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Tag Archives: Arthur Conan Doyle

Windsor Mint Issues Series of Sherlock Holmes Medals

Windsor Mint Issues Series of Sherlock Holmes Medals

“Now, these are a really very fine series of portraits.”

– The Hound of the Baskervilles (HOUN)

Back in February, we reported the the Windsor Mint had produced a Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Medal. Within the past week, they have announced five additional medals with Sherlockian themed designs. We are sharing all six designs here, starting with the design we discussed in February

All six designs have a portion of Sir Arthur Conan’s Doyle’s handwritten manuscript of The Adventure of the Three Students, specifically two of the opening paragraphs:

Things had indeed been very slow with us, and I had learned to dread such periods of inaction, for I knew by experience that my companion’s brain was so abnormally active that it was dangerous to leave it without material upon which to work.  For years I had gradually weaned him from that drug mania which had threatened once to check his remarkable career.

Now I knew that under ordinary conditions he no longer craved for this artificial stimulus; but I was well aware that the fiend was not dead, but sleeping; and I have known that the sleep was a light one and the waking near when in periods of idleness I have seen the drawn look upon Holmes’s ascetic face, and the brooding of his deep-set and inscrutable eyes.

All six medals feature the same reverse design. Once again, a portion of Doyle’s handwritten manuscript appears in the background of Holmes’ silhouette, this time from the The Adventure of the Missing Three-Quarter:

Please await me.  Terrible misfortune.  Right wing three-quarter missing. Indispensable to-morrow. OVERTON

‘Strand postmark, and despatched ten thirty-six,’ said Holmes, reading it over and over.  ‘Mr. Overton was evidently considerably excited when he sent it, and somewhat incoherent in consequence.  Well, well, he will be here, I dare say, by the time I have looked through The Times, and then we shall know all about it.  Even the most insignificant problem would be welcome in these stagnant days.’

Things had indeed been very slow with us, and I had learned to dread such periods of inaction, for I knew by experience that my companion’s brain was so abnormally active that it was dangerous to leave it without material upon which to work.  For years I had gradually weaned him from that drug mania which had threatened once to check his remarkable career.  Now I knew that under ordinary conditions he no longer craved for this artificial stimulus; but I was well aware that the fiend was not dead, but sleeping; and I have known that the sleep was a light one and the waking near when in periods of idleness I have seen the drawn look upon Holmes’s ascetic face, and the brooding of his deep-set and inscrutable eyes.  Therefore I blessed this Mr. Overton, whoever he might be, since he had come with his enigmatic message to break that dangerous calm which brought more peril to my friend than all the storms of his tempestuous life.

When the one medal only was available in February, it was priced at £10 Now, with six medals and a “presentation holder” the set is priced at £149.50. Each 24 karat gold-plated copper medal is 50 mm diameter and weighs 54g. Struck in proof condition, the medals are limited to 9,999 sets.

Details can be found at the Windsor Mint website. Now the bad news – they only ship within Europe.

The Conan Doyle Shooting Competition Medals of the NRA of the United Kingdom

The Conan Doyle Shooting Competition Medals of the NRA of the United Kingdom

“He pulled me out once from under the rifles of the Boers …” – The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier (BLAN) After returning home from serving in the Boer War, Arthur Conan Doyle became a huge advocate for the local citizens to learn how to fire rifles and other small firearms as a measure of… Continue Reading

Medals of the 1911 Prince Henry Tour and Arthur Conan Doyle

Medals of the 1911 Prince Henry Tour and Arthur Conan Doyle

“It’s my race anyhow…” – The Adventure of the Silver Blaze (SILV) During the summer of 1911, Prinz Albert Wilhelm Heinrich von Preußen of Prussia arranged for a multi-country auto race as a gesture of goodwill for the upcoming coronation of King George V. Starting in Hamburg on July 4, 1911, the Prince Henry Tour… Continue Reading

Some 1970’s Auction Appearances of ACD Collection Coins

Some 1970’s Auction Appearances of ACD Collection Coins

“… he had put up for auction …” – The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans (BRUC) In late 1968 and early 1969, the New York firm of Manfra, Tordella & Brookes sold the ancient coin collection of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle via private transations with individual collectors and Sherlockians. Shortly afterwards, some of these coins… Continue Reading

Conan-Doyle Ancient Coins Set For Sale (8/21/1968)

Conan-Doyle Ancient Coins Set For Sale (8/21/1968)

“My publishers give me a most discouraging account of its sale.” – The Adventure of the Resident Patient (RESI) The ancient coin collection of the late Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle, celebrated author and creator of the Sherlock Holmes mystery thriller series, has been acquired by the firm of Manfra, Tordella & Brookes, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York,… Continue Reading

Paris Mint Displays Leygue Collection (1/31/1979)

Paris Mint Displays Leygue Collection (1/31/1979)

“… during this exposition …” – The Valley of Fear (VALL) Sculpture and medals of French artist Louis Legue went on display at the Paris Mint in November, 1978, to remain through February, 1979, according to Pierre DeHaye, Director of the Mint. The exposition is under the patronage of the Minister of Economics in France. Leygue was born… Continue Reading

It’s A Pretty Little Thing – Peter E. Blau’s Souvenir for the 2001 BSI Dinner

It’s A Pretty Little Thing – Peter E. Blau’s Souvenir for the 2001 BSI Dinner

“It’s a pretty little thing …” – The Adventure of The Mazarin Stone (MAZA) Outer Cover of Peter E. Blau’s 2001 Seasonal Souvenir Inside Contents of Peter E. Blau’s 2001 Seasonal Souvenir A long-standing tradition at the annual January dinners of the Baker Street Irregulars is that many members and attendees issue a souvenir of some… Continue Reading

The 1978 Arthur Conan Doyle Medal by the Monnaie de Paris

The 1978 Arthur Conan Doyle Medal by the Monnaie de Paris

“… enthusiastic admiration of the French …” – The Adventure of The Naval Treaty (NAVA) In the Spring 1979 issue of The Sherlock Holmes Journal (Volume 4, Number 1, Whole Number 52), Editor Nicholas Utechin has this nugget in his Editorial Notes feature: New Objects Pride of place-just-goes to the newly available Sir Arthur Conan Doyle medal produced… Continue Reading