card was struck in 1863 for Philip Best of the Empire Brewery located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This brewery began as Best & Company in 1844 and has gone through numerous name changes and today it is the well known Pabst Brewing Company producing Pabst Blue Ribbon® beer.

Struck in bronze with a weight of 4.07 grams, diameter of 19.68 mm and plain edge the obverse portrays a barrel and brewing tools. The legend reads: EMPIRE BREWERY + MILWAUKEE +. The reverse has a beer mug with a full head of foam with date 1863 beneath it surrounded with legend * PHILIP BEST * LAGER BEER *.

Mysterious Countermark

Colin — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:20:24 GMT

This sunburst type of countermark on a very worn Irish 1/2 penny dated 1805 has baffled me for at least 4 decades. Usually a sunburst countermark is indented into the coin's surface whereas this sunburst is raised up through the harp on the reverse being pushed up from behind by a slightly rounded large punch of some sort against the bust of King George III. This has flattened his bust into obscurity.

By defacing the royal bust along with the Irish harp in one stroke I would have to guess that this might serve a political message - or maybe it is a membership or even a commercial token?

MILITARY PAYMENT COINAGE - ROME

Colin — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:14:29 GMT

The MPC Gram, which is open forum for collectors specializing in worldwide military payment certificates and vouchers, recently mentioned coinage struck for the sole purpose of paying troops. This really rang a bell, so I had to do a little digging around in my accumulation of stuff to come up with a neat example for one of the more famous issues of ancient times.

Let's travel back in time to the Roman Empire, where there is two major series. The first I will mention is for military conquests and victories. The earliest type recorded was struck during the reign of Augustus featuring a crocodile on the reverse, issued in 28-27 B.C., which reflects the defeat of Antony and Cleopatra and the annexation of the former Ptolemaic Kingdom.

The second series of Roman coins is the legionary types issued by five rulers, from the first century B.C. to the end of the third century A.D. The main reason for their issue was to inspire the loyalty of the troops whose legions were honored. Marc Antony and Septimius Severus are similar with a basic reverse of a legionary eagle perched on a stand between two standards.

My favorite is the silver denarius that has a legionary galley on the obverse with the legend "ANT.AVG.III " above and "VIR R. P. C." below.

The reverse legend "LEG. V" below the eagle relates to the various legions it was issued for.

After the battle of Philippi Antony went to Asia where he met Cleopatra and was "swept off his feet" so to say, by her. A quarrel with Octavian, who was part of the second Triumvirate along with Lepidus, that was formed in 43 B.C. by Marc Antony, led to the battle of Actium. Being defeated by Octavian, he fled to Egypt with Cleopatra and later committed suicide in Alexandria in 30 B.C.

Measuring 16mm this silver denarius was struck for Legion V.

Cudan Orders

Colin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:47:59 GMT

The previous República de Cuba prior to Castro's regime had quite an array of orders for various branches of the military, police and civilians. These came in various classes from pin backed ribboned medals to higher class neck orders and the large breast stars. These are all nicely documented by Robert Werlich in his "Orders and Decorations of all Counties". But I am always looking for the odd item off the beaten track so to say. This is a rather unusual neck order that I have been unable to track down in any catalog. It is an 8-pointed star with a red enameled cross with 5-pointed stars in each of the four quarters. The central design is the multicolored Cuban arms encircled by this legend: INTER INIMICOS CHARITAS. This must be an organization's name. The manufacturer's name is on a circular disc on the reverse: ANTIGUA VILARDEBO Y RIERA * HABANANA * / FABICADO / EN / CUBA.

From Enrique Cayado and the Cuban Numismatic Association:

Order of Merit and Honor of the National Red Cross, knight (Orden de Honor y Mérito de la Cruz Roja Cubana, caballero); the face with a central circular medallion bearing the polychrome arms of the Republic of Cuba within a white enamel ring inscribed in gilt letters 'INTER INIMICOS CHARITAS (Charity between enemies).

The Cuban Red Cross was founded by Diego Tamayo y Figueredo on 10 March 1909 and recognized by the International Red Cross on 7 September 1909.

HIBERNIA - IRELAND

Colin — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:43:29 GMT

Amongst my accumulation of world orders and military medals I noticed an old acquisition the other day which probably came from Ireland.

The star has seven points and measures 60 mm across the points with what appears to be a brass plating. The center is dark copper colored and measures 36 mm having a harp in sprays. Total weight is 44 grams. The reverse is smooth with the maker's mark at center - TOYE & Co. (symbol) / LONDON which is still in business today . It has a ring suspension for a neck chain or ribbon. I would guess it was manufactured in the late 18th or 19th century but have been unable to find out what organization had it struck or for what purpose.

Liberia and The Standard Catalog of World Coins

Colin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:27:53 GMT

Going back to 1996 and the 25th Anniversary of The Standard Catalog of World Coins quickly approaching, I asked Clifford Mishler here if it was at all possible to have, say, a $5.00 coin struck for this gala event, perhaps in copper-nickel, that we could use as a giveaway item with each catalog purchased.

Well months went by, and one day Mishler showed up at my desk much to my surprise with an artist's sketch. The sketch was okayed and some months later he dropped off the coin. Well Mishler has this habit of going all out when he is in charge of a project, and he dropped off this Liberia 2-1/2 ounce proof struck in 0.999 fine silver $25 coin. He thought it might be a good sell to our SCWC catalog owners and World Coin News' subscribers, but sales were rather slack.

A few years later the remaining stock was distributed to all of Krause Publications employees at a Christmas party. Well I thought this was rather unusual, but it turned out to be one of the more popular keepsakes that was ever handed out. Of the 400 or so given out here I would guess about only 100 have been turned in for their bullion value and remelted. But as silver hit $20.00 ounce the coin is worth twice the face value of $25, so we might see a few more surface for cash.

It is listed as KM #323 and the illustrations should appear once again in the forthcoming 36th edition of SCWC. It is currently illustrated and listed in NumisMaster at $65.00. This is one coin I am very proud of being involved with as I have been working on the SCWC series for almost 34 years now.

Hola Chihuahua

Colin — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 14:52:25 GMT

Let us go back to the days of Pancho Villa and the Mexican Revolution. Joe Zaffern of Southfield, Michigan, submitted this advertising bank note printed for the Bank of the State of Chihuahua by the American Bank Note Company, New York. Supposedly these were released by revolutionary forces with only one printed signature, which I find very unusual, but that is the information found in the current Standard Catalog of World Paper Money specialized edition.

The nice feature about this note is that it was used for advertising "LA INTERNACIONAL" wine and liquor store located in the city of Juarez and run by Habanero Ripoll. The simple phone number 206 might give a clue to the era of issue. Juarez is located in the State of Chihuahua across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas.

Thanks to the U.S. Army in 1963 I was sent to Fort Bliss in El Paso for technical training for about a year. Thus, most of my off-duty time was spent in Jaurez searching for coins and checking out the low-end hosterias and tabernas. Local brews were about 12 cents a bottle, tequila and coke with a slice of lime was 15 cents, while a litre of tequila gold might have cost you about $1.25.

Chinese “Bank” Note Printing 101

Colin — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 14:08:59 GMT

Lately I have noticed the occasional listing of older wooden blocks used for printing "bank" notes in the Peoples Republic of China in auctions and pricelists. Actually not banknotes for circulation but those "Hell" or "Ghost" notes printed to be burned at funerals so the deceased will have spending money in the here after world. Modern types of these notes can usually be found in certain shops in most any Chinatown here in the states.

Not too long ago Bob Reis (reisbiz@earthlink.net) listed such an item and out of curiosity I ordered it. Much to my pleasure it has a steam locomotive as the central vignette. Reis puts out many price lists covering the "soup to nuts" area of numismatics . Looking at this printer's block more carefully it is hand carved into a hunk of a small log with the natural outer curve being under one's hand and a large character "Shang" is carved in it. It measures 4 7/16" x 5 7/16" x 1 13/16" thick with finger indents carved into each side. Being very well stained with red ink it has had some use but I have never encountered an actual note printed from it..

Another point of interest is that it has two different "bank" titles at top center. The upper note is for 1 Yuan with 1's in all four corners and Chinese characters for 1 yuan in guiloches at left and right of the locomotive. Below the locomotive is the date 1975 in Chinese and Western numerals.

The lower note is also for 1 Yuan but one guiloche has been replaced with 5 stars encircled which refers to the Peoples Republic of China but below this is" VI / YUAN" which is obviously an error done by the carver of this wooden plate.

Having taken linoleum block printing in 7th or 8th grade I decided to become an apprentice printer once again. My first stop was at the local art store where I purchased a tube of red ink and a roller. Then I stopped at a friend's print shop here in Iola and we not only tried the ink I had purchased but even tried some of the inks that he normally uses but without any luck. The type of ink that the Chinese printer used with this wooden block remains a mystery to me.

Unusual Advertisement From Mexico

Colin — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 22:14:36 GMT

The countermarking of coins with business advertisements is usually considered a thing of the past done more in the 18th - 19th centuries. I had won this particular lot in a local Kurt Krueger auction here in Iola 15 years ago and it recently turned up while I was searching for some other items.

The host coin is a "Una Onza Troy" Balance Scale silver bullion coin struck at the Mexico City Mint in 1949. The countermarking is cleverly placed in the four fields surrounding the coin screw press and reads "GENERAL - POPO / 25 ANOS / 1924 with a comical looking figure at lower right. I was told some years ago that this translates to the 25th Anniversary of General Tire in Mexico City.

Unknown Jeweler’s (?) Countermark

Colin — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 22:37:28 GMT

Amongst my various accumulations I've had this rather mysterious or unidentified countermarked 8 reales for about 40 years now just hoping someday it might be identified. The countermark is very well done with raised letters "J.J." in a scalloped indent.

The host coin was struck in 1800 at the Lima Mint with initials I. J. and appears to be sea salvaged or perhaps grave dug. The black crud on it is impossible to remove as I tried various non-silver cleaners so I'm guessing it is in fact oxidized silver.