INTERNATIONAL NUMISMATIC

SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO

AUGUST 2010 MEETING

CSNA 1268 - NASC 3026 ANAC 71399

Year XLVIII No. 8

Fourth Wednesday, August 25, 2010

North Park Recreation Center, 2719 Howard St., San Diego

5:45 p.m., Doors Open at About 5:00 p.m.

Topic This Month:

Odd and Curious (Primitive Money)

All sorts of things have been used as money at different times in different places.  The alphabetical list which follows, taken from page 27 of A History of Money by Glyn Davies, includes but a minute proportion of the enormous variety of primitive monies, and none of the modern forms.  Amber, beads, cowries, drums, eggs, feathers, gongs, hoes, ivory, jade, kettles, leather, mats, nails, oxen, pigs, quartz, rice, salt, thimbles, umiacs (Eskimo boats), vodka, wampum, yarns, and zappozats (decorated axes).

Since these things are so diverse, it is almost impossible to define money in terms of its physical form or properties. Therefore any definition of money must be based on its functions.  What material from this area of numismatics do you have to share?  Ken Aring is planning to provide us with a slide show. You’re encouraged to bring any material to show.  We’ll have a raffle.  Invite a friend.

●  SEPTEMBER TOPIC: For our topic next month we will be depending entirely on the "Show & Tell" meeting segment instead of a formal presentation.  We plan to be able to provide a means of projecting digital images (pdf, jpeg, etc.) so be thinking about sharing existing or making new images and/or bringing coins, memorabilia or other souvenirs.

AUGUST QUIZ by Bob Fritsch

Did everyone have a good time at the ANA?  I sure did, but am glad it’s over!  Primitive Money is our topic this month so try your hand at these questions.  I went to the internet to come up with this batch.  Refer to “'Primitive money' in Ethiopia” by Charles Parkhurst for some of these answers.

1.  What was a common form of money among the Aztecs?

2.  What was the principle barter “money” of Ethiopia?

3.  Name two factors that gave primitive money its value.

4.  What were the six forms of primitive money featured on coins issued by the African Development Bank in 2005?

Schedule of Upcoming Numismatic Events

 28-29 August – Golden State Coin Show Arcadia Masonic Center

Show Schedule Source: Beedon’s California Show List & Coin World

Numismatic Topics 2010

September A Country I Visited (or My Ancestors Were From)

October India and South Asia

JULY QUIZ by Bob Fritsch

Only a few weeks to go until the ANA show in Boston and all of us here are supercharged about it.  Preparations are nearly complete and we can hardly wait.  Hope to see some of you here.  While we wait, here is a currency quiz for countries starting with L or M – match the denominations with the country.

1.  Laari, Rufiyaa A.  Mexico

2.  Deni, Denar B.  Macao

3.  Cents, Pounds/Lira C.  Lesotho

4.  Att, Kip D.  Maldive Islands

5.  Centavo, Peso E.  Malaysia

6.  Avo, Pataca F.  Macedonia

7.  Mongo, Tugrik G.  Malta

8.  Sente, Loti H.  Laos

9.  Sen, Ringgit I.  Lithuania

10. Centas, Litas J.  Mongolia

JULY ANSWERS

1. D.  2. F.  3. G.  4. H.  5. A.  6. B.  7. J.  8. C.  9. E.  10. I.