WBCC Newsmail 80, Vol. 3, February 21, 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, This weeks WBCC Newsmail has Swiss, Dutch, Hong Kong, Ecuador, San Marino, Italy, European Union, Encased coins, Ancient, Siver Strikes and several other news about Bi-metallic. Enjoy it !! 1. The 85th WBCC member.....by Martin Peeters, WBCC Focal Point I can introduce now the 85th WBCC member and he is the first member from the UK. Name: Paul Baker, UK (WBCC member #85) E-mail: 113076.167@compuserve.com Homepage: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/MR_PAUL_BAKER Age 27 years Profession: Quality Assurance Hobbies: World coins - most often 20th century Against: Over-marketing of particular NCLT coins issues. Goal: To see more WBCC members everywhere. 2. My new E-mail address...by Massimiliano Aiello, Italy Please notice my new E-mail address: gngmail@tin.it 3. WBCC 1997 design contest......by Steve Andrews, USA With only a few votes in the 1997 Best Bi-metallic Contest is a tie. The votes for the two best designs are split between the WBCC token & the Austrian 50 Shilling (1000 years). 3 Swiss Neuchâtel Bi-metallic MTT.........by Martin Peeters, Netherlands Refering to WBCC Newsmail 73 item 12, you can see the Municipal Trade Troken (MTT), The Republic and Canton of Neuchâtel, in Switzerland, into the WBCC Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/7513/wbcc/wbcc.html 4. Dutch Inlay Bi-metallic medal..by Martin Peeters, Netherlands The International firm Sir Rowland Hill Ltd has issued an Inlay Bi-metallic commemorating the end of coin eara of all the 15 EU coins. I could obtain the first of 15. In this one the inlay (glued !!) is a Dutch 10 Cent Gold coloring (the Dutch Cents in real Silver colored). If you want to see a picture of this Bi-metallic look into the WBCC Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/7513/wbcc/wbcc.html The addrees of Sir Rowland Hill is: Sir Howland Hill Hardhofstrasse 15 CH 8424 Embrach ZH Switzerland Sir Howland Hill has also addresses in: The Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Belgium. Please let me know if you want them too. 5. Hong Kong Bi-metallic 10 Dollar...by Martin Peeters, Netherlands In the last Sir Rowland Hill Ltd coin newsletter they are offering a Hong Hong Bi-metallic 10 Dollar 1997 in a special 'coinletter' of the Hong Kong Mint. The coinletter is called 'Lantao Links' and it contains a picture of the Lantao Link bridge who's connect Hong Kong with the new Honh Kong airport. The coinletter is available for about 40 US Dollars and can ordered at Sir Rowlanf Hill. 6. Question....and answer......by Cliff Anderson/Joel Anderson, USA Has anyone yet identified and/or explained the significance of the animal outlined in back of the "25 kuna" on all three of the Croatia Bi-metallic pieces? It looks like a weasel. Is it a part of the Croatian national emblem or seal? Answer from Joel Anderson, USA: Actually the animal is a marten. The word Kuna is derived from the slavic word for marten. Marten furs were used for money in medieval times in what is now Croatia and other parts of eastern Europe. Croatian has placed a picture of the animal with the denomination on most of their Kuna denominated coins issued for circulation. 7. Encased US Half Dollar 1951..........by Larry Friemel, USA I purchase at last weekend Long Beach Coin Shows an encased Franklin half dollar. It is the only one which I have seen. If you want to see a picture of this Bi-metallic look into the WBCC Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/7513/wbcc/wbcc.html 8. Dutch Mint Bi-metallic Medals.....by Martin Peeters, Netherlands Last week on the Holland Coin Fait in the Dutch City The Hague, I could obtain 2 Bi-metallic Medals struck by the Dutch Mint. The first one is in the regular Dutch Mint Set of this year 1998 and depict the Arms of the Dutch province North-Holland, and the second piece is in a special Dutch Mint Set of 1998 memorending King Willen II and depicts the mentioned King. Both Bi-metallic Medals can be seen into the WBCC Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/7513/wbcc/wbcc.html 9. Ancient Bi-metallic........by Richard Giedroyc, Coin World, USA Look at Lot No. 2277 in the March 18 Classical Numismatic Group mail bid sroe. It is a ringed Bi-metallic medallion of ancient Roman Emperor Volusian of A.D. 251-253, listed as Cohen 28 and as one of two known, the other being in the British Museum! I don't have an E-mail address for them, but they are at: Classical Numismatic Group Box 479 Lancaster, Pa. 17608-0479 USA Phone 717/390-9194 Fax 717/390-9978 and Classical Numismatic Group 14 old Bond St. London W1X 3DB UK Phone 44-171/495-1888 Fax 44-171 499-5916 10. Nevada Silver Strike Bi-metallic Gaming Tokens...by Martin Peeters When you look into the WBCC Homepage you can now see 11 pictures of Nevada Silver Strikes Bi-metallic 10 Dollar Gaming Tokes of several Casino's. The pictures are provided by Ken Potter, USA When you want to know more about these Nevada Silver Strikes Bi-metallic 10 Dollars Gaming Tokens you can visit Marv Weavers Homepage: http://home.earthlink.net/~mweaver/index.html very interesting. 11 My Bi-metallic Tradelist..............by Larry Friemel, USA Please find my Bi-metallic Tradelist. If you have interest in trading, you can E-mail me at: lfriemel@apc.net Argentina, 1995 'C', 1 Peso Austria, 1996, 50 Schilling Cambodia, 1994, 500 Riels Columbia, 1993, 500 Peso France, 1992, 20F (Tri-metal) Hong Kong, 1994, $10 (Qty:2) Hungary, 1997, 100 Forint Italy, 1984, 500L Mexico, 1993, 5 Peso Mexico, 1993, 50 Peso (Silver Center) Mexico, 1995, 1 Peso Mexico, 1996, 1 Peso Mexico, 1997, 1 Peso Mexico, 1997, 5 Peso Monaco, 1995, 10F Monaco, 1997, 20F (Tri-metal) New York City, Transportation Token (Qty:2) Russia, 1991, 10 Rouble Russia, 1992, 100 Rouble Russia, 1992, 50 Rouble Russia, 1994, 50 Rouble (5 Animal set) San Marino, 1995, 500L Thailand, 1996, 10 Baht (FAO) 12. Bi-metallics from Ecuador.............by Joel Anderson, USA The Ecuador 1997 issues (100, 500 and 1000 Bi-metallic Escudos) commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Central Bank. Central Banks like to issue commemoratives about themselves, however I doubt anyone else in the country cares about it. I am selling the set of 3 coins for $6 + postage. If you have interest E-mail me at: JACOINS@aol.com 13. Great Britain Encased coin...by Paul Baker, UK I have just one encased (framed) coin and it just might be one you have not heard of before. These coins are of course Bi-metallic so I shall describe this piece I have: The inner core is a 1934 Great Britain Farthing (KM-825), the outer ring (frame) is of Aluminium and has an overall (outer) diameter of 38mm (1.50 inches) which I believe is a common size for these. This outer ring has a plain edge. We shall call the side showing the obverse of the farthing, the obverse of our encased coin. This obverse in addition to the farthing's obverse design show the words "KEEP ME AND YOU WILL NEVER BE BROKE" on a horseshoe which loops over the king's portrait. Also on the obverse is a dentilated border, some of which has worn away (there is no sign of a dentilated border on the reverse). Finally on this side are the initials "J.R.G.", these letters are of a similar size to the digits in the date on the farthing and are found at the very bottom of the obverse, but not touching the denticles. The reverse has of course the reverse of the farthing, then on the outer ring there are the words "HOOPER STRUVE'S" over the top and the words "MINERAL WATERS" underneath. Each pair of words is upright. Two dots are used to separate the two pairs of words, one at the starts and one at the ends. On looking up "Encased Coins" in "The First Dictionary of Paranumismatics" (devised, edited and published by Brian Edge of Crewe, England, U.K. 1991.) this short section did mention that a large number of the encased coins are attributed to the London and Birmingham manufacturer J.R.Gaunt & Son Ltd. (Hence the initials J.R.G.on my coin.) The aim of Brian Edge's book is to give reference to further sources of information of each of the very many mentioned types of paranumismatica. This section on encased coins makes reference to two books (for suggested further reading on the subject) they are (i) BAUM, J.W. "Encased Coins", A Primer of American Exonumia, (limited issue of 200), Hewitt Bros., Chicago, 1973. and (ii) SCOTT, J. GAVIN. British Countermarks on Copper and Bronze Coins, (includes some illustrations) Spink & Son Ltd., London, 1975. Has anybody ever seen either of these two books? If you have an answer please E-mail me at: 113076.167@compuserve.com. If you want to see a picture of this Encased Coin look into the WBCC Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/7513/wbcc/wbcc.html 14. Coin World article (1).......by Martin Peeters, Netherlands In US Coinpaper Coin World of January 5, 1998 I could read the following article: --Quote Local European Union cities issuing euro token coins to familiarize public. Montigny-Le Bretonneux appears to be the latest in what is now an ever-growing number of cities throughout European Union countries causing excitement among both collectors and the general public by issuing experimental euro token coins. The Paris suburb recently issued token coins in euro denominations to introduce the 36,000 local citizens to the money anticipated to be in use throughóút the 15 EU member nations by 1999 and to replace locally currencies entirely by 2002. No one appears to have a definitive list of the cities throughout the EU to issue experimental euro token coins for local use. Coin World is aware of a 1996 issue in Waldkirch, Germany, and 1997 issues in both Fiesole-Pontassiève (*) and in Millau (*) in Italy, and in Morestel (*); France. There are undoubtedly more. Adding to the confusion are the many "euro" medals issued by both government and private Mints throughout the EU struck in precious metals and never meant to circulate. These medals have no monetary value although they are expressed in euros. Similar medals plagued the German coin market in ecu "denominations" when it was anticipated the "ecu" rather than the "euro" would be the name assigned to the EU's unified currency system. The challenge for collectors seeking the experimental euro local token coin issues struck for circulation is the availability of the issues: Few of these local issues have successfully circulated for very long as collectors and speculators have put them aside as soon as the issues became available. There is no central clearing house for these experimental local issues and no dealer who found all of them to sell. A recent Associated Press story regarding the Montigny issue quoted local merchant Catherine de la Salle as saying: "People were hanging onto the coins for souvenirs and weren't using them, and we ran out. So it didn't really work very well. This same basic comment has been made by merchants in each of the cities in Germany, Italy and France previously known to issue euro token coins locally. --Unquote (*) Also available in ringed Bi-metallic versions. (= added by WBCC Focal Point.) 15. Coin World article (2).......by Martin Peeters, Netherlands In US Coinpaper Coin World of January 5, 1998 I could read the following article: -Quote Price of withdrawn error map '97 Italy 1000-Lire coin rises due to speculators The rumors appear to be flying as speculators in Europe are buying up the withdraw 1997 Italy I,000-lira coin, which bears a map depicting much of Europe incorrectly. The map on the reverse of ringed Bi-metallic coin was meant to depict the nations of the European Union, of which Italy is a member. The map appears to exclude what was the German Democratic Republic, or East Germany, prior to German unification. Denmark appears as part of Germany. The border between the Netherlands and any part of Belgium not shown as within Germany are left out. A coin with a revised map has been released, according to John Bucek, a member of the Worldwide Bi-metallic Colletors Club, through the Dec. 13 WBCC Newsmail E-mail newsletter. Bucek's uncomplimentary statement on the reissued coin was, "the design looks like the work of an elementary school pupil". According to coin dealer Joel Anderson, "The `errors have resulted in diplomatic protests from Slovenia, Germany and Denmark. As a result; Italy says they will stop the issue and come out with a revised. But, according to Anderson, "As might be expected, the speculators and promoters are having a field day with this one. The [first issue error] coin are being advertised at 10 German marks (about $5.60) each as "investments" in Germany, and they are almost impossible to find in circulation in Italy". At currency rates at press time, a 1,000- lira coin of Italy would have a value of about 58 cents. Anderson said, "My sources over there are not clear if they will recall this issue (some of the promoters claim they will, but that may just be hype), or if the new issue will be a revision of the same design or a totally new design or what the date of the new issue will be1997 or 1998". The WBCC announcement of a second variety issue had not been announced at the time of Anderson's comments. Italy had previously announced an estimated 30 million pieces of the error map coin were released into circulation, but plans to issue about 180 million total had been scrapped. There was no immediate information regarding a possible recall of the error coins already available to the public. Anderson has the coin in stock. He can be reached at: Joel Anderson PO Box 3016 Merced California 95344-1016 USA E-mail:JACOINS@aol.com --Unquote 16. Coin World article (3).......by Martin Peeters, Netherlands In US Coinpaper Coin World of January 5, 1998 I could read the following article: --Quote San Marino experiencing scheduling problems for release of 1,000-lire coin Production scheduling problems will cause a problem with the date on the presentation case for San Marino's first ringed Bi-metallic 1,000 lire, according to a magazine published by the issuing authority. According to the Bollettino Filatelico e Numismatico ("Philatelic and Numismatic Bulletin") for November, "It is ... the first time that, consequent upon production delays and difficulties, an incorrect date will appear on the preseritation box (which has been printed in September), that date being the one originally intended, while, at the moment of going to press, it is still not possible to state the exact date of issue. "For this reason no announcement will be issued". Collectors of these coins will receive a bonus, according to the article. "Of all the firsts, the most important is that this is the first time that San Marino will officially give its money away. All deposit account subscribers to the numismatic service, and all subscribers to our service who have already acquired the 1997 divisional coins, will be sent the new coin. ... This is our special Chrishrlas gift to our numismatic friends" The ringed Bi-metallic 1,000-lira coin is a product of the Instituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato (Italian State Mint). The center of the 8.8-gram coin is composed of copper-nickel, with a yellow-gold color bronze outer ring. Although the diameter of the coin was not announced, it is likely the same (27 millimeters) as the Italy's 1997 1,000-lira ringed Bi-metallic coin. The Italian coin was quickly withdrawn due to an incorrect design element regarding a map of Europe on the reverse. The obverse of the 1997 San Marino coin depicts a heraldic lion carrying a shield left while holding three feathers with the date and legend REPUBBLICA DE SAN MARINO. The reverse depicts a fountain with statue in front of a building facade in San Marino, the denomination and eight shields with ornate design about the circumference. San Marino uses coins of Italy as legal tender in the citystate. In addition, San Marino issues legal tender coins of its own in lire denominations pegged to the Italian lire on a one-to-one bassi annually. The design on the coins of San Marino are changed each year. The Italian State Mint produces all coins of San Marino as well as those for Vatican City, also in lire cunency. The 1997 coin sells for 4,000 lire (about $2.30). Inquiries can be made through: Azienda Autonoma di Stato Filatelica e Numismatica, Casella Postale 1 San Marino, 47031 Repubblica di San Marino --Unquote --Remark WBCC Focal Point: If you want to see a picture of this San Marino Bi-metallic 1000 Lire 1997, look into the WBCC Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/7513/wbcc/wbcc.html 17. Coin World article (4).......by Martin Peeters, Netherlands In US Coinpaper Coin World of January 5, 1998 I could read the following article in "Readers Ask...Richard Giedroyc": --Quote I picked up a Bi-metallic coin with the outer ring made of copper and it says ONE PENNY MODEL On both sides. The inner coin appears to be silver. It is the same diameter as the Maundy penny. On the obverse is a portrait of Victoria, the same as that on the Maundy pennies of 1838 to 1887, and the inscription VICTORIA REG. The reverse simply has l. I would appreciate any help in identifying it. Jay Brown, Stony Brook, N.Y. English die sinker Joseph Moore struck the "Model" series in 1844 to 1848 that, include several ringed Bi-metallic proposals for a decimal coinage. They range from a 1/32 farthing to 1 crown denominations. The model pennies were struck both dated and undated in 1844 and in 1848 ( 1848 is not ringed bi-metallic). There are several varieties depending on the metal composition. These are cataloged in Unusual World Coins by Colin R. Bruce II. --Unquote "See" you next week, Martin Peeters, Focal Point of the Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club martinp@concepts.nl ------------------------------------------------------------ The Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club has established September 14, 1996 and is the very first Worldwide Collecting Club using Internet. -----------------------------------------------------------