Okay, time to test your Numismatic Historical Knowledge. Try to answer the following Questions, and compose a paragraph about that collector,Dealer or cataloguer. Good Luck! Prizes for the member who provides the most correct answers and a 2nd place prize for the best composition of a correct answer. IDENTIFY THESE 20th CENTURY COIN DEALERS BY THE ADVERTISING SLOGANS THEY USED. (1) "Don't stand on your head to read this advertisment, but I have what you want below" . (2) "We all have our hobbies" (3) " Mint Marks" * Now identify the collector, Dealer or Cataloguer of the following questions. (4) At the Stickney sale I bid $6,100 on the Brasher Dabloon. My collection of American Colonials,Silver and Private Gold was considered the finest in existence at the time of my death in 1908. (5) I was commissioned to catalogue the James B. Wilson Sale. (6) I was the absent Host of an A.N.A. Convention. (7) I had come to America in 1763 and was know to have at that time the best well documented collection of Coins and Medals, totaling roughly 135 pieces. In 1776 I was requested to consult on the 1st committee. I am credited with having suggested the "Triangle and the Eye of Providence" for the Great Seal. *General Questions. (8) When the head of the Head Of Liberty is tied at the back, it is called? (9) The small space between the bottom of the bust, or type and the rim is called? (10) The Earliest reference to the use of " E Pluribus Unum" was? Have fun researching if you readily do not know these answers. P.S. Don't rush your answers. The contest time will close Two weeks from today at midnight. Post your answers and Paragraph Bio one at a time, I will keep score. ******Somewhere within these questions are a set of KEY's , that will unlock a doorway to assist you in this contest.
yes Frank, post your answers one question per post with a paragraph bio about that Collector,Dealer or Cataloguer. Answer as many questions as you can. They don't need to be completed in any order. The member with the most correct answers achieves 1st prize. Out of the remaining members answers, the one with the best paragraph bio composition, will take second place. Perhaps this is more understandable. Get out those old reference books, do Internet research, talk to your most respected collector friend, Dealer or Coin Club members. You will find the answers. Good Luck to All! P.S. The prizes will be worth all your effort.
Alright, I'll start! 7) Pierre Eugène Du Simitière- Du Simitiere was born in Generva Switzerland. He became a philosopher and portrait artist in Philadelphia when he came to America. In 1763 became a consultant of a committee that helped create the Great Seal. He suggested the motto E. Pluribus Unum, and in 1776 he suggested that the Eye of Providence be used in the Great Seal. His collection of Early American Coins was the first of its kind, and was sold at one of the first known public coin auctions in America, which took place in Philadelphia.
next: ""We all have our hobbies"" G.H. Lovett Used on the reverse of a Washington medal, Baker 635B GH Lovett: a New York City diemaker [actual name: George Hampden Lovett] 1824-1984, Born in Philadelphia His father, Robert, and brothers John D. & Robert were also die makers. Lovett was a famous die maker, and was very popular in his day. He designed medals, CWT's, and others. The number of designs is probably in the hundreds. He advertised his wares in the American Journal of Numismatics. He is famed for his medals for the Centennial Exposition (1876), The Cotton Centennial Expo , of New Orleans, 1885, [I have this one and it is a beauty!] also; The North, Central and South American Expo, New Orleans 1886, the Piedmont Espo, Atlanta, 1887; The American Expo, London, 1887; and (my favorite) the Columbian Expo of 1892-93. Plus others. His works commemorate battles and events of the Civil & Revolutionary Wars.
Okay, the first two contestants have posted one answer each with short bio's about that the subject of the answer. Thanks for playing and you have a few more to answer. Let your fellow CT members in on this as well.
Here are my answers I was able to find all of them but one. If I do manage to find it I will post the answer in the thread. I am putting it up as an attachment so it is easier to view and read. as making 9 posts in a row seems to be a bit of cluttering. nice contest it took a bit of digging to find a couple of them.
Frank, It's fine the way the previous questions were answered. They were simply posted in a manner which was more efficient . Feel free to do the same with your other answers as well. I like the fact that this is prompting some to do some research, as you are. The concept of posting the answers , is to allow contestants to view the answers and I agree or disagree and post their own answer with what they believe are substantiating information. No one has answered all the questions as yet, and of those answers given already, some just might not be correct . Should a respondent see what they believe is the right answer already posted, no problem. Make that your answer to the question and try to provide OTHER facts in the "BIO" portion of the answer. Remember, 2nd place goes to the best "BIO" portion of the Contest. The first place winner ( with the most correct answers) is not considered for the 2nd place award. The individual who first answers the question correctly, wins the credit for the answer, but second place is strictly for the "bio" composition. Pertinent facts, citing reference literature etc. Good hunting bud and have some fun with this.
IDENTIFY THESE 20th CENTURY COIN DEALERS BY THE ADVERTISING SLOGANS THEY USED. (1) "Don't stand on your head to read this advertisment, but I have what you want below" . (2) "We all have our hobbies" G.H. Lovett Used on the reverse of a Washington medal, Baker 635B GH Lovett: a New York City diemaker [actual name: George Hampden Lovett] 1824-1984, Born in Philadelphia Lovett was a famous die maker, and was very popular in his day. His father, Robert, and brothers John D. & Robert were also die makers. He designed medals, CWT's, and others. The number of his designs is probably in the hundreds, and his is especially famous for his busts of Washington. He advertised his wares in the American Journal of Numismatics. He is famed for his medals for the Centennial Exposition (1876), The Cotton Centennial Expo , of New Orleans, 1885, [I have this one and it is a beauty!] He also designed medals for The North, Central and South American Expo, New Orleans, 1886; the Piedmont Esposition, in Atlanta, 1887; The American Expo, London, 1887; and (my favorite) the Columbian Expo of 1892-93. Plus others. His works commonly commemorated battles and events of the Civil & Revolutionary Wars (3) " Mint Marks" A. G. Heaton was the third president of the American Numismatic Association, governing from 1894 to 1899. In 1893, he published his famous Treatise on Coinage of the United States Branch Mints, which revolutionized numismatics. Until its publication, collectors generally only collected by date. Heaton's Treatise, commonly referred to as just Mint Marks, showed that the coinage of the branch mints was often significantly more scarce and hence worth far more. In 1900, Heaton updated Mint Marks in the article, Late Coinage of the United States Mint, published in the The Numismatist. Heaton was a frequent contributor to The Numismatist, submitting both articles and poetry, including the The Numismatist and the Burglar, published by The Numismatist in 1894 and later appeared in Heaton's book, Fancies and Thoughts in Verse. As a collector, he owned a complete collection of US $3 and $1 gold coins from all five mints where they were coined, one of only two such collections in existence Heaton’s landmark work is instrumental in advancing the collecting of US coins the way that we collect them today. Prior to the publication of his work, coins were simply collected by date, and mintmarks were ignored. We owe the start of the modern collecting era to Heaton and his work. When I was researching my book, The Guide Book on the Guide Book, I desperately wanted this reference. If you have a chance to get a copy, or borrow one, do it! A great period in history. * Now identify the collector, Dealer or Cataloguer of the following questions. (4) At the Stickney sale I bid $6,100 on the Brasher Dabloon. My collection of American Colonials,Silver and Private Gold was considered the finest in existence at the time of my death in 1908. DeWitt S. Smith, of Lee, Mass, who bid up to $6100 for the coin in 1907! On his death, the collection sold, and was considered to be the most complete collection of early California gold. He was born April 4, 1840, died June 29th, 1907. He was a lieutenant in the Civil War, in the Mass Infantry. He was one of the founders of the Smith Paper Company. He was married with 5 children. His was considered to be the finest cabinet (as the coin collections were known at the time, due to their method of storage) of ‘Private Issue’ gold coinage. He was the under bidder for the Brasher doubloon at the Sitckney sale, and a bidder for the rare Cincinnati Mining & Trading issue. He also had a complete set of $3 gold, and a fine set of half and one cent pieces, along with a near complete set of US silver coins and one of the finest sets of Colonial coins in the US. (5) I was commissioned to catalogue the James B. Wilson Sale. Thomas L. Elder. Famous (to bibliophiles) for his publication “New Premium Coin Book” It is a popular collectible among early numismatic publications. He made newspaper headlines with his sale of $450 FOR A $20 GOLD PIECE. [Thomas L. Elder Conducts Sale of Rare Coins, on October 29, 1916, Sunday.] Thomas L. Elder was born in Dayton, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1874. By 1902, Elder made his first foray into token issuing by producing an issue advertising his business and, for good measure, including the Latin motto MOVEO ET PROFICO ("I move and I am proficient"), but was embarrassed as the last word [PROFICIO] was misspelled. Never subtle with his opinions of others, Elder took dead aim at Zerbe and the organization, calling the latter the A.N.ASSo., and personifying it on a medal as a jackass. Elder was an active member of the American Numismatic & Archaeological Society, based in NYC. He was also a founder of the NY Numismatic Club. As a member of the Society, he served, in 1906, on a committee to improve the US coinage and met with Teddy Roosevelt. He is also famous for his Elder Monthly newsletter (started in March, 1906). The Elder Monthly was later changed to The Numismatic Philistine, whose name in turn was re-titled to The Elder Magazine. He was famous (infamous?) for his scathing attacks on other members of the hobby. From the podium, (for meetings, auctions, etc) Elder was apt to say something like, "Here comes a deadbeat," as the victim entered the room, and all heads turned. (6) I was the absent Host of an A.N.A. Convention. During the 1908 ANA, S Hudson Chapman was detained abroad due to illness, although he took a large part in the preparations for the Convention. The sale of his collection brought headlines in 1921: SPANISH STAMP TOPS SALE.; Brings $103, Highest Price In Disposal of Chapman Collection. “A Spanish stamp, one of the rare 1850 issues, brought the highest price at the recent sale in Philadeiphia of the S. Hudson Chapman collection. It was a canceled copy of the 2 reals value and although having a minute defect, sold for $103. The standard catalogue value for a perfect copy is $400.” He was a colorful figure at coin shows as remarked by Alden Scott Boyer: (Concerning Henry (and brother S. Hudson Chapman) in the 1920s "When S. Hudson Chapman used to set up his exhibits at a convention, a bright shiny Smith & Wesson revolver always laid at hand. Many will recall this. His brother, Henry Chapman, was as careless as all get out; but he was such a gentleman that I doubt if he ever had any petty thefts at his set-ups." Regarding the issuance of the Peace dollar, Hudson Chapman was not subtle in his opinions at the 1920 ANA convention: “board member S. Hudson Chapman objected on the grounds that the U.S. was still technically at war with Germany. He called a unilateral declaration of peace "the most stupid thing I have ever heard of" and "a most ridiculous situation".” (June 1998 issue of The Numismatist). Chapman conducted 28 auctions, and was a renowned figure in numismatics during his lifetime. (7) I had come to America in 1763 and was know to have at that time the best well documented collection of Coins and Medals, totaling roughly 135 pieces. In 1776 I was requested to consult on the 1st committee. I am credited with having suggested the "Triangle and the Eye of Providence" for the Great Seal. Pierre Eugene du Simitiere (1736? [note: other sources cite a date of 1737) - October 1784) (originally named Pierre-Eugène Ducimetière) was a philosopher, member of the American Philosophical Society, naturalist, patriot, and portrait painter. He was born in Geneva, Switzerland and died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He was Swiss born Freemason and Artist. He served as the artistic consultant for the committees that designed the Great Seal of the United States, and in 1776 he submitted the first proposed design to include the Eye of Providence, which element was eventually adopted. He also suggested the adoption of the U.S. motto E pluribus unum (Out of Many, One) and was partially responsible for the Seal of New Jersey. His coin collection was the first record in Early American history to serve as collateral on a loan granted to him by William Dilwyn. This collection later on was sold at public auction by Matthew Clarkson and Ebenezer Hazard, on March 19, 1785 at Philadelphia. Included in the sale as Lot #19 was "A Mahogany cabinet containing ancient and modern Gold, Silver, and Copper Coins and Medals." This sale precedes all sales in Atinelli's Numisgraphics by 43 years and is considered to be the first known coin auction sale in America. An advertisement for this sale reposes in the Archives of the Library Company of Philadelphia. The New Jersey state seal was also designed by de Simitiere, the New Jersey Seal was presented in May, 1777, to the Legislature, which was then meeting in the Indian King Tavern in Haddonfield. (Independent Hall Association) This Tavern has been recorded as having had its premises used as a Masonic lodge. *General Questions. (8) When the head of the Head Of Liberty is tied at the back, it is called? This is driving me nuts! I know this, can’t remember. got it: Queue: Etymology: French, literally, tail, from Old French cue, coe, Latin cauda, coda 1 : a braid of hair usually worn hanging at the back of the head (9) The small space between the bottom of the bust, or type and the rim is called? Exergue: definition: A space on the reverse of a coin or medal, usually below the central design and often giving the date and place of engraving. (10) The Earliest reference to the use of " E Pluribus Unum" was? E pluribus unum, Latin for "Out of many one", is a motto requested by Pierre Eugene du Simitiere (originally Pierre-Eugène Ducimetière) and found in 1776 on the Seal of the United States. A different account was put forward in the Discovery Channel program "Secret America". According to an interview with Priscilla Linn, Senior Curator, State Dept. Diplomacy, the phrase "Out of Many, One" came from a magazine called "The Gentleman's Magazine," published at the time of the revolution. Each year, the magazine would re-purpose one article from each of the year's 12 issues, publishing a standalone issue that was "Out of many, one". "E Pluribus Unum" was suggested by the committee Congress appointed on July 4, 1776 to design "a seal for the United States of America." On July 4, 1776, Congress appointed John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson to prepare a design for the Great Seal of the United States. The first design, submitted to Congress on 1776-AUG-10 used the motto "E Pluribus Unum." It was rejected. Five other designs also failed to meet with Congress' approval during the next five years. In 1782, Congress asked Mr. Thomson, Secretary of Congress, to complete the project. Thomson, along with a friend named Barton, produced a design that was accepted by Congress on 1782-JUN-10. It included an eagle with a heart-shaped shield, holding arrows and an olive branch in its claws. The motto "E Pluribus Unum" appeared on a scroll held in its beak. The seal was first used on 1782-SEP-16. It was first used on some federal coins in 1795.
Great answers all. There are 10 questions to answer.. Remember, contestants have until next Saturday to complete all the questions or final edit your answers. So, continue researching. But please don't change a correct answer!
Revision Ok here is my final list of answers. I found one that I couldn't find so all questions are answered correctly. woot that first one was stumper but I was able to find it. Please use this list. How i stop someone from seeing my answers i don't know but ol well.
I finally got the answer to the last one. Phew. I'll post later, I have to go to a tax class today, and tomorrow, and Wednesday.... sign.
Man Frank, one would think you were writing a book or something. Good Luck in the contest everyone. I hope somebody wins! LOL..
nah, I've been in tax classes for the past couple of days,. and tomorrow. Long days, not much humor..... well, not much unless you count my firiend and myself.
Well no sense in waiting any further. I had hoped for more of a contest , but looks like all I could attract are you three. Here is how you finished up. UMN25 : answered question # 7 first correctly. Mystery: answered questions # 1, 3, 4, 5,6, & 9 first correctly. WINNER! Treasure: is awarded the 2nd place for the composition portion of the contest. Thanks for playing folks! Hope it was Educational for you. P/M with your addresses and a short bio of your Numismatic interests. I will post the correct answers to #2, 8, & 10 over the weekend.:hug:
