THE JOURNAL

OF THE

PACIFIC COAST NUMISMATIC SOCIETY

Number 35

April 1993

CONTENTS

Calendar of Events . 2

President’s Message . 3

Ancient and Medieval Coins

Bracteates — Double or Nothing . 22

A Denarius of Faustus Cornelius Sulla . 24

U.S. Numismatics

Confederate Currency: The Syngraphics Scene . . . .18

Flying Eagle & Indicin Cents: The Bookworm . 20

The West

Collecting Western Exonumia . 4

Another Madam of San Francisco . 8

History of the Pacific Coast Numismatic Society: Part 6 . .11

Advertisers . 27-28

PACIFIC COAST NUMISMATIC SOCIETY

• ^founded 19l5 •

610 Arlington Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94707

Officers:	President	Paul D. Holtzman
	Vice President	Stephen M. Huston
	Secretary	Frank J. Strazzarino
	Treasurer	Rick Webster
	Governor	Mark Wm. Clark
	Governor	Gordon R. Donnell
	Governor	Herb Miles
	Governor	Calvin J. Rogers
Journal Staff:	Editor	Jerry F. Schimmel
	Editor’s Address:	Post Office Box 40888 San Francisco, CA 94:
	Publisher	Paul D. Holtzman
	Type/Graphics	Stephen M. Huston

The Journal is the quarterly publication of the Pacific Coast Numismatic Society. Annual subscriptions to The Journal are $15.00. Most back issues are available through the Society. PCNS encourages the reprinting of articles from The Journal. Permission may be obtained from the editor. Submission deadlines are March 1, June 1, September 1 and November 1.

© 1993, Pacific Coast Numismatic Soclely

CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS

April 28, 1993, Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.

Tzc'o ^Kundred Occurs of CoCUcting "World Coins

speaker: STEPHEN M. HUSTON

May 26, 1993, Wednesday at 8:00 p.m,

Irish Coinage

speaker: LARRY V. REPPETEAU

June 26, 1993, Saturday

Annual (Banquet

Gold Mirror Italian Restaurant, 800 Taraval, San Francisco

Monthly meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of each month at

The Knights of Columbus Hall in San Francisco

2800 Taraval Avenue (1 block west of sunset). Guests are invited.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

BY Paul D. Holtzman

As this 35th Journal is going to print — we can’t say “press" any more — a terrible pall is settling on members of PCNS and collectors everywhere. We have Just learned of the act of terrorism that took the life of Ron Miller on March 16. Ron had been a member of PCNS since 1976.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported, “Miller, his wife and three children were scheduled to fly to Ohio next month to look at property in Gallia County, where he was raised. That dream was shattered Tuesday afternoon when the 48- year-old coin dealer was fatally shot in the head in an apparent robbery at the Fremont Coin Gallery."

The report goes on to cite a detective’s opinion that “Miller may have shot his assailant" since investigators found a trail of blood leading away from the store.

In my own grief, I keep asking myself, “what if Ron hadn’t had a gun?" Would he be alive today (and doubtless more strongly motivated to return to his roots)? Nobody can answer that question except, possibly, the unknown robber, a not very credible source.

Then I wonder, if there were some reasonable, tough, enforceable gun control laws, might the robber not have had a gun? That’s certainly possible, too.

We have a problem in this country. Apparently there are some powerful people who neither recognize the problem nor want to solve it. These are people who argue against any solution even as children carry guns to school. They are part of the problem.

I remember well the teacher who taught me that people together can use argument to seek solutions. But, he said, only if the participants are willing to lose and to arrive at a better solution than the one thay had in mind. Otherwise it’s not really an argument.

Think about it! And consider what is possible.

Meanwhile, we can only share the sadness and the anger that Ron’s family and all of us feel from this one act of inhumanity.

April 1993

The PCNS Journal

3

Collecting Western Exonumia

by BenJ Fauver

Most collectors of tokens, medals, fobs, plnbacks and gambling

chips* were once or still are coin collectors. They expanded Into exonumia for a variety of reasons. For some the impetus was largely economic — U.S. coins simply got too expensive. Others became disillusioned with the wide fluctuations In market prices, with trying to compete against investors or with attempting to develop their own collections In what appeared to be manipulated markets. Others welcomed the relief from the hairsplitting Involved in coin grading, especially “uncirculated" specimens. When teletypes were introduced the search for previously elusive varieties became less of a challenge. Some collectors enjoy the search as much as the acquisition. Still others yearned for a field of personal collecting with new research and cataloging oppxjrtunitles beyond the narrow focus on money. For all of these arguments and others many have expanded their Interests to exonumia.

Many kinds are cheap compared to U.S. coins. Prices are more stable largely because the hobby Is collector-based with few Investors. Grading Is less critical. In some cases a token In XF Is In greater demand than one In Unc. Holed pieces are often sold at a slight discount relative to unholed specimens of the same variety. No national network exists to aid In the acquisition of exonumia. The craft with which one pursues the search can be more important that the size of one’s bank account. While coins have been used almost exclusively as a medium of exchange and to bolster the national Image, exonumia has served a much broader range of functions. Among others they have been used for mediums of exchange, advertising, political campaigning, gambling, commemorations and combinations thereof. While major new varieties of U.S. coins do surface from time to time, the odds of any individual collector discovering such are not high. Many U.S. coin collectors search for an entire lifetime and never experience the deep pleasure of finding that elusive, unrecorded rarity. Very few collectors of exonumia have not experienced such a thrill. Relative to the coverage of the Red Book, for example (now in its 45th edition), many areas of exonumia remain uncatalogued. Those for which listings have been made are usually In their first or second editions — still far

from being comprehensive. Consequently ample opportunities remain to become an acknowledged expert for those who enjoy research and cataloging.

(Eariy Cfunese-Co^ifomian Tof^n

A large number of collectors who live in the western United States have elected to collect some kind of western exonumia chiefly because It is more available than that of the eastern U.S. or foreign countries. Some focus on nationwide fields with an emphasis on certain western states. Such fields can Include the following tokens: amusement; adult arcade; aviation;

1. Some collectors Include privately Issued paper money as a part of exonumia. Others see such issues as a separate field.

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Toum CcntenniaC Issue for S^sfiland, Oregon

car wash: brothel; bimetal; boy and girl scout; Chinese-American; buggy and wagon manufacturer; coal scrip: communion; fraternal; Ku KluxKlan; exploder: fire and police; food stamp; Civilian Conservation Corps; bank; flipper; spinner; special materials like wood, ivory, shell, bone, celluloid, coal, cloth, hide and leather, fiber, cardboard and paper; Hickey Brothers: billiard and pool hall; saloon; soap; dated pieces; advertising: magician; music; parking; photography; political; railroad; dieslnker; ship depiction: transportation; sales tax; real estate; telephone: military; prison; town centennial; baseball, football and other sports; and lumber. Other items within the spectrum of exonumia Include: chauffeur and employee badges; charge cards; gambling chips of ivory, celluloid and clay; hunting and fishing licenses; counterstamped, elongated and encased coins; Lucky pennies; watch fobs; tool checks; and Bryan Money.

Some collectors specialize in fields which are not national, but strictly western. Taking the Mississippi River as an arbitrary line between the eastern and western United States, let us examine the most popular branches of western exonumia. The latter is defined as such either because it has been used in the west, because it was manufactured there or because it emphasizes a western theme.

Clearly the most popular branch of western exonumia is trade tokens. These pieces were used primarily as mediums of exchange, for advertising and sometimes as in the case of saloon tokens, for gambling. Interest in western trade tokens is much greater than it is for their eastern counterparts. The best measure of this greater interest is the current status of cataloging. Only one western state, which represents 5% of the total number of such states, lacks either a state listing of trade tokens or at least a town rarity guide^. In sharp contrast there are seventeen eastern states, representing 55% of the total number tokens available, which lack either a state catalog or town rarity guide.

Trade Token, Uloonah, Maskg

Western trade tokens are collected in many different ways and no two collectors have identical collecting goals.

There is no “Whitman holder" to fill for

2. A town rarity guide is a list of localities in a state from which trade tokens are known Including a general statement on token scarcity.

April 1993

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5

ClimiPij Cotorado 'Trade ‘Toksns Tonopak, ‘Jdfvada

a complete set of western trade tokens. Some collectors specialize in the acquisition and research of tokens from their state. More often they collect from their locality, usually one or more counties with an emphasis on their home town. Others concentrate on unusual denominations such as 3<, 6V4< or \2Vit tokens, or on odd “Good Fors" such as “Good For One Shave," “Good For One Drink" or “Good For" a specific brand of cigar, beer or whisky. Especially popular are early saloon and billiard supplier tokens. Others seek out local bakery, dairy or early hotel tokens. Pieces Issued by early houses of ill-repute are actively sought in Nevada. Tokens from certain western forts, post exchanges or other military establishments often command a premium. A number of collectors of local tokens have branched out into any kind of exonumla from their geographic area. This expanded interest may Include transportation tokens, town centennial pieces, local fraternal Issues, e.g. Masonic, Elk, Moose and Woodmen material, to name a few. Interest Is also growing in local political campaign and other proselytizing materials, be they tokens, medals, plnbacks or some other collectible.

Cenirat S\merkan TCantaiion 'Token fry L.^. 'Moise Co. of San Jrancisco

There have been a number of active manufacturers of exonumia located in the West who have produced a wide variety of items, largely for the West, but also for Mexico, Latin America, Canada and the Far East. Most prolific among these manufacturers were the following firms: C.A. Klinkner& Company, L.H. Molse, Molse-Klinkner Company, Patrick & Company, J.C. Irvine, Los Angeles Rubber Stamp Company and Salt Lake Stamp Company. Others Include Jacob Strahle, August Jungblutt and Company, Albert Wlrth, John Jachens, Bernard and Company, Chlpron Rubber Stamp Company, American- Pacific Stamp Company, Quincy J. Calglesser, Vaas and Company, Acme Metal Die and Stencil Company, California Stamp Company, Daugherty Stamp Company. L.A. Ferguson, Fresno Stamp Company, H. Monterey, Ed Jones and Company. Long Beach Rubber Stamp Company and Ring and

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Issue 35

Bellmer. A number of eastern dleslnkers produced exonumia for the west. They include Oreo, Ingle, Childs and Whitehead & Hoag. Foreign firms were also active In the early days of the west such as Allen & Moore and Lauer. Fortunately a number of the pieces produced by these die sinkers are signed. Many unsigned pieces use dies characteristic of signed specimens. Consequently, the collecting of western exonumia by manufacturer is a feasible alternative.

SMas(^-yu({pn-Tacific Tj(posilion issut

A third way to collect items from the west is by topic or theme. Probably the most popular is to obtain pieces from specific events. Examples of these are the California Midwinter Exposition of 1894, the Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition of 1898, the Lewis and Clark Exp>ositlon of 1905, the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition of 1909, the Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915, The Panama-Califomia Exposition of 1915-16 and the Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939-40. Other popular western topics include the San Francisco Earthquake, Pearl Harbor, the Gold Rush and gold panners, sheep shearing, certain cowboys and Indians, Hollywood movie stars, movies and their producers, cartoon characters, western pioneers such as Fremont, Custer and other Indian fighters, gas and oil companies, national landmarks like Pike’s Peak, stage coaches, aerospace and electronics industries, casinos. Mormon items, Alaska and Hawaii statehood. Native Sons and Daughters memorabilia, Indian Post Trader, territorial. Mexican War, Pony Express and Wells Fargo. One’s own imagination is the only limitation to the range of topical areas available to collectors of western exonumia.

The key to Intelligent and pleasurable collecting of western memorabilia lies in the planning of one’s collection. This is essential if certain pitfalls are to be avoided. Too often a collector will embark on the acquisition of a series with no conception of the magnitude of what he or she has undertaken. Often the scope is potentially so broad that it would take several lifetimes and substantial resources to assemble even a representative collection. In other cases the scope is so narrow as to represent an insufficient challenge. Too often collectors new to a series do not first Invest in the available written material or take the trouble to check with knowledgeable collectors and dealers about the scarcity and cost of key pieces. Some time and expense invested in learning the breadth of a series before funds arc spent can save much frustration.

April 1993

The PCNS Journal

7

Sau granclsco Through Its gxoi?un?la

Jerry F. Schimmel

Another Madam of San Francisco: Dolly Ogden

Three-Twenty-six Mason Street was a high class sporting house. The turn of the 20th Century found It In the Uptown Tenderloin, an area of town bounded by Market, Stockton, Sutter and Taylor streets" said Curt Gentry In his The Madams of San Francisco. The neighborhood was favored by government officers, political bosses and visiting royalty because of Its theatres and French restaurants. Zesty female companionship was available to the men of this social strata, bachelors or those momentarily unencumbered by nuptial contracts. Nowadays the old Uptown Tenderloin is a tourist mecca which surrounds Union Square. Cable cars, trashy boutiques and oversized hotels seem to dominate. The present Tenderloin with half the original name has moved a few blocks west and downhill economically. Spiritual descendants of former courtesans station themselves In pairs on Its comers, or strikingly overdressed, stride the pavements alone. The homeless and derelict provide a melancholy backdrop. Southeast Aslan Immigrants pick their way along the streets avoiding all of them.

Dolly Ogden’s girls were not street walkers, deemed the untouchables of the profession. Hers were parlor-house artistes, trained to entertain dukes and railroad magnates. On the sidewalk they were charmers, ostentatiously fashionable and unavailable except by appointment. Traditional afternoon strolls took them down “The Line," a nickname for the north side of Market Street between Powell and Kearny streets. Cocktall-hour connoisseurs congregated at comers and cigar stores to ogle old friends and judge new arrivals. Onlookers always Included middle-class women who came to eye styles which they would copy within days. Their social set would produce advocates for the reforms that emerged in the next two decades. Since 1917 sex-for-pay has been Illegal In California.

Geary and Mason streets formed a busy Intersection In 1900. Dolly’s place was near the southeast comer, a bit downhill toward Market Street. Between It and Geary Street was Heltmann’s, a combination saloon and grocery fronting on Geary at number 397. The other corners held Navlet & Hansen’s Saloon, Olsen’s Drug Store and Bonnardel Brothers’ Restaurant. The cable cars of line number four clattered along Geary Street all the way to Golden Gate Park. Two blocks south and east of the Intersection were the Orpheum Theatre

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Issue 35

and Tivoli Opera House. Where the Curran and Geary theatres now stand was a row of storefronts with flats upstairs. A block away at Powell and Geary streets cable cars had been climbing the hill for fifteen years. The St. Francis Hotel was seven years in the future. If a man knew who to call, he could visit the city’s most celebrated demi-mondaines. Tessle Wall at 147 Powell Street and Jessie Hayman at 225 Ellis Street, about two blocks away.

On the record Dolly Ogden lived alone on the upper two floors of 326 Mason Street with her menservants, Woon Yen and Ma Len. Emma Kesslng operated a hairdresser’s on the ground floor (number 324). Next door at 322 Mason Street a Vlctorian-style house rose for three stories. Adjacent to it and on the comer of Mason and Elwood streets was The Ashworth, a large boarding house and cafe, now reincarnated as the King George Hotel. Elwood Street still exists, an incongmous, tiny alley open to any vehicle capable of its vicious right angle. The site of Dolly’s building is the Mason Street Wine Bar and Mason Street Theatre.

In the 19th Century many women in Dolly’s calling traveled west plying their trade in small towns and mining camps. She probably did the same. Like others she would have been a source of news about other houses in different parts of the country. A valuable piece of gossip could be traded for a short stay in a local bedroom, maybe longer. The first mention of her name was two lines in the 1893 City Directory, “Mrs. D.A. Ogden, 225 Ellis Street, resident." She would have been about thirty-four years old. The phone book for March. 1 899, put her down as “Ogden, Mrs. D., Lodging House, 326 Mason". It remained through June, 1902. Most likely her tenure on Mason Street began in 1898, but subscriber lists for that year are missing. She was not mentioned earlier. The 1900 Census described her as a “rooming house manager". To the enumerator she gave her name as Dora Ogden, aged 4 1 years and bom in 1858 in Pennsylvania. Ostensibly a widow with three children, their ages and locations were not specified. In October 1905 a Miss D. Ogden lived at 24 Merritt Street in the Upper Market area. If this last was Dolly could not be determined. Probably not.

The purpose of her 1893 directory entry is not evident, but the most reasonable conclusion is that it served to announce her presence as a “new girl" in town. Her Ellis Street stay established her as someone apart from the others. “The address ... was to become one of the best known in the annals of San Francisco prostitution" according to Gentry. Several famous madams like Dolly Adams (1880s), Nina Hayman (early ’90s) and Jessie Hayman (late ’90s- ’00) operated there. Dolly Ogden may have been one of Nina’s girls. By 1900 she was past the age of enticing men with a coquettish glance. As a good businesswoman she had been making preparations. Mason Street was the first phase of her retirement plan.

The Barbary Coast lay about a mile and three-quarters across town from Geary and Mason Streets if one took the level route along Geary and Kearny streets. Cribs and houses “on the Coast" were provocatively obvious. The district at night was rowdy and fast. Census information on several addresses there leave no doubt as to the calling of their occupants. Tenderloin “fancy houses” contrasted sharply. They stood side-by-side with family homes and small shops, barely distinguishable from normal dwellings. Influential clients required discretion. Conflict with neighbors was to be avoided. Information about inmates was revealed to the select. Census Enumerators would not have been among the chosen. As a result it is not at all clear who were Dolly’s girls.

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0

but there are some clues.

Emma Kesslng was probably not turning tricks. Her Income would have been good Just tending to the looks of neighborhood “girls." The clothing and hairstyles of Uptown Tenderloin women were always the latest and most expensive. Less likely as a source of employees, but not to be excluded, were the residents of The Ashworth. They were a mixture of men and women of all ages and backgrounds. At 322 Mason Street lived four single women between the ages of twenty and thirty. In the apartment above Heltmann’s at 393 Geary Street were three more. No men’s names were mentioned for either. Seven women would have been a standard complement for most parlor houses. They were probably Dolly’s, close by and on call.

Her 32mm brass tokens were advertising cards, discrete notices that the premises on Mason Street were ready for business. They must have been struck In 1898. Distributed by hand one at a time, bartenders, bellhops and desk clerks were willing agents. A hefty tip accompanied their delivery. Instructions on who were to get them would have been very specific. The French phrase “Toujours Le Meme" (Always The Same) reassured old customers that service would not suffer because of a change In location. The choice of language was significant. For a prostitute It was Important to be French, or to pretend to be. Among frequenters of les maisons de joie the myth prevailed that Johns would always have more fun with French girls. No customer satisfaction surveys have been published which support or discourage this claim.

Dolly’s Mason Street house lasted for several years. That made It a success In her line of work.

References

Champagne Days of San Francisco by Evelyn Wells (1939) The Madams of San Francisco by Curt Gentry (1964)

AUTHORS’ ATTENTION!

The deadline for the next issue of The Journal is June 1, 1993.

All copy should be submitted in one of the following formats:

• Typed double-spaced on letter-sized paper, or

• On 3.5" computer disk in Macintosh format with a printout copy as above.

Please submit all material to the editor: see address inside front cover.

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The PCNS Journal

Issue 35

History of the Pacific Coast Numismatic Society

BY David W. Lange

Part 6 - The Business of Numismatics

IN THE LAST INSTALLMENT OF THIS SERIES. I reviewed the significant events and trends within the PCNS during the years 1946-52. Promised for this issue was a walk down the narrower streets of history, a listing of some of the smaller events which might otherwise be lost. To do this, I would like to begin with a look at some of the personalities who enriched the society through these very active years.

During the immediate post-war period, the society entertained a number of prominent guests. A few of these individuals were regular members, although the titles of honorary member or fellow were more often awarded. Among those who became regular members was Abe Kosoff. In the mid- 1 940s, Kosoff was in partnership with Abner Kreisberg as the Numismatic Gallery. Originally operating out of New York City, Kosoff relocated to Southern California in 1948. Kreisberg followed him a couple of years later.

Although a resident of Encino, and later Palm Springs, Abe Kosoff was a frequent visitor to San Francisco. Even before his departure from New York, he was making periodic Journeys to the society’s home city. His principal motivation in doing this was to engage in business with local dealer Earl Parker, a former president of the PCNS and a figure whose stature in the coin trade was increasingyearly .

Even so. Kosoff endeavored to ar¬ range his travels so as to coincide with meetings of the society. As early as 1945 he was making dona¬ tions to the society’s library. In the following year, he applied for and was elected to regular membership and was also named a fellow. It Is uncertain from the meeting minutes which title came first.

0(psoff

The value given this affiliation by the society may be measured by the fact that the meeting of May,

1947 was moved up a week so that Abe Kosoff could be present as the featured speaker. Giving an Infor-

April 1993

The PCNS Journal

11

mal presentation. Kosoff described and exhibited several major rarities of United States and world coinage. Among these were the following:

U. S. pattern coins. Including a complete set of Stellas A collection of large cents, Including both varieties of 1799 Proof half cents from the Pierce Collection A 1794 silver dollar Gold patterns of Holland Russian coins In platinum

In recognition of this significant event, some members rose to the occasion by bringing out their own rarities. Vice-President Jack Hecht had formed one of the finer collec¬ tions of United States coins, and his quarter dollars were to be among the highlights of the 1953 American Numismatic Association auction held by the Numismatic Gallery. For this meeting, he displayed his ex¬ tremely rare 1894-S dime.

As mentioned In the previous Installment of this history, Abe KosofT secured for the PCNS the 1949 con¬ vention of the ANA. He would attempt to do so again In 1961 for the 1965 convention, but this time his efforts were to be in vain. After the 1949 convention had concluded, Kosoff did not appear at a meeting again until September of 1953. His ap¬ pearances thereafter were more frequent through the 1950s. the highlight being perhaps his service as presenter at the 1955 celebration of the society’s 40th anniversary. Even when not attending the monthly meetings. Abe Kosoff remained a dedicated and Influential advocate for the society through the mid- 1960s. Although he may have had his detractors within the coin business, he was evidently held In high esteem by his fellow members within the PCNS.

Another figure who appears with some regularity In the minutes Is George C. Ruge, general foreman of the press and coin rooms at the San Francisco Mint. Although the society had sporadically named as honorary members successive superintendents of the mint, Mr. Ruge was perhaps the only mint officer up to that time to take a real interest In the affairs of numismatics. He frequently related the latest activities of the mint to members In attendance at the monthly meetings, and he was periodically called upon to deliver a presentation. Among the anecdotes related by Mr. Ruge was the development at the San Francisco Mint of dual-dle presses. This had been a wartime Innovation In which two die pairs were mounted within a single press utilizing a single, dual-opening collar. This practical Innovation soon became standard

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Issue 35

procedure at the other mints, as well. An Invited guest at the anniversary banquet held in June of 1950, George Ruge was named an honorary member the following year. As the mint's unofficial an^bassador to the local numis¬ matic community. Ruge occupied a position similar to that which would be held by Ed Fulwider, a generation later.

During these years, a number of figures who were prominent on the numismatic scene came into contact with the society, albeit briefly. Among these was the Reverend Arthur Braddan Coole, famed scholar of Chinese numismatics. In a presentation at the meeting of July 23. 1947, Rev. Coole spoke of his childhood discovery of coin collecting, his meetings with promi¬ nent persons and the publication of his book Coins in China's History. In the following year, the society played host to Cornelius Vermeule, who was soon to publish an important work on the coinage of Japan. Mr. Vermeule is perhaps better known today as the author of Numismatic Art in America.

The meeting of August 1949 immediately preceded the ANA’s convention at San Francisco. Among those in attendance at the meeting were B. Max Mehl, prominent dealer and longtime honorary member of the society and Captain Oscar H. Dodson, a future ANA president who had last visited the society in 1939. The following year. Captain Dodson gave a presentation on the stone money of Yap.

Rudy Gjurovich, then president of theTodo Dinero Numismatic Associa¬ tion. visited the PCNS in April of 1949. By the time that Charles Kappen became president of this organization and visited the society in 1951, the TDNA had been renamed the San Jose Coin Club, a title which it retains to the present day.

Some visiting speakers at the society’s meetings came equipped with a political agenda. One such person was Sam Kabealo, a prominent coin dealer and president of the Los Angeles Coin Club. When addressing the society in 1948, he spoke out against the taxing of coin sales in California. So inspiring was his presentation that the society app>ointed a committee comprised of Earl Parker. Jack Hecht and Kabealo himself to draft a letter to the ANA seeking its support in the repeal of sales tax on coin purchases. The effectiveness of this action may be measured by the fact that such transactions still remain taxable when below $1000, some 45 years later.

Not all of the prominent guests at the society’s gatherings were from within the numismatic ranks. When the pre-war custom of holding an annual banquet resumed in 1948, the guests of honor were, oddly enough, former heavyweight boxing champion Tom Sharkey and his manager. Bill Miller. Numismatics took a back scat to the world of pugilism, as the two veterans of the ring entertained their hosts with old reminiscences.

The banquet of 1948 was memorable for another reason, as well; it nearly led to a boxing match between the society and prominent coin dealer Joseph Stack, then a principal in the firm which bears his name. It began innocently enough with the following letter from Mr. Stack addressed to Charles Steele, PCNS president:^

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13

June 8, 1948

Col. Charles Steele 436 Fortuna Ave.

San Leandro, Calif.

Dear Charlie:

This little note Is Just to say hello and really I am sorry that I will not be at the banquet which will be held on the twenty-third.

However, under separate cover I am sending a collection of gem uncircu¬ lated coins which I would like to have auctioned at the banquet, and the entire proceeds donated to the Pacific Coast Numismatic Society. Need¬ less to say, a plug for Stack's would be appreciated.

I am also enclosing a letter which I would like you to read at the time of the banquet.

Thank you for taking care of this, and the fact Is, I would appreciate very much that you keep same as a surprise until the night of the banquet.

Closing with kindest thoughts to you and the boys, I am

Cordially yours,

Joseph B. Stack

While this should have been a mutually satisfying engagement for all parties, things did not go according to plan, as the following letter relates:^

July 9, 1948

Mr. Alexander W. Ritchie Secre tary -T reasurer Pacific Coast Numismatic Society 2147 Russell Street Berkeley 5, Calif.

Dear Mr. Ritchie:

Your letter at hand and I would like you to read this communication, plus a copy of the letter which I had sent to Colonel Steele, about my donation.

As a member of the P. C. N. S., I am taking this stand, that there must be some politics In the organization and this must be eradicated regardless of where the axe falls.

Stack's has been showing their good spirit and friendship to the P. C. N.

S. by It s advertisement In the monthly, and by it's donation to help bolster the club s treasury. Furthermore, I have never received an acknowledg¬ ment of the donation, and above all, a reason why this was not handled in the manner in which this donation was made.

These coins were to be auctioned at the dinner, and not at a regular meeting.

Please see to It that this communication Is read In open meeting, as several of my friends have been notified and are receiving duplicates of

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Issue 35

this letter. In order to avoid any embarrassment for anyone, please see to It that my wishes are fulfilled.

Regretting that I have had to take this action, and awaiting your advice In this matter, and also a transcript of what had taken place at the meeting, I am

Sincerely yours, Joseph B. Stack

Secretary Ritchie quickly replied to Mr. Stack on July 14, explaining that the matter had simply been a misunderstanding. President Steele had Indeed announced the donation of coins from Stack’s, displaying them at the banquet, and had attempted to comply with his wishes that they be auctioned then and there. It was only upon protests from the members that they had not come prepared to bid on coins that the items were set aside for the next regular meeting. He further explained:^

If I do not hear from you prior to our meeting on July 28, I will do as you request and read your letters of June 8 and July 9 to the members present.

I am enclosing a copy of the meeting record which I sent to Stuart Mosher for publication In the Numismatist and which will also appear in our Member’s Bulletin.

Sincerely yours, Alexander W. Ritchie

Joseph Stack’s reply to Ritchie of July 19 was ^ologetlc and revealed his embarrassment at having jumped to conclusions:^

Dear Mr. Ritchie:

Thank you for your letter and I am only sorry that you did not send me a copy of the Bulletin, so that I could understand exactly what had transpired.

Anything that I may have written, please disregard, as your letter Is now self explanatory. This was an oversight, and we are broad-minded enough to understand that such things are possible.

Please do not read my letter at the meeting, and wish the club a great success In the sale of these coins at their next meeting.

Again, regretting any possible quick attitude, and with kindest personal regards, I am

Sincerely yours.

Stack’s

Joseph B. Stack

In a letter dated August 2, 1948, Ritchie advised Mr. Stack that the auction had Indeed been held at the society’s regular meeting In July and that

April 1993

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15

the coins realized a total of $58.85. Thus ended In peace an episode that could have remained an open wound for many years.

The eventful banquet of 1948 was nearly the society’s last. With the PCNS-hosted convention of the ANA approaching In August, the members decided not to hold a banquet In 1949. The tradition was reinstated, however, the following year. Still, after 1950, another banquet would not be held again until 1 955, this on the occasion of the society’s 40th anniversary. TTie success of the anniversary bash ensured that the banquet would become an unfailing tradition to be repeated each year. With very few exceptions, the date of this gathering has remained the last Saturday in June. The location has always been within the city of San Francisco.

Among the small anecdotes which survive within the minutes of PCNS meetings, two stand out for their charm. The commemorative coin program which had peaked in 1936 was by 1947 a cause of consternation for most collectors. Of the two Issues produced since 1939, one had been a legitimate fund-raising activity of some merit while the other proved to be a profiteering scheme of the most shameless sort. Even so, events worthy of recognition still had their advocates for a commemorative coin. One such cause was the centennial of the California Gold Rush. This statewide celebration was to encompass the years 1948-50, marking not only the discovery of gold but the mass Immigration which followed and the resultant statehood of California in September 1850. Although the movement for a commemorative half dollar app>ears to have originated outside of the PCNS, the society supported it wholeheartedly. Sadly, at the meeting of January 1947, Vice-President Jack Hecht had to report that the legislation was not being well received in

Washington. As we now know, of course, such a coin was not to be.

This is not to say that the Gold Rush Centennial went without observance by the society, however. October 31, 1949, was the occasion for the placement of a plaque marking the location of the first San Francisco Mint on Commercial Street. This ceremony was held under the direc¬ tion of the Society of California Pioneers. In conjunction with this celebration, the PCNS was permitted to mount an exhibit of early San Francisco coins in Portsmouth Square. The exact logistics of this opera¬ tion were not recorded for posterity, but it must have been a satisfying experience for its leading proponent, Roy Hill. As the society’s principal enthusiast of pioneer and early federal coinage of the San Fran¬ cisco Mint, Hill was in charge of designing and manning the exhibit.

Before concluding this look at the memorable years of 1946-52, it is appropriate to reflect on some of the distinguished numismatic personalities

16

The PCNS Journal

Issue 35

COINS MEDALS PAPER MONEY

NUMISMATISTS

12 WEST 46th Street JuAiF 8, 194^

NEW YORK. I». N Y.

COPT

To Tb« Kenbers of The Pacific Coast Numismatic SocletTi;

On behalf of the firm we wish you every success and we regret that due to prior committments a representative of the firm cannot be with you.

However, please acdopt these coins which we would like to have auctioned off and the entire proceeds to be donated to the Pacific Coast Numismatic Soci4ty«

I would suggest that you bid liberally because if I was there I would make you.

Good luck and hello to everyone.

Cordially yovirs,

JOSEPH B. STACK

who applied for and were elected to regular membership during that period. Among these were Sam Kabealo, Kenneth Lee, Charles Ruby, Calvert Emmons, Dan Brown, Leonel Panosh, Norman Shultz, Arthur Kagln and Aubrey Bebee. The latter became one of the ANA’s greatest benefactors and remained a member of the society until the time of his death In 1991.

Another Important membership application, albeit from an Institution rather than an Individual, was that of Wells Fargo Bank In San Francisco. In addition to maintaining Its own fine collection of numlsmatlca and western historical Items, the bank became a frequent host to the society’s National Coin Week exhibits. With the exception of senior PCNS member Mark M. Morris, Wells Fargo holds the membership of longest standing, 47 years. This relationship between the society and the bank remains a mutually beneficial one to the present day.

1

2

3

4

5

The Numismatist, November, 1953. PCNS Archives.

Ibid.

Ibid.

Ibid.

April 1993

The PCNS Journal

17

THE 6Vn«apmc8 scene

Confederate Currency

^Z\iblication of the latest (4th) edition of Confederate and Southern States Currency by Grover C. Criswell. Jr. appears to have serendipitously meshed with an upturn in interest in Confederate currency. While Grover s devotion and promotion of the series is noteworthy in Itself, this recent interest is more probably the result of the Ken Bums’ PBS production of “The Civil War" given that Civil War tokens have also seen a recent surge of popularity. Neverthe¬ less, whether the market is hot or cold. Confederate currency is an important part of the syngraphic history of the United States.

Confederate currency is that currency Issued by the Confederate States of America as a political entity. It Is different from Southern States currency In that It was Issued and backed by the CSA itself rather than the individual states. The first Issues In 1861 were effectively interest bearing promissory notes, as they were to be redeemed twelve months after issue (for the larger denominations, two years for the smaller), and paid one cent per day per $ 1 00 In Interest (3.65% simple Interest, with the effective rate over 4%, or more than T-bllls are yielding today!). This was apparently Insufficient interest, given the risk, to attract Investors, so the rate was raised to two cents per day per $100 for the replacement notes Issued in 1862, with redemption to be made “six months after the ratification of a treaty of peace between the Confederate States and the United States." Later notes in both of these series were convertible to 8% Interest bearing Confederate stocks or bonds. The 1863 series continued this practice, although the redemption date was moved out to “two years after the ratification ...." The final series, in 1864, was virtually Identical to the 1863 series In terms of promises and redemption plans.

Collecting Confederate currency can either be a pleasant, calm, enjoyable activity, or a nasty, frantic, tedious one, depending on the way In which the collection Is planned to be considered “complete." The “type collector" syngraphlst will have to obtain 74 notes, most of which are readily obtainable. Two-thirds of the set (fifty notes) should be obtainable for less than $100 per note (and many at around $10 In decent collectable grade). About fifteen “toughles" will cost between $100 and $1000 p>er note, while nine rare notes will be the stumbling block to any collection, costing $ 1000 or more each. The Criswell book has a convenient “checklist" for the type collector, listing all seventy-four types on one page. These are broken down by series, with 1861 having forty types (including the rare $1000 and $500 Montgomery, AL issues and the recently discovered “Blacksmith note with black overprint"), 1862 having seventeen types (Including two rare “printed signature" types), 1863 having eight (all common), and 1864 having nine (including the scarce $500 denomination).

The “date and mintmark collector" syngraphlst, however, will go abso¬ lutely Insane (and bankrupt) trying to build this set, as almost every major type

18

The PCNS Journal

Issue 35

has a multitude of varieties and subvarieties. Including variations In printer, paper type, “series" designation, date, block letter, block letter location, watermark, and counterfeits. The common T-59 note, for example, could be considered to have over 630 distinctly different varieties, 24 of which are cataloged as "very rare" and eight as “extremely rare." The extremely rare Items, fortunately, tend to have one variety per Issue. Several thousand different notes would be required to make even a dent In this type of collection.

As with any collecting area, however, this leads to the possibility of tremendous financial reward for the knowledgeable collector. Finding one of the “extremely rare" varieties In an unchecked pile of “common" notes happens from time to time, just as cherrypicking rare coin varieties does. Conversely, great care must be taken In examining many of these notes, as counterfeits abound In the area of Confederate currency. Most are contemporary counter¬ feits. done to “pass" as genuine notes. Over 1.5 million “facsimile" notes were prepared by Philadelphia businessman Samuel Upham and sold as “memen¬ tos of the rebellion." Upham printed his “facsimile" Inscription along the margin, however, so that It could be easily trimmed ofT and passed as genuine. So many were so altered that Upham facsimiles with the Inscription are relatively difficult to find today. Another “strange but true" item In this series Is the “Havana counterfeit" of the 1864 $500 note (T-64). Here, the scarce genuine note Is worth a few hundred dollars, while the rare counterfeit Is worth a few thousand! Fortunately, most of the counterfeits are easy to detect (printed black signatures rather than the hand -signed brown signatures on most notes Is the quick test, with only a few exceptions) and. If “stuck" with one It makes an Interesting, albeit unintentional, addition to the collection.

Another potential “black hole" of Confederate collecting would be to attempt to obtain one of each signature on these notes. The first six types of notes were actually signed by the Register and Treasurer of the Confederacy themselves, while most of the other types were signed by clerks “for the Register" and “for the Treasurer." Thlan’s Register of the Confederate Debt lists all of the signers, about two hundred for each office, most of whom were survivors of soldiers killed In combat. Undoubtedly, some of these signatures are quite rare, although no research or reference material has been published In this regard.

Confederate currency Is an Important and Interesting part of the fiscal history of the United States, and deserves to be Included in any Important syngraphlc collection. The Civil War period resulted In many major changes In the currency Issues of both the North and the South, with CSA notes just one part of that history.

References and Suggestions for Further Reading:

Grover C. Criswell, Jr. Confederate and Southern States Currency, 4th edition, BNR Press, 1992

April 1993

The PCNS Journal

19

Flying Eagle

&

Indian Cents

Unlike many who are called upon to review books, I do not like to find fault with the work of others. It is there¬ fore a pleasure when I discover a new volume which is truly deserving of praise. Such a book is Richard “Rick" Snow’s Flying Eagle & Indian Cents. At a time when virtually every series of United States coins has been detailed in works of dubious quality. Snow’s book stands head and shoulders above the many as a true work of numismatic literature.

A good numismatic book is one which may be enjoyed by even the non- speciallst, one which has a generous offering of numismatlca combined with entertaining anecdotes. In this respect. Flying Eagle & Indian Cents does not disappoint. Going beyond the narrow confines suggested by the title. Snow’s book details the decade of experimentation which preceded the appearance of the first Eagle Cents in 1856. As such, it presents a detailed supplement to Judd’s work on United States pattern coinage. A well-researched biography of the U. S. Mint’s Chief Engraver, James Barton Lxjngacre, further adds to the popular app>eal of this volume. The many Illustrations include Longacre’s careful sketches for coin designs, both the adopted ideas and those that never evolved beyond the artist’s own whims. Many of these have been reproduced in various periodicals, but here they are captured in a more lasting format. Portraits of the artist, his wife and daughter add a human touch to the story of Longacre’s life and career.

For the pure numismatist, each variation within both the experimental and production coins is described and Illustrated. Enough minor varieties are Included to keep the passionate collector of these two series from ever making a claim to completion. For the sake of communication between collectors and dealers, each variety is assigned a number. Whether or not these numbers will clash with the numbers assigned by Walter Breen in his encyclopedia remains to be seen. Perhaps, the two may be used in tandem, as are the Breen and Cohen numbers for half cent varieties.

That a great deal of money was expended in producing this book is readily apparent from its production values. Two hundred pages in length, printed on slick paper, heavily Illustrated with better than average photographs and bound in leatherette with an attractive dust jacket, it has the look of an expensive book. Indeed, this was nearly Its undoing, as the initial offering was at $79.50. This figure must have met with firm resistance, as the author is now advertising It at a more realistic $55. One hopes that sufficient buyers will be found at this level, because the book really does make a fine addition to a

20

The PCNS Journal

Issue 35

library of United States numismatics.

Much of the specialized work In this area of variety identification was performed with the assistance of Elliott Goldman and Chris Pllllod. The latter shares cover billing with Rick Snow and Is credited as the editor of this work. Evidently, such editing pertained purely to the technical aspects of Snow’s book, as It Is not readily apparent within the narrative chapters. Why Is It that so many recent books on United States coinage have been sent to the press without so much as a basic proofreading for spelling and grammatical errors? Sadly, this volume Is weighed down with numerous such oversights, and therein lies my only negative criticism of it. The historical and numismatic background of these coins is presented in such a readable fashion that this carelessness in proofing only adds emphasis to one’s annoyance at being so rudely interrupted. The intrusion of a word whose obvious misspelling destroys the pleasant rhythm of reading Is not looked upon kindly by this reviewer. Still, when measured In Its entirety. Snow’s book remains a major work in American numismatics.

While the standard edition will become an asset to the advanced numis¬ matist and/or bibliophile, a lower-priced, paperback edition may be In order If this book Is to enjoy widespread sales. No plan to produce paperbacks has been announced at this time.

Flying Eagle & Indian Cents Is self-published under the name Eagle Eye Press and Is available from the author at $55 postpaid:

Rick Snow, 3848 E. 5th Street, Tucson, AZ 85716.

ADVERTISING SCHEDULE

Ad Size	Inches	Per Issue	4 Issues
Full Page	4.5x7.25	$40	$120
Half Page	4.5 X 3.5	20	60
Quarter Page	4.5 X 1.75	10	30

All copy should be camera-ready. Checks should be payable to Pacific Coast Numismatic Society. Send copy with Instructions and checks to: PCNS Journal, P.O. Box 40888, San Francisco, CA 94140. Ads must be pre-pald, and copy must arrive at least 30 days before the Issue date.

April 1993

The PCNS Journal

21

^xom t^s£lcl[& of ^tEji^en ^^uiton

BracteattB — Boublt or riothinfi

jWedleval Europe saw the development of one style of coinage which was extremely short-lived. The coins rarely lasted long, and the type of coinage was used sporadically for only a couple of centuries. These most-fragile of all coins are the bracteates.

Bracteates are uniface silver coins struck on paper-thin planchets. The name comes from the Latin broc tea meaning a metal foil. Many of the coins so- named are almost as thin as our modem aluminum foil products. These coins were produced from sheets of hammered silver, cut to shape quite easily with shears (much as paper with scissors). The blank was then struck with a single die, probably made of hand-cut wood (more quickly produced than a metal die). The blank was placed on some backing such as a leather pad which would absorb the blow and force the metal Into the shape of the die without imposing a separate reverse design, leaving an Incuse of the obverse design.

The coinage produced this way required great labor to beat out the sheets of silver, but the only skilled labor required was the engraver of the die, who could work in wood rather than bronze or iron. Some scholars have speculated that with a matched pair of dies of some hardness, stacks of coins could have been struck in a single blow, but we do not know that this was done. It would have required a skilled engraver working In something harder than wood. Logic argues against such a practice being common.

The areas of Europe which Issued these coins were varied in location from Sweden to Italy, but. In each case, the coinage was of local value only. They were Intended to circulate within a narrow radius of their mint of origin. They usually had no legal status outside of the land held by the issuer, which was rarely as far as a day’s walk on foot.

The period of this coinage Is rather short, from about 1 150 to 1400, with only one or two areas employing this production method for more than a century. In some cases, bracteates were Issued side-by-side with heavier two- sided coins. The reasons for the use of this system of currency lie hidden in the role of the minting authority within the local economy — to provide a currency for ease of commerce and to make money doing it!

Bracteate coins had little Intrinsic value, but the local mint authority could tariff them at higher values, making them a token coinage. Because of the high token values, usually at least a pfennig (penny or denar), and an Intrinsic value far below half of that, the Issuer had a high stake in not having to redeem his bracteates for good coins. This was accomplished by placing a limit on the period of lawful circulation, sometimes less than a year, but often much longer. At the end of the circulation period, during a short redemption period, the bracteates had to be returned to the mint in exchange for new coins (possibly a new bracteate Issue to continue the game). Failure to return the coins within the prescribed time ended their legal tender status and high token value. The catch was that these coins were often damaged in circulation and

22

The PCNS Journat^

Issue 35

damaged coins were not redeemable except as bullion, a profit to the Issuer!

If this practice was repeated very long, the minting authority would have most of the actual money In the area, gradually depleting the bullion supply In private hands unless the ruler spent his gains rapidly In buying goods and services from the townsfolk. Eventually, people would resent such practices, and the coinage would meet with resistance. It Is no wonder that most such Issues were short-lived.

Bracteates provide a crude but Intriguing record of some of the Important towns and rulers of the 12th and 13th centuries In Europe. Designs vary from simple letters or stars, through buildings, heraldic symbols, and crude portraits to elaborate scenes of Adam and Eve In Paradise or the Stoning of St. Stephen. The Teutonic Knights Issued a Crusader type In Prussia showing the simple design of a shield bearing a cross. Most carry no Inscription. Some rare Inscribed bracteates were Issued fairly early In the bracteate period.

Among the Issuing areas were the Holy Roman Empire (northern Italy and much of Germany), Switzerland’s cantons, Norway, Bohemia and Moravia, and numerous Individual towns and cities In eastern and central Europe.

Henry the Lion of Brunswick Issued bracteates, as did his heirs. These coins usually carried a figure of a lion, a reference to Henry’s nickname. The type was continued In his honor after his death showing the Lion as It appeared on a statue erected at Brunswick In 1166. This design lasted until after 1345, nearly two centuries of varieties with the lion motif. 9{enry tfu Lion bracuate typt

Frederick II of the Holy Roman Empire opened a series of mints to strike only bracteates in several cities where no mints had previously existed. He undoubtedly saw nice profits from this activity while bestowing the honor of mint-authority on these towns. The towns of Ulm and Llndau are known as two of his new mints. While they struck local designs, each city also struck at least one large bracteate Issue with a portrait of Frederick. Llndau also used the design of the Linden tree In reference to the town’s name.

bracteates of Lindau

Linden Tree J rederic^i Tort rait

Bracteates tend to survive in poor condition. It is amazing any undamaged pieces survived at all. Because of their official overvaluation, all undamaged pieces would be turned it. We would not expect to find undamaged pieces intentionally saved.

Undamaged bracteates suggest a short-term burial or hiding of coins with the idea of their retrieval In the very near future. Then, for reasons unknown, the persons who secreted the coins were unable to return In time to redeem them. Many a tale lay buried with these coins, and most of them would be sad to tell if they were known.

The misfortunes of past centuries are but history to us, and the lost treasures of the ages may be our good fortune.

April 1993

The PCNS Journal

23

A Denarius of Faustus Cornelius Sulla

BY Matthew V, Rockman

The coinage of Republican Rome Is rich and varied. Coin types depict events from Roman history and lore, and the men who struck the coins themselves are often historically Important. Of the many hundreds of distinctive types, one coin struck by Faustus Cornelius Sulla in 56 bc, conveys more history than perhaps any other. It brings together a war In North Africa, a ring that sparked a civil war, and the life of a young politician following the traditional path to fame and power.

The obverse of the silver denarius (Crawford 426/1) reads favstvs before the draped bust of Diana facing right. The goddess wears a diadem with crescent, symbolizing her status as deity of the moon, and an earring, pearl necklace, and a second necklace of pendants. Behind her head appears a lituus, or augur’s wand.

The reverse shows Sulla Felix seated left on a raised chair. Bocchus, King of Mauritania, kneels while presenting a palm branch to Sulla. Jugurtha kneels as a captive with his hands tied behind his back, felix appears above to the left. The event depicted on the coin, and the related histories of Sulla’s signet ring and Faustus’ career, are detailed below.

The Juourthine War

In 1 18 BC, King Micipsa died. His kingdom of Numldla, which occupied what is now Algeria, was left to be ruled by the king’s sons, Heimpsal and Adherbal, and the king’s brother’s illegitimate son, Jugurtha, Micipsa’s son by adoption. The three princes could not determine how to rule jointly, and so they decided to partition the kingdom. Shortly thereafter, Heimpsal found himself quite dead under Jugurtha’s orders. The king’s surviving natural son faced Jugurtha In battle, and having lost, fled to the Roman province of Africa and thence to Rome.

Adherbal pleaded with the Roman Senate to Intervene on his behalf. Jugurtha, fearing the power of the Roman army, promptly bribed the appropriate number of senators. The Senate sent a committee to partition Numldia, but as soon as they left Africa, Jugurtha Invaded Adherbal’s territory. Jugurtha managed to lie his way out of trouble with the Senate, but a moving letter from Adherbal eventually persuaded Rome to send an army to Numldla.

The first campaign was led by Lucius Bestia and arrived in Africa in 1 1 1 BC. The campaign was a total failure, not only because of Bestla’s Ineptness, but also because of Jugurtha’s extremely successful application of the fine art of bribery. In the following year, Spurlus and Aulus Albinus led a series of fruitless and Ineffectual campaigns. Jugurtha actually defeated Aulus and forced his army to pass under the yoke. At this point, the Romans realized the error of their ways and elected a consul who had demonstrated his martial capabilities: Quintus Caecillus Metellus.

Metellus was Intelligent enough to see what the situation required. Jugurtha was able to replace any troops he lost, so efforts to deplete his army would be useless. Metellus marched around Numldla doing as much damage as possible and Intimidating the local population. This proved futile, however, so Metellus took steps to kill or capture Jugurtha. He engineered to corrupt

24

The PCNS Journal

Issue 35

Jugurtha’s friend Bomllcar, hoping to gain access to Jugurtha through him. The plan almost succeeded. Bomllcar betrayed Jugurtha. Metellus captured him, and Jugurtha threw himself on the Roman's mercy. Unfortunately, Metellus did not take proper precautions to secure his prisoner, and so, at the last moment before his extradition to Rome, Jugurtha escap)ed. Metellus then tried to regain possession of the fugitive king by laying siege to the town In which he had taken refuge. The king once again escaped and enlisted a fresh army of mercenaries. He also persuaded his son-in-law Bocchus, king of neighboring Mauritania, to join the fight against the Romans. Metellus was still no closer to the completion of the campaign than the day he took control of the army. In 108 bc, with little warning, the Senate replaced Metellus with his lieutenant, Marius.

Maiius marched 600 miles across the desert to the Muluccha River and succeeded In capturing Jugurtha’s mountain fortress there and the Numldlan treasury which It guarded. Jugurtha. unable to pay for more troops, decided to risk all In battle. He engaged the Roman army twice within a few days, and after long and bloody battles, Marius emerged victorious. But Jugurtha was still free. Marius’ Quaestor, Sulla, entreated Bocchus to betray Jugurtha. Bocchus then considered whether to give Sulla to Jugurtha or Jugurtha to Sulla. Sulla’s threats and promises convinced him to chose the latter option. Jugurtha was brought to Rome In chains and died In a Roman jail soon after. Our knowledge of this war comes primarily from the extensive history written by Galus Sallustlus Crispus In 44 bc.

Sulla's Signet

The representation of the betrayal of Jugurtha Is significant In Itself, for the signet ring from which It was copied sparked a civil war in which tens of thousands of Romans died. Plutarch relates the story thus:

“For the subjugation of Jugurtha, Marius triumphed, but the glory of the enterprise, which through the people’s envy of Marius was ascribed to Sulla, secretly grieved him. And the truth Is, Sulla himself was by nature vainglorious, and this being the first time that from a low and private condition he had risen to esteem amongst the citizens and tasted of honor, and his appetite for distinction carried him to such pitch of ostentation, that he had a representation of this action engraved on a signet ring, which he carried around with him and made use of ever after. The Impress was Bocchus delivering, and Sulla receiving, Jugurtha [Plutarch, Sulla 6).“

This Irritated the hot and jealous temper of Marius, who was naturally greedy of distinction and quick to resent any claim to share In his glory.

This was the first occasion given of that fierce and Implacable hostility which so nearly ruined the whole Roman empire (Plutarch, Marius 32)."

“So slight and childish were the first occasions and motives of that enmity, which passed afterwards through a long course of civil bloodshed and

April 1993

The PCNS Journal

25

Incurable divisions to find Its end in tyranny and the confusion of the whole state (Plutarch, Sulla S)."

The civil war between Marius and Sulla lasted almost a decade. In the course of the war. Rome was Invaded and occupied by an enemy army for only the second time; this time, however, the enemy was Roman. Eventually, Sulla triumphed and was dictator until his abdication In 78 bc.

Faustus Sulla

Faustus Cornelius Sulla was born In 86 bc to Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, the dictator, and Caecilla Metellus. Faustus became a soldier and, as his father, rose quickly through the ranks. In 63 bc, while serving under Pompey the Great, Faustus won the prestigious mural crown for being the first over the wall In the siege of Jerusalem. He received the honor of election to the Augurate, the priesthood in charge of telling the future by observing the flight of birds, in 58 bc. In 56 bc, Faustus was app>oInted moneyer, in which position he struck the coin under discussion. Two years later, he was elected Quaestor and was one of the few politicians to emerge with an undamaged reputation after the following year’s election fraud and resulting violence. In 49 bc, when Faustus was Proquaestor Pro Praetore, civil war erupted between Pompey and Caesar. Faustus sided with his former commander, Pompey. The following year, as Praetor, he headed the Pomp>eIan troops In Macedon. After Pompey’s defeat at Pharsalus, Faustus fled with a few companions to North Africa. In 46 BC, when attempting to flee Africa for Spain, he was captured and put to death.

The Coin

The coin brings these three elements together. The obverse, which Grueber (CCRRBM, page ci) considered to be among the most beautiful of the entire Roman Republican series, depicts the goddess Diana, who was especially revered by Sulla Felix. During his civil war with Marius, Sulla was visited in a dream by the goddess, who promised him success. Behind Diana appears a lituus, or Augur’s wand, a reference to Faustus’ Augurate. The reverse show’s Bocchus’ betrayal of Jugurtha to Sulla. The round format suggests that it was copied from Sulla’s signet ring.

Few other coins can claim as much history as this small denarius. From bloody conflicts in North Africa to civil wars in Rome, this coin tells of one of the most fascinating chapters in annals of human history. And it does It well.

References

Banti. Alberto. Corpus Nummorunx Romanorum, Monetazione Republicana. Florence. 1981. Broughton. Robert S. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic: Volume II. New York: The American Philological Association. 1952.

Broughton. Robert S. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic: Volume III. New York: The American Philological Association, 1986.

Crawford, Michael H. Roman Republican Coinage. London: Cambridge Unlv. Press. 1974. Gnjeber, H.A. Catalogue of the Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum.

London: British Museum. 1910.

Plutarch. The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romans. The Dryden translation. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica. 1952.

Sallustius, Galus Crlspus. The Jugur thine War. Trans, by S.A. Handford. New York: Penguin Classics. 1980.

Stevenson. Seth. Dictionary of Roman Coins. London: Seaby Publications. Ltd.. 1964. Sydenham, Edward A. The Coinage of the Roman Republic. London: Oxford University Press, 1952.

26

The PCNS Journal

Issue 35

Calvin J. Rogers

Classical Numismatics

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