Counterfeit Coins of England: The Bibliography
The E-Sylum
The 176-page reference is organized chronologically, with additional chapters on Significant Forgers, Internet Browsing, and Book Hunting. Also included are a Glossary, Index, Authors’ Index and list of Abbreviations. A good bibliography doesn’t stop with just books and catalogs – it includes significant individual journal articles. Peters’ bibliography includes these in a big way, drawing from such venerable journals as Seaby’s Coin and Medal Bulletin, Spink’s Numismatic Circular, Numismatic Chronicle and Gentleman’s Magazine, as well as many lesser-known publications. A great bibliography goes beyond its primary field, and I give Peters’ book high marks in this regard, as well.
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Wreaths a Common Coin Design Element
Numismaster
The story of the wreath dates back to ancient Rome and Greece. A wreath is a grouping of flowers, plants, or other material that form a ring. The circular shape of a wreath may symbolize eternity. A wreath is often used in Christmas decorations or at Advent church services before Christmas; many people may hang a Christmas wreath on their door during the holiday season. A wreath has been used on United States coinage for many years, dating back to a Washington piece struck in 1783, known as the “Unity States” cent. The reverse of this coin bears a wreath with the inscription “One Cent.” A similar reverse was used on early federal copper coins, half cents and large cents.
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Pikes Peak Gold
Heritage Blog
Pikes Peak isn’t all that close to present-day Denver, but when gold was discovered in the area (and the earliest version of Denver founded), Pikes Peak was the most visible landmark in the region, and “Pikes Peak or Bust!” became a famous slogan for the Colorado gold rush. The three most prominent issuers of Territorial gold coins in Colorado all referenced “Pikes Peak” on their coins. John Parsons & Company and J.J. Conway & Co. were short-term operations, and their coins are rarities today, but Clark, Gruber & Co. was better-established and struck numerous pieces in denominations that mirrored the Federal coinage. (All coins from the upcoming June Long Beach U.S. Coin Auction.) Not only were the denominations the same, but the smaller coins looked suspiciously similar to U.S. quarter eagles and half eagles, too. The government eventually bought out the firm, and Clark, Gurber & Co. is actually the ancestor of the Denver Mint that still operates today.
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Britain Bans Sale of 500-Euro Banknote
Numismaster
After finding that 90 percent of the use of 500-euro bank notes on its territory are for criminal purposes, including tax evasion, Britain banned sales of the note at currency exchanges on its territory. Great Britain does not use the euro. It uses the pound sterling as its currency, but its membership in the European Union and its proximity to countries that do use the euro had made this high denomination note (worth $615) otherwise easy to obtain and to use.
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It’s Not 2009. Is That Good?
Dave Harper’s Buzz
Perhaps the best news in 2010 is that it is not 2009. Collectors spent much of last year looking for coins in circulation that they could not find. Their frustration was compounded by the fact that the coins they sought seem to appear on eBay with no problem at all. This year the coins are out there. The 2010 Union Shield cent was finding its way into change in January and readers e-mailed me their reports of receiving them. The Hot Springs, Ark., quarter was the first of the America the Beautiful coins to be struck and readers are reporting getting them. Other readers are commenting about receiving 2009-dated coins that they could not find last year.
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Napoleon Defeated … At Rare Coin Auction
Paul Fraser Collectibles
On Friday last week, a broad selection of collectible coins from France and beyond went up for sale courtesy of Poses auction house Monnaies d’Antan. One lot which provoked a great deal of interest was a previously unheard of Merovingian coin. The piece, which is missing from Belfort and Prou’s usually comprehensive work, the tiny (0.8g) coin with crude bust facing right easily outstripped its modest €750 estimate to bring €4,230 (with Buyer’s Premium). As expected, a Louis XIV gold coin sold on target at €8,225 (with BP). One of fewer than 4,000 ever minted, it was the top lot in the sale, but it pushed close in the end by a coin from a much later leader.
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Related posts:

1. Coin News for April 5, 2010
2. Coin News for June 3, 2010
3. Coin News for February 22, 2010
4. Coin News for March 27, 2010
5. More News at a Glance – August 27, 2010
6. Coin News for June 14, 2010
7. Coin News for April 17, 2010
8. More News at a Glance – August 17, 2010
9. Coin News for February 23, 2010
10. Coin News for May 24, 2010