An example newsletter from the WBCC:

WBCC Newsmail 26, Vol. 2, February 8, 1997 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Composed with help of several members of the Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club and published by Martin Peeters, The Netherlands, Focal Point of the WBCC, martinp@concepts.nl

Every week it surprises me how much there is to report about Bi-metallic. Many WBCC members give their contribution with great addiction to their hobby and one of the goals of the WBCC; exchange knowledge about Bi-metallics. I'm also surprised that the amount of Bi-metallics is growing and so is our Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club.

1. Hot Bi-metallic news....By Rod Sell, Australia

I have just discovered another Australian Bi-Metallic. If you visit our home page you can see it. ( http://www.Hlos.com.au/~rod.sell/WBCC.html )

This issue is a special Cover to Commemorate Sir Donald Bradman. This cover contains the new stamp and the $5 Bi-Metallic that was released last year except it has a 1997 date.

The cost of the cover whilst they last is US$10. I have written to the Royal Australian Mint to see if they plan on releasing any of the 1997 $5, which I doubt and if they would sell us some if they have any left.

Will let you know when I get a reply. Anyone who wants a cover please let me know. It will cost US$10 for the cover and US$1 postage.

2. Major error by Coin Trust Vaduz Liechtenstein (3).....Martin Peeters

After I got the error 20 EURO Bi-metallic coin from Coin Trust Valdez 2 weeks ago, now I've also got the right 40 EURO Bi-metallic from Liechtenstein. Our WBCC Helpdesk, Larry Friemel, has go trought the same deal.

3. Again new members.....By Martin Peeters

This week we can welcome 2 new WBCC members.

Name: Philip Chang, USA E-mail: plc@san.ci.la.ca.us Age: 46 Profession: Marine Biologist Hobbies: U.S. and World coin and currency collector, metal and tokens collecting, collect numismatic related items Against: Enviromental pollution Goal: Continue collecting for years to come

Name: Francisco Jovel, Chile E-mail: fjovel@netup.cl Homepage: http://www.netup.cl/~fjovel Age: 29 Profession: Computer Science Hobbies: Numismatics Goal: Happiness with my lovely wife and 2 kids...

4. Members request..........By Francisco Jovel, Chile

I will be glad to participate in the WBCC. I could also do some exchanges and definetly some buying (I need an Argentina 1 peso PROVINGIAS error coin). Please put my application forward to the other members.

5. Coin World article........By Harry Newton, USA

We who subscribe to "Coin World" receive the new issue about a week early.The issue dated 10 Februry 1997 has a front page column about a previously unknown U.S.1792 silver center cent found in Liverpool,England.This coin is a Large Cent copper coin with a small silver plug in the center.The Large Cent is a little larger than a U.S.quater.Anyone with information about this type coin please send me information. Harry Newtom newton@chrysalis.org

6. Canadian Bi-metallic news.......By Frans Woons, Canada

Last week I received from the Royal Canadian Mint a brochure outlining their 1997 products. Concerning the Bi-metallic $ 2 coin, it is only available in sets. The following sets contain the $ 2 Bi-metallic:

a. The Proof Set. In this set the $ 2 is struck in sterling silver. The inner core is plated with 24 karat gold. The weight of this coin is 8.83 g. I assume that this coin consists of two pieces, just like the sterling silver piedfort $ 2 coin dated 1996. The price of this set is Cdn $ 79.95. In addition to the $ 2 coin, it contains seven more coins including a silver $ 1 piece and the 50, 25, 10, and 5 cents pieces, which are normally struck in base metals for circulation, are in sterling silver. Coins no. 7 and 8 are the $ 1 piece showing a swimming loon and the 1 cent piece which is, again, round and not polygonal.

b. The specimen set. In this set the $ 2 coin is struck in the normal composition (the one for circulation): outer ring: 99+% Ni; inner core: 92% Cu, 6% Al, and 2% Ni. The price of the set is Cdn $ 26.95. The set contains a total of seven coins. The $ 1 coin shows a bird in flight rather than a swimming loon.

c. The uncirculated set. In this set the $ 2 coin is struck in base metals. The set costs Cdn $ 13.95 and contains a total of seven coins. The $ 1 coin is of the normal design (with the swimming loon).

d. The "Oh Canada" uncirculated gift set. The $ 2 piece has been struck in base metals. Price: Cdn $ 21.95. This set contains a total of seven coins. The $ 1 coin shows a bird in flight.

e. The 1997 Baby Uncirculated gift set. $ 2 in base metals. Seven coins; $ 1 coin shows a swimming loon. Price: Cdn $ 21.95.

Note I: The $ 1 piece with a bird in flight commemorates the fact that 10 years ago the $ 1 with the swimming loon was introduced. The coin with the bird (a loon?) in flight shows the dates 1987 and 1997.

Note II: The brochure also offers for sale some coins in the series "The silver aviation cameo coins". These coins are also Bi-metallic but not ringed. The main portion is sterling silver and in the coin an oval, sterling silver and gold plated piece, has been inserted. This oval piece is off-centre and only visible on the reverse.

7. A Bi-metallic Coca Cola Token....By Larry Friemel, WBCC Helpdesk

The following interesting message I've got about a Bi-metallic Coca Cola Token.

Subject: Bi-Metallic Coca Cola token From: "Ignacio A. Henao" <ihenao@epm.net.co> at CCGATE Date: 1/26/97 7:37 AM I'm a collector of Colombian farm and merchant tokens from my country and I only have a passing interest on modern bi-metallic coinage. However I found a bi-metallic Coca Cola token that could be interesting. It is 22 mm, with a 8 mm center plug. I would say the external ring is some aluminium alloy, and the center plug is chrome plated steel (magnetic). The colors of ring and center plug are not so different as to be easily seen as a bi-metalic piece. The plug has 'COL' on both sides. The obverse has on the ring four Coca-Cola's. On the reverse it say 'VALE POR UNA BOTELLA DESECHABLE MAQUINA COCA-COLA'.Otherwise it's well struck and nice, and probably comes from the fifties or sixties. Best regards, Ignacio

8. German Encased Coin.......By Martin Peeters

I've got a copy (print) of an auction held in 1996 in Germany. In this auction was a German Encased Coins. It is dated 1928 and show a coin (1Pfennig?) with the Cologne Dom and an Alunium ring with the inscription "Gruss from Deutschen Rhein".

9. Bi-metallic 5 Zlotych 1995,.....by Martin Peeters

As last week reported my brother visited Poland and would look for the Bi-metallic 5 Zlotych 1995. Unfortunally he could not get a piece but he will try it by his contacts in Poland by E-mail. Maybe in the future I can give you some positive news about this very hard to get 5 Zlotych 1995.

10. Israelian Bi-metallic news.....By Martin Peeters

From the Israelian Mint I've got the following message about the 1997 Bi-metallic 10 Shekel.

From: Betty Intrater

Dear Mr. Peeters, We will be advertising a 1997 Piefort set with a 10 shekel Bi-metallic coin in our March brochure. Shalom, Betty Intrater, Israel.

11. Finland Bi-metallic news......By Martin Peeters

From the Finland Mint I've got the following message about the 1997 Bi-metallic 10 Markkaa.

Dear Mr. Peeters, This year we will mint only the Bi-metallic 10 Markkaa coin (Callispery Bird). Date of issue is not published - our coin set is estimated to come out in March including the 10 Bi-metallic Markkaa. With best regards, Antti

12. Vaticane City Bi-metallic news.......By Martin Peeters

The Vaticane City Mint will struck and issue this year 1997 (!!) a Bi-metallic 500 Lire 1996 , with the theme "Let us give our children a future of piece".

13. Saw in the R.C.C. Newsgrour...By Rod Sell

From "The Guardian", 31/1/97: PUB COIN GIFT FETCHES UKP 28,750

A one cent piece fetched UKP 28,750 [US $45,700 at todays' exchange rate] at a Philips auction in London yesterday. The rare coin bearing the head of Lady Liberty encircled by the words Liberty, Parent of Science and Industry, was one of four designs by the US mint in 1792 for the first one cent piece, but was rejected by Congress as too small and never mass produced. Only 10 other examples have been documented. The seller, Nigel Willimott, 60, of Essex, who was given the coin in a pub 30 years ago, said he was delighted with the price paid by a private dealer from New York." Arwel Parry, aparry@cix.compulink.co.uk

14. Coin Universe....By Jim Alby

There is a full-page ad (p. 73) in the Feb. 17 issue of COIN WORLD from a new internet service called Coin Universe. It is very interesting and it is FREE. For those who don't receive COIN WORLD, the site for Coin Universe is:

http://coin-universe.com

I logged on and registered and immediately received my free password by e-mail. They offer free price guides, coin and memorabilia auctions, population reports, as well as other interesting information...all FREE! This might be a good chance to publicize our club and the Bi-metallic hobby as well. It might also be a good way to buy, sell and trade coins.

15. How to do Public Relation for Bi-metallics...By Martin Peeters

In my free time and working houres I take every oppertunity to do some Public Relation about Bi-metallics and the Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club. This week I had an informal business-diner with some colleagues. At some moment I began to talk about Bi-metallics and because most people who don't collect coins, and don't know what Bi-metallics are, I have always some Bi-metallics in my pocket to show them. Mostly when they see the Bi-metallics they remember that France has such a 10 Franc coin. I tell the people about the WBCC and the relations with Internet. Mostly they promise me to look out for Bi-metallics. I wonder if you also do some PR-work for the Worldwide Bi-metallic Collectors Club?

"See" you next week and happy Bi-metallic hunting, Martin Peeters martinp@concepts.nl

Feb. 13 1997