| 2002
| ScrapBook
Subjects
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Page
Index
Links
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Link:
SS Central America Commemorative Mintages
Link:
[ Edge Of The Strip ...or... End Of Rail? ]
Link:
Time Is Running Out Folks
Link:
They Fit Together Perfectly!
Link:
[ There Are Other Active Nickel Carvers! ]
Link:
Who Knew??
Link:
[ Nickel Carvings From The Kentucky Hills ]
Link:
Now THAT's A Dragon!
Link:
[ Nickel Carvings From The Past ]
Link:
Found Among eBay's Coins:Exonumia:Medals
Link:
A Fun Time At The 2000 FUN Show
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Enlargement scans available on WWW and ScrapBook CD-ROM.
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| 11/23
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Proof
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Obv.Die
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1855 $50 Gold
SS Central
America Commemorative
Mintages
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Rev.Die
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Uncirc.
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|
Proof strikes |
| 8/20/01 |
Day 1 |
493 |
| 8/21/01 |
Day 2 |
84 |
| 8/22/01 |
Day 3 |
126 |
| 8/23/01 |
Day 4 |
109 |
| 8/24/01 |
Day 5 |
25 |
| 8/25/01 |
Day 6 |
128 |
| 8/26/01 |
Day 7 |
200 |
| 8/27/01 |
Day 8 |
156
|
|
|
Proof strikes |
| 8/28/01 |
Day 9 |
50 |
| 8/29/01 |
Day 10 |
93 |
| 8/30/01 |
Day 11 |
56 |
| 8/31/01 |
Day 12 |
483 |
| 9/01/01 |
Day 13 |
105 |
| 9/02/01 |
Day 14 |
209 |
| 9/03/01 |
Day 15 |
487 |
| 9/04/01 |
Day 16 |
64
|
|
|
Proof strikes |
| 9/05/01 |
Day 17 |
123 |
| 9/06/01 |
Day 18 |
203 |
| 9/07/01 |
Day 19 |
223 |
| 9/08/01 |
Day 20 |
101 |
| 9/09/01 |
Day 21 |
104 |
| 9/10/01 |
Day 22 |
153 |
| 9/11/01 |
Day 23 |
99 |
| 9/12/01 |
Day 24 |
587
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|
|
Proof strikes |
| Total |
4,461 |
| |
|
Uncirculated
strikes |
| 8/26/01 |
Day 7 |
100 |
| 9/03/01 |
Day 15 |
93 |
| 9/07/01 |
Day 19 |
99 |
| 9/12/01 |
Day 24 |
200 |
| Total |
492
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SS Central America Commemorative Mintages
We have visited Ron's wonderful $50 gold creations in two previous
SBsubjects;
1) Link:The S.S. Central America and
2) Link:But Honey... I Saved $1,500! When I
found the mintage figures for these strikes I added them to both of those
SBsubjects but I anticipate that most of my regular readers wouldn't be
revisiting my older material so here are the mintages for those of you
who are interested in such things.
I also found a really neat shot (shown here on the right) of the top of
one of the salvaged gold bars being sliced off in Joe's machine/work shop
so that the remainder of the bar could be melted down to strike these
beautiful "Ship Of Gold" commemoratives. I saw this operation in progress
and it was definitely IMPRESSIVE! Every speck of gold was caught and
accounted for in the process as one would expect. Someplace I read how
many of these gold bars were used in the process but I can't put my finger
on it right now... it definitely was a lot of work. Joe sure does great
work!
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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1603 - King Philip III -
2 Maravedies - Segovia Mint
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Edge Of The Strip ...or... End Of Rail?
One of my Spanish corresponding friends once told me that the sort of
Roller Mill error shown above was called "final de riel" which, he
informed me, meant "edge of the strip." I got curious so I went to my
favorite translation source... AltaVista's
Link:Babel Fish Translation.
There I was informed that "final de riel" was "end of rail" and that
"edge of the strip" was "borde de la tira." I have encountered this
sort of confusion pervious when trying to jump between languages but
I tend to trust my friend over an unthinking piece of computer software.
None-the-less I thought this was of some small interest. Of course, the
term "end of rail" could easily be applicable if the coin was punched
out right at the end of the copper strip leaving the ragged edge from
the end rather than the edge of the strip. I wonder which orientation was
used for the coin designs when they were engraved on the roller dies?
Actually, if one looks closely at the above coin, there are two different
Roller Mill errors represented. In addition to being punched out near the
edge or end of the copper strip, the two roller dies were a bit misaligned
so that the rampant lion side of the coin is off-center.
We have visited the subjects of Segovia and Roller Mills several times
previously in SBsubjects;
1) Link:View Of The Segovia Mint Coining Station,
2) Link:News from Segovia,
3) Link:Struck at the New, Water-Powered "Royal Mill Mint",
4) Link:Rolled By Water Power and
5) Link:Rolled By Horse Power.
Postscript: Upon giving this further thought I conclude that the
orientation of the lion and castle must have been in the direction of
travel of the rollers. The misalignment of the rollers caused the lion
to be shifted down in relation to the castle. If the coins had been
engraved so they came out side by side down the strip, oriented the long
way on the rollers, then the misalignment would have caused a shift to
the left or right. Furthermore, it then becomes self-evident that the
ragged edge is indeed caused by the edge and not the end of the copper
strip. I love it when the lights come on! Too bad I live in the
dark most of the time.
Well, computer never will replace man. Riel or tira is the same although
machine use to translate different words. Tira is generic, riel is
specific for metal so riel is a metal strip. Riel is for train and for
coins, for curtains but all of them are "tiras of metal." I don't know
if you understand this "word play." Alberto Jose Martin Sola...Saturday,
November 23, 2002 3:50PM
I knew it is always a good bet to put one's trust in people rather than
in machines!
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
This is a large piece of eight reales, from my point of view, the most
beautiful piece struck in the History and of course, minted in Segovia.
It was sold recently in a local auction. Bid started at 450 Euros
(Euros=USDollars) and ended at 575 Euros. Alberto Jose Martin
Sola...Saturday, November 23, 2002 3:50PM
Click for
Enlargement on CD-ROM
1635 - King Philip IIII -
8 Reales - Segovia Mint
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| 11/23
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Time Is Running Out Folks
I know that Ron Landis is currently working diligently on his 2003 GMM
Hobo Token dies because they will quit striking the above heavy silver 2002
tokens in just a few weeks. You can still order these great tokens from
GMM for $12 each postpaid. Just call TheGuys at (888)558-MINT(6468).
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
The new hobo token will be a self-portait of ugly ol' me.
Ron Landis...Saturday, November 23, 2002 8:26AM
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| 11/22
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A Clifford Bolling photograph.
Click for
Enlargement on CD-ROM
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They Fit Together Perfectly!
eBay item 803259622 (Ends Nov-30-02 19:55:05PST) -
Gallery Mint 1793 Lib Cap 1c Brockage Pair.
This is an excellent set of Gallery Mint errors, a mated pair of 1793
Liberty Cap brockages. This was created when a cent was struck normally,
then another blank was was placed on this struck piece, then struck again.
This lot consists of BOTH PIECES, the top and bottom piece. They fit
together perfectly. This coin is no longer being struck, so there won't
be any more new ones. Clifford Bolling...Wednesday, Nov-20-02
19:55:05PST
This brockage pair is from the same source as the four different pairs
of various GMM cents featured in SBsubject
Link:Four Brockage Cent Pairs.
I know where those four brockage pairs went and they will never
see the light of day again in my lifetime. Here is your chance
to bid on this current offering. Just use this shortcut
Link:Gallery
Mint 1793 Lib Cap 1c Brockage Pair!
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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Bill Fivaz photographs.
Click for
Left,
Center or
Right
enlargement on CD-ROM
Left Two: Joe Paonessa Carvings
Right One: Clifford Kraft Carving
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There Are Other Active Nickel Carvers!
There are easily over a dozen talented folks carving nickels at this
moment in time. Both Joe Paonessa and Clifford Kraft have multiple
nickel carvings in the FUN2003 OHNS auction. The ones I selected to
show you above are being sold at the 2003 Florida United Numismatists
Convention, as Lots #84, #85 and #76, in the Original Hobo Nickel
Society's 11th Annual Mail & Floor Bid Auction on Saturday,
January 11, 2003 at 10:00am. As I mentioned previously...
You have to be a member of OHNS to bid on any of
the carvings in the auction.
It is my personal opinion that we are currently in a period of fantastic
renewal of the art of nickel carving. I readily admit that I am not an
expert in Original nickel carvings so I certainly haven't seen
many of the best carvings from the past. Never-the-less, I put forth the
proposition that there are better carvings being created today than in
any previous time period. Below is a recent communication on the subject
of rating our active carver's carvings which I received from Steven Adams.
Steve is a premier active nickel carver that I admire beyond words. I
precipitated Steve's comments when I observed that; "Provenance can
only add to quality, not substitute for it!" in an EMail message to him.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
It's hard to guess how ratings are established from one brain to another,
but emphasis on active carvers will be what keeps the OHNS growing. With
the limited supply of superior original carvings, it behooves the club to
endorse active carvers. By helping to establish active carvers, the
interest will grow, more members will join, more money will flow, more
carvers will pop up, and collectors will be presented with a vast variety
of carvings to choose from. There is plenty of room for old and new
thoughts. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but carvings should be
accepted for what they are. They are a folk art created by artisans of
different skill levels, using different tools and methods, and being done
in different time periods. I cannot help the fact that I was not around
during the depression. If I was, and knew about this art, you can bet I'd
have been doing it whether I was a hobo or not. Some did it out of
necessity, others for the challenge and enjoyment. I think this art can
be appreciated no matter what time period it comes from, and I still say
active carving is healthy, and it keeps the older carvers alive and well.
NOW, I am going to have to create another rating level. What shall I call
it? I prefer to stay humble, but one of these days I really want to create
a masterpiece. Something the other carvers will look at and say; "How did
he do that?" Perhaps that will take a few more years. Wonder what it will
be? Back to work! Steven G. Adams...Monday, November 11, 2002
2:40PM
Prices realized for these carvings:
Lot#84...$495,
Lot#85...$522.50 and
Lot#76...$132,
which all include the 10% buyer's fee.
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| 11/19
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A Clifford Bolling photograph.
Click for
Enlargement on CD-ROM
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Who Knew??
eBay item 802724531 (Ends Nov-27-02 10:53:05PST) -
GALLERY MINT 1796 PROOF 25c Struck Off Center.
WHO KNEW?? I've always thought that the Gallery Mint PROOFS were the
pinnacle of the minters art, the finest of all the GMM productions,
BUT, apparently, somebody talked Ron(?) into striking one of their
proof creations as an error, being struck off center! I'm sure there
can't be many of these available. IN ADDITION, you can bet that this
piece cost twice the original issue price to the original purchaser
as a special strike, so the opening bid is less than the original
issue price. COOL! This proof is No. 937 of the 1000 pieces minted.
Clifford Bolling...Sunday, Nov-17-02 10:53:05PST
Cliff sure turns up with some interesting Gallery Mint Museum pieces! I
prefer Ron's "non-COPY" creations but this quarter certainly has to be a
scarce item.
Here is your chance to bid on this quarter. Just use this shortcut
Link:GALLERY
MINT 1796 PROOF 25c Struck Off Center!
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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Nickel Carvings From The Kentucky Hills
I have been a long time fan of Nickel Carver Bill (Jameson) Zach
so you can imagine my delight when my draft copy of the OHNS Auction
Catalog revealed six BillZach carvings all rated SUPERIOR by both
OHNS Quality Designation raters.
It certainly will be exciting to see what prices these carvings are hammered
down at. I have always been of the opinion that it is the combination
of quality and rarity that result in record prices. Perhaps having six
carvings available in one offering will depress the final prices realized
and perhaps not... I am eager to see what happens.
These are being sold at the 2003 Florida United Numismatists Convention,
as Lots #90-#95, in the Original Hobo Nickel Society's 11th
Annual Mail & Floor Bid Auction on Saturday, January 11, 2003 at
10:00am. As I mentioned previously... You have to
be a member of OHNS to bid on any of the carvings in the auction.
Speaking of the Kentucky hills... Bill is tutoring an apprentice in the
nickel carving art form, his own son Shane Jameson AKA Bo-Carver. You can
see from Shane's fourth carving, shown here at the right, that he certainly
has a promising future. Of course one could expect nothing less with Bill
showing him the ropes.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
Prices realized for these carvings:
Lot#90...$137.50,
Lot#91...$275,
Lot#92...$220,
Lot#93...$192.50,
Lot#94...$302.50 and
Lot#95...$137.50,
which all include the 10% buyer's fee.
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| 11/18
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A Bill Fivaz photograph.
Click for
Enlargement on CD-ROM
1993 Landis Carving #003
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Now THAT's A Dragon!
I really shouldn't show all y'all this wonderful early Landis carving
of a fantastic dragon since it is being sold at auction and I sure would
like to own it myself. Oh well... sharing it with you is almost as much
fun as owning it. Can you believe that this is only the third nickel
carving that Ron Landis put his sequence number on? It is magnificant
for such an early carving in the career of a new nickel carver. I wonder
how many practice carvings Ron did before he started adding his sequence
numbers?
It is being sold at the 2003 Florida United Numismatists Convention, as
Lot#60, in the Original Hobo Nickel Society's 11th Annual Mail
& Floor Bid Auction on Saturday, January 11, 2003 at 10:00am.
As I mentioned previously...
You have to be a member of OHNS to bid on
any of the carvings in the auction. I will be showing you
several of the auction lots that were carved by other talented carvers
shortly but I wanted to get this wonderful Landis carving posted for you
right off.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
Ron has discovered a way to carve a coin and not have to worry about
the field. All you have to do is fill the entire coin with a beautiful
carving that shows imagination, originality, and talent. Hell, if it
weren't for the last three requirements, I could do it myself.
Clifford L. Kraft...Monday, November 18, 2002 10:58AM
Price realized for this carving:
Lot#60...$660,
which includes the 10% buyer's fee.
You wondered how many practice pieces I carved before numbering. The
answer is none. I was aready an experienced engraver, and started
numbering them from the start. I did however, carve two or three of
them several years earlier (around 1989) that were not signed, and
not finished. They are really crude, so bad that I refused to sign
them. I was experimenting and found they were too time consuming to
sell for $5 each (what I thought was the going rate at the time.)
Ron Landis...Saturday, November 23, 2002 8:26AM
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Nickel Carvings From The Past
George Washington "Bo" Hughes and Bertrand "Bert" Wiegand carved many of
the Original nickel carvings and there is a tremendous selection
being offered in the upcoming FUN2003 OHNS auction.
I can't show them all to you so I picked out six nice carvings that
appealed to me. The first five nickel carvings, shown above, were done
by "Bo" at various times throughout his creative/productive life and
the last nickel carving, shown above on the lower right, was done by
his buddy "Bert". I won't revisit the subject of "Bo" and "Bert" here
as we have covered it previously in SBsubject
Link:Romines Hobo Nickel Book Supplement.
Of course, not all Original nickel carvings were carved by "Bo"
and "Bert." Shown here on the right is "JK 1921", a great piece by an
Unknown carver.
These are being sold at the 2003 Florida United Numismatists Convention,
as Lots #01, #03, #47, #49, #62, #63 and #64, in the Original Hobo
Nickel Society's 11th Annual Mail & Floor Bid Auction on Saturday,
January 11, 2003 at 10:00am.
By the way...
You have to be a member of OHNS to bid on any of
the carvings in the auction.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
Prices realized for these carvings:
Lot#01...$660,
Lot#03...$396,
Lot#47...$880,
Lot#49...$770,
Lot#62...$1,045,
Lot#63...$1,760 and
Lot#64(shown here on the
right)...$385,
which all include the 10% buyer's fee.
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| 11/10
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Clifford Bolling photographs.
GMM Annual Mint Medal Set
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Found Among eBay's Coins:Exonumia:Medals
eBay item 800439850 (Ends Nov-19-02 17:44:04PST) -
3-GALLERY MINT ANNUAL MEDALS-1993/1994/1995.
Each medal is made of 1.5 ounces of pure silver and represents some
of the best of Ron Landis' engraving. Each medal was numbered and
struck as a proof with a limited mintage of 500 pieces. The pieces
in this group are numbered, thus: 1993-No.417, 1994-No.417, 1995-No.493.
Clifford D. Bolling...Saturday, Nov-09-02 17:44:04PST
Here is your chance to bid on this outstanding set of Ron's medals! Just
use this shortcut
Link:GMM
Annual Mint Medal Set!
I am quite surprised to see Cliff offering this set as my 1.5 ounce King's
Hammer, GMM Annual, and GMM 93/94 Mule medals would be the very last
things I would ever turn loose of. Those seven medals are among my most
treasured possessions.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
Postscript: While playing around in hyperspace I found some
really neat graphics mechanisms and thought I'd share the one below
with all y'all. I just think it is COOL!
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Five Landis 1.5oz Medals
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| 11/5
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Click for
obverse
or
reverse
enlargement
on
CD-ROM
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2000 FUN Show Tokens
Top:
Struck off-center
Bottom:
Multi-struck on a flipped over token
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Click for
obverse
or
reverse
enlargement
on
CD-ROM
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A Fun Time At The 2000 FUN Show
The two
Link:Florida United Numismatists
pewter tokens shown above are representative of typical GMM show tokens
struck by TheGuys on their MiniMint coin press since the normal numismatic
convention attendee just can't resist the opportunity of having their
tokens struck as "errors." It has been my experience that correctly struck
show tokens are considerably more difficult to acquire than these sort of
pièces de caprice regardless of how interesting these imaginative creations
undeniably are to most of us.
Now then, the pewter token shown below is another case entirely. It is
struck from a pairing of the 2000 ANA obverse die and the 2000 FUN reverse
die. Again it is a pièce de caprice but a much rarer one and a great
addition to my midden heap.
As an aside, the Link:Florida United Numismatists
advertise that they sponsor the largest coin show in America.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
2000 Winged Mercury Obverse
2000 FUN Show Token Reverse MULE
Double struck off-center.
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Click for
obverse
or
reverse
enlargement
on
CD-ROM
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