22 years
of service to numismatics
NI
BULLETIN
[ NUMISMATICS INTERNATIONAL
IOUNDIO lt*4
Volume 21 Number 3 ISSN: 0197-3088 Price .... Two Dollars
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURES
An Introduction to Byzantine Coinage, No. 23,
by I. C. G. Campbell 54
Reference Books for the Oriental Cash Collector,
by Ken G. 0 Brien 59
Two Early Devotional Medals, by R. J. Hebevt 56
Why Some Romans were Bearded or Clean-shaven, by R. R. Kuteher 63
DEPARTMENTS
Book News 66
Book Reviews 71
Contents of the NI Reference Collection 65
Member Notice Page 72
INSIDE N. I .
Book News & Reviews Editor to Resign by Late Spring, 1987 53
Donations Report 51
Librarian's Report 51
Membership Chairman's Report 51
Message from Librarians of NI's Three Libraries 53
OTHER ITEMS
Achilleus 64
Alderney Pattern Coins 64
Athena/Owl Coinage of Athens 62
The Baths of Alexander Severus 53
"Bicipites" 55
A BIT OF HISTORY. Silver Threepence for the Christmas
Pudding, by Ruth McQuade 58
i A Dupondius with "Aerterni tas" 58
Earth Structures that Can be Seen from the Moon 64
Korean Summer Olympics Coinage Program 64
A New King for the Parthians 70
The Ritual of the Concord 72
-
Copyrighted by Numismatics International, P.O. Box 670013, Dallas, Texas USA 75367-0013
MARCH 1987
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
WM. B. THOMPSON Chairman & Past President
C.C. ANDREWS ROBERT W. RICHTER
President Vice-President
214-357-1379
ROSS SCHRAEDER Secretary
DON C. DOUGLAS At- Large- Director
WILLIAM E. BENSON MARVIN L. FRALEY JACK E. LEWIS JOHN E. VANDIGRIFF
CHARLES MUCHMORE Treasurer
LEE GROSSMAN At- Large-Director
KARYT. EDWARDS PHILIP L. LAWRENCE ELMORE B. SCOTT CARL YOUNG
Past-Presidents
APPOINTED STAFF
Curator, Nl REFERENCE COLLECTION Philip L. Lawrence
Curator, JOHN GRAVES MEMORIAL
PAPER MONEY COLLECTION David Block P. O. Box 12473 Gainesville, Florida 32602
Editor, Nl BULLETIN Marvin L. Fraley, N.L.G.
2813 - 57th St.
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Article Editor, Nl BULLETIN Fred Drost, N.L.G.
1 10 Ridgefield St.
Meriden, Connecticut 06450 Phone - 203-235-7565
Book News & Reviews Editor,
Nl BULLETIN David A. Coia P.O. Box 02113 Columbus, Ohio 43202-0113
Article Abstractor, Nl BULLETIN Joseph Uphoff La Jolla, California
Index Compiler, Nl BULLETIN Dick Schubert Denver, Colorado
Publicity Chairman Stuart T. Eisen Phone - 301-530-5400
Librarian, Nl BOOK LIBRARY Granvyl G. Hulse, Jr.
30 Pleasant St.
Colebrook, N.H. 03576
Librarian, Nl CATALOG SUB-LIBRARY Donald H. Mead 323 N. Estelle Wichita, Kansas 67214 Librarian, Nl PERIODICAL LIBRARY Jim Haley P.O. Box 4057
St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819
Mail Bid Sales Carl Young P. O. Box 1836 Dallas, Texas 75221
Nl Publications Chairman Randolph Zander
N.I.C.E. General Chairman Charles Muchmore, Jr.
P. O. Box 6094 Richardson, Texas 75080
Photographer, Nl BULLETIN Dick Hanscom P. O. Box 2832 Fairbanks, Alaska 99707 Moderator, N.l. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM William F. Spengler 2032 Ridgeway Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Correspondence should be directed to those persons and addresses above for depart- ments indicated. All other correspondence should be mailed direct to NUMISMATICS INTERNATIONAL, P. O. Box 670013, DALLAS, TX 75367-0013
MEMBERSHIP FEE: Individual & Club Membership - $15.00 Annually. Junior Member- ship (18 years of age and under) - $10.00 Annually. Senior Membership (70 years of age and over) - $10.00 Annually.
50
INSIDE N.I.
MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
March, 1987 Applications for Membership; The following persons have appYied for memb’ersTii p . Tf no written objections are received by May 1, 1987, their membership will become effective on that date.
2219- MT Norman R, Dahlquist, P, 0. Box 566, Tonasket, Wash. 98855
(Crowns, Older Foreign Coins)
2220- MT Amr Khalifa, P. 0. Box 783, Portland, Oregon 97207
(Egypt After 1917)
2221^MT Ken Bernard, c/o San Diego W & S, P. 0, Box 80512, San Diego, Calif. 92138 -*-• (Ancients, English)
2222tMT Thomas G. Swain, P, 0. Box 15502, Kansas City, Mo. 15502 (Ancient Greek & Roman, Crusaders, Russia)
******
DONAT I ONS REPORT
We wish to acknowledge report;
Name
GABRISCH, Dr. Karl HERZ, Howard MAC KENZIE, Kenneth M. SINGER, Gordon A. WESTERGAARD, J, B.
the following donati
Type of Donation
$.50 Cash $50.00 Cash $2.50 Cash $10.00 Cash $12.00 Cash
*****
received since the last
Preference of Use
General Operating Fund General Operating Fund General Operating Fund NI Library Fund
NI BULLETIN Fund
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
I. Acknowledgement is made below to those who have donated material to the NI Library:
Joel Anderson
KB70.LamR:1983:CHK LAM, ROBERT P.F.
The currency of Hong Kong. (Text in English and Chinese.) Pub. 1983, 140pp, illus.
Francois van Hoof
JM90.VolJ:R987:MK V0L0CHINSKY, JACOB
Les monnaies de Kiev.
1987 reprint of 1853 work. Translated by Francois van Hoof. 44pp, w/plates.
51
Raymond J. HJbert
BC90.PauA:1966 ;MPIS PAUTASSO, ANDREA
Le monete preromane dell 'Italia settentrionale.
(Celtic coinage. District of Massalia or Masaliot type coins in North Italy, 3rd-lst Century B.C.)
Pub. 1966, 162pp, w/102 plates.
RA40 .MaNG ; 1977 : EIM MAGYAR NEMZETI GALERIA
L' exposition international de la medaille du XVIIe congress de la FIDEM a Budapest. (In Rumanian and French.)
Pub. 1977, 235pp, w/plates.
Randolph Zander
RI80 . Spi S : R962 : CPM SPINK & SON, LTD.
A descriptive catalogue of Papal medals.
1962 reprint of 1898 work, 1 2 3pp , i 11 us .
FB65 . WooH : 1921 :MRC WOOD, HOWLAND
The Mexican revolutionary coinage 1913-1916 .
ANS Numismatic Notes & Monographs, #4. Pub. 1921, 44pp, w/plates.
FB65. WooH :1 928 :CMR WOOD, HOWLAND
The coinage of the Mexican revolutionists.
ANS Numismatic Notes & Monographs, #38. Pub. 1928, 53pp, w/plates.
FC60.WooH:1923:TC WOOD, HOWLAND
The Tegucigalpa coinage of 1823.
ANS Numismatic Notes & Monographs, #18. Pub. 1923, 16pp, w/2 plates.
JE97. JolC:R967 :MMM JOLIVOT , C.
Medailles et monnaies de Monaco.
1967 reprint of 1885 work. 98pp, ill us.
JC80. JonL : 1975 :E14M
JONSON, LARS-INGVAR/LAGERQVIST, LARS 0.
Erik XIV 's mynt med "Goteborqsmotiv. "
Pub. 1975, 84pp , illus.
II. In addition to the above we would also like to thank David Briggs, Raymond Hubert, Scott Cordry and Thomas Schil linger for their donations of additional numismatic material to the NI Library.
III. Your Librarian needs a Greek translator. We have two books for which we need the titles translated and a very short line or two about the contents. Anyone interested in helping, please drop the Librarian a line.
Secondly, members will note that in some cases the first name of an author is not given - only an initial. That is because we have been
52
unable to determine the first name of the author. When this happens, if a member is sure of the correct first name, we would appreciate your dropping us a line.
Granvyl G, Hulse, Jr. NI Book Librarian
MESSAGE FROM LIBRARIANS OF NI'S THREE LIBRARIES
’ — • — r-T ’ — - - ^ ^ • r - t-i - — ■ - " ~ — -r- ■»- «■ — "■ ■ » — — ■: ■ .... , -
We are currently in the process of reviewing the methods in which we acknowledge donations to the three libraries of NI. If any member is considering a donation to the libraries, we ask that you temporarily hold up sending the material until our review process is completed.
We should have the necessary information to publish in next month's report. Thank you for your cooperation.
★ ★★★★
BOOK NEWS & REVIEWS EDITOR TO RESIGN BY LATE SPRING, 1987
David A. Coia has been heading up our Book News & Reviews sections since December, 1985. It is with regret that David has advised he will have to resign sometime late this spring. His time will be demanding while studying for his master's exam in August at Ohio State University. After leaving OSU he tentatively is planning on leaving for Japan for a period of 6 to 12 months. We will miss David's expertise in editing the Book News & Reviews sections and wish him well in his studies and travels.
Your editor will be pleased to hear from interested persons who might be available to fill this important position. We would hope that we can locate a qualified person as soon as possible so that they will be able to work with David the next 2-3 months in a smooth transition of the job.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ THE BATHS OF ALEXANDER SEVERUS
The Emperor Alexander Severus is re- corded to have built many noble structures in Rome, and to have re- stored the works of the earlier Emperors. Amongst the noble works was the baths of Alexander Severus, which remains can still be seen in the "Palazzo di Medici". A repre- sentation of these baths is handed down to us on the reverses of sil- ver and bronze coins of Alexander. The one sho wn here is from his second consul tship which corresponds to A. D. 226.
(Submitted by R. R. Kutcher)
53
AN INTRODUCTION TO BYZANTINE COINAGE
I. C. G. Campbell , Lincoln, Nebraska, NI #LMt12
No. 23 - LEO IV THE KHAZAR (775-780)
Associated with his own father since 751, he succeeded him as sole ruler in 775 but a year later associated his infant son to ensure the succes- sion as his own health was poor, perhaps consumptive.
He appeared on many coins but had few of his own and never, as far as is known, alone in this period of "family coins".
He too was an iconoclast but less ruthless than his father and he left off persecuting the monks. Although his two step-brothers had taken the strictest oaths of loyalty, they intrigued against himself and his son, were caught but pardoned. In 778 Leo soundly defeated the Arabs but the effort undermined his frail health and he died soon afterwards , leaving his masterful wife, the Athenian Irene, as Regent for his son.
The Coinage
The coinage follows the same style and pattern as that of his father, a multiplicity of busts, including preceeding generations sothat sometimes the coinage is confusing.
The Coins
Only the capital and Syracuse minted coins for this reign.
GOLD:
This was struck only at Constantinople. There are two types of solidus and no other gold.
a) Leo IV and his Constantine VI, the latter beardless. They both wear the Chlamys and the legend reads:
Obverse: L60b VSS€SOb CObSoAbolbOS O b€OS (vssesob) (variants)
"Leo, son and grandson, Constantine the Younger"
Reverse: Busts facing of Leo III and Constantine V, each
wearing the Loros. The legend reads:
L€0 PAP CObSoAbolbOS PAoHR (variants)
"Leo grandfather, Constantine, father"
Type a Type b
Constantinople
Reverse Both types Solidus
54
b) Obverse - Leo and Constantine as before but on a double throne. Reverse - Same as a).
SILVER:
Only the miliaresion, struck in the capital, The obverse is the Cross Potens and it is distinguished from that struck by Leo III, and Constantine V, in that the longer cross-bar makes the cross square in appearance. Again the reverse legend is in five lines and reads:
Leon— scObSo-Aboibee ceeHbA— silis (variants)
"Leo and Constantine, by the grace of God, Kings"
Mi'liavesion - Obv,
Constantinople COPPER :
CONSTANTINOPLE: The coins bear no legends (no space) and follow,
otherwise, exactly the same pattern for the obverses as the two solidi. On the reverse, however, the forbears have smaller busts to make room for the "M" flanked by letters. There are two types of the foil is.
a) The "M" is flanked by an "X" and "N" with an "A" below, while the busts are flanked by "B" and "A".
Follis 3 Type a) Type b)
b) No "B" or "A" in the field, sometimes two pellets instead.
J5 F. Two types exactly the same as the follis. Type a) has no "B" or "A" but is 17mm in diameter and weighing 2-3 grams.
For so short a reign the copper is relatively common.
SYRACUSE. Probably a follis and the same as type a) of Constantinople, but beneath the bar is C I K.
Note : It is important to note that no only may the legends themselves
have variants in this period, but also the forms of the individual letters may vary from coin to coin, i.e. from die to die, depending on the skill of the die cutter and the texture of the coin.
*********************************************************************
"BICIPITES"; The so-called "Bicipites" are Roman coins which have head's on' both sides. A good coin for a gambler.
55
TWO EARLY DEVOTIONAL MEDALS
R. J. Hebert, Washington, D.C.
"This age thinks better of a gilded fool
Than of a threadbare saint in wisdom's school."
Thomas Decker
Old Fortunatus (1600)
1. Bronze, 44 x 39mm., octagonal with transverse loop.
Obverse
One-half length haloed figure cla^d in Franciscan garb facing left and hold- ing a crucifix in his left hand. His right hand is raised in blessing.
Latin legend: S PETRVS DE. A/LCANTERA.
O.P.N., i.e., "Saint Peter of Alcantra, pray for us."
St. Peter was born in 1499 at Alcantra in Estre Madura, Spain and he died October 18, 1562. At the age of 15 he became a Franciscan Observant, and after his ordination in 1524, he in- itiated at Pedrosa a still more severe Franciscan reform which was known as Alcantrine and received papal approval. In 1539 he founded the first convent of "Strict Observance".
He is remembered as one of the group of great Spanish mystics and his treatise on prayer was much valued, being used by St. Francis de Sales (1566-1622). St. Peter encouraged and defended St. Teresa of Avila (1515- 1582) whose confessor and admirer he was. She held him in great esteen and we are told that she spoke in awe of his austerities and penances as "in- comprehensible to the human mind." These had reduced him, she said, to a condition in which he looked as if "he had been made of the roots of trees." Peter's feast day is October 19. He was canonized in 1669.
Reverse
One-half length haloed figure clad in Carmelite garb facing left, both hands raised and holding what may be the white veil, symbol of purity, which
Obverse: St. Peter of Alcantra
56
Reverse: St. Mary-
Magdalen of Pazzi
was presented to her by the Virgin in a vision. She is looking up at rays emanating from the upper right field. Latin legend: S. MARIA. M/
AGDALENA. D. PAZZI.
St. Mary-Magdalen was born in 1566 and died in 1607 (May 25). She was a native of Florence where she became a Discalced (Barefooted) Carme- lite of Santa Maria deg 1 i Angeli at the age of 16. It is said that throughout her life she was subject to remarkable mystical experiences and was tried with many kinds of suffering - spiritual and physical.
Her biographers report that she filled various conventual offices with remarkable ability. Her feast day is May 29. Mary-Magdalen was can- onized in 1669.
This piece could have been issued in 1669 to celebrate the canonization of both in that year.
2. Bronze, 54 x 41 mm., oval with transverse loop.
Obverse
One-half length crowned and haloed long-haired female figure clad in classical garb facing front, holding a feather-pen in her right hand, and an open book, resting on a table, in her left. Italian legend: SAN/TA.QVITERIA.VERG.E.MART, , i.e., "Saint Quiteria, Virgin and Martyr"
St. Quiteria is a Spanish saint who is greatly venerated on the borders of France and Spain, especially in Spanish and French Navarre. We are told by the Benedictine monks of St. Augustine's Abbey, Ramsgate, that her traditional story is wholly untrustworthy . Her feast day is May 22
Reverse
The reverse depicts the Adoration of the Magi.
The fabric of this piece suggests that it is also mid-seventeenth century.
Obverse: Saint Quiteria
Reverse: Adoration of the Magi
57
Notes
See pages 480, 570, and 595 of The Book of Saints, A Dictionary of Persons Canonized or Beatified by the Catholic Church. Compiled by the Benedictine Monks of St. Augustine's abbey, Ramsgate. 5th Ed.
New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Co. Kuncze knew both these pieces. For
St. Peter of Alcantra, he noted on page 363 the following:
Petrus Meant. I. Kalendermed. 19. Okt. — II. Der Heilige kniet vor einem Kreuz; Rev. 1. Franciscus de Paulla.
— 2. Margarita Corton. — 3. Paschalis. — III. Halbfig.
Rev. 1. Mater Christi. — 2. Paschalis Bail. — III. Andere Reverse: 1. Magdalena Pazzi (Burghart.) — 2. Dominicus den hi. Franc. Assisi umarmend (Burghart.)
and on page 370 for St. Quiteria the following:
Quiteria (Virg. et Mart. Hisp.) 1. Mi t 8 Genossen, s.
36. Ordn. XI — 2. Rev. Anton von Padua. (Burghart. ) —
— 3. Coll. Maxe-Werly in Paris.
******** ****************************************************** *******
A BIT OF HISTORY:
SILVER THREEPENCE FOR THE CHRISTMAS PUDDING Ruth McQuade, F.R.N.S. , Ottawa, Canada
(Reprinted with permission from the City of Ottawa C.C. Bulletin, 1/74)
There were 70,000,000 missing British silver 3d bits (as of 1973), which the Royal Mint thought were still in existence.
After the introduction of the 12-sided nickel brass 3d piece in 1937, the two types were issued side by side for some years, but the striking of silver pieces ceased in 1944, and issues for the nickel brass continued to rise.
No silver 3d pieces were held in reserve in the cash reserves of the Bank of England, but every December there are still isolated re- quests for the silver 3d for putting in the Christmas pudding.
(A. Ed.: The 3d piece, except for the Maundy issues , has not been struck for circulation since Decimalisation in 1971.)
*********************************************************************
A DUP0NDIUS WITH "AERTERNITAS"
A dupondius of Domitian has on its reverse "AETERNITAS" and the goddess Eterni ry facing with the sun in one hand and the moon in the other. Thus showing that "SOL", the sun, and "LUNA", the moon, were eternal, as was though the rest of the gods and goddesses of their pantheon .
(Submitted by R. R. Kutcher)
58
REFERENCE BOOKS FOR THE ORIENTAL CASH COLLECTOR
Ken G. 0 Brien, Strathfield, N.S.W., AUSTRALIA, NI #1409
One of the problems for the Oriental Cash collector who does not speak/read Chinese is reference books.
A main feature of cash collecting is in the varieties, and this is where the lack of information becomes apparent. Illustrations are given in Lockhart of a range of variations, with no explanation as to what feature makes a particular coin unique. It could be the metal, rim, hole, size, thickness, weight, calligraphy, or other difference.
Schjoth is the standard reference, giving weights and explanations for varieties, but as the illustrations are sketched, they are not accurate enough for all calligraphy differences. Some dealers iden- tify coins with Schjoth numbers from the illustrations, ignoring (or ignorant of) the weights; so we have, for example, S79-81 or S612-13 or S622-23 with weight differences of 100%, that are of similar ap- pearance. Where Schjoth and Lockhart are lacking, it is necessary to look around. For the Yuan dynasty. Ting Fu Pao has a good listing (unfortunately, the text is in Chinese). Also, many other coins well known to Chinese collectors, e.g., "Huo Chuan - 4mm. thick 'biscuit' TFP.55," are not mentioned in the standard reference.
For Sinkiang and the later Manchu dynasty, Krause/Mishler had a good listing in Province order, but in the newest edition I have (1985 ed.) they have eliminated the early emperors, who will be restored when they produce a volume covering the earlier period.
Where references differ, the collector is in an interesting position, such as during the Min dynasty, rulers of a small area, ca. 932-46 AD, are not mentioned by Schjoth or Mitchiner — Cresswell gives two ill us trations stating that only two rulers issued coins -- Plant gives il- lustrations of three rulers' coins.
Romanization of the Chinese script is an area where a reference guide would be very helpful.
An alphabetical listing comparing Wade-Giles -- Pin-Yin -- Cantonese - Vietnamese -- with different Chinese scripts would provide a worth- while tool for the collector, Schjoth gives the Mandarin romanization for the Annam coinage. Most Chinese in Australia use the Mandarin romanization. Coins with the Mandarin inscription Chia Hsia Chvng Pao would be given as Jia Xi Zhong Bao (Pin-Yin) - Ga Hi Chong Bao (Cantonese) - and as Gia Hi Trung Bao (Vietnamese) in the respective listings.
With cash-type Charms, after translating the characters, the collector tries to explain the purpose and the symbolism intended, and for this reference books are essential.
I have compiled a personal listing of obtainable reference books, with a brief summary of the principal features. It would be interesting to hear from other collectors who would like to criticize or add to the list.
59
1. Books dealing with Cash of ALL countries:
SCHJOTH , F. CHINESE CURRENCY - Folio USA - 1965 Revision - Vi rail Hancock. The standard reference - numbered - text with explana- tions of variations - weights given - illustrations are sketchy and not exact. Also covers cash of Japan - Korea - Annam - Chinese Charms. Lacking in Sinkiang - weak with Yuan and late Ch'ing.
MITCHINER, M. ORIENTAL COINS. 3 Vols. Folio, London - 1977, '78, '79.
Vol . I. ISLAM - Cash type issues of Malaysia - Indonesia. Mer- chant's tokens.
Vol. II. CHINA 600 BC to 600 AD. Comprehensive coveraae.
Vol. III. 600 AD to Date. Japan - Korea - Vietnam - Malay - Thai - and Charms.
Good photographs with much historical background - Gives weiahts and values.
TING FU PAO. Catalogue of Ancient Coins - 8vo - Standard reference in the Chinese language - well illustrated - strona in Tatar - Mongol - also Korea - Japan - Annam.
KRAUSE-MI SHLER . Standard Catalog of World Coins. Large 4to. Annual (1985) Edition - wide selection with varieties from 1750 to present - classified by provinces. Includes Sinkiang - Japan - Korea - Vietnam - Malay etc. Establishing KM number reference. Also using Craig (C#).
CRAIG, WD. Coins of the World 1750 - 1850. 1976 4to. USA. 3rd Ed. (o/pri nt) . Standard reference - China - Japan - Korea - Annam - and Sinkiang.
PLANT , RJ . Greek , Semitic, Asian Coins, and hew to read them. 1979. 4to. NYC. Illustrates coins of China - Japan - Korea - Annam etc., with explanations of script, dating, etc. Very handy.
C00LE, AB. Coins in China's History. 1965 Reprint. Folio, Kan- sas printed. China mainly, with sections on Japan - Korea - Charms. Many valuable lists - Manchu mint names - reign titles - dynasty charts .
2. Books - Cash of CHINA only
LOCKHART, JHS. Lockhart Collection of Chinese Copper Coins, 1975 Renrint. Folio, USA. A standard reference with more accurate illus- trations by engraved blocks but no explanations in text. Strong in Manchu and early Knives and Spades.
CRESSWELL, 0D. Chinese Cash, 1971. 8vo wrappers. Ill pp. Spink London, England. Comprehensive illustrations reduced in size - good text - index - history. Pocket size for travelling.
BERGER, VI. Ch'ing Cash until 1735. 1976 Folio. Hong Kong.
Five emperors in vast detail by mints. Thousands of illustrations.
TSAI, ORLANDO, Illust. of Ancient Chinese Coins. 1973. 8vo. Chi- nese language - well illustrated - English index.
60
JORGENSEN, H. Ancient Chinese Coins. Folio. Broad coveraoe in a slim volume of 26 pp.
XIN HUA PUBLISHING HOUSE, A History of Chinese Currency, 1983, 4to, Hone Kong. Full range of coins in high Duality colour photographs, (in Pin Yin.
LA COUPERI E , T. , Catalogue of Chinese Coins, 1892 Folio, British Museum. BC to 621 AD. Detailed history and drawings of early coins. (Hard to get)
3_. Books. Cash of Individual Countries:
ANN AM (Vietnam) Cash only
TODA , E . , Annan and its Minor Currency, 1882. Reprint in East Asia Journal, No. 6, 1983, Bruce Smith, Editor.
Comprehensive history - good illustrations - prices - cross re- ference to other listings.
NOVAK, J . A. , Working Aid for Collectors of Annamese Coins. Small 8vo. USA. True to title - excellent sequence chart index. Cross- references to listings in other books.
GLOVER, G.B. 1895 3 vols.) SCHROEDER, A, 1905 )
Both volumes out of print and expensive. Reprints elusive.
a. JAPAN Cash only
MUNRO, N.G. , Coins in Japan, 1904, 8vo. - Yokahama - Reprints ob- tainable. Standard English reference - covers cash and Charms.
JACOBS & VERMEULE, Japanese Coinage, 1972, 8vo. NY. Short detailed section on Cash coins.
POLDER, L.V.E. , History of Japanese Copper Coins, 1891. Reorinted in East Asia Journal , No. 7, Edited by Bruce Smith, 1984. History - text - illustrations.
b. KOREA Cash only
MANDEL, E. J . , Cast Coinage of Korea, 1972, 8vo. USA. Standard English-language reference. Lots of lists - helpful - numismatic di cti onary.
a. SINKIANG Cash' only
VALENTINE, W.H. , Modem Copper Coins - Muhammadan States, 1911, 8vo. Reprinted (Spinks & OIN, 1969). Brief history - text - explanations - illustrations.
a. SOUTH EAST ASIA only
PRIDMORE, F., Native Coinages of the Malay Peninsular, 1969/1973, Spinks' Numismatic Circular.
Xerox copies obtainable. Brief history - text - explanations - illus- trations.
61
MI LUES , H . C . , Monnaies des Indigenes Archip. Indien. Folio. (Hard to getT- French text - Cash from Borneo - Banqka - T Jirebon - illus- trati ons .
4. Books: Cash-type CHARMS
SCHJOTH, F. , Chinese Currency, incl. 2 sections on Charms - text - il lustrati ons .
MITCHINER, M, , Oriental Coins , Vol . Ill - Section on China Charms few Korean - Annam.
REMMELTS, A. A. , Chinese Charms & Amulets. 1968 Small 8vo. Amster- dam, The Netherlands. Good illustrations with lengthy text explan- ati ons .
RAMSDEN, H.A., Corean Charms - Amulets. 8vo. Reprint. 1963. Kansas. Comprehensive listing with illustrations - English translation.
PETIT , Karl , Amulettes Talismans etc. 3 1976 8vo. Mons. (French language) . Illustrations of Chinese and Japanese Amulets with ex- planati ons.
TSAI , ORLANDO , Illus. Ancient Chinese Coins. Small section at end on charms.
Munro, N.G. , Coins of Japan. Has chapter on Ornamental Coins.
COOLE, A.B. , Coins in China's History. Some Charms - odd shapes.
WILLIAMS, C.A.S. , Chinese Symbolism & Art Motives. 8vo. 1976 re- print - Japan - Tuttle. Comprehensive background information - i llustrated.
(A. Ed. Note: You might also add to this listing 3 under Japan: Cash Only- Mike Jones' Shin Kanei Tsuho, 1985 s which he bills as the 'first' English-language book on these mostly common but difficult coins (for Western eyes anyway!). Varieties galore.
******************************************************************** ATHENA/QWL COINAGE OF ATHENS
Around 520 B.C. the "Wappenmunsen" coinage of Athens was replaced by coins with the helmeted head of Athena on the obverse, and her owl on
the reverse. These coins, now cal- led the archaic style, have the first three letters of Athens on their reverses. This explicitly Athenian design with the partial name of its origin was intended to serve for foreign trade, whereas the "Wappenmunsen" coins were intended more for the local trade only.
(Submitted by R. R. Kutcher)
62
WHY SOME ROMANS WERE BEARDED OR CLEAN-SHAVEN
R. R. Kutohev Lincoln , Nebraska , NI # 1289
It is recorded by several ancient authors that barbers were not employ ed at Rome until A.U.C. 454 (B.C. 300), and that the first barbers had to be sent there from Sicily. Pliny the Elder, Roman naturalist and author (23-79 A.D.), states in his records that the first Roman who was shaved every day was Scipio Africanus, a Roman General, B.C. 237- 183. At first the men would shave their BARBA (beard) when they were twenty or twenty-one and continue to shave until the age of forty-nine after which no shaving was allowed. Thus the only time beards were al - lowed were those of the youth, the aged, or some occasions of mourning
do show for the or shave ter of a Sabinus .
An example of this can be seen on coins of Octavius (Augustus). The coins issued by the first emperor before 37 B.C. exhibit a beard of some growth on the portraitures , while his coins issued after that date show him with smooth cheeks. Several coins issued after 37 B.C. Auguustus bearded, but these were issued when he let it grow occasion of public mourning. Augustus did not cut his hair until he had taken his revenge on the Gauls for their slaugh- Roman Legion and five Cohorts under the command of Titurius
Marc Antony also let his beard grow aft_r being clean shaven. Some ex- perts say that the reasons was be- cause he was mourning the death of Julius Caesar, while others believe it was because of the defeat he suffered in 43 B.C. at the battle of Muntina. There is numismatic testimony of this defeat on a very rare denarius minted by general Ventidius Bassus.
Suetonius tells us that at the age of twenty, Caligula assumed the toga and shaved his beard, and that Nero did the same at age twenty-
two, when he was already emperor (68 A.D.).
This fact too is clearly shown on his coins. When a prince or emperor first shaved there were celebrations accompanied by various cere- monies and public solemnities. It was Hadrian (Emperor 117 A.D.) who first allowed his beard to grow, as he publicly assumed the character of a philosopher. His example was followed by a long line of successors, who cherished this badge of manhood.
From Hadrian's time until the time of the first Christian Emperor, Constantine the Great (A.D. 307-337), most emperors were bearded. Constantine declared that all pagan ways were to be abolished, includ- ing beards. It was Julian II "The Apostate", and nephew of Constantine the Great, who brought back the beard, as he fancied himself a
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philosopher and a Greek. Julian was a man of considerable literary at- tainments and some of his writings are still extant, but he strongly favored the old pagan religion and ways. His coins as Caesar (355- 360), while still under the influence of Constantine, show him to be clean shaven. However, when he assumed the purple, he grew a beard and his coinage reflects this.
Most every emperor after Julian II did shave again, as most had adopt- ed the Christian religion and ways.
****************************** **************************************** ALDERNEY PATTERN COINS
Alderney, one of the Channel Islands forming part of the Baliwick of Guernsey, has its own parliament and enjoys local autonomy. It has exercised its autonomy by authorizing, since 1983, its own postage stamps, many bought by collectors. Parallel to that, Alderney auth- orities considered and then shelved a proposal to issue its own coins. In the meantime it had the Pobjoy produce pattern coins depicting landmarks, scenery and wildlife native to the tiny island.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
EARTH STRUCTURES THAT CAN BE SEEN FROM THE MOON
There are reportedly only two man-made structures in the world that can be seen from the moon. They are both within the political bound- aries of the People's Republic of China. The Potala Palace, a 13- story structure that is the ancestral home of the Dalai Lama in Tibet, and the Great Wall of China can be seen from the moon! The PRC has issued coins picturing both of these massive structures.
********************************************************************* KOREAN SUMMER OLYMPICS COINAGE PROGRAM
The Seoul mint will have its most ambitious production with the 1988 Summer Olympic coins. There will be 28 different coins minted in gold (50,000 Won, 1 ounce plus and 25,000 Won, ^ ounce coins), silver (10,000 Won, 1 ounce and 5,000 Won, % ounce coins), nickel (2,000 Won), and copper^nickel (1 ,000 Won). The gold coins will be produced as Proofs and the others will be struck in both Proof and Uncirculated.
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ACHILLEUS
There are no known coins of Achi Ileus, who was an usurper in Egypt dur- ing the reign of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Achi Ileus was defeated and put to death before he became too strong and a real threat to Rome and Diocletian, and before he could strike coins.
(Submitted by R. R. Kutcher)
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CONTENTS OF THE NI REFERENCE COLLECTION
(Members desiring to borrow coins from the collection for research pur- poses, lecture use, non-competitive displays; or any other reasons, may do so by paying postage and insurance both directions.)
Key to Li sting ; FINE or better for all Yeoman types. VERV GOOD or bet- ter forTITTraig types, Underlined = Uncirculated. C = Complete. C = Complete with at least one uncirculated type. CX (-— ) = Complete except those listed. X = Except. Mints are not listed unless multiple for the particular year.
FRANCE (Continued from last month); Y49 - 1887; Y58 - 1899, 1913, 1919, 192'0Y Y$9 - V90T, 1911; Y60^-HW, 1903, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1912,
1913, 1914, 1916, 1917; Y61 - 1898, 1902, 1904, 1908, 191 1 , 1912 , 1913,
1914, 1915, 1916, 1920, 1921 ; Y69 - C; Y70 - C; Y71 - C; Y72 - CX (1929);
Y72a - 1938; Y73a - CX (1924, 1931 , 1938); Y73b.l - C;^73b.2 -'"C;
Y73c - C; Y74 - 1945; Y76a - CX (1919, 1934, 1938); Y76b - 1938, 1939
thin; Y77 - CX (1929); Y78 - CX (1920, 1925); Y79 - CX (1920, 1927);
Y80 - CX (1940, 1947); Y80a - CX (1944, 1944B, 1947B, 1947); Y81 - CX (1935); Y81a - CX (1943, 1944B, 1946C, 1947B); Y82 - CX (1935, 1937);
Y82a - CX (1944&, 1944C, 1945C, 1946, 1946B, 1946C, 1950B, 1951);
Y83 - C; Y84 - 1933, 1935; Y84a - CX (1938, 1946C, 1947); Y84b - CX
(1945C, 1952); Y86 - 1930, 1933, 1934; Y86a - CX (1946, 1946B); Y86b -
CX (1947B) ; Y87.1 - 1938; Y89 - C; YV90 - C; YV91 - 1941 , 1942, 1943;
YV92 - CX (1944); YV92.1 - 1943; YV93 - C; YV94 - 1942, 1943, 1944,
1944B; YV95 - CX (1943C); YV96 - CX (1943C); Y98 - CX (1956, 1958B,
1959); Y99.1 - C; Y99a.l - 1950; Y99a.2 - CX (1954, 1954B, 1957):
Y100 - CX (1954B, 1947, 1957B, 1958); Y101 - CX (1958o); Y102 - C to 1973 X (1971); Y103 - C; YA104 - C to 985 X 11967, 1984); Y104 - C to 1985; Y105 - C to 1985; Y106 - C; Y107 - C to 1985 X (1979, 198fr, 1981); Y108 - C to 1978: Y109 - C to 1983; Y110 - 1960, 1962, 1963,
1964; YllOa - C to 1978 X (1977)7 Y1 1 1 - 1965; YA112 - C to 1980;
Y113 - 1982; Y115 - 1983; Y116 - 1984.
FRENCH COLONIES: Cl 1 - 1827, 1929; Cl 3 - 1843.
” r -r * * '' ■ f ■■ t '
FRENCH EQUATORIAL AFRICA: Comp 1 ete .
FRENCH INDO CHINA: Y1 - 1882, 1888; Y2 - 1887, 1888; Y3 - CX (1898,
1900V 19bl , 1906, 1908); Y4 - 1919, 1920, 1920(S), 1921A, 1922A,
1 92 3 ( p ) , 1926, 1927, 1930, 1937, 1938, 1939; Y5 - 1930, 1937; Y5a - C;
Y12 - 1936; Y13 - 1901, 1908; Y14 - 1902; Y14a - C; Y16 - 1921, 1922,
1923, 1929, 1937; Y17 - 1921, 1922, 1923, 1937; Y18 - C; Y20 - CX
(1936); Y21 - C; Y21a - 1941; Y22 - C; Y22a - C; Y23 - C; Y24a - C;
Y26 - C; Y27 - C; Y28 - 1945(a); YV30 - 1941T2V1, 1941T2V2; YV31 - 1943; YV32 - C; YV33 - C;
FRENCH OCEANIA: Complete.
FRENCH POLYNESIA: Y1 - C; Y2 - C; Y3 - C; Y3a - 1973; Y4 - C; Y5 - C;
Y5a - 1973; Y6~- CX (1969); Y6a - 1972; Y7 - C; Y7a^ 1975.
FRENCH WEST AFRICA: Comp 1 e te .
GABON: Y1 - 1971.
GAMBIA: Y1 to Y7 - C; Y8 - 1971 .
GERMAN STATES : Aachen - C2 - 1765; Anhal t-Dessau - C121 - 1864.
(Continued nixt month*)
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BOOK NEWS
(Readers are invited to submit reviews of the books noted in this section. )
Archibald, Marion M. and Blunt, C.E. BRITISH MUSEUM V, ATHEIST AH TO THE REFORM OF EDGAR 3 924-c. 973. London: British Museum Publications Ltd., 1986. 224 pages, 24.6 x 18.9 cm, 56 black and
white plates, cased. Available from the publisher at 46 Bloomsbury Street, London WC1B 3QQ for £36.00.
This is the first volume to be published in a series of ten sylloges which will describe and illustrate all the Anglo-Saxon coins in the British Museum.
The 1,284 coins in this volume date from the accession of Athelstan in 924 to the reform of the coinage by Edgar, c.973; they also include the contemporary issues of the Viking Kingdom of York during its final phase ending with the death of Eric Bloodaxe in 964. The arrangement of the coins follows a new classification based on recent research into regional styles and minting areas.
The British Museum's collection of tenth-century coins is of major importance in both size and significance. Not only are its holdings of the more basic types which formed the bulk of the currency very large and comprehensive, but it is also especially strong in the rarities of the series. Many major accessions of material have been made since the publication of the Museum's catalogues of Anglo-Saxon coins in 1887 and 1893, and they are made fully available here for the first time.
The British Museum sylloges form part of the British Academy series
SYLLOGE OF COINS OF THE BRITISH ISLES in which this volume is number 34.
Contents are presented as follows:
Introduction: History of the collection; Classification; Survey of the coinage; Hoards and other finds; Sales, auctioneers, collectors, donors, and vendors; Abbreviations and bibliography; Notes to the plates. The Plates. Concordance with British Museum Catalogue. Index of Mints. Index of Moneyers.
Marion M. Archibald is an Assistant Keeper in the Department of Coins and Medals, British Museum. She specializes in the English medieval coinage and has published widely in the series.
C.E. Blunt is a Fellow of the British Academy and Past-President of both the Royal Numismatic Society and the British Numismatic Society. He has published extensively in the English medieval series - including a detailed survey of the coinage of Athelstan.
Information from the publisher.
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COLLECTING WORLD COINS , first edition. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, [1986?]. 592 pages, illustrated. Available from the
publisher at 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990 for U.S. $13.95 plus $2.50 per copy for postage and handling. Credit card buyers may place their orders by calling 1-800-258-0929.
Billed as "a -practical collector handbook of the last century of world coinage," the book lists more than 19,200 "coins from over 330 coin issuing states and countries" by date, mint, and type in up to four grades of preservation. There are "over 15,400 actual size coin photos."
Information regarding a coin's total weight in grams, actual silver weight in ounces, and percent of silver in coins is also provided.
In addition, the book features "a comprehensive Country Index documenting the variable forms of country names often appearing on world coins," and an "Instant Identifier Guide, pinpointing dominant design characteristics for easier attribution of even the trickiest coin issues."
Information from the publisher.
Mira, Dr. W.J.D. FROM COWRIE TO KINA. Sydney: Spink & Son (Australia) Pty. Ltd., 1986. 332 pages, illustrated, hardbound; printed in a limited edition of 1,000 copies. Available from the publisher at 53 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000 for Australian $80.00 per copy - plus $5.00 postage. (Also available from Spink & Son Ltd., 5-7 King Street, St. James, London SW1 for £37.50 + £2.50 postage. )
FROM COWRIE TO KINA is a comprehensive reference source for those interested in the numismatic history of Papua New Guinea.
It covers the coins, notes, and tokens of the German, Australian, and British Colonial Administrations, followed by a detailed presentation of the coins and notes of Papua New Guinea.
Similarly, the medals, badges, awards, and decorations - both civil and military - are described, with the rolls for the First Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, the Loyal Service Medal (World War II), and the Native Police Valour Badge, along with the citations of many Papua New Guineans decorated during the Second World War.
Although containing all the statistical data so vital to the dedicated collector, FROM COWRIE TO KINA passes far beyond a cataloguing of known specimens. It takes each issue and places it in its historical context, showing how events brought about the need for its creation, or conversely, how its issue influenced events in the environment of its time. In this sense the book is a true Numismatic History of Papua New Guinea.
Information from the publisher.
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SYLLOGE NUMMORUS GRAECORUM. Available from Sunrise Publications at Box 509, 16 Beaver Ave. , West Milford, NJ 07480.
Sunrise publications reports:
"In 1980 the Danish Sylloge received $20,000 for a set. Then numismatists finally began to appreciate the importance of SYLLOGE NUMMORUM GRAECORUM, the mul ti -i nternati ona 1 works on Greek Coins.
"Because these works are printed in limited numbers they go out of print rather soon. We have reprintpd the Danish Sylloge and expect to have Von Aulock available for sale Nov. 1986. We are sole U.S. distributors for the Munchen and Tubingen Sylloges."
The four available sylloges are:
1. DANISH MUSEUM SYLLOGE , 39 volumes in 7 hard-bound, for $995.
2. MUNCHEN SYLLOGE , 7 volumes soft-bound, for $330.
3. TUBINGEN SYLLOGE , 3 volumes soft -bound, for $215.
4. VON AULOCK SYLLOGE , 18 volumes in 4 hardbound with the index, for $95.
The following are U.S. distributors for the von Aulock Sylloge:
P.M.V., Box 3007, Daytona Beach, FL 32018
Empire Coins, Box 609, Holly Hill, FL 32017
Tom McKenna, Box 1356, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
Information from Sunrise Publications.
NUMISMATIC ESSAYS f BY MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NUMISMATIC SOCIETY , 1986 , Edited by Dr. Wolfgang Schneewind; photography by Gerald Hoberman. Capetown: South African Numismatic Society, 1986. 75
pages; 12-5/8 x 8-1/4"; 16 pages of color plates, 3 pages of black and white plates; paper cover. Available for US $15.00 (including postage) from the publisher at: P.0. Box 1689, Cape Town 8000,
Republic of South Africa.
Most of the collection of 10 illustrated essays that comprise the text are followed with a list of bibliographic references, and all conclude with a brief biography of the author.
The illustrations are of a very fine quality.
The following is a list of contents:
Gerald Hoberman. Numismatic Masterpieces of the Ancient World, A remarkable gold stater of Pantikapaion circa 350 B.C. The gold aurei of Septimius Severus and his family circa 193-217 A.D.
Giorgio Da 11a Cia. A Sestertius of Tiberius Claudius Drusus Germanicus.
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Rita Miller. The Venetian Republic.
Helmut Cohn. The Coinage of Charles I of England.
Lalou Meltzer. Three Proclamations Issued at the Cape. 1661, 1685 and 1699.
Walter Bergman. Two Coins out of One. The Holey Dollars of New South Wales.
Dennis Fig. A Short Introduction to the Medals of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Dr. Frank Mitchell. A Foundation Stone “Hoard." Het Nuwe Kerk, Capetown, 1833.
John Brett. The Spanish Peseta.
Bill Hibbard. Rare Gallantry Awards to South Africans. Two tardy awards of the Albert Medal for Civilian Bravery at the armoured train disaster near Chievely Station, Natal, 15th November 1899.
Information from the book.
Braun, Rolf and Ilse. OP I UM-GEWI CHTE, Opium weights 3 Poids d'Asie.
Landau: European Union to Search for. Collect and Preserve Primitive and Curious Money, 1983. 239 pages; 11-3/4 x 8-3/8"; black and white
illustrations, map, 119 pages of plates; bibliography; paper cover. Available for U.S. $27.50 from Rolf Braun, Mei senstrasse 4, D-6740 Landau 16, W. Germany.
The subject of this text are the animal -shaped measuring weights that have been in use in Southeast Asia during the last two - but especially during the last - millennia.
The main text on the odd numbered pages is in German, and trans- lations of it in English and French are provided on the even numbered pages.
The French translation was made by Sign'd and Michel Wallon. The English translation was made by Nicole Muller, Vincent McDonough, and Karen Turner. Illustrations are by Phil Stunner, and photographs by Erich Loge.
The first 118 pages are primarily text and illustrations. The remaining pages are photographic plates of primarily anima 1 -shaped weights.
Information from the book.
Michael Mitchiner. MEDIEVAL PILGRIM & SECULAR BADGES. Surrey:
Hawkins Publications. 288 pages, 12 x 8 inches, over 1,100 badges catalogued & illustrated. Available from the publisher at "Ravenhill", Rectory Road, Sanderstead, S. Croydon, Surrey, CR2 9JR. £70 plus £2.50 per copy for postage and packing.
"No man is an island": a quotation that is particularly appropriate to the present study whose merits depend upon contributions from many persons engaged in widely different disciplines.
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The concept of pilgrimage, providing as it does the opportunity to contemplate some of the fundamental truths of life, is in no way re- stricted either to Christianity or to the Medieval period. So, the present study is concerned with only one small part of this human ex- perience .
In many respects the period that extended from Thomas Becket's martyr- dom in 1170 until Henry VII abolished the shrines during the late 1530's marked the heyday of pilgrimage in England. Concepts and pre- ferences evolved and changed within this time span, as will be appar- ent from study of over eleven hundred badges that are all illustrated, described and discussed in the book.
Badges were popular pilgrim signs, but the same period also saw wide- spread popular use of badges with purely secular characteristics . The present study has therefore been extended beyond the pilgrim scene to embrace the field of contemporary secular badges and some forms of other ornamental dress fittings. Personal preferences also evolved in this sphere through the course of time and the influence of the Wars of the Roses on the form of secular retainers' badges should not be underestimated.
As recently as 1968 it was possible to write that only about 1300 med- ieval pilgrim signs had been found in England (Spencer 1968). Since then the use of the metal detector has considerably increased that number. The badges catalogued here have been acquired by the author principally from finds made by a group of metal detector enthusiasts, popularly known as "the mudlarks", who belong to the restricted group possessing official licences to dig the Thames foreshore in London. These items provide a representative picture of the badges lost by London's medieval inhabitants and they also tell us something of their everyday life and of their travels to shrines, both near and far.
Information from the publisher.
***************************************** ★****★***★***★★**★★** **■*■*■*•**★* A NEW KING FOR THE PARTHIANS
sovereign on them. Parthia by Trajan, to acknowledge his
"A king is given to the Parthians" is the translation of the reverse inscription "REX PARTHIS DATVS" on a sestertius of Trajan. On the coin we see the Emperor Trajan seat- ed on a suggestum, with the command- er of the Praetorian behind him. Trajan is pointing to the new king, who has the personification of Par- thia kneeling before him. The coin was issued after Trajan conquered the Parthians and dethroned Chos- roes, their king, and imposed a new In A.D. 116 Parthamaspates was appointed king of a year after he had compelled Armenia and Mesopotamia new Roman government.
(Submitted by R. R. Kutcher) 70
BOOK REVIEWS
In the November 1986 BULLETIN we published a very favorable review by Scott Semans of ODD AND CURIOUS MONEY. The following review, while not unfavorable, presents the same book in a little different light.
Op itz, Charles J. ODD AND CURIOUS MONEY 3 DESCRIPTION AND VALUE.
Ocala, Florida, 1986. 90 pp., ill, 21.5 x 28 cm, card-bound.
Available for $15.00 from the author at: 1517 S.W. 27th Avenue,
Ocala, FJL 32674 USA.
Charles Opitz uses the available literature as well as his 28 years of collecting to bring together a listing of some 300 types of odd and curious money. Adjacent to the textual references are pictures of more than half the items listed, and color photos taken by the author in 1973 of New Guineans wearing or displaying a number of the objects in question appear on the center spread.
A useful innovation is a price estimate, provided wherever practicable and with admirable diffidence.
The author recognizes better than most the slippery nature of his subject and its defiance to categorization. He proposes that odd and curious money: should, as a rule, have served as a medium of exchange; should have had, more or less, agreed currency or trading value; and should represent, generally, a store of value. These qualities should be judged in the light of the criteria of the society in which the currency had status at the time.
Within these parameters, the author favors a generous policy regarding exceptions to the rules, and he urges the individual collector to fashion his own ad hoc guidelines.
Each item is named, geographically located, and defined briefly. Source citations, illustrations, and price estimates appear whenever possible. The system works pretty well in most cases. However, some entries are too cryptic and condensed, and on the other hand, big subjects - like wampum, sycee, or cowries - deserve more thorough treatment. Occasionally an i ndi scrimi nati ng acceptance of a source's error crops up. Siege money, a major field extending over more than a millennium, is confined to "Europe, 1642-1649." The Russian- American Company's notes were not printed on walrus skin but on ordinary parchment. Money trees come from Morocco as well as the Far East. The rubbing of a Russian plate grivna is made from a forgery, etc.
This listing's main stated object is to help the reader identify and evaluate collectible odd and curious money. At that rate, one might have dropped uncollectible items such as beef, beer, butter, candy, cigarettes, codfish, corn, and cotton, even though they were all used as a medium of exchange at one time or another.
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Taken in all, the pamphlet is a worthwhile addition to what is available on the subject. It is intended as an introduction, check- list, and rough price guide, and it generally fills the bill. The prudent collector will want to double-check entries on items that interest him, and he should familiarize himself with some of the sources mentioned in the bibliography.
Reviewed by Randolph Zander.
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In ancient Rome alliances, or con- cords, between different cities were made in rather a peculiar fashion.
A ceremony was held in which a "Fecialis", or sacred herald, in a kneeling attitude, held a sow which was then touched with wands by sol- diers or citizens from the two cities or lands. When the two depu- ties touched the sow, the priest invoked Jupiter to treat the violators of this compact with the same degree of rigour as he was himself about to exercise upon the pig. He then killed it with a flint-stone and roasted it as a burned offering to the gods. This solemn concord was as ancient as the reign of Tullus Host i 1 i us , the third king of Rome. This rite is depicted on a denarius of the republic period of Rome, and is show above.
THE RITUAL OF THE CONCORD
(Submitted by R. R. Kutcher)
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MEMBER NOTICE PAGE
Fred Drost, 110 Ridgefield St., Meriden, CT 06450; Does any member collect World War II memorabilia? I have found an original packet (almost full) of V-MAIL Aerogrammes with wrapper. I welcome corres- pondence or a trade offer.
Fox & Pieratt, 2635 S. Hydraulic, 32C, Wichita, KS 67216: WANTED -
French Indo China miTTtary insignias, medals, maps, etc. Dien Bien Phu and before! Post cards, Annam, Indo China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos. Anything Nguyen A1 Quoc (Ho Chi Minh).
ATTRIBUTION SERVICE: The NI Attribution Committee will accept from
NI members only, any numismatic items, whether paper, metal, or what- ever, for attribution. We must limit the items to a TOTAL OF SIX (6) MAXIMUM. The cost is just advance payment of return postage, includ- ing sufficient for insurance or regi strati on , if desired. Send to:
NI Attribution Committee, P. 0. Box 2057, Saugatuck Station, Westport, Conn. 06880, USA.
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