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See: http://www.treasuredstocks.com/currency/world-paper-money/japan.html
Shoguns were military leaders who dominated Japanese society from the 16th century until 1868. During this time, a coin shortage prompted local clans, merchants and banks to issue paper currency, in a varity of colors and sizes. These notes were called Hansatsu or bookmark notes. These long and narrow notes are considered one of the most distinctive Japanese currency. Printed with woodblock’s on high quality paper; Hansatsu was crafted by artisans, who signed an oath of secrecy in blood. Each traditional note reflects a lost art form and shows flora, fauna or mythical figures in true Japanese style. Many also show vermillion validation stamps.
Canada Put "Wrong Maple Leaf on the New Canadian Dollar 20 Bill
Written by Jeff Smith
According to a January 18 article in Reuters,The Bank of Canada has barked up the wrong maple tree with its new plastic banknotes, using a foreign Norway maple leaf as the emblem on the notes instead of the sugar maple that the country has on its national flag, an eagle-eyed Canadian botanist says.
The untrained eye might not at first spot the difference between the maple leaf on the new $20, $50 and $100 bills and the North American sugar maple.
But it is clear to Sean Blaney, a botanist who tracks plants for the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Center in New Brunswick, and who brought it first to the attention of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
"The maple leaf (on the currency) is the wrong species," he told Reuters on Friday.
He said the Norway maple has more lobes or sections and has a more pointed outline than the sugar maple, and the lobe that rises in the center is shorter than the sugar maple's.
The Norway maple was imported from Europe and is now also common in North America. Blaney said it was probably the most popular tree along streets in central and eastern Canada.
"It has naturalized to Canada," he said. But it's not the grand sugar maple.
The central bank said the image on the new bills was purposefully designed not to represent any specific species but rather to be a combination of various kinds.
"It is not a Norway maple leaf. It is a stylized maple leaf and it is what it ought to be," said Bank of Canada currency spokesman Julie Girard.
She said the banknote designers created the image with the help of a dendrologist, a botanist who specializes in trees and shrubs.
"On the advice of this expert, steps were taken to ensure that the design of the leaf in the secondary window is not representative of a Norway maple," she said, adding that it was less rectangular than a Norway maple.
Blaney is not buying the explanation. "I think it's just an after-the-fact excuse," he said.
"That may have been their intention, to not have it be a specific species of maple, but they should have drawn it differently if that were the case, because the maple that they've drawn is quite clearly a Norway maple."
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Constructing a better bill to stop counterfeiting, printing goes high-tech.
Written by Jeff Smith
With several high-profile counterfeiting cases in the US this year -- and with crooks having access to increasingly sophisticated printing and copying technology -- governments are pushing hard to make paper currency more secure through technology.
A first peek at what the currency of the future looks like comes from Morocco, which this week is rolling out notes made from a high-tech composite called Durasafe. Made by Vancouver-based Fortress Paper Ltd. (FTP: TSX) -- which also produces paper for the Swiss franc and the euro -- the technology behind Durasafe is designed to foil even the canniest counterfeiters.
Morocco's new 25-dihram note is a sandwich of two thin sheets of cotton banknote paper surrounding a layer of polymer (the blue in the diagram below). Each piece of the three-layer composite is die-cut separately at asymmetrical intervals. The holes create tiny "windows" that offer a glimpse of interior security features, such as a magenta/green color-shift thread and a watermark of King Mohammed VI. The technology will also launch next year in two undisclosed countries, one in Africa and the other in Eastern Europe.
The United States, too, is about to turn its currency's security up a notch. Fortress's president, Chad Wasilenkoff, estimates that there are 1 million counterfeit US bills in circulation, and the quality of fakes gets better all the time. In 2008, Crane & Co., which prints US banknotes, started using a nano thread in $100 bills that only becomes visible when held to the light. The $5 bill also uses color-shifting ink and an embedded watermark to heighten security.
Crane has some other cool tricks in the works. Doug Crane, vice president of business development and government relations, says the company is working on microscopic lenses and "motion technology," in which an image on the paper appears to move depending on how a bill is tilted.
In fact, a new $100 bill to be issued in 2013 will feature a 6-by-2mm ribbon woven into the bill on which an abundance of little lenses will be incorporated. The pixels will reflect light differently as a bill is viewed from different angles, and images of the Liberty Bell will appear to move across the bill and morph into the number 100.
"You can't create advanced optical materials using an inkjet printer," Crane said. "For a counterfeiter to come up with a way to produce a material like that, it's darn near impossible or very difficult."
Making counterfeiting just that type of a prohibitive and expensive hassle is the goal of amped-up security features. "Nothing is counterfeit-proof," Wasilenkoff observed. "It can all be replicated with enough time, energy and effort." If it's too hard to fake the new bills, then crooks "will counterfeit an easier banknote," he said. And at the rate paper technology is advancing, those easier options will be harder and harder to find.
http://www.treasuredstocks.com/currency/world-paper-money.html
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The Europa series €5 banknote was unveiled by Mario Draghi, President of the European Central Bank
Written by Jeff Smith
Mario Draghi, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), today unveiled the Europa series €5 banknote. The unveiling was the highlight of the opening of the “New Face of the Euro” exhibition, which is being held at the Archaeological Museum in Frankfurt am Main from 11 January to 10 March 2013.
The new €5 banknote has benefited from advances in banknote technology since the first series was introduced over ten years ago. It includes some new and enhanced security features. The watermark and hologram display a portrait of Europa, a figure from Greek mythology – and hence the name of this series of banknotes. An eye-catching “emerald number” changes colour from emerald green to deep blue and displays an effect of the light that moves up and down. Short raised lines on the left and right edges of the banknote make it easier to identify the banknote, especially for visually impaired people.
These security features are planned to be included in all the new banknotes. They are easy to check using the “feel, look and tilt” method.
The new series has the same “ages and styles” design and dominant colours as the first series. The €5 will be the first banknote to be issued, starting on 2 May 2013. The other denominations, i.e. €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500, will be introduced over the next few years, in ascending order.
The first series will initially circulate alongside the new banknotes, but will gradually be withdrawn and eventually cease to be legal tender. The date when this occurs will be announced well in advance. However, the banknotes of the first series will retain their value indefinitely and can be exchanged at euro area national central banks at any time.
http://www.treasuredstocks.com/currency/world-paper-money.html
Ivy Baker Priest Treasurer of the United States
Written by Jeff Smith
If Notes Could Talk ….
A BINGHAM HIGH COED ROSE TO THE POST OF U.S. TREASURER
In 1953, shortly after taking office as Treasurer of the United States, Ivy Baker Priest was asked by President Eisenhower how she was enjoying her new job. She responded, "'I'm enjoying it immensely, Mr. President . . . but at the moment I'm just so overwhelmed to be here . . . I never expected to get anywhere near the White House.'" Eisenhower's face broke into a familiar grin, "'I know just how you feel,' he said. 'Neither did I.'" During her eight years as treasurer Priest dined with queens and princes, cabinet members and ambassadors, captains of industry and leaders of world thought, but through it all she never lost sight of her humble beginnings as the daughter of a poor Utah miner growing up in Bingham. On one occasion Priest was seated next to Norman Vincent Peale at a Washington, D.C., luncheon. The famous minister turned to her and said: "'Mrs. Priest, the people I have known in this world who have achieved things have all overcome some great handicap to reach their goal. I hope you won't mind my asking you . . . what was yours?'" Without hesitation she responded, "'Poverty.'" "'And now you are in charge of all that money,'" Peale said and laughed heartily.
Ivy Baker Priest was born September 7, 1905, in Kimberly, Piute County, to Clara Fernley and Orange D. Baker. Her father worked as a gold miner near Kimberly, but when the gold vein played out he moved his young family to Coalville. Following a boiler explosion there in 1912 the Baker family again moved, this time settling at Bingham Canyon where Orange obtained work in the copper mine.
Life in Bingham proved challenging. Ivy's father seemed strangely accident prone and was frequently unable to work due to injury. In an effort to meet the family's financial needs Ivy's mother opened a boarding house for miners, which boosted the family income but also brought 20 to 30 miners tramping through the Baker house each day. The mess their muddy shoes created led, in a roundabout way, to Ivy's lifelong, influential political career.
During spring runoff or when it rained hard the dirt streets and sidewalks of Bingham turned into a sloshing, muddy mess. The hungry miners were forced to track through the mire on their way to and from the Baker house and always left muddy floors behind as reminders of their presence. Ivy's mother, frustrated by perpetually filthy floors, began agitating for street improvements. She quickly found a sympathetic ear in Dr. Straupp, the family physician. He was dissatisfied with the way the Democratic incumbents were running Bingham and decided to run as a Republican for mayor. Clara promised him her full support if he committed to put down wooden sidewalks in Bingham once elected. Straupp agreed and Clara became the doctor's number one supporter. She rounded up a solid following among the foreign-born residents and even helped many to register as voters, an effort that often included establishing their citizenship. Ivy took an active interest in this campaign and became the "official errand runner" for her mother. When election time came Ivy spent the entire day at the polls, her "heart skipping with the excitement of it all." When the votes were finally tallied Clara Baker's influence had paid off. Dr. Straupp had won the election, and Ivy "felt as elated as a kingmaker" and soon determined that a career in politics would be "the ultimate in glorious achievement."
After active involvement in Bingham High School student leadership and extracurricular activities, Ivy began her public political career in 1932 as a delegate to the GOP state convention. Following her marriage in 1935 to Roy F. Priest, a wholesale furniture salesman, she remained active in politics. Even the birth of three children did not deter her. Beginning in 1944 she served for several years as Utah's Republican National Committeewoman and in 1950 ran unsuccessfully against incumbent Congresswoman Reva Beck Bosone. During Eisenhower's campaign for president Priest took charge of the women's division of the Republican National Committee and was credited with the successful drive to get out the women's vote, which totaled 52 percent of Eisenhower's victory margin.
Following her influential work in his campaign, Eisenhower personally called Priest and asked her to take over as treasurer of the United States, succeeding Truman appointee Georgia Neese Clark, the first woman to hold the post. Naturally, she accepted, but in a Deseret News interview she remarked how "overwhelmed" she felt by her appointment and commented "I can't get over the idea of seeing my signature on every United States bill."
Shortly after arriving in Washington Priest submitted her signature to the Treasury to be used in printing all U.S. bills. To ensure that her name was legible and in her best hand she wrote it 30 times and sent all 30 to the Treasury. They chose the first one she had written. Back in Utah Priest became quite a celebrity, especially in Bountiful where she had been living. Bountiful businessmen and the South Davis Chamber of Commerce secured a special shipment of the first dollar bills printed with Priest's name and distributed them to local businesses to give customers as change in the Bountiful, Centerville, and North Salt Lake areas. In addition, a Salt Lake Tribune editorial commented that "all Utahns will read with pride and pleasure the signature 'Ivy Baker Priest' on their paper money."
After her eight years in national office Priest continued her political career in California where she successfully ran for state treasurer in 1966 and again in 1970, becoming the first woman elected to a statewide office there and serving alongside Gov. Ronald Reagan.
Priest's illustrious political career ended June 23, 1975, when she died of cancer. Such dignitaries as Dr. William Banowsky, president of Pepperdine University, Ronald Reagan, and Art Linkletter, attended her funeral.
Come surf our site and discover for yourself the many and varied world currency notes we have. As you peruse our photos, please consider what they would say,
If notes could talk …
http://www.treasuredstocks.com/currency/world-paper-money.html
Comments from the son of the USS Pocatello's Captain
Written by Jeff Smith
This is some additional information on the Frigate U.S.S.Pocatello. My father LTCDR Henry H Horrocks Jr. was the commanding officer of the Pocatello after Cmdr Guinn in 1945.
My dad was raised around sailboats and was an excellent yachtsman. He was accepted into the Coast Guard without officer's schooling or exams because of his extensive maritime knowledge and experience.
He really was a very talented person; but the other side of the coin was he was not 'a people person'. He was not popular with the crew on the Pocatello because of his aloof manner and habit of staying to himself.
The savior of the situation was Buddy Ebsen who was the Executive Officer on the ship. He WAS outgoing and a people person and got along well with the crew. It was said that almost all matters relating to operating the vessel were filtered through Buddy Ebsen because of his skill and even-handedness in dealing with minor problems among the enlisted men.
Thus Buddy Ebsen was responsible for easing the tension on the weather observation sea duty - which was extremely boring and unexciting.
My father continued his interest in yachting after the war and always had a cruising sailboat up until a year or so before his death in 1974. He like many others gave six years to serving his country in a boring but necessary assignment.
Henry H Horrocks III
Monkton Maryland
Counterfeit Detection of the 1921-D Half Dollar
Written by Jeff Smith
The 1921-D boasts the lowest mintage in the Walking Liberty half dollar series with just 208,000 pieces struck. In low circulated grades (Good through Very Fine) it is probably the most challenging Walking Liberty half, and in high grades its rarity is eclipsed by only a handful of other dates. Examples could sell for anywhere from a few hundred dollars in Good to thousand of dollars at the Mint State level.
This 1921-D half might appear to be a lightly circulated at first glace. A few major problems quickly become apparent, however, such as the poorly struck details and an unusual lint mark in the right obverse field. The stars in the flag behind Liberty and the peripheral letters are particularly soft with a “fuzzy” appearance.
This coin was likely struck in Asia in recent years and then artificially toned to give the appearance of being a legitimate piece. The numerous abrasions were copied from a genuine specimen and will appear on all other counterfeits made from this pair of dies. Although this fake might not fool a collector familiar with the series, it is deceptive enough to fool many people.
If you have any questions call Jeff @ 870-670-4255
If Notes Could Talk ….
World money has been saved and collected since money was invented. Terms such as World Currency, World Banknotes, World Paper Money, are used interchangeably to describe the exciting and information-rich pursuit of collecting non-coin world money.
We here at Treasuredstocks.com believe that collecting paper money from all over the world is a perfect way to learn, teach, and share the history (political, economic, social, cultural), science, and geography of nations that make up the great and glorious world we live in.
Why are notes from the Chi’ing Dynasty (China Empire) so rare? Where was Bohemia? What is the Isle of Man? What did Syrian money look like in 1967? Who is engraved on the 1912 (just prior to the Revolution) Russian Ruble? Why are the Bernhard Notes located in the “Great Britain” category instead of Austria where they were engraved and printed? Answers lead to more questions; therefore, finding, holding, and collecting World Paper Money has become an increasingly popular, thrilling, and very exciting pursuit.
Currency enthusiasts world-wide are sharing their joy and real love of these rare and highly collectable notes. But it’s not just currency collectors who are interested in World Banknotes. People passionate about history, architecture, sailing ships, various flora and fauna, exquisite art, and transportation (planes, trains, automobiles), collect money that demonstrates their interests. World travelers often save samples of currency from nations they’ve visited. These circulated notes become the foundation for larger, more sophisticated and better quality items. Thus, condition (and authentication) is a significant factor for collectors; condition is represented as the “grade” of the note. Uncirculated notes with high grades are the most sought-after and valuable. The note’s appearance is also a factor. For us (and for many collectors), these notes are some of the most beautiful and fascinating ever created.
Treasuredstocks.com has listed Pick numbers for our World Currency notes but what exactly is a Pick number? Similar to Friedberg numbers identified and used for United States Currency, Pick numbers refer to a referencing and numbering system for International Currency items. This referencing and cataloging system is based on methods developed by Albert Pick and described in Standard Catalog of World Paper Money edited by George Cuhaj.
As we watched Opening Ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympics, we saw national representatives of countries from which we are now displaying currency. How exciting to see the currency come alive in such a unified show of solidarity.
Come surf our site and discover for yourself the many and varied world currency notes we have. As you peruse our photos, please consider what they would say,
If notes could talk …
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In 1916 Hermon A. MacNeil, a well-known sculptor, produced a new design for the quarter dollar, replacing the familiar Barber motif which had been employed since 1892. The obverse depicts Miss Liberty standing in a gateway, her right breast exposed, wearing a gown, holding a branch in her right hand and a shield in her left. LIBERTY is in an arc above, while IN GOD WE TRUST is lettered on the wall or parapet to each side of where she stands. The date is on a pedestal beneath her feet. The reverse shows an eagle flying to the right, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and E PLURIBUS UNUM above, with QUARTER DOLLAR below. Seven stars are to the left and six to the right. 52,000 were minted in 1916, followed by generous mintage of over 10,000,000 at the three mints in 1917. Complaints arose concerning the partial nudity of Miss Liberty, and because of this the design was soon changed.
While examples of the 1916 date are rare, the type set collector desiring a Standing Liberty quarter of 1917 will have no difficulty in acquiring one from any desired grade from Good through AU. Uncirculated pieces are fairly scarce, while superb Uncirculated coins are very elusive. Unlike their later counterparts, Type I quarters are usually sharply struck at Miss Liberty's head and on the shield. Most Uncirculated pieces possess full details.
Complaints arose concerning the exposed right breast of Miss Liberty, so partway through 1917 the design was changed. The new Miss Liberty now appears safely and nearly completely encased in a suit of armor or mail, perhaps a classic situation of overcompensation! The date, high on the pedestal below Miss Liberty, was continued in this position, but later, in 1925, this portion of the coin was recessed, to minimize the effects of wear. The reverse was restyled in 1917 and in its new form the eagle is higher and more centered on the coin, with three stars below the eagle and five to each side. The so-called Type II quarter was produced from 1917 through 1930, continuously except for the year 1922. Although Congress earlier mandated that coining design should not be changed more often than each 25 years, by the early 1930s it was decided to discontinue the Standing Liberty motif in favor of a new design.
The collector will have no difficulty acquiring specimens of commoner dates of the 1917-1930 era in any desired condition from Good to AU. Uncirculated pieces are readily found, particularly of dates from 1925 through 1930. Uncirculated pieces with sharply struck details at Miss Liberty's head and also on the highest part of the shield are quite elusive, and for some issues (such as 1926-D) are very rare. Such pieces often command a sharp premium over normal Uncirculated coins. No Proofs were minted during this span.
If you have any questions call Jeff @ 870-670-4255
In 1999, the U.S. Mint made a drastic mistake...
Written by Jeff SmithIn 1999, the U.S. Mint made a drastic mistake by producing the first Mint State $5 and $10 Gold Eagles bearing a "W" mint mark. In 1999, only Proof Gold Eagles were intended to bear the "W" mint mark. This mistake has left us with a lot of puzzling unanswered questions about the production and existence of the 1999-W $5 and $10 Mint State coins.
The year 1999 turned out to be a very busy year for the U.S. Mint. It received a tremendous and unexpected demand for American Gold Eagles. Many believe the Mint was in such a rush to produce 1999 Gold Eagles that in an attempt to meet the public's demand, it inadvertently mixed a proof die into service. Another possible theory is that the Mint may have intentionally put a proof die into service in order to meet the public's demand. Whatever the case may be, we can be certain the coins should not exist today.
The huge demand for 1999 Gold Eagles was more than likely created by collectors and investors who were worried about the upcoming Millennium year and some of the potential issues that could have been created by Y2K. Many decided to purchase American Gold Eagles as a safeguard to any potential problems arising due to the upcoming Millennium year. In return, many purchasers of 1999 Gold Eagles decided to purchase mainly fractional issues, since they are much cheaper and more affordable.
Going forward, sometime early in the year 2000, some of the first 1999-W Mint State Gold Eagles were discovered. The Mint did not provide any clues or give any indications as to how many of these coins were produced or why. It wasn't until years later that the Mint would give a very important clue as to how many coins could have actually been produced.
In 2005, a U.S. Mint spokesman issued a statement indicating that an estimated 6,000 Mint State Gold Eagles are produced from each pair of dies. If this was the case for the 1999-W Mint State Gold Eagles and only one pair of dies was used, a 6,000 production figure for each would not be unlikely. As of this writing, 11 years have passed and there has been no indication or supporting evidence that more than one pair of dies was used to produce this modern key issue. Therefore, if only one pair of dies was actually used and about 6,000 coins were made, this would make both coins very scarce in the Mint State Gold Eagle series. There is a good possibility that some of these coins are still out there unrecognized by collectors as being the elusive 1999-W Mint State Gold Eagles, because they can be confused with Proof coins since Proofs also bear the "W" mint mark.
Fred Weinberg, a U.S. coin dealer specializing in major error and U.S. coins, indicated he bought hundreds of the 1999-W Mint State Gold Eagle coins from a major mint distributor at one time. This distributor had already sent the majority of these dates and denominations to Japan for jewelry purposes. Julian Leidman, also a major dealer, buyer and seller of these coins, indicated he owned hundreds of these coins all at once and he mentioned he still buys and sells these coins because he believes they are a great modern issue. Finally, Hannes Tulving, another major U.S. Mint authorized dealer who has handled well over 1,500 of these coins over his career, believes that there are still many coins out there that are unrecognized, and many of them may still be hiding in rolls or even inside IRA accounts.
The most recent total population figures do not match or even come close to matching the 6,000 possible figures, even if one pair of dies was actually used. With many 1999-W gold eagles going overseas, tucked away in rolls, IRA accounts and even in private collections, we may never know the actual amount of coins in existence. So for now, we can only speculate.
In the future, there is a possibility the supply of these coins may increase if some of them ever show up from the above mentioned sources. However, many years have gone by and the supply has not significantly increased. So far, the demand has exceeded the availability.
Today, the coins can still be obtained at reasonable prices considering their very low possible mintages. However, don't be surprised if these coins appreciate in price as they have a very strong potential, especially since they are key coins in the very popular American Gold Eagle series!
If you have any questions call Jeff @ 870-670-4255
Idaho State Quarters were released on June 4, 2007 as the 43rd coin in the Statehood Quarter Series. This position in the state quarter cue is significant because Idaho is the nation’s 43rd state. Notably, the Idaho Quarter had the greatest overall mintage of all State Quarters produced that year. In 2007, state quarters were issued for our home state of Idaho as well as Utah, Wyoming, Washington, and Montana.
Here are some Idaho State Quarter specifications and mintages:
Specifications:
-Designers: William Cousins after John Flanagan (obverse), Don Everhart (reverse)
-Composition: 91.67% copper, 8.33% nickel (clad), 90% silver, 10% copper (silver proof)
-Diameter: 24.26 mm; Weight: 5.67 grams; Thickness: 1.75 mm; Edge: Reeded
Mintages:
-2007-P Idaho Quarter: 294,600,000; 2007-D Idaho Quarter: 286,800,000
-2007-S Proof Idaho Quarter: 2,374,778; 2007-S Silver Proof Idaho Quarter: 1,313,481
Drama and controversy over the 2007 Idaho State Quarter
On the coin’s face you’ll notice that the central main figure/symbol is the Peregrine Falcon. This image carries great controversy for many Idahoans. Thus, drama, dispute, and intrigue cloud our Idaho quarter’s design.
The Peregrine Falcon is NOT the Idaho State Bird (Mountain Bluebird) and does NOT symbolize anything uniquely Idaho. As a bird-of-prey, the Peregrine Falcon lives world-wide; it inhabits every continent except Antarctica and occupies widely diverse habitats. Thus, the average Idaho citizen does not understand why then Governor Dirk Kempthorn chose this bird above all the other 1,200 possible design suggestions submitted to the Idaho Commission of the Arts. Idaho is best known as a sportsman’s paradise with its pristine wilderness and world class skiing, fishing, hunting, rafting, hiking, and biking opportunities. Yet, on this controversial coin, even the very shape of Idaho is much smaller and to the lower right of the Peregrine Falcon.
The state quarter initiative was developed as an incentive to bring in new coin collectors. This mission has absolutely been accomplished because the State Quarter program is considered the most successful numismatic project in history. Nearly half of all US citizens are, in some fashion, saving and collecting these coins.
The State Quarter designs were meant to be symbolic representations of the unique history, geography, images, and/or heritage of that state. Therefore, as you take a careful look at the Idaho State Quarter,ask yourself if what you see represents your own image of Idaho and its people. Consider the following interesting facts about our state.
Interesting Idaho Trivia
Sun Valley, Idaho (just minutes from our home in Bannock County), is home to the world’s very first ski chair lift (created in 1936 and carried a cost-per-ride of $.25). Sun Valley is also considered the nation’s first destination ski resort.
The US Federal Government manages over 63% of Idaho Lands.
Idaho has more miles of rivers (3,100 miles), than any other state
At 7,900 feet deep, Idaho’s Hells Canyonis the deepest river gorge in North America
With a total population of about 1.4 million, Idaho’s entire population is less than any of the top nine US based cities
Potatoes were not grown in Idaho until 1836. Now about 27 billion potatoes per year, are grown in Idaho. The “famous” potato is Idaho’s state vegetable.
Hagerman Valley (South Central Idaho) produces almost 85% of all the commercially sold trout in the US
With a drop of 212 feet, Shoshone Falls (South Central Idaho) drops further than Niagara Falls by 52 feet
In July of 1955, Arco, Idaho was the first city to be lit by Atomic Energy.
Hollywood legend Lana Turner (Julia Jean Mildred Frances Turner) was born in Wallace, Idaho
As the nation’s “Gem” state, Idaho produces 72 precious and semi-precious stones. Actually, one of the largest US diamonds ever found (about 20 carats), was unearthed near McCall, Idaho. Furthermore, the Northern Idaho area of Silver Valleyis credited with over four billion dollars worth of precious metals, placing it among the top ten mining regions in the world.
With about 2.3 million acres of pristine, unspoiled, rugged backwoods wilderness, the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness range is considered to be the largest wilderness area in the 48 lower states. It gets its name from the very difficult passages.
Westward travelers came through Idaho along five of history’s most rugged pioneer trails: Ruts made by their wagons are still visible along Idaho’s Oregon and California Trails.
Sacajawea, a Lemhi Shoshoni, came from northern Idaho and in the early 1800s, guided the Lewis and Clark expedition through Idaho and beyond to the Pacific Ocean.
In 1959, some of the oldest carbon-dated artifacts in North America were found in South-Central Idaho. These objects include bison and antelope bones along with arrowheads.
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the bill that created the Territory of Idaho which became the State of Idaho 27 years later. During those 27 years, the Idaho Territory had 16 governors, four of whom never ever saw nor set foot on Idaho land.
Ernest Hemingway came to Idaho (Sun Valley) in 1939 to write “For whom the bell tolls.” He died here in 1961 and is buried in Ketchum, Idaho
If you are ever in a fire, you will be glad for the Pulaski, a mattock-axe tool used in fire-fighting world over. It was invented here in Idaho
In 1907, then President Teddy Roosevelt established the Caribou National Forest, right here in Southeast Idaho.
Philo T. Farnsworth’s hometown of Rigby, Idaho (just north of us) is considered television’s birthplace because of Farnsworth’s inventions.
The largest man-made geyser sits just under an hour’s drive from us in Soda Springs, Idaho.
Idaho has multiple public and private hot springs. Many buildings throughout the state are geo-thermally heated from underground springs.
North America’s tallest single-structured sand dune rises 470 feet and is located in Bruneau Dunes State Park, Idaho. The Bruneau Canyon Overlook will allow you to view a 1,200 feet deep, 800 foot wide river canyon. The Bruneau River is 60 miles long.
Four states can be seen from the Heaven’s Gate Lookout in Idaho.
At 7,900 feet deep, Hells Canyon, Idaho is the deepest river gorge in North America.
For more interesting information that is uniquely Idaho, please click here
For more information about Idaho and the Bannock County area, please visit:
A rarely seen South African / Boer War 1900 1/-Shilling note recently made its way into the grading room.
Written by Jeff Smith
An incredible story of bravery, resilience and war tactics surround one of the most interesting notes we have ever laid our eyes on: the South African 1900 1/- Shilling note from the Boer War. It is not complicated printing techniques, stunning vignettes, glitzy holograms or hi-tech plastics that draw my attention, it is the story
The siege of Mafeking (1899-1900) in South Africa during the British occupation was a 217 day battle between the Boers and British troops over a vital link in the supply chain for incoming British troops. In the end the massively outnumbered British (nearly 8:1) were victorious earning them a decisive victory using a combination of cunning, deception and bravery.
The British troops being outnumbered and undersupplied faked barbed wire, masked their insufficient numbers by using make-shift search lights made from tin cans and even set up dummy landmines around the 6 mile perimeter of the city. They repelled numerous Boer advances using century-old cannons and a cadet corps of boys ages 12-15.
Colonel Baden-Powell is best known as the man who founded the Boy Scout Movement in 1908 but, in military terms, it was his earlier defense of the small town of Mafeking for 217 days from October 1899 to May 1900 that reveals his ingenuity in times of duress. The Boers laid siege to Mafeking on 12th October 1899 - the day after hostilities with the British broke out.
But as we know, you still need money during a siege as basic commerce cannot stop. Citizens still need essentials, and being cutoff for almost a year would definitely mean rationing. So, British commander Robert-Baden Powell decided to issue 1, 2, 3 & 10/- Shilling as well as £1 notes.
During the siege and constant pounding from Boer guns, these notes were printed in an underground bunker on standard writing paper using a woodcut plate and a smash from a croquet mallet to press them. Unbelievably, these notes were backed by the British Army, whose paymaster was depositing checks into the Mafeking branch of the Standard Bank of South Africa as they were being released into circulation. The bank manager cosigned each note issued by the British. Just over £5,000 total were printed and not many survived. Of those that survived, most were never redeemed - being kept as souvenirs - leaving a hefty bank account and raising questions regarding faulty accounting.
When holding one of these notes you are also touching something that someone over a century ago had held during one of the most famous and decisive battles of the British occupation of Africa. Not only would one of these notes make for an incredible conversation piece to add to your collection, but they are a historical artifact. These small pieces of paper played an enormous role in shaping history and are a reminder of bravery, sacrifice and honor.
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