The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-24
Coin Pictures Bnrrcd.
CFrom the New York Tribunc.)


When foreign nation figures extensive
ly in the news of the day, one of the first
signs of general interest is the desire of
people who are not collectors to secure
coins and postage stamps of the country in
question. Spanish money and postage
stamps went up in price after the Maine
was destroyed. and commanded good
prices until the war was over. A similar
boom struck the coinage and postage
stamps of the South African Republic
when the present war began. and the
small stock of Transvaal coins on hand in
this country was soon exhausted. Dealers
and spectators have sent for new sup
plies, but until they are received Trans
vaal coins and stamps will be scarce.
The coins are fashioned after those Of
Great Britain. the smallest being the PEN
ny. 1t has the republics coat of arms on
one side and a profile portrait of President
Kruger on the other. The sixpence. shill-
ing, two and sixpence and five shilling
pieces are silver, and the ten shil!ings and
s1 pieces are gold. the general design be-
ing the same on all. These coins are quot
ed now by coin dealers as follows: Penny.
% cents: sixpence. shilling. halfcrown and
crown. four times the face value; half
pound, $780, and 81 $3.50, to be delivered
on arrival of new stock.
There have been several issues Of stamps.
In 1866 the first OF these were offered for
sale, and we're used until 1877, when the
British occupied the country Then the
original Transvaal stamps bearing the Re-
public's coat Of arms were changed by hav-
ing the letters " Il. printed on the face in
the same manner as the word Phillip
pines" was printed over the United States
postage stamps for use in the Philippine
Islands. In 1878 a new series OF stamps,
with the Queens portrait in profile. YVES
issued, and that remained in use until 1888,
when the Republic was restored. Then a
new stamp, bearing the coat of arms Of the
Republic was issued, and this was in Use
when the war broke out The demand for
these stamps has not increased so much as
for the coins, but the supply has been ex-
hausted. and fairly good prices are artici-
pated for the consignments now in transit.
In connection with the demand for Trans
vaal coins, ]. W. Scott said:
I'VE have received many letters from
people asking us to send pictures of the
various South African coins, and some of
our correspondents were probably surpris
ed when they received our answer to the
effect that there is law forbidding I'd
making pictures OF the coins. The Secre-
tary of the Treasury has power to grant
permission to persons who illustrate books,
ana nearly every encyclopedia, dictionary,
CT history contains illustrations of coins;
but dealers in coins may not enjoy the
privilege. According to the wording OF the
law, 1t makes no difference if the coin was
made in the days Of julius Caesar or VIII
liam Mckinley. 1t may not be reproduced
in a pamphlet, book or newspaper. and
If We could come into possession OF the
most valuable coin in the world 1t could
not be published as a picture without spe-
cial permission and remain within the law"
The law in question was passed in 1891,
and reads as follows:
Section 8. That every person who
makes, or who causes or procures to be
made. or who brings into tho United
States from any foreign country. any bus
mess or professional card, notice, placard. |
token, device. print, or impression, or any
other thing whatsoever. whether of metal |
Or its compound. or of any other substance |
whatsoever, in likeness or similitude, as |
% design. color or the inscription thereon, |
II any coin OF the United States, or Of any |
'oreign Government. that has been or
hereafter may be issued as money, either
lnder the authority OF the United States
n under the authority Of any foreign Gov
shall. upon conviction thereof, be
punished by fine Of not exceeding $l0G."