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

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Numismatists Do Not Fear Change

Category Archives: BERY

Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

The 1993 Sherlock Holmes Stamps First Day Cover

The 1993 Sherlock Holmes Stamps First Day Cover

“Holmes stopped at a post office…”

– The Adventure of the Creeping Man (CREE)

In 1993, the Royal Mail issued a set of 5 24-pence stamps featuring scenes from different Sherlock Holmes stories. Fleetwood, the philatelic collectibles firm, issued a Philatelic Numismatic Cover (PNC) featuring the stamps along with a Victorian farthing and penny. The envelopes were cancelled on October 12, 1993, the first day of issue for the stamp.

The inclusion of the farthing is curious, as it is only mentioned once in the entire Canon – “You shall not have a farthing from me,” from The Beryl Coronet. However, if we consider that this was a money making venture and farthings were more affordable than a half-penny, the logic becomes clear. Both the farthing and penny are dated 1893 or earlier. The back of the envelope serves as the all-so-important certificate of authenticity.

The PNC came with a descriptive card detailing some facts about Holmes and his creator, Arthur Conan Doyle. All items were placed inside a leatherette display holder.

Below are the five stamps – Reigate Squire, Hound of the Baskervilles, Six Napoleons, Greek INterpreter and the Final Problem. Scan the stamps closely – on each one is a letter that will eventually spell out the name DOYLE.

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

In for a Penny, In for a Pound – British Money as Holmes Knew It

In for a Penny, In for a Pound – British Money as Holmes Knew It

“I’d like two shillin’ better” – The Sign of the Four (SIGN) Some Sherlockians are puzzled by references to money in the Sherlock Holmes adventures – “a fifty-guinea watch” in The Sign of Four, a pipe that cost “seven-and sixpence” in “The Yellow Face.” The British monetary system was undoubtedly complicated. A pound was divided into 20 shillings,… Continue Reading

From Watson’s Tin Box: The Beryl Coronet

From Watson’s Tin Box: The Beryl Coronet

“Somewhere in the vaults of the bank of Cox and Co., at Charing Cross, there is a travel-worn and battered tin dispatch-box with my name, John H. Watson, MD, Late Indian Army, painted upon the lid.” – The Problem of Thor Bridge (THOR) Watson’s Tin Box, a BSI scion that meets in Columbia, Maryland, shares a few… Continue Reading

Data! Data! Data! – The Beryl Coronet

Data! Data! Data! – The Beryl Coronet

“‘Data! Data! Data!‘ he cried impatiently. ‘I can’t make bricks without clay.’” – The Adventures of The Copper Beeches (COPP) This column is composed of material (Data!) developed for a short course called Appreciating Sherlock Holmes that I teach twice a year in the Community Education Life Enrichment Program for a local community college.  It is… Continue Reading

The 17 Steps: The Beryl Coronet

The 17 Steps: The Beryl Coronet

Seventeen thoughts for further ponderance of the case at hand – The Beryl Coronet (BERY) THE FINE ART OF PAVEMENT-SCRAPING Watson writes: “Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay… Continue Reading

Recreating 221B

Recreating 221B

“… a single large airy sitting-room, cheerfully furnished, and illuminated by two broad windows.” – A Study In Scarlet (STUD) On Saturday, April 9, 2016, Denny Dobry, the 42nd Garrideb and his wife Joann, will be hosting an open house for interested Sherlockians to view his version of Holmes and Watson’s famous sitting room at 221B Baker… Continue Reading

Watson Coins A Phrase (2001)

Watson Coins A Phrase (2001)

“There’s money in this case …” – A Scandal In Bohemia (SCAN) In The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet, son Arthur asks father, Alexander Holder, for 100 pounds. The father “… was very angry, for this was the third demand during the month. ‘You shall not have a farthing from me’, (he) cried, on which… Continue Reading

The Banking Connection: 1894 – 1994

The Banking Connection: 1894 – 1994

“The Capital and Counties Bank, Oxford Street branch, are my agents.” – The Adventure of The Priory School (PRIO) London in 1894, when Sherlock Holmes returned from his incognito foreign journeying, was enjoying the Golden Age of British Imperial investment and expansion, bringing an enormous accretion of wealth to the Capital City of the Empire.… Continue Reading

Some Observations on the Traditions of Christmas in the Holmes – Queen Victoria Era

Some Observations on the Traditions of Christmas in the Holmes – Queen Victoria Era

“I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the compliments of the season.” – The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle (BLUE) In Holmes and Watson’s day, the celebration of Christmas was very different from what we expect in this modern age. It is… Continue Reading