A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars
Numismatists Do Not Fear Change
“Engage a special.” – The Adventure of the Final Problem (FINA) Benedict Cumberbatch, who stars as Sherlock Holmes in the BBC series Sherlock, has recorded many spoken voice readings of the sixty stories of the Canon and numerous other pastiches. John Taylor, author of The Unopened Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, has issued another set of… Continue Reading
“… some of the government departments.” – The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter (GREE) Our “newest” Sherlockian-themed challenge coin is from the Computer Forensics Laboratory of the Department of Defense. In 1998, the Deputy Secretary of Defense instructed he Air Force create a department to handle digital and multimedia forensics, cyber investigative training, technical solutions… Continue Reading
“If you have a fancy to see your name in the next honours list” – The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans (BRUC) In 1898, Arthur Conan Doyle visited Italy with his brother-in-law, E. W, “Willie” Hornung (the novelist who created the gentlemen burglar “Raffles”). During his tour, King Umberto I of Italy conferred the Order… Continue Reading
“In my profession all sorts of odd knowledge comes useful…” – The Adventure of The Three Garridebs (3GAR) A collection of possible items of interest — Gregory L. Zentz, the 18th Garrideb, has shared with us an online database that provides both numismatic and intrinsic coin values called CoinTrackers. That guy pictured on their logo… Continue Reading
“Your cheque-book is locked in my drawer …” – The Adventure of The Dancing Men (DANC) Blank Cheque of Cox & Company, circa 1880 In The Problem of Thor Bridge, we learn that Dr. John H. Watson has a travel-worn and battered tin-dispatch box in the vaults of Cox & Co. at Charing Cross. None… Continue Reading
“Brilliant Police Investigation” – The Adventure of the Retired Colourman (RETI) The Major Case Squad of the New York Police Department’s Special Investigation Division has issued a Sherlockian themed challenge coin. OBVERSE: SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION / (silhouette of a right-facing Sherlock Holmes, wearing a deerstalker and holding a magnifying glass, upon a background of the U.S.… Continue Reading
“We were to go to the theatre.” – The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans (BRUC) In the late 19th and early 20th century, it was somewhat common to see advertisements on what seemed at first glance to be an old Confederate States of America banknote. Our next HolmeWork assignment is one of those examples and was… Continue Reading
“… before I heard the sharp sound …” – A Study in Scarlet (STUD) Many of the visitors to this website probably recall the days when pay phones were a common site when walking down a city sidewalk or inside a hotel lobby. You would drop a few coins into the phone, dial the number and… Continue Reading
“The French have a very neat way of putting these things.” – The Sign of The Four (SIGN) The Krewe of Amor was formed in 1968 and paraded through the St. Bernard parish of New Orleans on the Friday before Fat Tuesday. However, the membership of the krewe declined over the years. Amor held its last parade… Continue Reading
“… do you know of the Emperor …” – The Adventure of the Illustrious Client (ILLU) In 2009, the Chicago based rare coin dealer Harlan Berk conducted his 165th Buy or Bid Sale. We bring this up due to Lot 449 of that sale. The description of that lot reads as follows: 449. NERO, OFFMETAL QUADRANS… Continue Reading