WBCC Newsmail 78, Vol. 3, February 7, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Composed with help of 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, In this weeks WBCC Newsmail many articles about Bi-metallics from coinpapers and offcourse various Bi-metallic news. I hope you still enjoy reading this Newsmail !! 1. A new member..........by Martin Peeters, WBCC Focal Point We have a new member. Please let me introduce him to you: Name: Alan Burghauser (WBCC member #84), USA E-mail: ahbmd@mindspring.com Age: 45 Profession: Physician Hobbies: Bi-Metallics, Ancient Numismatics, Fly-Fishing Against: Slabbing & Numerical Grading Goal: Learn the History behind the Coin! 2. I'm back 'on air'...........by Frans Dubois, WBCC Docu Center Since today I'm back 'on air'. My computer is fixed. E-mail: dubois.f@wxs.nl 3. My new E-mail address............by Fabio Guerrieri, Italy Please find my new E-mail addres: Fabio Guerrieri: g.lombardi@fastnet.it 4. Bi-metallic Austria new 250 Euro...by Martin Peeters, Netherlands According the Newsletter of the Dutch firm 'Muntpost' they offer a new Bi-metallic 250 Euro 1998 of Austria (Non Legal Tender). The ring is made of .819 Gold and the certer is .925 Silver. Diameter 30mm and weight Gold 8 Grams and Silver 4.7 grams. The price of the Bi-metallic is 595 Dutch Guilders, about 300 US Dollars. It is available at: Muntpost P.O. Box 23 6660 AA Elst Netherlands Phone + (0) 481-372468 Fax + (0) 481-376309 --Remark WBCC Focal Point: Muntpost is very hard to reach from outside the Netherlands. Mostly they don't answer letters from the USA. I don't know why. If you want see a pictures of the Austria 250 Euro look at: http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/7513/wbcc/wbcc.html 5. Bi-metallic Austria 50 Schilling.....by Gerhard Schon, Germany Austria will issue two Bi-metallic 50 schilling coins this year. One is to commemorate the Austrian Presidency in the European Union, to be released in May, and the other to honour the 25th anniversary of the Nobel prize award to Konrad Lorenz, to be released in October this year 6. Bi-metallic Schuler Pressen...by Frans Dubois, Netherlands The German Firm 'Schuler Pressen' has made a new Bi-metallic Token. It is an experimental Modell for the so called 'R&D project'. The costs for this Bi-metallic is 15 German Marks, including postage costs. It is available at: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co Bahnhofstrasse 41 Phone + 49-7161 660 Fax: + 49-7161 66233 E-mail: Iris Blickle iris.blickle@spg.schulergroup.com Homepage: http://www.schuler.de 7. Original Bi-metallic.............by Frans Dubois, Netherlands In the city Utrecht, in the Netherlands, there is a restaurant called "Frederick the Second" and they have a very special Bi-metallic. When you order a diner of 100 Dutch Guilders (about 50 US Dollars) you get after the diner in return a Bi-metallic Token with a value of 10 Dutch Guilders, to spent it the next time you order a diner in the same restarant. Very orginal, don't you think so? If you have interest in this Bi-metallic Token, you just have to send me 50 US Dollars, I will get me a nice diner in the restaurant and send you the special Bi-metallic Token :-) 8. Alloy information...................by Russ Weltmer, USA I received this week a letter today from the Royal Mint of Great Britain with some metallurgical data I had requested on the 1997 Great Britain Bi-metallic £2 and 1993-97 Hong Kong $10 Bi-metallic coins. --Quote Dear Mr. Weltmer Thank you for your letter dated 13th January 1998 I confirm that the UK £2 coin is a bi-colour coin with the following specifications: Outer: Nickel Brass (76% Copper, 4% Nickel, 20% Zinc) Inner: Cupro Nickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel) Diameter: 28.40 mm, with the inner being nominally 20.00 mm Weight: 12 grams Shape: Round Edge: Combination of milling and edge lettering Whilst the Royal Mint issued collector coin versions of the £2 coin in 1997, the launch of the circulation £2 coin has been delayed until 1998. An exact launch date has not yet been established. With regards to the Hong Kong $10, the specifications are as follows: Outer: Cupro Nickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel) Inner: Nickel Brass (1% Nickel, 79% Copper, 20% Zinc) Diameter: 24.00 mm Weight: 11 grams Shape: Round Edge: Intermittent plain and milled I trust that the above will be of assistance to you however, if you have any further queries please let me know. Yours sincerely, Cheryl Morgan, Assistant Sales Manager --Unquote 9. Bi-metallic Zambia 5000 Kwacha 1997..by Gerhard Schon, Germany In last weeks WBCC Newsmail I have made an error regarding the Liberia Bi-metallics. The error is that not Liberia BUT Zambia has made a set of 10 Bi-metallic coins, the 5000 Kwacha 1997, with gold coloured ring and silver center. They are being distributed by: Coin Invest Trust Vaduz P.O. Box 125 FL-9490 Vaduz Leichtenstein Phone: +49-4175-2326454 Fax: + 49-4175-2320317 E-mail: coin@pingnet.li --Remark WBCC Focal Point: The following detail infornation I've got from Coin Invest Trust about the Zambia Bi-metallics: Zambia, 5000 Kwacha 1997 Bi-metallic coin ( Similoro*) ring and 25gr Silver .999) Weight 46 gr., Diameter 40 mm Mintage 8000 sets. Minted by VALCAMBI SA CH *) Similoro is a product name by Valcambi 10 coin set, The 10 Chinese Generals Peoples Libration Army 50th Anniversary depicting: Su Yu (1907 - 1984) Xu Hai Dong (1900 - 1970) Chen Geng (1903 - 1961) Tan Zeng (1906 - 1979) Luo Rui Quing (1906 - 1978) Xu Guang Da (1908 - 1969) Xiao Jin (1903 - 1989) Huang Ke Aheng (1902 - 1986) Wang Shu Shen (1905 - 1974) Zhang Yun Yi (1892 - 1974) Sales price US$ 45 each, today available in China only Distribution: Coin Invest Trust 10. Bi-metallic 2 Pound Isle of Man......by Jeff Timmons, USA I have just received the 2 Pound 1997 Isle of Man (Racing Car) in the mail. Look into the WBCC Homepage for a pictures. http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/7513/wbcc/wbcc.html 11. Bi-metallic Italian 1 Euro 1997...by Martin Peeters, Netherlands This week I got the Italian Bi-metallic 1 Euro 1997 (Italian Mint) from our Italian member Massimiliano Aiello. If you want to see a picture of it look into the WBCC Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/7513/wbcc/wbcc.html 12. Bi-metallic Lunar Tiger BRM....by Joseph Kocian, Canada This week I got Bi-metallic inlay 1998 Lunar Tiger from the British. Really nice.If you want to see a picture of it look into the WBCC Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/7513/wbcc/wbcc.html --Remark WBCC Focal Point: In Europe this Inlay Bi-metallic is available at: Hans W. Hercher, Munzengrosshandel GmbH Postfach 1232 79221 Umkirch Germany Phone: + 49-7665 98280 Fax: + 49-7665 982860 E-mail: hercher.umkirch@t-online.de 13. Looking for Bi-metallics.........by Yossi Barzelay, Israel I'm looking for Bi-metallics from Algeria and new Syrian coin KM-126 parliament. You can reach me at: ybarzela@study.haifa.ac.il 14. Finland Bi-metallics........by Russ Weltmer, USA I received literature this week from the Mint of Finland on their new series of coinage begun in 1990 which may be of interest to members of the WBCC. --Quote The 1 markka coin depicts Finland's heraldic lion. The pictorial motifs of the other coins in the series portray the four seasons typical of the country. Finland's national flower, the lily of the valley, on the 10 pennï coin relates to spring. The endangered Saimaa ring seal and the water lily leaves on the 5 markka piece represent summer. The capercaillie and rowan tree leaves on the 10 markka coin depict autumn and the bear on the 50 pennï piece winter. --Unquote The 10 markka Bi-metallic coin is composed of an outer ring of copper-nickel (75Cu, 25Ni), and a center of aluminum bronze (93Cu, 5Al, 2Ni), diameter of 27.25 mm, and weight of 8.8 grams. I knew that the bird on the Finland Bi-metallic 10 markka was a Capercaillie, but had no idea of its significance. 15. Coin World Article (1)............by Martin Peeters, Netherlands In US Coinpaper Coin World of Feb. 9, 1998, I could read the following article: --Quote Also in the news..... Two varieties of the Austria 1996 Milenium of Austria 50 Schilling coin have been reported through the Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club. One variety has a matte surface, while the other has a prooflike numeral 50 in the reverse. --Unquote 16. Coin World Article (2)..........by Martin Peeters, Netherlands In US Coinpaper Coin World of Feb. 9,1998, I could read the following article: --Quote Toning, not metal changes, cause of varieties' Collectors recently checking Mexico's 1992-95 ringed Bi-metallic 1-, 2- and 5 Peso coins for metal compositions varieties may want to reconsider their finds following remarks recently publis ed by Luis Wulschner through the Worldwide Bi-metallic Colectors Club newsletter. Wulschner is vice president of the Mexican Numismatic Society in Mexico. The WBCC newsletter is publish weekly on the Internet. According to Wulschner, collectors have been studuing the coins for differences in the aluninum- bronze alloy used to make the center. (The outer ring of each coin is composed of steanless stell). At least one collectors, according Wulschner, has found centers either yellow or red color. According to Wulschner, "The bonze-aluminum alloy is very susceptible to changes in humidity and temperatures and when exposed to these changes, unthergoes varietions in its appearence, even though the coins composed of this alloy may be totally Uncirculatd; that is to say, they oxidize on the surface as occurs with other matels, such as silver, for example". Wulschner continued: "It is true that the original lutrous yellow-colored coins are to be found, but as time goes by tey acquire a redder tone, in various shades. I can demonstrate that variations in color may found in any of Mexico 20- and 50 centavo and the 1-, 2-, 5-, 10-, 20-, ans 50 Peso coinage, because their total or partial bronze-aluminum composition is the same as I have discribed". Wulschner also explains in the WBCC article that the Mexico City Mint does not have the legal authority to change the metal composition of the coins. This is made by decree through Congress. The June 22, 1992, decree authorizing these coins mandated a steanless steel outer ring with a aluminum-bronze allou center composition of 92 percent copper, 6 percent aluminum and 2 percent nickel for these denominations. The center of the 1- Peso coin for the same series was mendeated to be composed of .925 fine silver. On May 7, 1997, a decrees coin to 65 percent copper, 10 percent bickel and 25 percent zinc. No decrees for alloy changes in the 1- 2- and 5 Peso coinage according Wulschner. CW --Unquote 17. Coin World Article (3).............by Martin Peeters, Netherlands In US coinpaper Coin World of Feb. 8, 1998 Kevin Hatch, Coin World Online and maker of the Coin World's Web-side, wrote a nice article about several Internet Coin Clubs. He mentioned the Anchorage Coin Club, the Tasmanian Numismatic Society, World Banknote Collector's Club, the Edmomnton Numismatic Society and finally the Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club. He wrote: --Quote Just over a year old now, the Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club is a group which truly flourishes through the Internet. Members hail from more than 20 different countries and keep in contact through E-mail and Web postings. With the semi-regular 'Newsletter' mailing list and massive mailing of the current 'The World of Bi-metallics' Cataloque, the club has literally created an omline network of members for trading coins from different coutries (where some issues are very difficult to obtain) and for staying on top of hot new coins in this ever-evoluting field. An online chatroom is available and definitely the largest collection of Bi-metallic coin images on the Web, all provided from members' collection. --Unquote 18. Coin World Article (4).................by Ray Heuer, USA In US Coinpaper Coin World of Feb. 8th 1998 I could read the following: In the "New coins" area, they note an Argentina 1-peso coin with a copper-nickel ring and a copper-aluminum-nickel center. The coin is 23 mm, dated 1996, and commemorates the 50th aniiversary of UNICEF. I'm not sure whether this coin is already known to the members. In an article by Richard Giedroyc dealing with flight and numismatics, there is an illustration of the 1997 Canada $20 gold-on-silver coin depicting an F-86 Saber fighter plane. 19. Coin World Article (5).............by Martin Peeters, Netherlands In US Coinpaper Coin World of Dec 15,1997, I could read the following article: --Quote The launch of the 1997 ringed Bi-metallic £2 circulation coin for Great Britain may have been postponed due to vending industry problems, but information on pattems that preceded the reverse design selected for the coin is now available through an article published in the autumn issue of The Medal, magazine of the British Art Medal Society. The article reviews the 1996 competition for a reverse design element, while explaining the procedure through which any new Brilish coin design must be followed. The Royal Mint Advisory Committee invited eight artists to submit drawings for a fee, while an additional group of about 40 artists - including those at the College of Arms and the British Royal Mint engraving department - were invited with no fee arrangements. Information on the competition and its £ 10,000 prize (about $16,000) reached the public, resulting in more than 1,200 drawings being submitted from an additional 400 artists and the general public. The submissions were reduced to a "short list" of 29 drawings by a three-member subcommittee of the RMAC. The entire committee then met and chose two designs to be modeled in plaster. The Bruce Rushin design chosen depicts the progress of technnlogy from the Iron Age to the Industrial Revolution to the Computer Age to the Intemet in four concentric circles. The short list of 29 drawings accompanies the article. Twelve have heraldic devices, six depict ships, three feature modern art symbolism (including the Rushin design), three depict various combinations of flags and maps, and one each depict a castle, lion; bird, light house (with Union Jack) and bridge. The other plaster model which became the runner up design for the £2 coin reverse was created by Jeffery Matthews. It depicts a map of the British Isles superimposed on a compass rose. CW --Unquote 20. World Coin News article............by Larry Friemel, USA In World Coin News is a little article under Datelines which reads, "Great Britain - In 1999, a 2 pound coin will be issued to celebrate the country's hosting of the Rugby World Competition". Since it is a 2 pound coin, I assume it is a ringed coin, but it did not say. I would imagine it will be a special commemorative issue, in addition, to the standard circulating ones. "See" you next week, Martin Peeters, Focal Point of the Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club martinp@concepts.nl