Irregular Postings on Coin Collecting & Numismatics - Both Canonical & Conanical

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Category Archives: Other ACD Stories

Other Stories by Arthur Conan Doyle

Franklin Mint Ingots Feature the Mary Celeste

Franklin Mint Ingots Feature the Mary Celeste

“… having in tow the derelict brigantine Marie Celeste “

J. Habakuk Jephson’s Statement 

Between 1973 and 1976, the Franklin Mint issued a 50 ingot set featuring the Greatest Sailing Ships of History. There were actually three different sets available for purchase – a large sterling silver set, and two sets of mini-ingots in sterling silver and 24 karat gold. All sets would come with a wooden display case, a commemorative and the all important Certificate of Authenticity. Naturally, one of the 50 ships is the Mary Celeste.

OBVERSE: (the ship Mary Celeste in full sail) / MARY CELESTE

REVERSE: MARY CELESTE / 1872 /  The half brig “Mary Celeste” became the set- / ting for one of the most fascinating mysteries / in maritime history. In 1872, during a voyage / to the Mediterranean, the vessel was discov- / ered adrift at sea with no one aboard. No trace / of any of those who had sailed on her has ever / been found.

Rectangular, 63.5 mm x 44.45 mm, 1500 grains Sterling Silver

OBVERSE: (the ship Mary Celeste in full sail)

REVERSE: MARY CELESTE

Rectangular, 19 mm x 12.7 mm, 24 karat Gold

Rectangular, 19 mm x 12.7 mm, Sterling Silver

mini-ingots not displayed

The large silver ingot was issued at a price of $25 each and 4,386 ingots were made. The gold mini-ingot had an issue price of $80 and only 109 ingots were issued. At an issue price $3, the silver mini-ingot was the most popular with 18,933 ingots made. Considering how poorly Franklin mint items have done in the secondary market and the rise in bullion prices in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it is likely that many of these ingots have been melted

2013 Niue Ghost Ships Dollar Coin Series Honors the Mary Celeste

2013 Niue Ghost Ships Dollar Coin Series Honors the Mary Celeste

“… having in tow the derelict brigantine Marie Celeste “ – J. Habakuk Jephson’s Statement  In 2013, the south Pacific island nation of Niue contracted with NumisCollect to issue a series of silver one dollar coins honoring “ghost ships.” The first coin in the series was the Mary Celeste.  From NumisCollect’s press release: The Mary Celeste (or… Continue Reading

The 1994 Gibraltar Mary Celeste One Crown Coin

The 1994 Gibraltar Mary Celeste One Crown Coin

“… having in tow the derelict brigantine Marie Celeste “ – J. Habakuk Jephson’s Statement  Gibraltar released 8 different designs for its 1994 series of coins commemorating the 100th anniversary of the return of Sherlock Holmes. In this post, we will discuss the three coins that feature a story that doesn’t involve Sherlock Holmes –… Continue Reading

Doyle Featured on Fantasy 2017 Scottish Ten Pound Note

Doyle Featured on Fantasy 2017 Scottish Ten Pound Note

“… one who had been a whaler.” – The Adventure of Black Peteri (BLAC) Earlier this month, listings for a fantasy 10 pound Scottish banknote featuring Arthur Conan Doyle began appearing on some of the major online auction services. The front of the note features a left-facing portrait of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In the background, appears… Continue Reading

B. Max Mehl Offers a Brief Review of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Other Works

B. Max Mehl Offers a Brief Review of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Other Works

“My collection of M’s is a fine one.” – The Adventure of the Empty House (EMPT) Noted coin dealer B. Max Mehl published the following in the March 1918 of his house organ Mehl’s Numismatic Monthly: The Black Prince, What Coins Did He Strike? “An American boy” asks: “Are there any British coins of the Black Prince, and… Continue Reading

Canada Issues $200 Gold Coin Featuring the Amazon

Canada Issues $200 Gold Coin Featuring the Amazon

“… the derelict Marie Celeste …” – J. Habakuk Jephson’s Statement Almost four years before the name Sherlock Holmes was seen in print, Arthur Conan Doyle had published J. Habakuk Jephson’s Statement in the January 1884 issue of The Cornhill Magazine. Doyle was one of the first to publish a fictionalized version of the mystery of the ship Mary Celeste, which… Continue Reading

Isle of Man Fairy Coins of 1996-1998

Isle of Man Fairy Coins of 1996-1998

“‘Do you find it interesting?’ ‘To a collector of fairy-tales.’” – The Hound of The Baskervilles (HOUN) Arthur Conan Doyle’s interest in spiritualism has been well documented. In 1917, two young cousins, Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright, were photographed with “fairies,” near Cottingley, England. These photographs were shared with a few family members who then… Continue Reading

Fairies Finally Get Their Due With Gold Coin (1996)

Fairies Finally Get Their Due With Gold Coin (1996)

  Arthur Conan Doyle created the world’s the most believable fictitious character. On any given day, polls conducted on the streets of London will show that fully 70 percent of the population interviewed believe that Sherlock Holmes lived or still lives. Ask the same question about fairies and few, if any, would admit to believing… Continue Reading

2015 Coins & Medals Commemorating The Battle Of Waterloo

2015 Coins & Medals Commemorating The Battle Of Waterloo

“We have not yet met our Waterloo, Watson…” – The Adventure Of The Abbey Grange (ABBE) This week marks the bicentennial of the pivotal Battle of Waterloo, where Napoleon’s troops were defeated by combined troops from Great Britain and Prussia. In the stories of the Canon, there are numerous references to Waterloo Bridge and Waterloo… Continue Reading

Arthur Conan Doyle and The Chunnel

Arthur Conan Doyle and The Chunnel

“The very next train roared from the tunnel…” – The Adventure of the Bruce Partington Plans (BRUC) Wednesday, May 6th will mark the 21st anniversary of the Channel Tunnel or “Chunnel.” Why are we mentioning this on a website that celebrates Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle? Turns out that Doyle was a major proponent… Continue Reading