A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars
Numismatists Do Not Fear Change
“A sovereign if the lid comes off in a minute!“ – The Adventure of Lady Frances Carfax (LADY) Many Sherlockians covet a gold sovereign for their collections of Sherlockiana. Our group, The Fourth Garrideb, used the design of a gold sovereign as the reverse of our first club medal. The British Royal Mint has just… Continue Reading
” … You should add this …” – The Adventure of The Musgrave Ritual (MUSG) It’s surprising to realize that it has been nearly 45 years since Great Britain switched over to a decimalized coinage. If you saw the figure 7s3d and wanted to add 4s11d, would you know how to add those two numbers?… Continue Reading
“… for he can speak several languages …” – The Adventure of The Musgrave Ritual (MUSG) The names of British coins are largely derived from the many ethnic groups that have invaded and colonized Britain down the centuries. In fact, the nomenclature of British money actually forms a mini-history of Britain. PENCE: In the 6th century,… Continue Reading
” … in the Queen’s name …” – The Sign of The Four (SIGN) At some time, I am sure that all Sherlockians have heard the music and probably the words to the National Anthem of England: God Save The Queen. But, like our own National Anthem, how many have heard anything beyond the first… Continue Reading
” … put your trousers on.” – A Scandal in Belgravia The British Royal Mint has announced the second of their two-ounce silver £100 coins being sold for face value. The 2015 issue in the series features Buckingham Palace. While Buckingham Palace was never mentioned in any of the 60 stories from The Canon, it did feature… Continue Reading
“Several discs of metal – old coins apparently – such as I hold here …” – The Adventure of The Musgrave Ritual (MUSG) For the student of Victoriana one of the most confusing aspects to be sorted out is the money of that era. What is a guinea? How does a sovereign relate to a… Continue Reading
“It was the band! The speckled band!” – The Adventure of The Speckled Band (SPEC) On May 17, 1945, the British Broadcasting Company broadcast a dramatization of The Adventure of The Speckled Band featuring Sir Cedric Hardwicke as Sherlock Holmes. If the Hardwicke names sounds familiar to you, his son Edward took over the role of… Continue Reading
“If you have a fancy to see your name in the next honours list….” – The Adventure of The Bruce Partington Plans (BRUC) Martin Clunes, the actor who portrayed Arthur Conan Doyle in the British television mini-series Arthur & George earlier this year, was also named on the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honour List. Clunes will be… Continue Reading
“If you have a fancy to see your name in the next honours list….” – The Adventure of The Bruce Partington Plans (BRUC) We had earlier reported that Benedict Cumberbatch was named in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours as being awarded with a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. I neglected… Continue Reading
“She was accustomed to use slang of the kind.” – The Adventure of The Noble Bachelor (NOBL) At a recent meeting of the The Society of The Naval Treaty of Annapolis, there was a handout featuring Victorian underworld slang. I have excerpted several that are relevant to our interests here. Albert – A gold watch… Continue Reading