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

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Tag Archives: Pobjoy Mint

TFG Issues Souvenir Cards at 2019 ANA Shows

TFG Issues Souvenir Cards at 2019 ANA Shows

“Our meal was a merry one.”

– The Sign of the Four (SIGN)

The Numismatic Friends of Sherlock Holmes Dinner was held on Thursday, August 15 was held at the Basilico Restaurante in Northridge, Illinois during the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money. Garridebs attending the dinner included: Douglas Mudd, Charles Davis, Bob Fritsch, Barbara Gregory (and husband Steven Bobbitt), Greg Ruby, Glenn M. Sermersheim, Beau Meskan and David E. Simpson. Joining us from a variety of the Sherlockian scions in the Chicagoland area were Rudy Altergott, Philip Cunningham, Terry McCammon, Robert Sharfman, Brenda Rossini, and Janice Weiner.

A few Sherlockian numismatic items were passed around the table for attendees to view, including a Proof-70 example of a gold 2019 Sherlock Holmes 50 pence coin. A wide range of conversation topics occurred and general good cheer was had by all.

As has become our tradition, a souvenir was produced for this dinner and the souvenir card is pictured above. This year is the 25th anniversary of the Pobjoy Mint striking the series of 8 designs for Gibraltar in 1994, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the return of Sherlock Holmes.

Now, we have a confession to make. What if you held a dinner party and no one came? That was the case in March when the ANA had it’s National Money Show in Pittsburgh. We made arrangements for a Numismatic Friends of Sherlock Dinner during that event and no one RSVP’d. We had created a souvenir card for that dinner and you may think it looks similar to the Chicago card we just issued.

We made the decision to recycle the design from the “unused” Pittsburgh card for our Chicago dinner, as it seemed a shame to waste the design.

For both events, 25 cards were produced.  A few of the Pittsburgh cards have been distributed to a few notable numismatists who attended the Pittsburgh coin show.

The ANA will have it’s World’s Fair of Money in Pittsburgh next August. Hopefully, we’ll have a better attendance than we did this past March.

The 1994 Gibraltar Mary Celeste One Crown Coin

The 1994 Gibraltar Mary Celeste One Crown Coin

“… having in tow the derelict brigantine Marie Celeste “ – J. Habakuk Jephson’s Statement  Gibraltar released 8 different designs for its 1994 series of coins commemorating the 100th anniversary of the return of Sherlock Holmes. In this post, we will discuss the three coins that feature a story that doesn’t involve Sherlock Holmes –… Continue Reading

A Newly Discovered 1994 Gibraltar Return of Sherlock Holmes Coin

A Newly Discovered 1994 Gibraltar Return of Sherlock Holmes Coin

“More puzzled than ever…” – The Adventure of The Empty House (EMPT) The title of this post is slightly misleading. The coin I am about to write about has been listed in the Standard Catalog of World Coins for several years, having been assigned the catalog number of KM-574. But this particular coin was not mentioned… Continue Reading

The Philatelic and Numismatic Sherlock Holmes by Benton Woods

The Philatelic and Numismatic Sherlock Holmes by Benton Woods

“… such a dear, kind old clergyman.” – A Scandal in Bohemia (SCAN) In the November 1989 edition of Scuttlebutt from the Spermaceti Press, Peter E. Blau published this nugget: Jan. 6 (appropriately) will be the publication date of Ben Wood’s new THE PHILATELIC & NUMISMATIC HOLMES (40 pp., $5.00 postpaid pre-publication and $6.00 afterward).  The following month, Blau would… Continue Reading

Gibraltar’s 1994 The Empty House Crowns

Gibraltar’s 1994 The Empty House Crowns

“… with convulsive strength he seized Holmes by the throat; but I struck him on the head with the butt of my revolver …” – The Adventure of The Empty House (EMPT) Gibraltar released 8 different designs for its 1994 series of coins commemorating the 100th anniversary of the return of Sherlock Holmes. In this post,… Continue Reading

Isle of Man Fairy Coins of 1996-1998

Isle of Man Fairy Coins of 1996-1998

“‘Do you find it interesting?’ ‘To a collector of fairy-tales.’” – The Hound of The Baskervilles (HOUN) Arthur Conan Doyle’s interest in spiritualism has been well documented. In 1917, two young cousins, Frances Griffiths and Elsie Wright, were photographed with “fairies,” near Cottingley, England. These photographs were shared with a few family members who then… Continue Reading

Fairies Finally Get Their Due With Gold Coin (1996)

Fairies Finally Get Their Due With Gold Coin (1996)

  Arthur Conan Doyle created the world’s the most believable fictitious character. On any given day, polls conducted on the streets of London will show that fully 70 percent of the population interviewed believe that Sherlock Holmes lived or still lives. Ask the same question about fairies and few, if any, would admit to believing… Continue Reading

2015 Coins & Medals Commemorating The Battle Of Waterloo

2015 Coins & Medals Commemorating The Battle Of Waterloo

“We have not yet met our Waterloo, Watson…” – The Adventure Of The Abbey Grange (ABBE) This week marks the bicentennial of the pivotal Battle of Waterloo, where Napoleon’s troops were defeated by combined troops from Great Britain and Prussia. In the stories of the Canon, there are numerous references to Waterloo Bridge and Waterloo… Continue Reading

Numismatic Remembrances of Charles Darwin

Numismatic Remembrances of Charles Darwin

“Do you remember what Darwin says about music?” – A Study In Scarlet (STUD) Charles Darwin, the English naturalist and geologist, was referenced twice in A Study In Scarlet. The author of the 1859 book On the Origin of Species, Darwin established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors. For those interested in more… Continue Reading

Arthur Conan Doyle and The Chunnel

Arthur Conan Doyle and The Chunnel

“The very next train roared from the tunnel…” – The Adventure of the Bruce Partington Plans (BRUC) Wednesday, May 6th will mark the 21st anniversary of the Channel Tunnel or “Chunnel.” Why are we mentioning this on a website that celebrates Sherlock Holmes and Arthur Conan Doyle? Turns out that Doyle was a major proponent… Continue Reading