WBCC Newsmail 176, Volume 4, December25, 1999
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Composed with help from members of the
Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors
Club (WBCC)
and weekly published by Martin Peeters, Netherlands,
Focal
Point of the WBCC, martinp@westbrabant.net
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Dear WBCC members and non WBCC members,
This is the last WBCC Newsmail in this
Millunnium.
I hope you enjoy reading
it!!
1. My favorite Bi-(or Tri-)metallic contest..by Martin Peeters, Netherlands
The contest for the most beautiful Bi- or Tri-metallic 1999 is
still open.
So, what is your favorite? The contest is
open till December 31th 1999 and
the result will be
published in WBCC Newsmail 177, January 1, 2000
2. Bi-metallic token from the Netherlands (1)..by Frans Dubois, Netherlands
The Dutch city of Nijmegen issued a Bi-metallic milleniumtoken.
I am only
informed about the issue and the image will
be as soon as possible in the
homepage. If you
are interested in this bimetallic city token (price is
$5,-), please contact me on dubois.f@wxs.nl
3. Bi-metallic token from the Netherlands (2)..by Frans Dubois, Netherlands
Two other Bi-metallic tokens are issued by a cooperation in
Rotterdam, PWS.
There are 2 different sizes: 26,5 mm
and 30 mm. These tokens are available
after January 10,
2000. If you are interested in these tokens, please let me
know because there are only a few available for collectors. The price
of
these tokens is $10, and $12,-
4. Bi-metallic from Latvia
(1)............by Wladek Gebczyk, Poland
*Latvia
1999 2 Lati
Latvia has struck a new 2 Lats 1999
Bi-metallic coin. 2 lats (Ls 2 in short)
Measurements:
diameter 26.30 mm (diameter of the central circle - 18.21 mm),
weight 9.50 g (weight of the central circle - 4.50 g, weight of the
outer
ring - 5.00 g). Material of the central circle -
cupro-zinc-nickel, material
of the outer ring -
cupro-nickel.
Obverse:
The
large coat of arms of the Republic of Latvia is placed in the central
circle. The inscriptions LATVIJAS REPUBLIKA and 1999, each
arranged in a
semicircle and separated by two dots, are
in the outer ring respectively
above and beneath the
central motif.
Reverse:
The
upper part of the central circle features a cow, with the figure 2
directly beneath. The inscription LATI is arranged in the
bottom part of the
outer ring. The background motif
(clouds and grass) links the central circle
with the
outer ring.
Edge Corrugated; two inscriptions LATVIJAS
BANKA (Bank of Latvia), separated
by dots.
5. Bi-metallic from Latvia (2)............by Martin Peeters, Netherlands
The following can be read in the Latvia Bank Homepage
http://www.bank.lv/sapinfo/English/index.html
--Quote
Press Release of December 8,
1999
On Issuing of a 2-lats Bimetal Coin
The Bank of Latvia has issued a new 2-lats coin. This coin was
produced
applying a modern technological solution,
i.e., bimetal mintage. From nowon,
we will encounter
three types of 2-lats circulation coins.
What makes this coin different?
The
coin consists as if of two parts, each struck from a different alloy.
Yellow metal has been used for the central circle, whereas the
outer ring is
made of a silvery grey metal, just like
the previously issued 2-lats coins.
The new coins are
slightly larger than the old ones. While the basic design
of the coin is borrowed from the 2-lats coin struck in 1992, there are a
few
differences. To safeguard against forgeries, you
should look at the edge of
the coin - it must be
corrugated and contain two inscriptions LATVIJAS BANKA
(Bank of Latvia) separated by dots. On the old coins the inscription
was
placed on a smooth edge.
Why do we need new 2-lats coins?
In
March 1993 the lats was put back into circulation, and since then
inflation in Latvia has gradually decreased to reach the 3%
level
characteristic of developed economies. During the
past six years the lats
has held its own: since
February 1994, the exchange rate of the lats against
the SDR basket of major world has remained unaltered. This makes lats
coins
a valuable currency, and every effort should be
made to protect them against
forgery. To this end, it
was decided to apply the latest minting
technologies to
produce a bimetal coin of two different alloys.
It
should be noted, however, that Latvian currency is generally well
protected against forgeries, and the amount of counterfeit
Latvian banknotes
and coins is so small that it has no
effect on the country's. For instance,
the number of
forgeries discovered during the first ten months of 1999
account for only 0.002% of the currency in circulation at November 1,
1999.
Moreover, counterfeit banknotes are practically
non-existent. 2-lats coins
are quite popular as a means
of payment: they account for about 6 million
lats or
one third of the total amount of coins in circulation.
Unfortunately, they have also proven popular with forgers:
two-lats
imitations account for three quarters of all
counterfeits, worth 45 thousand
lats, discovered over
the past six years. Issuance of the new bimetal coin
will contribute to the security of settlements while making life
more
difficult for criminals.
Do I need to exchange my 2-lats coins for the new ones?
No. The old 2-lats coins will remain in circulation alongside
the new. Both
the new bimetal coin and the two types of
earlier coins, respectively
featuring a cow and an
ethnographic motif, are legal tender in the Republic
of
Latvia.
When will the new coins appear in circulation?
The resolution on putting these coins into circulation has already
been
adopted, so you may receive them at your bank as
early as tomorrow. The Bank
of Latvia issues currency
through commercial banks. Commercial banks choose
the
banknotes or coins in denominations preferred by their customers -
depositors, companies and state institutions (for salaries
etc.). As a
result, when withdrawing cash at your
commercial bank or getting change at a
store, post
office or elsewhere you may get both the old and new 2-lats
coins.
Where were the new 2-lats coins struck?
The new 2-lats coins were struck by the British Royal Mint, which placed
the
winning bid at an international competition. It is
at this mint that 2-lats
and other silver coins were
produced for pre-war Latvia. In the nineties,
the
British Royal Mint also struck several silver commemorative coins for
Latvia, including the series of eight commemorative coins
dedicated to the
800th anniversary of the City of Riga
and the button-shaped coin
commemorating the
millennium.
--Unquote
6. Bi-metallics from Uruguay once planned..by Paul Baker, UK
Sometime ago in the "Weltmunzkatalog 1996/97" (Schon) I found
two
interesting pieces listed in the Uruguay section.
Listed straight after the
normal circulation coins of
1994 I found mention of Bi-metallic 5 and 10
Pesos
coins. Values are not shown for the pieces - this suggested that the
pieces are perhaps patterns or essays and as such have not yet
been offered
for sale or perhaps even do not exist. The
listing gave dates as being just
three digit "199".
(Presumably meaning that the fourth digit would be added
later dependent upon any later official issue of coins with these
designs.).
The alloys used for the coins were detailed
as Nickel-Aluminium-Bronze and
Copper-Nickel-Zinc with
the colours of one pieces being the other way around
to
the other.
With the "arrival" of a Uruguayan numismatist to the WBCC I
thought my best
way of getting further details on these
Bi-metallic pieces would be to ask
him what he knew.
Carlos Suarez has now managed to find out some further
information of these two coins. Carlos has found out that the
same
legislation that authorised the Central Bank of
Uruguay to issue the
circulating 1994 series i.e. 10,
20 and 50 Centesimos, 1 and 2 Pesos
(KM-102, 105, 106,
103 and 104 respectively) also authorised the issue of
Bi-metallic 5 and 10 Pesos coins
The legislation allowed for the issue of up to 40 million
pieces of each of
these two denominations. The 5 Pesos
coins were planned to be of 25 mm
diameter and a mass
of up to 7.5 grams. Furthermore the outer-ring would be
made of 65% Cu, 25% Zn and 10% Ni (silvery colour), and the inner-core
of
92% Cu, 6% Al and 2% Ni (yellow colour). The 10
Pesos coins were planned to
be of 28.5 mm diameter and
a mass of up to 10.0 grams. Furthermore the
outer-ring
would be made of 92% Cu, 6% Al and 2% Ni, and the inner-core of
65% Cu, 25% Zn and 10% Ni.
These two coins however were never issued. The legislation did
however
stipulate what the general designs on these two
coins would comprise of. The
design requirements were
such that these two denominations would look rather
similar to the 1 and 2 Pesos coins (KM-103 and 104) i.e. obverse:- bust
of
Jose Artigas (taken from a painting by Juan Manuel
Blanes, known in Uruguay
as "the painter of the
nation") surrounded by the text "República Oriental
del
Uruguay" and reverse:- a large "5" or "10" (as applicable) with the "$"
symbol (for Pesos) to the left, then below this the full
denomination in
words and under this the date. The
coins were to be round with plain edges.
If these two coins had been issued then the mass of each
denomination would
have been set by the Central Bank of
Uruguay, within the limits stated in
the legislation.
This legislation also allowed for a tolerance of 3% for
each metal component in the final alloy. This particular law is still
valid,
so it is quite possible that in the future this
specification will be used
for new coins. So we had all
better keep an eye out !
7. Encased coin........Yossi Barzelay, Israel
I found in a small coin shop in Israel an encased 1 cent from
the USA.
Details:
Encased
coin: 1 cent 1937
Size: 36 mm
Outer ring: Aluminum
Obverse: Keep me and you
will have good luck
Reverse: Triangle Realty Co.
Lofts - Stores - Factories
LA
4-3200-LO 5-8193
202 West 40 St. N.Y.C.
Condition: VF a small rim bent
8. New Bi-metallic images......by Rod Sell, WBCC Homepage Provider
This weeks new pictures in the WBCC Homepage:
*Switzerland
1 Sablier with error VII
Close Up
of Error
*Switzerland 2000 5 Franc Basler
* China
10 Yuan Commemoratives for Return of Macau obv
*
Reverse
9. WBCC and PR........by Martin Peeters, WBCC Focal Point
Next year, January 21 till 23, the International Coin
Convention is hold as
every year in Basel, Zwitserland.
This leading International event also
called The World
Money Fair, attended by exhibotors from 30 countries of all
fice coninentals, is the very first numismatic world event of the year
2000
and its result will signyficanty influence the
upcomming numismatic
activities of the year. The
following National Mints, Banks and others will
be
there:
* Andorra Mint, British Royal Mint, Bulgarian Mint, Mexico
Mint, Japanese
Mint, Lithuania Mint, Finland Mint,
French Mint, Austria Mint, Poland Mint,
Royal
Austrialia Mint, Royal Belgium Mint, Royal Canadian Mint, Royal Dutch
Mint, San Marino Mint, Spanish Mint, German Mint, Swiss Mint,
Perth Mint,
Portuguese Mint, San Marino Mint, Singapore
Mint, Turkish Mint, United
States Mint, South Africa
Mint, Vatican Mint.
The following Privat Mint:
* Huguenin
and Kramer Medaillieurs, Mastercoin, MDM, Munz-Pragstatt Munchen,
Vereinigte Deutsche Nickel, Valcambi Mint.
The Following National Banks:
* Mexico
Bank, Latvia Bank, Lithuania Bank, Russia Bank
The Following International coin dealers:
* Coin Invest Trust Vaduz, Downie's, Emporium Hamburg,
Further: Cambarra Coin World, Collectors Universe, Cronica
Numismatica,
e-Bay, Krause Publication,
Munzen-Revue,
And many more. The Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors will be
represented by
Frans Dubois, Jack Hepler and Martin
Peeters. You will find the WBCC at
table 384.
10. Collectors Universe article...by Martin Peeters, Netherlands
The following article can be read in Collectors Universe
pages,
http://www.collectors.com/worldcoins/
, and it is written by WBCC member
Richard Giedroyc,
USA.
--Quote
Y2K Solution: Guernsey Says
Two Heads Are Better Than One
Richard Giedroyc -
December 17, 1999
There are a lot of fears regarding the potential Y2K millennium
computer
programs and how the computerized world may
come to an end as we know it
Jan. 1, 2000. Fear not.
The Bailiwick of Guernsey has found the solution,
deciding that perhaps two heads are better than one. What better way
is
there to demonstrate this but with a circulation
commemorative ringed
bimetal 5-pound coin marking the
millennium on which Queen Elizabeth II is
portrayed not
once, but twice on the obverse. This is not an error coin. Her
portrait isn't double struck. Her portrait does not appear in jugate, or
by
depicting her in two different poses, or by
depicting her two different
stages of her life.
The obverse of this rather unusual coin depicts the current
portrait of the
queen facing right at center with a
second, smaller version of the same bust
at the 6:00
position. The center of the coin on which the larger portrait
appears is composed of what appears to be aureate-nickel or bronze. The
ring
appears to be composed of nickel-steel. The
smaller portrait on the ring is
included with the
legend "Elizabeth II Bailiwick of Guernsey."
The reverse of the 1999 Millennium 5-pound coin is also
unusual. The design
at the center depicts a globe held
by hands from behind (only the fingers
are visible)
with "The year 2000 millennium" at the center. The outer ring
contains the date and denomination accompanied by what appears to be
a
sunburst and horizontal lines on the bottom half of
the coin.
What also makes this coin so unusual is the extremely high
relief on the
Globe, which presents the impression the
coin may be difficult to stack. In
fact what has been
done is that the background is recessed more than usual
for a typical coin, allowing the relief to be higher without
creating
problems with high points of wear or for
stacking the coins in quantities.
While this may not be a two-headed coin, the same queen's
portrait appearing
twice on the obverse of the same
coin is something of an anomaly. This puts
the coin in
a class with such unusual coins as the U.S. Lincoln cent on
which Lincoln is portrayed on both sides (His statue can be seen within
the
Lincoln Memorial on the reverse.), the 1990
Eisenhower dollar commemorative
on which the general is
seen simultaneously on the obverse at two stages of
his
life and the Series 1976 U.S. $2 Federal Reserve bank note on which a
vignette of Thomas Jefferson appears on the front and
Jefferson once again
appears within the reverse
vignette showing the signing of the Declaration
of
Independence on the back.
The reason for depicting the queen's portrait twice on the
obverse of the
same Guernsey coin was not immediately
available. Perhaps it is meant to be
a fail-safe
against losing her depiction should there be a Y2K problem.
The Guernsey 1999 5-pound coin is enormous. It has a diameter
of about 38.1
millimeters and a reeded edge. Although
Guernsey 1-pound bank notes are
rarely seen in
circulation, the 5-pound note depicting a vignette of the
queen on the front and Fort Grey and the Hanois Lighthouse on the back
is
still generally in use. The queen does not appear
twice on the 5-pound bank
note. The States of Guernsey
are in an unusual situation almost unique to
states
closely associated with the United Kingdom. Guernsey issues its own
legal tender coins and bank notes, yet English bank notes and
any major
foreign currency is accepted as legal tender.
Guernsey is part of the
Channel Islands, all of which
have a similar currency situation.
Richard Giedroyc is a numismatic writer, researcher, auction
cataloger and
coin dealer. He has been in the hobby and
business most of his life, now
having more than three
decades experience in this fascinating hobby field.
During this time Giedroyc has been the owner of Paris Bergman
Galleries,
owner of Classical Coin Newsletter,
international editor of Coin World and
owner of
Giedroyc-Anderson Interesting World Coins. He is currently a
numismatic consultant. He has written more than 2,000 byline
numismatic
stories and contributed to several coin
catalogs.
--Unquote
--Remark WBCC Focal Point: A picture of the Bi-metallic 5 Pound
of Guernsey
can be seen in the WBCC Homepage, at the
end of section:
http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/7513/wbcce-i/wbcce-g.html
"See" you next Millunnium,
Martin Peeters, Focal Point of the
Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club
martinp@westbrabant.net
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The Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club
was established September 14, 1996 and is the very first
Worldwide
Collectors Club using the Internet. Goal of
the WBCC is exchange
Bi-metallics and exchange
knowledge about Bi-metallics
WBCC Organisation:
WBCC Homepage Provider: Rod Sell, Australia, Rod.Sell@hlos.com.au
WBCC DoCu-Centre: Frans Dubois, Netherlands, dubois.f@wxs.nl
WBCC
Public Relations: Cliff Anderson, USA, chander@mciworld.com
WBCC Research Centre: Paul Baker, UK, 113076.167@compuserve.com
WBCC Focal Point: Martin Peeters, Netherlands, martinp@westbrabant.net
