Requests should state the catalogue number, title, name of the club where it will be shown and the viewing date.
Audio Visual slide programs may be ordered from the RCNA Audio Visual Lending Library in writing or by e-mail. Members may also order them by telephone. Contact information is as follows:
Daniel Gosling, F.R.C.N.A.
49 Sierra Grande Estates
Sherwood Park , AB T8G 1A2
Telephone: 780-922-5743
dan@gosling.ca
The material is normally sent via Canada Post, however because of its bulkiness, it will not fit through regular mail slots. Someone should be there during normal delivery times to accept it, therefore a post office box or a commercial service such as Mail Boxes Etc. location is ideal.
Although we have multiple copies of most videotape presentations, on occasion, all copies of a particular presentation might be out on loan. It would, therefore, be appreciated if a second or even third choice was given so as to avoid disappointment and correspondence back and forth.
Audiovisual programs can be ordered in advance for up to a year. If the librarian receives a list of audiovisual programs and corresponding meeting dates of local club meetings, the librarian will reserve them and send each one out prior to the meeting. You will receive confirmation either upon receipt of your blanket request or with the original shipment. By ordering in advance you are virtually guaranteed you first choices. This will allow the correct program to be advertised in your club bulletin and through other avenues of promotion and will not disappoint anyone when a substitute program is shown.
Although we recognize that everyone makes an effort to plan ahead, human nature is such that we also realize that special arrangements for last minute shipments will have to be made from time to time (possibly a speaker cancelled at the last minute or another planned program did not pan out). In such cases, a phone call or e-mail, spelling out urgency, can be accommodated. In such last minute cases, instead of shipping our normal method of First Class Mail (which carries no guarantees as to delivery time), we can ship via Priority Post or Purolator, which will guarantee next day delivery in most cases. The additional cost of shipping will be borne by the club.
NOTE TO CLUB BULLETIN EDITORS AND PROGRAM DIRECTORS Club editors may copy any portion of this catalogue in their club bulletin for the purpose of promoting programs at upcoming meetings. It is not necessary to give credit as to the source of the write up.
The length of each video is indicated to the right of the catalogue number of the tape.
You may wish to combine 2 or 3 shorter presentations, to make up a full program at a club meeting at a total cost of $5 to cover shipping.
It might be best to show longer presentations when you know no other time consuming events such as a lengthy auction or numerous announcements are planned. Or, as is recommended in a few of the write-ups, only show them up to a certain point.
Upon receipt, unpack the tape and view at least a portion of it in a VCR (VHS format) to assure that it is the correct tape and that it is in good condition. Be sure to rewind it so that it will be ready to start at the meeting.
Before Packing the material up for its return to the RCNA Audio Visual Lending Library, check that video tapes have been rewound. In most cases, the packing material that the presentation was received in can be reused for its safe return.
Be sure to return tapes and slides promptly after use so that requests from other clubs can be accommodated (2 months absolute longest).
Although there is no charge for the borrowing of presentations from the RCNA Audio Visual Lending Library, postage in both directions will be born by the borrower. A flat charge of $5 should be included in the return of your tape in the form of a club cheque or personal cheque (made out to the RCNA) or cash. The $5 charge covers the total shipment to the borrower, regardless of whether one or more tapes were ordered for showing.
Catalogue No: V-101 (length 12:00)
The first 4 minutes of this professionally produced video is probably the funniest thing to ever come out of the Royal Canadian Mint! It debunks the myth that Canada’s new 2-dollar coins fell apart at the seams when they were first introduced.
People are throwing the coin against hard floors, trains run over it on tracks, weight lifters use bare muscle to try and push the centre out, pieces are thrown off great heights. Other attempts at excessive forced were used, but to no avail! We find the only time the cameras catch the centre being removed from the outer rim is when a bullet is fired at a coin in a gun range.
Highly entertaining. Its funny approach certainly disarms those that thought the centres were falling out left and right. Amazing how the media can blow things out of proportion to make 2 loose centres in something like 60 million sound like a national disaster. Rumours in the press went as far as telling us that the Royal Canadian Mint was considering a recall.
The light approach to debunk the myth of any perceived “problem” makes it a winner.
For the second part, lasting 8 minutes, the RCM put together an interesting, albeit short, production on Canada’s new $2 coin. The video explains the public participation concerning the attitude towards the coin and the design theme, the reason for introducing the coin, the reasons for choosing the polar bear and more.
We are taken from the unveiling of the design at the Metro Toronto Zoo to the first transaction at Ben’s Deli in Montreal to the actual production where we see the stamping process of the double feed presses. Short glimpses show us the engraving and the reduction process to create the master die and the feeding of the blanks into the striking chamber.
At a total of 12 minutes, you might wish to combine it with another program (such as another video produced by the Royal Canadian Mint, or a short presentation by one of the club members).
Catalogue No: V-102 (length: 15:00)
Excellent backgrounder on the design selection and minting of one of the Royal Canadian Mint’s most ambitious coin projects: The 12 quarters and 1 dollar commemorating the 125th anniversary of Canada’s birth, that saw the Winnipeg mint work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to keep up with demand. The video interviews some of the 11 judges that coped with the 11,003 entries, as well as naming the designers (can you name even one of them?).
The initial announcement called for invitations for designs depicting the diversity, vastness and beauty of the vistas that make Canada unique…and often envied. Although most Canadians are familiar with Peggy’s Cove and Percè Rock that grace two of the 25 cent pieces, we find out about the provinces whose landscapes include some fantastic natural formations and other landmarks that might not have been well-known to most Canadians. We also see glimpses of a number of non-winning designs.
Catalogue No: V-103 (length: 25:30)
The first 10½ minutes take a brief look at the history of the mint and the various production phases from raw material handling to striking, from engraving to die making. Numerous commemorative coin designs issued over the years are shown, while the engraving of master dies, polishing of working dies, striking of the blanks and the mint’s refinery is also covered. We also see some faces from those responsible for creating Canada’s coinage.
The second part, 10 minutes long, covers the beauty of Canada’s collector’s coins. It opens with a brief discussion of the selected themes (i.e. historical events or transportation as well as more global subjects such as peace and Olympics).
Isn’t that James Earl Jones narrating the video, long before the American Numismatic Association got a hold of him for one of their productions?
Part 3, at 5 minutes, is a promotional video of the sort of things the mint strikes for others: transit tokens, trade dollars, medallions, commemorative coins, lapel pins and jewellery. Medallic art produced for Molson, Xerox, Inco, McDonalds, Chuck E. Cheese, University of Ottawa, University of Manitoba, Royal Society of Canada and others are shown.
Catalogue No: V-104 (length: 11:00)
For the 1992 winter Olympics, awarded to Albertville, France, the host country’s mint, the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint), produced a total of ten pieces commemorating the event. The first 6½ minutes cover these coins, one for each of the 9 competitive winter events in silver, one in gold only (honouring the Baron that was responsible for reviving the Olympics 100 years earlier).
The creativity and originality of having the live images skate or ski into the coins whose central design is missing makes it worth watching. (We give full marks to the computer animators and editors for their creativity.) Olympic coinage is a very popular part of numismatics, especially in Canada where an Ontario collector has been invited to exhibit Olympic coins in cities where the Olympics are being held (including the 1996 Atlanta Olympics), and another Ontarian has been involved in the publication of two books about the Olympics (one covering official issues and the second featuring unofficial commemorative souvenir medals).
For the 100th anniversary of the revival of the modern Olympics, the covering body of the Olympics produced a 4½-minute video to promote the fact that 5 different countries would be issuing commemorative coins with an international theme to honour the 166 nations represented by the movement. This is featured as part 2 of this program.
There is a Canadian connection: Canada was one of the five countries issuing the 100th anniversary coins. As well, one of the scenes shows the passing of the Olympic flag at the 1998 Calgary Olympics to the new host city (for the most part opening and closing ceremonies are shown).
Actually, part 2 does not show any of the Olympic coins that were to be issued by the five countries since it was produced as a teaser for the upcoming staggered announcements by each country’s mint long before the designs were made public. It shows only the edge of a silver piece that will become the common edge design on every official Olympic coin to be issued by the five countries. It is nevertheless an interesting presentation.
Catalogue No: V-105 (length: 45:00)
We have all heard of people who have turned art into money, which happens most often when a work of art sold long after the artist is dead. But how many of us know someone that has turned money into art. In this documentary, money as art is explored in an amusing and thought provoking way.
Pittsburgh artist J.S.G. Boggs is certainly no ordinary artist, because the subject that interests him most is money, money that he draws and engraves and attempts to use as currency. He works pain-stakingly at the drafting table to create original detailed bills that look at first glance very much like the real thing. The fact that he makes minor changes does not detract from the bill or their appearance as genuine articles. For example, his signature appears under “Chief Cashier,” while the second signature is of the “Grave Digger.” The Washington D.C. has been changed to “Playtime D.C.”, while the statement “This Note is Legalart. I made this one for you,” appears where the statement of authenticity normally appears on the genuine bill. To assure that no one accepts these $50 dollar and $100 bills without noticing that he is the artist rather than the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, he only draws one side. Although most of his notes are drawn actual size, he has drawn notes up to 100 times actual sizes.
On completing a bill he then tries to spend it and that’s when the fun…and the trouble…start. Although he has supported himself with his works of art for a number of years, including exclusively in 1988, he has had run ins with the U.S. Treasury Department which has confiscated money amid accusations that he was counterfeiting. The video follows Boggs as he makes his art and tries to spend it with varying degrees of success. The run around he receives from the U.S. Treasury Department is also caught on tape by a photographer from the BBC.
A fantastically interesting adventure that leads us to question the definition of art, its value and its uses. Members of the audience will have to ask themselves if what Boggs does is art or counterfeiting.
If we were to rate VCR programs in the RCNA audiovisual lending library, this one would rank in the top five!
It is highly entertaining and highly recommended. Although 45 minutes long, no one will be bored.
Catalogue No: V-106 (length: 14:00)
A 10-minute segment of one of the episodes of “Venture” that was broadcast nationally on CBC T.V. in the spring of 1996, featured the action and excitement at Canada’s premium commercial coin show. This video follows Ingrid Smith, then owner/ manager of Torex, through her hectic set- up schedule and throughout the show. Although the active buying and selling of coins and paper money by a number of well known coin dealers is highlighted (with a foray into fountain pens), it’s not surprising that the camera crew and CBC’s editors would feature the wheeling and dealing in Canada’s “other” currency (Canadian Tire Coupons, in case you’re wondering). Steven Bromberg, a regular at Torex and the acknowledged Evangelist of the Electronic Coin Trade, is given prominence via clips from his highly successful numismatic sales on The Shopping Channel.
The video shows both the good and not so good side of the hobby, such as references to the existence of counterfeit material and the conflict between the Royal Canadian Mint and dealers. It’s fast paced presentation combined with the hustle and bustle of the activities no doubt played well to the non-collecting viewers who watch one of Canada’s popular TV shows. Well worth a watch by coin collectors.
The second portion, a 4-minute segment also shown on “Venture,” covers the Toronto Stock Exchange’s application to register the trademark “Torex” for both their name as well as a computer system.
The numismatic “Torex” was registered in 1981 to operate coin shows. The “Torex” registered in 1983 as a trademark for use by a company providing geological services and in 1995 to a company selling hydraulic motors would not affect the coin show and would not confuse anyone (it’s unusual for someone to use a name that is already in use by others), but what is a Stock exchange all about? Bid, Ask, Buy, Trade, its all about Money! Smiths trademark lawyer contends that irreparable harm could result, since it would dilute and lose its distinctiveness.
Catalogue No: V-107 (length: 27:00)
This video covers, in a very interesting and unusual way, how the Bureau of Engraving and Printing prints U.S. money, with a short visit to the Denver Mint at the end.
After we get past the only part that is really intended for younger people, we are whisked to Washington where the walk towards the printing facility passes the historic buildings that appear on the reverses of a number of U.S. notes.
Miss Penny is our tour guide of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, where a number of details are revealed. For example, paper money is not made from paper at all, how many tons of ink are used each day, how many notes each printing press can print each hour, how many different passes through the printing press each note must make, and more.
A short visit to the Denver Mint explains how blanks are made, the process blanks go through before being struck (cleaning, the uplifting of edges, etc.) and the striking of the blanks between dies.
Because of its style of presentation, it is especially suited for a meeting where you expect a younger crowd, or spouses, but don’t let that stop you from showing it at a regular meeting since its entertaining in its presentation and educational in its content.
Catalogue No: V-108 (length: 17:00)
Although this tape shows some early-chartered bank notes, playing card money, gold bars and a lot of sheets of money being printed, the emphasis is definitely on the workings of the Bank of Canada.
We find out when the Bank of Canada was established and its responsibilities and activities. We learn how it provides the money we use everyday, makes sure there is enough in circulation and works to maintain its value. We further learn that it acts as the government’s banker and fiscal agent, and that its clients are the chartered banks, other financial institutions and foreign government banks.
The role of the board of directors is also explained.
Catalogue No: V-109 (length: 54:00)
The best defence in an escalating battle against counterfeiting is being incorporated in the world’s most counterfeited money: the paper money of the U.S., which also happens to be one of the world’s most recognized national symbols. This video explains in great detail the many features incorporated in the $100 note design. (The $100 note is the most counterfeited denomination, with all other denominations also being revised.)
U.S. Currency has remained unaltered for almost six decades. With the high definition lasers, offset printing presses, colour copiers, scanners and laser printers, something had to be done to thwart both the professional counterfeiter as well as the casual experimenter. We find out in excellent detail the process of making the unique paper from the remnants of Levi jeans, cotton and linen, and how security threads are added to the paper, the many things considered before settling on the design and counterfeit features: UV light, holograms, crumble resistance, wear resistance, high tech ink on high tech presses, subjecting it to washer/dryer problems, watermarks, even tumbling the notes in a cement mixer to make sure that they can withstand the abuse.
What would counterfeiting be without the appearance of J.S.G. Boggs, probably North America’s best known “counterfeiter” who actually draws U.S. notes and passes them of as currency much to the chagrin of the U.S. Government agencies that are forever on his back. In this video, he passes off colourful notes with designs that he thought might make more sense than keeping Benjamin Franklin on the $100 note.
Stacy Keach, who appears in many movies and is probably best known for his starring role in the TV series Mike Hammer, is the narrator.
This NOVA production was first shown in the U.S. on PBS (Public Broadcasting System).
If the RCNA were to start rating its videos, this one would rate right up there with the Royal Canadian Mint’s $2 Productions, the BBC’s “The Money Man” and the A.N.A.’s “Money - History in your hands” narrated by James Earl Jones. We predict that once word gets out about the quality of the content of this video, it will become one of the most sought after videotapes in the RCNA Audio Visual Lending Library (that is why we purchased multiple copies).
No one at your meeting is going to be concerned about the 54 minutes to view it!
Catalogue No: V-110 (length: 08:00)
A number of years ago, Paul Johnson, former Education Chairman for the RCNA, asked John Regitko to make a presentation on odd and curious monies. This presentation examines the popularity of the lowly Cowry Shell vs. other forms of “money” used over the past 2000 years. For example, money that could be used for survival such as cocoa beans, arrow heads, fish hooks, and bullets are compared, as is money that would be popular once an addiction formed for it: salt, tea, tobacco, opium.
The video wonders why money that was around for 2000 years (i.e. brass rings from 1500 BC to 500 AD would not beat out a lowly shell. We also find out that it was used virtually around the world and was the world’s most valuable medium of exchange since time immemorial, being valued of three for a male slave.
Qualities of “good” money are discussed to convince the audience that the Cowry Shell indeed has all the right ingredients of good money.
Considering that this was the RCNA’s first effort into in-house taping many years ago and no editing was done, it’s not a bad effort.
Catalogue No: V-111 (length: 50:00)
J.P. Martin, who is senior numismatist and authenticator for the A.N.A., leads us on a tour of the Denver Mint in Colorado. You will see the inside workings of the mint machinery in this important coin production facility, with appropriate step-by-step explanations.
You will get an overview of how coins are made, how rolls of specially prepared metal are used to make the planchets, how planchets are processed and prepared to be struck, how the blank disks are struck, the quality control procedures, and how the coins are packaged and distributed to banks.
Anyone who has wondered how America’s circulating coinage is produced will enjoy this tape. No similar video is available from the Royal Canadian Mint showing how our coins are manufactured. Since the inside workings of the Denver Mint is not all too dissimilar to Canada’s circulating coin production at the Winnipeg Mint, this video offers a good introduction of how Canada’s coins are probably produced.
Catalogue No: V-112 (length: 52:00)
On September 12, 1857, two hundred miles off the coast of the Carolinas, the side wheel steamship S.S. Central America sank amidst the fury of a hurricane. She took with her hundreds of lives and over 3 tons of gold - the largest treasure trove in American history. Among her cargo also was hundreds of millions of dollars worth of gold bullion and coins minted from gold uncovered by prospectors in the California Gold Rush. This video follows a high tech crew of adventurers and scientists on the most ambitious deepwater salvage ever undertaken.
Her final resting place has remained a secret for over 132 years. Three young men on their ship the Columbus America, a high tech floating laboratory, contained an image projection computer with software that, using side-scan sonar, could sweep a path 3 miles wide and “paint” shipwrecks on a screen. Also on board was a 6 ton unmanned submersible that was their eyes ears and arms on the ocean floor. Called NEMO, it was designed to operate on the ocean floor in very cold water under extreme pressure via remote control. NEMO was the first unmanned robotic submersible designed specifically for deep oceans and was promptly used in the salvage operation of the deepest wreck ever recovered. It took 2 hours to descend 1½ miles to a depth 240 times the pressure on the ocean’s surface.
NEMO also contributed to a number of biological and ecological firsts. It gathered and brought to the surface biological creature never before seen alive. The first living coral of a type previously seen only in a preserved rock was also recovered.
You will be awed by the rolls of gold coins as well as the hundreds upon hundreds of gold coins that are strewn about he ocean floor. The video makes reference to the 3 tons of gold that the S.S. Central America carried but no reference is made to the number or value of the gold coins that she was known to carry.
As you expect from anything produced by the people from The Discovery Channel, this video is a quality production.
Although its length might be slightly longer at 52 minutes than most coin club meeting programs, it is interesting enough to show it. It could also be borrowed by individuals for viewing at home, hopefully with other collectors over coffee an donuts. We have acquired a number of copies so that no one should have to be turned down.
Catalogue No: V-113 (length: 60:00)
In 1622 the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Atocha sank off the coast of Florida. In her hold, she carried 40 tons of gold and silver bars, priceless jewellery and some 70 pounds of emerald contraband, including 65-karat emeralds. She also carried thousands upon thousands of pieces of silver coins and thousands upon thousands of gold coins.
For more than 300 years, men have died trying to find her and her priceless cargo. Join modern day treasure-hunter Mel Fisher, who, after a 16-year search, found the riches that so many have sought. Cameras take you deep underwater to reveal startling detail of the false starts and the discoveries of the fabulous numismatic treasure unearthed (unwatered?).
The quantity and the quality, after 350 years, of the numismatic material and other precious cargo is almost unbelievable. The quality and content of the video will make the 60 minutes go by very quickly!
Catalogue No: V-114 (length: 53:00)
“ODD & Curious Money: Papua New Guinea”
Producer: American Numismatic Association
Charles Opitz collected odd and curious mediums of exchange for 35 years. He has published two books on the subject and exhibited his collection numerous times. This lecture describes his firsthand experiences in Papua, New Guinea involving local forms of money.
In this video, you will see and learn where odd and curious money is found in Papua, New Guinea, types of feathers and beetles used on ritual headdresses, birds of paradise that are used as money, the “money pole” used at weddings, how brides are purchased, and the use of a boar’s tusks and dog’s teeth for necklaces. Examples of stone axes, cowrie shells, pig’s teeth, turtle shells and other forms of primitive money are shown.
Catalogue No: V-115 (length: 37:00)
Before a coin can be struck, it has to be approved in principle, the coin has to be designed and the design has to be approved before it can finally be struck. At the U.S. Mint much of this takes place in Room 319.
One of their engravers, Thomas Rogers, has designed many of America’s recent commemorative coins as well as other important works. In this video, he explains the entire process including all of the steps required for a new coin’s creation, how a press release is written to announce the new coin and talk about its specifications, the research required for the design and differences between a coin and a medal. Also covered are examples of a proposed D-Day silver dollar coin, criteria of a good coin design, how designs must be submitted and to whom, the skill and techniques required to carve the plaster models, along with photos of all current Mint engravers.
There is nothing similar currently available from the Royal Canadian Mint. Since the process at the U.S. Mint is very similar to what must happen at other Mints around the world, it also serves as an explanation of what happens at Ottawa before a Canadian coin is struck at either the Winnipeg or Ottawa Mints.
Catalogue No: V-116 (length: 37:00)
The Treaty of Versailles after World War I was a disaster for Germany. The war reparations it was forced to pay were unreasonable and contributed to the extraordinary hyperinflation that occurred from 1919 to 1923. Many unusual numismatic items came from this time period.
In this video you will see examples of German money prior to the inflation, bank notes that filled a wheelbarrow just to buy a loaf of bread, how notes were overprinted as they were devalued and how merchants were forced to improvise to stay in business. Examples of coins made from leather, coal and other strange materials are shown.
You will see denominations of currency never before seen in the world, such as Trillion Mark notes (that’s one thousand billions, or a million millions). Or how about a 10,000 Mark aluminium coin! An interesting piece of history told by the varied and unusual numismatic material.
Catalogue No: V-117 (length: 37:00)
If you have ever wondered about how the basic coin errors occur, this tape is for you. The presentation is given by one of the most well known authorities on U.S. error coins, Don Bonser. He covers the major types of mint mistakes to be found on U.S. coins, explains how they are made and shows examples of a number of the major types of errors.
Although only about 15 examples are presented, they cover some of the basic errors that can be found in circulation: blank planchets (not technically an error), round clip, straight clip, cud, split die, miss-aligned dies, off center, broad struck on both type 1 and type 2 blanks, double-struck, indented strike, partial and full brockage strikes, small coin overlapping larger blank, off-metal, off-planchet and double-struck off-planchet. We learn what some of these U.S. errors are worth and how to tell a phoney from a genuine.
It is all explained in straightforward, basic language and will prove interesting to both the beginning and advanced collector, as well as dealers.
Catalogue No: V-118 (length: 37:00)
Whereby the preceding video covers the explanation of how coins are struck and the basic errors that occur during the striking process, this video covers errors above and beyond that point.
Only the rarest examples of what can go wrong at the Mint are included. You will see and learn about examples of double-struck die caps, different error coins including off-centers, double-strikes, broad-strikes, multi-strikes, capped dies, double dies, cuds, wrong planchets, and many more. A brief explanation of how planchets are made and how to determine weight and metal content to determine a coins authenticity are also touched upon.
A companion video to the above tape. Quite frankly, if time for a program were not a problem at a club meeting, we would say show them both. If only one can be shown or when scheduling them for different meetings, we would definitely show the top one produced by the Florida United Numismatics first and show this one second.
Catalogue No: V-119 (length: 52:00)
From 1898 to 1946, the Philippine Islands were administered by the United States. A unique series of coins was produced at the U.S. Mints, which bore the identities of both lands. These coins reveal a lot of the rich history of the Philippines. These fascinating and very collectible issues have been largely overlooked by American and foreign collectors and present an important opportunity for the adventurer numismatist.
We find out that the Spaniards ruled the Philippines for something like 200 years. When the U.S. defeated Spain by sinking all of their ships in the Far East in 1898, the U.S. obtained the Philippines as part of the spoils of war. U.S. troops occupied the country, ultimately turned it into a U.S. possession and installed a civil government, and introduced regular U.S. coinage to their economy. However, these coins did not fit the Spanish coinage with which the Filipinos were familiar, and therefore new coins were struck at the U.S. Mint with both the U.S. and the Philippines names on them. Denominations reverted to the basic Spanish denominations of peso and centavos, written in Spanish (i.e. “Un” instead of “One”). We also find that reduction in size, weight and fineness also affected their coinage. Provisional patterns, the use of symbols (i.e. 3 main Island groups and the eagle), the Spanish influence on design (the use of the Pillars of Hercules) and the American influence (Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt’s busts, the Barber design, the eagle, the federal shield of the U.S.), the reasons for chop marks, and many other facts are explained. We also find that although the San Francisco Mint struck the early coins, an American-owned Mint in Manila struck later issues (identified by an “M” mint-mark).
When we first had an opportunity to acquire a copy of this video, we were somewhat reluctant to add it to the RCNA Audio Visual Lending Library. After all, how many RCNA members *(especially those living in Canada) would be interested in this coinage? Then we realized that the coinage is like any other legitimate U.S. currency, struck in a U.S. Mint or in a Mint owned and operated by the U.S. government. It includes more interesting facts and history than any other video or slide presentation we have on U.S. coinage.
RCNA members can borrow this 52 minute presentation for viewing at home. If it is shown at a club meeting, there is a 30-second “Intermission” break at the 22-minute mark which you either ignore and simply keep playing the video to its end, or stop the tape at that point and have the club coffee break before continuing.
Catalogue No: V-120 (length: 35:00)
Eight episodes about some of the leading currencies of the world. Their history, the technologies incorporated to foil counterfeiters, and those who tried to forge them. Based on the book “Moneymakers International,” we learn about the new technologies against old trickery, a battle that is fought on the highest technical level.
Countries covered are Sweden (who tried to overcome counterfeiting by including 4 signatures on each of their early notes), Austria (who included fibres in the paper mixture as well as water marks, security strips and geometric patterns), Germany (strips of hair, intaglio printing, see-through registers and micro-effects), China (complicated numbering system, beheading counterfeiters), Great Britain (intaglio and relief printing, water marks, geometric lines and death penalty), Australia (special paper, first use of synthetic paper, holograms) and the U.S. (all kinds of security features).
Not specifically about any specific area of collecting. Will be interesting and informative to some.
Catalogue No: V-121 (length: 33:00)
An ex-history teacher, Bob Robbins, tells the story of ancient times through coins with plenty of anecdotes about the famous personalities that appear on a number of well-known ancient coins.
This lecture is both educational and entertaining, and is designed for both the beginning as well as the experienced collector. Because of the light-hearted presentation, no one will get bored with heavy detail, just interesting tidbits of history such as who built the Coliseum or who invented the toilet.
We find out about the necessity of analyzing the weight, fabric and style of a coin, including research in reference books to determine the dates on ancient coins. You will learn that an Emperor’s title is renewed annually, that important victories and events are included in the wording of legend of the coin and the inclusion of the year of councilship allow us to date coins, even down to the exact month of issue.
Catalogue No: V-122 (length: 56:00)
This video illustrates America’s first coinage from the original thirteen Colonies and covers the rich history surrounding their use.
Following an introduction on how Old World coins wound up being used in Colonial Americas as commodity money and their varied denominations, we find out which medium of exchange the Indians introduced to the white man. We view illustrations of the early coinage produced for or by the colonies including speculative tokens, patterns, state coinage, fantasy pieces, contemporary counterfeits, etc.
Paper currency from a number of colonies is also illustrated, including Massachusetts (designed and printed by Paul Revere), Delaware (printed by Benjamin Franklin) and New Jersey.
A thoroughly enjoyable video, full of interesting facts and good photographs.
Because of its length of 56 minutes, this video is another candidate for home viewing by individuals. However, because we have high praise for it, we suggest that if you think that is a bit too long for a club program, stop it at the 47:30 mark and leave out the last 9½ minutes which covers the books available on the subject. You won’t really miss anything.
Catalogue No: V-123 (length: 34:00)
Learn about what not long ago was one of the fastest growing areas of collecting in the world from Murray Church, former publisher of “Money Card Collector” magazine. Mr. Church was formerly Vice-President of Communications at the Royal Canadian Mint, Ottawa, before moving to Sidney, Ohio to take charge of “Money Card Collector” for Sidney Press, the same people that owned “Coin World,” the world’s largest coin magazine.
Find out about the history of these cards, what is involved in acquiring these mediums of exchange and which ones are most collectible.
The only problem with this video is that we actually do not get to see too many phone cards. Rather, he talks about what makes a popular card (i.e. Disney and comic book characters), the aftermarket and what the manufacturer should do to assure good distribution. It is quite informative.
Catalogue No: V-124 (length: 43:00)
This video covers a presentation given at an educational seminar at a Florida United Numismatics Convention. The speaker breaks his presentation down into categories.
Emergency Coinage covers the 1943 U.S. steel cent, the Canadian 1943 chromium plated steel 5 cent piece, Swedish iron coins, Japanese aluminium coins and coins struck at the London Mint for Iceland. Occupation Coinage covers Nazi coins made for Czechoslovakia in silver (rare), for Hungary in aluminium, for Belgium in zinc and for Denmark in iron. The U.S. struck a zinc plated steel 2-franc piece for Belgium in 1944.
Paper currency is broken down into Overprints (by Germany, Japan and the U.S.), Invasion Money (Philippines, Malaya, Netherlands, East Indies and Oceana), and Allied Military Currency (printed by both the U.S. and Russia for use by soldiers in Germany, Austria, Japan and France, and by Germany for French West Africa). Some Guerrilla Currency of the Philippines was backed by the U.S. and redeemed after the war. The British 10 Pound notes counterfeited by Germany are also covered.
An interesting look at a period in recent memory that produced some of the most unusual forms of money since primitive times.
Catalogue No: V-125 (length: 45:00)
This video shows the earliest form of credit in the U.S., charge cards often referred to as credit tokens, and charge-a-plates. Unusual credit cards are shown, covering the development from paper and cardboard cards with punched computer slots to plastic cards, and current cards with holograms and magnetic strips.
Hotel, department store, Playboy Club, gasoline company and car rental credit cards are covered. Cards from Canada, the U.S., England, Australia, Japan and Thailand are shown.
There are many Canadian connections. We find out that the speaker, Ken Hallenbeck, purchased RCNA Past President Jack Veffer’s collection of 750 credit cards, while credit cards belonging to Canadian residents William H. McDonald and the late Al Bliman and Lloyd Carney are featured. Even the late J. Douglas Ferguson’s Playboy Key credit card is shown.
Catalogue No: V-126 (length: 37:00)
The “air print” of a 16mm black & white film on the life of the late Emanuel Hahn was rescued from imminent destruction a number of years ago. A fund-raising effort by the RCNA Executive Secretary some years ago produced funds to eliminate the scratches in the film and improve the quality of the sound, and then produce a negative from which a number of copies were made (credits of the donors were added to the film strip). We have now copied one of the good 16mm copies to VCR tape. The quality of the film has, fortunately, been maintained in the transfer.
Hahn is the designer of a number of Canadian coins, including the 1935 Silver Jubilee silver dollar, 1939 Royal Visit silver dollar, the caribou on our 25 cent reverse and the schooner on the 10 cent reverse. He also designed official Canadian Royal Visit medals and a number of Canadian National Exhibition awards presentation medals and plaques.
Non-Numismatic accomplishments of this public school dropout include a number of Canadian postage stamps dealing with wildlife, memorials, monuments and utilitarian headstones. The Sir Adam Beck monument, a tribute to this pioneer of electric power, which he sculpted in 1926, stands at the foot of University Ave. in downtown Toronto, close to another 3 of his sculptures. Other stone carvings stand at each end of a bridge on the Queen Elizabeth Way near St. Catharines.
His love for Canada and the outdoors is evident in the works shown in the film: geese, beaver, moose, Eskimo children, explorer Whilhelmer Stefenson and wildlife lover Jack Miner. His study of an Indian warrior is displayed at the National Art Gallery in Ottawa. He also loved to sculpt religious figures and headstones. His wife, the late Elizabeth Wynn Wood, a frequent speaker at the Toronto Coin Club and well-known sculptress, is also immortalized in one of his works.
His daughter Kennifer Brown of Ft. William, is interviewed in the film. A touching, well-written presentation that will be enjoyed by all. We rate is “excellent.”
Catalogue No: V-127 (length: 30:00)
This video covers an informal speech given by Dora de Pedery-Hunt at a meeting of the Scarborough Coin Club. It was taped by Scott Douglas and donated by him.
Mrs. Hunt is best known to the general public as the designer of Canada’s obverse design of Queen Elizabeth II on all denominations of Canada’s circulating coinage since 1990. She has also designed Canada’s 1976 $100 Olympic gold coin.
She has donated her time and talent to design and create the original plaster cast for the 1981 C.N.A. convention medal hosted by the Toronto Coin Club, and also created the S.O.B. Numismatist Awards medal, the award of recognition handed out by the Society of Bearded Numismatists.
No coin designer has sculpted more presentation and commemorative medals for government agencies, public organizations and private companies, which amount into the hundreds.
In the video, Mrs. Hunt provides details of her early life in Hungary, her migration to Canada, her start as an artist, background on her early works, as well as her philosophy on happiness and working hard. She reveals details about herself that are sometimes humorous and sometimes sad, but always interesting.
She has been a frequent speaker at coin club meetings on a number of subjects involving her medals, including the showing of slides of some of her many works of art.
Since the microphone was mounted on top of the camera at the back of the room, the sound might have to be turned up a bit. It should also be pointed out that this video is a brief autobiography of Mrs. Hunt and does not cover any of her coin or medal designs.
Catalogue No: V-129 (length: 56:00)
This video delves into the background of Alex Colville, the designer of a series of coins whose popularity has only been matched by the Canada 125 coin program exactly 25 years later, in 1992. The world-renowned artist that is the subject of this video is the only person to ever design the reverses on all denominations of circulating Canadian coins.
Colville was featured in a special program on TV Ontario because he was born in Ontario (in Toronto). Also, one of his only two official dealers is located in Toronto (the other is in London, England).
He was a war artist and a teacher before he switched to painting full-time. His work has appeared on postage stamps, magazine covers, record album covers…and of course Canada’s 1967 Centennial coinage, from the 1 cent piece right up to the dollar coin. Books featuring him and his works of art are available from bookstores throughout North America.
Although a bit on the long side for a coin club program, most of the audience will enjoy the in-depth background on one of Canada’s most celebrated coin designers and one of Canada’s most famous artists on the International stage. Or borrow it for showing at someone’s home with other numismatists over coffee and donuts.
Catalogue No: V-130 (length: 44:00)
This video covers the early history of the Hudson’s Bay Company, from its original charter granted by Charles II through the early people involved with the Company…explorers, traders, Indians…to its diversions into real estate and gas & oil ventures. It covers the ships that brought the white man over from Europe, the outposts, the relationships between the white man and the Indian, its monopoly and its post-monopoly’s shifting fortunes.
The presentation is hosted by well-known historian and author Peter C. Newman and interviews with the people that were involved with the Hudson’s Bay Company’s operations in the trading posts around Hudson Bay and Northern Manitoba. Although there is not a single reference to the Hudson’s Bay tokens in the video, it is nevertheless worth a watch because of the very interesting information it reveals about the rich, long history of a group of Europeans that, for the most part, worked side-by-side with native Indians and gave us those famous HB tokens.
Catalogue No: V-131 (length: 11:00)
This video highlights the minting of coins at the worlds largest, most technically advanced mint in South Wales.
Catalogue No: V-132 (length: 31:00
James Earl Jones guides you through a numismatic history lesson illustrating the coins and lives of Jesus Christ, Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, Hercules, Abraham Lincoln and Daniel Boon. The American Numismatic Association produced this video in 1995.
Catalogue No: V-133 (length: 8:00)
A short, technical presentation on the production of the McIntosh silver dollar. The making of the coin begins with the reduction process from a brass model to a matrix. The working punch is then made from the matrix followed by the production of a working die. Die masking and polishing complete this informative video. For those interested in the “making” of a coin, this is your instructive video.
Because of their length, the following videos are recommended for home viewing. We suggest that when you view them, that you also invite a few collectors and enjoy them together over coffee and donuts. As well, if any individual topic on a tape is of interested for showing at a local coin club, we suggest that you wind the tape to the beginning of that specific presentation and show just that portion at a club meeting.
Catalogue No: IS-1 (length: 2:00:00)
This seminar features Ross Irwin discussing “Exploring the Status of Numismatic Research & Writing in Canada,” Bruce Brace speaking on “Developing Research Techniques in Numismatic Writing,” Ron Green talking on “Writing the Numismatic Material,” Yvon Marquis explains “Covering the Subject” and Dr. Marvin Kay speaking on “Publication of Numismatic Research.” The educational forum was a panel of six experienced numismatists; Geoffrey Bell, Stan Clute, Brian Cornwell, Bill McDonald, Richard Becker and the late Bob Wiley. The panel discussed “What Areas of Canadian Numismatists Needs Written Research?” and “How do we Encourage more Canadian Numismatists to Become Further Involved in Writing and Research?”.
Catalogue No: IS-3
Q. David Bowers takes us through the history of the A.N.A., which is really a history of the “Numismatist.” We hear of the early organizational struggles, the beginning conventions up to the modern day A.N.A. Money Museum that houses the largest collection of rare coins, books and other numismatic artefacts.
Catalogue No: IS-4
This video features Paul Petch discussing “Canada’s Coins and Commemoratives”, John Regitko speaking about “Coin Process and Errors” and Chris Boyer covering “Canadian Paper Money, Part 1.”
Catalogue No: IS-5
This video features Marvin Kay discussing “Collecting Strategies” and Susan Maltby covering “Coin and Paper Money Preservation and Storage.”
Catalogue No: IS-6
This video features Brian Cornwell discussing “Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection.”
Catalogue No: IS-7
This video features Chris Boyer covering “Canadian Paper Money, Part 2” and Ted Leitch discussing “Canadian Tokens.”
Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint has donated all video presentations listed in this catalogue that are produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.
American Numismatic Association
We acknowledge the donation of videos produced by the American Numismatic Association
Paris Mint & the Olympic Committee
The Paris Mint & the Olympic Committee donated “Ten Olympic Pieces” and “Centennial Coin Program” (V-104).
British Royal Mint
The British Royal Mint donated a video about its minting process (V-131).
Ingrid Smith, Owner/Manager of Torex
The former owner/manager of Torex, Ingrid Smith and the current owner/manager, her son, Brian Smith donated “CBC’s Venture: Torex - The World of Coin Dealers & The Murky World of Trademarks” (V-106).
The Bank of Canada
The Bank of Canada donated “The Bank of Canada: Not your Average Bank” (V-108).
Scott Douglas
Scott Douglas “Dora de Pedery-Hunt: Her Early Years” (V-127) which he filmed at a meeting of the Scarborough Coin Club.
“The Life of Emanuel Hahn”
After a positive copy of the original 16mm of “The Life of Emanuel Hahn” (V-126) was acquired, a number of individuals made donations towards the cost of the creation of introductory credits, working negative and duplicate copies. It is due to their initial financial support that the VHS version was made possible. A list of donors is listed in the opening credits of the film.
Numismatic Education Services Association (N.E.S.A)
The acquisition of commercial productions listed in this catalogue are made possible through funding from the Numismatic Education Services Association (N.E.S.A), a registered Canadian non- profit organization.
So that we may continue to acquire additional educational programs for loan to interested parties (both clubs and individuals), we suggest that you consider a monetary donation to the Numismatic Educational Services Association (N.E.S.A.). A tax receipt is issued to donors filing Canadian income tax. Information about the Numismatic Educational Services Association.