Clear-Cut Winner of the Ugly Coin Contest

The Low Country Coin Club introduced an interesting twist on “Show ‘n’ Tell” for their first meeting in May, an “Ugly Coin Contest,” according to a report presented in the June 2019 issue of The Scanner, the South Carolina Numismatic Association’s quarterly journal. Club members presented nine coins for consideration, with all in attendance that evening being accorded the opportunity to “examine the coins and vote for their choice” of the ugliest character depicted on a coin or currency issue. Member Zack Macauley’s “clear-cut winner” was West Germany’s 2-Mark issue minted from 1988 to 2001, depicting Chancellor Ludwig Erhard, first released in observance of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Federal Republic following World War II. It was announced that at the first meeting in July there would subsequently be a contest for the “most beautiful character” to appear on a coin or currency issue. Info: scannewsletter@gmail.com

INDIANA: The milestone 750th meeting of the Old Fort Coin Club, established in Fort Wayne in 1957, was held on Thursday, June 13 at the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, according to a report presented in its July 2019 The Chatter monthly newsletter. Attendance at the meeting numbered 38 members and two guests, each of whom received special commemorative pens marking the occasion. It was announced that the club has a new website up and running – https://www.oldfortcoinclub.com – with vice-president Brad Neely serving as webmaster. A discussion was held on what candidate(s) would be supported in the ANA elections. Meetings are being moved to the first Thursday of the month. Info: Oldfortcoinclub.fw@gmail.com

KANSAS: Subsequent to the appearance of the April 2019 quarterly Across the Plains newsletter of the Kansas Numismatic Association, president Dean Schmidt circulated a letter to members reporting that “we have not received any nominations for the office of president, vice-president, or secretary-treasurer, and only two volunteers for the four open board members seats . . . the KNA cannot remain viable without them . . . Do we want the KNA to continue?” There was good news as well; “Governor Kelly (in May) signed HB2140 giving the collectors, investors, and dealers a sales and use tax exemption for gold and silver coins, and for bullion in the form of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.” Info: dsrc01@aol.com

UTAH: The September 2019 issue of The Mint Master, the monthly newsletter of the Utah Numismatic Society delivers a special message from president Cindy Cagle; “(At our meetings) we have some really rude people talking over speakers, or other people when they have the floor. I know that everyone gets excited to see friends, get the latest news, and catch up on events since the last month’s meeting. With the schedule we have . . . there is plenty of time for this social behavior. While the meeting is in process, we kindly ask for everyone to be respectful and courteous to whomever may be speaking. We appreciate you all . . . be respectful and courteous . . . (and) gain greater appreciation for this society, and for our friends and visitors within her.” This was editor Doug Nyholm’s tenth-anniversary issue; Congratulations on Doug’s extended tenure delivering a product of superb content and quality. Info: douglas.nyholm@comcast.net

WISCONSIN: A highlight of the June meeting of the Milwaukee Numismatic Society was the formal presentation of the club’s seventh Honorary Life Member recognition, which went to Neil Shafer. He joined the club, founded in 1934, shortly after joining the staff of Whitman Publishing in nearby Racine in 1962. The six previous recipients of this recognition, all deceased, as reported in the July 2019 issue of the club’s Milwaukee Numismatic News newsletter were: #1, Lillard W. Culver; #2, Harry Collura; #3, Gale V. Highsmith; #4, Adelbert P. (Del) Bertschy; #5, Walter Boeyer; #6, Anthony Tramte. It was creating a new “Neil Shafer Distinguished Service Award” in his honor to recognize those “who go above and beyond (in) serving.” Info: www.milwaukeenumismaticsociety.com

NATIONAL: With the American Numismatic Society running out of space and facing sharply advanced lease costs, it has engaged a consultant and is “working on a new plan for the Society.” In the second 2019 issue of its quarterly ANS Magazine, executive director Ute Wartenberg Kagan observes there is great potential for positive change and that the exploration will be wide-ranging; “During its last meetings, the Board of Trustees has been discussing our space needs and what we can afford in the future. A number of different concepts for our organization could be imagined, which might involve more digitization, a proper museum display, a location outside Manhattan and much else.” The present location is in the Hudson Square building at 75 Varick Street, on the Westside of Lower Manhattan just off Canal Street. Info: www.numismatics.org

SPECIALIZED: A tribute to a dog, Old Drum, the subject of an elongated issue by Mary Eggleston, is recounted by Ray Dillard in the third quarter 2019 issue of TEC News, The Elongated Collectors’ quarterly newsletter. A black and tan hound who was the constant companion of farmer Charles Burden, Old Drum, was shot dead on Oct. 8, 1869, by the hired hand of next-door neighbor Leonidas Hornsby. A jury ruled in favor of Burden at a resulting trial, with the verdict being upheld by the Missouri Supreme Court, following attorney George Graham Vest’s closing appeal, wherein he implored “a dog is man’s best friend,” earning him credit for originating the adage. The case is memorialized by an Old Drum statue standing atop a granite lawn pedestal at the Johnson County Courthouse in Warrensburg. Old Drum has also been immortalized with a limited edition of 418 elongated cents rolled in 1969 celebrating the 100th anniversary of the case. Info: editor@tecnews.org