Chatter


Archive available at http://www.ChicagoCoinClub.org/
Volume 60 No. 4 April 2014


4 Months until ANA in Chicago

Are you ready to attend? If you have questions, any questions at all about the ANA in Rosemont, ask club members at our club table at CICF and CSNS. The ANA web site has the application and rules for Collector Exhibits, giving a presentation, club meetings, and other events.

Remember, August 5-9! Email any questions and comments to chatter_editor@yahoo.com and someone from the local committee will respond.


Minutes of the 1143rd Meeting

Session I of the 1143rd meeting of the Chicago Coin Club was held March 8, 2014 in conjunction with the Chicago Paper Money Expo, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 5440 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL.

With President Elliott Kreiter delayed in traffic, Jeff Rosinia, Assistant Host Chairman of Chicago’s 2014 ANA Convention, promoted the upcoming event:

During these announcements, President Elliott Krieter arrived and officially called the meeting to order at 1:10 PM with an attendance of 30 members and 9 guests. A motion was passed to adopt an abbreviated agenda.

First V.P. Rich Lipman introduced featured speaker Roger Urce who spoke on Culion Leper Colony Currencies. Following a question and answer period, Rich presented Roger with an ANA Educational Certificate and an engraved Club speaker’s medal suspended from a neck ribbon.

All attendees received a souvenir card written by Dale Lukanich and produced by Jeff Rosinia, with an image and history of Illinois and Michigan Canal Scrip issued by The Branch State Bank of Chicago.

The meeting recessed at 1:49 PM and will reconvene 6:45PM Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 321 S. Plymouth Court in Downtown Chicago.


Session II of the 1143rd meeting of the Chicago Coin Club was held March 12, 2014 in the Chicago Bar Association Building, 321 S. Plymouth Court, Downtown Chicago. President Elliott Krieter called the meeting to order at 7 PM with an attendance of 18 members.

A motion was passed to accept the February Minutes as published in the Chatter. Treasurer Steve Zitowsky reported February revenue of $346.45, expenses of $207.35 total assets of $23,417.12 held in Life Membership $2,110.00 and member equity $21,307.12. A motion was passed to accept his report.

The application of membership of William Rumph received second reading, and a motion was passed to accept him into membership.

The following motion was made and passed unanimously: “As 2019 will be the 100th Anniversary of the Chicago Coin Club, the General Membership formally submits a letter of invitation to the American Numismatic Association to hold their annual summer convention in Chicago to help celebrate our centennial year.”

Jeff Rosinia, Chairman of the 95th Anniversary Committee, reported plans to hold a banquet August 6, 2014 at the ANA Convention and to strike a silver 2-oz round. After a short discussion, a motion was passed to support this plan. Jeff promised to report details as they develop.

President Krieter, Chairman of the Club’s Coin Week efforts, is making inquiries with the Chicago Public Library for exhibit space.

Harold Eckhardt invited members to attend the April 27th Elgin Coin Club Spring Show and the May 3rd Spring Seminar of the Central States Numismatic Society.

The Secretary reported upcoming featured presentations including:

First VP Rich Lipman introduced featured speaker Dale Lukanich, who delivered a program on Shopping for Ancient Coins in the Holy Land. After a question and answer period, Rich Lipman presented him with an ANA Educational Certificate and an engraved Club speaker’s medal suspended from a neck ribbon.

Second VP Marc Stackler announced the evening’s ten exhibitors. DAVID GUMM: Photo taken at ANA Atlanta Convention beside an exhibit of the Saddle Ridge Gold Coin Hoard. EUGENE FREEMAN: 1816B Brazilian 960 Reis overstruck on 8 Reales, 2005 Solomon Island $25 proof showing British Spitfire, and H.C. Evans & Co. Chicago token. MARK WIECLAW: Tetradrachm from Paeonia (340-315 BC), Obal from Cilicia (380-360 BC), and Denarius of L.Palicanus (45 BC). PHIL CARRIGAN: 17 issues of The Bulletin from the Chicago Numismatic Society, Daily Herald showing his photograph on the front page. DALE LUKANICH: Athenian Tetradrachms cut to Drachm (454-404 BC), a cut Potin from Sens (NW Gaul) and cut Potin from Soissons. WILLIAM BURD: medals from 125th ANS Anniversary designed by Marcel Jovine. ROBERT LEONARD: transit tokens from the Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv, Kryvnj Rih, Kyiv, and Odessa. STEVE ZITOWSKY: “Preservando/Confederation” so called dollar in white metal. JEFF AMELSE: 9 ancient Roman Aes. RICHARD LIPMAN: 10 international notes.

Melissa Gumm commented on the frequency of unmanned club tables at coin shows and how nice it is that the Chicago Coin Club table at local shows always has someone behind their table.

Adjournment was at 8:49 PM with the next meeting at 6:45 PM, April 9 at the same location.

Respectfully Submitted,
Carl Wolf, Secretary


Speaker’s Wor[l]d
Culion Leper Colony Currencies

by Roger Urce,
presented to our March 8, 2014 meeting

Numismatics and leprosy were only connected by the issue of Guerrilla notes for the Culion Colony of the Philippines during World War II. At least, that is what I originally thought. At the end of a seminar on Philippine numismatics that I attended, one of the door prizes was a book on the Numismatic Aspects of Leprosy. The book came to me and the light went on in my head (I am an electrician!). If special money was issued for Culion, it must also have been issued for other colonies and hospitals. Thus began my interest in this area of collecting.

Leprosy is medically and properly defined as Hansen’s disease after Norwegian physician Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen who, in 1873, discovered the organisms which cause the disease. Lepers are those afflicted with Hansen’s disease, who often live in colonies. The disease is typically without symptoms and can remain that way for up to twenty years. The body’s peripheral nerves are affected by leprosy, which results in a loss of sensation and function, and eventual deformity. The lack of the ability to feel pain results in injury and can lead to the loss of extremities. Poor eyesight and weakness may also result. Today, leprosy is curable with treatment by medication.

The disease dates back to 4000 BC and was recognized in the ancient civilizations of China, Egypt, Israel, and India; it is referenced in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Those afflicted, because of their appearance, were shunned and isolated for it was thought that their condition was very contagious. This accounts for the establishment of Leper Colonies to isolate patients from the rest of society and to create a haven for patients to escape ridicule and discrimination. Currently 15 to 30 million people worldwide are known to suffer from the disease. Ninety percent of the population has a natural immunity, and only four percent of spouses living in daily contact with afflicted persons contract the disease. Currently, the concept of Colony is more toward therapy and rehabilitation rather than isolation.

Today, methods of transmission are still being studied, but it has been confirmed that there are no known cases of transmission by contact with currency. Originally, this was not the case. The fear of transmission, along with a need to prevent patients from accumulating enough legal tender to fund an escape, and the desire to prevent black market transactions, created the need for a special currency for use in Leper Colonies.

The first shelter for Lepers in the Philippines was in Manila. Later, Leper settlements were established on the island of Cebu and on Luzon in Neuva Caceres. After the Spanish American War, the United States selected Culion Island as a site to isolate the thousands of lepers living in deplorable conditions in the Philippines. In 1906, the first contingent of lepers was moved to the Culion Colony.

Culion is a small set of islands located in the South China Sea just to the north of Palawan. Believing Leprosy was transmitted by handling money, special coinage was minted for exclusive use in the Colony. Six issues, consisting of denominations from ½ to 20 centavos and one peso, were minted between 1913 and 1930.

The 1913 dated issue saw all six denominations, ½, one, five, ten, and twenty centavos and one peso coins all minted by Frank and Company of Manila. All are struck in aluminum and have a caduceus as the main theme of the common obverse design along with the date and the legend “BUREAU OF HEALTH.” The reverses show the value in numerals with the legend “CULION LEPER COLONY PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.” According to John Grost, the half peso did not circulate — which accounts for the fact that it often is found in AU or uncirculated condition. He also reports the one centavo and other denominations are typically found in very poor condition, most likely because, unlike the half peso, they did circulate.

Due to variations in the reverse die, two varieties are known for both the one centavo and peso pieces. Type I of the centavo finds the stars closer to the legend, while Type II shows them farther away. There are also variations in the relationship of the letters in centavo to the letters in Philippines and Islands. The peso coin is known with two reverses and on thick and thin planchets, resulting in three Types. Type I has the stars near to the reverse legend (thick planchets) and Type II has the stars farther away (thin planchet). Type III has the stars farther away from the legend on a thick planchet. All three types also show variations in the positioning of the lettering as described for the centavo piece.

Aluminum was also used for the 1920 issue minted by the Philippine Mint in Manila, which minted all subsequent series. There were three denominations: ten and twenty centavos and a one peso, all of which bore the same design as the previous issue save for the 1920 date. Again reverse die variations account for two varieties of the peso. Type I shows the stars farther away while Type II shows them in closer proximity. Again there are differences in the relationships of the lettering.

The issue of 1922 saw the addition of the mint mark, a stylized “PM” (for the Philippine Mint), on the twenty centavo and one peso issues. This issue also saw the change from aluminum, which was found to deteriorate because of the tropical climate and the chemicals used to clean the coins, to an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel. The new alloy would be used on all subsequent issues through 1930. The reverse legend was also changed to “PHILIPPINE HEALTH SERVICE.” Normal and re-cut dates are known for the 20 centavo piece, and two die varieties exist for the one peso piece. Type I shows straight/flat wings on the caduceus and the staff pointing to the second “2” in the date, while on Type II the wings are curved and the staff points between the “9” and the “2” in the date.

Only the one peso coin was minted with the 1925 date, and was of a new design. The obverse shows a bust of Jose Rizal (1861-1896), a hero of the Philippine revolution against Spain, and the legend “CULION LEPER COLONY PHILIPPINE ISLANDS”. Rizal is pictured on the Philippine central bank 1944 100 piso note and Rizal’s Monument is the featured vignette on the Southern Development Bank Issues of Japanese Invasion Money (JIM) issued in the occupied Philippines during World War II. The reverse features the seal of the Philippine Health Service.

In 1927, one and five centavo coins were issued. The reverse of both coins is similar to the issue of 1925, with the obverse of the one centavo again featuring a bust of Rizal while the obverse of the five centavo coin depicts Apolinario Mabini (1864-1903), who served as the first Prime Minister of the Philippine Republic (1899-1901). Mabini is also depicted on one peso wartime and victory series bank notes. Three die varieties are known for the centavo piece, differentiated by the buttons on Mabini’s coat. Both Types I and II show the coat with one button. In Type I, the legend on the narrow ribbon on the reverse is legible, and the letter “s” in the shield touches the snake in the caduceus, while in Type II the ribbon is wide and the legend illegible; the snake is tilted right. The third type has two buttons on the coat, a wide ribbon with an illegible legend; the snake is touched by the letter “s”.

1930 saw a ten centavo issue with an obverse featuring a bust of Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897), a Katipunan leader opposed to Spanish colonial rule, and a new legend of “LEPER COLONIES AND STATIONS PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.” The numeral “10” surrounded by the legend “PHILIPPINE HEALTH SERVICE LEPER COIN TEN CENTAVOS” makes up the reverse. There is also a unique trial strike of this issue, in bronze, which has been authenticated by the ANA. Reported, but not confirmed, due to the loss of mint records for 1930, is a one centavo piece with a bust of Rizal on the obverse. (All the information and specifications for the Culion coinage comes from the book by McFadden, Grost, and Marr.)

Assembling a complete set of the coins in average circulated condition is a realistic goal, although in my case the 1913 one peso took some time to locate. Prices for most examples are reasonable, but expect to pay over one hundred dollars for some pieces, the 1913 peso being one.

There was no other currency for use in Culion until World War II and, with the invasion of the Japanese, the islands were cut off from the central government in Manila. This created a shortage of money needed for salaries and supplies. Whatever coinage remained was reissued but funds were still short. A special committee was established in 1942 and a special issue of emergency currency was authorized; this resulted in a series of handmade notes. Using a typewriter, the notes were printed, using a duplicating machine, on two different colored papers. There were seven denominations: one, five, twenty, and fifty centavos on pink colored paper and one, five, and twenty pesos on blue colored paper. The centavo denominations are 8.25cm x 6.35cm wide in size while the peso denominations measure 12.7cm x by 6.35cm wide. All are dated 1942 and bear the printed signatures of H.W. Wade, Chairman, E.C.C (Emergency Currency Committee), Julio Lisboa, Disb. Off, C.L.C (Culion Leper Colony), and J.O. Nolasco, Actg. Chief, C.L.C. Serial numbers were applied in two locations with a hand stamp machine. The backs of notes initially issued are hand stamped using a blue colored ink and read:

The Government of the Philippine Islands
Department of Public Instruction
Bureau of Health

Initially, the notes were not well received on the island and their legitimacy was questioned as was their ability to be redeemed. After an appeal was made to Philippine president Manuel Quezon, an authorizing statement was typed and added to the backs of the one, five, and twenty centavo denominations thus creating a second issue. The statement read:

Issued by Authority of the
PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
Transmitted 2/9/42 through the
Commanding General, USAFFE, Iloilo

I would speculate only those denominations which would see the most use had the presidential authorization added. The need for a timely issue would also account for the fact that not all the notes were done as the authorization had to be typewritten on each.

A dressmaker’s burr was used to make perforations in the center of the notes through the area of the typewritten denomination. This served as a security device. The notes were also treated with paraffin wax as a preservative. A total value of 144,485 Pesos was printed in four lots of notes but only 92,130 Pesos were actually issued.

All issues are now available in circulated condition at affordable prices, while AU and Uncirculated pieces command higher pricing. When the series first became popular with collectors, the twenty peso note was difficult to find, as only a limited number of notes were known. Back in the eighties, a safe was discovered on Culion; it had been in use during the war and then abandoned. Opening the safe resulted in a hoard of Culion notes, among them a large number of 20 peso pieces. This resulted in the value of the once “rare” notes dropping and becoming more affordable to collectors. It is now believed that 2000 pieces were actually printed. Quantities for the other denominations range from 14,400 for the five centavo to 20,800 for the one centavo pieces. As with the coin issues, assembling a complete set in very collectible condition is a very attainable goal.

Varieties and errors exist. Notes are known to have a missing Health stamp on the back while others are overprinted to correct errors in the denomination, the most noted of which is a “FIFTY CENTAVOS” typed over “TWENTY CENTAVOS”. Another is a twenty centavo note which has neither the original hand stamp nor the presidential authorization; instead it shows a handwritten phrase stating, “This note me from me Blas B. Edep”. Not much is know about this note; however, Neil Shafer, an expert in Philippine numismatics and author of a number of books on the subject, has stated he has seen this issue before but cannot provide any details.

Grost et al reports that some of these notes were used on northern Palawan, which is located only a short distance from Culion. The late researcher C.M. Nielson stated notes bearing a facsimile signature might have been those circulating on Palawan.

The series was short-lived since, by July of 1942, the Japanese had issued occupation money (JIM) and use of the Culion scrip was officially prohibited. After the defeat of Japan, the Culion notes were redeemed by the Government of the Philippines.

In addition to Culion, leper colonies existed in many other countries. As far back as 1659 a colony was created in Venezuela, and colonies were established in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Danish West Indies, Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Panama Canal Zone, and Thailand — all of which issued special currency. Colonies or hospitals still treat patients today in India and China. The Numismatic Aspect of Leprosy lists these issues, as well as other leprosy related numismatic pieces, and is recommended to those with an interest in this unique series.

In addition to the examples from the Philippines, examples from Colombia and Venezuela are the most common and easiest to find. Issues from other countries are quite rare or not known in collections.

There were three leper colonies in Colombia that used special coins. Four issues were used in Agua de Dios, Cano de Loro, and Contatacion. The 1901 and 1907 series are rare, however the issues of 1921 and 1928 are more common. The common obverse design features a Maltese cross with “LAZARETO” (meaning a quarantined location as an island, a ship, or a colony) in the center, and “REPUBLICA DE COLOMBIA” and the date around the rim. The reverse shows the denomination in centavos surrounded around the edge with a wreath design. The initials, “RH”, believed to be that of the designer, are located under the ribbon. A number of varieties are known for the 50 centavo pieces, where some of the letters were re-cut. A two centavo piece from 1921 uses the same Maltese Cross, but the initials “RH” are missing.

The unit of currency in Venezuela is the bolivar, after Simon Bolivar, the liberator of Hispanic-America and national hero of Venezuela. Coins denominated in fractions of the bolivar were used in the leper colonies. The issues of 1939 for the Isla de Providencia have a common obverse with the legend “LEPOSERISA NACIONALES” around the edge with the colony name “ISLA DE PROVIDENCIA” in the center above the date. The reverse shows the denomination in decimal form: “Bs/0.05” and “Bs/0.12½”.

The 1913 issue for the Lazareto Maracaibo has the colony name in the center of the obverse, with “LAZARETO MARACAIBO” around the upper rim; the date and two stars also appear. The denomination on the reverse is in fraction from: “Bs 1/8”.

References
The Numismatic Aspects of Leprosy - Money, Medals, and Miscellanea, by Roger R. McFadden, John Grost, and Dennis F. Marr;
Philippine Emergency and Guerrilla Currency of World War II, by Neil Shafer;
The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Specialized Issues, by Krause Publications, Neil Shafer and George Cuhaj, editors.
• Wikipedia


Speaker’s Wor[l]d
Shopping for Ancient Coins in the Holy Land

by Dale Lukanich,
from his presentation to our March 12, 2014 meeting

I spent 9 days in Israel on the ground (11 day trip with 2 days in the air). I was looking to buy ancient coins and sightsee. We flew all night, landed in Tel Aviv, and headed right to Caesarea Maritima. I expected to see locals (children) selling coins. Nothing. (They like to use children — the adults tell them the coins are real, and the kids believe them so they tell you they are real … maybe yes, maybe no.) Nice ruins by the Mediterranean Sea, but no coins. Our home base for three days was Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee (really a lake).

From there it was stops in Capernamum, Dan, Dothan, Ein Gedi, Beth Sheam, and Mount Gilboa; we stayed in the Golan (North East) area for the three days. At one point we stopped at a lookout point about 40 miles west of Damascus Syria. We were 5 miles or less from the border, and we could hear the shelling of a town just over the mountains. Up to this point the only coins I found were at a gift shop in a museum that housed a first century boat. Most of the coins were in modern jewelry, with a few loose ones (widows mites) priced at just under $50 each. Most gold rings with coins in them were $500 with bronze coins, and starting at $1000 for silver coins set in jewelry. Many of the silver were cut down to fit in the mounts.

We spent one day at a beautiful resort hotel (The ISROTEL) on the Dead Sea. No coins again. On the last 5 days our home base was Jerusalem. I had a man stop me with a bag of 15 to 20 late Roman bronze coins, for which he wanted $250. The coins were real, but low grade and common. In Bethlehem I went into an olive wood/ T-shirt/ carpet / coin shop. The man asked me how much I wanted to invest! Common bronze ($10 to $20) coins were $200. I told him I was from Chicago and I could buy those from Harlan Berk for 1/10 of that price. He told me to buy them from Harlan and leave his store — I was destroying his business. In Jerusalem I found a few coin and antiquity shops. The prices started out high, but you could bargain down. One dealer told me I was a hard man to deal with.

Some of the better shops were: Abraham Antiquities Company, Citadel Museum shop, Tamara gift Shop, and Zak Mishriky. Zak was the friendliest shop, and was interested in The Chicago Coin Club. I showed him the website — he would like to hear from some of our members. If anyone is interested, I have his website. Security was no problem — plenty of solders (men and women) around with machine guns. My suggestion is go to Israel for the history, the scenery, and the weather (68° to 85°F every day). But go to CICF to buy your coins.


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Show and Tell

Items shown at our March 12, 2014 meeting,
reported by Marc Stackler

  1. David Gumm gave a report on the ANA Atlanta convention. He showed a few photos, including one of the Saddleback hoard, that included some of the coins plus the tin cans in which they were found.
  2. Eugene Freeman talked about these 3 items:
    1. 2005 Solomon Islands $25 gilt proof commemorative of the British Spitfire. The coins are listed only in silver.
    2. 1816B Brazil 960 Reis. It was produced at the time that the Portuguese court was still in exile from Napoleon (although Napoleon by that time was defeated). The Brazilian silver mines were controlled by the English; so, for the Portuguese to mint coins, they struck over Spanish colonial silver coins. Meanwhile, in the US, Spanish colonial coins were legal tender, but Portuguese/Brazilian coins were not. Brazilian coins would only be accepted in the US as legal tender if one could see that it was overstruck on a Spanish colonial coin, which in fact this example shows — the reverse pillars (from the Spanish design) are visible.
    3. H.C. Evans & Co. (1892-1955, Chicago) $45.50 token.
  3. Mark Wieclaw showed 3 items:
    1. Tetradrachm from Paeonia, 340-315 BC, which had exceptional detail of a rider spearing a defeated enemy.
    2. An Obol from Cilicia, 380-360 BC, with a facing head. The coin is smaller than a dime.
    3. Denarius of L. Pelicanus, 45 BC, with a rostra on the reverse. The rostra (in the Forum, next to the Senate) is where a speaker would stand to address the crowd.
  4. Phil Carrigan exhibited issues of the the Chicago Numismatic Society THE BULLETIN. Issues were first produced in 1908 and were regularly published thru 1912, with publication ending in 1914. Phil had six issues of Volume I which were card covered with 4 to 8 pages per issue. Additional issues were shown from the year 1912, now published without covers. Contents for each month identified members present and new members accepted. Publications received from dealers including auction catalogs from Elder, Ben Green, Mehl, Low, and J Schulman (Netherlands).
  5. Dale Lukanich discussed 3 cut coins. Cut coins are coins which have been cut in order to make change.
    1. From a silver Athens Tetradrachm, cut down to a drachm size, 454-404 BC.
    2. From a copper Potin of Sens (NW Gaul). Dale noted it is unusual, but not unheard of, to encounter a cut copper coin.
    3. From a copper Potin of Soissons (NW Gaul).
  6. Bill Burd talked about some beautiful medals designed by Marcel Jovine.
    1. A 2-piece set of a medal by Jovine, who was commissioned to create a medal for the 125th anniversary of the American Numismatic Society in 1983. The design was rejected by the Council. The two uniface pieces are cast in bronze. One depicts the obverse and the other the reverse of the proposed medal. This is one of only 12 sets issued.
    2. The medal accepted by the ANS Council to commemorate the 125th anniversary was also designed by Jovine. It is in bronze and is rectangular, weighing 18.85 troy ozs. The obverse is of a minter about to strike a coin. The reverse shows a screw press and a Janvier lathe.
    3. Bill also brought the same medal as (b) above, but in silver. It weighs 15.72 troy ozs and is number 17 of 100 issued.
  7. Bob Leonard gave a presentation on Ukrainian tokens, all but 2 of which were subway tokens.
    1. From Kharkiv: various translucent and opaque plastic tokens, minted in the 1990s.
    2. From Kryvnyj Rih: trolley token.
    3. From Kyiv: copper-plated iron as well as plastic tokens.
    4. Odessa: A piece that was used as emergency money during the Russian Revolution of 1917. It looks like a postage stamp (but is not) and was produced on thin cardboard.
  8. Steve Zitowsky brought a so-called dollar in white metal: PRESERVANDO (obv) and CONFEDERATION (rev). The obverse and reverse designs were taken from Continental Congress paper money of 1776 ($6) and 1778 ($40), respectively. The obverse also shows a giant beaver gnawing a palm tree (founding fathers’ prediction of global warming).
  9. Jeff Amelse showed several early Roman bronze coins:
    1. Two Aes rude from Umbria.
    2. An As from Iberia.
    3. Another As with a fishbone pattern, from Iberia.
    4. Four As Grave coins depicting Janus Heads, Mercury, Hercules, and a tortoise.
  10. Rich Lipman displayed several foreign notes to explain that you can start a world bank note collection with a very modest investment:
    1. 1 ruble — Russia — 1898
    2. 500 escudos — Cape Verde — 2004
    3. 50 leva — Bulgaria — 1951
    4. 25 Kyats — Burma — 1972
    5. 20 Customs Gold Note Units — China (pre-1949)
    6. 200 Francs — France
    7. And several notgeld from Germany, early 1920s.

Minutes of the 2014 Chicago ANA Convention Committee

March 19, 2014

The fifth meeting of the 2014 Chicago ANA Convention Committee was called to order at 5:50 PM by Host Chairman William Burd on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 in the offices of Harlan J. Berk Ltd., 77 W. Washington, Downtown Chicago. The following members were present: Eugene Freeman, Paul Hybert, Dale Lukanich, Richard Lipman, Harlan Berk, Elliott Krieter, Marc Stackler, Steve Zitowsky, Sharon Blocker, Jeff Rosinia, Mark Wieclaw, and Carl Wolf.

  1. William Burd welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked Harlan Berk for providing the meeting site and hosting the dinner.
  2. Comments & Announcements — Bill Burd:
    1. The Kickoff Event
      1. Will be held Tuesday, August 5
      2. At the Hofbrauhaus Chicago, 1 block west of the Donald Stephens Convention Center (ad already in The Numismatist)
      3. Cost is $50 per person, $60 after July 27
      4. No discount for the committee
    2. A number of different flyers have shipped, and should be available for distribution by the next numismatic convention
    3. Commented on the half page ad by the RCNA in the March issue of The Numismatist and an article on Canadian coins.
  3. Committee Reports
    1. Pages — Rich Lipman/Elliott Kreiter
      1. Only the ANA corresponds with all Page applicants, but the application is available online.
      2. Monday is “transition day” and the committee plans to be ready
    2. Scouts — Eugene Freeman
      1. Passed out three flyers with dates and times for:
        1. Scout Activity Patch and Requirements
        2. Boy Scout Merit Badge Clinic
        3. Girl Scout Money Patch Workshop
      2. Has 380 Activity Patches on hand
      3. Continues to emphasis to the ANA the importance of starting early and finishing in a timely fashion so Scouts can visit the bourse
      4. Handled questions for the committee and comments:
        1. Scouts completing the Merit Badge Clinic receive a 6 month ANA YN membership
        2. Several committee members asked for the electronic version of the flyers so they could forward them into their local community.
        3. Agreed that an extra carton of Red Books would be wise
    3. Ambassadors — Carl Wolf
      1. Invited 2013 Floor Captains to the Committee meeting, but only Marc Stackler could attend. Regrets were received from several.
      2. Invitations to Volunteer were emailed, and completed forms began to arrive back with an hour.
      3. Rhonda Scurek emailed this morning, requesting several volunteers each day to conduct surveys at the exits.
      4. The goal is to recruit 100 volunteers, and expecting at least as many as in 2013 which was 83
    4. Money Talks — Dale Lukanich/Mark Wieclaw
      1. Application to give a presentation is online
      2. Requested some volunteers to direct convention goers to the room
      3. Commented on the favorable impression 2013 speakers had of the medal on a neck ribbon
    5. Collector Exhibits — Paul Hybert
      1. Announced that the ANA Exhibit Committee met at the National Money Show, and announced some clarifications.
      2. Application deadline is June 20
      3. Committee recommended exhibit invitations should be given to exhibitors at the upcoming Central States Numismatic Society Convention in April
  4. Speaker Medals — Carl Wolf
    1. Ready to place the order for copper Standing Lincoln Medals with black neck ribbon
    2. Will call Susan McMillan to confirm an approximate number of speaking time slots
  5. Other Topics
    1. Authorized Carl Wolf to order 2014 ANA stickers for name badges
    2. Bill Burd will follow up with
      1. David Truesdell regarding a golf shirt sponsor
      2. Rhonda Scurek regarding a silent auction
  6. Hotel Lodging: No Report
  7. Budget: No Report

The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 PM, with the next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 16th, 2014, in the offices of Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., 77 W. Washington, Suite 1320, Downtown Chicago.

Respectfully Submitted,
Carl Wolf, Secretary
Chicago Coin Club


Our 1144th Meeting

Date:Wednesday, April 9, 2014, First session
Time:6:45 PM
Location:Downtown Chicago
At the Chicago Bar Association, 321 S. Plymouth Court, 3rd floor meeting room. Please remember the security measures at our meeting building: everyone must show their photo-ID and register at the guard’s desk. Nearby parking: South Loop Self Park, 318 South Federal Street; that is two short blocks west of our meeting site. Note: Their typical rate of $29 is reduced to $6 if you eat at the Plymouth Restaurant, 327 S. Plymouth Court (next to our meeting site at the CBA) — show the restaurant your parking ticket, and ask for a parking voucher. The restaurant offers standard sandwiches, burgers, and salads for members who want to meet for dinner. Another before-meeting favorite of some members is the Ceres Restaurant, located inside the Board of Trade Building, at LaSalle and Jackson.
Featured speaker:Bruce Perdue — Encased Coins

An “encased coin” is a coin forcibly inserted into a metal (usually aluminum) ring, then placed into a press that squeezes the ring to hold the coin tight. On one side, the press adds advertising slogans like “Keep Me and Never Go Broke.” On the other side, advertisers place their name and address. For 10 years, Bruce Perdue studied encased coins and collected over 650 different pieces. Normally numismatists see only encased Lincoln cents inside a round disk. However, members who attend this talk will see a variety of encasement shapes including bears, bells, chamber pots, and arrowheads. His collection also includes encased large cents, Buffalo nickels, quarters, half dollars, and even a silver dollar!

Date:Saturday, April 12, 2014, Second session
Time:1:00 PM
Location:At the Chicago International Coin Fair (CICF), which is held at the Crown Plaza Chicago O’Hare, 5440 North River Road, Rosemont, IL. No admission charge for our meeting.
Featured speaker:Constantin A. Marinescu — Transforming Victory from Pagan Goddess to Christian Symbol

Romans frequently put the allegorical figure of Victory on their coinage. Her winged figure appears holding a wreath, a palm, and sometimes a shield. Constantin Marinescu will trace the development of Victory inscribing a shield in Roman coinage and art. He will tell the story of how Romans employed the shield to fine tune the message of victory, how it changed as Roman military victories decreased, and became more focused on civic commemorations. Constantin will show the appearance of the Victory motif into the Christian era where she increasingly becomes associated with Christian symbolism despite her pagan origin. This paved the way for the introduction of the angel, a truly Christian image.

Constantin is a professor of art history and collector of ancient coinage. Everyone attending this unique presentation will come away enlightened to the interrelationship of art, history, religion, and numismatics.

Date:Saturday, April 26, 2014, Third session
Time:1:00 PM
Location:At the Central States Numismatic Society (CSNS) Convention, which is held at the Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg, IL.
Featured speaker:Donald H. Kagin and David McCarthy — The Saddle Ridge Hoard

Rare coin experts Kagin’s Inc. brought to collector’s attention the recent treasure find of over 1,400 U.S. gold coins with a face value over $28,000! The hoard was discovered on private property in California’s gold region and is believed to be the greatest treasure ever unearthed in the U.S., with an estimated value in excess of $10 million! Kagin’s Inc., the nation’s oldest family owned numismatic firm, was chosen to conserve and market this unique treasure. Be sure to attend this meeting and hear Donald Kagin and David McCarthy tell the story of how and when they came to be introduced to this hoard. One seasoned numismatist called it “… one of the best stories in the history of the hobby!” Set aside the convention dates of April 24-26 and visit the show. Arrangements are being made to display a portion of the hoard at the Convention and you want to be sure to see it.


Important Dates

Unless stated otherwise, our regular monthly CCC Meeting is in downtown Chicago on the second Wednesday of the month; the starting time is 6:45PM.

April 9 CCC Meeting - Featured Speaker - Bruce Perdue on Encased Coins
April 11-13 39th annual Chicago International Coin Fair (CICF) at the Crown Plaza Chicago O’Hare, 5440 North River Road, Rosemont, IL. Admission is $5 for Friday and Saturday; free on Sunday. For details, refer to their website, http://www.cicfshow.com.
April 12 CCC Meeting - 1pm at the Chicago International Coin Fair (CICF), which is held at the Crown Plaza Chicago O’Hare, 5440 North River Road, Rosemont, IL. No admission charge for our meeting.
Featured Speaker - Constantin A. Marinescu on Transforming Victory from Pagan Goddess to Christian Symbol
April 24-26 75th Anniversary Convention of the Central States Numismatic Society at the Schaumburg Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center, 1551 North Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg, IL. Free public admission. For details, refer to their website, http://www.centralstates.info/conv.html.
April 26 CCC Meeting - 1pm at the CSNS Convention, which is held at the Schaumburg Convention Center.
Featured Speakers - Donald Kagin and David McCarthy on The Saddle Ridge Hoard
May 3 A Saturday CSNS Seminar in conjunction with the Hillside Coin Club. Speakers will be Bill Fivaz, Peter Huntoon, Cindy Wibker, and Norm Bowers. Registration is required — the $10 fee for CSNS members ($20 non-member) also covers breakfast and lunch. Registration forms and details available at the CSNS convention, and also at http://www.centralstates.info/
May 14 CCC Meeting - Featured Speaker - to be announced
June 11 CCC Meeting - Featured Speaker - to be announced

Chatter Matter

All correspondence pertaining to Club matters should be addressed to the Secretary and mailed to:

CHICAGO COIN CLUB
P.O. Box 2301
CHICAGO, IL 60690

http://www.ChicagoCoinClub.org/

Club Officers

Elliott Krieter- President
Richard Lipman- First Vice President
Marc Stackler- Second Vice President
William Burd- Archivist
Directors:Steve Ambos
Robert Feiler
Dale Lukanich
Mark Wieclaw
Other positions held are:
Jeffrey Rosinia- Immediate Past President
Carl Wolf- Secretary
Steve Zitowsky- Treasurer
Paul Hybert- Chatter Editor
Robert Feiler- ANA Club Representative

Contacting Your Editor / Chatter Delivery Option

chatter_editor@yahoo.com

The print version of the Chatter is simply a printout of the Chatter web page, with a little cutting and pasting to fill out each print page. The web page is available before the Chatter is mailed.
If you would like to receive an email link to the latest issue instead of a mailed print copy send an email to chatter_editor@yahoo.com. You can resume receiving a mailed print copy at any time, just by sending another email.