CONA November 2018 Newsletter

October Meeting

When: 7 p.m., November 21,2018
Oakstone Academy: 939 State St. Westerville, Ohio 43081
Topic: : Anti-Counterfeit Task Force at Work
Speaker: Beth Deisher

November Presentation

In January 2017, Beth Deisher was asked by coin industry leaders to leave retirement to lead an effort to combat counterfeit coins entering the United States. She is currently serving as director of anti-counterfeiting and coordinates the work of the all-volunteer 44-member Anti Counterfeiting Task Force, supported entirely by donations and the 501-C-3 Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation.

Beth, who served as editor of Coin World from 1985-2012, will provide an overview of the formation of ACTF, it’s mission, and a close-up look at how the task force works with federal law enforcement to stop the flow of counterfeit coins and precious metals bars into the U.S. marketplace. Also, she will share plans for 2019 as the task force expands education/training and awareness for law enforcement, dealers, the collector community, and the general public.

CONA has been a member of the Industry Council of Tangible Assets for several years and contributes annually to the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force.

October Presentation

When Mike saw a large framed shield come in the door at the Ohio State Coin Show a few years ago he knew what is was and that he had to have it. “It was on my numismatic bucket list.”

Mike began collecting coins as a boy and vividly remembers the 1900 Canadian 25 cent shinplaster his dad gave him and the 1963 Whitman black book A Guide Book of United States Fractional Currency that had a photo of a shield.

Fractional Currency, bills ranging in denomination from 3 to 50 cents, was a Civil War expedient, placed in service to make up for the gold, silver and even copper coins that disappeared with the first shots.

The Treasury Department sold the 20 5/8 x 24 5/8- inch shields to banks as a counterfeit deterrent. Each shield had 39 uniface notes (20 obverse and 19 reverse) attached to it and cost $4.50. It didn’t sell well and most were stored for years in the basement of the Treasury Department where they sustained water damage.

Mike said the shields weren’t popular. “Most people didn’t want to spend a whole lot of time figuring out if their 3 cent note was a counterfeit, “ he said.

Dues are Due

It is time to renew your membership for 2019…

• Single membership – $15.00
• Family membership – $21.00
• Youth 18 years or younger – free

Mail to CONA, PO Box 1561, Dublin, Oh 43017 or pay at the meetings.

By: Gerry Tebben

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