WBCC Newsmail 75
Martin Peeters, WBCC Focal Point
WBCC Newsmail 75, Vol. 3, January 17, 1998
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Composed with help of several members of the
Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club
and published by Martin Peeters, The Netherlands,
Focal Point of the WBCC, mar...@concepts.nl
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Dear WBCC members,
This is the 75th WBCC Newsmail in a row. Getting news about Bi-metallic is
very easy, especially with help of several WBCC (and non WBCC) members.
So, I think you will enjoy this weeks WBCC Newsmail !!
1. Profile of a member...by Martin Peeters, Focal Point WBCC
Please read the complete profile of our last new member.
Name: Gabor Toth (WBCC member #80), Hungary
E-mail: soft...@mail.elender.hu or g_t...@freemail.c3.hu
Age: 38
Hobbies: Collecting coin of Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, and World coins with
butiful heraldy, Other gemmologie, country and bluegrass music.
Against: Melting of old coins.
2. Lost a member...by Martin Peeters, WBCC Focal Point
We have lost a member. Ken Humberston has decided not to continue the
WBCC membership. Please delete him from your list.
3. WBCC 1998 Competition...by Martin Peeters, WBCC Focal Point
Till no WBCC members has reported that he/she has a 1998 Bi-metallic
Legal Tender. So the competion goes on!! BTW one, non WBCC member, Paul
Baker from the UK, has already a 1998 Bi-metallic Legal Tender coin.
4. WBCC 1997 design contest......by Steve Andrews, USA
A second competition: The "WBCC Bi-metallic 1997 design contest" among
WBCC member to pick the best Bi-metallic design for 1997? Please E-mail to
write what is your favorite Bi-metalic design for 1997, Steve Andrews,
SAnD...@aol.com
5. Bi-metallic commemorative "Navy"...By Martin Peeters, Netherlands
There is a new FDC.set of the Netherlands 1997. It is a commemorative
set about the Dutch Royal Navy. This commemorative set is very expensive
and I only mention it because of the fact that there is a Bi-metallic
commemorative medal in it. There are 1000 sets made and the coindealers are
asking about 400 US Dollars for this set! Uncredable!
6. Bi-metallic Australia 5 Dollars...by Frans Dubois, Netherlands
In the Summer 1998 issue of the Australian Mint newsletter I saw the 1998
coin releases. In April/May the Australian Mint plan to issue a Bi-metallic
5 Dollars, Royal Flying Doctors Service flight, 70 th anniversary of the
first flight, a Bi-metallic coin coupled with phonecard.
--Remark of Rod Sell, WBCC Homepage provider:
Members who want one or more to let me know how many they want. The cost
will be issue price which I assume will be $5 plus postage.
E-mail: Rod....@hlos.com.au
7. Looking for a Bi-metallic.......by Yossi Barzelay, Israel
I'm looking for the France Bi-metallic 10 Francs 1989, Montesquieu.
E-mail: ybar...@study.haifa.ac.il
8. Bi-metallic Inlays from Germany...by Martin Peeters, Netherlands
From the German firm Munzpragstatt GmbH Munchen, I've got information
about earlier issued Bi-metallic Inlays
* Germany 1990, Penny Black Inlay
* Germany 1990, 500 Years German Post
* Gernamy 1992, ECU, 150 Years Walhalla
* Germany 1993, 1994 and 1995 ECU's
* Germany 1993, 1000 Years City Potsdam
* Germany 1996 ECU, Goethe/Schiller
Most of them are Silver with Gold or Platin inlay and the prices goes from
158 German Marks to 3280 German Marks. When you want to see a picture of
them look into the WBCC Homepage:
For more information:
Münz-Prägstatt GmbH München
Eversbuschstrasse 194a
80999 München
Germany
Phone + 089-812 60 28
Fax + 089-812 50 90
Alex Wegner, E-mail: 10053...@compuserve.com
9. Bi-metallic Inlays from the USA.....by Frans Woons, Canada
In WBCC Newsmail 74, point 13, Ken Potter discusses a set of 8 medals
("America the Beautiful") produced by the Franklin Mint in 1976. These
medals can be considered "Bi-metallic" as each medal consists of a main
piece with an inlay although the composition of the two pieces is identical
(sterling silver or .925 silver). The inlay is off-centre and varies from
medal to medal. The two portions have a different finish. While the inlay
has a "proof" finish, the finish of the main portion is "antique". In a
book on Franklin Mint products, I found some more information about this
set:
Each of the eight dual-finish medals in this collection was inspired by a
single line from the first stanza of the song "America the Beautiful". The
medals are named as follows:
* O Beautiful for Spacious Skies
* For Amber Waves of Grain
* For Purple Mountain Majesties
* Above the Fruited Plain
* America! America!
* God Shed His Grace on Thee
* And Crown Thy Good with Brotherhood
* From Sea to Shining Sea
Some technical data:
- the medals measure 51 mm in diameter
- they weigh 1000 grains (2.08 ounces) each
- 2945 sets were produced
- the medals were sold initially for US $ 40 each
10 Homepage updated........by Gerhard Schon, Germany
My Homepage is upodated and there are some Bi-metallic listed complete
with prices just look at NOMISMA http://www.nomisma.com/
11. My Bi-metallic wantlist........by Michael Doran, USA
Dealer/Collector needs the following Bi-metallic coins, in quantity UNC
if possible - buying at 40 to 50% of 1998 Krause:
1997 Italy 1,000 Lire - both varieties
1997 Jersey 2 Pound
1997 Guernsey 2 Pound (if such exists)
1997 Gibraltar 2 Pound
1992-date Algeria 10 to 100 Dinars
1987 Morocco 5 Dirhams, 1995 10 Dirhams
1992-date Singapore $5
1997 Argentina 1 Peso - Eva Peron
All coins must be in UNC condition, no exeptions. Any other Bi-metallics
for sale, E-mail me at: blu-d...@colint.com
12. Bi-metallic for sale...by Martin Peeters, Netherlands
In the "Airedale Coins" newsletter of Jan/Feb 1998 I saw the following
Bi-metallics for sale (prices in UK Pounds):
UK
* 1994 Trialpack 2 Pound blisterpack, shows how the UK Bi-metallic coin is
made, 25.00
* 1998 Bi-metallic 2 Pound in Mint Set, Proof in Bleu case, 32.95
* 1998 Bi-metallic 2 Pound in Mint Set, Proof in Red Case, 39.95
* 1998 Bi-metallic 2 Pound in official Mint Set, UNC, 10.95
* 1998 Bi-metallic 2 Pound with Aged Portrait, 3.50
Jersey
* 1997 Bi-metallic 2 Pound in Mint Set, 14.95
* 1997 Bi-metallic 2 Pound, 6.50
Hong Kong
* 1997 Bi-metallic 10 Dollars in UNC Mint Set, 12.50
More information you can get at:
Airedale Coins
P.O. Box 7
Oakwood Park
Lady Lane, Bingley
West Yorkshire BD16 4ST
England
Phone: + 01274-770414
Fax: + 01274-563869
Lauri Andrews, UK, E-mail: air...@globalnet.co.uk
Web page: HTTP://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~aireco
13. New KM number...by Eugene Canham, USA
The new Bi-metallic Syria 1996 25 Pounds, Parliament has a KM number now:
KM-126
14. Differences Bi-metallic UK 2 Pound...by Martin Peeters, Netherlands
The differences between the Bi-metallic UK 2 Pound 1997 and 1998 is not
only the domination. The Queens portrait on the reverse has been "updated"
on the 1998 Bi-metallic 2 Pounds.
15. Correction Mexican Bi-metallic coinage...by Luis Wulschner, Mexico
In newsmail 74, point 12, an article written by Paul Baker (non-WBCC
member) in which he "suspects" there are differences in the composition of
the bronze-aluminum alloy used in the center of Mexican Bi-metallic coins
(1,2 and 5 pesos), because after "inspecting" a bag containing about 50
pieces, he found some centers with a "yellow" color and others with a
"redder" tone, thus he comes to the conclusion that it is correct to
believe that the three denominations dated 1992 and 1993 exist only in the
"yellow" variety.
All of the above is not correct, and it is evident that Paul Baker is
unaware of Mexican laws for the striking of coinage. On June 22, 1992, the
Congress of Mexico issued the decrees authorizing the striking of current
circulating Mexican coinage (5,10,20,50 centavos and 1,2,5 and 10 pesos); a
few months later they decreed the striking of the 20 and 50 peso coinage.
These decrees specify the characteristics of each coin denomination: metal,
composition, weight, diameter, obverse, reverse and edge designs.
The Mexico City Mint cannot strike coins altering any of the
characteristics approved for each one of them without the authorization of
Congress and the official publication of the corresponding decree. Since
1992 and to date the 1,2 and 5 peso coins have been struck with the same
alloy composition. Outer ring: stainless steel; Center: 92% copper, 6%
aluminum and 2% nickel. This is referred to as a "bronze-aluminum" alloy.
For the ten peso dated (1992-1995) coins the outer ring alloy composition
is: 92% copper, 6% aluminum and 2% nickel; the center is: 92.5% silver and
7.5% copper. On May 7, 1997, the composition of the center part of this
coin was changed by decree to: 65% copper, 10% nickel and 25% Zinc; the
composition of the outer ring was not changed. As manifested here again no
change in the characteristics of Mexican coinage is permitted without the
corresponding congressional decree. There have been no decrees for alloy
changes in the 1,2 and 5 peso coinage.
It seems that Paul is also unaware of the fact that the
bronze-aluminum alloy is very susceptible to changes in humidity and
temperature and when exposed to these changes, undergoes variations in its
"appearance", even though the coins composed of this alloy may be totally
uncirculated; that is to say, they oxidize on the surface as occurs with
other metals, such as silver, for example.
It is true that the original lustrous yellow-colored coins are to be found,
but as time goes by they acquire a "redder" tone, in various shades. I can
demonstrate that the variations in color may be found in any of Mexico's 20
and 50 centavo and the 1,2,5,10,20 and 50 peso coinage, because their total
or partial bronze-aluminum composition is the same as I have described.
Something similar occurs with the Bi-metallic coinage of the Vatican, San
Marino, Argentina, Ecuador, etc. It seems that in Russia, however, THERE
ARE varieties with alloy changes.
I hope this note is clear enough to keep collectors from waisting their
time searching for alloy varieties that do not exist.
17. World Coin News article...by Dean Neald, Canada
In the monthly US coinpaper World Coin News of Dec. 97 I saw the
following text:
--Quote
On Dec. 4, the Italo Vecchi Ltd. firm of London, England, will auction a
wide range of Greek issues, Roman Republican coins, Dark Ages speciments
and Byzantine examples. The highlight the sale is a unique Bi-metallic
large medallion of Severus Alexander struck during his second consulate,
with the colosseum on the reverse. This piece is featured on the catalog's
cover.
--Unquote
Address:
Italo Vecchi Ltd.
35 Dover St.
London W1X 3 RA
England
Phone: 011 44 171 491 7048
Fax: 011 44 171 409 7835
18. Coin World article (1)...by Joel Anderson, USA
In the Jan. 19 Coin World has a front page article with pictures on color
coins. It that mentions and pictures Canada is starting to offer a 12
coin, 12 year Chinese New Year series of $15 coins with gold inserts. The
insert depicts the animal representing a particular year.
19. Coin World article (2)...by Martin Peeters, Netherlands
In the weekly US coinpaper Coin World of Dec 8th I saw the following
article:
--Quote
Italy Euro test coins, notes products of Mint
They may not be official, but euro-denominated experimental token coins and
notes are being produced for test markets in Italy by the Instituto
Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato in Rome. The Instituto Poligrafico e Zecca
dello Stato is the government Mint and security printing organization for
Italy. According to the November issue of Cronaca Numismatica, a magazine
published in Italy for coin collectors, notes and token coins meant for
circulation in the cities of Fiesole and Pontassieve are being produced
by the state Mint: Known as operation "Ecco 1'euro," the notes and coins
are designed to familiarize people with what they may be using following
the monetary union of Italy with the European Union scheduled for 2001.
Sóme recent press articles have blamed collectors rather than speculators
for taking many of the euro test token coins and notes out of circulation
before they can be used. This situation was reported in an article'in the
Nov. 24 issue of Coin World. ©
--Unquote
-- Remark of the WBCC
You can see a picture of this Italian Bi-metallic Euro "Fiesole and
Pontassive " on the WBCC Homepage:
http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/7513/wbcc/wbcc.html
20. Coin World article (3)...by Martin Peeters, Netherlands
In the weekly US coinpaper Coin World of Dec 8th I saw the following
article:
Denmark, part of Germany missing on quickly withdrawn Italian Coin
The phrase "Here today, gone tomorrow" has new meaning in Italy, as that
nation issued a new 1997 1,000 lira-coin Nov. 10, only to withdraw it again
in less than a week due to a design element error. The ringed Bi-metallic
1,000 lire depicts the turreted personification of Italia facing left on
the obverse with 12 stars and REPUBBLICA ITALIANA about the
circumference. The.12 stars represent the original 12 members of the
European Union. The problem, however, is with the reverse desïgn of a map
of the European Union member nations and the denomination. The EU map
excludes what was the German Democratic Republic or East Germany, which
today is part of united Germany, an EU member. Denmark appears as part of
Germany. According to several newspaper and Internet reports (* WBCC
Newsmail 66), production of the coin was quickly halted. However, there
were no plans to recall coins already released into circulation. The first
batch of the coins to reach banks was estimated at 30 million pieces. The
Instituto Poligrafico e Zeccá dello Stato (Italian Static Mint originally
planned to issue about 180 million of the coins. (....) The withdrawn Italy
1997 1,000-lira coin will probably be available through some world coin
dealers in the secondary market. ©
--Unquote
--Remark WBCC Focal Point:
* = added by WBCC Focal Point
You can see a picture of this Italian 1000 Lire Bi-metallic on the WBCC
Homepage: http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/7513/wbcc/wbcc.html
21. Canadian Coin New article...by Dean Neald, Canada
The following information is taken from the front page of the January 13
to January 26 1998 issue of Canadian Coin News.
--Quote
Canada is issuing a Year of the Tiger Bi-metallic coin. The first coin in a
12 year Zodiac series. The coin is similar to the Canadian aviation series.
The planchet is 92.5 per cent (sterling) silver with a diameter of 40mm. A
sterling silver cameo, with a diameter of 17.5mm, plated in 24 karat gold
is in the centre of the reverse of the coin. The design on the cameo
features a tiger. The 12 animals in the Lunar calendar appear around the
cameo. The obverse has the bust of Queen Elizabeth II by Dora de
Pedery-Hunt used on all modern Canadian coins. Around the Queen is the
inscription "15 DOLLARS CANADA 1998 ELIZABETH II ". Coin is missing the
usual Latin inscription "D.G.REGINA". Coin will sell for $68.88 mintage is
set at 68,888. The coins come in a red velvet box. The entire set can be
housed in a similar box, with 12 sides and a central medallion depicting
the 12 Lunar symbols.
--Unquote
It seems to me that countries are moving away from true Bi-metallic ringed
coins in favour of special plating or inserts especially in commemerative
or collector coins. The normal business strike coins still seem to be
making use of ringed style of Bi-metallic. I am a little bit disappointed
by this trend but not that much because I collect only regular business
strike coins. I do not collect the non circulating collector coins.
"See" you next week,
Martin Peeters, Focal Point of the
Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club
mar...@concepts.nl