“The Bulletin” June, 2002 Numismatics in Uniform The next meeting of the North York Coin Club will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2002, at the Edithvale Community Centre, 7 Edithvale Drive. We start gathering President’s Message about 7:30pm with meeting start scheduled for 8:00.

Bob Porter will be our guest speaker to talk about the times during which he started As I have talked with different members, I find his interest in collecting. Believe it or not, this was during the Second World War. He that the number of people attending the annual has an incredibly rich set of specimens ranging from military scrip to Japanese Canadian Numismatic Association this year is invasion currency to medals with interesting memories to go with each. Among his down considerably compared to other years. memories is his participation in the D-day landings of June 6, 1944. What better time This is not surprising considering the cost and than our June meeting, 58 years later, to spend time with this subject? time involved in getting out to Vancouver.

There is no listed auction this month, so you are encouraged to bring your material There is no July meeting and no July bulletin, for this meeting. Hope to see you there. but a meeting for Wednesday, August 21 is being planned. Watch for your August bulletin South Western Ontario Numismatics confirming the date. Coming Events Coin And Collectibles Show, Aug. 11,

9am-4:30pm at the Convention Centre, Also, please pay close attention to the Torex, June 22-23 at the Pearson Ball- Paris Fairgrounds, 139 Silver St. Free possibility of a strike which could start room, Primrose Hotel, 111 Carlton St. admission. More than 50 tables of tokens, on June 24 and force us to cancel our Show and Auction. Sat. 10am-5pm; coins, paper money, sports cards, jewel- June 25 meeting. Please call the Sun. 10am-3pm Daily admission $5. lery, militaria, postcards, and artifacts. President or Editor if you hear there is Coins, paper money, cards, books, sup- Contact Ted Bailey, (519) 442-3474. a city strike to check if the meeting is plies, pens, watches, militaria. Contact still on. Brian Smith, (416) 861-9523, e-mail 28th Annual Collingwood Coin and [email protected]. Web site: http://www. Stamp Show, August 17, 9am-3:30pm at torex.net. If you are now on the Internet, please send an e- 100 Minnesota St. (between the Police mail to the editor at “[email protected]”. Fire Complex and Cinema 4). Free ad- Canadian Numismatic Association This will allow us to send you any last-minute mission, free parking, free draw for door 2002 Convention, July 12-14 at the emergency announcements. You may contact prizes, snack bar, kids table (tentative), Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbour- the President, Bob Wilson, at 905-677-3765 or 22 dealer tables for all collecting inter- side; 1133 West Hastings St. Bourse the Editor, Paul Petch at 416-303-4417. ests - coins and stamps. Contact Steve open to public at 10am each day, begin- Morris [email protected] or Horst ning on Friday. Registration opens Baulke [email protected] or PO Next Meeting: Thursday. Over 50 tables with leading Box 565. Collingwood, L9Y 1Z2 . dealers from across Canada and the June 25 United States. Auction sessions Friday This information is courtesy of and Saturday by Michael Walsh. Con- Canadian Coin News tact: Lynn Balmer 604-218-7154 or Pe- if there’s no strike and its web site. ter Moogk 604-228-9445 Page 2 North York Coin Club Bulletin, June 2002

Meeting News from the May 28 Meeting

The 474th meeting of the North York Coin Club was held on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 at the Edithvale Community Centre, 7 Edithvale Dr., Willowdale, Ont.

The President, Bob Wilson opened the meeting at 8:00 p.m. and welcomed 22 members and 1 guest.

The On Time Attendance Draw for $2.00 was won by Dick Dunn.

At the request of the Secretary, Len Ke- unzig read the minutes of the April 23rd after which the Chair accepted them. In the late 1960’s, John Regitko mounted a display showing how bank Paul Petch and Rick Craig commented notes are printed. He illustrated the display with photographs of actual briefly on the TNS Show. Rick was at sections of notes using print offset technology, which could (possibly) have the show early when it was busy, but been illegal if there was intent to defraud. Today it is legal to illustrate left by 3:00 p.m. when the crowds were notes such as the one shown at a reduced size of legal tender. starting to thin. There were a good number of dealers who did brisk busi- ness before noon. Paul mentioned he He had on hand the display that caused We were indebted to Roger Fox for pre- stayed after the show for the Jeffrey so much commotion but which, later, paring and serving refreshments during Hoare auction where the bidding on was to be used by the new recruits of the Coffee break. most items was competitive. the Police Department’s Fraud Squad who have overlapping jurisdic- Lucky Draw winners were: Russ The Chair advised he is still trying to tion when it comes to counterfeiting Brown, George Fraser, Dick Dunn(2), confirm a delegate appointment to the matters in the Toronto area. This most Jean Orr, Avner Bar-Moshe(3), Len Canadian Numismatic Association con- fascinating presentation was very well Kuenzig, Vince Chiappino, Jim Heifetz, vention in Vancouver in July. received and, on behalf of the members, Franco Farronato, Lucille Colson, the Pres. presented a Certificate of Ap- Gordon G. Gordon and Paul Petch. The Paul Petch introduced John Regitko as preciation to John. draw was called by Roger Fox with Al- guest speaker for the evening. John’s bert Kasman selling the tickets. It topic had the intriguing title of Marvin Kay entertained the members brought proceed amounting to $26.00. “Counterfeiting: My Brushes with the with an account of his recent trip to Las Many thanks go to Rick Craig. Bob Law”. John recalled that a number of Vegas where he went for the purpose Porter, Vince Chiappino and Marvin years ago he made up an exhibit of how (he said) of obtaining distinctive casino Kay for their donations. paper money was printed by the Cana- dollars tokens for slot machines and dian Bank Note and the British Ameri- distinctive chips from the blackjack ta- The auction was ably run by Bob Porter can Bank Note Companies. bles in order to mount a numismatic with the assistance of Paul Petch as display. He had some really good, and clerk and Vince Chiappino as runner. It In his presentation he revealed the de- not-so-good luck. earned a commission of $2.90. (Our tails that saw him plead his case to vari- usual auction clerk, Mark Argentino, ous law enforcement agencies and his Paul Petch reported the Royal Canadian called in sick due to Stanley Cup Play- conversations with the RCMP, the To- Mint report has been received and is offs. Actually, a couple of members ronto Police Fraud Squad and an attor- available to members to read. found it hard to separate themselves ney in the Attorney General’s Dept. at from their car radios. Next time, should Queen’s Park; his encounters with a Jim Heifetz was really surprised when we set up a small TV with rabbit ears?) Toronto Star reporter who summoned his son found a 2002 – 50-cent piece in the Toronto Police; the subsequent dis- his change so soon after the release There being no further business the cussion with the police and the final date. meeting closed at 9:30 p.m. outcome. North York Coin Club Bulletin, June 2002 Page 3

Mint Tea Parties Question of the Month

On Thursday, May 16, students from For the June Question of the Month, we Rolph Road Public School joined hun- will turn our attention to the 2002 When we asked about the 125th anni- dreds of local residents and special guests “circulating” 50-cent piece. Have you versary of Confederation, we agreed as the Mint officially launched its 2002 seen any in circulation yet? Have you that 1992 made it on the list since every 50-cent coin at Yorkdale Shopping Cen- put any into circulation? Do you have denomination, while it didn’t have a tre in Toronto. any first-hand 50-cent stories? special design, did have the 1867-1992 dates. The 1992 25-cent series and the For the May question we asked you to one dollar coins certainly were com- name the year or years when every de- memoratives with their many designs. nomination of circulating coinage was a commemorative. Any more years that should be included on the list? Quiet thinking… then The members did very well in identify- smiles as people realized that this year, ing 1967 as a year that matched the cri- 2002 with its 1952-2002 dating com- teria, but then it got a little quiet. It was memorating the Golden Anniversary of obvious that 1999 and 2000 did not ap- Queen Elizabeth II’s reign also quali- ply, because not every denomination fies! had a commemorative.

Federal Transport Minister David Col- lenette and Danielle Wetherup, President and Master of the officiated at the unveiling which attracted hundreds of local residents and coin en- thusiasts.

Team Canada Women’s Hockey Gold Medallists Vicky Sunohara and Therese Brisson helped unveil the commemora- tive coin, which remained hidden inside a huge box of Laura Secord chocolates.

Following the official unveiling, the pub- lic was treated to a Tea Party featuring cake, tea and Laura Secord Mint ice cream. Travelling Numismatist Ian Gra- ham was also on hand to share his exper- The six circulating designs created by Alex Colville tise with coin collectors, and everyone for our 1967 Centennial of Confederation coinage. had an opportunity to exchange their coins for a brand new 50-cent coin.

The Commemorative 50-cent coins are The new 50-cent coins are also avail- available throughout Canada at over able for exchange at Royal Canadian 175 Laura Secord Stores, over 6500 Mint Golden Jubilee Tea Parties participating Canada Post outlets, Hud- throughout the summer. The next son’s Bay stores and Royal Bank of scheduled event was in on Canada branches. The coins can also be June 13 at the Chateau Frontenac in the purchased directly from the Royal Ca- presence of Lieutenant Governor Lise nadian Mint by calling 1-800-267- Thibeau. 1871 . Page 4 North York Coin Club Bulletin, June 2002

The Ships Colonies & Commerce Tokens: Some Collected Articles

This interesting and classically Canadian Wood published a chart of photographs other is The Colonial Coinages of Can- series of tokens has challenged the pa- identifying no less than 43 obverse va- ada appearing between 1979 and 1983. tience of collectors for well over 100 rieties and 41 reverse varieties. This years. Each piece shows a frigate on the rush of research reached its climax in While all this early material is wonderful reverse with the inscription SHIPS the January, 1917 issue of The Numis- to own and fascinating to study, today COLONIES & COMMERCE on the ob- matist with Judge W. A. D. Lees’ de- you don’t really need anything more than verse. finitive classification of 46 distinct The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Ca- pieces with associated estimates of rar- nadian Colonial Tokens, now in its 4th, Both Breton and Leroux showed the se- ity. so called millennium edition. There are ries in their catalogues of the 1890’s. 19 pages with excellent charts and photo- Leroux listed them as number 793, stat- The excellent Lees work was reprinted graphs included in the catalogue which ing that 10 to 12 varieties exist and con- in 1961 with an update in a collabora- guide the collector through the identifica- sidered them easily obtained with a rarity tive work presented Messrs. Walter G. tion process for all varieties in the series. level of 2. Breton included them in his Holmes, Sheldon S. Carroll and Lorne catalogue under three entries. First as R. Wilson. Lees’ work also appeared in Recently, Brian Cornwell wrote a column number 997, stating that 25 varieties exist the compendium Canadian Tokens and in Canadian Coin News on The Ships and that they are common and only worth Medals edited by A. D. Hoch and pre- Colonies & Commerce tokens in which face value, and then as two varieties un- sented in 1974 by Quarterman Publica- he successfully simplified the identifica- der 999 and 1000 which are declared to tions, Inc. tion process. It is reprinted on the next be scarce. page. In discussions he has pointed out The Canadian Numismatic Journal has that, because of the complexity of identi- Mr. Jeremiah Gibbs of Hamilton pub- presented two excellent serials by R. C. fication, you can sometimes find scarcer lished an article in The Numismatist for Willey which include a study of the pieces in dealer junk boxes. It pays to May, 1903 and presented, in detail, 28 pieces. The first is The Coins of Canada have a basic understanding! varieties. Three years later, Mr. Howland published in 1960 and 1961 and the

Ships, Colonies & Commerce Sons, Charlottetown merchants. It Had A Political Meaning was one shilling and seven pence, sterling, per pound of The words "SHIPS, COLO- about ninety-six coins." NIES & COMMERCE" had This, with freight added, considerable political sig- would make the cost in the nificance in the early colo- Island currency about two nial days. The phrase is at- shillings five pence; giving tributed to Napoleon Bona- a margin for profit of one parte from a remark that he is shilling seven pence, or nearly said to have made at Ulm, in 1805, seventy per cent. (The Canadian just before Nelson destroyed his fleet manship, some of the dies appear to Antiquarian and Numismatic Journal, at the battle of Trafalgar. Ships, have fallen into other hands at a 2nd series, Vol. I, No. 3, January, colonies and commerce were three later date and were used in the pro- 1890, page 100.) things which he desired and which, duction of some of the blacksmith he considered, gave the British an coppers. Wright & Bale, New York advantage over the French. The phrase became a popular patriotic Issuing Tokens Could Be Profitable Wright & Bale, New York, whose slogan in the British Empire and initials (W & B N.Y.) appear on Lees serves to relate these tokens to those Referring to the article on "A No. 1, were the most widely known commemorating Wellington and Nel- Hoard of Canadian Coppers," on of any of the engravers in New York son. The use of this phrase also gives page 27 of this volume in which City. They were in business at least the tokens the appearance of medals reference is made to the large prof- from 1829 to 1847, first as Wright & at the time that agitation was just be- its of the issuers of lightweight Bale, later as Bale & Smith. They ginning against the production of to- coins or tokens, Mr. Metcalf were the engravers of many Ameri- kens by private interests. This series writes: "I can tell you what the can store cards. is also of interest because, although `Ships, Colonies & Commerce' cost most varieties show careful work- James Duncan & Co., and Beer & North York Coin Club Bulletin, June 2002 Page 5

An interesting series for the new collector of pre Confederation tokens by Brian Cornwell

If you’re just beginning to collect pre Table I Confederation Canadian colonial to- Characteristics of Ships Colonies & Commerce Tokens kens, an interesting place to start is with the Ships Colonies & Commerce Obverse: (1) A sailing ship. series. These are tokens of Prince Ed- (2) May have none, one or two “H” initials. Single initial at the waterline ward Island but it is thought that they to the right. Double initial has same as above, but another up higher in also circulated in Newfoundland and the water. First initial is raised, the second is incuse. (Quebec). Breton as- Reverse: (1) Legend is “SHIPS COLONIES & COMMERCE” on four lines. signed them the number 997 in his (2) Around the edge, the border is either round dots or a “tooth” design. late 19th century documentation of (3) The ampersand (&) between COLONIES and COMMERCE has four Canadian tokens. Judge Lees studied basic designs as determined by the end of the right upstroke. This can the series in great depth and discov- be a horizontal bar (BAR), rounded (ROUND KNOB), oblong and ered 46 different varieties. droopy (CUT KNOB) or thin and elongated (CLUB KNOB).

Today, these are recognized by Lees For more detailed descriptions of identifying landmarks, refer to the introduction to numbers ranging from 1 to 46. They are Ships, Colonies & Commerce Tokens in The Charlton Standard Catalogue of Cana- individually well-documented in the cur- dian Colonial Tokens. rent Charlton Standard Catalogue of Ca- Table II on next page nadian Colonial Tokens. Some are quite common and many fit in the truly rare category. They can also be tricky to at- of very scarce Lees numbers, worth Once you have a grasp of these then go to tribute unless you’re very familiar with many hundreds of dollars in auction, Table II to figure out the various combi- the series. The Charlton Standard is a big that have been bought for less than $10 nations these appear on the actual token. help here because there are easy-to-use because of inattention by the seller. Listed are all the different Lees numbers schematics offered in the book to step You don’t have to be an expert attribu- that have specific attributes. tor to get started. Also shown is the price range according What follows is a simplified to the Charlton Standard, for each group, approach to “narrowing for items in VF (Very Fine) condition. down” the determination of You can see that some groups are low Lees number, and hence, priced for all items in the group, while the market value of the to- others have quite a wide range. It is just ken. Table I focuses on a possible that a careless seller might over- few simple to understand look an important item in the latter group attribution “landmarks” for aria price it more like the common item each of the token’s obverse in the group. and reverse. Notice that the double “H” types have the incuse mint- That’s where you can have lots of fun and you through the attribution process. If mark of the Heaton mint as described get great value for the money you spend. you have the interest, and take the time, by Lees, and a separate “H” initial for attribution is not a problem. But like so the designer, Thomas Halliday. The sin- Obviously, in time you’ll want a detailed many things in life many in the coin busi- gle “H” types are showing the designers Lees number for each of the tokens you ness are in a hurry and simply offer these initial. Incidentally, recent studies con- buy, and for that you’ll have to work tokens as “997’s” with no Lees designa- clude that the no “H” Lees 14 to 22 through the detailed charts in the Charl- tion. Look in any dealer’s junk box and types had their origin at the Heaton ton Standard. you’ll probably find some. More often, mint. than not, they’ll be simply priced based on the most common item in the series, that is, anywhere from $2 to $15 or so. Possibly discounted up to 50 per cent from these levels, as most junk boxes seem to be advertised. Look at this as an opportunity. There have been many re- ported junk box discoveries by collectors Page 6 North York Coin Club Bulletin, June 2002

himself as a wholesale tobacconist. Early Ships Colonies & Commerce Research He was at one time president of the Ontario Tobacco Merchants Associa- tion, and retired from business in Judge W. A. D. Lees Judge Lees joined the American 1934. He died in 1936, aged 63. Numismatic Association (A.N.A.) William Andrew Dickson Lees was in 1913. He was a frequent con- Mr. Gibbs contributed many articles born near Ottawa on August 27, tributor to The Numismatist from to the A.N.A. magazine, The Numis- 1859, the son of Robert Lees, K.C., 1914 to 1927. He is best known for matist during the years 1902 to 1907 crown attorney and clerk of Carleton his study and research on the Ships, when he was second vice-president County, and Jessie Dickson, daugh- Colonies & Commerce tokens. of that association. His articles were ter of the sheriff of Bathurst District. most descriptive and dealt chiefly He was educated at Ottawa Colle- Jeremiah Gibbs with the Canadian tokens. A contem- giate, the University of Toronto, and porary of Judge W. A. D. Lees and Osgoode Hall. He was called to the Jeremiah Gibbs, though not as well Eugene Courteau, he corresponded bar in 1893. known to Canadian collectors gen- with both those gentlemen on numer- erally as Breton, Leroux, Courteau ous occasions. He travelled abroad Mr. Lees went to Alberta in 1904 and others, was nonetheless a keen and purchased many of his speci- and opened an office at Fort Sas- student of numismatics, especially mens at Messrs. Spink’s and Seaby’s katchewan. In 1909 he was appointed the Canadian token series. He con- of London. District Court Judge for the judicial tributed much to our present district of Wetaskiwin. His hobbies knowledge of many of them. Howland Wood were carpentering, nature study and numismatics. He was recognized as Born in East Flamboro, near Ham- Howland Wood was one of the great- an authority on the birds of Alberta. ilton, in 1873, he went to Hamilton est numismatists that the United His coin collection was one of the when he was 17. He worked for a States has ever produced. He was best in Western Canada. He died in number of years at the tobacconist born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1941 at the age of 82 years. trade before going into business for in 1877. He was educated at Brown University. In 1913 he was invited by the American Numismatic Soci- Table II ety to go to New York and become Simplified Ships Colonies & Commerce Attributions Guidelines curator of its collection of coins and Primary Secondary Identifier Lees Prince Range medals. He accepted and held this Identifier Number(s) (VF) position at the time of his death in 1938. No “H” 1 Bar Ampersand 1 to 9, 14 to 22 $15 to Extremely Rare Mr. Wood became a member of the (Lees 1-22) Round Knob Ampersand 10 to 13 $30 to $500 A.N.A. in 1900, served as General Single “H” Dot Border/Bar Ampersand 25 $1,000+ Secretary from 1904 to 1909, as Chairman of the Board of Gover- 2 (Lees 23-33) Dot Border/Round Ampersand 27 $35 nors from 1909 to 1912, and as As- 333 $500+ sistant Editor of The Numismatist from 1909 to 1913. He was Editor Dot/Cut Knob Amp. 23,24,26 $20 to $75 of the American Journal Of Numis- matic Notes and Monographs from Toothed Border 28 to 32 $12 to $15 1920 until his death. Double “H” Bar Ampersand 34,35,40 $35 Mr. Wood was author of many (Lees 34-46) Club Knob Ampersand 36,37,42,45,46 $30 to $150 books and articles on numismatics Cut Knob Ampersand 38,39 $25 to $50 and in 1920 he was awarded the Archer M. Huntington medal for nu- Round Knob Ampersand 41,43,44 $25 to $75 mismatic writing. His chief contri-

1 butions to Canadian numismatics Notes: Be careful with very well worn items. Sometimes the “H” initial is worn included studies on the Canadian away to give the impression of a no initial example. 2 Blacksmith Coppers, the Vexator Lees 27 uniquely identified by a bump on top of the diagonal down stroke Canadiensis pieces, the Son of R in COMMERCE. 3 Marques, and the Ships, Colonies & Lees 33 has a horizontal spike running to the right of the lowest sail on the Commerce tokens. left-most mast. North York Coin Club Bulletin, June 2002 Page 7

The Sign of the Dollar by Edward C. Rochette

Surprisingly, the true story of the devel- contraction for “Jesus” or a combina- “S” (signifying to some, “United States,” opment of the dollar sign was researched tion of “HS” or “IIS,” abbreviations and to others, “Uncle Sam”). and compiled in Colorado Springs, just a used by the Romans for “sestertius,” a stone’s throw from the present-day site of small-denomination coin. “If [that is] The first documented use of the dollar ANA headquarters. This numismatically so,” wrote Cajori, “[then] we should sign by a high-ranking American official valuable study was conducted in the early expect the supporters of these hypothe- occurred in 1792 in several letters written 1900s by Dr. Florian Cajori, a professor ses to endeavor to establish an unbro- by Robert Morris, the great financier of of physics (later professor of mathematics ken line of descent from symbols used the Revolution. Examination of these let- and dean of the engineering department) at the time of Nero to the symbols used ters, and others penned by Morris’ secre- at The Colorado College. in the time of Washington.” Cajori also tary, revealed that the sign had but a sin- noted that others of theological bent gle, downward stroke through the Like many early residents of Colorado tried to give the dollar sign religious “S.” (“If Morris meant the symbol to be a Springs, Professor Cajori came to this connotations. One saw a scroll inter- monogrammatic US,” asked Cajori, high-altitude community seeking a cure twined with two pillars that were remi- “what happened to the second downward for his tuberculosis. Leaving the steamy niscent of those of Jachin and Boaz in stroke?”) climes of Tulane University in New Or- Solomon’s Temple, while some felt the leans in 1887, where he was a professor pillars were similar to “the device that of applied mathematics, he accepted a was stamped upon the coins of the peo- teaching assignment at The Colorado ple who built Tyre and Carthage.” Al- College. During his 29-year tenure at the though Cajori jokingly conceded that latter institution, Cajori published a great such religious origins might account for number of scholarly papers, ranging from the modem phrase “the almighty dol- The Study of Diophantine Analysis in the lar,” he found nothing to support these United States (Colorado College Studies, unique claims. 1891) to A History of Mathematics (New York, 1894). Some of his works were The Colorado College professor saved translated into Russian, Japanese and Ital- his scurrility for those who advocated ian. that the dollar sign evolved from the Pillars of Hercules, the two points of However, it was the professor’s article, land–Gibraltar and Jebel Musa–that “The Evolution of the Dollar Marls,” flank the Strait of Gibraltar. “All flights published in the December 1912 issue of of fancy were eclipsed by those who Popular Science Monthly that attracted carried the $ back to the ‘Pillars of Her- numismatic interest. His study shattered cules,’” he wrote. “These pillars are many of the myths about the origins of strikingly impressed upon the ‘pillar the familiar symbol. In the article, which dollar,’ the Spanish silver coin widely was reproduced in part in The Numisma- used in the Spanish-American colonies tist in 1929, Dr. Cajori stated, “There are of the 17th and 18th centuries. A Span- few mathematical symbols the origin of ish banner or scroll around the pillars which has given rise to more unrestrained was claimed to be the origin of the dol- speculation and less real scientific study lar mark.” Dr. Florian Cajori, a Colorado College than has our dollar mark, $. About a professor, extensively researched and dozen different theories have been ad- Cajori was kinder to noted historian T. published his findings on the develop- vanced by men of imaginative minds, but F. Medina of Santiago, Chile, who sug- ment of the dollar sign. However, more not one of these would-be historians per- gested that the dollar mark perhaps was than 75 years later, many myths about mitted himself to be hampered by the un- derived from the mintmark of Bolivia’s the origin of this familiar symbol still derlying facts.” Potosi Minta monogrammed “p” over exist. “s.” The professor argued that forms of The doctor first investigated a number of “p” and “s” were used as abbreviations ancient and religious hypotheses. For ex- for “peso” long before the establish- Perhaps T.F. Medina was on the right ample, around the turn of the century, the ment of a mint at Potosi. He also de- track but failed to pursue his hypothesis Standard Dictionary suggested that the bunked the “US Theory,” the belief that to its logical conclusion. In tracing vari- dollar sign was a monogrammatic form of the dollar sign was comprised of the ous account books and ledgers, Cajori “IHS” (a symbol representing the Greek intertwined letters “U” and (Continued on page 8) Page 8 North York Coin Club Bulletin, June 2002

Editor’s Page, C.N.A. Journal, February, 1961 by A. E. H. Petrie

During the last year or two it has begun Professor of Nuclear Physics at Chi- the, Aegean shore of Turkey through the to be appreciated that several of the cago, discovered that living creatures, efforts of a British Museum expedition. world’s principal coinages originated whether plants or animals, and includ- Obliged by government regulations to somewhat later in ancient times than had ing man, consume with their food a ra- deposit all treasures recovered in a Turk- formerly been supposed. Among reasons dioactive form of carbon numbered 14, ish museum for twelve months, they re- for such changes of opinion are substan- for convenient reference. He also found turned to claim their share at the end of tial revisions of archaeological dating that after the creature’s death, when it that time only to learn that every last brought about by radioactive Carbon 14 no longer absorbs a daily supply of this specimen had disappeared. If this can checking techniques. While these have radio-active carbon, the latter element happen in one of the more advanced Near verified that Western man’s civilized be- disintegrates at a constant rate until half Eastern countries today, it takes little ginnings based on a settled agricultural becomes inert in 5,568 years, and three- imagination to realize what may occur in life go back twelve thousand years in the quarters if the organism ceased to live less favoured lands. Near East and to about 3,000 B.C. for about 11,000 years ago. France and the British Isles, scientific Nevertheless, from such scientific returns excavations of late tend to bring the in- Unhappily, as we all know, coin hoards as are now available we know, not only vention of Western coinage in the Lydian are usually recovered from ancient hid- that Greek coinage commenced a century realm of Asia Minor down to shortly be- ing spots by labourers or poor folk later than we used to believe, but also that fore 600 B.C. rather than the terminal more interested in capitalizing on their Roman heavy copper money does not date previously accepted of 700 B.C. finds than in revealing whence they predate 269 B.C. in any of its forms, bar- came. The greed inspired in many ter having prevailed among them until For readers unacquainted with the use of breasts by the sight of old specie is then. Likewise Roman silver originated, radioactive Carbon 14, it should be demonstrated by the fate of Greek ar- by present estimates, about 170 B.C. As known that in 1945 Willard F. Libby, chaic coins unearthed at Ephesus on for China - a prominent Japanese author- ity states his belief, from excavations Colorado College in 1918 to become made on the Chinese mainland during the (Continued from page 7) head of the mathematics department at past decade, that large and small forms of found the first abbreviations for the University of California at Berke- spade money were used simultaneously “dollar” were used in Spain in 1500, but ley. He died in 1930 at the age of 72. in their home communities and none of the actual development of the symbol Though no bronze markers on the Colo- them can certainly be dated prior to 500 spanned 300 years of bookkeeping. rado College campus recognize this dis- B.C. The problem is complicated because Maybe it evolved from the word “peso” tinguished educator, a scholarship fund other media of exchange such as rolls of after all! When the “p” of “ps” (the ab- bears his name. Numismatists who wish silk brocade continued in common use breviation for “peso”) was changed to to see where Cajori carried out his ex- there from the Shang Dynasty (before one long stroke through the “s,” the dol- tensive research about the origin of the 1027 B.C.) down to the Sung (A.D. 960- lar sign took on the form as used by dollar sign will find that his home at 1280). Barter went on in India, too, for Robert Morris. (Cajori discovered that 1110 Wood Avenue has given way to a centuries after coinage had been invented before 1800, “dollar” was seldom sym- modern Gamma Phi Beta sorority by Lydians and spread to nearby Persia. bolized by $ but rather spelled out or house. Later, Indian merchants usually defaced abbreviated as “Doll” or “Ds.”) Roman gold secured in return for silks A syndicated columnist and former and spices so that it might no longer be Florian Cajori established that the dol- ANA executive vice president, Ed acceptable in the Mediterranean but lar sign was a lineal descendant of the Rochette is a recipient of the Associa- would remain to serve Hindus by weight. Spanish abbreviation for “peso” and tion’s Medal of Merit and was a dele- Punch-marked silver and copper pieces that “the change from the florescent gate to the XIX Congress of Federa- for the Punjab appear unlikely to antedate ‘ps’ to’$’ was made about 1775 by tion Internationale de la Medaille the 5th Century B.C. and may have en- English-Americans who came in busi- (FIDEM) in Florence, Italy, in 1983. joyed little use until two centuries after- ness relations with Spanish-Americans, His book, Medallic Portraits Of John wards. and that the earliest printed $ dates back F. Kennedy, has become a standard to 1797” (in Chauncey Lee’s American reference for collectors. In his two Clearly, then, the scientific study of nu- Accomptant, an arithmetic book pub- most recent efforts, The Other Side Of mismatics has barely begun - even with lished that year). The Coin and Making Money: Rogues the assistance of such a marvellous auxil- And Rascals Who Made Their Own, iary as radioactive Carbon 14 dating from The curative air of Colorado Springs Rochette entertains his readers with organic remains associated with ancient apparently helped Dr. Cajori, for he left numismatic anecdotes. hoards!