Counterstamp honors Balfour Declaration

I had an email a few days ago from Israel Lachovsky, a coin dealer from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Nov. 2 was the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, a World War I statement of British support for a national home for the Jewish people in what has since become Israel.

He wrote to tell me about how he is commemorating it:

“I’m a coin dealer in Calgary, Canada, and am contacting you to ask if you could make mention of my Balfour coin in an upcoming issue of Numismatic News?

“I’ve partnered with another Canadian dealer, who has issued a number of counter strikes this year struck on Canada’s last circulating silver dollar. They produced counterstamps for Canada’s 150 anniversary, the Vimy Ridge battle and the 300th anniversary of the Freemasons.

“In the course of buying some of these for re-sale to my clients, the topic of the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration came up, I came up with a design, which they have used to strike a Balfour Declaration 100th anniversary counterstamp coin.

“My coin is likely the first Canadian coin featuring Judaica (albeit after having been minted by the Mint!), and joins just a few Judaica-themed medals and token issued in Canada. In consideration of my contribution to the project, and my association with the topic, my partners have added my initials to the coin and accorded me being the exclusive distributor for it.

“Below are images of the coin. It comes in a clam shell box, along with a two-sided insert, one side speaking to the Declaration and the coin, the other featuring an image of the actual letter containing the declaration.

“The coin retails for U.S. $134.95 plus true shipping costs; issue limited to 300.

“Please advise if you need any further information.”

History is remembered in many different ways.

A counterstamp is doubly numismatic.

The underlying coin has a meaning and the choice to use it for something else also has a meaning.

I am happy to mention this in my blog this morning.

Email hombre071@gmail.com for more information.

Buzz blogger Dave Harper won the Numismatic Literary Guild Award for Best Blog for the third time in 2017 . He is editor of the weekly newspaper "Numismatic News."

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