The minutes of the last meeting were read and accepted to an attendance of thirteen members and five guests.
A continuance of the latest coin shows, from the previous meeting, were discussed. Some members commented on the number of people at various shows and reported that they were well attended, which is a positive sign for the hobby.
Among one of our topics was Buffalo nickels designed by James Earl Fraser. Some were displayed with the 1913 mound reverse (type1) and the flat plain ( type2) along with two large visual aids of these coins. Some dates, especially on these nickels, are hard to read due to die wear and have to be enhanced to see if a questionable date is rare. A member explained that a certain chemical can be applied to make the date legible. Favorite coins presented were Standing Liberty quarters, a 1907 $10 eagle and a 1907 AU slabbed Barber half dollar. Favorite coin books included one on Jefferson nickels and a mention of, “The History of Coinage” by Q. David Bowers. Scandinavian coins, another topic, were 19th and 20th century examples from Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.
Show and Tell subjects were represented such as a collection from the Chicago Columbian Exposition of 1892 – 1893 and included an 1893 half dollar , an example of cut-out coin jewelry, a ticket to the Expo and a guide book. One guest, who collects government badges and does model ship building showed some of his treasures and spoke of his interest on these items.
One of our members is in the process of assessing and researching another members early large cent series. A club like ours can be really helpful in making us know more about our interests. Another guest presented 18th century New Jersey coppers and explained some of the many types of this same coin, due to die breaks while striking. A new acquisition was also shown, a 1781 silver Spanish 1 real found by a member while metal detecting on vacation.
The next meeting, October 15th, we will be highlighting: Dimes, Central American money, and something unusual in your possession whether it be coins or any strange object.