Chatter

6 Months until ANA in Chicago

For this year’s ANA convention, I am looking for many new exhibitors, and not just YNs. The ANA web site has pages on building an exhibit — the application and rules for exhibiting at the 2013 convention have been removed, but I expect the rules and application for 2014 should be on the web site by mid March. I was told by ANA staff that the Convention Theme has been selected, but my source was not sure of the exact wording; I mention this only because one of the 20 exhibiting classes is Convention Theme. In the past, each exhibitor received an ANA exhibitor medal — the obverse used the design from the front of the convention’s medal, and the reverse stated that the medal was awarded to exhibitors and judges at the convention. Remember, August 5-9! Email any questions and comments to chatter_editor@yahoo.com and someone from the local committee will respond.

Minutes of the 1141st Meeting

The 1141st meeting of the Chicago Coin Club was held January 8, 2014 in the Chicago Bar Association Building, 321 S. Plymouth Court, Downtown Chicago. President Elliott Krieter called the meeting to order at 7 PM with an attendance of 19 members and 3 guests: Anne Anaszewicz, Frances Donovon, and Lorenzo Vendramin.

During a slight delay caused by the inclement weather, the Secretary announced the call from Central States Numismatic Society for exhibits at their April 23-26 convention in Schaumburg. Exhibit application forms were passed out and every member was encouraged to participate.

A motion was passed to accept the December Minutes as published in the Chatter. Treasurer Steve Zitowsky reported December revenue of $3,667.25, expenses of $2,614.23 and total assets of $23,149.34 held in Life Membership $2,390.00 and member equity $20,759.34. He also reported total 2013 revenue of $22,878.69, expenses of $21,209.71, showing a net income of $1,668.98. After several questions, a motion was passed to approve the report.

Following the second reading of Melissa Morsi’s application of membership, a motion was passed to accept her application.

The minutes from the Club’s Board of Directors meeting of December 18, 2013 appeared in the January Chatter. Following the reading of the two motions needing general membership approval, a motion was passed to approve:

• Strike 50 copper Standing Lincoln medals for suitable engraving and neck ribbons for presentation to all 2014 ANA Convention Money Talks speakers. Cost not to exceed $1300.
• Strike 150 bronze Standing Lincoln medals to commemorate the 2014 ANA Convention at a total cost not to exceed $1700.00 and sell for $20.00 each.

President Krieter appointed Jeff Rosinia Chairman of the Club’s 95th Anniversary celebration. The theme of ANA’s National Coin Week on April 20-26 is “Coin and Country: Celebrating Civil Service” and a Chairman to lead Club activities is being sought.

First VP Rich Lipman introduced featured speaker Jeffrey Amelse who delivered a program on Collectibles from Chicago’s 1893 Columbian Exposition. Eight members also showed Columbian Exposition items from their collections. Rich Lipman presented Jeff with an engraved speaker’s medal suspended from a neck ribbon.

Second VP Marc Stackler announced the evening’s ten exhibitors. GERARD ANASZEWICZ: 5 “Lauer” jetons with Russian motifs, and a book by Igor Rudenko on the subject. DAVID GUMM: 2013 Canadian $3.00 coin in .9999 silver. JAMES McMENAMIN: Irish bank notes from Bank of Ireland and Northern Bank. MARK WIECLAW: 3 examples of chocolate money and a rare antoninianus of Pacatian, 248 AD. ROBERT D. LEONARD, JR.: 3 Viking coins. WILLIAM BURD: 4 Chicago Merchant Club Tokens of 10 cent, 25 cent, 50 cent and $1.00 value, with complimentary packets for everyone of the 10, 25 and 50 cent tokens with a history of the organization. DALE LUKANICH: 4 Iranian bank notes and the new Canadian $5 and $10 bank notes. JEFFREY ROSINIA: two ANACS graded and slabbed 1990-O Morgan dollars, one graded MS61 and a former pocket piece PO1. STEVE ZITOWSKY: Kunkels Opera Troupe (1857-61) token over-struck on a Peruvian 1788 2 reales, and an anonymous IV Century AD coin from Axum. Richard Lipman: U.S. Banknotes with unusual serial numbers.

Adjournment was at 9:14 PM with the next meeting on February 12, 2014 at the same location.

Respectfully Submitted,
Carl Wolf, Secretary

Speaker’s Wor[l]d
Collectibles from the 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition

a presentation by Jeffrey A. Amelse,
to our January 8, 2014 meeting

The World’s Columbian Exposition has been closed for more than 120 years, and it still is remembered. At least around here, and by us! Jeff’s program featured slides of items found on the internet as well as pictures and information from books. He started with statistics from this big event that ran for six months, from May 1 to October 31, 1893. Daily visitors totalled 27.5 million, at a time when the total U.S. population was 63 million. Many guide books and souvenirs were acquired by the visitors — back home, they were shared or put into storage, only now to trickle onto eBay.

Except for one, the buildings on the fair grounds were temporary, consisting of a metal frame clad in a white material similar to stucco. The style was a sort of Renaissance Revival: two- and three-story buildings with windows, columns, and domes. The major buildings were located around large lagoons, and we saw pictures of gondolas carrying fair visitors. The fair site was the first example of extensive electric lighting, both internal and external. Among the photos shown from Shepp’s World Fair Photographed by J.W. and D.B. Shepp (1893), a view inside the Transportation Building showed a large number of horse-drawn carriages. The Palace of Fine Arts was the only permanent building built on the fair grounds — it now houses the Museum of Science and Industry. The other permanent building built for the fair, but located off the fair grounds, was the World’s Congress Auxiliary Building — it now houses the Art Institute of Chicago. Jeff concluded the review of buildings with a list of the costs of the fair buildings, from Glimpses of the World’s Fair Through a Camera (1893).

The Columbian Exposition saw the introduction of a number of items, the most famous of which might be the Ferris Wheel. Food products that debuted there included Juicy Fruit Gum, Cracker Jack, Quaker Oats, and Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer. No one thought to bring samples (new or 120 years old) for our enjoyment, and I do not recall seeing any Collectibles featuring those items among the items that Jeff showed us. Jeff started showing Collectibles with the six portrait admission tickets; these were printed on bond paper by the American Bank Note Company of New York. One million tickets were printed in the first run, using four portraits to represent four epochs in New World history: Indian, Columbus, Washington, and Lincoln; these went on sale one month before the fair opened. The 500,00 tickets of the second run were printed with an “A” on the front, near the portrait. Two different portrait tickets were printed later: Ben Franklin, for his studies of electricity, and Handel, whose Water Music was played at many fair venues. J.P. Doolin’s 1893 — Columbian Exposition, Admission and Concession Tickets (1981) has a wealth of information on the tickets, including the lowest and highest known serial number for each type and printing of the portrait tickets. The Rand, McNally & Company of Chicago printed 25 million of the tickets good only for the day of sale, and they have their own digit and letter coding method to show when they were sold. Special tickets were sold for special days, such as Chicago Day and Manhattan Day; and there were tickets for children. After the Exposition closed, The Claxton Company of Chicago bought all remainder tickets, and for years anyone could buy a set of portrait, special, and general admission tickets in a small envelope.

The U.S. mint introduced commemorative coinage for the exposition: a half dollar featuring Columbus, and a quarter dollar featuring Queen Isabella. About one million of the halves were minted in 1892 (the original year for the exposition — Chicago histories of the fair do not emphasize that the expo was a year late), and four million were minted in 1893. Less than 400,000 of them sold at the original price of $1; about 2.5 million dated 1893 were melted, and the remaining two million were placed into circulation. The Isabella quarter also had problems when sold at $1 (for the same price asked for a Columbus half): of the 40,000 minted, about half were melted after the fair, even after fair managers bought thousands after the fair, as did the Scott Stamp and Coin Company.

Elongated coins were another item that first appeared at this exposition. We saw a few examples of the many coins (contemporary U.S., obsolete U.S., and foreign) that were rolled out with some legend mentioning 1893 Columbian Exposition. For such a big event, the exposition had many medals struck by and for many organizations; the U.S. Mint even had a press on the premises to produce medals. Some medals were crude, others quite artistic; some in low relief, and some in high relief; some used allegorical figures, and others filled a side with small text boasting of the issuer; A wide range of metals were used: some silver, many in copper alloys, many identified now as in white metal (a mixture of tin, lead, and any available metal that was cheap), and many in that then-new and wondrous metal — aluminum. Although known for more than a hundred years, it had been treated as a rare metal due to the difficulty in refining it. But with a new process that used the large amounts of electricity that were just being generated, refining aluminum became an inexpensive proposition; hence its use in many medals and tokens, many of which identified the wonderful properties of the metal.

The standard reference for medals of the exposition is Nathan Eglit’s Columbiana, The Medallic History of Christopher Columbus and the Columbian Exposition of 1893. From the medals we saw during the presentation, the most common design element must be Christopher Columbus, with buildings and sights of the exposition coming in second — but we saw fewer than 30 of the medals with Eglit numbers, while the book has more than 600. Some of the medal pictures were of lots in The Hoffman Collection auction held by Ira and Larry Goldberg in September, 2012.

Jeff concluded the presentation by showing a few examples of other collectibles produced for the exposition. We saw a few spoons with images of various buildings in the bowls, and we saw Art Glass drinking glasses with wording about the fair. Many other souvenirs were produced, such as plates and ash trays — and there are reference books available for some of these items, too. What’s in your library?

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Show and Tell

Items shown at our January 8, 2014 meeting,
reported by Marc Stackler

1. Gerry Anaszewicz presented jettons and a book on the subject:
   1. Five “Lauer” (German) jettons with Russian motifs, including Catherine the Great, Alexander I, and Nicholas I. He indicated that many such jettons are scarce but not expensive.
   2. A comprehensive book on the subject, Russian Themed Jetons, by Igor Rudenko. The book is in Russian, German and English.
2. David Gumm showed a 2013 non-circulating $3 Canadian silver coin, 7.97grams, proof. It depicts a man and a boy fishing, with their dog. Fifteen thousand were minted. A similar coin will be struck in 2014, but only 10,000 will be minted.
3. Jim McMenamin displayed two Irish bank notes:
   1. £5 from Northern Ireland, issued by the Bank of Ireland PLC. The vignette (on the back) is Bushmills Whiskey Distillery
   2. £10 issued by Northern Bank, which collapsed during the financial crisis and was taken over and renamed Danske Bank. Northern Bank was a private bank company, not a government entity. The vignette is John Dunlop, inventor of the pneumatic tire.
4. Mark Wieclaw showed several interesting items from Christmas:
   1. Two “one billion” Santa Claus candy bars: one chocolate, one peppermint bark.
   2. $100 chocolate bar from the London Mint.
   3. A $100 “star” note (latest – 2013 issue). Alas, not chocolate.
   4. A rare Antoninianus coin of Pacatian, 248 AD. Pacatian was a usurper in Moesia (present day Serbia). His reign lasted as long as a Roman candle — he was murdered by his own soldiers. Must’ve been something he said. The year 248 AD is also the 1000th anniversary of the founding of Rome. (An Antoninianus was originally meant to be 2 denarii, but it was quickly debased, as was the case with this one. It felt lighter than, for example, a denarius of Augustus.)
5. Bob Leonard briefed us on his recent trip to Germany for an International Workshop on Archeology of Money. He also showed some Viking coins coins, one of which came from the Cuerdale hoard, found near York. The Cuerdale hoard is an enormous trove found in 1840 in a lead-lined chest. It consists of jewelry as well as coins. Bob showed a book with information on the hoard.
   1. From York: a King Cnut, silver penny ca. 895-905, issued by a king unknown to history, from the Cuerdale hoard. Bob was unsure which Cnut this referred to. It is not the King Canute (Cnut) from Danish Britain (1016-1035). The center of the obverse was a cross, and the four letters of Cnut’s name were positioned around the cross in the four directions as if you were making the sign of the cross.
   2. From Dublin: two silver pennies, ca. 1035-1060 and ca. 1110-1150.
6. Bill Burd showed Chicago Merchants Club tokens. This was a social club, but it also served as an avenue for sponsoring civic projects, such as commissioning Daniel Burnham’s plan for Chicago. The club counted among its members many leading personalities and political figures, such as Charles Dawes (VP to Calvin Coolidge), and Charles Wacker (Director of the 1893 Columbian Exposition). The token denominations are 10¢, 25¢ and 50¢ and $1. They would be used for poker and other games of chance played at club gatherings circa 1900. At the end of the presentation Bill gave each attendee a set of the 10¢, 25¢, and 50¢ tokens along with the history of the Club.
7. Dale Lukanich showed bank notes from Iran and Canada:
   1. Iran: A 1976 note depicting the last Shah, Reza Pahlavi, and his father, and subsequently 4 notes from the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and after. On the four latter notes, the Shah’s portrait and watermark were masked by overprints saying “Islamic Republic of Iran” (in Farsi). Dale also noted how the exchange rate (Iranian Rials:US Dollar) went from about 75 Rials:$1 in 1976 to over 24,000 today, largely due to the effect of economic sanctions.
   2. New $5 and $10 polymer notes from Canada.
8. Jeff Rosinia scored a jackpot at the ANA. About 10 years ago he purchased some Morgan dollars, one of which he kept as a pocket piece. When he submitted it to ANACS this past August, it came back graded P01 (Poor – the lowest grade). The only silver graded lower would still be in the ground! Jeff described how some collectors now seek “low ball coins,” which are coins at the lowest possible grade. At the same convention he submitted an UNC Morgan, which came back MS61. Both coins were 1900, mintmark O.
9. Steve Zitowsky showed 2 items he picked up at shows in 2013.
   1. A gold coin from Axum (Ethiopia), 4th century AD, anonymous ruler. See the photo in the “Meetings & Events” folder, under Photos, on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/chicagocoinclub. (A Facebook account or login is not required to view photos from our meetings.)
   2. A counterstamped 2 reales: Kunkel’s Opera Troupe. Kunkel’s toured in Virginia, Maryland, and DC during the years before the Civil War. They were in Baltimore at the time hostilities broke out. John Wilkes Booth was a member of the troupe for awhile. The coin itself is a 1788 2 reales from Lima, Peru, with the bust of Charles III.
10. Rich Lipman showed some interesting Federal Reserve notes:
    1. $2 with a repeating / radar serial number.
    2. $10 with a blurry, double image. He speculated that the printer could have stopped the press to fix something and then restarted, not realizing the sheet had already partially printed.
    3. $2 with a big pink kiss (lips) on the front. Rich collects notes with interesting messages: i.e., graffiti that people have written or stamped on the note.

Minutes of the 2014 Chicago ANA Convention Committee

January 22, 2014

Following a dinner compliments of William Burd, the third meeting of the 2014 Chicago ANA Convention Committee was called to order at 7:30 PM by Host Chairman William Burd on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 in the Fireplace Room, Rosewood Restaurant, 9241 W. Higgins Road, Rosemont, IL.

The following members were present: Steve Zitowsky, Sharon Blocker, Eugene Freeman, Scott McGowan, Mark Wieclaw, Harlan Berk, Elliott Krieter, Rich Lipman, Paul Hybert, Dale Lukanich, Jeff Rosinia and Carl Wolf. Also attending were Kim Kiick, ANA Executive Director, and Rhonda Scurek, ANA Convention Director.

1. William Burd thanked everyone for attending and was given a round of applause for hosting the dinner.
2. Kim Kiick, ANA Executive Director, thanked the Club for all their volunteerism in the 2011 and 2013 conventions and spoke of how much she is looking forward to the upcoming 2014 convention.
3. Rhonda Scurek, ANA Convention Director, also thanked the Club and acknowledged the importance of the host club. She went on to report:
   1. Meeting with the Rosemont convention center and rearranging a more open rest area plus a more convenient handicapped entrance.
   2. Kick Off event is in Rosemont and will not require the use of a bus.
   3. Due to budget cuts, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing will not appear at the convention.
4. Committee Reports
   1. Pages – Rich Lipman/Elliott Kreiter asked for the ANA policy concerning:
      1. Pages working during PNG Days
      2. Pages standing in lines to receive limited edition numismatic issues.
   2. Scouts – Eugene Freeman
      1. Reported the success of 2013 as a result of promotion and the creation of a special collecting patch.
      2. Recommended the Merit Badge Clinic start at 9:00 AM and be over in time for Scouts to enjoy the Bourse Floor.
   3. Ambassadors – Carl Wolf
      1. Was assured by Rhonda there would be a supply of daily parking vouchers for volunteers who work 4 hours.
      2. Spoke of how volunteers liked the special imprinted shirts which made them feel part of a team.
      3. Spoke of how the Registration Desk needs to be fully staffed at the opening of the first day.
      4. Spoke of how some elderly attendees could not stand in long lines at the Registration, came to sit at the volunteer table.
      5. Told of how many convention goers would not take the 138-page Show Guide because it was too cumbersome.
   4. Money Talks – Dale Lukanich/Mark Wieclaw expressed the feeling that attendance would increase with:
      1. Bigger signage
      2. Time board with upcoming programs
   5. Collector Exhibits – Paul Hybert/Sharon Blocker
      1. Asked for the Convention Theme (Countries & Currency)
      2. Asked the ANA to set a firm ruling about the closing time and when collectors can dismantle their exhibits.
      3. Asked for better promotion to draw Young Numismatist exhibits.
      4. Rhonda announced there will be fewer loaner exhibits of the type available for display at club shows.
5. Speaker Medals – Carl Wolf announced that the Club had approved of creating 50 copper medals engraved with each speaker’s name and hung by a neck ribbon.
6. Other Topics and Suggestions:
   1. As 2019 will be the Chicago Coin Club’s 100th Anniversary, a motion was unanimously passed authorizing the Secretary to submit a letter to the American Numismatic Association requesting the honor to host the 2019 ANA Convention in Chicago.
   2. A request to rename the “World’s Fair of Money,” which is easy to misinterpret, to “National Rare Coin Convention.”
   3. Since Chicago is uniquely located on Lake Michigan with a stunning skyline view, the ANA was asked to consider a Boat Tour as a future Kick Off Event.
   4. When better advertising and marketing was suggested, Kim announced that budget constraints resulted in the ANA cutting the advertising budget for the 2013 convention.
   5. A suggestion was made to hold a silent auction with the ANA Banquet.
   6. Consider having “Pop Up” education sessions
   7. Concern was expressed that attendees have trouble differentiating between the commercial and the educational aspects.
   8. The new ANA Web site was discussed.

William Burd was given another warm round of applause for hosting the event and the meeting was adjourned at 8:56 PM with the next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, 2014, in the offices of Harlan J. Berk, Ltd., 77 W. Washington, Suite 1320, Downtown Chicago.

Respectfully Submitted,
Carl Wolf, Secretary
Chicago Coin Club

Our 1142nd Meeting

Important Dates

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

Chatter Matter

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

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

http://www.ChicagoCoinClub.org/

Club Officers

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