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Post by shibolet on Dec 17, 2004 4:08:56 GMT -5
Hi George,
Christiana should be CHRISTIANIA.
In the Links page, my homepage is Tædivm (= boredom), not Teadvim. (change vi to iv and alt 145 for ae to merge into æ)<br> Chaim
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Post by George on Dec 17, 2004 6:03:09 GMT -5
Thanks for the corrections. I've implemented accordingly.
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Post by shibolet on Dec 18, 2004 11:41:33 GMT -5
Hi George,
Another correction to the "Links"page...
Darren Cameron ("Coins of Fantasy") is also a member of USNS! Please add to info.
Chaim
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Post by George on Dec 18, 2004 17:51:34 GMT -5
Done!
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Post by shibolet on Dec 26, 2004 3:28:07 GMT -5
George,
Some additions/corrections are needed in the Universala Liga listing.
I'm enclosing a short article I wrote earlier this year, which (partially) formed the base for Erik's listing in his links page:
__________________________________________ ARTICLE:
THE COINAGE OF THE UNIVERSALA LIGA (1942-1993)
Chaim D. Shiboleth
The Universala Liga (Universal League) was founded in secret in The Hague ('s Gravenhage) on the 14th of April 1942 (25th anniversary of the death of Dr. Zamenhoff), during the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands in the Second World War. Esperanto was at the time forbidden by Nazi doctrine, being seen as part of the "international jewish /communist complot to enslave the world".
The mission statement of the Liga was to unite mankind in peace through the use of a common language, Esperanto. The Universala Liga gained a substantial Dutch and international following in the years after WW2, with more than 15,000 members in the early 50's.
During the 1st international assembly of the Liga on the 16th of march 1946 in The Hague, a decision was made to introduce a common currency with an internationally stable value. The idea of a common coinage was not a new one; in 1912 commemorative coins had been privately minted in the name of the International Esperanto Association with values in speso*1, although this initiative had not had any economic significance, having being regrettably ended by the advent of the first World War.
The new Liga currency was to be introduced as an experiment in achieving peace via international economics. The goal was to prove to the world that international economic pressure and the international conflicts caused by these pressures, could be discarded by using a common world currency. The currency was to be named "stelo", meaning star (multiple = Steloj), the star being one of the symbols of the Esperanto movement. The value was to be fixed at 1 Stelo = 1 standard loaf of bread, which was at the time cost 0.25 Netherlands Guilders. The slogan on the coins was to be "One World, One Language, One coin".
In 1946, soon after the decision to introduce the common currency , the Universala Liga started printing coupons (Premio-Kupono) with the value in Stelo's for internal use, for the payment of activities, leaflets, prize-money etc. These were widely used within the movement up until the 1980's.
In 1959 the Liga proudly introduced the first issue of what was to become the new international coinage, with values of 1 Stelo (bronze), 5 Stelo's (brass) and 10 Stelo's (copper-nickel). The coins were minted in an optimistically large amount by the Royal Dutch Mint (Rijksmunt) in Utrecht*2. Exceeding expectations, the sale of the coins rapidly covered the costs and in 1965 a new coin in silver proof quality was introduced with the value of 25 Stelo's*3.
In 1974 the price of the Stelo was revalued at 0.50 Netherlands Guilders and the connection of the value to the price of bread was released. In 1977 the stelo was fixed at a new constant, stable price-index, based on a percentage of the theoretical monthly purchases of an "average" family (the same system used nowadays to calculate minimum wages). The idea behind this was that this index would not be as heavily influenced by inflation as the European currencies were at the time.
Because of theoretical differences, amongst others regarding the key to calculating the value of the Stelo, fierce internal dispute arose between the members of the board of directors of the U.L, finally leading to the departure of the League's Cashier and financial expert, mr. Laurence Mee.
From the 1980's onwards, the activities of the U.L. stagnated due to lack of new members, until finally in 1993 the League was disbanded and the assets, including the few remaining coins, were bequeathed to the World Esperanto Association. The dream of a common world currency leading to international peace had sadly enough not materialised.
*********************************************
*1 The Speso coins, now rare collector's items, were minted by the Swiss firm "Holy Frères" with values 1000 speso's (spesmilo) and 2000 speso's (2 spesmilo's). Claims for pattern coins in other values (10 speso's (spesdeko), 100 speso's (spescento) and 10000 speso's (spesdekmilo)) have not been confirmed.
*2 The specifications of the 1959 coins are as follows:
1 STELO: Denomination: 1 Stelo Diameter: 20 mm Edge: plain Mintmarks: caduceus & fish Mintage: 10,000 pieces Metal: bronze, 3.4 grams
5 STELO’S: Denomination: 5 Steloj Diameter: 23.3 mm Edge: reeded Mintmarks: caduceus & fish Mintage: 10,000 pieces Metal: brass, 5 grams
10 STELO’S: Denomination: 10 Steloj Diameter: 28 mm Edge: unreeded Mintmarks: caduceus & fish Mintage: 10,000 pieces Metal: copper-nickel 75-25, 9 grams
*3 Except for the silver proof coins, a limited amount of coins were minted in other metals as well. The specifications of the 1965 coins are as follows:
25 STELO’S: Denomination: 25 Stelo Diameter: 37.8 mm Edge: reeded Mintmarks: caduceus & fish Mintage: 10,000 pieces in PROOF Ag .900, 25 gr.(according to Du Mee, final mintage was 5,000 pcs.) 1,000 pcs. in BU Cu-Ni 75-25, 19 gr. 10 pcs. in PROOF Au.983, 50gr. (edge-numbered)
Literature:
Boegheim L.M.J. "Esperanto-Betaalpenningen", De Muntkoerier 3-1994 blz. 27-33
Mee L. "De Stabiele Munteenheid van de Esperantisten: De Stelo", Jaarboek 2000 van het Europees Genootschap voor Munt- en Penningkunde blz. 147-159
© Drs. C.D. Shiboleth, 2004
_____________________________________________
I hope this gives you the info you need to complete the listing.
In the coming days I'll send you scans of the 1 Stelo coupon, the 5 Steloj and the 10 Steloj.
Regards,
Chaim
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Post by George on Dec 26, 2004 3:40:36 GMT -5
Hi Chaim,
This is fantastic data. I have recently purchased the 1 stelo coupon + the 5 and 10 steloj coins, and am hoping to acquire the other 2 coins shortly - so no need to send scans, as I'll do my own when they arrive here.
Where was your article published? I would like to add a pdf of the original article to the reference library if possible. Can you send me a scan?
Also, I have been discussing with Stephen V the idea of proposing to the editor of Australian Coin & Banknote Magazine that the USNS author a monthly article in that publication - and your article could be an ideal submission if you are prepared to consider having it re-published.
Let me know.
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Post by shibolet on Dec 26, 2004 4:27:41 GMT -5
Hi George,
I never published this article. I had planned on sending it to the USNS-newsgroup, but had not done so yet as I was still trying to get hold of scans of all the coins. I had sent it to Erik a few months ago and the rest is history...
About publishing it, yes of course it can be published... it would be an honour.
Chaim
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Post by George on Dec 26, 2004 4:38:32 GMT -5
What might be a good idea in that case is to keep it out of the USNS reference library until I've offered it to John Mulhall at Aust Coin & Banknote.
I will publish a condensed version to acompany our coin catalogue listing.
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Post by gkmac123 on Jan 4, 2005 23:27:52 GMT -5
George,
Could you please add a link from all Message Board pages back to the USNS Home Page. If one already exists, please let me know where to find it.
After reading a few messages, I then like to go and and see if there are any new items on the Document and Coin Library pages, but there is no easy way to get there from here.
Thanks, Greg
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Post by evm111 on Jan 9, 2005 16:22:31 GMT -5
Hello George and Group! I took a closer look at at the site, trying to cross-reference with all the listings at my LINKS site, and have a few suggestions: In the main page of the message board, under Fantasies, you wrote: "Fantasies- Post messages here about privately minted coins from fantastic or imaginary countries such as Enderbyland, San Seriffe, Nichtburg & Zilchstadt, Atlantis, United Transnational Republic, Bermania, Purple Shaftieuland, Occusi Ambeno, New Island, Middle Earth, Star Wars, Star Trek and Harry Potter. Moderator: George" I think, based on the groupings at the coin Image Library, that Transnational Republics needs to be put into the Micronations section instead. Also, please add the "s" to Nichtsburg (I just noticed). Occussi needs another "s", too.
And a few additions/suggestions, for the coin Image library (which I think is categorized magnificently): in the heading for Alternative Currencies, delete "World Trade Unit"; this is merely a "denomination" of sorts for at least a half dozen silver bullion rounds, many of which don't even have the name of the issuing company/corporation on them. There are also "International Trade Unit" varieties.
Fantasies-film and TV: add Zamunda
Fantasies-literary: add Ankh-Morpork; also expand the category to include video games (or this could go in the film-tv heading) so that we can include Great Underground Empire (Kingdom of Quendor). You may want to add Sosaria (Kingdom of Britannia) and Rhea.
Fantasies-private: add Bermania, add Luna/"der Mond", add Vinland/Midhgardhr
Local+Communal currencies: add International Foundation for Independence
Micronations: add Barbe Island (it is presently under the fantasy section, but it is an actual island), add City of Microna (they are back in business), add Outer Baldonia, add Parva Domus Magna Quies
Rebel Govts: add Republic of Texas (they have a new coin)
Miscellaneous: add Andor Orand, add Victor Vincente of America, add Campione d'Italia (another exclave, to go along with Kaliningrad), add Gold Standard Corporation, add Lasqueti Mint, add Texas Mint, add United Maxxico America, add RCC (rec.collecting.coins), add Shire Post Mint (to go along with Society for Creative Anachronism), add "United States of Africa"/Afro Mint. Also, I think if Universaro and Mundinero (presently in Alternative Currencies) could come to this group; but if investment bullion- which is all they really are- counts as an alternative currency, then I guess they are in the right place. Then Gold Standard Corporation should go with them, too.
Erik
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Post by evm111 on Jan 9, 2005 18:34:15 GMT -5
Dear George and Group, I just added links (at my LINKS site) to the Coin Library's Universala Ligo, Kingdom of Atlantis, New Island, Cherokee Nation (Texas). I've started to keep track of all the listings at the Coin Library, so if I see any new links there, I'll also add them to my site. Fantastic! Erik
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Post by George on Jan 9, 2005 19:13:28 GMT -5
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Post by George on Jan 9, 2005 19:16:36 GMT -5
Just in case anyone was wondering, I do eventually intend to make the message board groups conform to the same category breakup as the coin library, as soon as I get the time to do so.
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Post by evm111 on Jan 9, 2005 19:47:12 GMT -5
HI George, If you keep the World Trade Unit, perhaps it could be combined with the International Trade Unit so that it is "World Trade Unit/International Trade Unit"? I didn't see this part addressed (in the main page of the Message Board): "Fantasies- Post messages here about privately minted coins from fantastic or imaginary countries such as Enderbyland, San Seriffe, Nichtburg & Zilchstadt, Atlantis, United Transnational Republic, Bermania, Purple Shaftieuland, Occusi Ambeno, New Island, Middle Earth, Star Wars, Star Trek and Harry Potter. Moderator: George" Transnational Republics needs to be put into the Micronations section instead (in accordance with its placement in the Coin Library). Also, please add the "s" to Nichtsburg (I just noticed). Occussi needs another "s", too.
nor the Miscellaneous suggestions: add Andor Orand, add Victor Vincente of America, add Campione d'Italia (another exclave, to go along with Kaliningrad), add Gold Standard Corporation, add Lasqueti Mint, add Texas Mint, add United Maxxico America, add RCC (rec.collecting.coins), add Shire Post Mint (to go along with Society for Creative Anachronism), add "United States of Africa"/Afro Mint. Also, I think if Universaro and Mundinero (presently in Alternative Currencies) could come to this group; but if investment bullion- which is all they really are- counts as an alternative currency, then I guess they are in the right place. Then Gold Standard Corporation should go with them, too.
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Post by George on Jan 9, 2005 19:57:36 GMT -5
Who or what is Andor Orand? Where should Victor Vincente go? What is United Maxxico America? What is United States of Africa? Are Internation Trade Unit and World Trade Unit actually the same thing? Were they issued by the same person/group? What is the relevance of links to individual mints and mailing lists in the coin library? HI George, If you keep the World Trade Unit, perhaps it could be combined with the International Trade Unit so that it is "World Trade Unit/International Trade Unit"? I didn't see this part addressed (in the main page of the Message Board): "Fantasies- Post messages here about privately minted coins from fantastic or imaginary countries such as Enderbyland, San Seriffe, Nichtburg & Zilchstadt, Atlantis, United Transnational Republic, Bermania, Purple Shaftieuland, Occusi Ambeno, New Island, Middle Earth, Star Wars, Star Trek and Harry Potter. Moderator: George" Transnational Republics needs to be put into the Micronations section instead (in accordance with its placement in the Coin Library). Also, please add the "s" to Nichtsburg (I just noticed). Occussi needs another "s", too. nor the Miscellaneous suggestions: add Andor Orand, add Victor Vincente of America, add Campione d'Italia (another exclave, to go along with Kaliningrad), add Gold Standard Corporation, add Lasqueti Mint, add Texas Mint, add United Maxxico America, add RCC (rec.collecting.coins), add Shire Post Mint (to go along with Society for Creative Anachronism), add "United States of Africa"/Afro Mint. Also, I think if Universaro and Mundinero (presently in Alternative Currencies) could come to this group; but if investment bullion- which is all they really are- counts as an alternative currency, then I guess they are in the right place. Then Gold Standard Corporation should go with them, too.
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