October ~ November ~ December 2007

ECI Store - the Wrangler - ShowCase - WebMaster - Letter To The Editor

Elaine Rexdale #94 Editor

EDITOR'S NOTES

~Here we are entering that last portion of the year marked by vibrant colors and falling leaves. And, of course, the knowledge that winter's chill is not far behind. One autumn a couple of years ago, my husband was driving along a city street. I was the "back-seat" driver who'd recently promoted herself to the front seat position of navigator. Everything was lovely…light breeze…plenty of sunshine...temperature was just right; we hadn't a worry in the world. MORE

LET US KNOW HOW WE'RE DOING. If you have comments or observations to contribute about any portion of this newsletter please let me know. Of course you are always invited to send me anything for publication that may be of general interest to our members. Elaine

NEW MEMBERS

Jack W. Cummings II #380 - Norman Patton #381 - Dale Kershner #382 - John F. Anderson #383 - Bruce Perdue #384 - Jerome Schaeper Jr. #385 - Rudy J. Dioszegi #386 -  Frederico Moura Pereira #387 - Walter A. Bradford #388

~This has proven to be the worse quarter so far in attracting new members. We are 25 active members shy of our goal of 400 by our 4th Anniversary on February 7, 2008. We still have four months to reach the goal. If each member would take on the challenge of recruiting just one new member, our membership would double. Think about it! That kind of gain would make us one of the largest numismatic specialty clubs anywhere. Just one member! Surely that's possible.

~Frederico Moura Pereira #387 is our first member from Portugal and he writes, "I am a Portuguese collector of bi-metallic coins and I wish to exchange with others members. I can send all bi-metallic Portuguese coins in escudos or euros." Frederico's EMAIL

~Members recruiting new members this quarter. Cecil Starcher #01 3 / Jerry Ferrell # 2 / Joe Copeland #132 1 / Todd Lammers #206 2 California with 29 members remains in first place with Pennsylvania being a close 2nd with 27. Florida continues hold a tight grip on third at 23 members - Ohio stays in fourth place with 17 with Illinois elevated to 5th with 15 members. States with 0 members: Alaska - Delaware - Montana.

~We regret to report the passing of John Denison #117. We extend our condolences to John's family and friends.

~Five more members have been removed from the emailing list due to non-working addresses. Don't be left out, let us know when you make changes. We can't be in touch if you aren't.

SECRETARY'S DESK

~Member Matt Sztym #224 of Edmonton, Alberta has volunteered to make a check list of Canadian issued encased coins for posting on the ECI website. Please be of assistance with this project by emailing Matt HERE with  a listing of Canadian pieces from your collection.

~DO NOT rely on any email address's for ECI that you may have saved in your address book to be the current. Because of spammers we are being forced to change our address's about every 4 - 6 weeks. Use the email links found of the website for communicating with me or Jerry, they will always be correct. It is a shame that these unethical cads can cause these problems; and worse yet, we are defenseless against them. We set new rules in our email program in an attempt to block them out but it never works the way it is supposed to. Anyway, don't add us to your address book because I can promise you that address won't work 2 months from now.

~Our website was down for a few days in mid September as StarFam switched to a new, more secure hosting company, ChoiceNet. In the process we have been allocated more server space for our website; so running out of room to expand will not be a problem in the foreseeable future. It is hoped that this move will slowdown the need to keep changing our email address's making it more difficult for the spammers to pester us. However, until we know that this will be the case, keep in mind what I have stated above.

~After the division of Canada into 2 distinct regions, the breakdown is as follows:

EASTERN ~ Scott Douglas #161	WESTERN ~ Matt Sztym #224
Newfoundland - New Brunswick - Prince Edwards Island - Nova Scotia - Quebec - Ontario - Nunavut Territory	Manitoba - Saskatchewan - Alberta - British Columbia - Yukon Territory - Northwest Territory

From Martin Petters #63 "Encased Spanish 5 Pesetas 1975, in the ring is the text: "Reincorporacion International De Espana" and "Respecto A Los Derechos Humandos (Respect of Human Rights)" Martin is also the Focal Point of the Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club
	COULD YOU USE A SMILE? - CLICK HERE
	The number of replaced coins being auctioned on eBay is increasing everyday. I counted 14 different ones just a few days ago, several by the same seller. The piece to the left is just one example. Below in "eBay Action", Steve has posted more examples being offered. The pity is, the descriptions are misleading with never a mention that the coin is not original to the piece. Also Derek has consented to allow us to reprint his article, "REPLACED COINS", posted on eBay discussing this very problem. The article is below.

 POTPOURRI: With Jerry Ferrell #93

~Due to the NON EXISTENT member support of our encased coin program; beginning 2008 we will no longer be encasing a variety of coins. We will finish out the State Quarter series and possibility continue the Presidential Dollar series, even that is not a certainty. We have new pieces coming out in October and December and that will finish up the program.

We would not have started encasing the small dollars if not for those members who had subscribed to the series in advance of production. By them doing so it made it possible for us to break even. You know who are and you did not keep your part of the bargain - thusly, we will not be finishing the Susan B. Anthony series, leaving the 1981 and 1999 coins not encased. Furthermore, we will not start encasing the Sac dollars as planned. HP has sold our BU & Proof roll inventory to a private concern so that we could raise the funds to pay back the money we borrowed to purchase it. We had intended to begin encasing half dollars next year, but not now. Too bad! That means fewer pieces for us to add to our collections and we all lose. Jerry

~PPM has announced the price of copper casements has increased to $1.35 and brass to $1.50. They also announced that beginning January 1, 2008 member prices will increase as follows: $225.00 per die and aluminum casements will be 60 cents each. This brings the total cost of a standard 300 piece order to $405.00 plus $10.00 s&h in the U.S. If you have been considering an encased project, it would be wise to have it accepted by PPM before the end of the year. Kelly also told me, "In the future, I won't start the work (crafting dies/striking encased) until payment arrives, whether there is a deadline or not."

~For you collectors of Trophy Beer encased; Carl Bangora #12 writes to say, "I came across a Trophy Beer Bottle that read as follows; 'Bottled By Schoenhofen Edelweiss Co., South Bend Indiana' "

~We will be updating all the check lists beginning in November. This is a time consuming task and we thank all those who contributed listings over the past 6 months. Hopefully the Canadian Check List will be ready to post soon.

~We have encased ten additional Washington and Adams dollars each for those who missed out on the first round. Ordering information is on ECI's homepage. There are a few Washington dollars left. We have added additional sets of some of the State Quarters to the ECI Store's inventory. Now it is possible to collect the complete up-to-date series once again.

~Congratulations to Cliff Mishler #189 in his election to the ANA Board of Governors. Great things are expected from the Board now that it is made up by a majority of new Governors. Maybe now, the realization will set in that the organization is more important as a whole than those individuals elected by the members to represent them.

~Member Steven Drake #3 has had struck a holiday encased using a 2007D Jefferson Nickel. Steve is making them available to members (see below). Steve says that he hopes to make the issuing of this piece an annual affair. All strikings will be a limited issue. Member Matt Sztym #224 has encased a variety of Canadian Quarters which he is making available to our members as well (see below). He says that certain ones may be sold out by the time you read this; so please email for availability. Member Roy Allen #351   also has a new piece he is making available to members below.

Matthew Sztym Appointed Western Canada's Regional Director

~Matthew Sztym #224 has recently been appointed as ECI's Western Canada's Regional Director. He began collecting numismatics at the age of 6. Like most kids, he found the many different designs of coins that were circulating at the time extremely interesting. His parents' television received four channels...mostly news and of little interest to a kid. MORE

Colin Goode Appointed British Isles Regional Director

~Colin Goode #372, a building control surveyor, is ECI's newly appointed British Isles & Gibraltar Regional Director. At age 33, he has been collecting for six years, and brings extensive knowledge and enthusiasm to the hobby. MORE

eBay ACTION with Steve Swingenstein #123

If you suspect that an encased is been offered on any the auction sites with a replaced coin please let me know HERE.

Right >>

REPLACED CENT: It is an encased 1902 cent being auction be "mitroz1" It is a Greene's Barbecue piece issued with a 1946 cent. He was informed of the same and he correctly removed it from eBay.

Auctioned by "yoclock" won by "bt3764". The winning bid $46.99. 9 bids total. >>

>>

Below

REPLACED CENT: It is an encased 1905 cent being auctioned by "larryz64". He states that he has four all with different date Indian Head Cents. Buyer beware!

Auctioned by "mike2769w" won by "pennylady00". Winning bid $99.93 - 16 bids total.>>

Gorgas the Druggist 25th Anniv.

Auctioned by "boltonbob" won by "barely_standing". Winning bid $135.83 - 11 bids. >>

Below

Auctioned by "yoclock" won by "kstoken". Winning bid $133.33 - 14 bids total.

<< Auctioned by "55on" won by "godngold" Winning bid $78.77 - 8 bids. Piece said to have a replaced coin. Should have had 1912 instead of the 1911.

CELLULOID BUTTON ENCASED COINS by Richard Bottles, Jr. #35

~I'd like to invite all ECI members to check out the next issue of the Numismatist. After compiling descriptions of 22 different Baltimore Badge & Novelty Co. celluloid button encased cents, I decided it was time to put together an article on the button encased cents and the merchants who issued them. It will be in the upcoming October issue. The following are photos which are not part of the Numismatist article. If anyone knows of any different celluloid button encased cents of this type, please let me know HERE. To the PHOTOS

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

REPLACED COINS by Derek McDonough #90

~The following guide is designed to help new and old-time encased coin collectors become more aware of the items they are considering purchasing over the internet. Descriptions and photos will be provided to help aide in the identification of non-authentic, altered, suspicious or damaged pieces. MORE

E-CUBED By: Elaine Rexdale #94

~Life’s road is full of little surprises. In 1999 I was surfing the Internet trying to find out information regarding lucky pennies. I'd always loved them since childhood so I wanted to have one made to advertise my fledgling publishing company. MORE

NEW ENCASED from PPM

New Encased For Rocky Mountain Coin & Antiques ~ Edmonton, Alberta Canada Issued by Matt Sztym #224.

Email HERE For Availability

Not Available Thru ECI

Contact Dale Kershner #382 HERE for availability.

Steven Drake #3 has encased 120 2007D  Nickels. $3.00 pp. To Order: Steven C. Drake  591W 3000S. Hurricane, UT 84737-2293

Maine Tokens & Medals Rockland, ME

Contact Roy Allen #351 HERE for availability

eBay INTRODUCES NEW COIN GRADE POLICES

~On September 17, 2007 eBay officially introduced new policies restricting the listing of raw and certified coins. Under this new eBay policy, coins being listed by a seller that has not been certified and encapsulated by either Professional Coin Grading Service, ANACS, Independent Coin Grading, Numismatic Guaranty Corporation of America, or NGC affiliate Numismatic Conservation Services are considered “raw” coins and subject to a different set of listing criteria than may be used for coins graded and encapsulated by one of these sanctioned coin grading services. MORE

 ONE 80 WHAT? by Steve Swingenstein #123

~When I started collecting encased coins, I numbered them in the order in which I obtained them. Eventually, I had a book of 500, all neatly numbered and filed. Soon I discovered what a problem it was to flip through all those pages trying to locate a particular piece.  MORE

 INQUIRIES TO ECI'S ANSWER MAN by  Jim Lawniczak #17

A VISIT TO ECI with Stephen Hughes #215

~On a recent visit with Cecil at his home, Steve snapped a few photos and sent two along to us to share with our members.

The first photo is of a herd of goldfish in one three ponds adjacent to the walkway leading up to Cecil's home. This particular pond is approximately a 1000 gallons and is actually built into the deck of the entrance to his office. By the look of things, these living jewels are begging for an afternoon snack or are really happy to see Steve. You be the judge.

The second photo is of the work station in Cecil's home office which also serves as the nerve center for ECI. Amongst the bank of computers are many pictures of Grandchildren, reference books of all kinds and his coin bank collection. Cecil says that he got into collecting the banks some 25 years ago when he found it nearly impossible to find banks of any kind to store pocket change. Several are vintage, dating back to the mid 1940's.

 ECI WEBSITE by Todd Lammers #206

~Over the past several weeks I have made an effort to visit dozens of websites dedicated to coin collecting of all kinds. Everything from early coppers to elongated cents; civil war tokens to silver dollars and there are none; and I do mean none, that compare favorably to ECI's. Most are bare bones relating only the minimum of information; showing little if any imagination in design and user ease. MORE

Capital Gains Tax Higher On Sale Of Collectibles by By Patti S. Spencer

~Capital gain from the sale of a collectible held for more than one year is taxed at 28 percent. That is significantly higher than the capital gains tax rate for most investments, which are taxed at a maximum 15 percent rate, 5 percent for taxpayers in the 10 or 15 percent tax brackets. Short-term investments in collectibles are taxed as short-term capital gains at ordinary income tax rates. MORE

~ AND FINALLY with HP

Member's WebSites

Cecil Starcher

Bryan Ryker

Jerry Adams

Colin Goode

Barbara Walter

Rod Sell

Hossien Pheifeir

Gary Roessler

Joseph V. Kocian

James Kilcoyne

Kelly Finnegan

Lance Meade

Elaine Rexdale II

Elaine Rexdale I

Max Lynds

Robert Waters

Tony Chibbaro

Glyn Farber

Greg Harvat

Bob Busby

 Steve Hughes

Guy Coffee

Ron Mui

 Rich Hartzog

John Wilson

Steve Ratliff

Edwin Johnson

David Plowman

Mohamad Ismail Abozaid

Michael B. Doran

Jeffery Johnston

Walter A. Bradford

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