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ACCent: The Monthly Newsletter of the Anchorage Coin Club

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Volume 18, Number 12

December 2005
December Christmas Party / Auction
Thursday Dec. 8th, 2005 Central Lutheran Church

Starts 6 PM

FROM THE EDITORS

        Details on the Anchorage Coin Club’s Christmas Party

By the time you receive this newsletter, our coin club’s Christmas Party will occur in a matter of days (on the evening of Thursday/ December 8th).

We want to remind all Anchorage Coin Club members that the December 8th Christmas Party will be our next meeting date!!! Our club’s tradition has been to consolidate our membership, YN, and Christmas party events into one meeting. 

The event will start at 6 PM in the downstairs meeting area of Central Lutheran Church (located on the corner of 15th Ave. and Cordova St. in Anchorage).  All are invited.

If you want to come earlier than 6 PM to help in setting up for the party, Larry Nakata will be at the church at about 4:30 PM. We’ll have the tables set up for the potluck dishes (salads, desserts, etc.). The club will supply the rest (sodas, juice, bottled water, chips, dips, plates, forks, spoons, etc.).

Figure on dinner and awards at about 6:30 PM. We will have a number of donated door prizes that will be given out throughout the course evening (to all who attend).

The club’s final raffle coin of the year, a 1914-D $2 and ½ gold coin certified (as a slabbed coin) in MS-60 condition, will be raffled off that evening.

Our Christmas auction will start at 7:30 PM and is expected to wrap up by no later than 8:30 PM. Our club president, Carl, will be the auctioneer for the evening. As of this newsletter, there have been 35 auction lots provided. Club members can still bring in auction lots (that they wish to submit) to the Christmas Party. We will accept those lots for the auction.

It should be a very good event and your editors would like to encourage all of you to come and close out the year in good company…..Your Editors.

 

Schedule of Events for the Month of December
  1.  Anchorage Coin Club’s Christmas Party/ Christmas Coin Auction:  December 8th (Thursday evening) starting at 6 PM at the Central Lutheran Church (downstairs meeting area). Our Club President Carl will be  the auctioneer for this event. Everyone is welcomed.
  2. Anchorage Coin Club Board Meeting: December 21st (Wednesday) at 7:00 PM at the New Cauldron Restaurant located at the University Center. Club members welcomed.  

 

Minutes of November 16th Board Meeting

The Anchorage Coin Club board meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by President Carl Mujagic. The Board met at the New Cauldron Restaurant located at the University Center.

Following a review of bills and correspondence, the Board concentrated the rest of the meeting on planning for the upcoming club’s Christmas party scheduled for Thursday evening, December 8th.

Larry Nakata will provide the turkey for the Christmas party. President Carl will provide the ham.

Roy Brown will be making calls to the membership on attendance and intended potluck items that will be brought for the Christmas Party. Larry Nakata will check with Roy on any items that will need to be provided by the club.

Larry Nakata stated that some 33 auction lots have been submitted. More auction lots will likely be submitted on the day of the auction. Carl asked that the auction start at 7:30 PM to allow for sufficient time for everyone to eat and enjoy.

Following a nice dinner at the restaurant, the Board meeting concluded at 8:10 PM.

 

“UPDATE REPORT- ALASKA COMMEMORATIVE COIN COMMISSION”
from Stan Mead (Member #64)

         The Alaska Commemorative Coin Commission’s website is:

http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/alaska_coin.htm

The November meeting finalized the dates that the public can start to submit their narrative concepts (January 2, 2006 through February 28, 2008). Those with computers will be able to download the narrative entry forms, the instructions, and general instruction forms from the listed website. You will be able to fill out the forms on your computers and e-mail them back to the website. There will be 2 parts of the narrative entry form:

·         Part A is the Design Narration (what your design concept is), and

·         Part B is the Relationship/Significance of your design to Alaska’s history and culture (in other words, the “Why” on your design).

Each part is to be 50 words or less.

Those without computers can call Patricia Swenson at (907)269-8108 or can fax her at (907)269-8425 for a copy of the forms which can be mailed or faxed to you. Official entry forms will also be available to be picked up in the offices of the state Dept. of Commerce and Economic Development (DCED) located at 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1700, Anchorage, AK, 99501.

Alaskans who submit narratives should keep in mind that the ultimate design needs to appeal to a broad base of Alaskans from all over the state and of all ages. Avoid controversial subjects or symbols that are likely to offend. There will be no limit as to the number of entries a person may submit. Each submission must be presented separately with the official entry forms.

Press releases are to be scheduled for mid December which the Governor’s Office has already prepared. The Commission decided that as single point of contact would be best.  Ms. Swenson will be the contact for the press and will direct the press accordingly. Commissioners will still comment to their local press when necessary.

The discussion of local TV/Radio appearances was discussed. Commissioners and Mrs. Murkowski were urged to participate in these programs.

Public presentations were discussed and will be taken up in the December meeting….Stan Mead.

 

“DESIGN OUR QUARTER- NOW”
by Loren Lucason (Member # 97)
 
        There is an elaborate process in place to make us arrive at the ideal design for each of the last state quarters. Although it is a long, time consuming process it promises to give us the best Alaska state quarter we could possibly have. The design creation, selection, and finalization steps are all detailed on the mint’s web site (usmint.gov). Your part in the process is to write down a description of what you think should be on the Alaska state quarter. Then send it in to the Alaska Commemorative Coin Commission. The commission has its own web site and will be posting what you need to submit design ideas. They will also be posting a timeline. This timeline will come to an end for you February 28th. 2006. After that they will no longer be accepting design ideas. That’s the nuts and bolts of the situation just for you to keep in mind while you sharpen your pencil. What really matters is what to put on our state quarter. Design ideas can be put in three categories: terrain, wildlife, and culture.
 
        The terrain of Alaska would be a grand thing to put on our quarter. We have more coastline and greater land mass than any other three states put together. Mt. McKinley is the tallest mountain on the continent and one of our most recognizable landmarks. We have great glaciers, rivers, lakes, and bays. The Yukon river is famous across the country. The wildlife in Alaska would be a dramatic thing to put on our quarter. We have big fish, big bears, and lots of moose elk and caribou. And birds like the bald eagle and our state bird, the willow ptarmigan. Our giant mosquitoes are infamous however they pale in comparison to the bugs in the “lower 48”. One of the most dramatic scenes of wildlife in Alaska is bears catching salmon at the waterfall in the Katmai National Park. The culture in Alaska would be a proper thing to put on our quarter. We have everything from dog sleds to gold mines to fishing boats to oil rigs. And it’s among the people in this culture we will likely be spending these quarters.
 
        Picking one subject to put on this small coin is the tough part.  Remember we are working with a quarter that is only one inch in diameter on the outside. We want something that does not clutter up the coin but is uniquely Alaskan as well as a source of our pride. My first idea was a breaching whale. The arc of a whale coming out of the water would fit the curve of the coin and a kayak could be put in for scale. But whales are not unique to Alaska and the kayak would probably look in peril. My worst idea was the stern of the Exxon Valdez sticking out of the water with an oil slick forming around it and a dead bird floating in the water in the foreground. But that was much too negative and something we are not proud of.
 
        My best idea is a bald eagle in the foreground in the sky flying to the left with Mt. McKinley in the background and a dog sled way down on the ground. Eagles have always dominated the reverse of American coins and Alaska is the last great bastion of bald eagles. Most all maps have west on the left and north on the top so the eagle would be flying west and Mt. McKinley would be off to the north. The eagle could even be looking over its shoulder to the north. On the ground a very tiny dog sled going west would show that we are just small residents in this great land. It would also give a baseline for the design. ALASKA “The Last Frontier” would be across the top.
 
        We can not put everything in this state on a quarter. Not even an encyclopedia could hold it all. The key may be to pick one subject and not distract from it. Surprisingly small details can be put on a coin. Just count the trees around crater lake on the Oregon quarter. There are a lot of Alaska related details that can be put in the background. On the right design the northern lights and the big dipper could be put in the sky. Leave out the igloo though. All of my family was born here and none of us lived in an igloo. Don’t forget details like parkas and the steam of your breath. If you live here you know what it’s like to see the midnight sun in summer and the afternoon moon in winter.
 
        There are pessimists out there who think this “let the people create the design” is a ruse. That the design for our quarter has already been decided upon. But they do not know the creativity of Alaskans. You can come up with a great design idea that will wow even those in power. All you have to do is write it down and send it in. Art can not be rushed though. So just think about it for a while and when you are ready let us know...Loren, V.P. Anchorage Coin Club.
 

LIST OF LOTS FOR CHRISTMAS COIN AUCTION/ DECEMBER 8TH

Submitted by Jim Hill

1.        Set of ten (10) Uncirculated Lincoln cents. Various dates 1950-1956. Minimum Bid $1

Donation by Larry Nakata to the Anchorage Coin Club- Proceeds to go to the YN Program

2.        Set of two (2) Uncirculated rolls of 2005 Oregon state quarters: 2005-P and 2005-D.

Submitted by Carl

3.       Complete set of Jefferson Nickels 1938-1964. Circulated to Uncirculated condition. Minimum Bid $75.

4.        Ancient coin. Roman- Constans/ 337-350 AD/ Siscia Mint. Graded ICG VF25. Minimum Bid $40.

5.        U.S. Mint set of 11 medals “Commemorating Battles of the American Revolution”. Minted in 1973 in Original Mint book holder.  Minimum Bid $60.

6.        Complete set of Gem BU Lincoln Cents in Dansco Holder 1959-2001. Minimum Bid $40.

Donations by Carl to the Anchorage Coin Club- Proceeds to go the YN Program.

7.        Custom framed $1 note. Donation Item.

8.        Roll of circulated Lincoln cents. Various dates in the 1940s and 1950s. Donation Item.

9.        1943 Silver War Nickel Blank Planchet. Originally purchased in 1991 from J.T. Stanton for $75. Donation Item.

10.     1961 Roosevelt Dime. Graded PCGS Pr65. Donation Item.

11.     Original U.S. Mint bag of fifteen (15) 1973 P, D, S Lincoln cents. Donation Item. Note: Club member Greg Samorajski will match the winning bid as a further donation to the YN Program.

12.     1981 “Redbook”- “A Guide Book of United States Coins- 34th Edition” by R. S.  Yeoman. Donation Item.

13.     Set of five (5) Auction Catalogs. Four of the catalogs are from Australia. The last auction catalog from Mexico. Donation Item.

Donation by John Pastos

14.     Set of six (6) Auction Catalogs. Five of the catalogs are from Smythe. The last auction catalog from Ponterio and Associates. Donation Item.

Submitted by Loren Lucason

15.     Italy, silver, Pope John Paul II, Madonna and child reverse (est. $10).

16.     Pope Paul VI, Michelangelo’s LaPieta reverse (est. $6).

17.     Proof Washington Quarter 1955 (est. $10).

18.     Proof Washington Quarter 1950 (est. $40).

19.     Proof Washington Quarter 1940 (est. $140).

20.     Peru, 1 Dinero, 1907 FG, silver, Lima mint, uncirculated (est. $8).

21.     Hungary, 1732, Tyrol mint, ¼ thaler, earliest quarter (est. $50).

22.     Sassanian Empire, 591-628 AD, ANACS certified (est. $40).

23.     Roman Sestertius, Titus, 80 AD, nice patina, PAX reverse, Sear 851 (est. $30).

Submitted by Bill Fivaz

24.     Store Card Token (R-4) AU.  Minimum Bid $15.

25.     1945-P Mercury Dime (50% bands) BU condition.  Minimum Bid $65.

26.     1937-D Buffalo Nickel MS-65 condition. Minimum Bid $25,

27.     1953 Proof Washington Quarter (DDO) Frosted PF-66 condition.  Minimum Bid $25.

28.     1918-D Walking Liberty Half Dollar Fine condition. Minimum Bid $12.

29.     1919-P Walking Liberty Half Dollar Good condition. Minimum Bid $10.

30.     1942-P Walking Liberty Half Dollar MS-65 condition (Nice!). Minimum Bid $90.

31.     1915 $2- ½ Gold AU-55 condition. Minimum Bid $175.

32.     Twenty five (25) New Old 1c postcards (Green Jefferson 1c) NEW. No Minimum Bid.

33.     Sherritt Mint “The Nickel Story” with blank, 1972 BU Canadian 5c, piece of webbing and Sherrit Token. All in BU condition.  Minimum Bid $18.

Donation by Carl

34.     Set of four (4) auction catalogs (Year 2005)- Smythe (U.S. paper currency), Stack’s (US Gold, Silver, and Copper coins), Smythe (stock and bonds), LaBarre Galleries (stock and bonds).

Donation by John Pastos

35.     Set of four (4) Year 2006 Blackbooks

      ·         Official Blackbook Price Guide to US Paper Money
·         Official Blackbook Price Guide to US Coins
·         Official Blackbook Price Guide to World Coins
·         Official Blackbook Price Guide to US Postage Stamps

 

 

The Anchorage Coin Club

Club Officers

Board of Directors

Editors

Club Archivist/ Photographer

DUES

To save costs, members not responding to renewal notices within 3 months will be considered inactive.

The Anchorage Coin Club is a non-profit organization formed to provide information, education, and a meeting place for individuals having an interest in numismatics.

Correspondence Address: Anchorage Coin Club, P.O. Box 230169, Anchorage, Alaska 99523

Email is coinclub@pobox.alaska.net