WBCC Newsmail 65, Vol. 2, November 8, 1997

Dear WBCC members,

For the 65th. time your getting now the WBCC Newsmail in a weekly
frequency.
I hope it is still interesting enough. Again for this time:
Enjoy it reading about Bi-metallics!

1. Italian Bi-metallic 1000 Lire 1997...By Gerhard Schon, Germany

  Here are the characteristics of the new Italian 1000 Lire 1997
circulation coin:
Ring: Bronzital II (Cu 92 / Al 06 / Ni 02)
Center: Acmonital II (Fe 8175 / Cr 1825)
Weight: 8.80 grams
Obverse has a female head (modelled by Laura Cretara) similar to the
current (non-Bi-metallic) 50 and 100 Lire coins.
Reverse has a stylized map of Europe.

2. Croatia Bi-metallic 25 Kuna 1997....By Joel Anderson, USA

  Croatia has issued 3 version of the Croatia 1997 25 Kuna. The last two
were released in the past three weeks. There are three different 1997
Croatia 25 Kuna depicting:
a. Harbor
b. Esperanto Conference
c. United Nations
Further details unknown yet.

3. Recent French Euro's...By Frans Dubois, WBCC Docu-Center

   For some years there are plans to come to one European coin which can be
used in all European countries joined in the EEC. (European Economic
Community) The name of this coin at first was ECU but later the countries
decided to choose for the name Euro. Lots of organisations and cities
considered this as a way to raise funds for all kinds of activities and
used this (not legal tender) coins and the name EURO for it. Nearly from
the start of the Ecu (EURO) it was clear that there would be some
Bi-metallic issues. Especially France started with Bi-metallic issues but
there were also Dutch, German Bi-metallic Euro's. A list of resent issued
French Bi-metallis which I have got from a French dealer:
Panorama Numismatique
4 Rue des Panoramas, B.P.Paris Bourse No.919
75073 Paris CEDEX 02
France

(Note: Only the Ecu's and Euro's in stock are mentioned so this list
certainly is not complete. Also is not always told which metals are used
so it is not clear if there are more Bi-metallics in the list of this
dealer)

Prices are rather high for these not legal tender Bi-metallic Euros!
$20,-/$30,- is normal!

10 Ecu 1995, Ville de Vaison la Romaine, 485 pcs.
7 Euro 1996, Vile de Strassbourg, 20.000 pcs.
30 Euro 1997, Ville de Beaumont/Rhineau, 1.000 pcs.
10 Euro 1997, Ville de Poitiers, 500 pcs.
10 Euro 1997, Ville de Nimes, 1.000 pcs.
10 Euro 1997, Ville de Tours en Touraine, 12.000 pcs.
2 Euro 1997, Ville de Millau, 25.000 pcs.
2 Euro 1997, Ville de Morestel,  500 pcs.
3 Euro 1997, Ville de Seurre, 370 pcs.

Earlier issued French Bi-metallic Euro's and Ecu's are all listed in the
cataloque "The World of Bi-metallics"

4. Images in the WBCC Homepage.......By Rod Sell, Australia

   In all the WBCC Homepages there are currently 428 images of
Bi-metallics. Some images have both obverse and reverse of the coins, some
have only one side, others have more than one coin.

The current breakdown is:
WBCC Home Page - 23
Encased coins - 31
France - 19
Germany -  26
Mexico	- 40
Netherlands - 33
Russia	- 29
San Marino - 22
US Tokens - 27
Countries A-D - 49
Countries E-I - 49
Countries J-O - 13
Countries P-Z - 32
Tokens	- 35

WBCC Homepage:
http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/7513/wbcc/wbcc.html

5. Coin World article (1).........By Martin Peeters, Netherlands

  In Coin World issue of September 29, 1997 I saw the following article:
--Quote
Algeria has recentiy issued new higher denominatión coin for circulation,
the fourth ringed Bi-metalliccoin issued by that African nation. The l00
dinar coin is dated 1993 in Islamic dates ón the obverse, but appears to
have önly recently entered circulation. Coin dealer Joel Anderson of
Merced, Calif., encountered the coin for the first time during mid-1997.
The coin has a nickel-steel composition ring wlth a brass composition
center. It has a diameter of 28.5 millimeters and a reeded edge. The
depictions on the coin are reminiscent of subjects from coins of ancient
Carthage, an early empire defeated by the Romans in 146 BC., following the
protracted Punic Wars. Algeria is situated on land that was part of ancient
Carthage. The obverse depicts a horse head facing right with the date of
issue and an ornate border. The reverse depicts a repeat of the same design
at center, with the horse head left in a circle to the right and a palm
tree within an arch at left. Coins of ancient Carthsge typically used the
iconography of a horse and palm tree as symbols of the state, although not
exactly as depicted on the 1993-dated coin. Algeria issued ringed
Bi-metallic 10-, 20- and 50-dinar coins dated A.H. 1413 (AD. 1992) prior to
the new 100-dinar coin. The 100-dinar ringed Bi-metallic coin is available
at $18.50 through Joel Anderson, P O. Box 3016, Merced, Calif. 95344, USA,
Email: jacoins@oal.com
--Unquote

6. Coin World article (2)..........By Martin Peeters, Netherlands

  In Coin World issue of September 29, 1997 I saw the following article:
--Quote
Andorra 2nd nation to issue platinum-on-gold. Coins struck at private
Swiss mint

By Richard Giedroyc, Coin World Staff.
While gold-on-silver Bi-metallic coins can be found, platinum-on-gold
Bi-metallic coins are much more unusual. Andorra may be only the second
country to issue such coins, offering the unusual combination on its 1997
Swan/Boundaiy Cross 25-diners commemorative coins. According to Gold and
Silver Company Trust Reg. Managing Director Alan Posaick, "In the early
1990s I had approached Pobjoy Mint to do such an issue. After several years
of tests and technology, in 1995 they produced two different platinum/ gold
Bi-metallic coins from the Isle of Man. "They were both 22 millimeters and
contained an eighth of an ounce each of platinum and gold, for a total of a
quarter ounce of fine metal. There was the traditional Isle of Man Angel
with a platinum outer ring and the tralitional IOM Noble with the opposite
components (platinum center core, gold outer ring). "To my knowledge, this
new. Andorra Bi-metallic coin is the only other platinum/gold Bi-metallic
issue."The outer ring of the 1997 Andorra coin is composed of .9995 fine
platinum, with a :9999 fine gold center. It has a diameter of 22
millimeters and a mintage of 10,000 Proofs. The Andorra coins are struck by
the privately owned Valcambi S.A. mint in Balerna, Switzerland, rather than
by Pobjoy. The obverse depicts a swan swimining left with legend CIGNE 1997
and the purity of the metal on the ring and between 3 and 5 o'clock on the
edge of the ring. A "boundary" cross appeŕrs on the reverse with Andorra 25
Diners. According to Posnick, the swan was chosen as a design element
because it is an emblem of the sunlight and as a such is a symbol of noble
purity. The boundary cross is Romanesque and in the shape of an iris. It
was originally a Latin cross used as a dividing mark or demarcation line
for the jurisdiction of a parish or monastery. The platinum/gold 25 diners
can be ordeced through GST, PO. Box 634, New City, N.Y 10956, USA.
--Unquote

7. Bi-metallic tokens or not?..........By Dean Neald, Canada

   I finally have gotten a bit of time to write about an interesting
picture of a Bi-metalic token. I have a cover page from the Altamira Fund
Report for June 1997. Altamira is a mutual fund investment company based in
Toronto Ontario Canada. They picture 3 types of tokens on this cover. All
of these tokens make reference to there two main types of mutual funds,
Growth and Income.

I have written to the head office to see if I can get more information on
these tokens. At this point in time I have not received any reply. This is
part of why it has taken me so long to write you. I was hoping for a
response from Altamira before I sent this off.

I do not believe that these tokens actual exit. I feel that they are just
pretty pictures on a company promotional document. If these Bi-metallic
tokens actually existed you would think that they would make mention of
them some where. Used as a promotional give away to customers/investors,
sold as fund raising item, or possibly given to top performing employees.
But so far I have never seen anything about they. Just a picture on the
cover of these quarterly reports. That is what leads me to believe that
they arejust pictures. Some artists nice cover page for the fund report. I
will continue to seek out information about these. I am going to follow up
with the company again and see what I can find. Maybe another WBCC member
knows more?

8. Nice PR-work.......By Martin Peeters, WBCC Focal Point

  This week I have communicate with Paul Baker (non WBCC member) from the
UK about the WBCC. Now Paul has made a special section into his Homepage to
inform the UK collectors about the WBCC and the WBCC token. Paul's Homepage
is: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/MR_PAUL_BAKER

Thanks Paul, great PR-work!!

9. My Bi-metallic Tradelist........By Joel Anderson, USA

Here you find listed Bi-metallics for trading:
* Canada, KM-270 2 Dollars 1997, UNC 3.50 U$
* France, Y-194, KM 1036 20 Francs 1994, XF-AU Tri-metallic 9.50 U$
* Hungary, 100 Forint 1997, UNC 3.00 U$
* Macao, 10 Pataca 1997 UNC, 5.00 U$
* Morocco, KM-92 10 Dirhams 1995 UNC, 7.50 U$
* Syria, K-122 25 Pounds 1995 UNC, 7.50 U$
* Thailand, 10 Bath 1996 Kings 50th. Year, UNC, 3.00 U$
* Thailand, 10 Bath 1996 FAO, UNC, 3.00 U$
* Thailand, 10 Bath 1996 Rice Award, UNC, 3.00 U$
You can reach me: Joel Anderson: jacoins@aol.com 

10. Italian and Monaco Bi-metallics.By Fabrizio Pivari (Non WBCC member)

  Read my list of Italian and San Marino Bi-metallic coins.
I swap them with coins with a central hole.
Italy Bi-metallic 500 Lire:
* 199 , 70 ISTAT (Istituto Nazionale di Statistica)
* 1993, Centenario della Banca d'Italia
* 1994, Luca Pacioli
* 1997,Polizia di Stato
San Marino Bi-metallic 500 Lire:
* 1989
* 1991, Terra Ospitale
* 1992, Scoperta dell'America
* 1994
* 1995, FAO
You can reach me: Fabrizio Pivari, E-mail: pivari@hotmail.com

11. WBCC Bi-metallic token comments...By Martin Peeters, WBBC Focal Point 

  I've got some comments from WBCC members about the 
WBCC Bi-metallic token:

Jeff Timmons, USA:
 "I have just received my WBCC Bi-metallic token in the mail, and I am
enjoying it. Actually, I enjoy the token not simply for the design on the
observe, but for the missing design on the reverse. In fact, I am glad that
no design was made for the reverse at all. Although the design on front of
the Bi-metallic token is indeed very nice to look at, the back side of the
token is a reminder of what ALL Bi-metallics, no matter if they are coins,
tokens, euros etc. look like just before they are stamped with a design. My
upmost thanks goes to Martin. Originally, I had little excitement for the
creation of such a token. Now, with that concept now a reality, I am glad
that I placed an order for a token. It is not simply a Bi-metallic token,
but a token of where my heart is in collecting coins: Bi-metallics!!"

Larry Friemel, USA:
 "Great Bi-metallic token. I am going to engrave my member number (#3) in
the back."

Michael Ayrapetov, USA:
 "It was a good idea to strike one sided WBCC token, because every member
now can engrave his or her name on the reverse of this nice club token."

Wolfgang Schuster, Austria:
 "WBCC token received - thanks. It is nice, it would be perfect if both
sides would show a design."

Frans Woons, Canada:
 "I have received from Martin a specimen of the Bi-metallic WBCC medal. I
was struck by the beauty of this piece and therefore I am very pleased with
it. It is my first uniface Bi-metallic piece which makes it very special. I
congratulate Martin on his hard work and thank him for bringing this
project to such a successful end!"

Luis Wulschner, Mexico:
 "Today I received the WBCC medals. They are great."

Rod Sell, Australia:
 "The 2 WBCC medals have arrived. They are very nice."

Frans Dubois, Netherlands:
 "When the first plans for the WBCC token were made long ago, I thought
it was a great idea but it was nearly impossible to work out. The price for
just so few tokens would be to high. And now we have one of the nicest
Bi-metallic token ever made! Our own WBCC token! Great and congratulations
Martin for all the energy you put in it!"

12. WBCC token and cataloging.......By Martin Peeters, WBCC Focal Point

   Now the WBCC token is a fact, I have a problem. Where should I list this
WBCC Bi-metallic in the cataloque "The World of Bi-metallics". Several WBCC
members did give me suggestions, but they were all different. Maybe you can
help me?

"See" you next week,
Martin Peeters, Focal Point of the
Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club
martinp@concepts.nl