| 2002
| ScrapBook
Subjects
|
Page
Index
Links
|
Link:
But Honey... I Saved $1,500!
Link:
Silver Center Planchet Specimens
Link:
[ Bear Country! ]
Link:
[ Ask And Ye Shall Receive! ]
Link:
Here's Proof That "I Like Ike!"
Link:
A Brace Of Magneformed Horses
Link:
I Hope This Makes Sense!
Link:
[ Lewis Or Clark? ]
Link:
Two Value Added Specimens
Link:
One Couldn't Ask For A Better Start
Link:
[ A.Word.A.Day--Yeggs ]
|
|
Enlargement scans available on WWW and ScrapBook CD-ROM.
|
|
| 7/20
|
-
But Honey... I Saved $1,500!
|
1855 Kellogg $50 commemorative restrike S.S. Central America, proof state
graded by PCGS. The first fifty dollar gold pieces to be issued under the
authority of the California Historial Society. Total issue limited to 5,000
pieces. Each $50 coin is struck from authentic Kellogg & Humbert ingots
recovered from the ship S.S. Central America which sank September 12, 1857
and contains 1309 grains of .887 fine gold. The original dies from Kellogg
& Co. were used to make these historial commemorative pieces of California
gold. The dies used to strike each piece were originated by transfer from
the original 1855 dies engraved by Ferdinand Gruner in San Francisco,
California and have the added commemorative inscription on the reverse
ribbon: "S.S. Central America Gold - C.H.S." The last being for the
California Historial Society. The coin comes in a strudy frame ready for
display. The frame comes in a cloth covered display box and a carboard
sleve and a certificate of authenticity signed by Stephen Becker, Executive
Director, Califormia Historial Society. Only 5,000 made. Comes with nice
historial book. Billings13...Jul-04-02 07:02:14
Date
Struck
August 20, 2001
|
This COOL (but expensive) FIRST DAY of issue $50 gold restrike
by GMM was sold on eBay July 14th, 2002 at $3,500, a significant price reduction
from the original issue price. If you are using a ScrapBook CD-ROM, then
here are scans Billings provided of this restrike's
Link:Display Frame,
Link:Certificate #376 and
Link:America's Lost Treasure book by Tommy
Thompson.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
United States Mail Steamship
Central America
|
|
1855 $50 Gold
SS Central
America
Commemorative
Mintages |
|
Proof strikes |
| 2001 |
Day |
| 8/20 |
1 |
493 |
| 8/21 |
2 |
84 |
| 8/22 |
3 |
126 |
| 8/23 |
4 |
109 |
| 8/24 |
5 |
25 |
| 8/25 |
6 |
128 |
| 8/26 |
7 |
200 |
| 8/27 |
8 |
156 |
| 8/28 |
9 |
50 |
| 8/29 |
10 |
93 |
| 8/30 |
11 |
56 |
| 8/31 |
12 |
483 |
| 9/01 |
13 |
105 |
| 9/02 |
14 |
209 |
| 9/03 |
15 |
487 |
| 9/04 |
16 |
64 |
| 9/05 |
17 |
123 |
| 9/06 |
18 |
203 |
| 9/07 |
19 |
223 |
| 9/08 |
20 |
101 |
| 9/09 |
21 |
104 |
| 9/10 |
22 |
153 |
| 9/11 |
23 |
99 |
| 9/12 |
24 |
587 |
| Total |
4,461 |
Uncirculated
strikes |
| 2001 |
Day |
| 8/26 |
7 |
100 |
| 9/03 |
15 |
93 |
| 9/07 |
19 |
99 |
| 9/12 |
24 |
200 |
| Total |
492
|
|
|
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| 7/14
|
1792 "Silver Center"
Cent
|
Click for
Obverse
or
Reverse
enlargement
on CD-ROM
|
1796 "Silver Center"
Half Cent
|
Click for
Obverse
or
Reverse
enlargement
on CD-ROM
|
-
Silver Center Planchet Specimens
1792 "Silver Center" Cent:
This is a Gallery Mint Museum COPY of a 1792 Silver Center Cent (which
was actually produced by the U.S. Mint as a Pattern). As with all
Gallery Mint products, it is struck on a planchet of the original
specifications (one-quarter of a cent's worth of Pure Copper, with
a Plug containing three-quarters of a cent's worth of .8924 Pure Silver in
the center) and using the same technology as that available to the early
U.S. Mint (i.e., on a Screw Press). Gorgeous Red (and White) Uncirculated!
Mark Honea...Jul-04-02 13:11:59
1796 "Silver Center" Half Cent:
This is a Gallery Mint Museum COPY of a 1796 With Pole Half Cent (reference
Cohen 2). What makes this particular piece UNIQUE is that it was struck on
a planchet with a small silver center, along the same lines as the New (to
the Gallery Mint Museum) 1792 Silver Center Cent. I acquired this piece
several years ago. As with all Gallery Mint products, this is struck on a
planchet of the original specifications (Pure Copper with a small Fine
Silver Plug), and was produced using the same technology as that available
to the early U.S. Mint (i.e., on a Screw Press). Gorgeous Red (and White)
Uncirculated! Mark Honea...Jul-04-02 12:51:26
The 1792 Cent is a 2002 creation from GMM but the 1796 Half Cent is a
creation purportedly from GMM's earlier years. How about that! Something
else brand-new from GMM's past! It never ceases to amaze me the things
that keep popping up from hidden corners. Adam Hardcastle's collection
combined with Mark's other sources continue to be a virtual cornucopia
of exceptional, perhaps even occasionally unique, GMM specimens.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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|
Click for
Enlargement on CD-ROM
A Clifford Kraft photograph.
Saul
|
Click for
Enlargement on CD-ROM
A Clifford Kraft photograph.
Sow&Cub
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Bear Country!
Click for
Enlargement on CD-ROM
California
Diamond Jubilee
Half Dollar
|
Click for
Enlargement on CD-ROM
A Clifford Kraft photograph.
Jasper
Alberta
Trade Dollar
|
Solomon is Jasper's Dad as I understand it. When I made my trip North to
Ontario to go fishing these two wonderful carvings were waiting for me at
the Standard Station where I purchased gasoline just below the border in
International Falls, Minnesota.
It sure is great that we live in a country where a person can trust a total
stranger to pass valuable items to another person. Actually there were two
strangers involved in the transfer. The gas station manager and the clerk on
duty when I went through about midnight!
God Bless America!
Saul:
This is Saul, short for Solomon, a very woods wise
bruin. Saul owns a rather lucrative "used a bit" store, specializing in
slightly used or damaged bells, whistles, and empty pepper spray canisters,
which he gathers in his travels. They usually arrive at his store in badly
damaged sleeping bags, which he donates to a local quilting and rug making
club. When asked; "How's business?" Saul replied with a very large GRRRRRR
and an even bigger grin. I guess that's the American way.
Clifford L. Kraft...Wed, 26 Jun 2002 11:24:06
Again Cliff took inspiration from the existing coin shown here on the left.
In my opinion he improved on it but we won't tell the folks at the U.S.Mint
that or their feelings might get hurt.
A step by step progression along the road to completion!
Clifford Kraft photographs.
Click for
First,
Second or
Third
stage enlargement on CD-ROM
|
I am showing you Jasper and his Mom again here, above right, so you won't
have to jump back to SBsubject
Link:How Do You Get To Carnegie Hall?
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
Sow&Cub:
My name is Jasper and this carving is of my Mom and
me. I am very big for a Grizzly of my age, but Mom is the bigger bear. My
Mom is very smart and is teaching me everything I will need to know when I
go out on my own, which I am looking forward to. I asked Mom what happened
to the buffalo, who's place we took, and all she would say is "When you get
older." She did tell me about how the Park Service tells the hikers who go
into bear country to wear bells, blow whistles, and carry pepper spray. She
went on to explain the difference in bear dungs. The Black Bear's contains
seeds, grasses, and small animal fur, while the Grizzlies' contains bells,
whistles, and smells of pepper spray. Boy I can't wait to get older! -
Jasper, AKA Clifford Kraft...Sat, 22 Jun 2002 21:00:06
Ask And Ye Shall Receive!
I said I was really anxious to see Cliff's next
CRITTER CARVING in SBsubject
Link:How Do You Get To Carnegie Hall?
As I write this my favorite Aurora Borealis Carver has TWO more
bear carvings offered on eBay and on my absolute favorite host coins,
1913 Type-1 "Buffalo On Mound". These two carvings really ought to be
offered in the FUN2003 OHNS auction where they would be shown to folks
who have the broad experience to fully appreciate how rare a talent like
Cliff's truly is!
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
Clifford Kraft photographs.
Nip and Tuck
Samson
Nip and Tuck:
After these guys saw a picture of JASPER and his Mom (Gallery Mint Museum
Scrapbook Page43)
Link:How Do You Get To Carnegie Hall?,
they wanted a picture of themselves and their Mom. So this is NIP and
TUCK, (L-52). with their Mom. They also live in Alberta, in an area
with plenty of food (not counting the tourists), and a good thing...
the way these guys can eat. Mom found out that tourists will pay for
pictures of bear, especially with cubs, and has been setting aside what she
can, trying to save enough so the family could go to the F.U.N. Convention
in Orlando (if someone will wake her), as she has slept through the last
two. Nip and Tuck are looking for someone to give them a ride (whether
Mom is awake or not). In fact Dad, SAMSON (who will be here tomorrow)
said, he too would like to go. "What do you think?" The family is
hosted on a 1913 T-1 XF, and is completely hand carved with many alterations
and nice detail.
Clifford L. Kraft...Wednesday, Jul-03-02 17:46:42
Postscript: When I look at "Nip and Tuck" I see a Mom with her two cubs,
Nip being the larger and stronger is like Mom's shadow, with anything that
becomes available being his. Now Tuck is smaller, "the runt if you will",
bringing up the rear and having to fight for everything. Good or bad, he
can't take a chance on missing out, because if he does he will never catch
up with Nip. If he has the will to keep fighting he will be another Sam.
If not then he just won't keep up and won't make it. I see this whole novel
every time I look at the coin. Spooky Huh?
Clifford L. Kraft...Sunday, Jul-07-02 19:13:47
Samson:
I'm sure you don't recognize this guy, but I'm just as sure all the other
bears in his area do. This is SAM, (L-53), short for Samson, He is, as well
as a very large Grizzly, also SAUL's big brother and NIP and TUCK's
Dad. SAM lives on love, love of buffalo meat, thats why he hangs around
nickel carvers. Like he says; "With claws and teeth like these, I'm not
going to live on berries and nuts!" SAM's idea of a sandwich is a person
in a goose down sleeping bag, "Messy, but good!", and if they happen to have
a package of cookies in there with them, so much the better. After looking
at himself in the mirror, SAM had to admit; "It's been a good summer."
He is now looking for a place to den up later this fall, do you have such a
place? He is very good at dog and critter control, even an occasional deer
or moose (in season of course.) He is completely hand carved (no power tools)
on a 1913 T-1 XF buffalo nickel with some nice alterations and details.
Clifford L. Kraft...Thursday, Jul-04-02 18:11:04
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|
| 6/25
|
1794 "CUD" Dollar on 1971-S
Eisenhower Proof Dollar
|
Click for
Obverse
or
Reverse
enlargement
on CD-ROM
|
-
Here's Proof That "I Like Ike!"
Ron's standard silver dollar planchets are 89.24% pure silver and really
take a wonderful strike with his original equipment. As one would expect
harder alloys do not work as well generally. HOWEVER... the silver Proof
Eisenhower dollars are 80% pure silver clad over an inner layer of 20.9%
pure silver and, as you can see here, they take an excellent strike as well.
There is very little of the original Ike Dollar impression remaining on
this strike. I had two of these pieces created and both turned out equally
as well. The CUD retains the brilliant original proof surface and is really
impressive.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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|
|
| 6/24
|
1787 New Jersey Cent
Magniformed from 30.7-31.0mm down to 22.6-23.4mm
using 4500 Joules.
|
Click for
Obverse
or
Reverse
enlargement
on CD-ROM
|
-
A Brace Of Magneformed Horses
I first introduced you to magniformed coins in SBsubject
Link:Honest Mom... I Never Touched It!
Bert has to special wind coils for non-standard diameter specimens so
he went to a lot of extra effort to smash these GMM creations for me
and I REALLY appreciate it. If I remember correctly he even had to go
to the hardware store and purchase different dowel rods to use for those
special sized coils. That was definitely above and beyond the call of
duty.
Both of these pieces were reduced to roughly 75% of their original size
which, as you can see from the scans, is more significant that it might
sound like at first blush. The 1787 New Jersey cent is not particular
scarce but the 1788 Garden State Numismatic Association medal is a very
difficult to obtain piece since there were only 200 struck. I was told
quite recently that GSNA is down to their last three specimens which
they are reserving for an as yet undefined future project. This may be
the only magniformed specimen of the GSNA medal you will ever encounter.
Here is what Bert had to tell us about these two specimens:
The 1787 NJ Cent shrunk much more than the previous coins, indicating
that either the specific alloy in these coins was softer or it was more
electrically conductive (maybe pure copper?), and it turned out very
nicely. The 1788 Garden State Medal also shrunk to about the same degree.
Unfortunately, during shrinking, there apparently was an electrical
arc-over near the coin when the work coil exploded - this happens
occasionally during the shrinking process and is difficult to prevent.
This caused an area of bluish "toning" (probably from copper being
vaporized and redeposited from the work coil onto the coin) that can
hopefully be carefully cleaned/removed. When this occurs on my clad
coins, I remove it by using a soft toothbrush. There's also a slight
nick on one edge from a high-velocity coil fragment striking the coin,
which again sometimes occurs after the work coil has exploded. Sorry it
didn't turn out better, but coin shrinking is still more of an art than
a science I'm afraid. -
EMail:Bert Hickman...Sun, 03 Feb 2002 17:02:44
I think everything turned out GREAT and that Bert, being a typical
Engineer, is definitely a perfectionist. For those of you who may be
interested, here are some links to Bert's various webpages:
Link:StoneRidge Engineering,
Link:Making
Small Change and
Link:Shrunken Coins are now Available!
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
|
1788 Garden State Numismatic Association
Medal
Magniformed from 30.5mm down to 22.6-23.1mm using
4500 Joules.
|
Click for
Obverse
or
Reverse
enlargement
on CD-ROM
|
|
|
| 6/24
|
A Bob Shalowitz photograph.
|
Click for
Obverse
or
Reverse
enlargement
on
CD-ROM
|
-
I Hope This Makes Sense!
A Bob Shalowitz photograph.
|
This is a 1796 half cent error offered by Bob
Shalowitz (top100golf.) For the life of me, I cannot figure out where
the unusual indent came from. Can you help? My wife and I both saw the
same thing, and we are stumped. - Clifford Bolling...Tue, 28 May 2002
15:54:05
I figured out what it is. The original struck piece was struck a second
time with another struck half cent, overlapping, obverse down. The odd
design was created from the back part of the liberty cap of both pieces
overlapping slightly. The originally struck designs were enlarged-distorted
by the second strike. The distorted design on this piece is slightly raised
and the impression from the second piece is slightly incuse. When the back
of both liberty caps are distorted and overlapping, this weird image is
created. (I hope this makes sense!) I suspect the other coin from this pair
has almost exactly the same image on it. -
Clifford Bolling...Thu, 20 Jun 2002 17:43:01
I really appreciate Cliff's continued input to the GMM ScrapBook project and
I encourage any of the other Gallery Mint collectors to consider helping
us document GMM related subject. Everybody is welcome!
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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All photographs by Steven Adams.
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Lewis Or Clark?
You wouldn't believe the fun I've been having the last couple weeks. My
Corresponding Buddy and Master Engraver Steve Adams has been teasing me with
bits and pieces of his latest carving as he was working on it. I would get a
small graphics file every few days like the three shown here left, above and
right. By the way, I guessed correctly (Lewis) on Steve's "Lewis or
Clark?" ear test... reckon I just got lucky.
My first indication that Steve was working on this super carving was the
wonderful photograph shown here lower left. Here is what Steve had
to say when he sent me this interesting scan:
I am about half way through Lewis and Clark. It
is turning out to be quite an undertaking, and with any luck I'll have it
done in another week. As far as portraits are concerned, this will be the
toughest carving to date. One can be tough, but two on one side creates
problems to overcome. I am keeping this one under wraps until the buyer
has the completed coin in his hands, after that feel free to show the
scan I'll send you once the coin is done.
Steven G. Adams...Sun, 9 Jun 2002 10:08:16
I don't understand how Steve finds time to go fishing but, as shown here
lower center, Dennis and Steve do get out on the water from time to time.
Steve told me that Dennis has gotten a 14# Salmon already this season.
Not a monster, but a decent fish to kick off the
season.
Finally today, June 23rd, I got the final carving photograph shown here
lower right. Steve has been working on this creation for well over
two weeks! I wish it still had the original nickel's date and the LIBERTY
legend but Steve carved this to his customer's specifications and it
certainly is a typical Adams masterpiece!
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
It was actually my decision to carve the date away.
When I did the original art I left the date off. It is extremely difficult
to leave the date on with the depth of relief I work in, especially with
two faces on one side of the coin. The scan doesn't show how deep this
carving is. It almost goes through in two spots. The second thing is very
relevant to this carving. Lewis and Clark is the first carving where I
used a stereo microscope, not totally, but when I needed it. When I get
the ring light for the scope, I will increase the use of the scope. Sam
gave me some good advice before I purchased the scope. Oh, and by the way,
Dennis has informed me he has now caught a 18 and 19 pound fish. I was
home doing a carving and missed out. - Steven G. Adams...Mon,
24 Jun 2002 16:29:47
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|---|
| 6/23
|
A Lindy Stone photograph.
1793/1996 26¢
"Value Added" Creation
|
Click for
Obverse
or
Reverse
enlargement
on CD-ROM
|
-
Two Value Added Specimens
One sure way to increase the value of your pocket change is to take it
down to TheGuys and see what you can come up with. We haven't seen any
custom strikes of the 1792 Silver Center Cent yet but you can bet they
are on their way!
I do wonder how the Washington Quarter got struck "uniface". My best guess
is that they laid a quarter on an unstruck large cent planchet thus allowing
the Washington bust to not be particularly distorted. If so, then there
ought to be a "second half" to this specimen.
I like the fact the Kennedy Half was in great condition before being
overstruck with the 1793 Liberty Cap Cent dies. The better the host coin
the nicer the final creation is to the old FatMan.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
|
A Lindy Stone photograph.
1793/1964 51¢
"Value Added" Creation
|
Click for
Obverse
or
Reverse
enlargement
on CD-ROM
|
|
|
| 6/23
|
A Lindy Stone photograph.
1796 "Burnt Die"
Silver HalfCent
|
Click for
Obverse
or
Reverse
enlargement
on
CD-ROM
|
-
One Couldn't Ask For A Better Start
Yesterday Lindy sold this rare specimen to an eBay buyer who appears to
have never bid on a Gallery Mint creation previous to this purchase.
Well... one certainly couldn't ask for a more auspicious beginning to a
GMM creations collection!
Here is what Lindy had to say about this wonderful specimen:
1796 Gallery Mint Famous Burnt Half Cent dies
struck on correct thickness stock but in Silver. Very limited production
in Silver compared to the copper burnt die strikes. Inspite of the
galling that occured in manufacturing production Ron was able to salvage
the portrait and still use it as a master for die production. -
Lindy Stone...Saturday, Jun-15-02 17:25:06
We have visited the general subject of the burned die several times
previous to this in SBsubjects;
Link:1796 "Burned Die" HalfCent,
Link:A Start On The HalfCent Dies and
Link:Copper/Brass/Silver Burned Die Cent Set.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
|
|
A.Word.A.Day--Yeggs
When I stumbled across the word yeggs, in the 42 Hobo Signs graphic
file, I was immediately intrigued because I had never heard it before. The
link was provided by Mike Pezak, Nickel Carver, and I want to thank him for
adding to my day. It is always a good day when I learn something new! So...
my A.Word.A.Day (AWAD) for today is Yeggs!
Actually, finding yeggs as I did has absolutely nothing to do with
the superior work Anu does in his A.Word.A.Day (AWAD) website and
mailing list. It is just that finding an interesting new word reminded me
of that website.
| yegg n. Slang. A thief, especially a burglar or safecracker. [Origin unknown.] |
Following is an unabashed and unapologetic advertisement for
A.Word.A.Day, one of my VERY LIMITED EMail subscriptions,
(my other one is Daily Dilbert):
To subscribe or unsubscribe to A.Word.A.Day,
send a message to
EMail:wsmith@wordsmith.org
with "Subject:" line as "subscribe " or "unsubscribe".
Archives, FAQ, gift subscription form, bulletin board, and more at
Link:wordsmith.org/awad.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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