Red Bat
National Money Show. 3.15.2009
photo: two coins made at the show. Medieval pounded coin, and press coin.
Since I've starting printing in the garage at home, my roomie Devon made the joke that I can now start printing money.
The National Money Show was at the Convention Center Portland Oregon this past weekend (March 13-15). I caught a sunny patch of sky and road my bike down in the last few hours on Sunday and geeked out with all the numismatists.
However my interest stems from being a printmaker. Paper Money and coins are pretty much prints aren't they? And oh boy was this fun. I saw how medieval coins were made, and also a die-press that could print a single coin side at a time.
There were cases and cases showing local money of interest as well as oddities - mistakes in printing, and lucky numbers, money that had been destroyed by rodents and people. I loved seeing all the Oregon-specific money on display and was happy that OHS brought down the Portland Penny, that currently sits in the OHS lobby (the famous coin that named Portland).
The best exhibit however was put on by the Department of the Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing. They had a vintage hand turned money press for engravings with Mike Beck giving a thorough demo, videos showing the artistic work of engravers and plate makers and printers. Wow - talent! I will never quite look at paper money again. It's truly a work of art. The lead engraver of the country Christopher Madden was present, and according to a little article I read, he was taking a break from making Obama's official portrait to be at the show. wow!
Meanwhile in the next halls, tiny girls in heavy makeup in short skirts were in dance/cheer competition. Convention Centers are funny places where Numismatists and Dance teams sometimes are in the same place.
National Money Show. 3.15.2009
photo: two coins made at the show. Medieval pounded coin, and press coin.
Since I've starting printing in the garage at home, my roomie Devon made the joke that I can now start printing money.
The National Money Show was at the Convention Center Portland Oregon this past weekend (March 13-15). I caught a sunny patch of sky and road my bike down in the last few hours on Sunday and geeked out with all the numismatists.
However my interest stems from being a printmaker. Paper Money and coins are pretty much prints aren't they? And oh boy was this fun. I saw how medieval coins were made, and also a die-press that could print a single coin side at a time.
There were cases and cases showing local money of interest as well as oddities - mistakes in printing, and lucky numbers, money that had been destroyed by rodents and people. I loved seeing all the Oregon-specific money on display and was happy that OHS brought down the Portland Penny, that currently sits in the OHS lobby (the famous coin that named Portland).
The best exhibit however was put on by the Department of the Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing. They had a vintage hand turned money press for engravings with Mike Beck giving a thorough demo, videos showing the artistic work of engravers and plate makers and printers. Wow - talent! I will never quite look at paper money again. It's truly a work of art. The lead engraver of the country Christopher Madden was present, and according to a little article I read, he was taking a break from making Obama's official portrait to be at the show. wow!
Meanwhile in the next halls, tiny girls in heavy makeup in short skirts were in dance/cheer competition. Convention Centers are funny places where Numismatists and Dance teams sometimes are in the same place.