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

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Category Archives: REDH

The Red-Headed League

Two Medals of Sarasate

Two Medals of Sarasate

“Sarasate plays at the St. James’s Hall this afternoon …”

– The Red Headed League (REDH)

One of our very first posts on this website was about the Spanish 1994 10 Peseta coin honoring Pablo Sarasate, the noted violinst mentioned in The Red-Headed League. We have now come across two other items featuring Sarasate.

The first is the portrait placque pictured above, made in 1905, by sculptor Franz Kounitzky. This rectangular, unifae placque measures 78mm by 86mm and is cast in copper. It features Sarasate’s draped bust facing three-quarters right, his head almost facing. Below is a violin bow, held by a hand on the extreme right; to his left is a flower is delicately held by the thumb and forefinger of another hand.

This 27mm medallion was issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth at his birthplace in Pamplona, Spain.

Sarsate was unique in being the only actual person mention in the Canon, other than royalty, to be featured on a circulating coin. He was joined by Sherlock Holmes in 2019 when the United Kingdom’s 50 pence coin was released into circulation.

Canonical Currency in Present-Day Terms (2018)

Canonical Currency in Present-Day Terms (2018)

“An intricate and elaborate calculation.” – The Adventure of the Dancing Men (DANC) Image courtesy of Jean Upton Now that the holiday season is behind us and the inevitable bills begin to roll in, it’s an appropriate time to think of money. For example, that Christmas goose in “The Blue Carbuncle” cost 7/6 (that’s seven… 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

Bob Fritsch Issued His Second Sherlockian Wooden Nickel

Bob Fritsch Issued His Second Sherlockian Wooden Nickel

“… I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain …” – The Red-Headed League (REDH) Robert F. Fritsch, the 7th Garrideb aka The Coiner (by the zinc and copper filings in the seam of his cuff), issued a Sherlockian wooden nickel during last summer’s World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia. This is Bob’s second Sherlockian wooden… Continue Reading

British Royal Mint Now Selling 2019 Sets With Sherlock Holmes Coin

British Royal Mint Now Selling 2019 Sets With Sherlock Holmes Coin

“… a work which had been specially designed to please him.” – The Sign of the Four (SIGN) On January 1, 2019, the British Royal Mint released the designs of their 2019 dated coins and began selling the annual sets to collectors. As we predicted in our earlier post about the 2019 Sherlock Holmes 50… Continue Reading

British Royal Mint to Issue Holmes 50 Pence Coins in January 2019

British Royal Mint to Issue Holmes 50 Pence Coins in January 2019

“It might be his portrait.” – The Hound of the Baskervilles (HOUN) In January 2019, the British Royal Mint will be issuing a series of 50 pence coins honoring Sherlock Holmes. Late yesterday, an image of the coin’s design was leaked and shared to the World of Coins website. Below is the proclamation authorizing these coins, as… Continue Reading

Sherlock Hound – The Sovereign Gold Coins (1985)

Sherlock Hound – The Sovereign Gold Coins (1985)

“Holmes held up a sovereign.” – The Adventure of the Priory School (PRIO) Between November 6, 1984 and May 21, 1985, 26 episodes of the animated series Sherlock Hound aired in Japan. Based on the Sherlock Holmes stories, the characters were portrayed by anthropormorphic dogs. Sherlock Hound was the title given to the series when syndicated in the United… Continue Reading

The 17 Steps: The Red Circle

The 17 Steps: The Red Circle

Seventeen thoughts for further ponderance of the case at hand – The Red Circle (REDC)   WHAT’S SHERLOCK GOT AGAINST MRS. WARREN? We begin this case with Holmes saying, “Well, Mrs. Warren, I cannot see that you have any particular cause for uneasiness, nor do I understand why I, whose time is of some value, should interfere… Continue Reading

Postal Stamp Issued for the Bank of France’s Bicentennial in 2000

Postal Stamp Issued for the Bank of France’s Bicentennial in 2000

“We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources, and borrowed, for that purpose, thirty thousand Napoleons from the Bank of France.” – The Red-Headed League (REDH) In this month’s story of The Red-Headed League, the City & Suburban Bank had increased their reserves by borrowing 30,000 gold Napoleons from the Bank of France. In… Continue Reading