Volume 8 Issue 2 INTERNET EDITION February 2003

We trust that this issue of the Internet Edition will continue to provide interesting reading. The name of this Internet based newsletter is in keeping with the content so, bearing in mind our disclaimers, the Internet links selected are usually complimentary to the featured article in regard to: (1) illustrations and, (2) additional important information. Please also bear in mind that some Internet links are of a temporary nature.

Anyone who wishes to apply for membership to the non-profit making organization, and who is prepared to abide by the rules of the Society and its aim of promoting the study and enjoyment of the hobby of numismatics, should contact the following address for an application form and details of subscriptions:

During to the Christmas vacation period, the Society had no meetings scheduled for mid January 2003 however, our February BYO - BBQ host, Roger McNeice, did contact the newsletter at that time with an urgent advice and an apology.

Due to commercial circumstances beyond his control, and in the absence of his wife Jill at the time, he is having to make other arrangements regarding the locale of the BBQ and AGM which was originally scheduled to take place at his Taroona home in mid-February. Those members/guests who had already confirmed their pending attendance, as previously requested, have been advised of the change, however, Roger has again asked us to encourage all members to attend the BYO - BBQ (and the Annual General Meeting) to be held on February 16th commencing at 11.00 a.m. at the new venue at Hut #4 'Eucalypt' in Tolosa Park, Glenorchy. The BYO - BBQ event itself will be informal as usual and discussions between members is highly encouraged as is the presentation of any items of interest.

Several announcements regarding our plans for 2003 and a discussion concerning the Society's current constitutional make-up are expected, so we hope to have a good roll-up on the day so that all aspects of any changes that may be contemplated can be explored by all of our participating members. There will be an election of dedicated members, who are eligible for nomination and appointment, to those positions deemed essential for the continuing successful administration of the Society.

All financial members and partner/guest are invited and those who require directions to the BBQ area at Tolosa Park should contact: Roger (03) 6227 8825 or Christopher (03) 6249 1369 or

Those northern members who are contemplating attending and are unfamiliar with the area can get a directional map or details from Graeme (03) 6339 1898 in Launceston.

The 'Tasmanian Numismatic Society' would like to warmly welcome our newest international Associate member from Uruguay

Jose-Luis Rubio has been a long time correspondent with the editor of the 'Tasmanian Numismatist' and is an avid collector of tokens - in particular, international telephone tokens and test pieces.

In January 1999, Jose-Luis supplied the 'Tasmanian Numismatist' with scans of some items that he had purchased from the Hawthorne collection sold in the U.S. in 1998 and made some observations regarding the various types of P.M.G. test pieces that he had encountered. Refer article: http://www.vision.net.au/~pwood/jan99.htm

His interest in Tasmanian tokens and passes was further fuelled by a gift from the editor - a copy of Noel Harper's book:

Jose-Luis is extremely involved in putting together a collection of the old style Post-Master-General's Dept. telephone test pieces and invites any fellow T.N.S. member, or reader of this newsletter, who has information to share in this area to contact him. A postal address is available to T.N.S. members or he can be contacted by Email at: RUBIOJL@ADINET.COM.UY

If sufficient digital scans of good quality are available, Jose-Luis has expressed a desire to consult with other members with a thought of updating and expanding the information base of these old P.M.G. test pieces and supplementing it with any newer digital illustrations. The latest acquisitions to Jose-Luis Rubio's P.M.G. collection are pictured below.

To quote, with permission, part of Noel Harper's section about the Post-Master-General’s Department from his 1985 book:

"The P.M.G's Department also issued a type of token in Tasmania, usually known as a 'P.M.G. Penny'. These were brass tokens and used to operate "long breach" public telephones by maintenance workers. They were usually issued approximately six at a time which overcame the necessity to use pennies for testing purposes. At a time when P.M.G. Pennies were in use, telephone calls cost two pence. These tokens were also used whenever public telephones were cleared of money to ensure that the mechanism of the phone was functioning correctly after clearance. The 'P.M.G. Penny' was not only used in Tasmania but had an Australian wide application, and was withdrawn during the early 1950's."

Having recently started a new collection of medals, I found myself desiring to share my findings in this new (to me) field.

I hope that it might benefit other similarly minded numismatists. Personal preferences dictate that my new collection will be limited to medals depicting U.S. Presidents, struck by the U.S. Mint, either in the size of 3" (76 mm) diameter or of the oval peace medal type.

As a general breakdown of types, the 76mm presidential medals are made in two basic types, "peace medal" reverses, and "inaugural medal" reverses. In my research I have found mention of three basic metals or finishes these medals are found in today. Solid silver medals were made in the early days of the United States for presentation to American Indian chiefs, these are extremely rare. They are so seldom encountered that their price is very high. More common but still rare and pricey are the 19th century strikes of "mahogany finished" bronze medals. The most common and easily acquired are the solid bronze medals which are exact duplicates of the original 19th century medals, both inaugural and peace types.

Also there is a series of medals called the "official" Inaugural medals, as described in the book "The Official Inaugural Medals of the Presidents of the United States" by Richard Dusterberg. Of that series of medals, most of the later ones were struck by private mints and issued by the "inaugural committee" of the president. Although some of the earlier ones (1907 for instance) were struck by the U.S. Mint.

As a collector of coins and tokens, medals have never held much interest for me.

However when a person picks up a "well done" medal, such as one of these 3 inch presidential medals, there is a feeling within that tells you it is a great piece, even if you are not sure why.

Coins have the distinction that they are minted with a pre-ordained value, medals do not. Coins and medals are both struck in precious metals. Coins generally have pre-set limitations on them, that medals do not.

For example, coins must stack, medals do not have that limitation. All U.S. coins must have these phrases on them: "In God we Trust", "E. Pluribus Unum", and the year date and mintmark, medals have no such requirements for wording. Many things will determine the interest and price of medals, including the metal used, the sculptor or engraver, the subject of the medal, the age of the medal, the condition of the medal, and the provenance of the medal.

The earliest records of peace medals being given to American Indians comes from the Colonial days, when the British, Spanish and French all gave medals to important Indian chiefs, as a goodwill gesture. The Indian chiefs highly prized these medals, and the British medals were solid silver, and had the image of the reigning monarch on one side and his coat of arms on the reverse. Once the Colonies won their independence from Britain, the new American government saw the need to continue bestowing these peace medals to important individuals in the Indian nations. By 1787, the U.S. Secretary of War, Henry Knox sought to have the government supply medals for presentation to important Indian chiefs. Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson also saw the importance of the use of medals as peace offerings to the Indians. He stated that the medals were "marks of friendship".

Peace medals were often given to chiefs upon signing of treaties, and visits to the national capital by important Indian chiefs. When Lewis and Clark left on their famous 1804 expedition of exploration across the uncharted areas of the west, they took with them a large supply of medals. These medals were always presented to the Indian chief with much flourish, and impressive ceremonies to impress upon the Indians the importance of the medal.

By 1832, the government had drawn up a set of instructions as to whom the medals could be given to, and the code was to be followed to the letter:

2. The largest medals will be given to the principal village chiefs, those of the second size will be given to the principal war chiefs, and those of the third size to the less distinguished chiefs and warriors.

3. They will be presented with proper formalities, and with an appropriate speech, so as to produce the proper impression upon the Indians.

As with the British medals, the American medals were to bear the likeness of the President currently in office, and a symbol of peace on the reverse. Great pains were made to produce artistic medals that would be impressive to the Indians. The first medals were produced during the presidency of Washington, and they were hand engraved on oval plates of silver, about 4 inches by 6 inches in size. No medals were produced during the presidency of John Adams, but later the John Adams peace medals were made to complete the series.

The first medals that we would recognize today were made during the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. They were made in three sizes, the large was 4" in diameter, the medium size was 3 inches in diameter and the small was 2 inches in diameter. These medals were struck by dies which were engraved directly by the die engraver, working directly on the steel die.

A description of the medal is a legend which reads: TH. JEFFERSON PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. A.D. 1801. On the reverse were shown two hands clasped, one with a cuff with three stripes and three buttons, the other hand shows a cuff and an eagle. Above the hands is a crossed peace pipe and tomahawk, and the words PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP inside the design.

Wolf Robe of the South Cheyenne tribe wearing a Benjamin Harrison medal (Photo c. 1898)

President Benjamin Harrison 1889 - 1893 Inaugural medal. (Author's collection.)

Oto chief, George Arkeketah, wearing a small Millard Fillmore medal and a large Franklin Pierce medal. (Photo c. 1898)

President Chester Arthur 1881 - 1885 Inaugural medal - reverse (Author's collection.)

One unique feature of the first Jefferson medals that was not present on the later medals is that the country lacked a large enough coin press to strike these large medals, so they were struck onto thin plates, both front and reverse, then the two halves were joined together making a "shell card" type arrangement of a hollow medal.

By the time James Madison became president, the peace medals were struck in solid silver, and the diameters had changed to 3 inch, 2 1/2 inch and 2 inch. The peace reverse changed very little for the next 50 years.

However, the "peace reverse" did change, and there are at least 8 different known types of peace reverses.

By the time had come to made the medals for President John Tyler (1841-45), the new "portrait lathe" mechanical die cutting machines from France were available, and the likenesses of the president were carved into wax, from which plaster casts, and finally an iron casting was made. From this iron casting the steam powered lathe would produce the reduction dies, and the lettering was stamped directly into the dies.

Most of the medals we see today are ones that were struck between 1860 and 1990, a large number were made in the late 1960s. The author has a catalogue published by the U.S. Mint in 1972 in which all their medals for sale are listed, along with their catalogue numbers and the 1972 prices.

Amazingly, most of the 3 inch presidential medals sold for $5 at that point in time. All of the 1969 era medals were struck multiple times with a hydraulic press and hand finished. After that process they were sealed in plastic bags, boxed in small cardboard boxes with a clear plastic stand and printed history and sold.

A number of fake and fantasy peace medals are known, there are a number of castings of authentic medals done in grey coloured pot metal. Also there are a number or people who rework 1969 vintage authentic medals, by drilling holes for suspension, and aging the metal, and adding suspension collars and ribbons.

For those unfamiliar with the names and order of American Presidents, here is a listing:

For those who take interest in that kind of thing, there are two presidents with last names of : Adams, Bush, Roosevelt, Harrison, and Johnson. Also note that Grover Cleveland was the only president to serve two terms that were not sequential, he was the 22nd and 24th president.

All presidents from Washington though James Buchanan round medals have "peace" reverses. Starting with Abe Lincoln, the medals have "inaugural" reverses. Abe Lincoln also had a round "peace" medal, as did President Grant. Oval bronze medals with peace reverses where made for Presidents Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland, and Benjamin Harrison. The size of the oval medals is 3" high, by 2 3/8" wide.

Interestingly, the U.S. Mint also produced and sold a high quality reproduction of a British George II Indian Peace medal (number 620 in the 1972 catalogue) which is 1 and 11/16 inch diameter.

The weight of one bronze medals is approximately 8 oz. and the diameter is 76 millimetres. All these medals were struck at the Philadelphia U.S. Mint, but have no mint mark. These 3 inch medals are still available for sale today. Current price of the 3 inch medals from the U.S. Mint is US$38 per medal plus shipping cost.

I have found a cheaper source buying the medals "second hand" through the online auction house "eBay".

The 3 inch medals there seem to sell from about US$10 to over US$50, with an average of about US$25 per medal plus shipping. The 19th century mahogany finished medals generally sell for over US$400 each, and a 1794 George III peace medal sold recently for US$7187.00

I recommend handling the medals with clean thin cotton gloves, over a padded surface. Storage envelopes are somewhat of a problem due to the medals large size. Clear numismatic quality flips are available from limited stocks in 4x4 inch.

For personal use, the author is currently making his own 3 1/2 inch square coin envelopes to hold each medal, from acid free, archival type white paper.

"Medals of the United States Mint Issued for Public Sale" by the Dept. of the Treasury 1972 (out of print but can be found for sale, highly recommended for study of U.S. Mint medals, many photos)

"Indian Peace Medals in American History" by Francis Paul Prucha, 1994, U. of Oklahoma Press (highly recommended for study of Indian Peace medals)

"The Official Inaugural Medals of the Presidents of the United States" by Richard B. Dusterberg, 1976 (recommended for study of non-U.S. Mint inaugural medals of post 1900 era only).

Graffiti has always been one of the things that has intrigued banknote collectors from the earliest times.

Depending on an individual collector's point of view, casual graffiti has enhanced or spoilt many a banknote.

While researching the article "THE MONEY, MEDALS AND MINIÉS OF 'DIXIE'!" in our November, 2002 newsletter, I re-discovered some banknote ‘graffiti’ amongst my own collection which has been 'intriguing' me for many years.

On one of my C.S.A. Richmond, Feb.17th. 1864 $50.00 notes - featuring Confederate President Jefferson Davis - is a message that appears to be a few initials and an abbreviated address.

I cannot ever hope to decipher the real meaning of the graffiti, so I have again included the scan for our readers so that they too, may ponder and share my frustration at the ‘story’ behind this little old unresolved mystery.

Firstly, I came to the conclusion from the word 'Phil', that the address may have been in Philadelphia as that city does have a very historically prestigious South 3rd. Street.

I would be at a loss why a ‘Northern’ address - if it is that - could be on a ‘Southern’ banknote. The mind boggles!

Any thoughts? Let your imagination kick in! This is what makes numismatics so much fun!

Readers' Mailbag is a section of our newsletter that will focus on readers' requests for contacts or information as well as any relevant and constructive comments about numismatics or the contents of articles in this newsletter. This section is provided as a service only and our usual disclaimers, regarding dealings between parties, will continue to apply.

For any of our readers who are into other types of collectables this item might be of interest.

To those who collect Canadian Municipal Trade Tokens the following information from Eligi Consultants Inc. advises of two new releases. All prices are in U.S. Dollars.

FORT FRANCES, ONTARIO – The Corporation of the Town of Fort Frances was declared on April 11, 1903 by 75 male inhabitants of a certain locality in the Township of McIrvine in the District of Rainy River, Province of Ontario. That is the centennial being commemorated with the issue of a 3-Dollar token. But the history of Fort Frances predates this declaration. In 1688, Jacques de Noyon established the community which has since become the oldest settlement west of Lake Superior. Less than half a century later, in 1731, La Jemerais, Pierre de la Vérendrye’s nephew, built Fort St-Pierre (named in honour of his uncle), a wintering post for fur traders and voyageurs in the area. This fort has been rebuilt and can be seen by visitors today.

Later the North West Company built Fort Lac La Pluie circa 1776. The Hudson’s Bay Company, its arch-rival, also built a fort there, which was visited by Sir George Simpson, governor of the company, and his new bride, Frances, in June 1830. Her short visit, during her honeymoon, so impressed the men in charge that they renamed the post in her honour in September of that year – thus Fort Frances was born.

Located in north-western Ontario, at the west end of Rainy Lake, where it drains into Rainy River, which forms the boundary with the United States, it is linked by a bridge to International Falls, Minnesota. This strategic location made it a natural stop for settlers attracted to the western plains of Canada. It became a staging post on the Dawson Route, an artery of lakes, rivers and wagon roads linking Lake Superior to the Red River.

By the late 1800s, the local turbulent falls attracted lumbermen. By 1910, these falls had been harnessed to provide electricity to the paper mill of the Shevlin-Clark Company. In 1948, the Town of Fort Frances continued to grow by annexing the Township of McIrvine, from which it had sprouted. Today, it is about to celebrate its centennial.

The 32-millimeter 3-Dollar token features on its obverse a jumping bass, promoting the World Famous Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship held annually the last weekend of July. The reverse features the town’s coat of arms flanked by the dates 1903 and 2003. The legend reads: FORT FRANCES, ONTARIO / A CENTURY OF PROSPERITY & PROMISE. The token was struck in three metals:

Metal	Mintage	Price
Bimetallic	10,250	$4.75
Nickel-Silver	250	$13.00
Gold Plated	250	$16.00

e-XONUMIA Vol. 2 No. 20
NORTHERN ONTARIO RAILWAY TOWN STRIKES TOKEN TO COMMEMORATE ANNIVERSARY
HORNEPAYNE, ONTARIO - In the heart of Northern Ontario, halfway between Toronto and Winnipeg is a small railway town: the Township of Hornepayne. It is the only fuelling facility for the Canadian National Railway between the cities.
The Gambsy Trail Line, a route surveyed for the Canadian Pacific Railway, was established in 1877, this is the first activity the area saw. In the early 1900s it was used as the Northern Ontario Railway Line by the newly formed Canadian Northern Ontario Railway. Its location, some 240 kilometres from the nearest town, made it an ideal spot for the servicing of trains and changing crews so a small town grew, called Fitzback. In 1919, the Canadian Northern Ontario Railway became part of the Canadian National Railway. New buildings were erected and the name of the place changed to Hornepayne, in honour of Robert Montgomery Horne-Payne, a British financier who was the London Director of the Canadian Northern Ontario Railway. By 1926, Hornepayne counted 1,100 souls and discussions began on organization.

It was incorporated as the Township of Hornepayne on January 1, 1928. To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the township is issuing two municipal trade tokens: a 3-Dollar and a 5-Dollar.

The 32-millimeter 3-Dollar token features on its obverse, the 75th anniversary logo composed of a rail and a pine. The reverse, its most famous landmark: the Three Bears statue which stands proudly at the municipality's entrance.

The 3-Dollar token was struck in three metals:
Metal            Mintage            Price
Bimetallic        2,600            $4.75
Nickel-Silver    100              $14.00
Gold Plated      100             $17.00

The 5-Dollar token is rectangular and measures 26 by 48 millimetres. It features on the obverse both the anniversary logo and the three bears. The reverse features a steam locomotive. The token's shape really compliments the locomotive. This token was also struck in three metals:
Metal            Mintage            Price
Antique Brass    750               $8.50
Nickel-Silver        75               $16.50
Commercial Bro. 75               $19.50

© Eligi Consultants Inc., 2002
To get a printable version of this e-XONUMIA, visit the web site at www.eligi.ca/bonativa and go to the "Newsletter" tab.

Hi, My name is Stéphane, and I'm a French coin collector. I found out your email address on Uri's good swapper page.
I'm collecting French coins by date and world coins by type, I would be interested in swapping coins with you. (Duplicates list was attached but is now outdated) Best regards, Stéphane
Stéphane BOURQUARD (Client Team Leader) State Street Bank Luxembourg S.A.
sbourquard@statestreet.com ( +352 46 40 10 478 or 2 +352 22 21 37)

Hi, I'm a Spanish collector from Pamplona, Navarra in Spain. I collect world coins by type. I'm interested in Australian coins. I offer Euro coins and Spanish coins. Are you interested in swapping? Best Wishes, Carlos Maestro Larrey.

Australian Basic Circulation Coin Types by Graeme Petterwood. T.N.S. Member #332.

The ‘Tasmanian Numismatist’ newsletter is the only official newsletter of the ‘Tasmanian Numismatic Society’ and it is published periodically and distributed by post, or hand delivered, directly to members of the Tasmanian Numismatic Society and selected associates and institutions.

The ‘Tasmanian Numismatist’ (Internet Edition) has been provided with space on this privately maintained Internet site and is currently presented on a monthly basis by the member-provider with the aim of promoting the hobby of numismatics. All matters pertaining to the T.N.S. are re-published with the permission of the current Executive Committee of the ‘Tasmanian Numismatic Society’ and the Tasmanian Numismatist' (Internet Edition) abides by the same basic guidelines suggested for the official 'Tasmanian Numismatist' newsletter.

Please note that all opinions expressed in material published in the 'Tasmanian Numismatist' (Internet Edition) are those of the authors, and not necessarily those of the ‘Tasmanian Numismatic Society’ or the Editor.

Any literary contributions or relevant and constructive comments regarding numismatics are always welcome.

The Editor,

Tasmanian Numismatist (Internet Edition).

P.O. Box 10,

Ravenswood. 7250. Tasmania.

Australia.

Internet Page: http://www.vision.net.au/~pwood/tns.html

Email: pwood@vision.net.au

DISCLAIMER: All details of a commercial nature, organisations, items or individual arrangement to buy, sell or trade are provided in good faith as information only, and any consequent dealings are between the parties concerned.

The ‘Tasmanian Numismatist’ (Internet Edition) takes no responsibility for disagreements between parties, and also reserves the right to only feature information that it considers suitable in promoting the hobby to our readers. Deadline for any literary contributions or amendment to copy is 7 Days prior to the beginning of the month of publication. The contents of this Internet newsletter, and all prior issues, are copyrighted ©, but anything herein can be fairly used to promote the great hobby of numismatics; however, we do like to be asked by commercial interests if they wish to use any of our copy.

This permission, however, does not extend to any article specifically marked as copyrighted © by the author of the article. Explicit permission from the author or the Editor of the ‘Tasmanian Numismatist ’(Internet Edition) is required prior to use of that material.