Calendar
Our annual programme of meetings runs from January to December. Last year's schedule appears further down the page. We are now looking forward to, or have already enjoyed, the following:
The 2009 Programme features THE FIELDING LECTURE, the first of an annual series of lectures to mark the Chairmanship of Ben Fielding, who retired in 2008 after many years service to the Society.
8th January 2009
Last year, for the first time in quite a while, the Coin Identification Quiz featured on the programme, and our Members enjoyed it so much that it has been decided to hold Part II this year. HOWEVER, please note that because the first Thursday in January, this year, is New Year's Day, the meeting has been moved back a week to 8th January.
5th February 2009
There are coins and there are tokens. They may perform identical functions, or nearly so, but the motivations behind their issue are usually quite different. Our Member Peter Thompson will review 'A History of Token Coinage'
5th March 2009
This evening we welcome the first of our Visiting Speakers for the year. Dr Kevin Clancy, Curator of the Royal Mint Museum, will give an illustrated talk on the subject of ' The Design of the New Decimal Coinage' which changed completely the visual appearance of our circulating coins, the first change since the original decimal designs were unveiled in 1968.
2nd April 2009
There are very few collectors who don't take pleasure in acquiring something new - why else would we collect? This evening we will look at Members' Recent Acquisitions. Items don't have to be 'rare' though they might have taken years to find; they don't have to be 'valuable' as junk boxes still exist in street markets, but we do like to think that they will be interesting for a whole variety of reasons.
7th May 2009
What have George III sixpences of 1816 in common with silver pennies from the reign of Henry II? The answer lies or, rather, lay in the soil of Tealby in Lincolnshire until 1807 when over 6,000 Henry II pennies were discovered in a hoard which has since given its name to the 'cross and crosslets' coins of 1158-1180. Many of these were subsequently melted down, and the metal reused in the 'new issue' silver of 1816. Our Secretary, Alan Dawson, will give an illustrated presentation on 'The Tealby Hoard of 1807.'
4th June 2009
We aren't absolutely rigid about 'Five Minute Papers' lasting five minutes. Some of them last only three or four, while some fill a ten minute slot. But whatever the length, it is the content which keeps Members riveted to the subjects in hand while, whatever our individual collecting interests, no-one will leave the meeting without having learned something new!
2nd July 2009
This evening we will be doing things in twos. The subject of the presentation will be 'Coins on Banknotes' so there will be something of interest to numismatists and notaphilists, while the presenters will be Dr Richard Underwood and our Member Tony Parkinson who will offer both verbal information and visual illustrations!
6th August 2009
August is one of those in-between months for Club meetings; maybe no one there, possibly nothing much going on. Our Augusts are different, with attendance levels up with the best, because the August meeting is our 'Numismatic Discussion Evening' when anyone with anything to say about almost any numismatic subject will be listened to with rapt attention.
3rd September 2009
Over the years our Members have become attuned to cryptic titles for presentations, relishing the exercise of deciphering these. Dr Mike Saxby is our second Visiting Speaker for the year, being normally based at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts in Birmingham, and he has risen to the challenge. The subject for his illustrated talk is 'With neither sword nor spear'
1st October 2009
Every Club or Society has its AGM, and this is ours, when Subscriptions are set and paid, the books scrutinised, and new Committee Members issued with new brooms. The evening is rounded off by a Mini Auction of items brought in by, well, almost anyone.
5th November 2009 THE FIELDING LECTURE
Our programme of Visiting Speakers for the year concludes with Dr Edward Besley, of the National Museum of Wales, who will deliver the first FIELDING LECTURE on the subject of 'The Provincial Mints of Charles I' The King's continual need for cash resulted in the establishment of a number of temporary mints in the various parts of the country under his control; sorting out who did what and when has kept generations of historians and numismatists busy, and even today much is still open to discussion and further research.
3rd December 2009
Last year's suggestion that we should replace the sixpence in the Christmas Pud with a five pound piece met with only limited approbation, so, this year, in tribute to the traditions of the event, an 1816 sixpence, possibly containing traces of Tealby pennies, might well be found concealed among the festive food...but don't bank on it! Tonight is our Annual Dinner and Social Evening
Our 2008 Programme:
3rd January 2008
We haven't had one for some while, but one of the most popular events on our calendar used to be the Coin Identification Quiz. So, for those members who have missed an old friend, and those who have not yet put their knowledge and reputations on the line, The Quiz is Back!
7th February 2008
Everyone is an expert on coin design! It's so easy to take one look at a coin, and say 'I like that' or 'Rubbish' but trying to identify why is a little more complicated. A major part of the design of any coin is the inscription, and the art and science of numismatic lettering will be examined by Alan Dawson in an illustrated presentation on "The Importance of Lettering on Coins."
6th March 2008
Very often the coin record provides the best, and sometimes the only, detail about historical events and people. 'Coins and Archaeology' is an illustrated talk by Frances McIntosh, Finds Liaison Officer for Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire, which will show how each discipline complements the other. Not to be missed!
3rd April 2008
One of the pleasures of collecting is sharing with your friends and colleagues the latest bargain from the online auction, the 'find' from the bottom of a junk box, or the superb piece which has finally come to hand after years of searching. "Recent Acquisitions" is sometimes surprising, and always interesting.
1st May 2008
Forgeries and Fakes have been around since the earliest days of coinage, and nothing has changed in our own world. Last year, our member Graham Jones opened the door on the world of the wrong 'uns. This year, he continues with his investigations, and we will all sharpen ze leetle grey cells.
5th June 2008
Our members are never happier than when Five Minute Papers are on the schedule because collectively we have a wide experience in many different fields, and there is always something new and interesting to learn.
3rd July 2008
The Usual, the Banal, the Ordinary...we try to avoid these descriptors by inviting guest speakers with something different to say. This evening, we will be paying careful attention to Alan Yates, who will be explaining much about 'Unusual Medallions.'
7th August 2008
Very often, August is a kind of flat month for Club meetings; no one there, nothing much going on. Our Augusts are different, with attendance levels up with the best. Because August is our 'Numismatic Discussion Evening' when anyone with anything to say about almost any numismatic subject will be listened to with rapt attention.
4th September 2008
On our homepage you will see a picture of the Society's OWL, a most impressive creation in sterling silver by member Martin Sergeant. This evening, Martin will tell us, in a presentation called 'What a Hoot! - the making of the Society's Badge' just exactly what went into the designing, engraving and striking of the badge. With all these various techniques being brought into play, a good subtitle might be 'Practical Numismatics!'
2nd October 2008
Every Club or Society has its AGM, and this is ours, when Subscriptions are set and paid, the books scrutinised, and new Committee Members issued with new brooms. The evening is rounded off by a Mini Auction of items brought in by, well, almost anyone.
6th November 2008
Coins don't just happen, even though we do tend to take them for granted. A lot of work goes into the piece in your pocket, and always has. This evening we are privileged to welcome Dr Barrie Cook of the British Museum who will be giving an illustrated presentation on 'Designing Coins in Tudor England: the role of patterns.'
4th December 2008
The tradition of putting a sixpence or some similar silver coin in the Christmas pudding dates back to the days of log fires, wassail and all kinds of other traditional things. Well, this year, we have decided to update ourselves. The sixpence has been the victim of inflation like everything else, and to maintain the purchasing power a five pound piece has been suggested. Only thing is, at an inch and a half across, and an ounce in weight, it won't take much finding. Back to the drawing board! Tonight is our Annual Dinner and Social Evening.
Our 2007 programme:
4th January 2007
One of the larger-than-life characters of the Industrial Revolution was John Wilkinson, self-styled Iron Master. Chris Leather will provide a potted history of "Iron Mad Wilkinson" his fascination with iron boats, iron buildings and even iron coffins. Oh, and quite a few copper tokens, too.
1st February 2007
Forgeries, fakes and counterfeits have been a feature of coinage since the earliest days. Whether it is a dodgy pound in your pocket, or that incredible bargain you have just 'won' on an internet auction, "Forgeries" are all around us. Graham Jones will be taking a closer look...
1st March 2007
The distribution of money to the poor on Maundy Thursday is a unique ceremony, made especially so by the silver coins which have been struck for the Service for many years past. S. Skellern will be leading us through the pages of history with a presentation on "The Royal Maundy."
12th April 2007 Please note the changed date, one week later than advertised.
Our Members look forward with eager anticipation to presentations by Bob Lyall, because each one has a unique and tantalising title - one which is completely impenetrable before the event, and blindingly obvious once we have heard the explanation. The latest tease is "Fire! - All hands to the Pump!" And, no, I haven't the slightest idea...
3rd May 2007
The centuries between the departure of the Romans from Britain and the coming of Anglo-Saxon England have traditionally been known as the Dark Ages, Dark because of the absence of all but the barest minimum of built and written history. Alan Dawson will be shedding a little light on "Is there a Dark Age Coinage"
7th June 2007
Have you ever noticed how the words 'eclectic' and 'mix' always seem to occur together? "Five Minute Papers" is our tribute to eclectic mixes, and allows our Members to offer their thoughts and insights on those numismatic nuggets which interest them. And at the end of the evening, we will all know a bit more about all sorts of things.
5th July 2007
One of the pleasures of collecting is sharing with your friends and colleagues the latest bargain from the online auction, the 'find' from the bottom of a junk box, or the superb piece which has finally come to hand after years of searching. "Recent Acquisitions" is sometimes surprising, and always interesting.
2nd August 2007
"Discussion Evening" Once a year we have an open-evening, when Members discuss whatever numismatic topics come to mind. The wide range covered illustrates the range of interests which the Society covers, Ancient to Modern, and everywhere in between.
6th September 2007
"Roman Medallions" are much rarer and, usually, much larger than coins, and show, sometimes in exquisite detail, aspects of life in the ancient world. Dr Keith Sugden, Curator of Numismatics at the Manchester Museum, will be introducing us this fascinating parallel to the more familiar coinage.
4th October 2007
Every Club or Society has its AGM, and this is ours, when Subscriptions are set and paid, the books scrutinised, and new Committee Members issued with new brooms. The evening is rounded off by a Mini Auction of items brought in by, well, almost anyone.
1st November 2007
We are always pleased to welcome visiting speakers, who present us with new challenges and new perspectives on our hobby. Dr David Goodall will be doing just that, with his presentation "Ramblings of an Itinerant Numismatist."
Please note that the Annual Dinner and Social Evening has had to be rescheduled from Thursday 6th to Wednesday 5th December 2007
Last year it was reported that no-one had yet found the sixpence supposedly concealed in the Christmas Pud, served on the occasion of our Annual Dinner and Social Evening. This year, there have been reports that the sixpence has been seen for sale on a well known internet site. Members will be paying particular attention when the pud comes...
Numismatics and history are closely connected. Our programme for 2006 is respectfully dedicated as our contribution to the historical record...and it was a pretty good year, too.
5th January 2006
"The Wyons" by Eric Hodge. The Wyons were the most celebrated Engravers and Medallists of the 18th and 19th Centuries, and left a most impressive legacy of coins, tokens and medals.
2nd February 2006
"The English Bronze Coinage from 1860" by John Dawson. The change from copper to bronze for the minor coins in 1860 marks the beginning of a fascinating story which ended only in 1971 when our current decimal coins were introduced.
2nd March 2006
"Curious Currencies" by S. Mather. We look in our pockets, purses and wallets, and find metal coins and paper notes, but over the years and around the world, many other things have seen service as currency.
6th April 2006
"Matthew Boulton's Steam Mint - Part II" by Chris Leather. When Matthew Boulton set up his steam powered Mint in the Soho Manufactory, he changed for ever the way in which coins were made.
4th May 2006
"Britannia - Roman to Modern" by Ian Dowthwaite. When Britannia first appeared on coins in the second century, no-one could have foreseen that it would have been the start of nearly two thousand years of marketing opportunities!
1st June 2006
"My Other Collecting Interests" by Society Members. Collectors are hardly ever single-minded, and it is always interesting to see what else interests our Members. Some even collect stamps, but it has been said that stamps are only really useful to send coins through the post!
6th July 2006
"Discussion Evening" Once a year we have an open-evening, when Members discuss whatever numismatic topics come to mind. The wide range covered illustrates the range of interests which the Society covers, Ancient to Modern, and everywhere in between.
3rd August 2006
"Five Minute Papers" is an opportunity for any Member to achieve five minutes of fame with a presentation on a favourite subject. This year, eight Members became famous, though who they were.....
7th September 2006
Last minute difficulties meant that this evening's presentation on "Coin Fakes and Forgeries" had to be replaced by a trip through time, to Bremetenacum Veteranorum way back in MCMLXXXVII. (Ribchester in 1987!) when we followed an Expedition by David Regan and Alan Dawson, into the depths of the Roman Empire.
5th October 2006
Every Club or Society has its AGM, and this is ours, when Subscriptions are set and paid, the books scrutinised, and new Committee Members issued with new brooms. The evening is rounded off by a Mini Auction of items brought in by, well, almost anyone.
2nd November 2006
"The Formation of the Royal Mint Coin Collection" will be outlined by Graham Dyer, who as former Curator of the Royal Mint Museum, and Secretary of the Royal Mint Advisory Committee, knows more about the Collection than anyone else.
7th December 2006
Christmas comes but once a year, and Members, partners and guests, celebrate the event with our Annual Dinner and Social Evening, though it has to be said that, so far, no one has found the sixpence in the Christmas Pud.
Each year, in Autumn, our tireless Committee Members burn the midnight oil in industrial quantities, working on the Programme for the coming year. As soon as all is confirmed, the new Schedule will appear here, or, rather, at the top of the page.
Why not Bookmark this page, and come back and see us again, soon?