By Coinweek ….
CoinWeek News Wire for December 30, 2016
Brain Food
Few things mean as much to soldiers as their medals. But if the medals get lost, how do they find their way home? That’s where Major Zachariah Fike comes in…
2.) All India coin in India-1940-1965
3.) Falkirk’s greatest Roman discovery
The news of the discovery spread fast and treasure-hunting children arrived from all corners to join in the general search for more of the same. Some folk thought was all a big hoax. The treasure was eventually passed to the Town Clerk for safe keeping and when the experts examined the find they discovered nearly 2000 silver denarii, the earliest from 83 BC when Rome was still a republic through to AD 230 and covering the reigns of every Roman emperor from Augustus to Alexander Severus…
Current Events
4.) Zimbabwe: Gold Coins Better than Bond Notes
CHEGUTU West MP Dexter Nduna has urged government to consider introducing gold coins which he said were a more valuable and internationally acceptable currency than bond notes…
5.) Venezuelans get new coins, still waiting on bills
President Nicolas Maduro is introducing new coins and bills in larger denominations as he grapples with the world’s highest inflation rate.
But the leftist leader triggered riots and looting two weeks ago when he tried to pull the 100-bolivar bill from circulation before its replacement had arrived — leaving Venezuelans desperately short of cash for food and Christmas presents…
6.) Venezuela’s biggest bank note gets new stay of execution
The 100-bolivar note will now remain legal tender until January 20 instead of the 2nd, “so everyone can spend their New Year’s in calm,” Maduro announced in a national address…
7.) Illinois Woman Legal Owner Of Apollo 11 Moon Rock Bag, Not NASA: Judge
[While many of the particulars are certainly different, this case may be of interest to anyone following the saga of the Langbord-Switt 1933 double eagles. —CoinWeek]
In February 2015, Nancy Carlson bought the lunar bag for $995 at a Texas auction that was held on behalf of the U.S. Marshals Service but the government later petitioned for the reversal of the sale so the lunar sample bag would be returned to NASA.
On Dec. 14, Judge J. Thomas Marten of the U.S. District Court in Wichita, Kansas, ruled that Carlson is the legal owner of the historical artifact that was used to collect lunar samples during the first manned mission to the moon in July 1969…
8.) Advocacy group wants coin, stamp, to celebrate 50 years of gay decriminalization
An Ottawa advocacy group has filed proposals for a 2019 stamp and coin commemorating the 1969 repeal of laws that criminalized homosexuality in Canada.
The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD) made both recommendations in September 2016…
Under the Radar
9.) South Shore icons designed on Canada 150 loonie
Two South Shore icons, Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse and the Cape Islander style fishing boat, are part of the design on the reverse (tails) side of the 2017 Canada 150 anniversary commemorative circulation loonie…
10.) New Luxembourgish two-euro coin to be introduced in 2017
Luxembourg will introduce a new two-euro coin in 2017. The coin will feature the portraits of Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duke William III side by side. 2017 is the 200th anniversary of William III…
11.) Commemorative centenary coins of Mysore university released
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah released the centenary commemorative coins of the University of Mysore on Friday. The coins, in Rs. 100 and Rs. 5 denominations, were minted at the India Government Mint, Mumbai.
Only the Rs. 5 commemorative coins will be made available for circulation in the market, said varsity authorities…
12.) Estonian Bank announces a competition to design a two-euro commemorative coin
Eesti Pank is announcing a competition to design a two-euro commemorative coin “Estonia’s road to independence” dedicated to the events that preceded Estonia’s independence. The coin will mark the approaching 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia and will enter into circulation at the start of the second half of 2017. Both individuals and groups of authors are welcome to participate in the design competition…
In Memoriam
13.) Acclaimed Inuk artist Tim Pitsiulak dead at 49
In 2013, the Royal Canadian Mint unveiled Pitsiulak’s design on a 25-cent commemorative circulation coin celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Arctic Expedition and life in the North.
The central design feature of his coin was a pair of Beluga whales and a Bowhead whale, which are common to Arctic waters and vitally important to the Inuit way of life…
Gold, Bullion & Precious Metals
14.) Fears spark gold rush in Pakistan
The resolution by Pakistan’s upper house of parliament demanding scrapping of Rs 5,000 currency notes has led to an increase in demand for gold. Denials by the government and State Bank of Pakistan has failed to check public anxiety over its largest denomination notes…
15.) As Seen On Tv: Financial Products You Should Avoid – Lear Capital
Lear’s primary business is selling gold and silver coins. But you can buy coins more cheaply elsewhere…
Crime & Punishment
16.) NCIC Crime Bulletin
From the Numismatic Crime Information Center (NCIC):
Lost/Stolen
A package containing 21 coins was sent via USPS and arrived in Kerney, NJ. on December 21, 2016. There are no records that show the package left Kerney however, the package did not reach its final destination.
For information on the missing coins, click here: Lost/Stolen Coin List (PDF)
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During the past twelve months numismatic crime has continued to impact the numismatic community.
However, the Numismatic Crime Information Center (NCIC), in collaboration with dealers, collectors and law enforcement across the country, has made several significant arrests and been responsible for the recovery of thousands of dollars in coins and currency.
The targeting of coin dealers after shows and the recent triple homicide of a dealer and two employees which occurred on December 17, 2016 should remind all of us of the potential and inherent dangers within our industry and hobby.
The many successes of NCIC are due to the resources provided to law enforcement and victims during the investigation of a numismatic crime. These resources are crucial during the investigative process and are free due to the support of the numismatic community.
As the year comes to an end, I hope you will consider sending a generous donation to enable us to continue our mission and strategic initiatives in “Targeting Numismatic Crimes Around the World”. We are making a difference. With your help, it can continue. Your involvement in our crime prevention network is critical to the continued success of NCIC.
Your financial support will allow us to continue providing free educational and investigative resources to law enforcement and the numismatic community.
I hope you and your family have a safe and prosperous New Year.
Doug Davis
Founder/President
Numismatic Crime Information Center.P.S. – All donations are tax deductible. Please share and encourage other collectors/dealers to sign up for the crime alerts in order to expand our crime fighting network.
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Anyone with information about the case above can contact the NCIC’s Doug Davis at (817) 723-7231 or [email protected].
The Numismatic Crime Information Center is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation. P.O. Box 14080 Arlington, Texas 76094.
17.) Woman accused of stealing $35k in gold, silver coins
A Miami County [Ohio] woman accused of stealing more than $35,000 worth of gold and silver from a Troy man’s home between May and September of this year, pleaded not guilty to grand theft Thursday.
Sara K. Keeton, 25, of Tipp City is accused of removing coins and other items from the home and sold them at different locations around the area…
18.) Five arrested after war medals were ‘stolen’ from home in Blandford, UK
Officers say items of jewellery and six World War One and Two medals belonging to the homeowner’s father were stolen from the home in Damory Court Street…
19.) Waiouru medal thief recalled to prison after starting online escort service
Waiouru Medal thief Ronald van Wakeren has been recalled to prison for running an escort website out of the home he lived in with his mother.
Van Wakeren, a career criminal infamous for his involvement in the $5 million medal heist from the National Army Museum in Waiouru, had his application for a writ against habeas corpus denied in the High Court at Auckland in December…
Counterfeit Cavalcade
20.) Sons of Retd Navy officer now kings of fake coin racket
This is a story of two spoilt sons — the Luthra brothers — who became undisputed “Kings of Counterfeit” coins racket. One of them has already fled to Nepal and the other — Sweekar — who was arrested on Tuesday, will cool his heels in Tihar…
Banknote News
21.) Pakistan rejects call to demonetize 5,000-rupee note
Pakistan’s government has dismissed a recommendation from the upper house of parliament to scrap the 5,000 rupee ($48) bank note to cut the flow of illicit money and reduce the size of the informal economy.
The ministry said the government hoped to encourage digital banking to “reduce the dependence on currency”…
22.) First planeload of new banknotes arrives in Venezuela
The plane carrying “272 crates of 50,000 500-bolivar bills” arrived from the Swedish capital of Stockholm on Sunday, said Jose Khan, a high-ranking official with Venezuela’s Central Bank.
He said two more planes will also be arriving, with the 500-bolivar bills finally totaling 60 million units…
23.) Older versions of Saudi currency to go out of circulation in 5 years
Destruction of previous versions of currency notes will be carried out inside Saudi Arabia starting Monday, as soon as they are received by the central bank.
…[T]he new currency notes will be processed outside the Kingdom, most likely in Switzerland…
24.) El Banco Central anunció nuevos billetes con animales autóctonos
Después de la llegada de la ballena franca austral y el yaguareté, el Banco Central anunció que reemplazará progresivamente los billetes que hoy en día muestran la imagen de próceres. Al igual que los de 200 y 500 pesos, pasarán a tener el dibujo de animales autóctonos…
25.) South Korean 2,000 won notes to commemorate PyeongChang Olympic Games
The Bank of Korea will issue 2.8 million sets of commemorative KRW 2,000 bills by the end of 2017, to promote the upcoming sporting event, to run from Feb. 9 to 25, 2018, across Gangwon-do Province. The issuing of commemorative bills, instead of coins marks a first for the nation’s central bank…
Red Kettle Report
- December 22 – Gold coin, valued at more than $1.1K, found in Louisville, KY
- December 23 – Salvation Army finds 33 gold coins in 5 kettles
- December 23 – Over a dozen American Silver Eagles donated in Joplin, MO
- December 24 – 1715 Fleet Spanish gold coin finds its way to Sebastian, FL kettle
- December 26 – Donor drops Krugerrands into Iowa kettles
Medals, Tokens & Exonumia
26.) Cool hand carved “hobo nickels” up for auction
The entire collection of 23 coins being offered by Heritage Auctions is attributed to artist John Dorusa, who was a Pennsylvania coal miner…
27.) Souvenir coins celebrate and spread hometown pride in Ohio
The Defiance, Ohio, Development & Visitors Bureau (DDVB) has found a unique way to celebrate their city — by commissioning a commemorative silver coin. Originally designed as a souvenir for bicycling tourists, the coins became so popular that the mayor now hands them out to visiting dignitaries and to the people that make the town unique…
28.) Glass, medals and Superman coins warm hearts of Lincoln officers
The driver motioned at him to pull over, and when he stopped he radioed in his location and watched the woman get out of her SUV, hands up and smiling.
“She says, ‘There’s no problem,'” Ashley said.
The two chatted for a bit, and she pulled out a specialty coin with the Superman logo on it. She explained that a group of her friends bought the coins to hand out to law enforcement…
Treasure & Archaeology
29.) Malpura: First coin recovered by cops put end to rumours
The first gold coin recovered by police on December 6 evening put an end to the rumour mills that termed the rush for gold at Jankipura village in Malpura as false. Police informers had given a tip about change in the behaviour of a farmer in the last two weeks…
30.) Cops seize eight more gold coins from villagers
“Coins dug out from Bayana had women wearing necklaces and pictures of tigers. But those recovered from Jankipura have a king riding a horse”…
31.) Hundreds scramble for silver coins found in demolished Chinese home
Cash dating back to the Qing dynasty found in the walls of the house in Jiangxi province and owner wants looted money returned, according to media reports…
Upcoming Auctions & Events
- Stephen Album Rare Coins Auction 27 – Dr. Paul Stevens Collection of Indian Coins, Part VI – January 19-22
- Nomisma Auction 17 – January 24
32.) Kolbe & Fanning NY Book Auction Bidding Instructions
Live online bidding will be available during the sale through our custom auction platform at auction.numislit.com. Absentee bids may also be placed at any time on this site. Registration is required, and we recommend registering before the day of the sale in order to avoid delays. All lots are illustrated on this site, and the privacy of your identity and maximum bids is maintained…
Museums & Exhibits
33.) REVIEW: Numismatic and philatelic exhibitions at The Ukrainian Museum
From September 11 to November 27, honoring the 25th anniversary of Ukrainian independence, The Ukrainian Museum hosted not one, but two, complementary exhibitions of collectable pieces of official history issued by independent governments of free Ukraine.
The larger exhibition, “In Metal, On Paper: Coins, Banknotes and Postage Stamps of Independent Ukraine, 1991-2016,” was curated by Dr. Yuri Savchuk, senior research associate at the Institute of History of Ukraine at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NANU). The exhibit itself was organized by The Ukrainian Museum, along with the National Bank of Ukraine, Ukrainian State Enterprise of Posts (“Ukrposhta”) and the Institute of History of Ukraine at NANU.
The parallel exhibition, “Money, Sovereignty and Power: The Paper Currency of Revolutionary Ukraine, 1917-1920,” focused on paper money only, and was based on a traveling exhibition curated by Bohdan Kordan, professor and director of the Prairie Center for the Study of Ukrainian Heritage (PCUH) at St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan, and organized by the PCUH, along with the Ukrainian Museum of Canada…
Just for Fun
34.) Teenager lined up at Royal Australian Mint since Christmas Day to get first coin struck for 2017
Every year since 2013, Harley Russo has grabbed the No.1 one position in the queue at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra for the honour of striking the first coin anywhere in the world in the new year and taking home the instantly-collectible and immediately-valuable item.
But this year, a Canberran has beaten him to the punch.
Belconnen teenager Luke Marshall grabbed first position in the queue when he arrived at the Mint at lunchtime on Christmas Day…
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