VOL. 15. NO. 4 (issue no. 52) $5.00
DECEMBER. 1998
Coming Soon. . .
The First 5 State Quarters
(See page 14)
THE
HIGHER
BUYER
We’ve been making customers happy for over 20 years with our top dollar offer for their collections. 'When it comes time to sell, contact us for a fair, friendly, and confidential offer. Same-day payment for any size collection, large or small. We will gladly make offers for items shipped to us or at the coin shows we attend throughout the country. Call for more information or ship your coins to the address below.
• WE BUY ALL COINS • U.S. & FOREIGN • GOLD, SILVER, COPPER • AG TO GEM UNC • SETS & SINGLES • ROLLS & BAGS • SILVER DOLLARS • TYPE • COMMENS • PAPER MONEY • COMMON COINS • INDIVIDUAL RARITIES • COMPLETE COLLECTIONS • ACCUMULATIONS •
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John Paul Sarosi, Inc.
Numismatists John Paul Sarosi LM ANA 2505
Kathy Sarosi LM ANA 3178
1-800-334-1163 1-814-535-5766 FAX 1-814-535-2978
106 MARKET STREET PO Box 729 Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15907
Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists
StateCharterl 9B4Corporat<g #777790 Federal LP-Tax*ZS- 151^242
Affiliated with the American Numismatic Assn. (C-1 01 44) and Eastern States Numis, Assn. (C-1 3D)
P.O. Box 1079, Lancaster, PA 17608-1079
President
Kathy Sarosi
Regional Vice-Presidents West: E. Tomlinson Fort Central: John Paul Sarosi S.CentraP.Kerry Wetterstrom Northeast: Donald Hastie
Corresponding Secretary Kerry Wetterstrom
JOIN P.A.N. ON THE INTERNET! http: // www.money.org/club_pan.html
CONTENTS
President’s Message 4
PAN Spring 1999 Shorn 6
PAN Funds Portrait of Mint Supt 7
Recording Secretary E. Tomlinson Fort
Treasurer
Chester Trzcinski
Clarion Editor Richard Duncan
Convention Staff Donald Carlucci Charles Culleiton Patrick McBride John Paul Sarosi Kathy Sarosi Chester Trzcinski Eileen Kaminsky
Chair man- of - the-B oar d Donald Carlucci
Board of Governors Richard Cross Richard Duncan Wayne Homren John Eshbach Gerald Kochel Charles Culleiton
Past Presidents Samson Paguia l.oren Ecoff Donald Carlucci John Eshbach Robert Matylewicz Wayne Homren Richard Cross
Honorary Members Frank Gasparro Gilroy Roberts (d)
Best PAN Conuention Vet! 9
Trauel Aesearch Awards 12
New Officers of PON 13
Ore Vou Op-To-Date? 13
Donations Needed (from Vou?) 13
The First 5 State Quarters 14
“New Do” for “Commonwealth” 15
Our First President? 16
PAN Voung Numismatist Programs
by llJayne Homren 1 7
James Laura Fraser (MONEV TALKS)
by Bill Jones 22
Show Calendar 23
CLRRI ON Ad Dates & Oates 23
Medal Honors Olympic Champion.... 24 “Gold Hush” Medal. ..Also in Gold.. ..25 Two New Books - on World Coins
and Confederate Money 26
ODOEBTI SEAS
John Paul Sarosi, Johnstown, PH... 2f>27
Aichard Cross, Fogelsuiile, PA 13
Gerald Krupa, Lemont, PH 23
Steinmetz Coins, Lancaster, PH 28
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President's Message
Dear PAN Members:
I am proud and honored to be your President until the next century! Sounds hokey, but it is true. 1999 will be upon us soon, and it makes you wonder what coin collectors were thinking as 1899 was approaching . . .
The Indian Cent had been around for several decades,and would continue to be minted for another 10 years. " Great Grandpa, did you really spend that 1877 cent for grain? That shiny little disk of copper that you just got at the bank would make a nice down-payment on a house today! "
The Barber coinage (dimes, quarters and halves) were also new designs. The smaller Seated denominations hadn't been minted in almost 10 years. Wouldn't you like to go back in time and be a banker, opening up your window and passing out handfuls and handfuls of uncirculated Barbers? I wonder how many non-collectors at that time even noticed the mint mark on the reverse of the coins. "How much is that bolt of fine linen? $1.60? Here is an EF 1895-0 Barber dime, a VF 1896-S and a FINE 1913-S Barber quarter, plus two 1897-S halves in AU. Great Grandma, did you really have to make that dress for Great- Aunt Nellie?"
I also wonder if the collectors at the time complained about the designs of the coins, as we do today. How they may have longed for the return of the beautiful Bust coinage and artistic Seated Liberty coinage. What would they think now, with pockets full of past presidents' heads that are so weakly struck they look like EF's when minted?
Enough about the old days -- back to the present. The collector coin market is very strong right now, and with the holiday season fast approaching, it will be a very busy time for dealers.
I intend to write my column with more emphasis on what a coin dealer's day is like. What is going on in the market and amusing incidents that occur. Hopefully, it will give you, the collector, an insight into what a dealer is. It is a lot of hard work - we don't just sit around all day and play with our coins. But it is truly fascinating and rewarding work, and I hope my future columns convey that message to you. And, maybe give you that extra nudge to go from collector to dealer - because we do need fresh, new dealers on the scene.
Collectors and dealers. That reminds me - what a great show we had!
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We had a fine assortment of over 125 dealers at the PAN Show in October, and the collectors poured in the door like syrup over pancakes. If you had silver dollars or U.S. gold for sale at the show, you did great! Common date, circulated silver dollars were bringing $9 each. Unbelievable, with silver at $5 an ounce. You could not keep U.S. gold at your table - as one collector or dealer was selling, while another was buying. A very active and profitable time for all. And fun!
And busy. We need more volunteers to help out at the show. The dealers need help loading and unloading; getting lunch; fetching light bulbs; running errands, etc.
For $7 you receive membership in the BEST coin club in the state! Receiving the CLARION magazine four times a year is a bonus. We are proud to be in the position to provide that "extra" for you. At PAN's website — www.money.org/club_pan.html — you can receive info on upcoming coin shows and local coin club meetings in your area. It is up to you to decide if you want to be a member - or an active member. What you get out of your membership is up to you! It can only be fulfilling if you get up off the couch and participate. PAN is a fun and friendly organization, and we want to get to know you.
I will be having more informal meetings with PAN members through- out the year. Although I expect to see the same, familiar faces at these get-togethers. I'll be disappointed if I don't also see some new ones. Introduce yourself and tell us about yourself and what you collect.
If you have a suggestion to improve PAN - let me know.
If you have a complaint - let me know.
If you are pleased - let me know.
If you have a problem - let me know, and give me some ideas for a solution.
I am easy to talk to, and easy to find. Write to me c/o PAN, P.O. Box 1079, Lancaster, PA 17608-1079 -- or at John Paul Sarosi, Inc. If we get enough of a response, we can have a Question & Answer column. If YOU think it's important or interesting, surely others will, too.
Happy Collecting!
Kathy Sarosi President
P.S. My first informal meeting will be at the FUN Show in Orlando, FL on Friday, January 8, 1999, at lunch time on the bourse floor dining area. My first Officers' Meetings will be held in conjunction with shows at (1) South Hills, in February; and (2) Indiana, PA in March, 1999. Future informal meetings will be listed in the CLARION.. Or, if you see me at a show, just let me know that you want to talk.
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PAN COIN SHOW
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PAN Funds Portrait of Retiring Mint Supt
When David Rittenhouse retired as first Director of the U.S. Mint, the government decided his portrait should be on display at the Mint - so they paid for that honor.
This recognition continued through history for the nine successors of Rittenhouse and 15 Superintendents of the Mint. During the 1977-81 administration of Jimmie Carter, the funding for this tradition ended. To continue this honor, private funding was required.
PAN is proud to be in a position to fund the latest portrait (with profits from our twice-yearly conventions), reports PAN President Kathy Sarosi. Cost of the portrait was $3,600.
At the end of November, Augustine A. Albino retired as Superintendent of the Mint. His association with the Mint began in 1961, when he joined its Accounting staff. He served as Acting Superintendent three times, and was named Superintendent in September, 1966.
PAN’s Chairman-of-the-Board, Don Carlucci made the arrangements with the Mint. Mint personnel com- missioned David Baker of Point Pleasant, Bucks County, to do the portrait. He was located through an art school in Philadelphia, where a former Mint Chief Engraver is a teacher.
Standing with the portrait, on dis- play at the Oct. 23-25 PAN Conven- tion, (from left) are Don Carlucci, PAN President Kathy Sarosi, and outgoing President Richard Cross.
Ehvid Baker is a 1995 graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia. He won several grants and prizes while there.
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Sam Deep (left) proudly displays his Krause “Numismatic Ambassador” Award as he receives it from Coins magazine Editor Robert Van Ryzin.
John Eshbach (right) gestures as he receives the Gasparro “Numismatist of the Year” award (noting that he'd received it before) from Charles Culleiton.
Dick Duncan (right) receives a handshake for winning the Gilroy Roberts literary award (the award plaque wasn’t ready) from Charles Culleiton.
I
And Sam Deep received his Presidential Award from ANA President Anthony Swiatek (right).
Outgoing PAN President, Richard Cross (left) is delighted to accept his Presidential Award from the ANA President Anthony Swiatek.
And Clarion Editor, Dick Duncan (left), was also proud to accept a Presidential Award from the smil- ing ANA President, Anthony Swiatek.
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The Best PAN Convention Yet !
The October 23-25 PAN Convention was the best one yet. We had 125 dealers (some sharing tables) from 17 states... many outstanding exhibits... excellent edu- cational programs, including another great “Coins for Kids” program, and many awards at our Saturday evening banquet.
Nationallv-Famous Guests And nationally-famous guests! Anthony Swiatek, President of the American Num- ismatic Association, presented an educa- tional program on “What Coin of Little Value in Your Collection Could Be Worth Hundreds or Thousands of Dollars With- out You Knowing It?" At the banquet, ANA President Swiatek also presented several “President’s Awards.”
Also present was Robert VanRyzin, Editor of Coins magazine, presenting a Krause Publications “Ambassador Award.”
Exhibit Awards
Exhibit Chairman, John Eshbach, pre- sented the exhibit awards (and also dis- played an impressive, non-competitive exhibit of numismatic literature, himself).
An exhibit of Byzantine coins earned the “Best of Show” exhibit award for Pat McBride. Second place went to Dick Duncan for a display of U.S. gold coins picturing American Indians. The third- place exhibit, showing U.S. Draped Bust Large Cents, was done by Gerald Kochel. Kerry Wetterstrom won fourth place, for his exhibit of bank notes from the Denver, PA. National Bank.
Numismatic Ambassador The winner of Krause Publications’ coveted “Numismatic Ambassador” award was Sam Deep. General Chairman of the 1989 ANA Convention, in Pittsburgh, Sam is a professional motivator. He also
spearheaded efforts to raise funds in order to name the ANA “People’s Choice” Award in memory of deceased PAN member, Rodger Hershey.
PAN Awards
Charles (“Skip”) Culleiton, Banquet Chair- man, presented the two prestigious PAN awards which are not necessarily pre- sented every year. (The plaques are being redesigned, so the 1998 winners have not yet received them.)
PAN’s 1998 “Gasparro Award,” represent- ing the club’s “Numismatist of the Year,” went to John Eshbach. PAN’s “Gilroy Roberts Award,” for literary excellence, went to Clarion Editor, Dick Duncan.
ANA President’s Awards Before presenting his coveted “President- ial Awards,” ANA President Anthony Swiatek noted that the very first such award presented in the United States went to John Eshbach in October, 1997.
The ANA "Presidential Awards” went to a record seven PAN members at the October 25 banquet - undoubtedly the most presented at any one location. The winners:
Sam Deep, who, as noted above, was General Chairman of the 1989 ANA Show, held in Pittsburgh - and was presented earlier in the evening with the Krause "Numismatic Ambassador" award;
Richard Cross, President of PAN since 1995, a past bourse Chairman for PAN and his home club of Scranton, and a student of early American copper coins;
Dick Duncan, an ANA exhibit judge and award-winning exhibitor at ANA shows for
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Gerald Kochel (left) checks out his impressive, clear plastic Presidential Award after accepting it from the ANA President, Anthony Swiatek (right).
PAN Treasurer, Chester Trzcinski (left) was another of the PAN officers honored by receiving a Presidential Award from ANA President Swiatek.
And last (but certainly not least) to receive a Presi- dential Award from ANA President Swiatek was PAN Chairman of the Board, Don Carlucci (left).
“Best-in-Show” exhibit winner, Pat McBride (right) received congratulations from Exhibit Chair, John Eshbach, for an impressive Byzantine coin display.
Wayne Homren (left) was another surprised - but
very deserving - winner of a Presidential Award pre- Holding the mike for an announcement at the PAN sented by ANA President Anthony Swiatek. Convention is our new President, Kathy Sarosi.
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many years, a U S. type coin collector and Editor of PAN’s Clarion magazine;
Gerald Kochel, a collector of Early Ameri- can coins and currency, a renowned speaker, and an ANA judge and award- winning ANA exhibitor for over 20 years;
Chester Trzcinski, a student and collector of Military Payment Certificates, very active as PAN's Treasurer for many years (only the second one in PAN’s 20 years);
Wayne Homren, a past President of PAN, student of numismatic literature and early money of PA, a prolific writer, and a key to the success of PAN’s programs for youth;
Donald Carlucci, PAN’s Chairman-of-the- Board and a past President, a key to PAN’s success for years, and a member of PA’s Quarter Design Committee.
New PAN Officers
Several of the new PAN Officers - listed on the “Contents” page of this publication - were busy at the Convention, and are pictured on page 13.
The new PAN President, Kathy Sarosi, spoke a few words about her plans or our organization in 1999. And, check out what she has to say in the “President’s Message” on page 4.
Banquet Auction
An event that’s become a standby at the Saturday evening banquet is the final one of the evening - an auction of donated items, which is fun for participants and it also provides a few more dollars to enrich PAN’s treasury. Confidentially, it was needed much more in past years (when PAN was struggling), but now the auction continues because everyone seems to enjoy it.
About forty items were contributed by gen-
erous “PAN Philanthropists” - and those generous folks even included ANA Presi- dent Anthony Swiatek. The items brought in approximately $383 to benefit PAN.
“Coins for Kids”
The Saturday afternoon “Coins For Kids” program continues to be a big winner in attracting young people to our hobby. This time, it attracted a crowd of about 50 people (mostly youth, with a few parents along to learn about numismatics, as well).
Wayne Homren and Don Carlucci still handle the bulk of this program, and they do an outstanding job. Not only do the youngsters learn a lot (and it’s surprising how much many of them already know about numismatics), but virtually all of them also go home with several valuable “mementos" - coins and books about coins, currency and token collecting.
Check out the separate article by Wayne Homren in this issue, entitled "PAN Programs for Young Numismatists. "
More Prize Winners
Another popular feature of PAN Conven- tions is our drawing, which nowadays gives out 10 very desirable prizes. In fact, the top prize is a one-ounce gold American Eagle, and each of the other nine prizes is a smaller gold or platinum coin. No wonder it’s a popular event.
The top winner turned out to be Lawrence Korchnak of Aliquippa. The other winners were Richard Gans of Shillington, Nikolas Amblin of Greensburg, Robert Sheller of West Chester, Paul Guiddy of Weirton, West Va., Timmy Fogarty of Lake Worth, Florida, Patty Albo of Florham Park, NJ, Anthony Almond of Pottstown, Robert Gould of Butler, and Rodney Seeds (who gave only his phone number.
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of Numismatists Travel Research Award
The Pennsylvania Association
Beginning in the Spring of 1999 the Pennsylvania
Association of Numismatists (PAN) will award up to $2000 to numismatic scholars in order to help defray some of the travel expenses that they might incur in pursuit of their research.
Those eligible:
• Graduate students (Masters and PhD candidates) attending a Pennsylvania university whose work substantially involves numismatics.
• Pennsylvania residents who are graduate students
(Masters and PhD candidates) and attending any University whose work substantially involves numismatics.
• Graduate students (Masters and PhD candidates) attending any university whose dissertation or thesis substantially involves Pennsylvania numismatics
• Researchers who are engaged in work which substantially involves Pennsylvania numismatics.
• Researchers who are Pennsylvania residents and engaged in research that substantially involves numismatics.
In order to apply, one must submit an application form, a written proposal of the work which he/she plans to undertake and two letters of recommendation.
Further information and the application form may be found
at PAN's web site:
http:www.money.org/club_pan.html
Or by writing to:
Travel Grant Committee Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists
PO Box 1079
Lancaster, PA 17608-1079
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A few of the new Officers of PAN for 1999 and 2000 were pictured at the October show. From left: Dick Duncan, Board (and Clarion Editor);
Charles Culleiton, Board; Don Carlucci, Chairman of the Board (and past Pres.); Richard Cross, Board (outgoing Pres.); Chester Trzcinski, Treas- urer; Kathy Sarosi, President; John Eshbach, Board (and past Pres.); Wayne Homren (in back), Board (and past Pres.); Gerald Kochel, Board; and E. Tomlinson Fort, Regional Vice-Pres. and Recording Secretary.
Are You Up-To-Date ? Check t±ie mailing label on this issue of the Clarion. If it says “99” after your name, you’re paid up for 1999. If not, it’s time to ante up your dues. The tab is a mere $7 per year. Mail to PAN, P.O.Box 1079, Lancaster, PA 17608-1079. Thank you.
Donations Needed If you could spare a few coins or notes of numismatic interest (They don’t need to be of high value), it would be very much appreciated for PAN Kids Programs (“Coins for A’s” and “Coins for Kids” - as described in the article on page 17). Please send your donations to:
PAN Kids Programs 401 Meadow Street Cheswick, PA 15024
Thank you very much!
RICHARD E. CROSS Life Member
(610) 285-2757 PAN, SCC, WVCC
Member ANA, EAC
CROSS COIN COMPANY
P.O. Box 548 • Fogelsville, PA 18051
DEALING IN QUALITY U.S. COINSAND CURRENCY
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The First 5 State Quarters
These quarters should start appearing next month - Delaware, then Pennsylvania, followed by New Jersey, Georgia and Connecticut (in the same order they became states). Note that the obverse - still showing the “Father of our Country” - will now include the words, “United States of America” and “Quarter Dollar” (previously on the reverse) - allowing more room for each state’s design, name and the date of issue on the reverse. Incidentally, the motto, “E Pluribus Unum,” will now be on the reverse. Our advice is to snap up a few of each when they’re first available. They may become hard to find after another year or so - when the public becomes aware of 5 0 newly-designed quarters!
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A “New Do” for “Commonwealth”
Associated Press writer, Heidi Russell, had this to say of “Miss Commonwealth” (who will star on the Pennsylvania Quar- ter, to be issued in 1999) - published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Sept. 2, 1998:
HARRISBURG-The sun caught the golden glare of a shoulder and some hair peek- ing out from under a black plastic tarp yesterday as workers gingerly placed the 17-foot statue on a temporary pedestal behind the Capitol.
Commonwealth, the 93-year-old statue removed from the Capitol dome last De- cember, will be unveiled Friday for public viewing before she is returned to her perch 272 feet atop the government building on Sept. 12.
The statue - a robed, female figure holding up a staff -“looks beautiful” follow- ing an eight-month facelift by experts in Connecticut, said Ann Masland, market- ing and publication director for the Capitol Preservation Committee. “She looks exactly like she did in 1905.”
The $564,000 project -which fell short of the original projected price tag of $700,000 -involved replacing the gilding, or gold covering, of the cast-bronze statue. During the past century, the gilding had oxidized, turning the statue green.
Linda Merk-Gould, the conservator who oversaw the restoration of the statue by Conservation Technical Associates of Westport, CT, discovered the pigment- ation of the original gilding and brought the statue back to its shine and color.
“She will be checked regularly - I estimate
once every 10 years. Gold’s a strong substance. When she goes back up, a conservator will check for scratches for quite a few years,” Ms. Masland said.
Other improvements included replacing corroded structural bolts that mounted the statue to the dome and repairing cracks on the statue’s robes.
Yesterday, workers painstakingly tried to keep the statue covered as a crane lifted her from a flatbed truck. The hollow, 3-ton statue will be hoisted back to the roof the same way she came down in December, via helicopter, said Samantha Elliott, spokeswoman for the Department of Gen- eral Services.
Fashioned after the statue above St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Commonwealth was sculpted by Roland Hinton Perry* and placed on the Main Dome of the Capitol on May 25, 1905, with derricks.
Many believe the statue was modeled after William Penn’s daughter, Letitia, or the Capitol architect’s wife - which the artist denied.
*A Footnote: The sculptor hailed from Lancaster, PA, according to news reports.
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Our First President ?
Thanks to the Currency Club of Chester County for this bit of history on our “First President.”
Probably every American considers George Washington our first President. But was he? Actually, we had seven chief executives prior to Washington. Our first was John Hanson - whom even Washington and Jefferson acknow- ledged to be our first President.
Hanson held the office for one year, and accom- plished a great deal. He established a Postal Service, chartered a National Bank, created the Treasury Dept., and some say he also declared “Thanksgiving” a national holiday.
His most difficult job must have been to shrink the army, as peace was being negotiated. He also had to inform the soldiers that the govern- ment was unable to pay them for their services! The reaction? The militia threatened to revolt. Members of the Continental Congress fled - but Hanson remained, and settled the issue.
He was bom in Maryland, in 1715. In 1781, as a member of the Maryland House of Dele- gates, he became a member of the Continental Congress. In November (some say June), 1781, he was elected “President of the United States in Congress Assembled.” He held that office until November, 1782. He died in 1783. Six others held that position until Washington was elected President of the United States of America.
To keep the record straight, Hanson’s office was held under the provisions of the Articles of Confederation, and was that of a Presiding Officer, rather than the President of the United States, as outlined in the Constitution.
But we Americans do owe a debt of gratitude to
John Hanson. And (as is suggested by the
Currency Club of Chester County), perhaps he
also deserves a place on our national currency.
^ ^ 1^. ^ .^1 ^ ^ ^
During “Coins 4 Kids” program at PAN Show, Don Carlucci (standing, left) and Wayne Homren discuss numismatics. Items on table were giveaways (for kids answering numismatic questions). Below, “Skip” Culleiton took a few young- sters at a time to see Ray Dillard (right) producing elongated coins.
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P.A.N. Programs for Young Numismatists
by Wayne Homren
Since its founding in 1978 as a non-profit numismatic educational organization, P A N. has developed a number of programs to fulfill those goals. First came The Clarion, our club journal, where articles of interest to Pennsylvania numismatists are published. Next came the annual P A N. coin show and convention, where Pennsylvania collectors could gather to pursue the hobby and exchange ideas and information. From the beginning P A N. shows have always had an educational component, with local and national specialty club meetings and speakers, including money artist J.S.G. Boggs, Smithsonian curator Dr. Richard Doty, treasure coin author Thomas Sebnng, and U.S. Mint engravers Gilroy Roberts, Frank Gasparro, and John Mercanti.
In an effort to promote numismatics to a wider audience,
P A N. embarked on several public-relations projects to help put our coin shows in the public eye. A special exhibit of Pittsburgh paper money and tokens led to full-page articles in the local newspapers. A 1914-D Lincoln Cent "coin-drop" generated both newspaper notices and radio
program interviews. The P A N. com shows (now twice yearly) have grown into major regional shows, attracting 150+ dealers and 2,500+ attendees.
Having put our shows and organization on a firm financial footing, we asked ourselves what more we could be doing to meet our goals as a numismatic educational organization. Noting the dearth of younger hobbyists, we turned our attention to the next generation of numismatists. This article describes P.A.N. efforts in recent years to attract and nurture young numismatists in Pennsylvania.
Coins for A 's
The original "Coins for A's" program was developed by the • Texas Numismatic Association. Simply put, the program offers free collectible coins to youngsters who receive A' s on their report cards. PAN member Wayne Homren learned about the program through his friend Bob Metzger, who at the time was running the program for the TNA. When the program was discussed at a P A N. officers' meeting.
Chairman of the Board Don
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Carlucci volunteered to run the program for PAN. Contributions were solicited from dealers at our show, rules were developed, and announcements were written for The Clarion and the general numismatic press.
To date over 1000 coins have been distributed to over 400 youngsters throughout Pennsylvania. The program is supported by regular contributions of coins from several dealers. Special thanks go to Pittsburgh dealers Charles Litman of The Coin Exchange in downtown Pittsburgh, and Ed Narcissi, whose coin shop is in Etna, PA.
One youngster deserving of special mention is Jon Campbell of Lancaster, PA, who created an exhibit based on the thirteen coins from eleven countries that he'd received through the program.
The exhibit was displayed at the Red Rose Coin Club show in Lancaster and again at the P.A.N. show in Pittsburgh in October 1997.
The P.A.N. Web Site
While many adults are only now getting involved with the internet, many kids are old hands at surfing the web. They learn about it at school and use it to research their
homework. P A N. realized that if we were to reach these kids, we had to do it on their turf, and that meant developing a presence on the internet. PAN member Wayne Homren, with the contributions of Charles Culleiton, E. Tomlinson Fort and others, developed the initial PAN web site. The site is hosted for free through the American Numismatic Association - the web address is http://www.money.org/club_pan.html.
The web site holds information about all of P.A.N. 's activities, with a special section devoted to our programs for kids. There is a small initial selection of online exhibits and articles. We hope to gradually expand these sections to provide a broad set of information about coins that kids and experienced numismatists alike can use and enjoy. One of the more extensive items is Gerald Kochel's exhibit of colonial Pennsylvania notes signed by Adam Hubley of Lancaster, PA.
Other articles relate to the design of the upcoming Pennsylvania commemorative quarter. P A N. is greatly looking forward to the release of this quarter and the entire 50 States Commemorative quarter series, which we believe will raise interest in numismatics as a hobby. As kids and others turn to the web for more
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information about the coins, we hope they'll find P.A.N.s articles of interest.
Coins 4 Kids
Realizing that our coin shows were a great opportunity to reach out to kids in person, we started the Coins 4 Kids sessions. These are one or two-hour sessions where kids can have fun and learn a little about numismatics. As many as 60 kids and their parents have attended recent sessions, and the numbers are growing each time.
We're experimenting with different formats, but knowing that kids love to receive gifts, an important element of each session is a giveaway of interesting and collectible coins. Typically we have a quiz session, where we throw out various questions relating to coins and award prizes to those who get the right answers.
The kids are extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable. We're constantly amazed at how much numismatic knowledge these kids already have, and it's getting harder to come up with questions to challenge them. One unexpected result is that the adult presenters are getting a chance to see their hobby through the eyes of kids, and rediscovering their own
collecting roots as a result. For example, when was the last time you looked through your change for dates and mintmarks? And here's a question that's tougher than you might think: "Why are coins round?" If a kid asked you that, how would you respond?
To keep things interesting, volunteers escort smaller groups of kids back out to the bourse floor, where they get close-up looks at exhibits and see how Ray Dillard makes an elongated cent.
We have the kids fill out a registration form when they enter the room. While these are later used to build a mailing list so we can inform them of upcoming events, the immediate purpose is to hold a drawing for better numismatic prizes. Between donations and purchases at the show, we usually have enough prizes to let each kid win twice.
In addition to coins, we also have a number of books as prizes. We don't believe in "talking down" to kids, and we don’t want to limit our giveaways only to the kinds of numismatic items they may be interested in at the moment. Our intention is to give them exposure to all areas of numismatics to allow them to discover their own areas of interest. Special thanks go to Mr. Gerald Porter and The
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Money Tree, book dealers of Rocky River, OH, for generous donations of literature. The following are lists of giveaway items for the October 1998 Coins for Kids session:
Numismatic Items
• Roman Empire, Constantine II (317-337AD)
• 1998 Proof Set
• 1998 Uncirculated Set
• 1976 Bicentennial Statue of Liberty silver medal
• 1976 Bicentennial Thomas Jefferson silver medal
• 1943 PDS Steel Cent set
• Buffalo Nickels: 1926, 1936, 1937
• Barber Dimes: 1897, 1915
• Barber Quarters: 1893, 1895-0
• Barber Halves: 1912-S, 1915-D
• 1898-S Morgan Dollar
• Off-center cent, nickel, dime
• $1 HAWAII overprint Silver Certificate
• 1776 Connecticut 1 Shilling note
• U.S. Fractional Currency: 10 & 25 cents
• 1861 Confederate $5 note
• 1864 Confederate $5 note
• 1 864 Confederate $ 1 0 note
• Whitman folders, filled or nearly so:
• Lincoln cents 1941-
• Jefferson nickels, 1962-
Numismatic Literature
• Klawans, An Outline of Ancient Greek Coins
• Sear, Roman Coins and Their Values
• Bruce, Unusual World Coins
• Krause, 1995 Std. Catalog of World Coins
• Eitemiller, The Denver Mint
• Stack, United States Type Coins
• Rothert, Guide Book of U.S. Fractional Currency
• Fuld, Patriotic Civil War Tokens
• Fuld, Civil War Store Card Tokens
• Bowers, Coins and Collectors
• Objojski, Ships & Explorers on Coins
• Taxay, Counterfeit, Mis-Struck & Unofficial U.S. Coins
• Travers, Com Collector's Survival Manual
• Taxay, The U. S. Mint and Coinage
• Bowers, Adventures With Rare Coins
• Crosby, The Early Coins of America
• VIDEO: The U.S. Mint and Bureau of Engraving and Printing
The P.A.N. Kids Club
The com shows only come around twice a year, so what about the
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time in between? To help kids maintain their interest, we decided to try smaller sessions in the months between our shows. The Pittsburgh Numismatic Society offered to make arrangements to reserve their meeting room at the University of Pittsburgh campus from 1 -3 pm on the second Saturday of selected months. To announce the meetings we mail flyers to the local kids on the Coins 4 Kids and Coins For A 's mailing lists.
Turnout so far has been small, from two to about half a dozen people. But the large size of the crowds at the coin show sessions, it's impossible to work one-on-one with the youngsters. These smaller Kids Club sessions give us a chance to work very closely with kids and their parents.
Using actual token dies on loan from Glenn Mooney, Wayne Homren described for kids the step-by-step process of how coins are made. Later we acquired a planchet strip and some blank planchets from The Gallery Mint, which we used to further illustrate the minting process. Another activity involved using an electronic coin scale to sort 1982 cents into copper and zinc planchet varieties. Another time we passed around a number of valuable
colonial and U.S. type coins, including gold, so each kid could see them first hand.
The kids and parents were very appreciative, and we intend to continue the Kids Club sessions next year.
Summary
P.A.N. has been making some good progress with young numismatists, particularly in the Pittsburgh region where our shows are held. We have other ideas we're working on, such as essay and exhibit contests, and a com show Scavenger Hunt modeled after a program created by the Numismatic Association of Southern California. For more information on the programs, check the PAN web site or call:
Coins For A' s C/o Don Carlucci 40 1 Meadow Street Cheswick PA 15024
Coins for Kids Kids Club C/o Mr. Chick Ainbrass Troy Hill Pharmacy (412) 231-1559
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MONEY TALKS: The Numismatic Radio Show
MONEY TALKS is a one-minute radio spot produced by the A.N.A. in Colorado Springs. They run daily, and each covers a different topic related to coins, medals, tokens or paper money. It began on Public Radio in 1992, and now reaches more than 500 stations across the United States.
This one was broadcast July 13, 1998:
JAMES AND LflURR FRHSER DESIGNED SIR UNITED STATES COINS by Bill Jones
Most married couples don’t share an occupation or careers. But one couple, James and Laura Fraser, together or in- diuidually, designed six United States coins.
James Fraser is best known for his masterpiece, the Buffalo Nickel. One side features the most authentic portrait of a Natiue American that euer appeared on a United States coin, fl buffalo, or bison, is on the back.
Laura Fraser stood in her husband’s shadow during the early years of their marriage, but in the 1920s, her artistic talents emerged. She designed com- memoratiue half dollars for the Alabama Centennial and for Fort Uancouuer, and a commemoratiue half dollar and dollar for President Grant.
In 1925, Mrs. Fraser and her husband combined their talents to design the Oregon Trail commemoratiue half dollar. It features the full figure of a Natiue American standing in front of a map of the United States. Many col- lectors and art critics belieue this coin is among the most beautiful United States coins.
In 1931, Congress authorized the
If you’d like to hear the show on your local airwaves, write to your public broadcasting station and request MONEY TALKS. It’s provided free of charge. For info, contact: Education Director, American Numismatic Assn., 818 North Cascade Ave., Colo. Springs, CO 80903. (Phone (719) 632-2646)
Washington quarter, to be introduced in 1932 on the 200th anniuersary of our first President’s birth. The Treas- ury Department and the Washington Bicentennial Commission sponsored a design contest, and Mrs. Fraser’s pro- posal won.
Unfortunately, Secretary of the Treas- ury Andrew Mellon demanded another competition be held. When Mrs. Fraser’s design won a second time, Mellon personally saw to it that a design by his friend John Flanagan was selected. Although Flanagan’s work was inferior to Mrs. Fraser’s, his design has appeared on the Washing- ton quarter for the last 65 years.
Recently, a proposal was adopted to issue a special series of quarters that will honor each of the 50 states. This might be a good time to reuiue Laura Fraser’s design for the Washington quarter.
This has been “Money Talks.” Today’s program was written by Bill Jones and underwritten by Whitman Coin Products, a diuision of Golden Books, the leading publisher of coin reference books since 1941. “Money Talks” is a copyrighted production of the American Numismatic Assn., 818 North Cascade Auenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903, 719/632- 2646 ana @ money org, http: //www, money, org **************************************
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Fraser Designs
From top down, James Fraser’s Buffalo Nickel; Laura Fraser’s Alabama and Fort Vancouver Commemorative Halves; their Oregon Trail Comment. (done jointly). At bottom: James Fraser’s “End of the Trail” statue, done when he was 17 years old!
Show Calendar
Ian. 7-10 - Orlando, FL - FUN (Florida United Numismatists) Show, Orange County Convention Center. Ian. 2 1-24 - Strasburg. PA - 12th Annual Stock & Bond Show, Strasburg Inn, Route 896.
April 10.11 - Lancaster, PA - Central PA Numis.Assn. Show, Farm & Home Center, Rte. 72 at Rte. 30. May 7.8.9 - Monroeville. PA -
PAN CONVENTION. Pittsburgh Expo Mart, Business Route 22 (PA Turnpike Exit 6).
May 22 - Lancaster. PA - Red Rose C.C. Spring Show, Farm & Home Center, Rte. 72 at Rte. 30.
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Gerald T. Krupa - Numismatist
Rare U.S. Coinage Buy • Sell • Appraise
P O Box 839 Lemont. PA 1(S85 1-0839
Member ANA. PAN
(814! 238-2988
Experience - Integrity - Service
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CLARION ADVTG. |
DATES & |
RATES |
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(Now published 4 times |
a year) |
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AD DEADLINES: |
2/1; 5/1; |
8/1; 11/ |
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AD RATES: |
1 AD |
4 Ads |
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Business Card |
$10. |
$30. |
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Quarter Page |
15. |
50. |
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Half Page |
30. |
100. |
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Full Page |
50. |
170. |
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Back Cover |
65. |
230. |
Mail Ads to:
Dick Duncan, Editor 611 Fairway Drive Lancaster, FA 17603
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Red Rose C.C. Medal Honors Olympic Champion
Red Rose Coin Club of Lancaster, PA re- cently issued its 33rd annual com- memorative medal - the latest in an impressive series that -has continued every year since 1966.
The 1998 medal, issued in solid Silver (.999 Fine) and Bronze, honors Lancastrian “Barney” Ewell (1918-1996) who was a track and field superstar in high school, college and the Olympics.
At McCaskey High School, he set records in the 100 and 220 yard dashes as well as the long jump. At Pennsylvania State University (1939-42), he was a 9-time collegiate All- American. He won 12 gold medals in NCAA competition, and 11 more in AAU com- petition.
He set or tied world records in the 50 and 60 yard dashes and 100 meters.
Most likely, he would have set several records in the Olympics, but the games were canceled in 1940 and 1944 due to World War II. He served in the U. S. Army during the war.
After the war, he returned to Penn State, earning a degree in physical education in 1946.
He qualified for the 1948 Olympics, and while doing so he tied the world record of 10.2 seconds set by Jesse Owens in the 100 meters.
At the Olympics in London (at age 31), Barney won silver medals in the 100 meter and 200 meter dashes, and a gold medal in the 400 meter relay, running with Lorenzo Wright, Harrison Dillard and Mel Patton. In the 100 meter dash, he thought he had won,
Red Rose President Kerry Wetterstrom holds the club’s medal honoring “Barney” Ewell.
but when the judges said he was edged by Dillard, he promptly gave warm congrat- ulations to the winner - a gesture of sports- manship praised by many people.
He was inducted into the Track and Field Hall of Fame in Tampa, FL in 1997. He was class- ified as one of America's 10 all-time greatest sprinters by U S. Track and Field News.
The medals, produced in classic silver dollar size (39 mm or 1.5 inches in diameter) were minted in the following quantities: 150 in
solid silver, and 300 in bronze. The reverse side of the medal shows the club’s red rose design and the date issued - 1998. They were produced at the Franklin Mint.
The club is proud that its medals include fine detail and are historically accurate. Each medal is issued with an information card providing the history of the medal’s subject.
These medals proved very popular, and were quickly sold out. The club's address is P O. Box 621, Lancaster, PA 17608-0621.
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MEDALS RECALL “GOLD RUSH”. . .ALSO ISSUED IN GOLD !
“General” John A. Sutter is remem- bered in history for owning a fort and a sawmill on California’s Amer- ican River - where in 1848, his partner, James Marshall, found gold, starting the 1849 “Gold Rush.” Most people (except in Pennsylvania) probably don’t know that Sutter spent his last years in Lititz, Lan- caster County, PA. He’s buried there.
A Wild. Lawless Era The majority of people did not get rich from the “Gold Rush.” Sutter was one of the unlucky ones. In fact, as countless thousands of “49ers” streamed into the area, they tramp- led his grain, stole his cattle and even tore down his barns to build shanties. Sutter fought through the courts for recompense - in California and Washington, D.C. - but he was not successful. He died a poor man.
Franklin Mint Medals Lancaster’s Red Rose Coin Club will remember Sutter and The Gold Rush of 150 years ago, with its 1999 commemorative medal. It will be produced at the Franklin Mint - in classic Silver Dollar size (1 ounce, 39 mm - or 1.5” - in diameter). It will be issued in solid silver (.999 fine) and bronze, as the club has done annually since 1966. The medals will have a Proof finish, and each silver medal will be serially numbered on the edge.
Gold Medals, too Because it commemorates “The Gold Rush,” however, this medal will also be issued in pure gold (.999 fine).
Design of Red Rose Coin Club medal. The reverse will show the club’s rose design and the date of issue - 1999.
The quantities to be issued are:
150 in solid silver; 350 in bronze; and the number of gold medals will equal the number ordered (and paid for) by February 1, 1999.
Prices, including taxes and postage: $10 for a bronze medal; $40 for a set of one silver and one bronze (The silver is sold only in a set.); and $425 per gold medal. Every medal comes with an information card (3.5” X 5.5”) which provides a history of the subject on the medal. The medals will be delivered (and mailed) about June 1, 1999.
Award-Winning Medal Series This will be the first time in the club’s 40-year history that it has issued a medal in gold. The club is proud of its medals (which won a Freedoms Foundation Award in 1979) - boasting fine detail and historical accuracy.
Medals may be ordered from the Red Rose Coin Club, P.O. Box 621,
Lancaster, PA 17608-0621. *******************
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New, Updated Edition of Confederate Money Book
A new, updated ninth edition of Confeder- ate States Paper Money has been issued for use by novice as well as advanced collectors. Written by Arlie Slabaugh, it’s a price guide and historical reference, featuring up-to-date pricing for hundreds of notes in up to six grades of condition.
The softcover book (6” by 9” in size)has 248 pages and more than 200 photos to aid in identification. It features separate chapters on 16 states from Alabama to West Virginia, as well as the Arizona and Indian territories, offering brief histories and illustrated currency listings and values.
The book may be purchased at book- stores or directly from the publisher, for $19.95. Add $3.25 shipping. Order from Krause Publications, Book Dept. NQR8, 700 East State St., lola, Wl 54990-0001.
New Standard Catalog on 19th Century World Coins
The Standard Catalog of World Coins is now available in an updated 19th century volume. Providing current prices for virtually every coin produced from 1801 to 1900, as well as mintage figures, histori- cal notes and other useful information, the 8-1/2” by 11” softcover book has 1,184 pages.
This new presentation of 19th century coins represents a combination of more than 25 years of research, data accum- ulation and photography - making it the most complete, up-to-date book offered in the English language. First published in 1972, the Standard Catalog grew in size so that one volume could no longer hold all the information - so separate books now cover 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th cent- ury coins. Buy at bookstores, or for $45 plus $3.25 shipping from the publisher, Krause Publications, Book Dept. NRR8, 700 E. State St., lola, Wl 54990-0001.
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We are BUYING
U.S. Gold Coins
★ U.S Proof gold coins all dates.
★ Rare date circulated gold coins
★ All U.S. gold, especially high quality pieces
U.S. Silver Coins
★ All proof sets 1831-1989
★ All U.S. Bust coinage
★ U.S. Commemorative coins
★ Walking liberty halves, silver dollars, mercury dimes, etc. Original rolls or single specimens
★ All sets or part collections
Foreign Coins
★ Choice uncirculated world gold prior to 1933
★ World crown prior to 1900 in choice condition
if Oriental gold coins
★ Quality Canadian gold
★ All modern foreign gold
The above is but a brief listing of our needs. If you have coins you wish to sell . . call for an appointment. We will appraise your coins by todays market values. Prices offered depend on the type of coin, rarity and condition of the coin. We urgently need single coins, complete sets, entire collections. We’ll gladly meet with you in our office, your bank or attorney’s office.
Call 299-1211 for an appointment
STFJNMEI COINS
350 Centemlle Rd. — Lancaster, PA
Appraisers for banks, attorneys, trusts & estates
Member of PCGS — ANA and NGCA