By: Ron Gammill Charles Cushing Wright (1796-1854) was born in Damariscotta, Maine, where he taught himself engraving as an apprentice to John Osburn, a jeweler and watchmaker in Utica, New York. After working for several years as an itinerant engraver, Wright settled in New York City, where he established a die engraving firm in partnership…
By: Fred De Vall A true HOBO nickel starts with the Buffalo nickel as the “host” coin to use in carving an image usually on the obverse side of the coin. These coins were used because they had a large enough face and profile for the carvers to modify as they wished when carving their…
By: Jaden Boyd The Roman siliqua (pronounced sili-kwah), a key currency in the late Roman Empire, holds significant historical value and reflects the economic practices of its time. Emerging in the 3rd century AD, the siliqua was a silver coin, and it became a vital component of the Roman monetary system. Its name is derived…
By: Ron Gammill Die States provide valuable insights into a coin’s history and production process. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, understanding die states enhances yourappreciation of numismatics! Early Die State (EDS):EDS coins are struck from dies that have seen minimal use and have not been retooled. Look for crisp fields, sharp…
By: Your Newsletter Editor! I have enjoyed collecting Conder Token, also known as “English Provincial Coinage”, for about as long as I have had interest in early American, European and Russian (kopeks) copper. I enjoy the idea that that I can find AU/MS examples of Conder Tokens from the late 18th and early 19th century…
By: Ron MundWelcome back Ron! Chief Iron Tail Iron Tail (1842 – May 29, 1916) was an Oglala Lakota Chief and a star performer with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West. Iron Tail was one of the most famous Native American celebrities of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and a popular subject for professional photographers…
By: Ron GammillFrom “The Gammill Coin Gazette”(July 18, 2008) Collecting Civil War tokens is an interesting pursuit just loaded with history of the Great War between the States. Regular issues of US coinage was hoarded during the Civil War and this dramatically restricted merchants ability to make small change. In response to this situation, many…
By: Ron Gammill Do you ever wonder who the early 18th & 19th Century Medalists were that Engraved, Sunk the Dies and Manufactured Tokens, Medals, Medallions and Medalets? Charles Cushing Wright (1796-1854) was an important American artist and engraver. Often called “The First American Medalist,” Wright’s work is highly regarded for its quality and attention…
By: Jaden Boyd Emperor Constantine I, known as Constantine the Great, was a transformative figure in Roman history. His reign from 306 to 337 AD marked the establishment of Christianity as a central element of Roman society, alongside significant political reforms. Among his various contributions, the nummus — a small bronze coin — stands out…
Mike gave an excellent presentation on the do’s and dont’s in preparation for a numismatic exhibit. Points that he emphasized were: He also stressed the importance of each of the above and further broke down the presentation to: creativity, attractiveness & overall balance. Excellent and very informative presentation! Thank you, Mr. Mike!
Arrow Head Money. Arrow heads of stone or metal have been used by carious primitive people as objects of barter. Although they may be considered as primitive money they cannot be classed as coins. The American Indians and the Japanese used stone arrow heads for purposes of exchange and the Chinese used bronze arrow points….
By: Ron Mund I recently visited the Philippines for the first time. I stayed in Pasay, a suburb of Manila which is next to the ocean, near the airport and the Asia Mall (second largest mall in the world). It was a very interesting visit to see the city and get out in the country…
By: Jonah Scoles This article is about the debasement of Roman coinage from the middle of the 1st century through the fall of the Roman Empire. Debasement is when the intrinsic value of a coin is reduced by using less of a precious metal to mint it. To understand how far these coins were debased…
This is an excellent book in our KNC Library! Remember, if you are a numismatist, you thrive on research! Whether it’s opening a Red Book and getting the mintage of a favorite coin or discovering a new reference from the 1800s for a research project, the “Library” is the right place to spend some time…At…
Jaden Boyd – Ancient Roman Currency
By Linda CugloittaEvent Coordinator We have a lot of nice items donated for our kids’ auction. This is my second year running this event for the Kalamazoo Numismatic Club. We have a ton of fun! We always need a couple volunteers to help assist in the auction. If you have not been to a youth…
By Dean Cugloitta, Jr.KNC LM-82 We see the answer, the correct route, the clear path, yet we_________. Fill in the blank. Once again, I quote an old friend “A man with a hobby gets to live two lives,”– Russell Barr What are you currently collecting? Are you still stacking silver amid the rising markets? Is…
By Dean Cugloitta, Jr. “It Doesn’t Hurt to Ask” Over the past two years, I have rarely interacted with a bank teller. It’s often just a machine. After the pandemic, ATM machines replaced the three spots where the tellers stood. Every time I enter the credit union, I ask for $2 notes. Sometimes they have…
By Bob Webster The bus trip to the Michigan State Numismatic Society show on November 18, was a great time. In addition to all the dealers with their wares to sell, there were numismatic displays to check out, as well as some training sessions. There was one that I personally attended, which was “Using Technology…
By Ron Gammill If you are a large cent collector and you collect the middle date series (1816-1839), you will run up against several very difficult varieties that you might just dream of adding to your collection because of their rarity and cost. In fact, you might be looking for a variety that was only…