A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars
Numismatists Do Not Fear Change
“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
” He handed them a shilling each…” – The Sign of the Four (SIGN) In 2007, the Cook Islands contracted with the Perth Mint of Australia to produce a set of four 1 ounce .999 silver $2 coins. All four coins featured color vignettes from the 1979 – 1986 Soviet television productions of The Adventures of… Continue Reading
Seventeen thoughts for further ponderance of the case at hand – The Sign of the Four (SIGN) WATSON’S FLAW The Sign of the Four begins by showing us a major flaw in our hero’s character, his cocaine usage. Watson, it would seem, does not make it through the tale without showing a flaw of… Continue Reading
“… 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
“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
“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
“… succeeded in reaching Candahar in safety…” A Study in Scarlet (STUD) Photos source: Wikipedia In our previous post on Dr. Watson’s Afghanistan Campaign Medal, we briefly discussed the Kabul to Kandahar rhar Star (also known as the Robert’s Star). This medal was awarded to the troops under General Frederick Roberts’ command, who participated in… Continue Reading
“But you’ve heard of Pinkerton‘s?” – The Valley of Fear (VALL) Pinkerton’s Detective Agency is mentioned in two of the stories of the Canon – The Valley of Fear and The Adventure of the Red Circle. This 38mm challenge coin has a very nice rendering of the Pinkerton’s logo. For those that like to collect items that… Continue Reading
A recent NI BULLETIN article (Smith, 1998) considered the copper fulus produced during the British occupation of the city of Qandahar during the Second Afghan War, and an unusual footnote is now added. It was mentioned that in the final phase of the war, on 27th July 1880, Ayub Khan “…defeated a sizeable British force… Continue Reading
“Mr Holmes, they were the footprints of a gigantic hound!” – The Hound of the Baskervilles (HOUN) OBVERSE: YEAR OF THE DOG 2018 / (a snarling, drooling hound, with paws scratching into the soil. Pagodas, cloud, the moon and the Chinese character for the word “dog” in the background) REVERSE: REPUBLIQUE DU TCHAD / Mouse Ox Tiger… Continue Reading