| 2003
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Subjects
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Page
Index
Links
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Link:
Display Box Medallions Are Tough!
Link:
The World Of Steven G. Adams
Just A Clown
In The Desert Too Long
Miniature Art Medals
Secondary Market
Link:
That Was A Mighty Small Window
Link:
Wreath Cents Make COOL Pièces De Caprice
Link:
Only Time Will Tell
Link:
[ A Professional Engraver's Punch Collection ]
Link:
Ya Hafta Watch Out For Rustlers!
Link:
Once Upon A Time In Coin World
Link:
[ 1797 Cartwheel Two Pence Of George III ]
Link:
An OHNS Tradition Continues
Link:
[ Just Because You Look Hungry ]
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Enlargement scans available on WWW and ScrapBook CD-ROM.
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Clifford Bolling photographs.
Click for
Enlargement on CD-ROM
1794 Display Box Medallion
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Display Box Medallions Are Tough!
That is... of course ...unless you are willing to destroy a $125 walnut display box
or you manage to capture a stray medallion that escaped from the custody of TheGuys.
Cliff Bolling sent me scans of these two medallions quite sometime back and they got
lost in my computer's graphics folders.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
Click for
Enlargement on CD-ROM
1796 Display Box Medallion
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The World Of Steven G. Adams
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Preliminary Carving
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Final Carving
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Just A Clown
eBay item 3307379115 (Ends Jan-26-03 15:33:44PST) -
Hobo Nickel Clown Cut Out Facing Left S.Adams.
Here's a unique and unusual carving by Steven Adams. This is the first carving I
have ever offered which has been pierced or cut-out. It is also facing left
which is another unusual characteristic. The subject is a clown with a tophat,
long hair, bulbous nose and makeup. Stars are punched into the the hat and
collar. The relief is high, and it is finished with a dark patina. This is an
experiment in the making, because I've never offered a cut out carving before,
however this is a high quality carving.
Steven G. Adams...Sunday, Jan-19-03 15:33:44PST
When Steve Adams sent me the preliminary carving scan, here on left, he told me;
Off to clown around now. Then when he sent
me the final carving scan, here on right, he told me; Just
a clown.
It has been my experience that Steve has a very low-key self-deprecating sense of humor.
Obviously the final carving couldn't be called "just a clown" under any stretch of the
imagination.
I don't own a single "cut out" coin and never thought I would ever want one but Steve
has changed my opinion drastically with this carving. Just A Clown is definitely
up to Steve's normal high standards... Way to go Steve!
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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"Liberty" Bill
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In The Desert Too Long
This is Bill, a hobo that has been in the desert for too long. Hot days and cold
nights in the hills. He has become used to it and occasionally prospects for gold
without much success. He says he is not as good looking as Jack or the King but
thinks he could give the StrawHat Hobo a run for his money. He also insisted I
leave LIBERTY. I think he has an attitude problem. Why else would he be such an
antisocial recluse living in seclusion and solitude in the desert all these years?
Steven G. Adams...January 25, 2003 13:38CST
I visited at length with Bill when he arrived in the Kansa Territories, just before
he vanished into some local hidey-hole, and found out why he was such a curmudgeon
when he was at Steve's. Apparently Bill has gone by the pseudonym "Liberty" for so
many decades because he has a abiding interest in liberty... mainly his own apparently.
All this seems to have stemed from something to do with trespass on railroad properties,
injury of a bull, the deep South and chain gangs. He was quite recalcitrant, markedly
reluctant, when I made friendly inquiries about the details of his past. Some folks
just don't appreciate it when they become the focus of attention and adoration. As
handsome as Bill, excuse me... Liberty, is I would think he would be used to the
notoriety and being in the public eye. Maybe that is why he spent so much time in
the desert.
Bill mentioned three of his associates; Jack, the King and StrawHat. I thought you'd
like to meet them... so here ya go!
It is wonderful to see Steve creating carvings for not only today's nickel carving
collectors to enjoy but for future generations to treasure. Our children and
grandchildren will wish they had "been there" when Steve was creating such fantastic
carvings. Which nickel carving collector living today doesn't wish they had "been
there" when George Washington "Bo" Hughes was selling his carvings to anyone who
expressed an interest in them?
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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Unfinished Carving
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Past&Future
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Miniature Art Medals
Because of my background, I find myself creating carvings that often appear to be
miniature art medals. If you didn't know the scale, you would think they were a
medallion at times. I know you and I differ on subject matter, leaving dates and
liberty, and traditional look, but this art form satisfies my creative need.
Traditional subjects are great, however carvers shouldn't be afraid to stretch their
imagination when the mood hits them. Right now carvers are finding their own niche,
and some sway from the traditional. It is gratifying to know that collectors support
both our traditional and nontraditional subjects, even if they do prefer the
traditional. I hope the collectors are as happy with us, as we are with them. Ron
and Sam's subject matter greatly influenced me to be more expressive, but again if
not for the collector's support I would not be able to invest the time into some of
my more creative pieces.
Steven G. Adams...Sunday, January 26, 2003 08:49CST
I wouldn't want anyone to think that I don't appreciate Steve's miniature art medals
as I certainly do. Somebody once said; "I may not be able to define art but I know it
when I see it." and all of Steve's work is unarguably top flight! I readily admit
however that I much prefer his traditional nickel carvings. That is OK because I know
there are other collectors out there who would pick Amphitrite over "Liberty"
Bill every day of the week. That is as it should be! My Mama always told me
that it was a good thing that we all liked different things or all the boys would want
to be married to the same girl and vise versa. Now that would be a bad thing!
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
Queen Amphitrite -
Goddess of the sea and the wife of Poseidon.
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Poseidon
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Leprechaun
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Spirit Tree
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Secondary Market
Steve's carvings certainly deserve the title "Investment Grade" carvings. I was
recently contacted by the current owner of these two fine SGA carvings. He was hoping
I had both the interest and the financial resources to purchase these carvings so he
could add to his daughter's college fund. The price was substantial but not unreasonable
however I am not in a position to purchase either carving at this juncture. If you are
interested in these carvings just contact me and I'll pass your name and EMail address
on to the current owner at no cost to either party.
Postscript: Monday, January 27, 2003 18:00CST Well... that didn't
take long! Both carvings have already found a new home.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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Click for
Obverse or
Reverse enlargement on CD-ROM
1796 Capped Bust To Right
"small eagle" Half Eagle ($5.00)
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That Was A Mighty Small Window
WOW! These two beautiful gold specimens were listed on eBay and before they
could even get them added to their indices a buyer snapped up both pieces using
"Buy It Now". The purchase opportunity window was only a bit over four hours
wide. The price paid was only a few dollars less than the same pieces are available
for from TheGuys ...but... these GMM gold recreations are quite simply fantastic so
I can understand the new owner's excitement and pleasure with his new purchases.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
1796 Capped Bust To Right "small eagle" Eagle ($10.00)
Click for
Obverse or
Reverse enlargement on CD-ROM
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Click for
Obverse or
Reverse enlargement on CD-ROM
1793 Wreath Cent Mated Brockage Pair
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Wreath Cents Make COOL Pièces De Caprice
If memory serves me correctly... and it seldom does anymore ...these neat Wreath Cent
specimens were offered on eBay not long ago by longtime GMM collector Lindy Stone. I
captured the scans and tucked them away to show to all y'all at some future time. Guess
what... the future is now! ;-)
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
Click for
Obverse or
Reverse enlargement on CD-ROM
1793 Wreath Cent Extreme Planchet Clip
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Clifford Bolling photographs.
Click for
Enlargement on CD-ROM
1804 Draped Bust Dollar Heraldic Eagle
Reverse
Ron Landis' Brilliant Uncirculated Version
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Only Time Will Tell
I was photographing a GMM 1804 $1 I bought a couple weeks ago and found some
interesting die doubling on the reverse. Attached is a photo. The incuse
lettering on the ribbon in the eagle's mouth shows doubling. This kind of
doubling happens when the letters are punched in by hand, with slight movement
of the letter punch between strikes. Apparently, Ron punched these letters
into the eagle device punch by hand. That's really cool! A small insight
into the creation of this device. I only have the one coin, with no others to
compare with, so I can't say if this device punch with the doubling was used
on all the 1804 $1 reverses, or if this doubling is a result of touch up work
done on the device punch, or if there is more than one of these. I guess only
time will tell. Clifford Bolling...Friday, January 24, 2003 11:48AM
Cliff is very observant when studying his collection of Gallery Mint creations.
He also sends me super scans which makes it really easy to generate SBsubjects
utilizing his research material.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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Punch Sampler Concept Test Plate
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A Professional Engraver's Punch Collection
Recently I sent Sam Alfano a plate with some punch samples from the equipment
I picked up from my deceased friend's engraving shop. I saw some work with a
punch on your GMM site. This is a scan (shown above)
of impressions made from some of the
punches. They are quite interesting, and go back three generations. With Ron's
talent, he might enjoy seeing them. I will send him a plate too. It's hard to
believe there are close to 2,000 punches in this collection. Sam called it a
treasure trove, and he's right. It took years to make them all.
Steven G. Adams...Saturday, January 18, 2003 7:38AM
Click for
Brass or
Nickel plate enlargement on CD-ROM
Punch Sampler Brass and Nickel Plates
Brass plate 3.25" and Nickel plate 2.5"x3" (ballpark dimensions.)
The same group of almost 300 individual punches were used on each plate.
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Steve tells me he sent this wonderful round brass punch sampler plate to Ron Landis
for his enjoyment. Today I received the rectangular nickel punch sampler plate by
SnailMail and it helped finish off a really rough week for our family with a natural
high. There is no way to adequately express my gratitude to Steve. I can only hope he
knows how much I value his generosity and friendship. Thanks Steve!
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
Click for
Enlargement on CD-ROM
2:00-3:00 Sector Close-up of
Punch Sampler Nickel Plate
Check Out The Fantastic Detail On These Punches!
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All photographs by Steven G. Adams.
Ron received his punch sampler plate and requested some information on the makers. It
never occurred to me to supply that to you. The bulk of the punches were made by Marcy
(Marcello) John Aliva, and my friend Vincent Taranto. I'm afraid since these two
craftsman have passed away, any other names have been lost with their passing.
Marcy Aliva owned a die engraving and die sinking company in New York City, where
Vinnie worked for approximately 20 years before working at Medallic Art company where
I met him. Around 1992 Vinnie left Medallic and started his own business, Salem
Engraving, and continued that until the Fall of 2002 when he lost a valiant fight
with cancer. A hell of a good friend, the best I've had. Marcy Aliva, Vinnie's
father-in-law, retired around the mid 90's I believe. It was then that Vinnie
gathered his father-in-law's punches to add to his own. In a visit with Vinnie, I
had the opportunity to meet Marcy (Vinnie called him Nippy.) We had lunch together
then went to his house and talked shop. That was a memorable day.
Steven G. Adams...Sunday, January 26, 2003 11:59CST
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Ya Hafta Watch Out For Rustlers!
I turned my back for a moment and Lynn rounded up these two 2002 ANA Summer Seminar
Creative Errors Mini Seminar tokens and headed them out for Texas. I had a
final bid in my machine awaiting the last moments before this lot closed on eBay
and suddenly my computer screen quit responding. This is sorta like being thrown
into a cholla cactus thicket by your horse. By the time I had rebooted my machine
and it had gone through its unusual shutdown checks Lynn had ridden away into the
sunset with "my" tokens. Reckon I won't die without two more tokens in my midden
heap but they sure are nice specimens. Congratulations Lynn! This obverse
die was used to strike two different tokens at the 2002 ANA Convention. You can see
them both in SBsubject
Link:Limited Edition Pewter Tokens.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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Once Upon A Time In Coin World
Buell Ish sent a group of Gallery Mint Museum related clippings from Coin World
for me to enjoy... thought I should at least tell you that they exist. Here are the titles
from the group:
1/15/96 -
Mystery Solved! Private minter's experimentation points the finger
at lamination
as cause of incused images on cents.
( This is the Coin World article I asked after over two years ago in
Link:"Bromwell" Cent Error Investigation. )
Ron used his Deerhead die for the lamination experiment.
The Real GMM Deerhead
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4/1/96 -
NJNS's 700th meeting eyes coins and currency of Liberia.
7/15/96 -
14-piece 1796 Proof coin set on replication horizon for GM.
5/19/97 -
GSNA offers Gallery Mint coin replica to commemorate its May convention.
If you are viewing our ScrapBook from a CD-ROM then you can read all four articles by
using the links provided above and below the Coin World dates image shown above.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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1797 Cartwheel Two Pence Of George III
England 1797 Two Pence nice XF+. No true British coin collection is complete
without an example of this huge copper coin. Weighing a full two ounces, this
coin is a bruiser, and often ended up with edge bruises because of that.
Measuring about 1-5/8" in diameter and nearly 3/8" thick, this is a large
neat copper. This example is one of the nicer ones you will find, beautiful
chocolate brown colour and wonderful detail.
When I found this stupendous coin posted in hyperspace I was really impressed. It
is contemporary with the United States coins that Ron Landis does such a superb
job of recreating. I couldn't help but feel that sharing it with all y'all would
be a GOOD THING! I hope you agree.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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Click for
Obverse or
Reverse enlargement on CD-ROM
2002 OHNS Literary Award
This obverse is similar to the 2002 OHNS token obverse
but
with a quill pen over Bo's ear.
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An OHNS Tradition Continues
For a second year now the Original Hobo Nickel Society has awarded tokens...
created and personally engraved by Ron Landis ...to those folks who have had articles
published in OHNS's quarterly publication BoTales. I encourage you to write an
article on any Hobo Nickel related topic and submit it for consideration by OHNS's
Publication Editor. It must be a substantial article... not just a partial column ...to
be eligible for this COOL award (assuming OHNS continues their tradition for year 2003.)
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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Just Because You Look Hungry
eBay item 3305999819 (Ends Jan-19-03 18:54:28PST) -
HOBO Nickel LEE's BO's "LESTER".
No this is not Leo the M.G.M. lion. This is "LESTER" (L-88). The bad hair day
lion from Kenya, who has come to the states trying to use up some of his Frequent
Flyer miles, and to redeem the Mogombo Rebate Coupons he received when he
purchased his new Solar Powered Brush and Comb Set "The Set Fit For A King."
With way too many bad hair days, Lester purchased the set over the phone from
Mogombo Telemarketing Inc. (Corporate headquarters address unknown.) The purchase
has sure turned him into one sharp looking "Cat", and he is looking foreword to
trying the "Grecian Formula" samples he received as a bonus, but LESTER had
problems, he couldn't fly home. No picture I.D. "no picture I.D., no fly". How
many Lions carry I.D.? Not many. How many Lions need I.D.? Even fewer. We did what
we could, and LESTER now has a hand carved picture I.D. on a 1937au Buffalo host
coin that he is proud of, and if he is allowed to take his Grecian Formula with
him, he will be able to show off the "NEW LESTER" where ever he travels. You are
one sharp looker LESTER, and I'm not saying that just because you look hungry.
Cliff Kraft...Sunday, Jan-12-03 18:54:28PST
Pat and Mike... the racoon brothers, and Alice... the African elephant, now have
a new room-mate. I hope that Lester's adoptive father keeps him well fed. We sure
don't want his Kraft Memorial Menagerie II to start loosing members. The
original Kraft Memorial Menagerie, located in the Kansa Terrorities, is
doing quite well but is experiencing acquisition difficulties since the newer and
better funded KMM2 started building its collection.
EMail:Verne R. Walrafen
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