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

A Scion Society of The Baker Street Irregulars

Numismatists Do Not Fear Change

Category Archives: SIXN

Adventure of the Six Napoleons

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.

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

Select Numismatic Tributes of Napoleon

Select Numismatic Tributes of Napoleon

“… relics of the French Emperor.” – The Adventure of the Six Napoleons (SIXN) It seems only appropriate that we discuss the numismatic items featuring Napoleon Bonaparte as we celebrate all things Six Napoleons this month. Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Corsica on August 15, 1769. An artillery officer in the French army at the outbreak… Continue Reading

The Westphalian Coinage of Jerome I

The Westphalian Coinage of Jerome I

“… the natural anxiety of a wife for her missing husband.” – The Sign of The Four (SIGN) Jérôme-Napoléon Bonaparte was the youngest brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, a military leader who would become the Emperor of France. In his late teens, Jerome visited the United States after serving in the French navy in the Carribean. While visiting… Continue Reading

From Watson’s Tin Box – The Six Napoleons

From Watson’s Tin Box – The Six Napoleons

“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 Six Napoleons

Data! Data! Data! – The Six Napoleons

“‘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 composed… Continue Reading

The 17 Steps: The Six Napoleons

The 17 Steps: The Six Napoleons

Seventeen thoughts for further ponderance of the case at hand – The Six Napoleons A FRIEND ENJOYING THE COMFORTS OF 221B There’s something special about the beginning of this tale, a feeling that the friendly association of Holmes and Watson was not something they restricted to their own circle of two. We begin this visit… Continue Reading

The Sherlock Holmes Society of London’s 1961 Garrideb Gathering

The Sherlock Holmes Society of London’s 1961 Garrideb Gathering

“Will you be at home this evening?” – The Adventure of The Three Garridebs (3GAR) Proceedings of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London THE GARRIDEB GATHERING “The only one in the world” KILLER Evans would surely have been envious. At 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 3, 1961, the stentorian voice of the head-waiter announced: “Mr.… Continue Reading