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

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Category Archives: Paper Money

Paper Money issued by Government or Banks

Fun With Serial Numbers

Fun With Serial Numbers

“He is looking up at the numbers of the houses.”

– The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet (BERY)

We have recently received a telegram from the 33rd Garrideb, Al Gregory. It read,

Here’s a cutie from my collection! I was sitting around one day and the thought came to me, “How about a US bank note with a serial number ending in 221B?” I was feeling super lucky. So I went on Ebay and the rest is history!

Al has reminded your editor of the fun that can be had looking for low serial numbers. When your editor was more active with coin clubs, I actively looked for $1 Federal Reserve notes with low serial numbers in hopes of matching up with my membership numbers in the various clubs I belonged to. Most of my membership numbers were only two or three digits in length, while some of the speciality and regional clubs had 4 digits in the membership numbers, while my membership number in the American Numismatic Association was six digits long. As a lark, I also tried to collect $5 Federal Reserve notes with low serial numbers to match up with my life membership numbers in clubs. I wasn’t too successful.

Have you ever looked for paper currency where the serial number ended with 221B?

2020 Version of Kingdom of Great Britain Fantasy Banknotes Now Available

2020 Version of Kingdom of Great Britain Fantasy Banknotes Now Available

“No living man could tell a Prescott from a Bank of England …” – The Adventure of The Three Garridebs (3GAR)     The sixfth different “edition” of the fantasy Kingdom of Great Britain 10 pound banknotes has recently been issued. You can read about the 2015 version HERE, the 2016-2018 editions HERE.and last year’s 2019 version… Continue Reading

The 2019 Fantasy Kingdom of Great Britain 10 Pound Banknote

The 2019 Fantasy Kingdom of Great Britain 10 Pound Banknote

“No living man could tell a Prescott from a Bank of England …” – The Adventure of The Three Garridebs (3GAR) The fifth different “edition” of the fantasy Kingdom of Great Britain 10 pound banknotes has recently been issued. You can read about the 2015 version HERE and the 2016-2018 editions HERE. In the upper right corner… Continue Reading

A Sherlockian Visits the Currency Exchange (1986)

A Sherlockian Visits the Currency Exchange (1986)

“Sold his soul to the devil in exchange for money” – The Adeventure of Wisteria Lodge (WIST) Seven hundred and fifty pounds, Dr. Grimesby Roylott had as the annual income of his late wife’s estate. The reader of The Speckled Band is supposed to understand that £750 is a lot of money, but that £250, which… Continue Reading

Numismatic Items in The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother

Numismatic Items in The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother

“… my unhappy brother…” – The Sign of the Four (SIGN) Gene Wilder wrote, directed and starred in the 1975 musical comedy The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes Smarter Brother. Wilder would portray Sigerson while being assisted by Marty Feldman’s character of Orville Sacker, a Scotland Yards record clerk with a “photographic” memory for hearing. They would investigate… Continue Reading

Vasily Livanov Featured on 2019 Fantasy Russian 100 Ruble Banknotes

Vasily Livanov Featured on 2019 Fantasy Russian 100 Ruble Banknotes

“… a man might as well live in Russia …” – The Valley of Fear (VALL) A series of fantasy Russian 100 Ruble banknotes have recently been produced featuring Russian cinematic themes and actors. One of these banknotes feature Vasily Livanov, who portrayed Sherlock Holmes in the 11 episodes of the 1979 – 1986 Soviet… Continue Reading

Buster Keaton Finds A Silver Certificate in Sherlock Jr.

Buster Keaton Finds A Silver Certificate in Sherlock Jr.

“The best way of successfully acting a part is to be it” – The Adventure of the Dying Detective (DYIN) In the opening minutes of the film Sherlock, Jr., the actor Buster Keaton is sweeping trash in a movie theater. At approximately the 4:00 minute mark, a gentleman walks out and is counting money in his wallet. Keaton… Continue Reading

Numismatic Tributes To Frederic Chopin

Numismatic Tributes To Frederic Chopin

“What’s that little thing of Chopin’s she plays so magnificently…” – A Study In Scarlet (STUD) Frederic Chopin, the musical prodigy, was only mentioned once in the 60 stories of the Canon and that was towards the end of A Study In Scarlet. However brief his appearance in the tale, he might be the most honored person… Continue Reading