Craig has a deep knowledge of American and Hawaiian coins. He has written a number of articles for top coin publications on industry related articles. Click on the following links to read his articles:
By Aloha Memorabilia Company | May 15, 2014 at 10:55 PM EDT | No Comments
We've been busy with the acquisition of a rather large estate. The estate formerly belonged to a jade collector who is in her 90s.
When reviewing her collection it is possible that it took the collector about 30 years to amass a collection of this size.
I was a little disappointed that there were only a few jade bangles this time. Still, after three days of reviewing this portion of the collection, I am simply amazed at the pieces she acquired.
Here is a overview of a portion of the collection.
Happy Treasure Hunting!
Sandy and Craig Watanabe Aloha Memorabilia Company
Sides engraved with series of lined silver work. The Inside has a Gilded Gold Overlay Highly Ornate Pierced Grille
in Floral Design. Hinged Top and Bottom Covers.
Some Wear to Engraved Monogram Letter D.
Weight: 7.3 grams
Length and Width: 7/8" inch X 5/8" inch
Height: 3/8" inch
Marked: British Hallmarks:
Top of Box:
Sovereign Head,
TS: Thomas Shaw
Lion Passant: English Sterling Silver mark
Bottom of Box
Anchor: for City Birmingham
TS: Thomas Shaw manufacturer
Year of Manufacture: Goth/Old English "I"(?) 1844
So what's a Vinaigrette?
Reference from Association of Small Collectors of Antique Silver
We often read about overwrought ladies reaching for their vinaigrettes, or of stalwart heroes reviving a swooning damsel by waving a vinaigrette beneath her nose. Hackneyed as these scenes may sound, they ring quite true in an historical context. Vinaigrettes, popular from the late 18th century through the mid-19th century, were small containers used for holding various aromatic substances, usually dissolved in vinegar. A tiny piece of sponge, soaked in the liquid, was contained beneath a grill or perforated cover.
By Aloha Memorabilia Company | July 01, 2012 at 04:57 AM EDT | No Comments
Vintage Estate Sterling Silver Pre WWII Maundy 3 Pence George V Sister Clasp Bracelet
Weight 18.8 grams Size: 7 5/8 inches Coin 16 mm Marked Sterling in Clasp
Vintage Estate Sterling Silver Sister Clasp Link Bracelet. Coins 8 of them are dated from 1917-1932. All are George V 3 Pence. 5 Coins Prior to 1920 925. Sterling 3 Coins after 1920 are 50% Obverse Description: GEORGIVS V D G BRITT OMN REX F D IND IMP.
The word Maundy derives from the command or mandatum by Christ
at the Last Supper, to love one another.[1][2]
The Gospels relate that on the eve of his Crucifixion,
Jesus Christ ate a meal with his disciples.
After the meal, it is recorded that Jesus washed their feet,
and gave them the following mandatum or command:
"If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet,
ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
For I have given you an example, that ye should do
as I have done unto you.
"[3][4] Mandatum is the derivation of the word "Maundy",
and the Royal Maundy service evolved from Jesus' command
By Aloha Memorabilia Company | June 28, 2012 at 04:23 PM EDT | No Comments
We recently were approached to purchase a collection of Ming's jewelry from a senior aged woman in her 80's.
She once worked for the Moon family who owned the famous Ming's of Honolulu Jewelry Stores.
This particular bracelet was a "repaired" older Chinese Bangle.
The client had married into a Chinese family.
And way back when, mixed marriages were frowned upon even among Asians.
Our Client's mother in-law did not give her "new" daughter in-law this particular
jade bangle, but sold it to her.
Years later, there must have been an accident common with jade bangles.
The bangle was probably dropped or was hit against a hard surface.
Even more common the typical accident is that the jade bracelet was damaged in a fall by the owner when it was worn.
The jade was pieced together as a link bracelet with two different colored pearls.
This is a smaller bracelet in size. Since it was a repaired piece, there is a possibililty I'll restore the jade bracelet with Ming's Gold Etched Balls and a Engraved Clasp.
Fitting for a Bracelet with a second life as a Ming's piece.
An additional 10,000 tenth-ounce American Eagle coins went out the door, bringing the 2009 sales total to an unofficial final tally of 270,000 pieces, the same number of tenth-ounce coins as were sold in 2008 and 2006, and up by 90,000 from the 180,000 sold in 2007.
Sales of 2009 half-ounce and quarter ounce coins were running heavy as of Dec. 16 at levels considerably higher than the 2008 totals, but the Mint had not yet declared a sellout of these two gold American Eagle sizes.
So far, the 2009 half-ounce coin sales figure is 101,000 coins as compared to 50,000 sold in 2008 and 2007 and 42,000 in 2006.
For the quarter-ounce size, 100,000 coins have been sold so far, up from 58,000 in 2008, 32,000 in 2007 and 46,000 in 2006.
These 2009 gold coin sales totals have been achieved in less than two weeks from the time the first ones were offered Dec. 3.
On Dec. 15, the U.S. Mint was expected to sell some additional one-ounce gold American Eagles for the first time since Nov. 25. No sales numbers were available by press time. Some 1,193,500 have been sold so far during 2009.
Only authorized purchasers can buy the U.S. Mint’s gold bullion coins directly from the Mint. Supplies are divided among these buyers using the standard allocation process, which is the Mint’s term for rationing.
Authorized purchasers in turn sell them to their clients in the secondary market.
By Aloha Memorabilia Company | December 06, 2009 at 01:25 AM EST | No Comments
After the 1800's and at the start of of the 1910's: Carved and engraved coins change in style and on the type of coins that were used as the medium to present these art pieces.
We move from the Victorian Love Tokens to the Hobo Nickels that show up sometime in the early 1910's. These miniatures of Americana Folk Art are collected and sought after by individuals who have an undertanding of the struggles of that the United States was going through.
Hobo Nickels are true Americana Art pieces! Hobo Nickel art work dates from 1913 to 1938. Hobo nickels are unique, individually hand carved nickels. The US coin used by these folk artists was the Indian Head /Buffalo Nickel.
The Indian portrait or the obverse side of the nickel was altered and carved into portraits of clowns, women, men, other Indians, friends, loved ones, figurals and self portraits. The buffalo or the reverse side of the nickel were turned into men with backpacks or other animals such as donkeys or elephants. Like the Victorian Era Love Tokens, Hobo Nickels were inscribed with dates, names or other inscriptions.
Hobo nickels, were carved by the homeless during WWI and during the Great Depression. Hobo Nickels were traded for meals, a place to sleep, a ride, or other favors. Some were carved with images of loved ones as mementos. Each Hobo Nickel has a story behind them. These stories speak of a generation of men and women who struggled to survive, yet kept their faith in our Creator, themselves, and the American dream.
They may have been wanderers, but they worked hard for what they needed, helped each other, and honored an unwritten code of honor and respect among hoboes.
Hobo Nickels are still being carved today. Individuals who carved the Hobo Nickels have brought this area of folk art to another level. The images are contemporary and often abstract with modern imaging.
By Aloha Memorabilia Company | November 26, 2009 at 06:34 AM EST | No Comments
We often see these symbols
even in modern jewelry, the cross, the anchor, and the heart. But do we really know what each of these symbols that show up quite frequently together really signify?
Back in the 1970's, when gold charms were all the rage, a charm with the cross, anchor and heart was a common charm to find for sale. I personally didn't care for the "anchor" in any type of jewelry until doing a bit of research on Victorian jewelry and found out what it symbolized.
These symbols are taken from bible scripture:
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1Cor13:13 King James Bible
Three motifs frequently found together on love brooches, as well as mourning jewelry, the anchor is also the sign of hope in Christianity. It is usually seen with a cross and heart, symbolizing faith, hope and charity.
Anchor: Steadfastness in marriage or Love is safe
Cross: Faith and Marriage
Heart: Love
As we look at jewelry with new eyes to what they have symbolized for over a century;
May we all have Hope, Faith and Charity during this Holiday season.
By Aloha Memorabilia Company | November 24, 2009 at 09:53 AM EST | No Comments
Thought I'd pass on this article that was sent via email to us.
Counterfeiters Target Chinese Coins
By Richard Giedroyc, World Coin News November 21, 2009
Counterfeiting is one of the two oldest professions. The other has nothing to do with coin collecting! We’ve seen everything from counterfeiters in ancient times trying to ply their trade without losing a limb or their life to government sanctioned counterfeiting of other nation’s coins and currency in an effort to destroy an enemy’s economy.
Today the loudest complaint heard among coin dealers and collectors regards the counterfeit U.S. and foreign coins that appear to be coming from the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese government can be blamed for turning its head the other way rather than stopping this counterfeiting, but all that may be changing now that China itself appears to be the primary target of many of these privately owned counterfeiting operations, some of which may be becoming quite professional.
The Beijing Morning Post newspaper is now reporting that twice as many counterfeit coins and bank notes are being seized across China as were seized a year earlier. That’s right! I said coins and bank notes. Unlike in the United States, coinage is currently a target for Chinese counterfeiters!
The Beijing newspaper reported 684 million renminbi yuan (about $93.7 million US) was seized by public security organizations throughout the past year. The percentage of the seizures that are in small denomination bank notes and in coins has increased by 400 to 600 percent since 2005.
What’s more, it now appears the counterfeiters are no longer mom and pop shops, but more organized operations employing entire families and even significant numbers of people from the same town.
According to a translation of the newspaper article, “They group together relatives and fellow townsmen and form ‘industrial chains’ that are composed of relatively stable personnel with individual responsibilities. Generally, the main suspect within the family would buy large amounts of counterfeit currency from Guangdong and assign them among the group. Then, individuals either sell them or spend them around the country.”
According to the Chinese government, the counterfeit currency is originating in Guangdong Province, stored in the three provinces of Anhui, Henan, and Hunan, then circulated in provincial capitals where cash is used in large quantities and the population is mobile. From there the counterfeit money spreads into surrounding areas, Central and Western China, and finally virtually across the nation.
A national anti-counterfeiting program called “09 Action” was launched in January by the Ministry of Public Security. A spokesman for 09 Action told the newspaper much of the counterfeit money is being spread by asking peddlers and those operating local markets in suburban areas for change. Although the majority of the phony money is still in large denomination bank notes, the number of fake small denomination bank notes and coins is increasing dramatically.
By Aloha Memorabilia Company | November 06, 2009 at 11:50 PM EST | No Comments
I feel that it is imperative that we (you and I) check on what our family members or friends are doing with Telephone Solicitors or Telemarketers. We received a call and emails from a family about two weeks ago. The referral was from fellow Christians who are financial planners and wanted to help this family. Their plea for help was well justified.
The family that contacted us discovered that their father had "Invested" a substantial amount of money through a mainland telemarketer that was calling their elderly father. Most of the elderly are being persuaded to purchase these coins that are tied to the bullion market. Most of the seniors have little or no knowledge of the precious metals market or rare coins due to the volatility of the current economy and numismatic market.
In this particular case, the elderly father (who has dementia) was receiving calls from a mainland telemarketer at least twice a month. He had used his credit cards to purchase a number of bullion related items over the summer. The problem with the telemarketing company having the consumer's credit card number, is that they can auto ship products to the customers on a weekly basis, or when they call to sell unsuspecting consumers the"hottest" gold coin deal that has come up!
Now this elderly gentleman is in jeopardy of losing his home.
The most important advice we can possibly share with our friends and family: "KNOW WHO YOU ARE DEALING WITH"
Some pointers as you look to purchase Gold or Silver coins:
Please read the underlined portion of the following paragraph. This will give you an idea what happened in the elderly father's case.
False Claims About Current Value
Some dishonest sellers of rare coins grade their coins accurately, but mislead consumers about the value of their coins. In other words, they overprice their coins, charging significantly more than a coin's actual value even though the coin is accurately graded.
For example, they may charge $5,000 for an accurately graded $10 Indian gold piece, which has a current retail value of only $1,750. False claims about value are becoming increasingly common in rare coin fraud. Despite statements to the contrary, there is a great deal of risk in coin investments. If you are not knowledgeable about coins, you may lose all or most of your investment.
Where To Go For Help
If you have a problem with a coin dealer, and the dealer has not resolved the problem to your satisfaction, there are a number of places you can go from help. Some dealers will resolve disputes through binding arbitration by an independent third party, usually through one of their professional organizations.
Consumer protection agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, are interested in getting your complaint information to build cases against fraudulent dealers. Although most government offices are not able to resolve individual disputes, they can usually give you sound advice about how to proceed. Most coin organizations can help you if the dealer is a member of their organization. The following list of organizations and government agencies is provided for your information.
One Organization that was featured in the Numismatist Magazine (from the ANA):
NUMISMATIC CONSUMER ALLIANCE, INC. a New Jersey Nonprofit Organization
The Primary Goals of the Numismatic Consumer Alliance, Inc, are as follows:
To help consumers secure relief for fraudulent and illegal conduct within the coin industry. For such purposes, fraud and illegal conduct shall refer to the following practices: overcharging: underpaying: overstatement of investment potential: overgrading and other misrepresentations of quality, rarity, authenticity and fair market value
To disseminate information to consumers with regard to the prevention and identification of fraud and other illegal conduct within the industry.
To educate consumers with respect to coin grading so they may distinguish the competent coin grading services from others with hidden agenda, conflicts of interest or compromised independence.
The local newspapers have published articles dealing with consumers (senior citizens are generally targeted) being preyed upon by these companies.
I believe we have an even greater problem here due to our seniors are even more trusting and unsuspecting.
We believe that individuals have a right to decide purchase gold or silver numismatic valued coins.
Customers who did purchase and are continuing or are starting to purchase coins are extremely satisfied due to they are purchasing these from reputable dealers at a fair market price.
But Craig does add some words of caution.
"Do not purchase gold or silver if you need to borrow the money
" "Purchase what you can afford and do some homework before any purchase." "Purchase from a dealer who stands behind his sale." "Purchase from a Dealer who in the future will be willing to "buy back" the coins he's sold to you when you are ready to liquidate your collection."
As in other recommendations from Publications in the industry, the ANA and other Numismatic Organizations:
"Know who you are purchasing from and that they are a reputable Dealer."
As in the previous articles about Chiense counterfeits, this is your first line of defense in protecting yourself in what you are purchasing.
We continue to pray for a resolution for this family.
By Aloha Memorabilia Company | October 29, 2009 at 01:11 AM EDT | No Comments
"Amelia" the movie opened at theaters this past weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing this movie as we started researching Amelia Earhart a year ago. Craig purchased of two autographs of Amelia Earhart on covers. We read at time of the purchase that there was a motion picture being filmed about Amelia Earhart and the released date would be sometime in 2009.
We've included some general information about Amelia Earhart. Read more about her amazing life through the Wikipedia link.
Amelia Mary Earhart (born July 24, 1897; missing July 2, 1937) was a noted Americanaviation pioneer and author.[1][2] Earhart was the first woman to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross,[3] awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.[4] She set many other records,[2] wrote best-selling books about her flying experiences and was instrumental in the formation of The Ninety-Nines, an organization for female pilots.[5] Earhart joined the faculty of the world famous Purdue University aviation department in 1935 as a visiting faculty member to counsel women on careers and help inspire others with her love for aviation. She was also a member of the National Woman's Party, and an early supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment.
You can see both Autograph covers at the HSNA this weekend at our booth.
Here's a little information about the events/covers:
Description: Amelia Earhart Autograph on 1929 National Air Race Cover - tied 8/26/29 - Air Mail Field, Cleveland, OH
The National Air Races held in Cleveland from 1929 to 1949, represent one of the most significant aviation events of the 20th century. Cleveland's newly constructed Municipal Airport, the world's largest airport at the time, along with its permanent 50,000-seat bleachers, won the city hosting rights to the event.
The event was a 10-day sensation setting the highest standards with amazing demonstrations, size, duration and attendance. The inauguration ceremonies opened with a downtown parade that rivaled the Rose Bowl Tournament parade, a $3,000,000 display of planes filled Cleveland’s Public Auditorium while aerial aerobatics and fireworks reigned over head. Over 100,000 spectators attended the opening day of the Air Races. The National Air Races captivated the public during the grim years of the Great Depression and provided a showcase for many aviation innovations.
In 1929, airplanes were still considered something of a science fiction fantasy, therefore the exciting flying events were reported in newspapers around the world. The daily flying schedule included "dead stick" landing contests, glider demonstrations, Goodyear blimp flights, parachute jumping contests and military demonstrations. The Navy High Hats, a formation team formed long before the Blue Angels, created a worldwide sensation by flying with their planes tied together by one-inch ropes from wing-struts to wing struts. Even the late Charles A. Lindbergh was in the show flying a Boeing biplane. There were also closed-course pylon races and cross-country races from as far away as Log Angeles, Miami and Toronto; all timed to reach Cleveland on different days of the show. Women pilots, including the already famous Amelia Earhart, raced in a special "Powder Puff Derby" from Santa Monica, California, to Cleveland.
But it was the closed-course racing that provided the most thrills for the fans in the stands. The Thompson Race, the first free-for-all closed-course race, was five laps around a 10-mile circuit. "Smiling" Doug Davis, a civilian pilot from Atlanta won the race with an average speed of 194.9 miles per hour. The Thompson Trophy based on the Greek Legend of Icarus who melted his feathered wings by flying too close to the sun, became equal in stature to the Green Jacket of the Masters Golf Tournament. In turn the world’s top aviators competed for the right to keep it for a year.
Six pilots were killed during the 1929 event. All but one died during cross-country trips away from Hopkins Airport. Thomas Reid crashed in nearby Fairview Park trying to set a new solo endurance record.
The Cleveland Air Races also had glittering social events each evening, and filled the nation’s newspapers with pictures and stories about the glamorous personalities of the era. Cleveland truly was the aviation capital of the universe for those 10 days.
“To us the successful completion of the Derby was of more import than life or death. Airplane and engine construction had advanced remarkably near the end of 1929. Scheduled air transportation was beginning to be a source of worry to the railroad. Nonetheless a pitiful minority were riding air lines. Commercial training schools needed more students. The public was skeptical of airplanes and air travel. We women of the Derby were out to prove that flying was safe; to sell aviation to the layman.” Louise Thaden first place winner.
Seventy women held U.S. Department of Commerce licenses in August 1929, but only 40 met the race requirements. Participants had to have 100 hours of solo flight including 25 hours of solo cross-country to points more than 40 miles from the starting airport. The pilot also had to hold a license from the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) and an annual sporting license issued by the contest committee of the National Aeronautics Association (NAA). Each participant also had to carry a gallon of water and a three-day food supply.
Twenty women entered the Derby. The course took eight days to fly and navigate using only dead reckoning and road maps. Undaunted by route changes, sabotage, and death, 14 women completed the Derby with Louise Thaden finishing first. Other women who completed the race in one of the two plane categories were Gladys O’Donnell, Amelia Earhart, Blanche Noyes, Ruth Elder, Neva Paris, Mary Haizlip, Opal Kunz, Mary von March, Vera Dawn Walker, Phoebe Omlie, Edith Foltz, Jessie Keith-Miller, and Thea Rasche. Though out of the competition with two forced landings, Bobbi Trout also completed the course.
The question that crossed my mind was the "place finish" of Amelia Earhart.
After reading through Wikipedia, a question that I had about the National Race Day event was answered:
"Earhart subsequently made her first attempt at competitive air racing in 1929 during the first Santa Monica-to-Cleveland Women's Air Derby (later nicknamed the "Powder Puff Derby" by Will Rogers). During the race, at the last intermediate stop before the finish in Cleveland, Earhart and her friend Ruth Nichols were tied for first place. Nichols was to take off right before Earhart, but her aircraft hit a tractor at the end of the runway and flipped over. Instead of taking off, Earhart ran to the wrecked aircraft and dragged her friend out. Only when she was sure that Nichols was uninjured did Amelia take off for Cleveland but due to the time lost, she finished third. Her courageous act was symbolic of Earhart's selflessness; typically, she rarely referred to the incident in later years. [67]" wikipedia
Stop by and see us at the show this weekend!
We'll be listed under Captain Cook Coin Company of Honolulu
By Aloha Memorabilia Company | October 28, 2009 at 11:17 PM EDT | No Comments
Organizations Warn Against Fakes
By Numismatic News October 21, 2009
Five numismatic organizations issued a warning about the threat posed by Chinese-made counterfeit coins to unsuspecting consumers.
The American Numismatic Association, Professional Numismatists Guild, Industry Council for Tangible Assets, Numismatic Guaranty Corp. and the Professional Coin Grading Service issued the consumer advisory.
They estimate that millions of dollars have been spent buying fakes online or at flea markets.
Consumers who buy an item based only on its perceived rarity and who have no knowledge as to how to determine whether the coin is genuine subject themselves to great risk of losing their money, their statement says.
They urge consumers to educate themselves before making purchases: know what you are buying and purchase only from reputable, experienced rare coin dealers (professional numismatists).
“We believe many of these counterfeits subsequently are being resold as genuine rare coins in online auctions and at flea markets and swap meets,” said Clifford Mishler, ANA president.
It is a violation of United States federal law to sell unmarked replicas. The U.S. Hobby Protection Act, first enacted in 1973 (Public Law 93-167 15 US Code §2101 et seq) requires manufacturers and importers of imitation numismatic items to mark them plainly and permanently with the word, “COPY” in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (16 CFR part 304).
Thousands of coins described as “copy” or “replica” are listed for sale in online auctions every day, according to the five. There also are numerous reports of replica coins being exported from China without the word, “COPY,” incused in the surface as the law requires. On most online offers, photos of the replica depict the word, falsely showing consumers a different product than the one they’re actually buying.
“We believe many of these are simply counterfeits that eventually will be purchased for significant amounts of money by unsuspecting buyers,” said Fred Weinberg, ICTA chairman.
Their statement says that to protect the public, the organizations are aggressively working to:
• Combat the unrestricted imports of counterfeit coins; • Halt the fraudulent offerings in online auctions; • Explore asking for legal actions by federal law enforcement agencies against importers and re-sellers of illegal numismatic items; • Explore united legal action by our organizations to protect the public.
“Some of the counterfeits are of extremely high quality, so if you don’t know rare coins, you’d better know your coin dealer. You should only buy from reputable and knowledgeable dealers who have a return policy with regard to non-genuine coins,” said Don Willis, president of the Professional Coin Grading Service.
For a copy of the informative booklet, What You Should Know Before You Buy Rare Coins, send $1 to the Professional Numismatists Guild, 3950 Concordia Lane, Fallbrook, CA 92028.
By Aloha Memorabilia Company | October 28, 2009 at 02:32 AM EDT | No Comments
Hello All!
This is my historical FIRST blog EVER!
I'm Sandy's other half and definitely going hectic getting ready for the big state coin show that starts this Friday and runs thru Sunday.
Fri 12-6, Sat 10-6, & Sun 10-5.
As she will readily tell you, all the years she knew me before we were married I was never to the show on time, and on top of that never ready for several hours, & even a day or two after that. But this year we are determined to be ready on time with full display... famous last words, but we will definitely try.
This entire month of October has had me on a virtual non stop buying mode. Yes, much of it has been bullion, but there will also be a nice new numismatic inventory to peruse. Please do stop by before spending that entire coin budget as my prices and selection should please most. And of course, I am still buying. I will be competitive on desireable items.
By Aloha Memorabilia Company | October 14, 2009 at 08:36 AM EDT | No Comments
When I spotted this bracelet in a group of vintage enameled jewelry pieces, this was one piece of jewelry I was not going to walk away from it very easily.
What's was so great about this piece of jewelry?
The bracelet was a bit unusual since it had two dog crystal charms on it. One charm was the image of a Fox Terrier the other was a Boston Terrier.
The Boston Terrier breed originated around 1870, when Robert C. Hooper of Boston purchased a dog known as Hooper's Judge, who was of a Bull and Terrier type lineage. Judge's specific lineage is unknown, however, Hooper's Judge is either directly related to the original Bull and Terrier breeds of the 1700s and early 1800s, or Judge is the result of modern English Bulldogs being crossed into terriers created in the 1860s for show purposes, like the White English Terrier.[3]
The information about the Boston Terrier is consistent within the time line when the Essex Charms were being handcrafted on both sides of the Atlantic. Both in Great Britain and in the US in the 1800's through early 1900's.
Checking on the prices of these charms I found that these are priced somewhere in the price range of $250.00 each.
I'm not quite sure what i would do if a customer wants to break up the bracelet and only purchase one of the charms.
We'll be looking for new items this weekend I'll post our latest finds. a maybe as story or two about our hunt.
By F. Michael Fazzari, Numismatic News October 12, 2009
At the American Numismatic Association Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, Colo., I had the opportunity to look in on a class dealing with the Chinese counterfeiting threat taught by Dr. Gregory Dubay and Beth Deisher. I could only stay about 20 minutes but it was a real eye-opener.”
Dubay has divided the fake coins into several categories based on how deceptive each is. Although I returned the class handout after adding some comments and suggestions, I’ll try to recall some of the general points it contained. I recommend that readers attend this presentation if you get the chance.
In a previous column, based on the quality of the counterfeits from China that I have seen, I made the contention that there are several different “shops” producing the fakes. This has proved to be true. I also believe that the most deceptive coins are made with some actual involvement of the Chinese government. As yet, this cannot be proven; however, I did learn from Dubay that the amount of money you are willing to pay to have a particular specimen produced will determine its quality and thus its deceptiveness.
I was amazed to see the amount of counterfeit material that was available for the students to examine. Dubay had a plastic bag filled with struck counterfeits and several of the coins were loose on the table next to the dies.
I was enthralled by the fake coins in various denominations and especially the large group of actual counterfeit dies. I recall dies for Morgan and Peace dollars, Barber quarters and Mercury dimes set out on the table.
I could judge the quality of the coins they would produce without the aid of magnification because many of the dies looked “fuzzy” or shallow. As I remember, the Barber quarter reverse die had the design sunken to what appeared to be the proper depth, but the letters seemed misshaped. The design of the Peace dollar obverse was hardly impressed into its die. Coins struck from it should be in very low relief and not deceptive at all.
The class had access to a stereo microscope, balance, micrometer and specific gravity rig in order to authenticate the coins. I do not know if there were any genuine coins available to use as comparison pieces as this would have made it much easier for students to detect all but the most deceptive fakes.
The class handout made a distinction between the quality of the counterfeits on display based on how closely their weight, alloy, dimensions and design matched a genuine specimen. It was a pretty good system.
Although I don’t recall the specifics, a counterfeit struck from the shallow Peace dollar dies in a base metal with low silver content would not resemble a genuine specimen in any of the four characteristics mentioned above. This fake would be placed in the very lowest group and would not be deceptive at all to any collector who knew what a genuine Peace dollar should look like.
At the other end of the scale would be a very deceptive, struck counterfeit of the correct weight and fineness that closely resembled a genuine coin, one that would fool most collectors and dealers until its diagnostics became published.
I wish to thank Deisher and Dubay for allowing me to look in on their class and take a quick peek at the final exam coins. Students were asked to pick the genuine Morgan dollar from a group of three coins. I have good news and bad news. I believe almost half the class did not detect the counterfeit. I’ll bet these were the same fakes that also fooled many coin dealers. That’s the bad news.
The good news is that I was able to distinguish the good coin from the fakes after about two minutes using a hand lens. For those who know me, that is significant because I only authenticate coins using a stereo microscope and not a hand lens so I felt very handicapped during my exam.
Furthermore, if I could detect the fake in this way, they still have not reached perfection.
Since I don’t want readers, who may take this class in the future, to be influenced in any way and to have a fair experience for themselves; I will not reveal here how I made my choices. I will say that I used the basic counterfeit detection methods I have written about in past columns. J.W. Dannreuther visited the class while I was there and he was also able to distinguish the genuine coin using different criteria than I.
What did I learn from the class? Although most of the Chinese fakes I saw are crude, I know they can produce extremely deceptive specimens for the right amount of money.
I have seen counterfeit Trade dollars and Bust dollars that were better made, thus more deceptive, than even the coins in the class test. Unfortunately, in my zeal to be helpful, I revealed what would need to be done to make much better fakes for the class. Big mistake – let the counterfeiters improve their product by trial and error.
For now, let me be helpful in a more constructive way and pass along some good advice to you. Seek to purchase coins that have been authenticated and graded by the major grading services. Do not buy raw silver coins that are gray in color, cleaned, or toned as a majority of the Chinese fakes I have seen so far appear in this condition.
By Aloha Memorabilia Company | October 13, 2009 at 09:51 PM EDT | No Comments
Did you ever consider the possibility that our hobby of collecting things, whether it be coins and currency, jewelry, furniture, paintings and etchings are really a "Green" sort of past time.
Getting back to the Hilo Show, we saw many different and interesting types of collectibles
Vintage camera, medicinal bottles, Advertising.
Years ago, old furniture would have been thought of as outdated and thrown out or given away.
Or even old bottles, now sought after in old abandoned garbage dumps in DT Honolulu, old church, school and town sites.
I personally really like this bottle with the spiral design!
I also remember when a family moved out of the old neighborhood, we would find a ton of old dishes, linen, appliances, even photos that were left on the side of the road for rubbish pick up. This is before "Dumpster Diving" and garage sales became a popular pastime! China tableware with vintage floral designs. Makes me want to go to High Tea somewhere.
Last but not least, did you have one of these in your home?
I was tempted to purchase the Chinese kissing figures! Vintage Kokeshi Dolls are neat collectibles too! I have a small miniature collection of these vintage wooden folk-art dolls from Japan. Most of mine have little top knots carved on their heads.
Or vintage paper ephemera, postcards, letters and more.
Some of the old postcards range in price from $5.00 and up.
Think Green and Enjoy your collections! Sandy and Craig Watanabe
One restaurant we would recommend to dine at if you are in the area. Last visit, someone from Honolulu who traveled with us said when she had a craving for Chinese food she wanted to go back to Jade Palace. The family that owns Jade Palace is friendly and will suggest specials for the day. Only local grown produce is used preparing the entrees.
One special dinner dish was shrimp that was aqua-cultured at the Energy Lab in Kona.
By Aloha Memorabilia Company | October 11, 2009 at 02:18 PM EDT | No Comments
News About Eagles
We thought this article contains important information as an FYI we wanted to post this in our journal.
By David C. Harper October 06, 2009
No proof one-ounce American Eagle gold or silver collector coins will be produced in 2009 by the U.S. Mint.
The bad news, cleared for release at noon Eastern Daylight time Oct. 6, doesn't end there.
There will also be:
• No “W” mint marked uncirculated silver American Eagle collector coins, • No proof fractional gold American Eagles, • No “W” uncirculated one-ounce gold American Eagles (the fractionals of this were killed at the end of last year), • No Uncirculated Dollar Coin Set, which would include a “W” silver American Eagle, and • No platinum American Eagle bullion coins.
But the Mint also gives as well as takes.
Perhaps the most surprising new issues coming are the probable Oct. 15 release of the 2009 gold Buffalo bullion coin and the Oct. 29 release of the proof collector version.
Fractional gold American Eagle bullion coins in tenth-ounce, quarter-ounce and half-ounce weights are scheduled tentatively for release DEC. 3.
A proof one-ounce platinum American Eagle also is scheduled tentatively for release DEC. 3. The Mint stresses the word “tentatively.”
It is still battling to supply the market with American Eagle bullion coins, which are mandated by law whereas the collector versions are not.
“Because of unprecedented demand for American Eagle gold and silver bullion coins, the United States Mint suspended production of 2009 proof and uncirculated versions of these coins,” it says.
Even though the rationing of the bullion gold and silver American Eagles ended June 15, acquiring adequate supplies of blanks has been an ongoing struggle for the Mint. In light of this, it might perhaps be surprising that the Mint would bother to produce the gold Buffalo coins this year at all.
Those with a lawyer’s eye will spot the exception in the language here: “All available 22-karat gold and silver bullion blanks are being allocated to the American Eagle gold and American Eagle silver bullion coins programs as mandated by Public Law 99-185 and Public Law 99-61, respectively.”
The one-ounce Buffalo gold bullion coins and collector coins are struck on 24-karat gold planchets.
Once again the Mint holds out the hope that the collector coins suspended this year will be returned to production, but now in 2010, as it works “diligently with current and potential blank suppliers to increase the supply of bullion coins blanks.”
By Aloha Memorabilia Company | September 24, 2009 at 02:55 PM EDT | No Comments
We will be at the The Good Life Senior's Fair Expo this weekend.
Friday, September 25, 2009 through Sunday September 27, 2009. Admission is free. At the Blaisdell Exhibition Hall (across from the Arena) We will be under our company name of: Captain Cook Coin Company. Booth 415
Come and visit us if you have any questions about your coins, or if you are in the market to purchase or liquidate your coins. We hope to see you this weekend!