Pacific Coast Numismatic Society - Publications & Papers

 
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PCNS Papers

The PCNS Papers Contest began in the 1950s. Papers were the basis of many meeting programs, but it was up to each author to arrange any formal publication.

By 1983, PCNS had decades of old papers, most still unpublished. We decided to start The Journal to print them. We eventually printed all of the older papers plus new articles submitted during its 12 year run, during which new papers were published as received, with judging done after each year ended.

In 1995, our quarterly ended, and our papers contest resumed with papers published every few years. As PCNS moved online, we added our papers to this website so that everyone could read them.

All PCNS Papers from all periods are now online.
We invite you to explore the complete collection of PCNS Papers from the contest's inception in the 1950s to the present.

This webpage offers PDFs with all PCNS Papers submitted after 1995. New papers are added to the top of this list each year. PCNS Papers from the first 40 years of our Papers Contest are in The Journal, available online at the Newman Numismatic Portal. (see end of page)

All Papers Copyrighted by PCNS — All Rights Reserved — [see © policy]

PCNS Papers may not be reproduced or distributed, in physical or digital form, without the written permission of PCNS and the Author(s). Online publication by PCNS does not grant or imply permission for any use except personal reading and reference work.
 

2026 Papers

Each paper is a separate PDF file.

1. Moneta Patriottica 1848: The First Paper Money of the Venetian Republic by Stephen Huston — First Place
2. Et Tu Lorenzini? by Michael Wehner — Second Place
3. The Stars of '94 by Charlie Catlett
4. Absaroka: A State That Never Was by William D. Hyder

2025 Papers

Each paper is a separate PDF file.

1. The Paradigm of Aluminum Patterns by Douglas Ward — First Place
2. Native American Medallic Portraits from the Battle of Little Bighorn by William D. Hyder — Second Place
3. Municipal Bonds in Gold Rush San Francisco by Michael Wehner

2024 Papers

Each paper is a separate PDF file.

1. A River of Gold: Coinage and the European Dark Ages by Stephen Huston — First Place
2. The Medals of the San Francisco Mechanics’ Institute Industrial Expositions by Michael Wehner — Second Place
3. Moise-Klinkner post 1906 State Seal Medals by William D. Hyder
4. Omaha Coincidental by Douglas Ward

2023 Papers

Each paper is a separate PDF file.

1. The Nobel Prize Medals by Michael Wehner — First Place
2. An 1876 San Francisco Centennial Pictorial Double Eagle Shell Card by William D. Hyder — Second Place

2022 Papers

Each paper is a separate PDF file.

1. Enigmatic Numismystique: Half Unions, Half Measures & Hidden Treasures by Douglas Ward — First Place
2. The Henry F. Muller trade token hoard by Michael F. Wehner — Second Place
3. Going ’Round In Circles by Charlie Catlett
4. Truth in Advertising or Just a Slight Exaggeration? by Dean Neald

2021 Papers

Single PDF file contains all of the 2019 & 2020 papers listed below by year, plus these 7 new 2021 titles, 116 pages:

1. Introduction to the 2019-2021 Papers by Jason Macario, PCNS President (p.2)
   followed by the 2019 & 2020 papers, then these previously unpublished 2021 papers:
2. The Generals of the Mexican War by Michael Wehner — 2021 First Place (pp.72–80)
3. A Snail Tale by Charles Catlett — 2021 Second Place (pp.81–87)
4. The Little Rock Nine by Herb Miles — 2021 Third Place (pp.88–96)
5. Canada’s Silver 50-Cent Pieces, Big Silver With A long History by Mark Benvenuto (pp.97–100)
6. The Swiss Hotel: Hospitality for Swiss Immigrants in Santa Cruz, California by William D. Hyder (pp.101–108)
7. U. S. Grant’s Farewell Dinner at San Francisco’s Palace Hotel by Herb Miles (pp.109–116)

2020 Papers

Each title has its own page.

1. The Crimean War Medal of San Francisco by Michael F. Wehner — First Place
   A descriptionof the celebration and medal issued early in San Francisco's history for a victory party held in 1855, for a war that did not involve the USA.
2. Mayhem at an Elko Brothel by Jerry F. Schimmel — Second Place
   The title tells enough, but, yes, there are tokens involved.
3. Foreign Coins Minted in San Francisco by Paul V. Turner — Third Place
   The S-Mint has a long and varied history of striking coins for other countries.
4. Athenian Owls, Corinthian Staters — the First Trade Coins? by Mark A. Benvenuto
   Athens and Corinth struck coins which circulated throughout the Ancient world and were nearly universally accepted, even in places which had not issued any coinage.
5. We Don’t Trust Our Doll-ar: The Standard Theatre Souvenir by William D. Hyder
   A failing minstrel theatre issued its own "Doll-Ar" to entice audience attendance before it burned down.

2019 Papers

Each title has its own page.

1. Coin Ages by Stephen Huston — First Place
   An examination of the development of dating systems on coins from Ancient times to the 20th Century
2. Frisco’s Old East Street by Jerry F. Schimmel — Second Place
   Sailor Saloons and Little Brass Checks with side trips to Jackson Street and The Cliff House
3. San Francisco Remembers the Franco-Prussian War by Willliam D. Hyder — Third Place
   A description of the Medals and San Francisco's Commemoration
4. What We Owe Rome by Mark A. Benvenuto
   Modern Coinage Features Ancient Ideas
5. Roma Pacifica by Michael F. Wehner
   The Pheobe Hearst Medals
6. The Kashu Hotel by Jerry F. Schimmel
   The tokens and history of The Kashu Hotel in San Francisco
7. The Monarch Card Machine Company by Jerry F. Schimmel
   The tokens and history of the Monarch Card Machine Co. of San Francisco — and a bit of the Beach

2018 Papers

Single PDF file containing all of these titles:

1. Santa Cruz Island Company Sheep Shearing Tokens by William D. Hyder — First Place
2. Colonel Warren: First Medals for the California Agricultural Fairs by Michael F. Wehner — Second Place
3. The Baldwin Hotel: Fire, Lucky Baldwin and Brass Checks by Jerry F. Schimmel — Third Place
4. Seated Figures: Who Influenced Who? by Mark A. Benvenuto

2017 Papers

Single PDF file containing all of these titles:

1. Moses Gunst Has Went by Michael F. Wehner — First Place
2. Chinatown Tales: Waverly Place & Stockton Street, San Francisco by Jerry F. Schimmel — Second Place
3. Garfield Beach, Utah Territory Railroad Souvenir by William D. Hyder — Third Place
4. Farran Zerbe's 1904 Storecard — PCNS Archives Report
5. Why the Fascination with the Walking Liberty Design? by Mark A. Benvenuto
6. Minor Keith: his influence in Costa Rica and beyond by Federico Castillo
7. Fool's Gold by Stephen Huston

2016 Papers

Single PDF file containing all of these titles:

1. The Santa Cruz Venetian Water Carnival 1895–1896 by William D. Hyder — First Place
2. The Great Seal of California, Deconstructed by Michael F. Wehner — Second Place
3. Four Coins, Three Continents, One Aim — Move Silver! by Mark A. Benvenuto — Third Place
4. Moore Dry Docks Company by Herbert Miles

2014–15 Papers

Single PDF file containing all of these titles:

1. Chinatown Tales: La Chinesca by Jerry F. Schimmel — First Place
2. Explaining the Most Common Designs: From Castles and Lions to Bald Eagles and Arrows by Mark Benvenuto — Second Place
3. PCNS Medal Archives by William D. Hyder — Third Place
4. Chinatown Tales: Grant Avenue and Dupont Street by Jerry F. Schimmel
5. A Token from the Danish West Indies: J. Müller by Jerry F. Schimmel
6. The Folsom Asparagus Gin Company by Michael F. Wehner
7. France: Downfall of an Emperor by Jerry F. Schimmel
8. Notgeld Coins and More: Meissen Porcelain by Mark A. Benvenuto
9. Quintera Mining Co.: Only at the Company Store by Jerry F. Schimmel
10. Spanish Silver and Dollars Mex: What We Used Before 1857, What We Could Use Now by Mark A. Benvenuto
11. Florence Evelyn Nesbit Thaw by Herbert Miles
12. San Francisco Gas & Electric Company: Lost in the Mists of Time by Jerry F. Schimmel
13. The Ocean Shore Railroad: A Terrific Idea, but… by Jerry F. Schimmel
14. United Railroads by Jerry F. Schimmel

2013 Papers

Single PDF file containing all of these titles:

1. Introduction to the 2013 PCNS Papers by Stephen Huston, Editor
2. Chinatown Tales: Stories & Brass Checks from Ross Alley & Old Chinatown Lane by Jerry F. Schimmel — First Place
3. Remembering California's Service in the Spanish-American War by William D. Hyder — Second Place
4. From Ancient Presentation Pieces to Modern Proof Sets: the Evolution of an Elite Coinage by Mark A. Benvenuto — Honorable Mention
5. Geissbrecht, Macedo and Perry: What to Do with Your Coins If You Don't Spend Them by Jerry F. Schimmel
6. The Madame and the Queen: a Cheap Way to Promote the Oldest Profession by Jerry F. Schimmel
7. MPC: a Numbers Game by James Haney
8. The Red Book: a Wealth of Information by Dan Wilson

2012 Papers

Single PDF file containing all of these titles:

1. An Introduction to PCNS Papers by Stephen Huston, Editor
2. California Trail Riders Pictorial Tokens by William D Hyder — First Place
3. The Maria Theresa Thaler — the ultimate one-year type set by Mark A. Benvenuto — Second Place
4. San Francisco through Its Exonumia: The U.S. Beer Hall by Jerry F. Schimmel — Third Place

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There was a 3-year gap in papers contests and publications from 2009 through 2011.

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2007–08 Papers

Single PDF file containing these 7 titles:

• The Athenian Owl by Daniel Feldman
• Coinage in Transition: Mechanization of the Minting Process in England by Elliot M. Wehner — Second Place 2008
• Pax Qværitvr Bello: English Coinage during the Great Rebellion by Elliot M. Wehner — Second Place 2007
• Anguilla’s Concoctions by Jerry F. Schimmel
• California Gold Rush Bills of Exchange by Michael Wehner — First Place 2008
• German American Roots: The Schlaraffia Franciscana Token by Jerry F. Schimmel — First Place 2007
• Bernal Heights Money by Jerry F. Schimmel

2005–06 Papers

Single PDF file containing these 6 titles:

• Boy Bishop Tokens of Medieval England by Rick Webster — First Place 2005
• The Denman Grammar School Medals of San Francisco by Michael Wehner — Second Place 2006 (tie)
• British Java and Its Coinage by Rick Webster
• The Final Blow: Countermarks through the Ages by Stephen Huston — First Place 2006
• The Choice is Yours by Michael Hollingshead
• The National Banking System: from Civil War Victory to 20th Century Prosperity by Elliot Wehner — Second Place 2006 (tie)

2003–04 Papers

Single PDF file containing these 5 titles:

• Medieval English Tokens, 1200–1425 by Rick Webster — Second Place 2004
• The Cheapest Bookseller In The World: James Lackington and His Tokens by Lori Reppeteau — First Place 2003
• The Cross of Gold by Elliot M. Wehner — Second Place 2003
• One Tough Broad by Jerry F. Schimmel
• United States Military Currency after Military Payment Certificates by Elliot M. Wehner — First Place 2004

Collected Papers of 2002

Single PDF file compiled in 2002 from PCNS member-authored pieces for monthly bulletins and additional writings not submitted to The Papers Contest.
Includes:

• Tokens and Medals of the Pacific Coast Numismatic Society by David W. Lange & Michael F. Wehner
• 84 pages of PCNS writings not in other papers publications.

1996–97 Papers

Single PDF file of the Papers of 1996/7 published in 1998. This was the first Papers collection ever printed by PCNS separate from The Journal. Four of the 5 authors became Fellows of the Society.*

• Mint of the Fragrant Harbour by Larry V. Reppeteau* (1st Place)
• Coins of the Crusader Kingdom of Majorca by Stephen M. Huston* (2nd Place)
• Numismatic Philately by Don T. Thrall*
• What to Collect by Benj Fauver
• The San Remo Hotel: An Old PCNS Hangout by Jerry F. Schimmel*

The Journal

Early PCNS Papers were published in The Journal of the Pacific Coast Numismatic Society (1984–1995), which was the original goal of that publication. All 45 issues of The Journal, with hundreds of titles, including all of our papers from the 1950s through 1995, are now available at the Newman Numismatic Portal.