Tag Archives: numismatics

In Pursuit of Excellence

25 Jun

As I mentioned before, we have an intern this summer–Dan’s daughter, Emily. It’s a pleasure and a treat to have a smart young lady–eager to learn–join us in the office. While her dad has been around coins since well before she was born, she’s never had much exposure to the world of numismatics, particularly to Spanish colonial coinage and shipwrecks. She will see firsthand an expert in a field, and we hope she will understand what it takes to achieve that…and how intellectually rewarding it can be. So where should she start? How about with The Practical Book of Cobs?

Practical Books of Cobs, fourth edition

Practical Books of Cobs, fourth edition

Emily has been reading a copy and is absorbing the abundance of information in there. She’s working on our eBay store, so be sure to stop by and check out all the new listings. Emily is getting an education and learning skills that will help her in the future, whether she wants to become a numismatist or do something else.

The future of any business is with the young people who become attracted to it. Like many other fields, numismatics isn’t easy and requires a long period of study to gain proficiency. A mentor can be an invaluable guide and so it should be every coin dealer’s goal to guide and tutor at least one young person in his or her career. Of course not everyone has the aptitude for the field, but most can excel if they catch the spark of interest. In our segment of the business, who couldn’t be smitten with learning about Spanish colonial history in an enriched way that our high school textbooks couldn’t depict? And how can you not be captivated by tales of shipwrecks, pirates, and treasure? From there you grow to love the coins and learn to appreciate the stories they tell. Before you know it, you’re a pro!

Emily Sedwick at work

Emily Sedwick at work

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Having a (Blue) Devil of a Good Time

8 Apr

Many people know that my brother, Dan, and I attended Duke University and some may remember that our father, Frank Sedwick, graduated from Duke way back in 1944. But the legacy doesn’t end with us. Our sister went to Duke Medical School, our older brother graduated from Duke, and we have a nephew who graduated a couple of years ago. Do we bleed Duke blue? Yes, we do!! Duke University

Naturally Monday’s NCAA men’s basketball final game between Duke and Wisconsin was a big hit in our households. Perfect timing for us: the hot-off-the-presses Treasure Auction #17 catalogs were in the mail to bidders and customers. We could take a breath and enjoy the victory.

This week, it’s back to business as Dan and Augi leave for the Chicago International Coin Fair. You can view auction lots there, so make plans to attend!

As for the auction, here are some of my favorite items that you might want to check out:

  1. Did you read the 2007 interview between Dan and Lou Ullian (now deceased) that appears on page 8? It’s a great read.
  2. The section on Shipwreck and Hoard Histories on p. 12 is always enlightening.
  3. Gold, gold, and more gold starting with coins on p. 23 and bars on p. 63.
  4. Do your tastes run to silver instead of gold? How about silver bars starting on p. 69?
  5. The shipwreck coins section begins on p. 73.
  6. Check out the VERY SPECIAL “First dollar coin of South America,” the 8R Rincon Lima (Lot 711) and other denominations of the Rincon series on pp. 152-155.
  7. Then check out the Roman-Egyptian clump, lot 267 on p. 73. When will you ever see something like that again??
  8. I love Royals (what’s not to like?) and there are plenty in this auction: Lot 706 (1/2R Mexico), Lot 707 (1/2R Mexico), Lot 753 (2R Lima), Lot 897 (8R Potosi), Lot 909 (8R Potosi), Lot 910 (8R Potosi), Lot 914 (8R Potosi), Lot 928 (8R Potosi), and Lot 945 (8R Potosi).
  9. For those who like their coins non-sea salvage, check out coins starting on p. 145.
  10. DO NOT MISS Dan’s article that includes a table of Potosi 8R of Philip II on p. 164!
  11. Ancients begin on p. 215.
  12. World coins begin on p. 219.
  13. Medals and tokens can be found starting on p. 268.
  14. Documents are on p. 275. Maps are always fun and a wonderful wall adornment (I have an antique map of Peru on my office wall to remind me of a trip I took there with my husband).
  15. The ever-popular shipwreck artifacts section begins on p. 278 and some of my favorites in this section include a stunning gold-and-red-coral rosary (Lot 1400), a sweet olive blossom chain (Lot 1466), a very large olive jar (Lot 1486), and an impressive Spanish brass cannon (Lot 1504).

And don’t miss the last lot, Lot 1560, with a picture of yours truly holding a GIGANTIC plaster reproduction of an 8 escudos Mexico royal!

Happy Bidding to all.

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First coin shows of 2015: FUN and NYINC

20 Jan

Cori Downing SedwickHello!  My name is Cori Sedwick Downing, and I’ve started this blog because I enjoy writing about Spanish colonial coins and shipwreck coins and artifacts. My specialty is researching so-called Charles and Joanna coins from the first mint in the New World at Mexico City from roughly 1536 to 1572, but my interests are wide ranging so I’ll cover much more than those coins. I have been working for my brother, Dan, at Daniel Frank Sedwick, LLC for about six years.  Before that, I have had as many lives as a cat (of which, by the way, I do have one).  I’ve been a high school teacher, a real estate agent, a photographer, and a travel agent. In my spare time I am obsessed with genealogy, DNA research and playing sports, mainly running and cycling. Now that I’m closer to 60 than 50, most people don’t know that I used to be a pretty good runner in my 20s. I took up cycling in my 40s due to an injury that sidelined me from running and once set the state time trial record in my age group at the Florida State Games (50-54 age group). I also won the duathlon national championship in my age group one year.

Enough about me! I’d love to hear from YOU. Is there anything you’d like me to cover or do you have anything to contribute? Please feel free to subscribe.

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As for the first coin shows of 2015, if overflowing parking lots and garages at the Orange County (Florida) Convention Center for the FUN (Florida United Numismatists) show in January 8-11, 2015 are any indication of a healthy economy, we’re in for a banner year.  Although the concurrent Surf Expo was the source of much of the parking snafu, there was still a steady stream of visitors to our table by old friends and new acquaintances who bought, sold or consigned coins and artifacts. As a result we already have some interesting auction items lined up and I’ll tell you about some of them in future posts.

Augi Garcia Barneche helping a customer at FUN 2015

Augi Garcia-Barneche at FUN 2015

The FUN show is one of the largest coin shows in the US for good reason: there’s something for everyone. Your children can pan for gold in a working sluice box, the treasurer of the United States is on hand to sign bills purchased from the BEP (Bureau of Engraving and Printing) booth, and this year the State of Florida presented an interesting display of coins and artifacts from their holdings specifically related to the 1715 Fleet discoveries off the coast of Florida. Don’t forget that this year is the 300th anniversary of that Fleet and we will feature coins and artifacts from the wreck in our Treasure Auction #17 in April 2015. There’s even a 1715 Fleet Society to help raise awareness of and promote ongoing research about the Fleet.

The NYINC (New York International Numismatic Convention) is the largest US coin show featuring ancient and world coins exclusively, and we always have a table there. Unfortunately it is also concurrent with the FUN show. While it is a much more subdued atmosphere, it’s a good place for our northern clientele to visit us. The temperature differential this year between NY and FL was about 80 degrees.

Stardust Room at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC

Stardust Room at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC

The show is always held in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, a grand old lady who makes you want to stand up a little straighter and put on your best manners when you walk in the door. Where else can you spend a night in the Marilyn Monroe suite? While we’re crammed in like sardines in a tin, we love the atmosphere and excitement of New York!

Back in Florida now, we’re looking forward to a few more shows before January ends. You can find us at the Vero Beach, Florida Treasure Coast Coin and Currency Show on January 24-25 and at the Long Beach (California) Expo on January 29-31. We hope to see you at one of these shows!

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