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WBCC Newsmail 544 Volume
12, January 13, 2007
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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
Past Newsmails can be found at http://www.wbcc-online.com/newsmail/wbccnews.html
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Dear WBCC members and non WBCC members,
Welcome into the World Of Bi-metallics.
I really hope you enjoy reading the WBCC Newsmail this week.
1. The WBCC at the WMF Berlin (part 1)...by Martin Peeters, WBCC
Focal Point
The World Money Fair at Berlin starts on February 2 and will end Febuary
4th. 2007. The Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club will attend this event
and have their own booth. The WMF is now for the second time in Berlin at
the Estrel Convention Centre.
The event starts on friday Februari 2 and ends sunday February 4. For more
information look at: http://www.worldmoneyfair.ch/wmf/english/index.html
In next weeks WBCC Newsmail Part 2 about the World Money Fair 2007
2. Bi-metallic Euro design in Finland...by Brian Zimmer, Canada
The beautiful new Finnish Bi-metallics design:
http://worldcoinnews.blogspot.com/
http://www.mint.fi/en/finnish-euros
3. Bi-metallic 2 Euro 2007 from Luxembourg..by Martin Peeters,
Netherlands
Luxembourg will issue a new Bi-metallicx 2 Euro commemorate the Grand-Ducal
Palace
(Source: http://worldcoinnews.blogspot.com/
)
4. Bi-metallic from Zwitserland...by Hans Bucek, Zwitserland
The Siwss Mint will sell at the Basel Coin Fair on Jan 20. the following
new Bi-metallic issues:
10 Fr 2007 Bi-metallic (1st issue of a series of 4: Swiss National
Parks), depicting the IBEX, issued for face value
Official issue date of the aforementioned coins is Jan. 19. 2007
4. Bi-metallic from Kenya...by Fran Pascual, Spain
Dated in 2005 but put in circulation this month. Kenya 5 and 10 Shilling.
6. Bi-metallic from Kazakhstan......by Michael Ayrapetov, USA
I found on eBay new bimetallic 500 Tenge coin of Kazakhstan 2006, silver/tantalum,
"Space". The coin was issued on December 28, 2006. Ebay Item number:
180072572638.
7. Bi-metallic from China...by Antonio Barrena Mateo, Spain
New Bi-metallic coin from China, 500 Yuan 2006
8. A new kind of bimetallic?....by Cliff Anderson, USA
The following news story from the Canadian Press shows how some Canadian
coins may contain electronic transmitters planted for intelligence purposes.
This is of course not a serious issue for numismatists. But for conversation's
sake, could this be considered a new kind of bimetallic? Maybe called "Bi-metallic
bug coins"?
--Quote
Canadian coins bugged, U.S. security agency says
Last Updated: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 | 8:52 AM ET
The Canadian Press They say money talks, and a new report suggests Canadian
currency is indeed chatting, at least electronically, on behalf of shadowy
spies. Canadian coins containing tiny transmitters have mysteriously turned
up in the pockets of at least three American contractors who visited Canada,
says a branch of the U.S. Department of Defence.
A U.S. security report says Canadian coins with tiny transmitters have turned
up, and could be used to track defence industry personnel (CBC)
Security experts believe the miniature devices could be used to track the
movements of defence industry personnel dealing in sensitive military technology.
"You might want to know where the individual is going, what meetings the
individual might be having and, above all, with whom," said David Harris,
a former CSIS officer who consults on security matters. "The more covert or
clandestine the activity in which somebody might be involved, the more significant
this kind of information could be." The counter-intelligence office of the
U.S. Defence Security Service cites the currency caper as an example of the
methods international spies have recently tried to illicitly acquire military
technology.
Nearly 1,000 'suspicious' contacts
The service's report, Technology Collection Trends in the U.S. Defence Industry,
says foreign-hosted conventions, seminars and exhibits are popular venues
for pilfering secrets. The report is based on an analysis of 971 "suspicious
contact reports" submitted in fiscal 2005 by security-cleared defence contractors
and various official personnel. "On at least three separate occasions between
October 2005 and January 2006, cleared defence contractors' employees travelling
through Canada have discovered radio frequency transmitters embedded in Canadian
coins placed on their persons," the report says.
The report did not indicate what kinds of coins were involved. A service
spokeswoman said details of the incidents were classified. As a result, the
type of transmitter in play — and its ultimate purpose — remain a mystery.
However, tiny tracking tags, known as RFIDs, are commonly placed in everything
from clothing to key chains to help retailers track inventory. Each tag contains
a miniature antenna that beams a unique ID code to an electronic reader. The
information can then be transferred by the reader into a computerized database.
Makes no sense
The likely need for such a reading device means the doctored coins could
be used to track people only in a controlled setting, not over long distances,
said Chris Mathers, a security consultant and former undercover RCMP officer.
"From a technology perspective, it makes no sense," he said. "To me it's very
strange." Then there's the obvious problem: what if the coin holder plunks
the device into a pop machine? "You give the guy something with a transmitter
that he's going to spend — I mean, he might have it for an hour," Mathers
said with a chuckle. Harris speculates recent leaps in miniaturization could
allow for a sophisticated transmitter capable of monitoring a target's extensive
travels. "I think we can be pretty darn confident that the technology is
there for the sorts of micro-units that would be required to embed these things
in a coin," he said. "It's a brave new world, and greatly concerning on so
many levels." Passing the coin to an unwitting contractor, particularly in
strife-torn countries, could mark the person for kidnapping or assassination,
Harris said. "You could almost, by handing a coin to somebody, achieve the
equivalent of the Mafiosi's last kiss on the cheek." The Defence Security
Service report says employees of U.S. contractors reported suspicious contacts
from individuals, firms or governments of more than 100 countries during the
year. Technologies that generated the most interest were information systems,
lasers and optics, aeronautics and sensors. A foreign approach often meant
a simple request for information from the contractor.
Can contain built-in scanners
But the report also underscores clandestine means of acquiring secrets from
U.S. employees, particularly those travelling abroad. "It is important to
recognize copiers and shredders can contain built-in scanners to copy the
data." Other common methods include placing listening devices in rooms, searching
hotel rooms, inspecting electronic equipment and eavesdropping on conversations.
The report, which first came to light in a U.S. newspaper, has since been
posted on the website of the Federation of American Scientists, an organization
that tracks the intelligence world and promotes government openness.
--Unquote
9. The WBCC Bi-metallic Quiz Game #544...by Jack Hepler, USA
The Kenyan Coat of Arms appears on the Bi-metallic coins of Kenya.
The CoA consists of a shield and spears used by the Masai tribe. The motto,
Harambee is the motto of the chief political party KANU (Kenya African National
Union) and means "all pull together". It was used by the first President Jomo
Kenyatta whose image appears on the most recent coin issues. The bird in
the center of the shield is the symbol of the KANU. The shield colors represent
the struggle for independence - green is the earth, red is the blood of the
Mau Mau warriors for independence and black the rich soils. Lions flank the
shield and are often seen in Kenyan parks. What kind of bird is in the center
of the shield?
a. Chicken
b. Condor
c. Dove
d. Eagle
Please send your answer to: heplerj@juno.com
Note: See this coin and many others by visiting the WBCC website; http://www.wbcc-online.com
Answer to Bi-metallic Quiz Game question #543
In 2005, Finland issued a commemorative 2 Euro. The design incorporated
the image of a dove, the symbol for peace. What did this coin commemorate?
a. The end of World War II
b. Finnish independence
c. The end of World War I
d. The United Nations
The correct answer for question #543 is d; The United Nations.
10 WBCC Quiz Game Prize.........by Jack Hepler, USA
A Bi-metallic prize will be awarded to a member who correctly answers the
WBCC Quiz Game this week. If more than one member gets the correct answer,
a random drawing will be conducted to select a winner. There were nine players
in game #542 and the winner was Bertie van Haag, WBCC member #261.
11. New Bi- or Tri-metallic images........by Rod Sell, Australia
The new Bi- and Tri-metallic image shown at:
http://wbcc-online.com/new-releases/new-images.html
* Luxembourg 2007 2 Euro
* Kenya 2005 bimetallics
* Kazakhstan 2006 tantalum bimetallic
* Finland 2007 new 1 euro design
12. WBCC Auction 82 accepting lots.............by Rod Sell, WBCC
Auction Provider
I am accepting lots for Auction 82 which starts on the 3rd February 2007
with Newsmail 547. You have 3 weeks left to list your lots.
The lots listed so far can be seen at: http://wbcc-online.com/auction/auction82.html
Please email your lots to me at rodsell@rodsell.com.
Members are allowed to list up to 20 lots in each auction.
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The Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club (WBCC)
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 Webmaster & Auction Provider,
Rod Sell,
Australia.
WBCC DoCu-Centre: Frans Dubois,
Netherlands.
WBCC Public Relations: Cliff Anderson,USA.
WBCC Research Centre: Paul Baker, UK.
WBCC Developement Centre:
Jack Hepler,
USA.
WBCC ANA Focal Point: Ray Lockwood,
USA.
WBCC Focal Point: Martin Peeters,
Netherlands
WBCC
Website
Bi-metallic Forum Page
The WBCC will attend the following future International events:
* World Money Fair 2007, February 2 till 4, 2007 at Berlin in
the Estrel Convention Center, Germany, http://www.worldmoneyfair.ch/wmf/english/index.html
* Open Day of The Royal Dutch Mint 2007, June 9th. 2007, Utrecht,
The Netherlands
* 7th Northern Coin Event 2007, Saturday, September 15th 2007, Assen,
The Netherlands http://www.muntmanifestatie.nl
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