WBCC Newsmail 75, Vol. 3, January 17, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Composed with help of several members of the Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club and published by Martin Peeters, The Netherlands, Focal Point of the WBCC, martinp@concepts.nl -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear WBCC members, This is the 75th WBCC Newsmail in a row. Getting news about Bi-metallic is very easy, especially with help of several WBCC (and non WBCC) members. So, I think you will enjoy this weeks WBCC Newsmail !! 1. Profile of a member...by Martin Peeters, Focal Point WBCC Please read the complete profile of our last new member. Name: Gabor Toth (WBCC member #80), Hungary E-mail: softcont@mail.elender.hu or g_toth@freemail.c3.hu Age: 38 Hobbies: Collecting coin of Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, and World coins with butiful heraldy, Other gemmologie, country and bluegrass music. Against: Melting of old coins. 2. Lost a member...by Martin Peeters, WBCC Focal Point We have lost a member. Ken Humberston has decided not to continue the WBCC membership. Please delete him from your list. 3. WBCC 1998 Competition...by Martin Peeters, WBCC Focal Point Till no WBCC members has reported that he/she has a 1998 Bi-metallic Legal Tender. So the competion goes on!! BTW one, non WBCC member, Paul Baker from the UK, has already a 1998 Bi-metallic Legal Tender coin. 4. WBCC 1997 design contest......by Steve Andrews, USA A second competition: The "WBCC Bi-metallic 1997 design contest" among WBCC member to pick the best Bi-metallic design for 1997? Please E-mail to write what is your favorite Bi-metalic design for 1997, Steve Andrews, SAnDREWS5@aol.com 5. Bi-metallic commemorative "Navy"...By Martin Peeters, Netherlands There is a new FDC.set of the Netherlands 1997. It is a commemorative set about the Dutch Royal Navy. This commemorative set is very expensive and I only mention it because of the fact that there is a Bi-metallic commemorative medal in it. There are 1000 sets made and the coindealers are asking about 400 US Dollars for this set! Uncredable! 6. Bi-metallic Australia 5 Dollars...by Frans Dubois, Netherlands In the Summer 1998 issue of the Australian Mint newsletter I saw the 1998 coin releases. In April/May the Australian Mint plan to issue a Bi-metallic 5 Dollars, Royal Flying Doctors Service flight, 70 th anniversary of the first flight, a Bi-metallic coin coupled with phonecard. --Remark of Rod Sell, WBCC Homepage provider: Members who want one or more to let me know how many they want. The cost will be issue price which I assume will be $5 plus postage. E-mail: Rod.Sell@hlos.com.au 7. Looking for a Bi-metallic.......by Yossi Barzelay, Israel I'm looking for the France Bi-metallic 10 Francs 1989, Montesquieu. E-mail: ybarzela@study.haifa.ac.il 8. Bi-metallic Inlays from Germany...by Martin Peeters, Netherlands From the German firm Munzpragstatt GmbH Munchen, I've got information about earlier issued Bi-metallic Inlays * Germany 1990, Penny Black Inlay * Germany 1990, 500 Years German Post * Gernamy 1992, ECU, 150 Years Walhalla * Germany 1993, 1994 and 1995 ECU's * Germany 1993, 1000 Years City Potsdam * Germany 1996 ECU, Goethe/Schiller Most of them are Silver with Gold or Platin inlay and the prices goes from 158 German Marks to 3280 German Marks. When you want to see a picture of them look into the WBCC Homepage: For more information: Münz-Prägstatt GmbH München Eversbuschstrasse 194a 80999 München Germany Phone + 089-812 60 28 Fax + 089-812 50 90 Alex Wegner, E-mail: 100533.3237@compuserve.com 9. Bi-metallic Inlays from the USA.....by Frans Woons, Canada In WBCC Newsmail 74, point 13, Ken Potter discusses a set of 8 medals ("America the Beautiful") produced by the Franklin Mint in 1976. These medals can be considered "Bi-metallic" as each medal consists of a main piece with an inlay although the composition of the two pieces is identical (sterling silver or .925 silver). The inlay is off-centre and varies from medal to medal. The two portions have a different finish. While the inlay has a "proof" finish, the finish of the main portion is "antique". In a book on Franklin Mint products, I found some more information about this set: Each of the eight dual-finish medals in this collection was inspired by a single line from the first stanza of the song "America the Beautiful". The medals are named as follows: * O Beautiful for Spacious Skies * For Amber Waves of Grain * For Purple Mountain Majesties * Above the Fruited Plain * America! America! * God Shed His Grace on Thee * And Crown Thy Good with Brotherhood * From Sea to Shining Sea Some technical data: - the medals measure 51 mm in diameter - they weigh 1000 grains (2.08 ounces) each - 2945 sets were produced - the medals were sold initially for US $ 40 each 10 Homepage updated........by Gerhard Schon, Germany My Homepage is upodated and there are some Bi-metallic listed complete with prices just look at NOMISMA http://www.nomisma.com/ 11. My Bi-metallic wantlist........by Michael Doran, USA Dealer/Collector needs the following Bi-metallic coins, in quantity UNC if possible - buying at 40 to 50% of 1998 Krause: 1997 Italy 1,000 Lire - both varieties 1997 Jersey 2 Pound 1997 Guernsey 2 Pound (if such exists) 1997 Gibraltar 2 Pound 1992-date Algeria 10 to 100 Dinars 1987 Morocco 5 Dirhams, 1995 10 Dirhams 1992-date Singapore $5 1997 Argentina 1 Peso - Eva Peron All coins must be in UNC condition, no exeptions. Any other Bi-metallics for sale, E-mail me at: blu-dolphin@colint.com 12. Bi-metallic for sale...by Martin Peeters, Netherlands In the "Airedale Coins" newsletter of Jan/Feb 1998 I saw the following Bi-metallics for sale (prices in UK Pounds): UK * 1994 Trialpack 2 Pound blisterpack, shows how the UK Bi-metallic coin is made, 25.00 * 1998 Bi-metallic 2 Pound in Mint Set, Proof in Bleu case, 32.95 * 1998 Bi-metallic 2 Pound in Mint Set, Proof in Red Case, 39.95 * 1998 Bi-metallic 2 Pound in official Mint Set, UNC, 10.95 * 1998 Bi-metallic 2 Pound with Aged Portrait, 3.50 Jersey * 1997 Bi-metallic 2 Pound in Mint Set, 14.95 * 1997 Bi-metallic 2 Pound, 6.50 Hong Kong * 1997 Bi-metallic 10 Dollars in UNC Mint Set, 12.50 More information you can get at: Airedale Coins P.O. Box 7 Oakwood Park Lady Lane, Bingley West Yorkshire BD16 4ST England Phone: + 01274-770414 Fax: + 01274-563869 Lauri Andrews, UK, E-mail: aireco@globalnet.co.uk Web page: HTTP://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~aireco 13. New KM number...by Eugene Canham, USA The new Bi-metallic Syria 1996 25 Pounds, Parliament has a KM number now: KM-126 14. Differences Bi-metallic UK 2 Pound...by Martin Peeters, Netherlands The differences between the Bi-metallic UK 2 Pound 1997 and 1998 is not only the domination. The Queens portrait on the reverse has been "updated" on the 1998 Bi-metallic 2 Pounds. 15. Correction Mexican Bi-metallic coinage...by Luis Wulschner, Mexico In newsmail 74, point 12, an article written by Paul Baker (non-WBCC member) in which he "suspects" there are differences in the composition of the bronze-aluminum alloy used in the center of Mexican Bi-metallic coins (1,2 and 5 pesos), because after "inspecting" a bag containing about 50 pieces, he found some centers with a "yellow" color and others with a "redder" tone, thus he comes to the conclusion that it is correct to believe that the three denominations dated 1992 and 1993 exist only in the "yellow" variety. All of the above is not correct, and it is evident that Paul Baker is unaware of Mexican laws for the striking of coinage. On June 22, 1992, the Congress of Mexico issued the decrees authorizing the striking of current circulating Mexican coinage (5,10,20,50 centavos and 1,2,5 and 10 pesos); a few months later they decreed the striking of the 20 and 50 peso coinage. These decrees specify the characteristics of each coin denomination: metal, composition, weight, diameter, obverse, reverse and edge designs. The Mexico City Mint cannot strike coins altering any of the characteristics approved for each one of them without the authorization of Congress and the official publication of the corresponding decree. Since 1992 and to date the 1,2 and 5 peso coins have been struck with the same alloy composition. Outer ring: stainless steel; Center: 92% copper, 6% aluminum and 2% nickel. This is referred to as a "bronze-aluminum" alloy. For the ten peso dated (1992-1995) coins the outer ring alloy composition is: 92% copper, 6% aluminum and 2% nickel; the center is: 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. On May 7, 1997, the composition of the center part of this coin was changed by decree to: 65% copper, 10% nickel and 25% Zinc; the composition of the outer ring was not changed. As manifested here again no change in the characteristics of Mexican coinage is permitted without the corresponding congressional decree. There have been no decrees for alloy changes in the 1,2 and 5 peso coinage. It seems that Paul is also unaware of the fact that the bronze-aluminum alloy is very susceptible to changes in humidity and temperature and when exposed to these changes, undergoes variations in its "appearance", even though the coins composed of this alloy may be totally uncirculated; that is to say, they oxidize on the surface as occurs with other metals, such as silver, for example. It is true that the original lustrous yellow-colored coins are to be found, but as time goes by they acquire a "redder" tone, in various shades. I can demonstrate that the variations in color may be found in any of Mexico's 20 and 50 centavo and the 1,2,5,10,20 and 50 peso coinage, because their total or partial bronze-aluminum composition is the same as I have described. Something similar occurs with the Bi-metallic coinage of the Vatican, San Marino, Argentina, Ecuador, etc. It seems that in Russia, however, THERE ARE varieties with alloy changes. I hope this note is clear enough to keep collectors from waisting their time searching for alloy varieties that do not exist. 17. World Coin News article...by Dean Neald, Canada In the monthly US coinpaper World Coin News of Dec. 97 I saw the following text: --Quote On Dec. 4, the Italo Vecchi Ltd. firm of London, England, will auction a wide range of Greek issues, Roman Republican coins, Dark Ages speciments and Byzantine examples. The highlight the sale is a unique Bi-metallic large medallion of Severus Alexander struck during his second consulate, with the colosseum on the reverse. This piece is featured on the catalog's cover. --Unquote Address: Italo Vecchi Ltd. 35 Dover St. London W1X 3 RA England Phone: 011 44 171 491 7048 Fax: 011 44 171 409 7835 18. Coin World article (1)...by Joel Anderson, USA In the Jan. 19 Coin World has a front page article with pictures on color coins. It that mentions and pictures Canada is starting to offer a 12 coin, 12 year Chinese New Year series of $15 coins with gold inserts. The insert depicts the animal representing a particular year. 19. Coin World article (2)...by Martin Peeters, Netherlands In the weekly US coinpaper Coin World of Dec 8th I saw the following article: --Quote Italy Euro test coins, notes products of Mint They may not be official, but euro-denominated experimental token coins and notes are being produced for test markets in Italy by the Instituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato in Rome. The Instituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato is the government Mint and security printing organization for Italy. According to the November issue of Cronaca Numismatica, a magazine published in Italy for coin collectors, notes and token coins meant for circulation in the cities of Fiesole and Pontassieve are being produced by the state Mint: Known as operation "Ecco 1'euro," the notes and coins are designed to familiarize people with what they may be using following the monetary union of Italy with the European Union scheduled for 2001. Sóme recent press articles have blamed collectors rather than speculators for taking many of the euro test token coins and notes out of circulation before they can be used. This situation was reported in an article'in the Nov. 24 issue of Coin World. © --Unquote -- Remark of the WBCC You can see a picture of this Italian Bi-metallic Euro "Fiesole and Pontassive " on the WBCC Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/7513/wbcc/wbcc.html 20. Coin World article (3)...by Martin Peeters, Netherlands In the weekly US coinpaper Coin World of Dec 8th I saw the following article: Denmark, part of Germany missing on quickly withdrawn Italian Coin The phrase "Here today, gone tomorrow" has new meaning in Italy, as that nation issued a new 1997 1,000 lira-coin Nov. 10, only to withdraw it again in less than a week due to a design element error. The ringed Bi-metallic 1,000 lire depicts the turreted personification of Italia facing left on the obverse with 12 stars and REPUBBLICA ITALIANA about the circumference. The.12 stars represent the original 12 members of the European Union. The problem, however, is with the reverse desïgn of a map of the European Union member nations and the denomination. The EU map excludes what was the German Democratic Republic or East Germany, which today is part of united Germany, an EU member. Denmark appears as part of Germany. According to several newspaper and Internet reports (* WBCC Newsmail 66), production of the coin was quickly halted. However, there were no plans to recall coins already released into circulation. The first batch of the coins to reach banks was estimated at 30 million pieces. The Instituto Poligrafico e Zeccá dello Stato (Italian Static Mint originally planned to issue about 180 million of the coins. (....) The withdrawn Italy 1997 1,000-lira coin will probably be available through some world coin dealers in the secondary market. © --Unquote --Remark WBCC Focal Point: * = added by WBCC Focal Point You can see a picture of this Italian 1000 Lire Bi-metallic on the WBCC Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/7513/wbcc/wbcc.html 21. Canadian Coin New article...by Dean Neald, Canada The following information is taken from the front page of the January 13 to January 26 1998 issue of Canadian Coin News. --Quote Canada is issuing a Year of the Tiger Bi-metallic coin. The first coin in a 12 year Zodiac series. The coin is similar to the Canadian aviation series. The planchet is 92.5 per cent (sterling) silver with a diameter of 40mm. A sterling silver cameo, with a diameter of 17.5mm, plated in 24 karat gold is in the centre of the reverse of the coin. The design on the cameo features a tiger. The 12 animals in the Lunar calendar appear around the cameo. The obverse has the bust of Queen Elizabeth II by Dora de Pedery-Hunt used on all modern Canadian coins. Around the Queen is the inscription "15 DOLLARS CANADA 1998 ELIZABETH II ". Coin is missing the usual Latin inscription "D.G.REGINA". Coin will sell for $68.88 mintage is set at 68,888. The coins come in a red velvet box. The entire set can be housed in a similar box, with 12 sides and a central medallion depicting the 12 Lunar symbols. --Unquote It seems to me that countries are moving away from true Bi-metallic ringed coins in favour of special plating or inserts especially in commemerative or collector coins. The normal business strike coins still seem to be making use of ringed style of Bi-metallic. I am a little bit disappointed by this trend but not that much because I collect only regular business strike coins. I do not collect the non circulating collector coins. "See" you next week, Martin Peeters, Focal Point of the Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club martinp@concepts.nl