Innehållsförteckning för May 2024 från Stamp Collector

I’m delighted to welcome you to this new-look edition of the magazine. We’re sure you’ll agree, with this new ‘lick of paint’ the collecting tips and expert guides not only inform but inspire, as the many stamps featured are beautifully showcased. It’s this combination of aesthetics and inspiring stories that makes stamps so fascinating and our hobby so engaging, so we do hope you enjoy the fresh design. Of course, that’s not the only change in these pages. We’re very excited to include a full issue of Coin Collector too; now giving you unrivalled coverage of the two popular pastimes each and every month. Leaf through the pages of coin guides and you’ll quickly see just how intriguing and interesting these historic tokens can be, each with a story to…

The shortlisted books for this year’s Crawford Medal have been announced by the Royal Philatelic Society. The medal is awarded for the most valuable and original contribution to the study and knowledge of philately published in book form during the relevant period. The shortlisted titles for this world-wide competition are: Portuguese India Postal History and the First Issues From the ‘Natives’ to 1900 by Luís and Eduardo Barreiros Tête-Bêche Rarities from the Oval Issue of Finland by Tomas Bjäringer L and Mårten Sundberg The Postal Stationery of Nigeria by Peter Hørlyck Internal Mail Routes of Nigeria 1900–1960, Volume 1: Water, Rail and Air by RF May The Malayan Postal Administration in the Dutch East Indies During the Japanese Occupation 1942–1945 by Rob van Nieuwkerk The Rhodesias & Nyasaland from Colonial…

On 11 May, the Collectors’ Club of New York will welcome members and guests to their new home at 58 West 40th Street. The club was located at 35th Street for 87 years and the last programme held there was in March 2020, just as the pandemic was making itself felt around the world. The evening at their new home on 11 May will begin with a reception at 6pm. Afterwards, the evening will move to the Lambs Club within the Chatwal Hotel at 130 West 44th Street for dinner and the presentation of the four Lichtenstein Award winners – Trish Kaufmann, Jim Mazepa, Randy Neil and Charles Verge. The evening will also see the official launch of Nick Kirke’s book on New York City Foreign Mail. The inaugural GB…

This year’s Banbury Festival of Stamps is being held on 3 November at the Blessed George Napier School, Banbury OX16 9JD. Running from 10am until 4pm, the event is a jointly organised by the Midland Philatelic Federation and the Thames Valley Federation. Competition entries will be on display in the main hall, while up to 20 dealers will also be present. For more information, contact John Davies on email: davies1890@btinternet.com STAMPed is a brand-new, digital only, free magazine produced by the American Philatelic Society (APS), which is aimed at younger collectors and those new to the stamp collecting community. Visit the website (stamped.pub) to view the first edition. The magazine will be published quarterly and include entry-level practical collecting advice, explore the many ways people come to collecting and how…

If, like millions of others, you’ve binge-watched the many seasons of blockbusters Vikings and The Last Kingdom, you’ll be wide awake to the fact that more than 1,000 years ago, the various kingdoms of what later became Britain were highly desirable destinations for seafaring raiders and traders from Scandinavia. Early assaults on lone outposts – the first Viking attack that can be dated was the raid on Lindisfarne in 793 – were the beginning of a process of invasion and settlement that profoundly altered the language, religion, politics and social geography of Britain between the 8th and 11th centuries AD. By the end of the 11th century, the whole of England and parts of Scotland and Ireland were ruled by kings and earls of Danish and Norwegian heritage. The impact…

Our tale begins with a Swiss-born portrait painter, who settled in London and caught the eye of the Queen of Great Britain. This led to some of the most celebrated stamps in Canada, as well as many other British colonies. Alfred Chalon (1780–1860), was commissioned in July 1837 by the then newly installed, but yet to be officially crowned, Queen of Great Britain to paint a picture of her as a gift for her mother. Although the painting was a full length affair with state robes, the Garter sash and the George IV State Diadem, the head was the basis for the Chalon Head used on the colony postage we all know and love today. These distinctive emblems present a rather delicate 18-year-old young lady. Looking at the profile of…

‘DOING ONE’S BIT’ PART 1 – THE POST OFFICE RIFLES The formation of the Post Office Rifles dates back to 1869, when a company of Royal Engineers was seconded to the GPO on telegraph business. The association lasted through the various re-organisations that followed and by the 1900s, the 8th (City of London) Battalion was recruiting post office workers into the territorials. When war broke out, some postal workers joined the Royal Engineers Postal Section (REPS), organising postal services to the men at the front. Meanwhile, the Post Office Rifles (POR) became an infantry regiment, and in March 1915, they embarked for France. The men of the POR were involved in almost every major battle of the war. Their casualties were horrendous, beginning with their first engagement at Festubert, near…

Where are the messages we’ve received in recent years? Where are the words of joy, comfort or occasional sorrow? Unless it was a card to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or Christmas, then probably they are deep within the many messages saved on our mobile phones. The joy of writing to others is now more instant, whereas in the past, such as a 100 years ago, a letter was often of length and described recent events in some detail. These letters were usually saved, and within their envelopes, and if a series from a writer, then the receiver might write a number on the front to keep some order of receipt and information. As for the contents, these were often removed in more recent years and the envelopes consigned, hopefully, to…

In 1921, three sets of stamps claimed to have been issued by Montenegro reached the philatelic marketplace, writes Christer Brunström. The issue comprises 12 regular postage stamps featuring the likeness of King Nicholas I and four postage due labels showing a royal crown. There was also a pair of acknowledgement of receipt (AR) stamps. The 12 portrait stamps were overprinted ‘FREE MONTENEGRO’ in Cyrillic script. It all seemed quite plausible, except for the fact that the kingdom of Montenegro had ceased to exist in 1918 when the country united with Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Dalmatia and Slovenia to form the kingdom that became Yugoslavia in 1929. Montenegro was a stamp-issuing nation from 1874 until the start of World War I, when it was occupied by Austrian forces and the…

The end of World War II saw Europe on its knees. There was devastation from the Pyrenees to the Urals. Millions of people were displaced, economies were barely able to function and the establishment of a new order became paramount. In order to restore peace and bring stability to Europe, the Allied powers met at the Palais de Luxembourg in Paris between the 29 July and 15 October 1946. The aim of the conference was to draft a series of treaties between the Allied powers and the various Axis nations, other than Germany. Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Finland were allowed to continue as sovereign states, but with various border changes, almost all of which had philatelic repercussions. Italy lost her African colonies and her European possessions in Albania and…

Jonathan Callaway is a Director of the International Bank Note Society Lawrence Chard Founder and Expert Numismatist, Speciality Sovereigns Jeff Garrett US coin dealer and board member of the Smithsonian Museum of American History Richard Kelleher Senior Curator, Medieval and Modern Money, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge Jonathan Mann Numismatist and coin expert, British coinage specialist Rory Naismith Professor of Early Medieval English History, University of Cambridge Ema Šikić Archaeologist, art historian, coin specialist at Baldwin’s, London Gareth Williams Curator of Early Medieval Coins and Viking Collections at the British Museum…

ENTRY OPEN FOR THE BNS’S SHORT ARTICLE COMPETITION In November 2022, the BNS launched a new online database, Medieval Coin Hoards of the British Isles (MCHBI). The database (www.britnumsoc.org/mchbi) allows users to map and research coin hoards from c.500–1500. To encourage use of this resource, the BNS is offering a £250 prize for the best short article (c.1,500–2,500 words) making use of MCHBI data. Entry to the competition is open to all. Entries should include at least one map taken from the database and contribute to the understanding or interpretation of a hoard or group of hoards. The winning contribution will be published on the BNS’s blog. The closing date for entries is 1 October 2024. Full terms and conditions are on the BNS website (www.britnumsoc.org). Happy research and writing!…

8–21 April – Hosker Haynes PO Box 431, Leeds LS19 9NF auctions.hoskerhaynes.com 16–17 April – Noonans 16 Bolton Street, Mayfair London W1J 8B www.noonans.co.uk 17 April – Toovey’s Spring Gardens, Washington, West Sussex RH20 3BS www.tooveys.com 17 April – Warwick & Warwick Chalon House, Scar Bank, Millers Road, Warwick CV34 5DB. www.warwickandwarwick.com 18 April – St James’s 10 Charles II Street, St James’s, London SW1Y 4AA stjauctions.com 19–20 April – Harrogate Coin Fair Old Swan Hotel, Swan Road, Harrogate, Yorkshire HG1 2SR www.harrogatecoinfair.co.uk 26 April – Morton & Eden Nash House, 13a St. George Street, London W1S 2FQ www.mortonandeden.com 1 May – McTear’s Meiklewood Gate, 31 Meiklewood Road, Glasgow G51 4GB www.mctears.co.uk 8 May – Noonans 16 Bolton Street, Mayfair, London W1J 8B www.noonans.co.uk 8 May – Tennants The Auction…

When I popped round to see my grandmother many years ago, I couldn’t help but notice her shiny new TV screen. ‘Where did you snag that, then?’ I asked my father shortly thereafter. ‘From the specialist dealer in town,’ he replied. ‘And what did it set you back?’ I probed further. ‘Oh, 499 euros,’ he disclosed. I furrowed my brow. ‘Surely this dinky telly doesn’t warrant such a hefty price tag,’ I mused silently, and a little later, I unearthed the same model online for a mere €329. ‘Dad, why shell out the extra dosh here in town when it’s nearly twice the price?’ I challenged. ‘Because we’ve been patrons of our local specialist dealer for donkey’s years. He looks after us properly, offers sound advice and sorts out any…

Archbishop Ecgberht – notable reformer of the English church and proponent of Bede’s teachings, as well as correspondent and personal friend of the Northumbrian scholar Alcuin. Ecgberht issued coins jointly with his brother King Eadberht, these uniquely depicting him standing between two crosses or croziers (Figure 12). An excellent in-depth die and metallurgical study of these coins has been recently undertaken by Dr Ronald Bude, published in the British Numismatic Journal. Archbishop Eanbald I – who presided over the Synod of Whitby (which laid down rules for clergy) and oversaw the rebuilding of York Minster. Eanbald co-issued coins with Æthelred I (Figure 13). Archbishop Eanbald II – successor of Eanbald I and also a friend of Alcuin, who laid down further rules for clergy and was ultimately ostracised by King Eardwulf for…

Experts disagree on exactly when the first coins began to appear on the Indian sub-continent, but silver currency certainly existed by 6th century BC. These coins weren’t always ‘coin-shaped’. The most common shape was rectangular bars of silver, with symbols punched into the metal, using a separate punch used for each design (Figure 1). These are known as punched-marked coins. It’s assumed these bars were issued by trade guilds, rather than local rulers, and cut to specific weights, as those that survive are irregular shapes and sizes. Due to the fact that India wasn’t a single, unified country at this point, tracing the history of ‘Indian’ coinage is difficult. Different rulers and regions had different traditions. But the earliest dynastic coins produced by these Indian kingdoms were made by the…

The last issue in CIT’s Real Heroes Series for the Cook Islands features has been released and features an astronaut. Whether you refer to them as astronauts, cosmonauts or taikonauts, a special kind of courage is required to leave the earth’s atmosphere. This was never truer than with the first men who set foot on the moon with the Apollo 11 spacecraft. The first lunar landing from 16 July to 24 July 1969 sparked a fascination with space, with launch and landing broadcast live around the world. Minted in ultra-high relief, the reverse of the $20 silver coin recreates an image from the centre of the astronaut’s visor of the Earth rising above the lunar horizon – one of the iconic images from Apollo 11. The moon’s surface is reflected…

This year’s signatories to the Roll of Distinguished Philatelists (RDP) have now been announced. When the Board of Election met on 7 March, the following five new RDPs were elected from a list of 37 worthy nominees: Walter Britz RDP (Uruguay) Yu-An Chen RDP (Chinese Taipei) John Davies RDP (United Kingdom) Bernard Jimenez RDP (France) Ivar Sundsbo RDP (Norway) The invitation to sign the Roll is the highest and most prestigious of honours in philately, and it is the world’s oldest philatelic honour, recognising achievement, research, publication and service in many areas of philately. The Roll was instituted in Harrogate in May 1921 and the signature of King George V appears at its head as the first signatory. This year’s signing ceremony will take place at 5pm on Friday, 12…

The Postal Museum has announced the appointment of Sue Wilkinson as its new chair. A trained teacher, Sue has held significant roles in the education and arts sectors, and spent time in the commercial sector. She served as chief executive of the Reading Agency for five years and as director of UK Academic and Government Alliances at Elsevier. Her career spans time at the Tower of London, setting up South Eastern Museums Education Unit and senior roles at the Museum, Library and Archive Council (MLA). Here, Sue established the Renaissance in the Regions scheme, designed to revitalise England’s regional museums and create centres of excellence. She led the development of the influential quality and impact framework, Inspiring Learning for All, now in use across museums, archives, and libraries globally. Sue…

A €10.50 stamp sheet from the Netherlands celebrates the 75th anniversary of Keukenhof. Released on 1 March, the start date of meteorological spring, the sheet has six of three designs: iris, daffodil and tulip. Each stamp has a unique petal shape with serrations. In 1949, a group of flower bulb growers and exporters came up with the plan to create an exhibition of spring-flowering flower bulbs on the Keukenhof estate in South Holland. From 236,000 visitors in the first year, Keukenhof has become a global icon with around 1 million visitors every year. Approximately seven million spring bulbs are planted from early October to early December. In 2024, Keukenhof will be open from 21 March to 12 May. A new stamp release on 20 February featured Birds of Prey of…

Viking Britain Issue date: 20 February 2024 Number of stamps: Eight Value of stamps: 2x1st class, 2x£1, 2x£2, 2x£2.20 Design: Studio Up Format: Landscape Number per sheet: 30/60 Size: 50mmx30mm Printer: Cartor Security Printers Process: Lithography Perforations: 14x14 Phosphor: Bars as appropriate Gum: PVA Related products: Presentation pack, FDC, medal cover (limited to 5,000 copies), PHQ cards (code: PHQ527) Stamp designs: All stamp designs © Royal Mail Group Ltd 2024 Acknowledgements: Iron, silver and copper sword, Silver penny, Silver penannular brooch and Gilded bronze brooch © The Trustees of the British Museum; Lindisfarne Priory © AJM681/Alamy Stock Photo. Featured with kind permission of English Heritage; Norse settlement remains © Chris Griffiths/Getty Images; Antler comb and case © York Archaeological Trust for Excavation and Research Limited; Hogback gravestone © Alan McAteer.…

Manchukuo, first a republic and then an empire, was a Japanese puppet state in the north-eastern part of China. Stamps were issued from 1932 until the Japanese defeat in 1945. The stamps of Manchukuo are surprisingly popular, and there is always demand for the better sets. On 5 December 1936, the country issued its first airmail stamps. The 18-fen stamp was intended for airmail letters within Manchukuo, while the 38-fen value paid postage on airmail letters to Japan. The following year there was a rate increase and exactly the same stamps were reissued on 1 April 1937 with new denominations of 19 and 39 fen, respectively. The two lower values feature a plane and a herd of grazing sheep, while a view of a railway bridge is depicted on the…

SOLD FOR £3,560 Swiss Canton of Basel, 2½rp Basel Dove 1845 used (with cert.) SOLD FOR £1,157 Belgium, 40c carmine Leopold I ‘Médaillon’ on letter from Mettet 1855 to Charleroi (triple postage) (with cert.) SOLD FOR £600 France, letter franked with Cérès 10c black from Tarbes 1849 to Paris SOLD FOR £300 Ceylon, 10d dull vermilion QV 1857 MNG SOLD FOR £2,185 WWII German occupation of Montenegro, 10l airmail stamp overprint. ‘Nationaler Verwaltungsausschuss 10.XI.1943’ MH (with cert.) SOLD FOR £409 Ruanda-Urundi, 75c UPU sheetlet frame yellow orange instead of violet 1949 MNH SOLD FOR £648 Portugal, 100r lilac Dona Maria II 1853 used SOLD FOR £149 Great Britain, 1d Mulready envelope from London, August 1840, to Liverpool SOLD FOR £1,246 Libya (Italian Colony), 5l black and blue 1937 MH perf.…

Unsurprisingly, the popularity of bird stamps began early in the history of stamp collecting. Several bird stamps appeared before the turn of the 19th century, and the oldest known bird stamp is the Basel Dove, which was issued on 1 July 1845 and produced by the Swiss canton of Basel. Approximately 41,000 copies of the stamp were printed, which were valid for around nine years. Since then, countries around the world have issued single stamps and series devoted to birds – from common, or garden, birds, through to majestic birds of prey and the hardy species that thrive in some of the planet’s harshest landscapes. Despite the huge range of material on offer, a bird theme doesn’t have to be an intimidating proposition. Because there are so many sub themes,…

The village of Towton lies in gently rolling Yorkshire countryside. Head south from it, and you come to a point where you can look down over the quiet valley of Cock Beck. If you could then get into a time machine and travel back to Palm Sunday, 29 March 1461, you would witness the most vicious battle ever fought on British soil. What was it about? Travel back further, and the nation is at peace under Henry V. But he dies in 1422, leaving his infant son as King Henry VI. Cue squabbling between barons seeking to rule in his name. Young Henry’s beloved mother, Catherine, was disgraced for remarrying a commoner (she died when he was 16). The boy grew into a ‘shy, pious’ adult, ‘averse to deceit and…

The Spanish Civil War broke out in the summer of 1936, and within days, Spain was divided between fiercely fighting republicans and nationalists, writes Keijo Kortelainen. The victory of nationalists in 1939 marked the beginning of General Franco’s dictatorship, which lasted almost 40 years. The turmoil created a large number of philatelic items, which eventually became a target for stamp forgers. The illustrated example is a 25 centavos definitive stamp issued by the nationalist Spanish State in December 1936. All the stamps in this and the following series have been extensively forged despite their low value. The forgeries are very common, especially in mint condition, and they all share similar characteristics. The original stamp (on the right) might look like recessed, but it is actually lithographed with line perforation of…

ON SALE 10 MAY (subsribers get it sooner… and cheaper!) The Mail from Montevideo DISCOVER URUGUAY’S INTRIGUING STAMP STORY Pre-cancelled Stamps Explained YOUR IN-DEPTH COLLECTING GUIDE 100 Years of Commemorative Stamps WE REFLECT ON A CENTURY OF SPECIAL STAMPS Two Sultans, 11 States, and a Classic Stamp Set THE INTRIGUING PHILATELIC STORY OF KEDAH, MALAYSIA The ‘Beata Tranqvillitas’ Altar Coinage of Constantine I and his Sons THE COLLECTING OPTIONS OFFERED BY THE ‘BEATA TRANQVILLITAS’ ALTAR COINAGE Taking the King’s Shilling EXPLORE THE WIDE RANGE OF MILITARY COINS AVAILABLE IN ALL GOOD NEWSAGENTS OR DIRECT FROM WWW.ALLABOUTSTAMPS.CO.UK…

The American Numismatic Society (ANS) has announced that Dr Gilles Bransbourg will be stepping down from his position as executive director in September 2024. Bransbourg has received an eight-month fellowship at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, NJ, where he will be working on his book, Roman Imperial Economics. Upon his return to the ANS in April of 2025, Bransbourg will become a Research Curator. Dr Ute Wartenberg Kagan, currently president of the ANS, has agreed to take over the position of executive director, which she previously held from 1999 to 2019.…

As stipulated by his will, LE Bruun’s collection of coins, described as the most valuable collection of world coins to ever come to market, will be sold at public auction a century after his death in 1923 The extraordinary coin, medal, banknote and book collection of Danish industrialist Lars Emil Bruun (1852–1923) is finally set to be sold in a series of auctions spanning several years. Commencing in the autumn, Stack’s Bowers Galleries will auction this prized collection of Scandinavian coinage. The collection, begun when the prosperous Danish butter merchant was a boy in the 1850s has been safeguarded for a century by the Royal Danish Coin and Medal Collection. It was first held within the walls of Frederiksborg Castle, formerly a royal residence, before finding its way to the…

PRICES EXCLUDE BUYER’S PREMIUM UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED A sale of coin and medals of the Popes at Künker on 18 March included items ranging from the ninth century up to Pope Paul VI, who became pope in 1963. A highlight from the auction was a 1676–77 gold quadruple from the reign of Pope Innocent XI (1676–89). Struck at the Rome mint, the coin featured a capped bust of the pope in spiritual regalia facing right on the obverse (lot 1403). The die cutter’s signature of ‘H’, with decoration, for Giovanni Hamerani featured below. The reverse depicted an enthroned Madonna with the child on her left arm, while to her right was Saint Lawrence holding a gridiron, and to her left was Saint Stephen with a martyr’s palm branch. Saint Augustine…

The United States will soon be gearing up to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The event will be known as the semiquincentennial – quite a mouthful! 4 July 2026 will be one to remember as events are planned around the country to mark the occasion. America 250 is the national commission tasked with organising events to commemorate the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence. There is great anticipation in the collecting community for the numismatic celebrations commemorating this important milestone. The US Mint has been working on plans for many months to strike coins for the semiquincentennial. Reportedly, there are plans to change the design for all circulating coinage for one year to celebrate the 250th anniversary. There will also probably be other commemorative medals and bullion issues, including…

Northumbria was formed in the late-7th century from the bloody merger of two separate, ancestral kingdoms – Deira and Bernicia. At its peak, it controlled a vast swathe of territory in northern England and the Scottish Lowlands, running from the Humber to Edinburgh, making it the largest of the seven ‘traditional’ kingdoms by area alone. Although ruled by kings, Northumbria’s political system was influenced by a high degree of political power wielded by the church, with this power largely centred on the Archbishopric of York. Not only did religious institutions control many aspects of trade and the economy, but they were also major landowners in their own right, and they appear to have acted as ‘kingmakers’ at several key moments, both aiding and impeding prospective rulers in their efforts to…

A new €5 proof silver coin from Italy celebrates the 2023–25 round the world tour of the sail training ship Amerigo Vespucci, which is part of the Italian Navy. Built in 1931, this square-rigged ship is 82m long, carries 24 sails made of canvas and is fitted with an auxiliary engine. There is a permanent crew of 270, plus up to 150 cadets. Although built to resemble a wooden warship of the early 19th century, with the two white stripes on the black hull recalling the two lines of guns, the hull is made of steel riveted plates, along with the two lowest thirds and the three lowest yards of each mast. A second ship of a class of two, Cristoforo Colombo, was surrendered to the Soviet Union as war…

Entries in this year’s National Youth Stamp Competitions will be on show at the York Stamp & Coin Fair to be held at York Racecourse on 19 and 20 July. There is still time for young collectors to enter this year’s competitions. The Stamp Active Competition needs just four pages, but those entering can send in up to 24 pages. It is open to young collectors up to 16 years old. The British Youth Stamp Championships are open to collectors up to the age of 21. At least 16 pages must be shown, with the maximum number of pages depending on age. Entry forms for both competitions should be submitted by 31 May, and entries are required by 30 June. Full details and entry forms for both competitions can be…

Royal Mail have revealed images of 10 new stamps to mark the centenary of its commemorative stamps. Each of the stamps features reproductions of classic British stamps of the past, including the very first issued in 1924. That year, on 23 April, the first UK special stamp was issued to commemorate the opening of the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley Park in London. That stamp is seen on one of the first class values, alongside two other King George V classics. Other designs in the series includes notable issues from the reign of King George VI, with the remainder celebrating the stamps of Queen Elizabeth II. David Gold, director of external affairs and policy, said: ‘Royal Mail stamps have mirrored the changes in society and culture at large and celebrate…

The Royal Philatelic Society London is both the oldest and most famous philatelic society in the world. Its membership reaches out to all parts of the globe where our hobby is enjoyed. Founded in 1869, and granted the right to use the prefix ‘Royal’ in 1906, it has the distinct advantage of owning its own home, at 15 Abchurch Lane in the heart of the City of London, a short walk from Bank Station (Underground) and Cannon Street Station (Underground and National Rail). Our hobby, of course, embraces many aspects from stamps and postal history to airmails, revenues, postal stationery, Cinderellas and literature: all are catered for at the ‘Royal’. Members enjoy a wide range of benefits, of which just one is the society’s excellent journal, The London Philatelist, a…

13 April Bil & Co Washingborough Community Centre, Fen Road LN4 1AB www.bilandco.co.uk 13 April Somerset Hill Farm, Hemyock, Cullompton EX15 3UZ www.somersetstampauctions.com 17–18 April Cavendish Cavendish House, 153–57 London Road, Derby DE1 2SY www.cavendish-auctions.com 18 April Baldwin’s 399 Strand, London WC2R 0LX baldwins.co 20–21 April Ace Cannington Exhibition Centre, Corner Albany Highway and 1 Station Street, Cannington, WA 6107, Australia acestampauctions.com 21 April South West 2nd Floor, The Watermark, Erme Court, Leonards Road, Ivybridge, Devon PL21 0SZ www.swpa-stamp-auctions.com 23–24 April Spink 67–69 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 4ET www.spink.com 24–25 April Brian Reeves 2 College Fields, Prince Georges Road, London SW19 2PT www.brian-reeve.com 24 April Grosvenor 399–401 Strand, London WC2R 0LT www.grosvenorauctions.com 28 April Provincial Benson Parish Hall, Sunnyside, Benson, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 6LZ provincialphilatelics.co.uk 8 May AJH The…

Very few cities can date their foundation so precisely but, as in so many other things, Cairo is exceptional. On 8 August 969, the Fatimid General Gawhar had completed his conquest of the old capital, al-Fustat, and had earmarked a site to the north east for the new Caliph’s Palace. The area had been roped off, bells were hanging on the ropes and labourers stood around waiting for them to ring – the signal to start work. The story goes that General Gawhar was waiting for the most favourable conjunction of planets before giving the order. But as Mars reached its zenith a raven flew down and perched on the rope. The bells rang, the workers swung their mattocks and the city was named ‘the warrior’ or al-Qahira in Arabic.…

The very first postage stamp was released on 6 May 1840, but we don’t seem to know exactly when the very first coin was minted. However, coins had been minted in Asia Minor (today’s Turkey) well before 600 BC. To be considered a coin, it has to carry some sort of government guarantee and have the same content of bronze, copper, silver or gold. Antique coins usually carried the image of the ruler or some other easily recognised symbol. To qualify as a coin, a substantial quantity needs to be in circulation. Coins and good communications were paramount for trade to develop. Previously, most trading activities had been on a barter basis, and this was not always convenient. Until 1840, written communications were sent with the postage being paid in…

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Many philatelists understand that they are the guardians of the material in their collections for themselves and for future owners. It is unfortunate when some collectors show a disregard for looking after their collection and dismiss the idea with a remark like ‘it will be OK in my life time’. Looking after your collection does not need to be complicated, however, this is a basic guide only and interested parties seeking more comprehensive information should consult a professional paper conservator, preferably with some philatelic background. The British Library is custodian of national collections of international importance, some of which have been in its care for over 270 years. These collections include manuscripts, printed books, archives, sound recordings (in various formats), newspapers, maps, music, etc., in almost all languages, estimated to…

Welcome to the May edition of Coin Collector, which has undergone some major developments since the last issue. The biggest change is that the magazine is now being published within Stamp Collector, meaning that there will now be 12 issues per year. By publishing the magazines together, resources, expertise and insights can be combined to deliver a unified platform that offers unparalleled coverage, expertise and community engagement for collectors of coin and stamps alike. Both parts will continue to bring you all the information and inspiration you need to build your collections. The two hobbies have always had a close connection, which can be seen in articles in each of the two magazines. ‘Encased Stamps as Coins’ in Coin Collector reveals how during the American Civil War a shortage of…

A collection of over 200 coins from over two centuries of Celtic British history is now available to view online. Thanks to a group of student volunteers studying at Glasgow University’s College of Art & Humanities, coins from different British tribes featuring a range of designs held in The Hunterian, the museum of the University of Glasgow, have been digitally catalogued. The last time the coins held in the collection were catalogued in any form was nearly 120 years ago. The newly digitised records for the Celtic British coinage are now available on the University of Glasgow’s Collections database (www.gla.ac.uk/collections). The American Numismatic Society (ANS) have named Dr Ruth Pliego as the recipient of the 2023 Archer M Huntington Medal Award for Excellence in Numismatic Scholarship. After it is presented…

In post-World War II Germany, new coins for currency had to be minted for the two countries that emerged from the divided state – the German Federal Republic in the west and the German Democratic Republic in the eastern part. For the territory of West Germany, the Bank deutscher Länder (Bank of German States or BdL) was founded on 1 March 1948. It became the first central bank for the new established Deutsche mark currency and was renamed in 1957 as the Deutsche Bundesbank. The first major operation of the bank was to coordinate currency policy in the American and British occupation zones (Bizone). On 21 June 1948, the Bank deutscher Länder introduced the Deutsche mark currency in the three western zones of occupation. On 1 November 1948, state central…

PATTERN FLORIN OF GEORGE V Kevin Clancy, Director, The Royal Mint Museum The Royal Mint collection is renowned for its patterns and proofs, unusual items that may seldom surface in the sale rooms and that few collectors will, therefore, have a chance of seeing. Included in this fabulous array is an excessively rare uniface pattern florin of George V dated 1926 and which, being uniface, is not to be found in ESC. The coin owes its origins to the search in the mid-1920s for new reverse designs for the silver coins of George V. As well as the traditional heraldic approach, serious consideration was also given to a series of designs showing floral emblems. The strong and beautifully composed rendering of the rose on the florin of this series was…

Aldfrith (685–705) – Aldfrith was the first king of Northumbria to issue coins and also one of the earliest English rulers known to display his name on a coin itself (Figure 1). A well-educated churchman who became king on the death of his older brother Ecgfrith, under his rule Northumbria entered its so-called ‘golden age’. He was a direct contemporary of both Bede and Alcuin, both of whom write favourably about him. Eadberht (737–58) – another individual ruling during Northumbria’s ‘golden age’, Eadberht is notable for his reforms to the kingdom’s coinage – instituting a high-quality sceatta issue depicting the so-called ‘fantastic beast’ on its reverse (Figure 2). His coins are relatively common, this reflecting the high output during his reign that reflects a burgeoning economy. Energetically ruling for over two…