It was reported from ray czahor a philippines coin Collector Philippine Collectors, We have lost a great friend to Philippine Collectors world-wide with the passing of Neil Shafer. Many of you knew him from seeing him at coin shows or at the Philippine Collectors Forum or just using his published books or articles for your research or history. I first knew Neil back in the late 1060’s or early 1970’s when my partner (Bill Topor, deceased 2020) and I put out the “Bill and Ray” list of Philippine Numismatics. Neil was always there to answer questions from us novices. Neil was a great person to have as a friend and was always available to me to answer questions on notes based on his experience. When I bought C.M. Nielsen’s collection of Philippine Guerilla/Emergency note back in March 2008, Neil was the first call I received that he was happy to see me keep the collection intact. That August, the ANA convention was in Baltimore and Neil came to my house to sift through boxes and boxes of notes, some of which he had not seen before!When he was trying to update his 1974 book with updates in Bank Note Reporter he them to me for review. I appreciated that. He will be missed!!! Following is a tribute from the Philippine Collectors Forum and Collectors in general by John Riley. Following iJohn’s tribute, s an numismatic obituary from September IBNS journal. As the Philippine Collectors Forum (P.C.F.) celebrates 20 years as an American Numismatic Association Member Club and an annual gathering at the ANA’s summer convention (World’s Fair of Money), we are greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Neil Shafer, a Giant in the world of Coins and Paper Money research and collecting. Among many areas, issues of the U.S Philippines 1903-45 was a particular passion. Neil Shafer’s name was synonymous with the PCF as he attended and participated in nearly every gathering over the years from 2003 onward, including a meeting at the old International Paper Money Expo in Memphis (the 2012 auction of the Greg Pineda collection) and at separate smaller specialized sessions at the yearly Military Payment Certificate “fests” (MPC Fest) in Port Clinton, Ohio). Neil was frequently the Featured Speaker at these meetings and it was a regular occurrence that new attendees would seek out Neil for an inscription and signature on their treasured copies of UNITED STATES TERRITORIAL COINAGE FOR THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS (1961), A GUIDE BOOK OF PHILIPPINE MONEY (1964) and PHILIPPINE EMERGENCY AND GUERRILLA CURRENCY OF WORLD WAR II (1974). Neil was unquestionably the pioneer in this research and publishing: his knowledge and experience was recognized, respected and sought by everyone who attended our meetings over the years. Although he admitted that early on he had no real, personal connection through military service, etc to the Philippine Islands, he was fascinated by U.S. Federal coin and paper money “connections” to those of the Islands and was the first person in the United States to recognize and appreciate the unique series of coins, tokens and paper money as bona fide regular U.S. issues. Most importantly for us now, he actually DID something tangible about it while working for Whitman Publishing - namely, he produced the seminal collector references. In later years, Neil continued to regularly present topics of interest to the PCF and unfailingly would pull some amazing artifact out of his battered brown briefcase to delight and captivate us! Neil embraced modern technology, no small feat for members a fraction of his age, and it would be a boon to keeping the numismatic conversation going in the age of COVId-19. We conducted two “virtual meetings” via the ZOOM application during the Pandemic and Neil expertly provided video interaction on financial instruments made of paper - Manila’s Santo Tomas Internment Camp meal chits, early U.S. Army Camp Exchange “tokens” and other similar items in paper - all quite rare. Neil even invented a new word - Exographica - for the topic (a nod to Russell Rulau’s now-standard term of exonumia for tokens). Neil kept us in touch with ongoing publishing and encouraged us all along the way to participate in his latest co-written effort, with co-author Matthias Voight, to be published on Volume II of Philippine Emergency “Guerrilla” paper issues. But, larger than all else, was that he WELCOMED all at every collecting level and he truly ENCOURAGED everyone he encountered in this wonderful community of ours. That simple kindness and skill in taking time to listen and graciously sharing what he had learned over the years is the shining model of what it means to be a MENTOR. We take away now this vital lesson to do our best in living up to Neil’s example. The PCF has donated $100 to the American Alzheimer’s Association in Neil’s name. JOURNAL: Neil Shafer passed away during the early morning hours of 25 August; he was ninety years old and had recently been in poor health. His interest in numismatics began while stationed in Washington, DC as a member of the US Air Force band. Neil became involved in numismatic research at the Smithsonian Institution, and after discharge moved to Racine, Wisconsin to take a position with the numismatic department at Whitman Publishing. Neil, with Colin Bruce, was an editor of the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money for over thirty years. Neil was also active in the areas of US Department of Agriculture food coupons and stamps, having authored (according to Tom Conklin) the most comprehensive catalog on the subject at that time. He and son Joel collaborated on a catalog of college currency and his collection of local issues, “Money of the People,” was featured in a Lyn Knight auction. Neil helped to catalog the world bank note section of the American Bank Note Company archives, and along with Ken Bressett, researched the anomalies of the serial numbering system of Allied Military Currency. Neil was the consummate collector, researcher and author in the field paper currency. He is probably best known for his interest in Philippine numismatics and his books A Guide Book of Philippine Paper Money (1964) and Philippine Emergency and Guerrilla Currency of World War II (1974), the most comprehensive book on the subject. An updated and revised second edition is expected this year. Neil was the author of many other numismatic articles in a number of publications and, up until a few months ago, wrote a regular monthly column on various paper currency issues in Bank Note Reporter. Neil also acted (informally) as a consultant to Lyn Knight Auctions. He was a long-time member of the American Numismatic Association and was honored with induction to their Hall of Fame in 2008. Neil is also the recipient of the Faran Zerbe award, the ANA’s highest honor, their Medal of Merit, and their Lifetime Achievement Award. Neil was a life member of the International Bank Note Society and was inducted into its Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Society of Paper Money Collectors and the recipient of the Numismatic Literary Guild’s “Clemy” award for his writing. His accomplishments in our hobby were many and varied. These aside, Neil will be greatly missed for willingness to share his knowledge, his kind and gentle manner and, most importantly, for his friendship with all who had the pleasure to know him. Rest in Peace Ray Czahor Cookie Jar Collectibles PO Box 428 Savage, MD 20763-0428 Telephone: 301-604-9225 Email: cookiejarpi@veri zon.net
