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Tag Archives: Alex Shagin

2001 Capitol Visitor Center Coins (with a Sherlockian angle)

2001 Capitol Visitor Center Coins (with a Sherlockian angle)

“… in spite of the efforts of the United States government …”

 – The Adventure of the Five Orange Pips (FIVE)

The United States Mint struck a three coin series (half dollar, silver dollar and gold $5) in 2001 to help raise funds for the construction of the United States Capitol Visitor Center, which had broken ground on June 20, 2000.

The designs for the half dollar and silver dollar were designed by artists with some ties to Sherlockian numismatics.

2001 Capitol Visitor Center 50 cents

The reverse design of the half dollar was designed by BOTH Alex Shagin and Marcel Jovine. Take a close look at the design – it’s nothing but letters and stars. There really is no design and yet it took two artists to collaborate on it? Shagin is known for his Sherlock Holmes art medal and his Arthur Conan Doyle art medal.

750,000 of these clad half dollars were authorized by its authorizing legislation and all were struck at the Philadelphia Mint. Only 99,157 of the uncirculated versions were sold, while the proof version sold 77,962 coins. Not a great seller and not a great design.

 

2001 Capitol Visitor Center $1Marika Somogyi designed the obverse of the silver dollar, which features the original Capitol building of 1800 and the current Capitol of 2001. Somogyi is the sculptor of the 1987 Sherlock Holmes medal that was marketed by Numismarketing Associates.

500,000 of the silver dollars were authorized and all were struck by the Philadelphia Mint. Only 35,380 of the uncirculated versions were sold, while the proof version sold 143,793 coins.

Select Medallic Art of Alex Shagin

Select Medallic Art of Alex Shagin

“… a skillful sculptor and had earned an honest living …” – The Adventure of The Six Napoleons (SIXN) Alex Shagin, now a freelance medallic artist based in southern California, cast medals featuring Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle in the early 1990s. Let’s take a look at some other of his medallic works. A 78mm bronze casting of… Continue Reading

Emphemera of Shagin’s Medals of Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

Emphemera of Shagin’s Medals of Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle

“Here is an advertisement which will interest you …” – The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb (ENGR) Edward C. Rochette, the 5th Garrideb, and his wife Maryann started a small business selling Holmesian gifts in 1990. The business was called Sherlock, Stock & Barrel Company. Pictured above was their first advertising flyer that was sent to folks… Continue Reading

Shagin Recognized for Medallic Achievements (1990)

Shagin Recognized for Medallic Achievements (1990)

“If I were a sculptor …” – The Problem of Thor Bridge (THOR) The American Numismatic Association bestowed its Numismatic Art Award for Excellence in Medallic Sculpture this year (1990) on Alex Shagin of Los Angeles, California. He was presented with an engraved, 14kt-gold medal donated by the Franklin Mint of Franklin Center, Pennsylvania. Born… Continue Reading

Numismatist Profile – Alex Shagin (2011)

Numismatist Profile – Alex Shagin (2011)

“Without art, a coin collection is just another form of bookkeeping.”  – Alex Shagin Alex Shagin’s life has always been about artistic freedom and enduring coins. It’s been a long, but rewarding challenge for this defender of classical medal design. Born in Russia near Leningrad, on January 21, 1947, Alexander George Shagin is the only… Continue Reading

Alex Shagin’s 1991 Portrait Medal of Arthur Conan Doyle

Alex Shagin’s 1991 Portrait Medal of Arthur Conan Doyle

“… it bore some resemblance …” – The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge (WIST)       In 1991, Alex Shagin, a former head engraver with the Leningrad Mint, cast a medal featuring Arthur Conan Doyle, which was marketed by Sherlock, Stock & Barrel, a firm owned by Edward C. Rochette, the 4th Garrideb of our scion.… Continue Reading

Alex Shagin’s 1990 Portrait Medal of Sherlock Holmes

Alex Shagin’s 1990 Portrait Medal of Sherlock Holmes

“… it was a perfect facsimile.” – The Adventure of The Empty House (EMPT)            From the George S. Cuhaj (the 14th Garrideb, aka Cardinal Tosca) Collection Alex Shagin, a former head engraver with the Leningrad Mint, was commissioned in 1990 to sculpt a medal featuring Sherlock Holmes. Cast in both silver and… Continue Reading