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NORTH OF THE TEHACHAPIS

By Stan Turrini Assistant Editor

P O Box 4104

Vallejo, CA 94590-0410

Greetings! Please accept my regards for the New Year to each and every one of you! Least I forget, let me express my warmest and best wishes to Harold Katzman, who has covered the ‘southern part’ of the State these past years. Best Wishes Harold!

Local Northern Clubs: Keep mailing those newsletter, bulletins and press releases!

The FAIRFIELD COIN CLUB writes that it had a successful Coin Show last September. ANA officials present were President H Robert Campbell, Governor Kay Lenker and Regional Coordinator, Dr Walter A Ostromecki, Jr. The exhibit winners were: Dr Rodney Baker, The Campbell Award, for his ‘Centennial Olympic Coins’ and Stan Turrini, The President’s Award for his’Currency Goes to War’. In October, 2000, Syd Kass from Stockton spoke on ‘The Wandering Third Print’; a review of the third printing errors that happen in printing our currency. His talk was highlighted with actual samples, but no free samples!

SOLANO SILVER ROUND CLUB reversed itself and did decide to do a silver round this year, although it will not be delivered until next year. The Club is honoring the California Statehood Sesquincentennial, 1850-2000, with a silver round designed by Dennis Lotspeich, Ranco Palos Verdes. The medal design uses the California State Capitol Building as its subject. A new revised listing of this Club’s silver round issues has been prepared. Request a copy by emailing ‘stanyrbk@vusd.solanocoe.K12.ca.us’.

DIABLO NUMISMATIC SOCIETY has heard two great programs as it ends year 2000. In September, DNS President Stan Turrini spoke on ‘Enhancing Your Numismatic Enjoyment’, placing emphasis on the importance of keeping a filing system, saving coin club bulletins, and collecting memorabilia from the Clubs you belong to. Vice-President Mike Fiore initiated the Society’s first annual ‘October Paper Money Fest’ with a massive and mighty review of US Currency derived from his extensive collection and the Library. Mike’s theme was a library and references first and build a collection of everything. He advocated joining the Society of Paper Money Collectors (SPMC) and to correspond and to coordinate with other ‘rag-pickers’. As part of his program, a special limited-edition Diablo Dollar Note was issued. DNS is sad to report its former Secretary and Editor Stewart Huckaby has relocated to Dallas, Texas with his new career. Best Wishes, Stewart, in the Lone Star State.

CUPERTINO COIN CLUB joined its neighbor, the SAN JOSE COIN CLUB for their annual Club Picnic last August. Some 45 members and guests attended. Food was plentiful highlighted by Ann Peavey’s ‘Baked Bean Medley’ and Rose Tyson’s ‘home grown tomatoes’. CCC Septembers meeting featured the winner of the clubs medal design:George Andrey, plus the winners in the long delayed Youth Currency Design Contest: Spencer Morgan, Alex Chien and Natalie Tyson. SJCC heard its Treasurer Larry Benson speak on ‘How to Grade Coins’. To show the vast differences in wear, Larry brought a roll of dimes in AG condition and compared it to a roll of uncirculated ones. The size difference showed just how much of a dime’s mass can be worn off. The SJCC also celebrated ‘Other Hobbies Night’ with Larry Benson, Peter Flores, Gary Acquistapace, Ed Sins, Don Barsi, Ryan Johnson & Britta Elhers participating.

The SAN FRANCISCO COIN CLUB reported that Rose Hungtington, age 89, passed away early September, 2000. For decades she was among the most active booster of the SFCC. At the time of her death, she was residing in Florida. The club bulletin “Two Cents Worth” reported no other details. The same issue acknowledged those who have made cash or coin contributions to the Club and extended thanks to Ken Takahashi, Stuart Denton, Mel Krinsky, Vic Rollo, Sydney Pearlman, Gordon Donnell, Michael Perekrestenko and Michael S Turrini. The SFCC honored its 40th Anniversary on October 24, 2000 with a small gathering and social at the regular meeting .

LIVERMORE VALLEY COIN CLUB published a special appreciation in the LVCC’s October Newsletter: “A special thanks to member Tom Schroeder for bringing monthly snacks to all the meetings for the last year. My (Editor) waist line would like to thank you also”.

STANISLAUS COUNTY COIN CLUB has new officers: Terry Woodward (President); Mike Tandy (Vice-President); Gary Stagno (Recording Secretary); Rasha Robinson (Corresponding Secretary); and Hal Deboard (Treasurer). On an August Sunday the SCCC held its annual picnic: “There were hot dogs, hamburgers, homemade salads, chili beans and all the trimmings you could think of”.

The VALLEJO NUMISMATIC SOCIETY re-elected its executive officers: Harry Davis (President); Dr Rodney W Baker (Vice-President); Irene Carillo (Secretary) and Stan Turrini (Treasurer). VNS awarded its highest and most esteemed honor, Service Medal #10 to Past President and longtime supporter Joseph R Siros in September.

REDWOOD EMPIRE COIN CLUB has important news to report. The Club commemorated its six hundredth meeting November 8, 2000. Lee H Gong, Vice-President and Youth Coordinator for RECC, was named a Krause Publication Numismatic Ambassador last August during the ANA Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Lee also won a First Place in the exhibiting at this convention. Ian Seely, an active Young Numismatist, attended the Summer 2000 ANA Educational Seminar in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Clubs new meeting location was opened with an appropriate ribbon cutting ceremony and speeches, plus lots of good food.

SACRAMENTO VALLEY COIN CLUB has a WebSite: ‘members.aol.com/svccclub’. As this issue is being prepared, the SVCC is having problems nominating a President. Larry Bryant, for the Nominating Committee, said it best “This is your Club and it can only be a good as what you put into it. If it continues in the direction it is now going, we will lose our coin shows and ultimately our Club. We don’t want that, do we?” That message would apply to the members of any local coin club. What would be your answer?

Vice President, Dennis Nuedek of the FRESNO NUMISMATIC SOCIETY published a short article in their October Newsletter. “This brings me to the point of this article, our Club’s October 2000 Coin Show. Among the five hundred or so visitors who will walk through the doors of the show will be quite a few budding numismatists who are eager for our knowledge and experience. Some will have had their interest piqued by the United States Mint Fifty State Quarter Dollar Program. Others may have gotten a few old coins from relatives or a friend, or some may just be curious. No matter what brought them to our show, once they come through our doors, they are our responsibility. That’s right! We have a duty to them arising out of the unspoken expectations of our own Mentors past. The great majority of collectors do not belong to a local coin club. That puts our Club Members at the cutting edge of our hobby and its survival. Do you realize that the members of our Club, combined, have more than a thousand years of collecting experience! What a great reservoir of knowledge”.

The PACIFIC COAST NUMISMATIC SOCIETY recently hear member David Evans speak on “ANA Memories, Memmorabila and Awards”. David gave detailed descriptions of some of h8is adventures and provided enough display material of souvenirs to thoroughly cover an entire table. Al Beck (from The Coin Lode in Lodi) spoke on “Topical is Topical”. PCNS may be contacted at its Website:’www.pcns.org’ and emailed to pcns@mypad.com. Conventional mail can be sent to PO Box 194271, San Francisco, CA 94119-4271.

GATEWAY COIN CLUB OF MERCED COUNTY held its annual club medal design contest in October. Marilyn Buckingham’s winning design featured The Fancher Monument which will be depicted on the 2001 medal. What is this monument? It is a sixty-eight (68) foot high granite spire erected in honor of George Hicks Fancher, a prominent Merced County farmer and businessman, who died at the age of 72 in 1900. His will sytipulated construction of this monument, and his estate could afford it, on a one acre site at the southeast corner of Arboleda Drive and Highway 140 several miles east of Merced. It is generally believed to be the biggest tomb in California.

VISALIA COIN CLUB’s young Vice-President Cameron Kiefer is a most dedicated Youth Numismatist and booster. I have been corresponding with him and Cameron will be going places, big time in our hobby. The Editor for the monhly VCC newsletter is well-known California and CSNA Vice-President, Ruth Phillips. She recently said “whenever I go to a coin show, I always buy drawing (raffle) tickets because I know that most local clubs rely on that income”. And, recently, for her support, she won a Saint Gaudens Twenty Dollar Double Eagle.

Few northern California coin hobbyists have contributed and served our grand hobby as much and as long as Fred G van den Haak of The PENINSULA COIN CLUB. Fred has held many positions including Editor and served has a longtime Treasurer. There are others, yet for the PCC and the Northern California Numismatic Association (NCNA), Fred has been one of the stalwarts. On September 23, 2000, H Robert Campbell, current President of the ANA, honored Fred with the ANA’s Presidents Award. A rightly deserved and justly earned recognition. Congratulations, Fred! David Evans and Stan Turrini spoke to the PCC on ‘Enhancing Your Numismatic Enjoyment’. The PCC “very much applaud and appreciate their efforts to promote our hobby and remind us of the simple pleasures and educational value associated with coin collecting”. The PCC also acknowledged those members who made cash or kind donations toward the Club: Jim Southward, Fred G van den Haak, John Brown and Bruce Greenblatt.

The DELTA COIN CLUB (STOCKTON) is proud to report that three of its members were honored by the numismatic fraternity these past months. First, Life Member and frequent speaker, Mike Stanley, was made a Krause Publication Numismatic Ambassador last July 29, 2000. Second, on September 23, 2000, Dr Walter A Ostromecki, Jr bestowed the ‘National Coordinator’s Award for Numismatic Excellence on Stewart Huckaby and William Horning. The DCC is also proud of Junior Member Collen Maloy, daughter of President Kevin V Maloy. Collen designed the Club’s 2000 Medal and the Maloy Family was represented 100% as she received her seven piece Club Medal Set as her reward. The DCC announces that ANA Vice-President, and Past Governor, John and Nancy Wilson will be honored guests at their Annual Dinner, January 12, 2001, to be held in the Eagles Hall, Stockton.

The LIBERTY NUMISMATIC SOCIETY has only ONE big item of news and the item is now history. On October 3, 2000, LNS held its famous annual Book Auction. “Guest Steve Huston reprised his role as Auctioneer for the fabulous October auction and he did a bang-up job of selling the vast array of donated books, catalogs and periodicals. Notable donors included Don Barsi, Chris’s Jewelry, David Cieniewicz, David Evans, David Fouke, Mark Gealy, Dr Paul Holtzman, Stephen Huston, Vince Lacariere, David Lange, Elizabeth Lytle, Larry V Reppeteau, Joe Wargo and Howard Wheeler. The volunteer efforts of David Evans, Gordon Donnell, Gene Hoy, Stephen Huston and Jim Rosen in preparing for and conducting the Auction are especially acknowledged. Winning bidders included Ken Barr, David Evans, Howard Wheeler, Nevio Andreatta, Don Barsi, Ron Baughman, Kirby Brown, Chuck Call, Mark W Clark, Gordon Donnell, Gene Hoy, Ron Johnson, Mel Krinsky, Al Lo, George Proctor, Larry Reppeteau, Vic Rollo, Jim Rosen, Chris Thompson and Stephen Wong.” What did these fine Coin Hobbyists ear for the LNS, a recors $1084.95! Could not anyone donate the five cent nickel and make it an even $1085.00. Great job LNS!