MEETING NOTICES 2004

Members
receive the
ACCLA
Meeting
Notice
each
month by
USPS or
by e-mail.

It's that time again when we get together for our annual banquet and installation, a time when none of us has to worry about anything connected with the meeting save bringing the item on the list we have already received. The date will be January 11, 2004 at the usual place, Balboa Mission Town Hall, 16916 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Granada Hills. The time will be 1:00 P.M., as usual.

At our last meeting, our outgoing President Ken Friedman held forth on the Romanization of Samnium via a slide show and map talk. The Samnites were the occupants of central Italy when the Romans impinged upon them. Their territory included the southern portion of the Apennines in pre-history. They spoke Oscan. During the latter part of the sixth and the fifth and fourth centuries, there were many wars, including the sacking of Rome by the Gauls. The Romans became a regional power by the middle of the fourth century and in 348 BCE concluded a treaty with Carthage. They then turned their attention to the Samnites. From 343-341 the First Samnite war took place, with Rome victorious. That's when Rome installed the first Pro-Consul, to whom personally the army was loyal. As a result of their victory in the third Samnian war the Romans sent in colonists, which was a very effective way of colonizing. The colonists were mostly poor Plebeians. The Socii and the Latin League were established, which went a long way in aiding Rome to be hegemonous in Italy. Also the members of the Latin League had citizenship without voting rights but over the years they identified themselves with Rome. That's when Latin spread as the common language of the country.  There were coins issued by the Socii (which means in Latin "members"), but Ken had none to show. He did, however, pass out a very comprehensive map of Central Italy and you could follow his talk with your finger on the map to guide you through history.

The officers-elect are as follows: President, Hugh Kramer; Vice-President, Richard Baker; Secretary, David Stepsay; and Treasurer, Barry Rightman. The Board consists of the President, Past President, and three members: Michael Connor, Michelle Ross, and Al Budnick, with Paul Ranc as Alternate. There was a discussion regarding the raising of dues, mainly in honor of the higher and higher costs of the books as raffle prizes. It was moved, seconded, and passed that the dues be raised to $10.00 per year beginning with the advent of the new year. 

In other news and sharing of information, Mike Connor announced that there are 22 new people a day hitting on the website. Ken Baumheckel reported that the Orange Co. Ancient Coin Club had 12-13 people at the last meeting and there is a bid board. Paul Ranc reported as the rep to NASC that there is need for someone to man the table at the Long Beach convention January 29-February 1, for a couple hours at a time. Various auctions were publicized. It was noted that the rise in the Euro gives European coin buyers a 25% discount right off the bat. (Ed. note: so the chickens have come home to roost). "Pay Pal" was explained: it consists of various methods of transmitting payment to Europe.

Hope to see you all at the upcoming festivities at the meeting.

Respectfully submitted
David R. Stepsay, Secretary

The next meeting of ACCLA will take place on Sunday February 8, 2004 at the usual time, 1:00PM at the Balboa Mission Town Hall 16916 San Fernando Mission Road, Granada Hills. 

Last meeting was the annual banquet-cum-installation-cum-social gathering. The festivities were embellished by the edible Chanukah Gelt passed out by our out-going President, Ken Friedman. It would not go amiss if I repeated the dramatis personae for this next year's productions: President, Hugh Kramer; Vice-President, Richard Baker; Secretary, David Stepsay; and Treasurer, Barry Rightman. The Board consists of the President, Past President, and three Members: Michael Connor, Michelle Ross, and Al Budnick, with Paul Ranc as Alternate. 

If you have not gotten your dues for the coming year in yet, be reminded that they have been raised to $10.00 and prompt payment will be duly appreciated. 

Our next meeting will see Kelly Ramage as presenter. Kelly is an acknowledged expert on Ancient "Everything", working as he does for Joel Malter, so we can expect an enlightening presentation. Again, my apologies for the tardiness of this notice.

Respectfully submitted
David R. Stepsay, Secretary

The next meeting of the ACCLA will take place on Sunday, March 14, 2004 at the Balboa Mission Town Hall, 16916 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Granada Hills. The time will be 1:00P.M. 

At our last meeting Kelly Ramage was the presenter, and his discourse was on "Ancient Coinage of Central Asia". He and Michelle Sheldon went on an odyssey through Turkey which the undersigned thought was to kill for. Kelly showed a slide show of the very coins pertaining to the territory they negotiated. The Vilayet they toured through first was Aigaia, along the shores of the Mediterranean. Tarsus: it has no ruins, but he showed a satrapic coin; Illusia Sebast (Cilicia), where there are indeed Roman ruins to be seen; Seleucia Kalle Cadmium(?); Olba Diocaesaria; Anamourieon(?); Antikya ad Kragum; Sydra, Cilicia; Alania, where they found a Crusader castle; Perge, where there are many ruins; Phasalis, Lykia; Podalia; Ankara, the capital of Galatia, and we were shown a Julia Domna; Tomb of Midas (Gordion), where are the ruins of Hatush (the city of the Hittites) and a Lions Gate, like that at Mycenae. The next region explored was Cappadocia, with its many "fairy columns"; Kaiseryah, and we were shown a Julia Domna with fairy columns on the reverse; a Tranquilina coin, with grain on the back; the city of Tiana, with an aqueduct, and Zeugma. 

They also visited the museum at Antikya, the only extant one of the cities we used to know as Antioch. We were shown some of the coins from that city; Seleucia ad Borea(?); the tunnel of Titus and Vespasian, and lastly they visited the modern city of Adana, where they saw Roman ruins. An enlightening disquisition, to be sure.

Mike Connor reported that website visitation has grown by 100% over the last year. A reply to the letter written by Forum Ancient Coins will be answered. Mark Westerline solicited names for the overseas foreign dealers list. Per discussion, he will keep it on a need-to-know basis. Ken Baumheckel said that the Orange County group held no meeting on Feb. 14. Michelle Sheldon suggested that we move the tables closer to the screen at the further end of the room. Kelly will mail the next Malter auction catalogue on request for the Feb. 29.

At the next meeting we will again hear from Kelly and Michelle, and they will discuss "The Ancient Civilizations of Turkey, Their Monuments, and Their Mints."

Respectfully submitted
David R. Stepsay, Secretary

The next meeting of the ACCLA will take place on Sunday, April 11, 2004 at the Balboa Mission Town Hall, 16916 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Granada Hills. The time will be 1:00 P.M.

The next presenter will be Barry Rightman, our man with many arrows in his quiver and more than one string to his bow. He will speak on "The Rise and Fall of the Roman Imperial Tetrarchy". Slides will be shown. Barry's talks are more like interesting scholarly presentations than just "talks".

I am greatly indebted to Roger Burry for subbing for me (David Stepsay) in writing up the presentation of last month and the happenings of the meeting. Herewith is his effort: 

President Hugh Kramer brought the March meeting of the Ancient Coin Club of Los Angeles to order. The Club welcomed Merrill Gibson as a new member. Merrill is collecting Greek Coins and learned of the ACCLA via the Club Web site.

Treasurer Barry Rightman reported a Club account balance of over $3000 with a few outstanding bills to be paid. One of payments is to reimburse Michelle Sheldon for the new blackout curtains. These will significantly improve viewing of projected slides and other material during Club presentations. Thanks to Michelle for her work in getting the new curtains.

Web Master Mike Connor reported a continuing high number of visitors to the ACCLA Web Site. The Site had almost 2500 hits during February. Two new "Why Ancient Coins" articles have been received and will be posted on the Site shortly. Plaudits were also given to Roger Burry for the continuing high quality ACCLA articles in the Celator.

Vice President for Programs, Richard Baker, reminded everyone that we need people to signup for future presentations. Members were told that David Stepsay had an extra ticket to a Getty presentation "Reading Birds, Entrails and Other Signs."

Coin descriptions on the Ancient Treasure Web Site were discussed. A recent coin was described as "Belonging in the collection of Richard Baker" which brought a round of laughter to the group.

Many ACCLA members participated in the recent Malter auction and were very enthusiastic about it. A number of coins were purchased. Members were also reminded about the ongoing Freeman & Sear auction.

Mr. Kelly Ramage led an interesting discussion on the cost of coins and antiquities. There appear to be fewer "new" antiquities coming into the market; many are "recycles" of previously sold items. In addition the Eastern European sources of recent coins are moving up the selling chain and expecting higher prices. Combined with the weak American dollar, these trends are expected to lead to higher prices in the future. In addition there is a growing trend toward higher buyers fees. This will further add to the cost of collecting.

In the feature presentation Michelle Sheldon and Kelly Ramage presented "Coins of the Ancient Cities of Turkey". This presentation based on their recent travels in southern Turkey began in Lycia where we left them last month. Their peregrinations took us up the west coast to Ephesus and then to the ancient cities of Aphrodisia, Cyme, Pergamum, Hierapolis, Euromos, and Priene. Photographic slides of the Greco-Roman ruins were presented. The ruins are a mixture of untouched and restored sites. The slides included photographs of the great amphitheater of Ephesus, the temple of Zeus at Euromos, and the entrance of the Aphrodite temple at Aphrodisia. The buildings were very impressive with the amphitheater at Ephesus holding some 24000 people.

Along the way Michelle offered practical traveler's advice to members who might want to visit Turkey. Stay in single story buildings. That way nothing will fall on you and you won't fall on anyone. Also carry mosquito repellant. Mosquitoes were a problem for the early cities and continue to be a problem.

The photographs of the ruins were complemented with slides illustrating coins minted at the various cities. These coins from Kelly's collection included a Lincina Eudoxia Trenesis, a Tranquillina AE 40 Podalia, Lycia and a Cornelia Supera AE27 Aegae, Aeolis.

The traditional raffle of books and ancient coins concluded the meeting. In addition to the coins Kelly Ramage brought a number of coins for sale and the members poured over them for some time after the end of the formal meeting.

Respectfully Submitted,
Roger Burry [Acting For David Stepsay]

The next meeting of the ACCLA will take place on Sunday, May 9, 2004 at the Balboa Mission Town Hall, 16916 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Granada Hills. The time will be 1:00 P.M. as usual.  Presenting at the May meeting will be Michael J. Connor, who will speak on "A Parthian Primer".

The presenter at the April meeting was Barry Rightman, who gave a very comprehensive talk and slide show on "The Rise and Fall of the Roman Imperial Tetrarchy". In 282 A.D., when Carus was sole emperor, he named his two sons Carinus and Numerian as Caesars. In 285, Carus, Carinus, and Numerian, having deceased under various circumstances, Diocletian, who was Commander of the Imperial Bodyguard, was named Emperor. He proved to be not only a competent general, but a distinguished statesman and political reformer as well. He placed Maximianus I, who was elevated to Augustus in 286, in charge of the Western half of the Empire. In 293, the Tetrarchy was established by Diocletian with the addition of two junior emperors as Caesars, Constantius and Galerius. So now there were four (tettera) emperors in charge of various parts of the Empire. Constantius was assigned to the west under Maximianus I. Galerius was made Caesar in the east under Diocletian himself. The Tetrarchy seemed to meet all the challenges it faced and over the next 8 years a tenuous political stability was maintained. In 305 CE after reigning for 20 years, both Diocletian and Maximianus abdicated but the latter was not as happy in retirement as the former. However, Galerius and Constantius I filled the vacancies, moving up to Augustus, or Senior Emperor. Galerius, apparently primus inter pares appointed Severus II and Maximianus II to fill the vacant "Caesar-ships": Severus II under Constantius in the west and Maximianus II under Galerius in the east. When in 306 Constantius expired, Severus II was named to fill his spot. Constantius' son, Constantine, was named to fill in after Severus II There was a usurpation in the same year in the west and Galerius undertook to set things aright by sending Severus to do the job. He in turn was killed and Constantine moved up to Augustus. After some more turmoil in primarily the western half, in 311 Constantine defeated Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. But due to more turmoil after this, in 324 the effective life of the Tetrarchy was over. However, the Empire would at some time in the future again be ruled over by Emperors of the west and east. Thanks to Barry's copious notes this compendium, abridged as it is, was made possible. Whew! What a 42-year period that was!

BUSINESS

Dean Ruby read a letter of greeting from Ralph and Sally Marx. Hits and duration of stay on website are on the increase, according to Michael Connor. Roger Burry gave a report on our contribution to the Celator. Ken Baumheckel reported on the Orange Co. Ancient Coin Club. They meet on the fourth Saturday now. Raymond Sidrys is giving his talk on Limines on April 24. Thanks were given to Michelle Sheldon and Kelly Ramage for their talk on Turkey. Ken Friedman reported on the various upcoming auctions here and about. Merrill Gibson, our newest member brought a beautifully printed book on Ancient Greek coins for our perusal. Richard Baker needs speakers for upcoming meetings. Respectfully submitted, David R. Stepsay, Secretary

The next meeting of the club will take place on Sunday, June 13, 2004, at 1:00P.M at the Balboa Mission Town Hall, 16916 San Fernando Mission Boulevard., Granada Hills.

PRESENTATION

At our last meeting, the presenter was Michael Connor, who discoursed on "A Parthian Primer". One can actually learn about Parthian history through its coins. It is believed that the Parthians were originally a branch of the Dahae tribe from east of the Caspian Sea that acquired their name from the Seleucid Province. In 238 BCE King Arsaces founded a kingdom that grew into an empire that included Afghanistan and stretched from the Mediterranean to India. It had control of east-west trade routes, including the well-known Silk Road. And the empire was known for its good administrators. The Parthians were originally nomads; they had a cavalry numbering at least 20,000 men. They were never to be conquered by the Romans. They invented brick vaulting, remains of which can still be seen at Ctesiphon. The Parthians had rich resources available to them, such as fluorspar (which when carved into cups {vasa murrina} was believed to act as a wine taste enhancer). They tolerated other cultures very well, always a mark of a great civilization. They counted Jews among their allies. The Parthians subjugated other peoples into vassal states, such as Persis, Elymais, Atropatine, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

The coins included drachma, tetradrachms (west of the Tigris), chalkoi, and dichalkoi. Basically, there was no gold. On their coins the script is in Greek and a form of Aramaic(?). Most of their literature is lost. For references on this coinage, see Sellwood, "An Introduction to Coinage of Parthia" (2d edit.), 1980. This tome has given rise to the "Sellwood numbers" used to catalog coin types.

Mike showed slides of the coins mentioned in the presentation ranging from the first to the last king of the Parthians with many having "blundered" Greek, Aramaic, and /or Pahlavi legends. No Latin despite much interaction between the two empires.

The Parthians were finally defeated by the Sassanians.

BUSINESS AND DISCUSSION

A discussion was held on whether or not and how to offer better door prizes triggered by the news that it is getting harder to offer books due to rising costs and our income not being able to keep up. Should we raise the price of the raffle tickets? Also in order to boost attendance, should we invite dealers to our meetings to create for them the opportunity to sell their wares. It was the consensus that we should all give some thought to this matter and bring up conclusions and proposals at the next meeting. According to Webmaster Mike we had 932 more new visitors in April than ever before.

The Orange County club had 15 attendees at their new venue (the Public Library in Fountain Valley). Bob Effler was the speaker.

CORRESPONDENCE

I received a letter from Ralph Marx, thanking us for sending them the ACCLA newsletter (meeting notice) regularly. He said he and Sally are happy in Eureka and he sang the praises of the North Coast and Eureka.

Little activity in Ancient coins, but they are mostly active in the local stamp club, which is always well attended. Please see me if you wish to have his address for corresponding.

UPCOMING PRESENTATION

Ken Baumheckel will be the next presenter and the title of his subject will be "Bridging the Time Gap: Byzantine and Medieval Coins". Ken says that it is a kind of overview, focusing on three chapters of this topic: 1) early Byzantine history; 2) the Crusades; and 3) the Reformation.

David Stepsay, Secretary

The next meeting of the club will take place on Sunday July 11, 2004, at the usual time of 1:00 P.M. The venue will be the same as usual, the Balboa Mission Town Hall, 16916 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Granada Hills.

PRESENTATION

At our last meeting, the presenter was Ken Baumheckel. The title was "Filling the Time Gap: Byzantine and Medieval Coins". It was an overview, perforce due to the exigencies of time. The subject matter was divided into three chapters of this topic: 1) early Byzantine history (AD 491-641); 2) the Crusades (AD 1095 to the early 1300's); and 3) the Reformation (1500's and early 1600's). The slides he illustrated his talk with showed coins, maps, and works of art representing the three concentrations within this rather large time period.

Ken commented on how he managed to fill some holes in his collection without spending a lot of money. He did in fact find coins of 5 of the 8 Byzantine emperors spanning Anastasius through Heraclius in dealers' junk boxes for $10 apiece. Among the coins that his slide show presented were Constantine, Theodosius II, Anastasius, Justinian (also a map), Justin II, an Antiochian jeweled cross with a piece of the "true cross" in the center, Justin II, Maurice, Khusro II, Phokis, Bulgarian with Cyrillic writing showing Ivan Strachnmyr(?), coin minted by Baldwin, King of Jerusalem, and an Edward I coin from when Edward conquered Scotland and banned the Jews from England.

The presentation was more than an overview, as there must not be too many more types of artifacts, coins, or maps and charts, that can be shown for this period of history. It was thoroughly interesting, having covered a period that was hitherto the sole preserve of Ralph Marx.

BUSINESS

Michael Connor reported that there were 31 new people per day visiting our website. The Orange County club, from which there was a representative visiting us, Marty Koenigsberg, had Bob Effler as a presenter last month. A discussion of the recently held Long Beach show was lead by Richard Baker. Parking is now $12., $8. if validated.

Münzen & Medallien is closing their ancient coin business. The Malter auction is being held June 19. Roger Burry was complemented on his reports in the Celator. Only one club meeting this year remains to be filled with a speaker; some suggestions were offered for a meeting should there be no presenter apparent (some form of directed show-and-tell?)

NEXT PRESENTER

Our next presenter will be Dave Welsh of Classical Coins, and his presentation will be entitled "Lathe Machining of Bronze Coin Flans". It will be interesting to once again have a presentation on the nitty-gritty of coin manufacturing. Dave has invited attendees to bring coins that are tooled or in some other way have a bearing on the subject matter of his talk.

Respectfully submitted,
David R. Stepsay, Secretary

The next meeting of the club will take place on Sunday August 8, 2004 at the usual time of 1:00 PM. The venue will be the same as usual, the Balboa Mission Town Hall, 16916 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Granada Hills.

PRESENTATION

The presenter at the last meeting was Mr. David Welsh. He has an internet only ancient coin business. The title of the presentation was "Lathe Machining of Bronze Coin Flans". Mr. Welsh started his coin career in Los Angeles in 1964. He gave his presentation on slides with PowerPoint. It was quite professional as he did not seem to have need of notes. The gravamen of his talk is as follows: The coins he showed had visible central indentations, called dimples. While they were not essential, they were very advantageous. They were part of the flan preparation rather than the process itself. The picture of the dimple was akin to a tilted flask with a cherry-stem. The rounded bottom was where the dimple occurred and the cherry-stem was for drainage of the molten metal. The overflow created nibs which had to be knocked off and re-melted. The process was murder on the dies, which were of iron, not bronze. Water was used to cool off the obverse, which was on the anvil. The machining was to get the "skin" from the dies off the coin and the dimples were to hold the coin while the edges were being machined. Through the course of time the dimple looks like it was put in during the casting process. Tooling marks survive on some of the coins which Mr. Welsh showed and one could see the concentric tooling marks on some of the Ptolemaic coins due to sloppy work by mint workers. A centering pin prevents the coin from spinning. The machines were valuable and none of them apparently survived for the archaeologists but were recycled. Mr. Welsh said that a fuller more detailed explanation could be had by whistling up his website.

BUSINESS

The Orange County Ancient Coin Club will have a demonstration of the manufacturing process of Sassanian coins in 2 weeks. Ken Friedman and his wife just returned from a visit to Italy where they took in the Museo Civito Arcaeologico, which they highly recommended. Our website is still getting the same number of visitors as last month, 33-34. Incidentally our attendance for this meeting was at least 30. There is a restaurant in Rome run by archaeologists, serving original Roman fare. I did not receive a link to their website yet.

NEXT PRESENTER

Our next presenter will be Mr. Leon Stabinsky on "Antique Scientific Instruments". It bids fair to be a very interesting presentation.

Respectfully submitted,
David R. Stepsay, Secretary

The next meeting of the club will take place on Sunday September 12, 2004 at 1:00 P.M. at the Balboa Mission Town Hall, 16916 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Granada Hills.

PRESENTATION

The presenter at the last meeting was Mr. Leon Stabinsky on "Antique Scientific Instruments". He started with the restoration and collecting of these instruments about 25 years ago. At a flea market in Brussels he bought his first instrument, a 150-year-old microscope. He now has 500+ in his collection now. He began his PowerPoint presentation with the first classification of his collection, Sundials.

He showed a garden specimen in the shape of a shepherd carved out of wood on a pillar of ceramic. Also a Butterfield variation which was a pocket model (not uncommon), with a compass to orient the instrument to North. An equinoctial, (inclining with adjustment for latitude) was next. We learned that the thing that creates the shadow and tells the time is called a gnomon, a Greek word. The pocket variety fits in a case and the equinoctial folds flat with 2 rings and a pinule. The type of sundials shown date from the early 16th century. On the Canterbury Cathedral dial the gnomon is moveable. In a ring sundial shown there is no gnomon, but a pinule on a ring reflecting the sun on an inner ring. A noon-time cannon with a magnifying glass igniting a flint and powder charge was shown, and there was even a pocket model of that peculiar timer available.

The next classification was the Astrolabe, which maps the sky onto a 2-dimensional surface. There was a Sanskrit astrolabe (1621) shown, the astrolabe having in fact been developed in India. Columbus had a half dozen of them. They could range in size from 1" to 16"-18". There was the Gunther Quadrant, which folded from a circle to a quadrant and used a pendulum as a marker. Replica and fake astrolabes are sold at museum stores.

The next classification was the Weather indicator, measuring wind, temperature, air pressure, and humidity. Mr. Stabinski showed a depiction of Da Vinci's concept, which was an anemometer (ca 1480), and the evolution was to Dickenson's (ca 1890). There were foldable wind-speed measurers. There was a Neumann, used by Eiffel (ca 1870) to calculate the wind effect on the Tour. It was a wheel turned by the pressure of the wind blowing. Biram developed one for mine shafts in 1880. You still see Robinson's cups at airports, on sailboats, and in room ventilation measurements. Under the weather classification next was the Temperature gauge, or as we know it, the Thermometer. The earliest (17th cent.) used a column of alcohol which was pushed up through a glass spiral. There was a travel one using the Reaumire scale (1900). Next was air pressure. The first was the Barograph, which still may be seen as it used paper to record. Then the aneroid barometer (ca 1880). Goldschmid developed one with a spring in the plate. Next was the Predictor, working through humidity. There were the hygrometers, the earliest of which responded to changes in the tautness of a whalebone. (De Saussure used horse's hair). Kater developed one that was based on changes in the size of a weed found in India (ca 1820). And lastly, the wet/dry bulb type, which was based on the difference in changes between the two types of bulb.

The last classification was Coin Scales. Traditional was the two pans on the ends of a bar on a fulcrum, using counterweights. On another type, the fulcrum slides, thus doing away with counterweights. Most were used by bankers and merchants to try and detect fake and worn coins. In the Ottoman Empire they could measure the weight of 15 different coins.

At the termination of the presentation not only did we thank the presenter, Mr. Stabinski, but also gave a vote of thanks to Roger Burry, who arranged for the talk and to W. J. Shaeffer for the free use of the projector.

BUSINESS

Michael Connor reported that the website had 990 new visitors. There will be a "Search" function added next month. NASC has a speakers' list to either provide or utilize speakers. There was a full discussion of the pending legislation to require provenancing of imported antiquities, brought on by the Iraq war. Although most of the participants in the discussion do not oppose provenancing, it was felt that passage would drive collecting underground. So the outcome was that it was MSP that the club join ACCG, which is lobbying against the bill, at a cost of a one-time-only fee of $150. Also it was MSP that individual club members be solicited for donations toward the fee, with the club only having to make up the shortfall. And lastly, Ken Friedman generously volunteered to match individual donations. Kelly Ramage and Michelle Sheldon are going to Egypt, but do not understand the official guide brochure which states, they will be going "in search of the rain forests of Egypt".

NEXT MEETING

One of our most active newer members, Bob Effler, will be giving his second presentation entitled "The Flavian Dynasty: A Numismatic Focus".

Way to go, Bob!

Respectfully submitted,
David R. Stepsay, Secretary

The next meeting of the club will take place on Sunday, October 10, 2004 at the usual time of 1:00 P.M. at the Balboa Mission Town Hall, 16916 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Granada Hills.

PRESENTATION

The presenter at the last meeting was Bob Effler, whose talk was entitled "The Flavian Dynasty: A Numismatic Focus", which he subtitled, "A Quickie Course in Late First Century Roman History".

In the first century, the Flavians (Vespasian and sons) ruled from 69 to 96 AD. The Empire was in danger after Nero's death. There were external threats and a power vacuum inside. However, there was stability with regard to finances, morals, and law. AD 69 saw Otho, Galba, Vitellius, and Vespasian, as Emperors, which represented the first major crisis of the Empire. Vespasian built the Flavian Amphitheater, or Colosseum. He had been commander of the legions that put down the Jewish revolt. Several of his earliest coins were shown and various ones of Titus, his eldest son. Domitian, his younger son, who was paranoid, was a conspiracy theorist. He was Damnatio Memoriae and Bob showed one coin of his which was defaced as a result (Domitian was assassinated by having his throat cut--and none too soon, by all accounts). Bob segued to the Holyland, which was very important to the Flavians. Each city had its own coinage, some of which was shown. There ensued a discussion of coinage rarity: how much research is warranted? is updating valuable? Bob passed out a very replete monograph called Outline/Synopsis with 8 talking points covering the Flavian Dynasty; an outline of the Flavian Dynasty with 5 subdivisions; a page showing portraiture taken from their coinage and some biographical notes; and a family tree radiating from the father, T. Flavius Petro, of Vespasian.

BUSINESS

Ken Baumheckel reported on the Orange County ACC. Their next speaker will be Dr. Marty Koenigsberg on Judean coins. Ken has an article in the Celator on Maximinus. Ken Friedman said that SAN is back in publishing business. From ACCG we got a confirmation of membership and a letter from Wayne Sayles. They have raised $12,000. so far. There was a discussion of coin prices, U.S. v Europe. According to Barry Rightman, prices are the highest they have ever been, especially in Europe, where the market pendulum seems to have shifted.

NEXT PRESENTATION

At the next meeting David Michaels will give an artifact-illustrated presentation entitled "Weaponry and the Military Tactics of the Greeks and Romans".

TRIVIA

I took the liberty of looking up "lictor" in the Encyclopedia. The word itself refers to the member of an ancient Roman class of magisterial attendants...[who] carried the fasces for their magistrate and...cleared his way in crowds, and summoned and punished offenders for him...

Emperors were entitled to 12 lictores before and 24 after Domitian; dictators were entitled to 24; consuls 12; praetors 6; legates 5; and priests 1. They were mostly freedmen..., who held annual, regularly renewed appointments at fixed salaries. (It seems to me they were most akin to the Doryphoroi, or club-wielders of Athenian times, who were slaves). Hope this little feature has not been too much of a waste of cyberspace.

Respectfully submitted,
David R. Stepsay, Secretary

The next meeting of the club will take place on Sunday, November 14, 2004 at 1:00 P.M. at the Balboa Mission Town Hall, 16916 San Fernando Mission Boulevard., Granada Hills.

PRESENTATION

"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.'

This might have been the theme of David Michaels' presentation called "Weaponry and the Military Tactics of the Greeks and Romans". Mr. Michaels showed up in the full battle regalia of an optio, second in command to the centurion. He described the various parts of the uniform and the weaponry he was supposed to be carrying. These were, passim, leino-thorax, a sword that can stop a moderate thrust; greaves and shield; 8-feet spear (spike & blade). The Roman government paid for the armor, but their pay was docked as reimbursement. Coins were shown, such as Athena with Corinthian helmet. The "Attic" helmet was more head hugging with a full crest on top. The aegis was a chest protector and a symbol of divinity. There was a Macedonian spear (16-feet) which came in two parts for portability, and a kilt. Also a cuirass which covered the whole torso, and a Phrygian helmet, based on the Phrygian cap (which was kind of a floppy affair). The Macedonian cavalry, with its hammer and phalanx, was equivalent to a hammer and anvil and was used by Alexander extensively to conquer. The Roman scutum was oval, concave, and so full that greaves were no longer needed. There was the pilum, a throwing spear. The Italo-Corinthian helmet had no movable face-piece. Mr. Michaels also showed us a chain-mail shirt (Celtic), and a ring-mail one which looked like links. We saw a pair of caligae, the battle shoe, a small pair of which were worn by Gaius Caesar alias Caligula (little boots) when he was but a tyke. And last but not least, a pugio or small dagger. The centurion led and the optio brought up the rear of the unit of 80 men (century). The eagle standard was proudly carried by the legio (sometimes with vexillum, or flag, on top). Most Roman garments were made of wool.

We were all very appreciative of this talk, especially since it was liberally illustrated with the items David was talking about. We are indeed lucky to have the benefit of the superior knowledge and experience of such people as David Michaels. He is also a re-enactor who participates in re-enactments of ancient battles. Some of the slides he showed were of such re-enactments.

BUSINESS

We received the last and final payment of $1600 from the dissolution of COIN. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to have a committee to review ideas how to promote and advance the club. Michelle Sheldon was appointed head and will appoint the committee and report back. Mike Connor reported that the number of hits to the website is going up (40 per day), due to various causes. Several guests offered to consult how to promote the website. Roger Bury said there is no word yet as to whether we're in the latest Celator. A new member, Gabriel Vandervort, friend of Kelly Ramage, signed up. Welcome, Gabriel! Zahir Ibrahimi and his son Wahad, from Afghanistan, were in attendance. Mr. Ibrahimi owns Oriental Antique and Art in Canoga Park. Michael Grant passed away at the age of 89 in London. Brief discussion re his life and accomplishments. The Antiquities Act, of recent memory, looks to be passed and will probably be signed. There was a discussion of several upcoming and past shows.

NEXT PRESENTATION

Professor Robert Cleve will give a slide presentation of Greek and Roman monuments visited on his recent trip. We are always glad to hear from Dr. Cleve, who has been most generous in sharing his vast knowledge of the Ancient world with us.

Respectfully submitted
David R. Stepsay, Secretary

The next meeting of the club will be held on Sunday, December 12, 2004 at 1:00P.M. at the usual venue, the Balboa Mission Town Hall, 16916 San Fernando Mission Blvd., Granada Hills.

PRESENTATION

Once again I am greatly indebted to Roger Burry for his very thorough note-taking of the last presentation, which was necessitated by my brief domestic emergency. Although I did attend the full Presentation, Roger's notes are more than adequate and completer than mine. Herewith they are given verbatim:

Dr. Robert Cleve, Professor of History at California State University at Northridge, presented the November meeting program. His topic was "The Aegean Bronze Age: Minos, Thera, and Mycenae." These three areas are home to major Bronze Age archaeological sites recently visited by Dr. Cleve, who used his personal photographs to illustrate his talk.

The palace of Knossos on the island of Crete represents the Minoan culture. It was discovered and excavated by Arthur Evans, a Victorian gentleman, who purchased the site with his own money and later donated it to Crete. Excavations at Knossos uncovered palaces, tools, weapons, jewelry, artifacts, and frescoes depicting decorations and scenes of life. The palace is an imposing, complex structure built around what is called the Bull Plaza. One practical feature is the elaborate systems of sewage disposal and drainage laid out by these early Minoan plumbers. Particularly interesting was a sarcophagus whose painted murals give some ideas about the Minoan culture.

The island of Thera is home to the ancient city of Akrotiri. The island, now known as Santorini, is reached by ship and a visit to the ruins of Akrotiri requires a hard climb or a trip on an aerial tram. Thera remains today an active volcano. When Thera erupted in mid-1400 BCE it utterly destroyed the island, burying the city of Akrotiri under tons of ash and debris. Spyridon Marinatos, a Greek archaeologist, excavated Akrotiri. The site itself is currently covered with a roofed structure that provides excellent protection. An outstanding feature of Akrotiri is the mural paintings that are currently located in Athens. The murals portray a number of animals and plants that are not native to Thera, indicating the extent of the interaction between this city and other cultures.

The third site visited by Dr. Cleve was the fortified city of Mycenae in southern Greece. The ruins of Mycenae, excavated by Hermann Schlieman in the late 19th century, still stand as an impressive memorial to the achievements of the Mycenaean civilization. The Lion Gate and the domed tombs illustrate the skill and wealth of this city. Schlieman's work on this site brought many items to reality that had previously been thought to be myths. A spectacular item found was the so-called gold burial "mask of Agamemnon" which caused a sensation at the time but has now been dated to well before the time of this Greek king.

Overall the sites represented three fascinating cultures that the evidence shows communicated with each other and with other cultures around the eastern Mediterranean. These cultures were ended by the volcanic eruption at Thera and the immigrations of the Dorians and Sea Peoples. Today the ruins reflect the strong, individual archaeologists whose personalities had a lasting effect.

BUSINESS

President Hugh Kramer called the meeting to order. A number of members were attending the Malter Auction. The Treasurer's report showed $4046.44 in the ACCLA account. Meeting room fees have been paid through 2005.

The website report indicated that traffic is up 75% over last year indicating continuing interest. The most frequently visited item was the Richard Baker article on countermarked coins. Webmaster Mike Connor solicited for more ancient coin articles to be submitted by the members.

Michelle Sheldon, chairperson of the Future Directions committee, has submitted a report of recommendations. This will be discussed at the December meeting. Copies of the report will be brought to the meeting by the undersigned.

The December meeting was discussed. In addition to the committee report, two major topics are on the agenda: Banquet planning and election of officers for 2005. The banquet and election of officers will be held in January. The Secretary was requested to put a notice about these items of business in the December meeting notice (see infra).

Several general announcements were made. Vision Tours out of East L.A. College is sponsoring a 12-day tour of ancient ruins in Libya. The Orange County Coin Club will have a presentation on coins of early Christianity at their next meeting.

NEXT PRESENTATION

Paul Ranc will talk on "Roman imperial Quadrans". Members with interesting or unattributed examples are encouraged to bring them to the December meeting. At the next meeting also we will have elections for officers: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Governing Board, whom will be installed at our January Banquet and Installation. We are hereby soliciting members to furnish, inter alia, beverages, main dishes, salads, breads, side dishes, desserts, and the utensils necessary for their consumption. Please let us know at the next meeting what you will bring. If you are not planning to attend on December 12, but would like to bring something to the Banquet, please e-mail Hugh Kramer or the undersigned.

COMMUNICATIONS

I received a letter from Ralph and Sally Marx, expressing their thanks for continuing to send them the Meeting Notices. They were gratified to read about the additional money we received from the COIN distribution. Although there is not much Ancient Coins action in Eureka, the Marx are very busy with their local stamp club. The cooler weather during the summer in Eureka has really helped Sally and she is working on her "ham" radio license, one of which Ralph already has.

They wanted me to give everyone their best wishes for the coming holidays.

Respectfully submitted,
David R. Stepsay, Secretary

Current Notices | Notices for 2007 | Notices for 2006 | Notices for 2005
Notices for 2004 | Notices for 2003 | Notices for 2002