Dear members and non-members of the WBCC,

In Martin's absence at the World Money Fair in Basel, Switzerland, I'm transmitting this week's WBCC Newsmail.

1. Construction of Canadian Tooneys ... Frans Woons

In the past we have talked about the way the sterling silver (ring) /gold-plated sterling silver (centre) Canadian $ 2 coins have been produced.

Some people thought they were made by applying two very thin gold disks ("gold leaf") to the centre of a sterling silver disk (on both sides). However, a Royal Canadian Mint spokesman told us that the coin is made by placing a gold-plated sterling silver centre in a sterling silver ring and then the striking process takes place to produce a coin and uniting the two parts.

To discover which one of the two methods is used, I bought such a coin on eBay and broke it into two pieces by applying pressure on ring and centre (in opposite directions) by using two sockets and a vise.

The coin fell apart into two pieces (a ring and a centre), proving that the RCM official was correct. The fact that also the edge of the centre piece is gold-plated supports his statement.

Happy collecting!

Frans Woons

2. Recent Bi-metallic Turkey daily tokens ... by Manuel Gonzalez

In this week's new images section, you can see how this new version of the Turkey daily tokens has changed. The 2002 tokens show a white ring around a yellow center, whereas the newly minted 2003 pieces reverse that composition, showing a yellow ring around a white center. But also notice how the token's reverse has changed, showing a "bull's eye target" design with two mintmarks instead of one.

3. Zimbabwe Bi-metallic $5 coin ... by Jack Hepler, USA

Another item in this week's new images section shows four Zimbabwe $5 coins, but with different alignments between the centers and outer rings. Since these are circulated coins, these questions arise as to why the misalignments: Were they constructed with those errors? Were they were loose enough during their minting to have slipped around during their business usage? Could the center have fallen out and been wedged back in misaligned? Might they have been early strikes with a die that was not properly indexed or rigidly staked? Or could they be counterfeit?

Has any other member observed this misalignment?

And by the way, I have five of these circulated $5 of Zimbabwe for members wanting an inexpensive specimen. I would like to have 50 Cents or equivalent in trade for these pieces. Send questions or requests to: Jack Hepler. I can send a scan by email of the coins for you to see and select the one you would like to have.

4. Bi-metallics 2003 from San Marino ... by Martin Peeters, Netherlands

According the Azienda Autonoma Di Stato Filatelico e Numismatica (in other words the Bureau that issues the San Marino stamps and coins), San Marino will issue in 2003, like in 2002, a BU Euro set including the bi-metallic 1 and 2 Euro pieces. Mintages are unknown and issue date March 2003. Price 44 Euro.

See all the images of the pieces mentioned in these items #1, #2 and #3 above in this week's: New Images.

5. The new RCM $15 cameo coin ... by Jose Luis Ramirez

Look at the webpage of the Royal Canadian Mint for the newly issued 15$ cameo coin. This year, 2003, is the year of the sheep. This one is limited to 68,888 coins worldwide.

6. Fate of the bi-metal transit token? ... by Larry Friemel

The following is paraphrased from a recent CNN news TV report:

New York City plans to eliminate the subway token and move to a 'Metro-Style' pass card in the next few years, as are many other token-issuing authorities in the transportation industry. The stated reason was the high annual cost of token production and circulation of around $6,000,000.

As we know, this will be the eventual end of all those bimetal New York and Los Angeles subway tokens and those of the many other transit and parking authorities. Will Charlotte's beautiful tokens cease? Will the Roger Williams Mint be affected? Will our bimetallic token collections increase in value?

Believe it or not, the bimetal Los Angles metro token can be used to purchase a paper pass at a discounted price over just inserting coinage. If you use real money it costs $1.20 versus the 90 cents it costs to purchase the token, which is then used to buy the paper ticket.

7. WBCC Auction 52 ... by Rod Sell, Australia

Auction 52 is now open. Please note the changes to the bidding rules. Bids can now be made with a maximum bid (which will be shown) and bidding increments will be in set increments. Please check the new bidding rules at the top of the auction page.

Many interesting lots have been submitted, a total of 85, and they can be seen at: : Auction 52. We need more, so please email your lots to me:Rod Sell.

8. The WBCC Bi-metallic Quiz Game #338 ... by Jack Hepler, USA

Prior to the introduction of the EURO, Austria honored four national heroes on the Bi-metallic coins. One of the men honored was deeply involved in the study of behavioral sciences. He is well known for his work with geese. Which of these national heroes was honored on the Austrian Bi-metallic 50 Schillings of 1998?
a. Conrad Lorenz
b. Ferdinand Porsche
c. Johann Strauss
d. Sigmund Freud
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 #337
Antonio Jose de Sucre was born in 1795 and educated in Caracas, a city now in Venezuela. Because of his genius at military operations, he quickly rose to the rank of Grand Marshal at the age of 29, in the wars for South American independence from Spain. He was mysteriously assassinated when only 35 years old. His image appears as a hero on the currency of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia. He appears on the bimetallic coins of which country?
a. Bolivia
b. Colombia
c. Ecuador
d. Venezuela

Answer to Question #337 is "c". Summary of answers to Quiz Game Question #336: 75.0% correct, four players. It was a question of moderate difficulty but required some research.

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

The new Bi and Tri-metallic images shown at: New Images. Newly listed are:
*Turkey Daily set with new metal combination and new reverse
* San Marino 2003 set
*Zimbabwe $5 with rings in different alignments with centre
*Separated Canadian $2 gold plated centre from silver ring

As Martin always says, "See you" next time.
But I will add my own: "Are we having fun yet? Keep smelling the roses!" Cliff Anderson