Forward

    Hello to everyone again.  Well, in case you're wondering why I'm not here, it's because I'm in class.  Nope, it's not a numismatic class, it's the Cultural History of Europe.  I think it may help me debate with Guy!  Well I doubt it, anyway, I will try to remain active within our organization as best as I can.  I'm attempting to finish something I started a long time ago and if I make it, you're all invited to the party!  Well, as long as you bring gifts.  Just kidding.  Anyway, being a college kid again is not as easy as it used to be, so please keep me in your prayers.
    Now on the lighter side, again I must state that I'm the farthest from a numismatic expert as you can get so I appreciate this joint learning experience.  I would appreciate an opportunity to share with you and I have been looking in vain for a written response on the last newsletter.  This is certainly sad because I had a whopper of a prize waiting to be awarded.  Don't get me wrong, I appreciate keeping it!  Well I won't promise you anything for this month's questions but I will promise you will learn something so, send in that mail!

Introduction

    Last month we covered the introduction of the minting process.  You remember planchets!  Well I hope you remember.  This month we will cover a very important process.  The galvano!  Well we will be looking at the design process.  Can you name three important artists to the world of numismatics?  Just think, all of those beautiful works of art reduced to a lowly galvano.  I wonder, is that Italian?  Sounds like it might be.  Perhaps someone will check the root and let me know.  When the moon hits your eye like a big galvano pie that's amore!  At least it is to a numismatist.

The Design Process

    Understanding the design process is the key to a genuine understanding of grade, condition, errors, varieties and all the other attributes of numismatics.  Do you remember Alan Herbert's PDS system and the three production areas in the mint, planchets, die manufacture and striking?  Which would you place the design process in?
    First we start with artists.  Well what did you think engineers?  Fooled you didn't I?  Now, artists may be employed directly by the Mint or they may be contracted by the Mint to produce specific artistic pieces.  Sometimes this is done through contests like our recent state quarter designs.  Can you name one of the most famous artists the Mint ever contracted to design a coin?  Can you name a famous artist that was employed by the Mint?
    The artists employed by the mint are sculptors and engravers and their job is to transform a design from a drawing, painting, or other two-dimensional object into a plaster model.  The model is approximately eight inches in diameter and completed in relief.  Relief means the image is raised like on a coin.  After the design is completed, rubber is poured over it and allowed to harden.  Once the rubber is hardened an epoxy resin is poured into the rubber mold forming an epoxy shell.  This epoxy shell, our galvano, is then forwarded to the die making area of the Mint.
    So now some of you are wondering how is it that I can call an epoxy shell a galvano.  The reality that it isn't a galvano is true but for lack of a better term, the old term has simply hung around.  Galvanos are copper shells that used to be made from the plaster molds.  The models were covered in wax and dipped into an electrically charged bath containing copper.  The copper formed a replica of the artistic rendition of the model.  This copper rendition was known as a galvano because it was made through the electromagnetic galvanic process.  There have been some changes over the years as to what is to be included on the plaster model so that when the galvano is made it reflects these attributes.  Anyone care to guess?  Okay, they used to repunch them.  By law or custom, certain features must appear on our coins.  Do you know what they are?

Homework

    You may turn in your homework in writing at the next meeting.  Or if you prefer, you may mail it.  Who knows, you may receive an honorable mention in the next newsletter.  Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to serve and as always, good luck in your search.