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CONA November 2021 Newsletter

When: 7 p.m., November 17, 2021
Oakstone Academy: 900 State St. Westerville, Ohio 43081
Topic:  Basics 101: Currency
Speaker:  Jim B. 

November Meeting

It’s back to basics for CONA members. While many of us know a great deal about some subjects, we’re pretty dense about others. Jim B. has developed a series of Basics 101 presentations for the Utica, Ohio, Coin Club. This month he’s going to give one on paper currency, starting with Colonial paper money and including Mt. Vernon, Ohio’s Owl Creek Bank notes, Hawaii bills and even brilliantly colored Gold Certificates. — Jim B.

October Meeting

Steve Petty gave a presentation on the 100th Anniversary of the Western Reserve Numismatic Club (WRNC). Steve unraveled the mystery of when the club was actually founded. (There were two competing versions) and discussed the club’s famous and extensive series of counterstamped coins. To mark significant dates in its history, the club has counterstamped numerous coins, including 1936 Cleveland commemorative half dollars. Steve noted that 1996 counterstamps marking the club’s 75th anniversary have gone for $750.

2022 Dues are Due

Please make checks payable to CONA and pay at the November or January meeting. NOT AT THE CONA CHRISTMAS PARTY. You can also mail your check to CONA, P.O. Box 1561, Dublin, Ohio 43017

Single membership — $15
Family — $21
Youth — free
Lifetime single — $150
Lifetime family — $210

Thank you
Garlene S., Membership Chair

By: Gerry Tebben

Interested in past CONA Newsletters? Please visit the Newman Portal for a vast collection that dates back to 2011!

CONA October 2021 Newsletter

When: 7 p.m., October 20, 2021
Oakstone Academy: 900 State St. Westerville, Ohio 43081
Topic:  100th Anniversary of the Western Reserve Numismatic Club (WRNC)
Speaker:  Stephen Petty 

October Meeting

The Topic will be the 100th Anniversary of the Western Reserve Numismatic Club (WRNC).

Despite official versions of how the third club on the ANA registry formed in 1938, 1941, 1946 and 1958 Constitutions and bylaws, a two-year effort researching the history of the WRNC found them all to be incorrect. An obscure Dec. 12, 1941 letter from a founding member detailed the origins of the club. My presentation will detail this solved mystery and other interesting facts regarding the history of our sister club to the north.

This history is reflected in a 2-year effort and publication regarding the history of the club just published by Stephen Petty and Gino Sanfilippo. — Stephen Petty

By: Gerry Tebben

Interested in past CONA Newsletters? Please visit the Newman Portal for a vast collection that dates back to 2011!

CONA September 2021 Newsletter

When: 7 p.m., September 15, 2021
Oakstone Academy: 900 State St. Westerville, Ohio 43081
Topic:  Coins on TV
Speaker:  Gerald Tebben 

September Meeting

Lost coins, stolen coins, counterfeit coins – they all turn up on television, grist for murder, mayhem and comic misunderstandings.

Coins make for great drama. They’re ubiquitous, hideable, portable, liquid and potentially valuable. A plot can twist on a tiny bit of easily lost, easily hidden metal no bigger than a fingernail.

Collectors notice coins on television, and everyone has a favorite story from Sheriff Andy Taylor’s famous backwards buffalo to Hawaii Five-0’s $100,000 nickel. — Gerry

THANK YOU CONA MEMBERS!

Once again, I am completely amazed at the work that you do to make the Ohio State Coin Show a success. Some of the dealer comments were “this is the best organized show we do all year,” “we do a lot of shows and this is by far the one where we are the best taken care of,” and “the Green Hats are waiting at the door to welcome us in and ready to help us pack up.”

There were many others as well but those came to mind first. On Thursday, 25 of you signed in to work and 3 more attended. On Friday, there were 30 workers and 4 more attendees. Saturday 27 of you worked and 2 more attended. That is wonderful participation. The raffle ticket sales were supported by 49 CONA members – Thank You! We welcomed approximately 380 public guests – 250 on Friday and 130 on Saturday. That is all the numbers that I have ready so far.

I would like to give a special thank you to Dan C., my incredible co-chair and right brain, Steve R. who was everywhere all the time, Geoff G. who worked long and hard on the raffle, Jim B. and Loren R. who welcomed the dealers and Early Birds, Harold S. who lived at the Registration Table, Bruce S. for remembering our deceased members, and Bruce N. who took over the chairmanship of the Treasure Hunt. A special thank you to Diane H. for her work with the kids. We could not have done this without the CONA family of “Green Hats.” — Patty

By: Gerry Tebben

Interested in past CONA Newsletters? Please visit the Newman Portal for a vast collection that dates back to 2011!

CONA August 2021 Newsletter

When: 7 p.m., August 18, 2021
Oakstone Academy: 900 State St. Westerville, Ohio 43081
Topic:  Ohio State Coin Show Prep
Speaker:  Bourse Committee

August Meeting

The August meeting will, once again, be devoted to the show. There will be no presentation, but there will be an auction, show and tell, 50/50, etc.

July Meeting

Since our scheduled speaker, Steve Petty, was unable to be here, we turned to other members for an expanded Show & Tell…John Roberts presented a Columbus Barracks PX Token, John R. shared a 1619 Potosi 8 reales coin from the Atocha shipwreck, Gary H. talked about his Martin Cole Harmon (“King of Lundy”) 1/2 Puffin coin (1929), Geoff G. passed around a 1797 (1-year type) English penny…plus talked about the upcoming show raffle, & Garlene S. related the story (& her questions) about the “train coin” she found in her backyard. — Chris P.

By: Gerry Tebben

Interested in past CONA Newsletters? Please visit the Newman Portal for a vast collection that dates back to 2011!

CONA July 2021 Newsletter

When: 7 p.m., July 21, 2021
Oakstone Academy: 900 State St. Westerville, Ohio 43081
Topic:  Western Reserve centennial
Speaker:  Steve Petty 

July Meeting

The Topic will be the 100th Anniversary of the Western Reserve Numismatic Club (WRNC).

Despite official versions of how the third club on the ANA registry formed in 1938, 1941, 1946 and 1958 Constitutions and bylaws, a two-year effort researching the history of the WRNC found them all to be incorrect. An obscure Dec. 12, 1941 letter from a founding member detailed the origins of the club. My presentation will detail this solved mystery and other interesting facts regarding the history of our sister club to the north.

This history is reflected in a 2-year effort and publication regarding the history of the club just published by Stephen Petty and Gino Sanfilippo.
— Stephen Petty

June Meeting

Seven members gave brief presentations at the second expanded show-and-tell session. Gerry Tebben shared the story of the NCAPR counterstamped sestertius (from appx. 40 A.D.), Geoff G. talked about how he came to have a 10 Nummia Byzantine coin of Constantine IV, Diane H. shared how she came upon a rare $25 scrimshaw ivory poker chip, Dave P. showed his collection of Redfield Morgan dollars, Brad R. talked about why his 1886-S Morgan dollar is one of his favorites,. Dan C. related the story of railroad officer Orlando Smith and the train symbol on his 1881 Morgan dollar and John Roberts presented a counterstamped large cent from Columbus.

August Meeting

The August meeting will, once again, be devoted to the show. There will be no presentation, but there will be an auction, show and tell, 50/50, etc.

Grading Seminar

Eric, John and Tony entertained and educated 13 members last Saturday at our meeting place. Because it was a small group and the only one scheduled for that day, we were given the chance to look at and try our skills at grading 44 certified pieces and three raw fakes. We were offered everything from a Proof 67 to a Poor 1, with many grades in between. Of the 44, I got five exactly as the graders saw them – not bad, not great. I was close on many more.

Our two-hour session became a four-hour session, with some spirited and humorous debates. Remembering the lessons and tips is a plus for our grading skills. There were some many cool and challenging pieces. I hope we can do this again soon. — Dan C.

By: Gerry Tebben

Interested in past CONA Newsletters? Please visit the Newman Portal for a vast collection that dates back to 2011!

CONA June 2021 Newsletter

When: 7 p.m., June 16, 2021
Oakstone Academy: 900 State St. Westerville, Ohio 43081
Topic:  Expanded Show and Tell
Speaker:  See below

June Meeting

For June, we’ll have an expanded Show and Tell again, with each speaker giving a 5-10 minute presentation on his coin or some other aspect of collecting. Our speakers, tentatively, this month are: Geoff G., Diane H., Gary H., Bill K., Dave P., Brad R., John R., Bruce S. and Gerald T. Topics range from ancient coins to Redfield dollars with a few stops in between.

May Meeting

Four members gave brief presentations at the first of two expanded show-and-tell sessions. Spence S. showed his 1913 Prussia 2 mark, Steve R. talked about how he set up a way to document his coins, John R. presented a “new” Ptolemaic bronze coin from Arados which had a flying dove on it, & Bruce S. shared his Mudlarkers medal (Billie & Charlie from mid-19th c.)

Upcoming Speakers

July – Steve P., Western Reserve Numismatic Club history
Aug – Show meeting
Sept. through Nov – Speakers needed

By: Gerry Tebben

Interested in past CONA Newsletters? Please visit the Newman Portal for a vast collection that dates back to 2011!

CONA May 2021 Newsletter

When: 7 p.m., May 19, 2021
Oakstone Academy: 900 State St. Westerville, Ohio 43081
Topic:  Highs and lows of precious metals
Speaker:  Phil C.

May Meeting

For May and June, presentations will be an expanded Show and Tell, with each speaker giving a 5-10 minute presentation on his coin or some other aspect of collecting.
Spence S., 1913 Prussia 2 mark
Steve R., Documenting your collection
John R., Ptolemaic bronze
Bill K., Jefferson nickels
Bruce S., Mudlarkers Billie & Charlie

April Presentation

With the side of slavery invoking the favor of God during the Civil War, the Rev. Mark Watkinson thought the Union should do something about it and set in motion the adoption of the national motto In God We Trust and its placement on our coins and later paper money.

 Bill Bierly, author of In God We Trust: Origins of the National Motto, told the story of how the national motto came to be during his Covid-delayed April presentation. 

The Confederate constitution, he said, this preamble: We, the people of the Confederate States, each State acting in its sovereign and independent character, in order to form a permanent federal government, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Confederate States of America.

Upcoming Speakers

March: Chris P.
April: Bill B. on In God We Trust
May: Show and tell. I’m looking for 5-10 people who will speak for five minutes or so on something special from their collection.
June Show and Tell continues. I’m looking for 5-10 people who will speak for 5-10 minutes or so on something special from their collection.
Geoff G.,
Gerry T., NCAPR counterstamp
If you had volunteered to be a part of this and you’re name is not listed above, please let me know. Some things have gone missing in the last year. If you want to be added to the list, please let me know that, too. There’s plenty of room for more speakers. There will be no speakers medal for this.

By: Gerry Tebben

Interested in past CONA Newsletters? Please visit the Newman Portal for a vast collection that dates back to 2011!

CONA April 2021 Newsletter

When: 7 p.m., April 21, 2021
Oakstone Academy: 900 State St. Westerville, Ohio 43081
Topic:  In God We Trust
Speaker:  Bill Bierly

April Meeting

It took 13 months, but we’ve come full circle. Last March, the pandemic was just beginning and people were either afraid or prohibited from traveling and gathering. Now with a significant portion of the U.S. adult population fully vaccinated, life is beginning to return to normal.— Gerry

In God We Trust

Longtime CONA member Bill Bierly, author of In God We Trust: Origins of the National Motto, will talk about how that phrase came to be.

Our national motto debuted on United States coinage during the chaos and heartache of the American Civil War. It has appeared on our money ever since. Numismatic researcher Bill Bierly has dug deep into the origins and history of In God We Trust. Now he tells its full story, introducing Reverend Mark Watkinson, the preacher who rallied the Treasury Department to recognize Almighty God in some form on our coins . . . Mint Director James Pollock, former governor of Pennsylvania, a commanding figure who worked toward the same vision . . . and Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase, nephew of an Episcopal bishop, who marshalled our nation’s vast resources and financed the war with bold innovations.

President Abraham Lincoln figures in the tale, as does a cast of military generals, wealthy industrialists, poets and artists, powerful bankers, and everyday Americans, North and South.

Bill shows how the upheaval of the Civil War  but the very foundations of modern American banking and finance.

Bill will be happy to sign copies of his book at the meeting.

He plans to bring a few to sell. The book is also available for $29.50 (free shipping) from Amazon or $29.95 ($5.95 shipping) from Whitman.

March Presentation

Chris P. traced the genealogical history of the Queen’s Beasts, the ten heraldic statues that were in front of Westminster Abbey for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953, and which inspired the Royal Mint to issue a series of coins beginning in 2016.

Upcoming Speakers

May: Show and tell. I’m looking for 5-10 people who will speak for five minutes or so on something special from their collection.
Spence Sunderland, 1913 Prussia 2 mark
Steve R., Documenting your collection
John R., Ptolemaic bronze
Bill K., Jefferson nickels
Gerry Tebben, NCAPR counterstamp

If you had volunteered to be a part of this and your name is not listed above, please let me know. Some things have gone missing in the last year. If you want to be added to the list, please let me know that, too. There’s plenty of room for more speakers. There will be no speakers medal for this. June, etc. … Speakers needed

By: Gerry Tebben

Interested in past CONA Newsletters? Please visit the Newman Portal for a vast collection that dates back to 2011!

CONA March 2021 Newsletter

When: 7 p.m., March 17, 2021
Oakstone Academy: 900 State St. Westerville, Ohio 43081
Topic:   The Queen’s Beasts 
Speaker:   Chris P.

Upcoming Speakers

March: Chris P.
April: Bill B. on In God We Trust
May: Show and tell. I’m looking for 5-10 people who will speak for five minutes or so on something special from their collection.

Meeting Details

We’re back in Room 209 at the east end of the building.

In God We Trust

 March speaker Bill Bierly, auhor of the new book In God We Trust: Origins of the National Motto, will be happy to sign copies of his book at the meeting.

He will not be bringing any to sell. However the book is available for $29.50 (free shipping) from Amazon or $29.95 ($5.95 shipping) from Whitman. 

By: Gerry Tebben

Interested in past CONA Newsletters? Please visit the Newman Portal for a vast collection that dates back to 2011!

CONA February 2021 Newsletter

When: 7 p.m., February 17, 2021
Oakstone Academy: 900 State St. Westerville, Ohio 43081
Topic:  Highs and lows of precious metals
Speaker:  Phil C.

February Presentation

Phil C. will deliver a presentation: How to analyze when precious metals are high or low.

Back to Normal

With the increasing availability of the vaccine, I hope we can get back to normal soon. I’m getting my second shot Feb 20. In April, we’re going to pick up where we left off. Bill B. will give a presentation on In God We Trust. Bill was scheduled to talk last April, but then all hell broke loose. If you’re interested in giving a presentation, please let me know. — Gerry

Upcoming Speakers

March: Chris P.
April: Bill B. on In God We Trust
May: Show and tell. I’m looking for 5-10 people who will speak for five minutes or so on something special from their collection.

Meeting Details

We’re back in Room 209 at the east end of the building.

In Old-Time Columbus

The Wiatt Brothers, one of nine issuers of Civil War tokens in Columbus, came from a checkered family. Brothers William and Harrison L. Jr. operated a bakery, ice cream parlor, beer garden at 130 E. Town St. during the 1860s.

Patriarch Harrison L. Senior, who styled himself a major for no good reason, operated faro house in Columbus and Cincinnati. H.L. Jr. sometimes joined him in the family gaming enterprise.

Every now and then the good-government crowd would get on the city to do something about the gambling parlors, which operated openly with a wink by the coppers.

The Ohio State Journal report from June 19, 1879, details one raid gone wrong ( or right, depending.)

By: Gerry Tebben

Interested in past CONA Newsletters? Please visit the Newman Portal for a vast collection that dates back to 2011!