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Stories | The Fourth Garrideb - Numismatics of Sherlock Holmes
Irregular Postings on Coin Collecting & Numismatics - Both Canonical & Conanical

A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars

Numismatists Do Not Fear Change

Category Archives: Stories

The 2018 140 Varieties of Tobacco Ash Dinner Medal

The 2018 140 Varieties of Tobacco Ash Dinner Medal

” I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco.” – The Boscombe Valley Mystery (BOSC) The attendees of the 2018 140 Varieties of Tobacco Ash Dinner Violin players. Bicycling enthusiasts. Coin collectors. There are numerous Sherlockian groups out… 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

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

The 2007 Cook Islands Sign of the Four Coin

The 2007 Cook Islands Sign of the Four Coin

” 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

The 17 Steps: The Sign of The Four

The 17 Steps: The Sign of The Four

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

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

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

From Watson’s Tin Box: The Three Garridebs

From Watson’s Tin Box: The Three Garridebs

“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

A Basic Timeline of Terra 221B – The Three Garridebs

A Basic Timeline of Terra 221B – The Three Garridebs

“… this enables me to fix the date …” – The Adventure of the Three Garridebs (3GAR) Editor’s Note: Back in 2000-2001, Brad Keefauver, the 41st Garrideb, was a discussion leader on the Hounds of the Internet and was publishing The 17 Steps discussion questions that we have been reprinting here monthly. In addition, he would also publish a… Continue Reading