Dear WBCC Members and Non WBCC Members,

I really hope you enjoy reading this weeks WBCC Newsmail !!

1. First Report, Thai Bi-metallics and more ... by Martin Peeters, WBCC Focal Point

* Wednesday, September 4th, after a flight of 12 hours from the Netherlands to Bangkok, I got my first circulating Bi-metallic 10 Baht piece in my hand. This should be the last I saw in public, because this Bi-metallic is in use.

* Thursday, September 5th, visited about 5 coin dealers in Bangkok, but no Bi-metallics, except one. I found an unidentified Thai copper coin (scan will be put in the WBCC Website soon), diameter 3.5 centimeters, has on one side a silver colored inlay, about 0.5 centimeters. In the evening I had a meeting with WBCC member Barent Springsted (originally from the US) and we had a cozy dinner at the Narai Hotel in Bangkok. We talked about Bi-metallics and other interesting things.

* Friday September 6th, I saw the coin and medal collection of the Royal family, which can be seen near the Royal Grand Palace. The Bi-metallic 10 Baht could be seen in several annual sets and a special set with the Bi-metallic 10 Baht (dated 1997, commemorate 20 years exhibition mentioned above) and a 10 Baht note, price was 130 Baht (about $3 US). There were no loose coins or rolls of the 10 Baht pieces available.

* Saturday September 7th, my last day in Bangkok. Together with WBCC member Barent Springsted, I visited a coin show located outside at the Chatuckak Park, held every Saturday and Sunday, and met several coin dealers and collectors. At the Chinese restaurant Grand Palace, while having a Chinese lunch we talked about coins and Bi-metallics, very enjoyable. In the evening I took my plane to Australia.

* Sunday September 8th, while arriving in the early morning in Australia, WBCC member Rod Sell waited for me at the Sydney airport. Rod took me from 8 in the morning till 8 in the evening for a guided tour through Sydney. I saw it all even the complete Bi-metallic collection of Rod.

* Monday September 9th, with Rod, visited several coin dealers in Sydney and went by the Museum of the Westpac Bank. In the evening we joined the meeting of the Australian Numisnatic Society, and I had my talk about the WBCC, Bi-metallics and the Euro before 25 members of the ANS. It was very enjoyable for all of us.

* Tuesday September 10th, up to Canberra for the "Big Bi-metallic Day"

* Wednesday, September 11th, in the morning we, Rod Sell, John Veltmeyer and myself, visited the Australian Mint. We met Sam and Rod Paton, the last mentioned gave us a really great tour through the mint including where the Bi-metallics are struck. I even struck a new Bi-metallic Gold/Silver ringed 20 Dollar piece. See Rod's text and read more about it, unfortunately I couldn't take it home with me!! This VIP tour was really great and I can recommend it to all WBCC members who visit Canberra.

2. Bi-metallic Visit Report ... by Rod Sell, Australia

Dear Members,

Martin Peeters, John Veltmeyer and I were given a VIP tour of the Royal Australian Mint, on the 11th. We had a great tour, but the highlight was when we visited the room where special proofs are produced.

Being struck was a bi-metallic A$50 that will be released, I believe, on Monday the 16th. It is a very large 50mm silver ring with gold plated silver centre. The gold centre piece has the design of the Type 1 Adelaide Pound with die crack. Martin got to strike one of the coins in the press. Each coin is struck 4 times. I believe the retail price will be A$90.

Have a look at the RAM site at on the 16th and the image and details of the coin should be shown.

3. Bi-metals at Dutch Coin Event ... by Wouter Beerekamp, Netherlands

On Saturday September 21th, the biggest one-day coin event of Holland will be held in the Mercure Hotel Haren-Groningen. At the event, called "Noordelijke Muntmanifestatie", over 40 dealers from all over Holland, Germany and Belgium will bring a lot of coins and medals. Seeing the list of participating coin-dealers with modern world coins, there will be a lot to see (and buy) for collectors of bi- and trimetal coins. WBCC-members in Holland, Belgium and Germany (or other countries) don't miss this opportunity to enlarge your collection. The Mercure Hotel in Haren (open 10.00 -16.00 local time) is close to highway A28 with big free Parking. For questions about this event, please mail me: Wouter Beerekamp.

4. World Money Fair, 2003 ... by Martin Peeters, Netherlands

The WBCC, through Martin has received an invitation to the next World Money Fair, January 31 to February 2, 2003. This annual event is held in beautiful Basel, Switzerland, at the municipal convention center. It is a wonderful opportunity to see what is new in the production of the World's coins. Manufacturers of equipment used for minting, packaging, and displaying coins are represented. Mints from many countries have displays and many offer their latest coins including Bi-metallics. At this Fair, Switzerland has introduced their Bi-metallic 5 Franc coins and sold them at face value. The WBCC is the only club of its kind with a table at the Fair.

5. San Marino 500 Lire Bi-metallic 1983 ... by Jack Hepler, USA

By Permission. D/Nella parte centrale della moneta, stemma stilizzato della Repubblica; nella corona circolare la leggenda REPUBBLICA/DI/SAN MARINO, in basso: LIBERTAS R/La scena, composta da tre figure animali che incombono su due figure umane, sta a rappresentare l'apocalisse che travolge l'umanita intera; nella corona circolare, in basso: A FABBRI/L. 500/R, in alto: 1983 Bordo: godronato

Translation by Martin Purdy, New Zealand

Obverse: The central part of the coin shows the stylised arms of the Republic; on the outer ring, the legend REPUBBLICA/DI/SAN MARINO, and, below, LIBERTAS.

Reverse: A scene composed of three animal figures happening upon two human figures, representing the apocalypse that is overwhelming mankind as a whole; the outer ring contains the date 1983 at top, with A.FABBRI / L.500 at the bottom. Edge: Knurled.

6. The WBCC Bi-metallic Quiz Game #318 ... by Jack Hepler, USA

A woman's figure is featured on the 1999 Two-Pounds of Gibraltar. Images of this woman may be found on coins dating back as early as 1714 in the United Kingdom. What is this woman's name?
a. Brittania
b. Queen Boudicca
c. Brittany Spears
d. Queen Elizabeth I
Please send your answer to me: Jack Hepler. Note: See this coin and many others by visiting the WBCC website.

Answer to Bi-metallic Quiz Game question #317.
The 1999 Vatican City 500 Lire design incorporates a picture of a woman holding a child and a man reaching out in a gesture of caring. What is the object above their heads?
a. Sun with rays of sunshine
b. Cloud of danger
c. Tree of Life
d. Hand of God
Answer to Question #317 is "d"; The Hand of God.

Summary of answers to Quiz Game Question #316: 50% correct, four players.

7. New Bi- or Tri-metallic Images ... by Rod Sell, Australia

The new Bi and Tri-metallic images shown at: New Images.
Newly listed are: *2000 Eminescu Medal.
*WBCC member Barent Springsted
*WBCC members Martin Peeters with Rod Sell in Sydney
*WBCC members Martin Peeters , Rod Sell & John Veltmeyer at the Big Merino on the way to Canberra
*WBCC members Martin Peeters , Rod Sell & John Veltmeyer at the Royal Australian Mint Canberra
*Martin saying farewell to Rod Paten of the Royal Australian Mint.
*Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Tokens
*WBCC encased 1999 US Quarters
*A Polish bimetallic pattern minted in 1994 by Mennica Panstwowa S.A.Warszawa, named "PROBA TLOCZENIA".

8. New Russian Bi-metallic Series ... by Michael Aryapetov

On September 6, 2002, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation issued for circulation seven new bimetallic 10 Roubles coins in commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the issuing of Manifesto of Alexander I of September 8, 1802 "On Founding the Ministries". Mintage of each coin is 5,000,000. The obverse of each coin has the inscription, BANK OF RUSSIA, denomination 10 ROUBLES, and the date 2002. The reverse of each coin has the emblem of each of seven Ministries:
- Armed Forces of Russian Federation (Ministry of Defence);
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- Ministry of Justice;
- Ministry of Internal Affairs;
- Ministry of Finances;
- Ministry of Economic Development and Commerce;
- Ministry of Education.

In Coins Issue Plan of Russian Bank was listed eight bimetallic coins, but on September 6, was issued seven coins (Russian Ministries). I asked The Russian Bank about this and received the answer from Mister V. Gerasimov, Commemorative Coins, Bank of Russia: Alexander I founded two ministries - Ministry of Navy and Ministry of Land Forces. Now this is the one Ministry - Ministry of Defence ("Armed Forces of Russian Federation"). All names of Ministries on the coins are the new names. Many thanks to Mister V. Gerasimov! The images of seven new Russian Bimetallic coins can be seen on Website of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.

9. WBCC Anniversary ... by Jack Hepler

Martin reminded me that this coming week we celebrate the sixth anniversary of the Worldwide Bimetallic Collectors Club. Mark your calendars, look at your collections, read the old Newsmails, find a new specimen, CELEBRATE. We have seen a lot of new countries enter the field of producing Bi-metallic and Tri-metallic coins during the past 6 years. Even the long time holdout, USA produced one, if only a commemorative. What countries will join the ever-expanding list of Bi-metallic producers, we don't know, but we do know that Bi-metallics are here to stay. Congratulations to Europe for making this an exciting year for Bi-metallic collecting. And congratulations to Martin Peeters for keeping the Newsmail going for 6 years and making this a fun hobby.

"See you" next week, Jack Hepler for
Martin Peeters, Focal Point of the Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club