Volume No. 1 Issue No. 1 January 2010
We need your letters, views, reports & articles on philatelic & numismatic activities in your area or region for publication here. You can send the same to kansalmitul@gmail.com or emmkayinternational@gamil.com and by post to –
My Contact Address- Mitul Kansal, Editor- Global Express, SRM University Hostel- “F Block”, Room No. 222, NCR Campus, SRM University, Delhi-Meerut Road, Sikrikalam, Distt. Ghaziabad, PIN-201204, U.P., INDIA
My Permanent Address- 336/14 Near Markanda Press, Shahabad Markanda, Distt. Kurukshetra, Pin- 136135, Haryana, INDIA
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Editorial
Dear Friends,
New Year is the time to celebrate a new beginning so it gives me a great pleasure to presents you the first issue of “Global Express”. The purpose to start this newsletter is not only to provide up to date information to the Philatelists & Numismatics but also to introduce collectors from different parts of the world so that they can exchange their views, opinion and their duplicates. This is the first time in my life when I am editing a newsletter for collectors. I need your continues support to make this newsletter more and more informatory. I hope you will appreciate my efforts.
There is also room for your comments. Don’t hesitate to give me your opinion on the Newsletter. Please send in comments, suggestions or even compliments.
Wishing you a very happy and pleasant 2010. I wish God gives You 12 Month of Happiness, 52 Weeks of Fun, 365 Days Success, 8760 Hours Good Health, 52600 Minutes Good Luck, 3153600 Seconds of Joy…and that’s all!
….Mitul Kansal
For high quality images- Click on the image
Contents
- Forthcoming Indian Issues
- Recent Indian Issues
- Recent & Forthcoming Events
- In History
- Review
- In News
- Beginners Section
- Specialized Section
- My Achievements
- Pride of Nations
- New Issues from Other Countries
- Blogs & Websites on Philately & Numismatics
- Yahoo Groups on Philately & Numismatics
- Promotional Section
- Current Philatelic & Numismatic Magazines – Newsletters
Forthcoming Indian Issues
Postage Stamps
- Dec 27, 2009 Indian Mathematical Society
- Dec 27, 2009 Venkatramana Bharavathar
- Dec 29, 2009 Maharaja Surajmal
Recent Indian Issues
Postage Stamps
- Dec 1, 2009 Greetings- 4 X Rs. 5
- Dec 2, 2009 Lancer (Gardner’s House)- Rs 5
- Dec 2, 2009 Convent of Jesus & Mary, Ambala Cant- Rs 5
- Dec 10, 2009 Traditional Indian Textiles- 4 X Rs 5 + M/s
- Dec 15, 2009 Henry Louis Vivian Derozio- Rs 5
- Dec 17,2009 Lal Pratap Singh- Rs 5
Special Covers
- Dec 4, 2009 Jaipur, Chandrayan
- Dec 6, 2009 Belgaun, Aravind Joshi Birth Centenary, Nadoja Pratishthan
- Dec 7, 2009 Jaipur, Mahatma Gandhi Coins, Schoolpex
- Dec 11, 2009 New Delhi, International Commission on Irrigation & Drainage
- Dec 11, 2009 Madikeri, Centenary Celebrations of St. Joseph’s Convent Educational Institutions
Private Special Covers (During Stampmania 2009)
- Dec 17, 2009 Frontier mail from Bombay to Peshawar via Baroda
- Dec 17, 2009 Bullock Tram Carried Cover
- Dec 18, 2009 Balasinor Dinosaur Park
- Dec19, 2009 Save Energy
- Dec 20, 2009 Golden Jublee of Jasu Patel’s 14 wicket at Kanpur Cricket test match against Australia in 1959
Private First Day Covers
- Dec 01, 2009 Greetings
- Dec 10, 2009 Traditional Textiles
Stamp Booklet
- Dec 17, 2009 Heritage Sites of Vadodara
Definitive Coins
- Golden Coin of Rs 5
- Connectivity and Information Technology- Rs 10
Commemorative Coins
- Homi Bhabha- Rs 5 & Rs 10
- ALPHONSA- Rs 5
- LOUIS BRAILLE- Rs 2
Recent & Forthcoming Events
Numismatic Exhibitions
- Dec 26-27, 2009 Tiruchirapalli, Coin Exhibition
Organizer: Tiruchirapalli Numismatic Society
Contact: Manoharan 094434 95415
- Feb 19-21, 2010 Calicut, COIN FEST-2010
Organizer: Calicut Numismatic Society numisclt@gmail.com
Venue: Jubilee Hall, Near Tali Temple, Kandankulam, Calicut
Sales Booth: Rs 2,500 including Tea, Snacks, & Lunch for Two
Contact: Soorej 09447124066 soorejsks@yahoo.co.in
In History
Dates are like milestones in life.
Enriches the present with
the memories of the past. Brings us closer to
our heritage and history.
Reverberates through the corridors of time,
and echoes in our hearts.
Leaving behind their footprints in the
annals of time.
Emm Kay Stamp Coinage Dom has handpicked a few
important dates… those that changed
the face of our Nation.
January 1, 1880- The Money Order System was first introduced in India in 1880. Prior to this, the Government treasuries located in District Headquarters carried out the money transactions.
Review
60th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China
October 1st, 2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. The past six decades witnessed great breakthroughs and glories. Over this period, under the leadership of CPC, all the ethic groups in China have joined efforts in carrying forward the undertakings of predecessors and opening up a new road for the future and great cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics has demonstrated great vitality to the world. It is our common wish to further national prosperity and realize great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!
Beijing Stamp Company issued a commemorative stamp folder entitled “60th Anniversary of the People Republic of China” on October 1st 2009. The set of commemorative stamps contain four stamps, 55 X 30mm each, and a souvenir sheet.
The stamp on the souvenir sheet is entitled “Motherland in My Heart”, 48 X 34mm (the sheet sized 115 X 93mm), 6 Yuan in face value, photogravure printed.
1) Founding Ceremony – 1.20 Yuan
2) Reform and Opening Up- 1.20 Yuan
3) The Return of Hong Kong and Macao- 1.20 Yuan
4) Olympic Pageant- 1.20 Yuan
In News
The First National Philatelic Exhibition was held now. At a time when Philately is facing tough competition from other distractions amongst the youth as a hobby, Baroda Philatelic Society had taken a giant step to reinforce the magic of the hobby. It was organized to provide for both new collectors to start exhibiting on a small scale at a National Exhibition and also to provide established collectors an opportunity to show exhibits on subjects or themes that cannot be treated well in more than one frame or to show new ideas and developments. The three day exhibition, which was commenced on 18 Dec. 2009, was preceded by a series of street events. Hundreds of young philatelists marched the streets Baroda (Vadodara). They bore banners with images of Indian stamps. The participants were not only from India but also from the United States, UK, Germany and Malaysia. Over 448 entries from India were received for the exhibition. The exhibition was attended by more than 45 stamp dealers from India, UK and Malaysia. On this occasion lot of special covers, Postal labels, Carried Covers, etc were issued. The whole list of participants with their awards is now available on the official website of Stampmania i.e. www.stampmania2009.com. We heartily appreciate the efforts of Mr. Prashant Pandya for organizing the event successfully. We also hope that Mr. Pandya will also make his best efforts to organize such an event in the coming years.
JOBURG 2010 International Stamp Show
(26th Asian International Stamp Exhibition)
JOBURG 2010, 26th Asian International Stamp Exhibition is organized to expand and develop friendly relations and close cooperation among FIAP members and to promote every aspect of philately in the FIAP region. It is jointly sponsored by the Philatelic Foundation of Southern Africa and the South African Post Office under the auspices of the Philatelic Federation of South Africa. It will be held at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa. It will open on October 27, 2010 and close on October 31, 2010, a total of 5 days.
JOBURG 2010 will have all exhibit classes Traditional, Postal History, Postal Stationery, Aerophilately, Astrophilately, Maximaphily, Revenue, and Thematic Philately subdivided as: 1) Nature, 2) Culture, 3) Technology, and Youth Philately class subdivided by age as of January 01, 2010:
1) Collectors aged 13 to 15 years,
2) Collectors aged 16 – 18 years,
3) Collectors aged 19 – 21 years,
Literature class subdivided into:
1) Philatelic books, pamphlets and studies (issued after January 01, 2005),
2) Philatelic journals, periodicals (issued after January 01, 2008),
3) Stamp catalogues (issued after January 01, 2008), and
One-Frame Exhibit Class subdivided into:
1) Traditional, 2) Postal History, 3) Postal Stationery, 4) Aerophilately, 5) Astrophilately, 6) Thematic, 7) Maximaphily, 8) Revenue.
JOBURG 2010 will also have ‘Open Class’ as an Experimental Class. Exhibits in this Class can include material from any other competition class plus non-philatelic material. The exhibit must contain at least 50% philatelic material. The non-philatelic material should not overwhelm the philatelic material. Awards will be made as per One-Frame Exhibits.
There is no participation fee for Youth Philately Class. The participation fee for other Competitive Classes (except Literature, and One-Frame Exhibit Classes) will be US$35 per frame. The fee for participation in Literature is US$35 per exhibit. The fee for participation in One-Frame Exhibit is US$70 per exhibit.
The last date for submitting the Exhibit Application Form to the National Commissioner for India is February 28, 2010. The stamp dealers may contact dealers@joburg2010stampshow.co.za for reserving a Trade Stand at JOBURG 2010.
The Regulations and the Exhibit Application Form for JOBURG 2010 are available at www.stampsofindia.com
National Commissioner for India: Madhukar Jhingan mj@stampsofindia.com
Maria Sharapova: Stamp collector
Stamp collecting has surged in popularity in recent months, with eBay reporting a 30% increase in stamp sales and Britain’s Royal Philatelic Society claiming a significant rise in membership.
This rise in popularity is also bringing celebrity stamp collectors out of the woodwork. One of these collectors is tennis star Maria Sharapova. She is collecting postage stamps since she was a child.
Maria Sharapova told the London Evening Standard, “It is something introduced to me when I was very young. I have been very lucky over the years to travel to some amazing countries and I always try to collect stamps from every place I go. I am hoping one day that I will be able to hand my collection over to my kids.”
2010 First Spouse Gold Coin Design Images Revealed by US Mint
The United States Mint today revealed the final design images of the new 2010 First Spouse Gold Coins featuring the wives of Presidents Fillmore, Pierce, Buchanan, and Lincoln. These men will be depicted in 2010 on Presidential $1 clad coins while their spouses will be honored on $10 gold pieces.
Last year in aptly, Mint director Ed Moy said that The First Spouse Gold Coin designs give us a glimpse into the fascinating lives of the women who supported, promoted and often advised the men who led US.
The following are images of each first lady coin, and design information as provided by the US Mint.
Abigail Fillmore First Spouse Gold Coin
Abigail Obverse Design Abigail Reverse Design
The obverse portrait was designed and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. The gold coin’s reverse depicts an image of Abigail shelving books in the library that she established at the White House. It was designed by Susan Gamble and sculpted by Joseph Menna.
Jane Pierce First Spouse Gold Coin
Jane Obverse Design Jane Reverse Design
The obverse image of was designed by Donna Weaver and sculpted by Don Everhart. The reverse design, also by Weaver, features Jane listening to debates while sitting in the visitor’s gallery of the Old Senate Chamber in the U.S. Capitol Building. It was sculpted by Charles Vicker.
James Buchanan’s First Spouse Gold Coin Liberty
Buchanan’s Obverse Design Buchanan’s Reverse Design
Since James Buchanan did not have a spouse while her served as President, the obverse features a design emblematic of Liberty as it appeared on a U.S. coin issued during his time in office. It is a reproduction of the Liberty Head Quarter Eagle that was minted from 1840 through 1907. It was design by Christian Gobrecht. The reverse design is by David Westwood and depicts Buchanan as a young man working as a book-keeper in his family’s small country store. It was sculpted by Joseph Menna.
Mary Lincoln First Spouse Gold Coin
Mary Obverse Design Mary Reverse Design
The obverse image of Mary Todd Lincoln was designed and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. The reverse features Mary giving flowers and books to wounded Union soldiers. It was designed by Joel Iskowitz and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill.
The United States Mint issues First Spouse Gold Coins on the same schedule as the Presidential $1 Coins issued honoring the Presidents.
Beginners Section
Stamps and Stamp Collecting
By- R. Scott Carlton
Note: This article was originally published in Microsoft Encarta 2008
INTRODUCTION
Postage stamps are adhesive labels affixed to letters or parcels to indicate that a specified amount of postage has been prepaid for delivery. Stamps are usually issued by a government or an agency representing a government, such as a national post office. The collecting and study of postage stamps and related items such as postcards is known as philately, a word derived from Greek meaning, literally, “love of what is free of further tax.” Stamp collecting is one of the most popular hobbies in the world.
STAMPS
The idea for the adhesive postage stamp was first suggested by the English schoolmaster and civil servant Rowland Hill as one of the many postal reforms in Britain in 1837. Hill’s conception, for which he was later knighted, was derived from similar labels that had been issued almost a century earlier in many parts of Europe as a way of collecting a tax on newspapers. In a treatise on post office reform, Hill also suggested that mail be prepaid, that charges be based on weight instead of the number of pages being sent, and that the rates be low enough to allow ordinary citizens to mail letters.
Through Hill’s efforts, on May 6, 1840, Britain released the world’s first officially issued adhesive postage stamp, a one-penny denomination universally referred to as the Penny Black. The stamp features a portrait of Queen Victoria on a black background, establishing a postal precedent in Britain. Since that time, all regular-issue British stamps have portrayed the reigning monarch. Moreover, like the Penny Black, no subsequent British stamp has been inscribed with the name of the country, a privilege reserved for the nation that invented the postage stamp.
A companion two-pence blue Victoria portrait stamp was placed on sale a few days later, and both denominations became so popular that many people bought them not only for postal use but for their design and value as souvenirs. Within days after these first stamps were issued, the hobby of stamp collecting was born. The Penny Black is not a rare stamp—many millions were issued—but, as the world’s first adhesive issue, it remains highly regarded by philatelists (stamp collectors).
Development of Stamps
Brazil became the second country to use adhesive postage stamps in 1843, and the United States was the third in 1847. By 1860 most nations had adopted the use of the postage stamp. Early designs imitated those of Britain. Monarchies and their territories issued stamps with portraits of their reigning king or queen. The United States depicted George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, two deceased statesmen, on its first stamps. Some countries used national symbols.
Nonportrait designs became popular by the end of the 19th century, and stamps created to commemorate important events began to be issued. Today almost all countries issue large, colorful pictorials, often solely for the revenue obtained from sale to collectors. Portraits of presidents and others who have made significant contributions to American life have since been featured on U.S. stamps. Portraits of living people, however, are forbidden—a person’s likeness cannot appear on a U.S. stamp until at least ten years have passed since his or her death. The only exceptions are presidents, whose portraits may appear on stamps immediately after they die.
Postage stamps eventually took on a wide variety of special purposes. Postage-due stamps (or simply “dues,” as collectors call them) were affixed to envelopes to indicate insufficient postage. Special stamps for airmail, newspapers, military delivery, income tax, railway delivery, special handling, and all sorts of other purposes were created. Semipostals, or charity stamps, became a popular way for governments to raise funds for various causes. These stamps cost more than their postage value, with the difference going toward the charitable cause.
Stamps have historically shown a specified amount of prepaid postage. But in recent years many stamps have been printed without denominations, the majority from the United States, which often prints huge quantities of one-ounce, first-class stamps in anticipation of a postage increase. The exact amount of the increase is not known at the time the stamps are printed, so they are simply marked with a letter of the alphabet or some other designation to indicate they represent the going rate for a one-ounce letter. The year of issue is commonly placed at the bottom of U.S. nondenominational stamps to avoid confusion.
The last major postage innovation of the 20th century was the development and wide distribution of self-adhesive stamps—stamps that do not have to be moistened. Consumers love them for their convenience, but collectors hate them because they are difficult to store in a stamp album. Eventually, the only “lickable” stamps will likely be those intended primarily for collectors and souvenir hunters, such as America’s enormously popular Elvis Presley, James Dean, and Marilyn Monroe stamps. The 21st century is apt to bring major changes to the postal industry, due mostly to the growing use of e-mail and other electronic means of transmitting information. As post offices become less and less important and postal revenues decline, stamps commemorating events and folk heroes will likely become more common as a means of increasing sales.
Famous Stamps
The world’s most valuable stamp has long been considered the famed 1856 British Guiana one-cent magenta, an octagonal stamp with corners missing and postmarked “Demerara April 4, 1856.” No report of a second copy has ever been verified. This stamp sold for $935,000 at a New York auction in 1980, then the highest price ever paid for a single philatelic item in a public sale.
Among the most renowned of all U.S. philatelic material was a sheet of 100 bicolored 24-cent airmails, issued in 1918. The stamps feature as their central figure a picture of the Curtiss JN-4 biplane (commonly referred to as the Jenny), the aircraft designated for mail-carrying service, with the Jenny inadvertently printed upside down. Only one single sheet of the inverted centers has ever been found. After it was purchased in the 1920s, the stamps were separated into various singles, pairs, and blocks. The 24-cent Jenny invert has escalated steadily in value. In 1989 a block of four was sold at auction for $1 million.
Other famous, rare, or otherwise interesting stamps include the 1851 Baden 9 Kreuzer Blue Green stamp, the 1849 Bavarian 1 Kreuzer Black tête-bêche (two adjoining stamps printed upside down relative to each other), the 1851 Canada 12-pence Black (issued before Canada adopted the dollar as its unit of currency), the 1925 Honduras “Black” Airmail, the 1855 Sweden 3 Skilling-Banco (printed orange instead of green by mistake), and the 1851 Hawaiian “Missionaries”—2-cent, 5-cent, and 13-cent stamps so named because they were often used by American missionaries in Hawaii for correspondence sent back to the U.S. mainland.
Omnibus Issues
An omnibus issue is any group of stamps, generally with the same design, released by a number of stamp-issuing authorities to mark the same occasion. The British Commonwealth has by far produced the greatest number of omnibus issues, the first being the George V Silver Jubilee series of 1935, another being the series released on July 29, 1981, to commemorate the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Frances Spencer.
COLLECTING
Philately continues to increase in popularity. Today, the number of collectors around the world numbers in the millions. Unique and valuable stamps, apart from their aesthetic or financial appeal to collectors, are also records of history, geography, politics, art, and numerous other aspects of human civilization.
Types of Collecting
From the earliest years of the hobby, most philatelists have preferred to collect by country, specializing in the issues of one or more nations. Since about the mid-1950s, however, many philatelists have become interested in topical collecting, acquiring stamps illustrating certain themes or subjects. Among the wide range of pictorials are stamps devoted to sports, art and music, aviation, birds and flowers, literature, scouting, ships, and telecommunications.
Organizations
National, regional, and local stamp-collecting organizations exist everywhere. Many stamp clubs focus on a particular philatelic specialty, but others encompass the entire realm of philately. The American Topical Association, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is one of the specialized organizations of stamp collectors in the United States. It publishes a monthly magazine, Topical Time, as well as special handbooks. The largest general organization for stamp collectors in the Western Hemisphere is the American Philatelic Society (APS), in State College, Pennsylvania. The organization publishes The American Philatelist, a monthly journal.
The U.S. National Philatelic Collection is housed in the National Postal Museum of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. A philatelic reference library is also maintained in the same building.
Collecting Procedures
One of the attractions of stamp collecting is the ease of starting a collection. With access to enough incoming mail, especially from abroad, a person can build a collection without any expense. Literally tens of thousands of stamps, however, including many of the older issues, are priced very cheaply.
Little special equipment is required. A collector needs only an album to house the collection, some hinges or other types of mounts to attach the stamps to the pages, and a pair of stamp tongs with which to handle them. Stamps and accessories can be purchased easily. Nearly every city has a one or more professional stamp dealers. Thousands of other dealers operate exclusively by mail or the Internet.
Exchanging duplicate stamps is one of the greatest pleasures in philately. The best way to find trading partners is to join a school or other local stamp club.
When collectors have accumulated a number of valuable stamps, they must take precautions for safe storage, preferably in a bank safety deposit box. If the stamps are in mint condition, they should not be overlapped; through changes in humidity, overlapping stamps may stick together and become seriously damaged. Collectors also should keep accurate written inventories of all their philatelic material.
Coins and Coin Collecting
By-R. Scott Carlton
Note: This article was originally published in Microsoft Encarta 2008.
INTRODUCTION
Coins and Coin Collecting, metallic disks or small ingots, usually round, that are used as a medium of exchange and also acquired and saved as a hobby. Coins have been in use for more than 2,600 years, and people have collected them for nearly as long. The technical name for the practice of collecting coins is numismatics, a term derived from the Greek word nomisma, meaning “coin” or “currency.” Numismatics includes the study of coins, banknotes, medals, tokens, and primitive forms of money. Governments and other official agencies issue billions of coins annually, and collecting coins is a popular hobby around the world.
HISTORY OF COINAGE
People have sold and traded goods and services for thousands of years. An early obstacle was finding a common medium of exchange. Metal coins were developed to fill this need and eventually caught on worldwide. Coins continue to serve this purpose today.
Origins
Ancient Babylonians negotiated commercial transactions using gold and silver as a means of exchange as far back as 2000 bc, but the metals were not cast in a form suitable for easy circulation. Lack of standardization meant the weight and purity of the metal had to be tested every time a piece changed hands.
Between 620 and 600 bc, the people of Lydia in Asia Minor came upon the idea of shaping electrum, a natural alloy of gold and silver, into bean-shaped lumps of fixed weight and purity and stamping them with official symbols. These early coins soon became popular because of the way they facilitated trade. By 550 bc the practice of striking coins was established in all of the primary trading cities throughout the known world.
The first major improvement in coinage was to phase out the use of electrum. Because it is an unrefined alloy, electrum’s ratio of gold to silver can vary considerably. To achieve a higher degree of consistency, coin makers realized they would have to separate the gold from the silver and produce coins primarily of gold, primarily of silver, or of a controlled mixture of the two. Despite its unpopularity, natural electrum was still used sporadically into the Middle Ages.
Over the centuries, coin designs varied considerably in beauty and complexity. The first coins had a crude design on one side and nothing more than a simple punch mark on the other. Within a few hundred years, coins of great artistic beauty were being struck in Greece and then in Rome. As the Roman Empire declined in the 3rd and 4th centuries, so did the quality of its coins. In the Early Middle Ages, most coins struck throughout the Western world were crude and ugly. But by the 15th century, Europe had begun to produce beautiful coins and medals of outstanding workmanship and artistic design.
Coinage Problems
Some rulers compromised the integrity of the circulating coinage, issuing debased coins as a way to inflict a “hidden” tax on their subjects. Henry VIII, the king of England from 1509 to 1547, was often guilty of this practice. He caused great harm to his nation’s economy by reducing the purity of English gold and silver coins.
Prior to the 16th century, most coin makers produced coins by placing a round disk of metal between two dies and hitting it with a hammer. Hammered coins, as they were known, could be very beautiful—including some of the earliest that came from ancient Greece and Rome—but they tended to be somewhat crude and lacked well-formed edges. Because the edges were irregular, it was fairly simple to cut off thin slivers of gold or silver and then to spend the coins as if they were of full weight. Some coins were clipped so many times that the actual value of the metal they contained decreased considerably.
Minting Coins
A major change in the way coins were produced occurred during the 16th century, when heavy machinery was first used to mint coins. Many of these new mints were located in water-driven mills, thus these coins were referred to as milled coins. This technique was a quantum leap over hammering. Not only were milled coins attractive and much more uniform, but continuous small parallel cuts—known as a milled or reeded edge, as on the United States quarter—made it more difficult to shave off slivers of precious metal.
Spanish conquerors discovered huge amounts of gold and silver in the Americas. Turning these metals into coins made it easier to divide and transport them, and the Spaniards established the first mint in the New World in Mexico City in 1535. Spain soon built minting facilities throughout its Spanish-American empire.
The areas of the New World colonized by Britain did not yield nearly the quantities of gold and silver as the Spanish territories, and English-speaking America did not establish its own mints until much later. Although the colonists still used English pence and pounds, they also exchanged French, Dutch, and German money, as well as coins struck in Spanish America.
The United States established its first official mint in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1792. Regular coinage began the following year, based on a new unit of currency, the dollar. The word dollar was derived from the German thaler, or taler, a large silver coin first issued in Central Europe in the 16th century, and later adapted to daler. The dollar was the world’s first unit of currency divided into decimal subunits, which simplified the use of money. By the end of the 20th century, all developed countries had switched to a decimal system within their units of currency. In addition to the regular denominations in circulation today (cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, and dollar), the U.S. Mint has produced half-cent, 2-cent, 3-cent, and 20-cent pieces as well as gold coins ranging from $1 to $20. Canada issued its first coins in 1858, borrowing the “dollar” name for its unit of currency from the United States.
Modern Coins
Historically, coins of higher value have been made of gold or silver, and minor coins were struck from copper alloys. In the second half of the 20th century gold became relegated almost exclusively to noncirculating commemorative or bullion coins. Silver was replaced with nickel or nickel alloys to make coins known as token coinage, because they do not contain precious metals nor can they be exchanged for gold or silver. All current United States coins fall under the category of token coinage.
In the Western world, coins traditionally portray the likenesses of living monarchs, deceased presidents, or other key historical figures. Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain has appeared on more coin types than any other human being. Her portrait has also appeared on the paper money of dozens of nations, many of them Commonwealth countries that historically recognize the British monarch as the leader of the Commonwealth of Nations.
From 1793 until the middle of the 20th century, most regular-issue U.S. coins portrayed a female personification of Liberty. The principal exception was the Indian Head Cent, struck from 1859 to 1909. The model for this coin was actually the daughter of its designer, James Longacre. The practice of picturing deceased presidents on U.S. coins dates from 1909, when the first Lincoln Cents appeared during the centennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. George Washington’s profile was used on the quarter-dollar of 1932, a coin originally intended as a one-year commemorative to honor the 200th anniversary of his birth. The design quickly became so popular that it was retained for regular-issue quarters and is still being used today. Thomas Jefferson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Dwight D. Eisenhower are the other American presidents who have appeared on regular-issue U.S. coinage. In 2006 the U.S. Mint announced plans to issue a series of dollar coins with images of the American presidents. Starting in 2007, four coins were to be issued each year in the order that the presidents served. In February 2007 the U.S. Mint released into circulation the George Washington dollar coin just in advance of Presidents’ Day.
Other historical figures have also been featured on U.S. coins. Statesman and scientist Benjamin Franklin was shown on the half-dollars of 1948 through 1963. Susan B. Anthony, the noted feminist and suffragette, was featured on the first small-size dollar coins, struck from 1979 to 1981 and again in 1999. Representations of Native Americans have been popular on U.S. coins and paper money, but most designs have been abstractions or composites, such as the obverse (“heads” side) of the Buffalo Nickels (1913-1938). In 2000, the United States issued the first “golden” dollar coins honoring Sacagawea, the young Native American woman who guided Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in their exploration of the West (see Lewis and Clark Expedition).
In 1892 and 1893 the United States issued its first commemorative coins, a set of two half-dollars and a quarter-dollar. The coins were intended to mark the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s first voyage to the New World. From 1892 until 1954, the United States struck silver and gold commemorative coins honoring such famous Americans as explorer Daniel Boone, composer Stephen Foster, and showman P. T. Barnum. No other commemorative coins were issued until 1982, when a silver dollar was struck in honor of George Washington’s 250th birthday. Commemoratives are now being produced on a regular basis.
Some commemorative coins are intended to take the place of regular coin designs for one or two years. Canada changed the design on all its coins in 1969 to mark the 100th anniversary of its confederation. The United States changed its quarter, half-dollar, and dollar designs in 1975 and 1976 to honor the American Bicentennial. All of these coins are dated 1976 even though many were struck the previous year. The reverse (“tails” side) of the quarter-dollar was also changed beginning in 1999 for a special State Quarters program.
Radical changes in the world of coins and circulating money have emerged in recent years. Having one unified currency for many European countries (the euro) is making money more international. This change has made many monetary denominations—such as the French franc and the German deutsche mark—obsolete, reducing the variety of coins being produced.
Another change is the increasingly widespread use of debit and credit cards. These cards reduce the need for coins and paper money. If these types of electronic payments become standardized and universally accepted, coins may no longer be needed by the 22nd century.
COIN COLLECTING
Coins old and new have a special attraction for many hobbyists as well as professional dealers and investors. Estimates of the number of active collectors worldwide range into the millions.
Coins, medals, and paper money touch on every aspect of the human condition: history, geography, philosophy, politics, economics, the arts, and all areas of science. Coins are mirrors of history. Numismatic scholars study coin portraits of monarchs—some famous, others scarcely known except from coins—and the inscriptions and designs on coins that often refer to important events. Even analyzing the purity of the metal from which a coin was made can provide an insight into the conditions of its time. Other people examine and collect coins for their artistic beauty or for their connection to literature or religion. For example, the tiny ancient Judaic lepton (or half-prutah) has become a numismatic curiosity because it is probably the coin referred to in the Bible as the “widow’s mite,” the offering made by a poor woman that Jesus declared was worth more than the gold given by the wealthy (Mark 22: 41-44).
Types of Collecting
Many numismatists start with collecting coins from their own country because of easy availability. Every date, mint mark, and variation in design is counted as a different coin. A typical beginner method is to acquire one of each piece within a series; then a collector may continually attempt to find better quality specimens of the coins already acquired. The number of collectible coins found in circulation has become very limited, so a collector must usually resort to trading or buying to complete or upgrade a top-condition modern series.
Another popular form of collecting is to assemble a type set of coins from a specific country. The word type refers to a classification of coins by their metal, denomination, nationality, and principal designs. For example, instead of acquiring a specimen of every date and mint from a series of dimes, the collector obtains a single coin to represent this series. Every coin is distinct and has its own history in this kind of collection.
Many collectors prefer topical or thematic collecting. The coins are related to one another on the basis of their design or because of the people or objects shown. Animals, plants, ships, maps, buildings, and religious motifs are well represented on coins. Some topical collections can be difficult to assemble. A British Commonwealth set that includes one of each type portraying Queen Elizabeth II would encompass hundreds of coins and probably take many years to acquire.
Some mints have bolstered coin collecting through various programs and efforts over the years, such as special commemorative issues, collectible sets, and by altering the designs of regular-circulation coins. One initiative of the U.S. Mint is the 50 State Quarters Program, which began in 1999. Under this program, the mint issues five new state quarters each year for ten years—each coin featuring a special design that recalls something from that state’s history or heritage. The effort has been very successful, attracting many new collectors, especially children.
Beginning in 2004 the mint introduced a new series of nickels commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Part of the five-coin series included a nickel introduced in 2006 that featured a forward-facing Thomas Jefferson, the first circulating American coin to depict a U.S. president facing forward rather than in profile.
Coin Values
The market value of any coin—the price a dealer can actually receive for it—is determined by supply and demand. Some exotic coins are quite scarce, but their prices remain low because there is no great demand for them. Yet many fairly recent British, Canadian, and American coins, as well as coins from other times and places, are more available, but their prices are relatively high because there are far more numismatists who collect them. As with any collectible, the condition of a coin is a major factor in determining its value.
When deciding on the purchase of expensive coins or notes, collectors must do the same kind of research necessary for any other major investment. The collector must assess the current market value of the item, its current resale value, and its potential appreciation. Above all, the collector must be knowledgeable enough to know if a coin is genuine and properly graded (assessed as to condition) or must have confidence that the dealer does.
Coin catalogs give some idea of the current prices for various coins. However, dealer advertisements in coin magazines and newspapers are usually more up to date. Coin auctions are an important feature of major coin collecting conventions. Catalogs of the items to be sold are issued ahead of time, and lists of the prices that the items sold for can often be obtained afterward. Coin conventions usually have tables where numismatists can consider the offerings of many dealers, and coin shops also often provide a wide selection. Web sites are a good source for information on the value and availability of coins.
ORGANIZATIONS AND MUSEUMS
The largest numismatic organization in the world is the American Numismatic Association. Founded in 1891 and chartered by the Congress of the United States in 1912, the group has the world’s largest circulating library of numismatic material. Its headquarters includes the World Money Museum, one of the top three numismatic museums in America.
A separate organization, the American Numismatic Society, is the most active and respected nonprofit numismatic publisher in the world. The organization has a museum containing more than a million objects and a library noted as the world’s most comprehensive repository of numismatic literature. The Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., houses the National Numismatic Collection, one of the largest of its type in the world.
The largest numismatic organization in Mexico is the Sociedad Numismática de México (Numismatic Society of Mexico). Founded in 1952, the society holds monthly meetings, publishes a quarterly journal, maintains a numismatic library, and sponsors an annual convention. Canada’s leading coin organization is the Canadian Numismatic Association, founded in 1950.
Specialized Section
Gems of Indian Philately
By Dilip Shah
Note: This article was originally published in “INDEPEX 97”- Souvenir Cum Catalouge
The postal system of India, like that of other countries, had its origin in the necessity of maintaining communication throughout the various parts of a great Empire in order that the Emperor might be kept continuously informed of what was taking place and might be able to keep in constant touch with officers in charge of Province at a distance from the capital. When IBN BATUTA was travelling in India in fourteenth century he found an organized system by the great Mohmed Bin Tughlak. The system seemed to have been very similar to that which existed in Roman Empire.
From the beginning of Indian History, right upto the period of invasion by the Huns, around, A.D. 400 there is very little evidence of the existence of an organized messenger system. It is however certain that the kings had their own messengers. It is also probable that rich traders had a messenger system during certain periods.
The European trade activities received a boost in 1498 with the arrival of Portuguese in India. The Dutch were next to arrive and they set Dutch East India Company.
The British East India Company received its monopoly rights of Trades in 1600, which continued till 1740. After the victory in the battle of Plassey in 1757 of Robert Clive the British were allowed to fortify the city of Calcutta.
It was Robert Clive who started a postal system on a bigger scale in India to cater to the Company’s need.
Warren Hastings was called from Madras to the Governorship of Bengal in 1772. He became the first Governor General of India to organise the post office in a more stable footing. Prior to the issue of Copper Tickets, Under Bye-Rules of the consultations Authority India’s first Post Mark appeals from 1775 and follows the pattern of Great Britains earliest Postmark introduced by Henry Bishop in 1661. Col. Henry Bishop introduced hand struck post marks known as Bishop Marks— the purpose of which he described as follows.
“A stamp is invented that is put upon every letter showing the day of the month that every letter comes to the post office, so that no letter carrier may dare to detain a letter from post which before was usual.”
His plan for establishing a General post office at Calcutta and for accepting private letters for transmission and delivery along with Company’s Dawk for the first time on payment of a fee is recorded in the minutes of the consultations of 17th January 1774. His plan became effective on 31st March 1774.
The Indian “Bishop Mark” is the rarest and most valued of all the Indian Hand Struck Postage Marks. Its known use is confirmed to Calcutta. Illustrated in 17mm diameter with three letter month at bottom.
The use of Postage Stamps suitable thickened as coins is fairly well known; they were plentiful in Russian and Turkey at the end of the first world war. However the use of coins, exclusively to pay postage has never been recorded. With one notable exception that is the coins of Patna Post in India.
He decreed a minimum Postal charge of one anna and the basic rate of Two annas for every “single” letter weighing exactly or under 2 ½ sicca rupee weight travelling up to 200 miles (The sicca rupee weighted 200 grains or a Tola).
By Rule No. 9 of the “Plans of a New establishments of dawks and of a General Post office”, provided : For the facility of paying the postage on letters, small copper Tickets be immediately struck to be received at the rate of 2 As. each, but to pass only at the Post Office. So far as is known these copper tickets were only struck for Azimabad (Now Patna) and are exceedingly rare, there being only three examples in the “British Museum”, two of which are of the 1 Annas value and the other of 2 Annas.
The inscription on the obverse of the coins can be clearly read (it is Persian) and the English inscription on the reverse.
The small “Copper Tickets” introduced by Hastings was withdrawn after 11 years of practice by a Government order issued on Sept. 1785, “stating that no Copper piece will be received or tendered in exchange at the General Post Office after September 30.
My Achievements
Participated in the following Philatelic Exhibitions:
Name Place Date
1) District Philatelic Exhibition Kurukshetra 17 Nov., 2006
2) District Philatelic Exhibition Kaithal 08 Feb., 2007
3) District Philatelic Exhibition Pundry 23 March, 2007
Winner of Consolation Prize in “MERA DOST INDIA POST” contest organized by the Department of Posts in December, 2005.
Principal of the school watching my Exhibits.
From R to L- My Father Mr. Ashok Kansal, Mitul Kansal
Award given by the Chief Postmaster General of Panchkula region
Award given by India Post official Kavita Choudhry
A newspaper clip from “Punjab Kesri” dated Nov 18, 2006
A Newspaper clip from “Danik Jaagran”
Pride of Nations
MADHUBALA- VENUS QUEEN OF INDIAN CINEMA & EPITOME OF INDIAN BEAUTY
“She walks in beauty,
Like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that`s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes.”
Madhubala is possibly the most breath taking beautiful actress of India ever. Born as Mumtaz Begum Jehan Dehlavi, Madhubala, even today remains the most enduring and celebrated legent of Indian cinema. Her acting prowess coupled with her exquisite looks made, not just India but also Hollywood take notice. Despite Hollywood beckoning, Madhubala chose to stick to Bollywood. With the release of Mughal-E-Azam, Madhubala soon became larger than life. In fact this was the film that marked what many consider to be her greatest and definitive characterization as the doomed courtesan Anarkali. In a 1990 poll conducted by Movie magazine, Madhubala was voted as the most popular Hindi actress of all time, garnering 58% of the votes. It would be an understatement to say that Madhubala still lives in the hearts of millions.
In 2008 a commemorative postage stamp featuring Madhubala was issued. The stamp was produced by India Post in a limited edition presentation pack which featured images of the actress. It was launched by veteran actors Nimmi and Manoj Kumar in a glittering ceremony attended by colleagues, friends and surviving members of Madhubala’s family. The only other Indian film actress to be honoured in this manner is Nargis Dutt.
Madhubala is also immortalized in this perfectly sculpted gold plated ingot.
New Issues from Other Countries
Postage Stamps
Monaco
- Ayrton Seena- 0,73€
- 80th anniversary of Grace Kelly’s birth. 0,89€
Blogs & Websites on Philately & Numismatics
- www.emmkaystampcoinagedom.wordpress.com – This is an Official blog of Emm Kay Stamp Coinage Dom.
- www.stampsofindia.com – This is the website of India with complete information on Indian stamps.
- http://setenantsofindia.blogspot.com – This is a new blog on se-tenants stamps of India by Mr. Shrikant Parikh of Ahmedabad.
- http://www.vadophil.org/ – Website of Baroda Philatelic Society.
- http://letstalkstamps.blogspot.com – A new Blog created by Commodore Vijay Kapre of New Delhi.
- http://www.indianstampghar.com/ – A very popular Blog by Nr Vinod Sabharwal of New Delhi.
- www.rainbowstampclub.blogspot.com – This is the e – Stamp Club Blog by Mrs. Jeevan Jyoti of Kullu.
- http://www.myfavouritestamps.blogspot.com – A blog on my favorite stamps.
- http://mbstamps.blogspot.com/ – A Blog by Mr Mansoor B of Mangalore.
Yahoo Groups on Philately & Numismatic
- Indian Philatelists- This is an electronic discussion forum dedicated exclusively to Indian Philately that allows members to engage into meaningful discussions on all aspects of Indian Philately. Membership to the forum is open to all philatelists who have interest in Indian Philately. Members can share and discuss their ideas, knowledge, research, collections, events, exhibitions, auctions, publications exclusively related to Indian Philately.
- Saarcphilately- This group is about collecting stamps, phone cards, bank notes, coins,etc of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka , Maldives, Afghanistan. Here you can exchange,trade, sell, buy, your collecting items.
- indianphilately_disc_group- This discussion group will focus on all topics pertaining to Indian Philately.
- Worldstampsclub- Here you will find lots of philatelists willing to exchange, buy or sell stamps. Whether you are an advanced collector or a Beginner.
Promotional Section
Invitation to Reader
Happy news for all! You can expand your philatelic & numismatic horizons through this column in the “Global Exchange”. This service is offered free to all readers.
You can publish your advertisement for making exchange or seeking philatelic & numismatic friends, with whom you can exchange ideas. Your advertisement may be forwarded to us in the following format:-
1) Name
2) Age
3) Contact Address
4) Telephone/Mob. No.
5) Message to be advertised
Current Philatelic & Numismatic Magazines – Newsletters
- Stamp of India Collector’s Companion – India’s first and most updated weekly e-newsletter edited by Madhukar and Savita Jhingan from Stamps of India, New Delhi. E-mail: mjhingan@yahoo.com Website: www.stampsofindia.com
- VADOPHIL October 2009 edited by Prashant Pandya & Timir R. Shah, Published by Baroda Philatelic Society, Vadodara E mail : info@vadophil.org Website www.vadophil.org
- ITS Stamp News
Editor: Suraj Jaitly
Publisher: Indian Thematic Society
e-mail indianthematicsociety@gmail.com
website: indianthematicsociety.com
- RAINBOW STAMP NEWS, Whole #23, Nov 2009, Monthly
Editor: Jeevan Jyoti j.jyoti9@gmail.com
Publisher: Jeevan Jyoti, Shimla
Annual Subscription: Free
Also available online at http://rainbowstampnews.blogspot.com/
Courtesy- News and Image Resource to this issue- Stamps of India, Mobile Philately, www.stampnews.com, Baroda Philatelic Society, Indian Oil calender 2009, www.coinnews.com, Microsoft Encarta 2008 & Rainbow Stamp News.
EMM KAY STAMP COINAGE DOM
This a net club coordinated by Mitul Kansal. Emm Kay Stamp Coinage Dom is to give the chance to become friends with collectors in other countries and enabling them to get together, exchange views, letters and their duplicate collection. Here you can publish your views about any philatelic or numismatic item. Also we introduce our new members by this blog. Membership is free for every collector. To become member Please send us the following details-
1) Name
2) Address
3) Interest
4) Passport size Photo (Optional)
5) Contact No.
