World Coins needed for New Book Photos

VTCoins

This may be old news. If so ... sorry!

Just got an email from a photographer looking for world coins to photo. I do not know this guy, but he seems legit.



Greetings. My name is Martin Gray and I am a National Geographic photographer preparing a new illustrated book on coins. The title of the book will be Sacred Life: Coins of the Natural World.

The book will have black and white photographs of several hundred coins with the following living species shown on the coins:

* Animals
* Birds
* Fish
* Reptiles and Lizards
* Plants

The theme of the book is both simple and profound: We have living beings on our money; let’s use that money to protect them.

Given the massive degradation of the environment and the corresponding loss of living species, such a book is timely and will appeal to a large audience. Based on the visual and conceptual nature of the book it will be of interest and inspiration for a large variety of people (in countries all around the world) including:

* Artists
* Sculptors
* Historians
* Naturalists
* Biologists
* Ecologists
* Zoologists
* Gardeners
* Botanists
* Animal rights activists
* Bankers
* Economists
* Archaeologists
* Photographers
* Travelers
* Coin collectors

I have so far photographed approximately 220 coins and those coins may be seen on the pages linked at the end of this letter (simply click each link to open the web page showing the coins). There are another 200 - 300 coins that I still need to photograph and I am hoping that various coin collectors and dealers will allow me to borrow those coins for a week so that I may photograph them. All of the borrowed coins will be returned to their owners promptly after they are photographed.

The coins will be photographed in the exact condition in which they are received and absolutely no changes to any of the coins will be made, such as polishing the coins.

I am only interested in photographing coins that have been used during the past fifty years. It is important that the coins have been in circulation, as contrasted to mint condition, because I want readers of the book to feel as if the coins had been in their own pockets. It is necessary that the details on the coins be clearly visible (the coins must not be so worn that the details are not clear). Coins with scratches are fine but coins with stains are not suitable. The coins may be of any denomination and I am not seeking coins that have any value beyond their face value. The book will not have photographs of paper currency - only coins will be shown.

There will be several coins shown on each page of the book and beneath each coin will be a caption telling the Country, Denomination, Animal and Year of issue. At the end of the book there will be a list of all the coins, which will give a bit more information about each coin, primarily the type of metal and the size of the coin. There will be a short introductory essay at the beginning of the book.

In order to assure owners of the return of their coins I can - and will if required - provide an amount of money equal to the value of the coins. Once again, I am not seeking coins with any value beyond their face value.

In order to see that I am a photographer you may look at one of my photography web sites called Places of Peace and Power at SacredSites.com

Please reply to this email at your earliest convenience because the production schedule for the book requires that all the coins be photographed by the end of April at the latest. If you would like to speak with me about this matter, my phone number in Arizona is 928-274-5699.

The coins that I wish to photograph are listed below. The page numbers following the coins are from the Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901-2000; KP publisher; 2009 edition. Some of these coins were only minted during one year, while others were minted over a range of years. A specific year of issue is not of importance to me since I am not actually collecting the coins – I am only collecting photographs of the coins. Besides the coins listed below I am also interested in photographing any other coins with animals, birds, fish or plants on them. Please feel free to forward this letter to other coin collectors or dealers you know who might be able to help with this book project.

My postal mailing address is:

Martin Gray, PO 4111, Sedona, Arizona 86340

My physical mailing address is:

Martin Gray, 185 Pinon Drive, Sedona, Arizona 86336

My email address is:

martin@sacredsites.com

My phone number is:

928-274-5699

I will of course reimburse the owners of the coins for any postage costs incurred in sending the coins to me.


COINS ALREADY PHOTOGRAPHED

* Animals
* Birds
* Fish
* Reptiles & Lizards
* Plants

COINS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO PHOTOGRAPH

A

Albania, 1 Lek, 1996, Pelican, p45

Albania, ¼ Leku, 1926-27, Lion, p39

Albania, 10 Qindar, 1926, Eagle, p39

Algeria, 20 Centimes, 1975 & 1987, Ram’s head, p51

B

Bahamas, 50 Cents, 1966-1980, Blue Marlin, p155

Bahamas, 1 Dollar, 1966-92, Conch Shell, p156

Bahamas, 2 Dollars, 1966-90, Flamingos, p156

Belize, 1 Cent, 1974-84, Swallow-tailed kite, p201

Belize, 5 Cents, 1974-81, Flycatchers, p201

Bermuda, 5 Cents, 1970-2000, Queen Angel fish, p212

Bermuda, 25 Cents, 1970-85, Yellow-billed tropical bird, p213

Botswana, 10 Thebe, 1977-89, Oryx, p239

Botswana, 50 Thebe, 1976-85, African Fish Eagle, p239

Botswana, 1 Pula, 1976-87, 91, 97, Zebra, p239

Botswana, 2 Pula, 1994, Rhinoceros, p239

Botswana, 5 Pula, 1978, Gemsbok, p239

Botswana, 5 Pula, 1986, Red Lechwes, p240

Botswana, 5 Pula, 2000, Mophane worm, p240

British Virgin Islands, 5 Cents, 1973-84, Zenalda doves, p257

British Virgin Islands, 10 Cents, 1985, Great Barracuda, p257

British Virgin Islands, 25 Cents, 1985, Blue marlin, p258

British Virgin Islands, 50 Cents, 1973-84, Brown pelican, p258

Bulgaria, 25 Leva, 1989, Bear and cubs, p291

C

Canada, 50 Cents, 1995, Whooping Crane, p317

Canada, 50 Cents, 1998, Killer Whales, p319

Canada, 50 Cents, 1998, Humpback Whale, p319

Canada, 50 Cents, 1998, Blue Whale, p319

Canada, 50 Cents, 1998, Beluga Whale, p319

Canada, 50 Cents, 1999, Cougar, p320

Canada, 50 Cents, 2000, Red-tailed hawk, p320

Canada, 1 Dollar, 1985, Moose, p325

Canada, 1 Dollar, 1997, Loon, p327

Canada, 2 Dollar, 1996-2000, Polar bear, 328

Cape Verde, 1 Escudo, 1994, Tartaruga Sea Turtle, p352

Cape Verde, 20 Escudos, 1994, Brown Booby, p352

Cape Verde, 50 Escudos, 1994, Cape Verde Sparrow, p353

Central Africa States, 5 Francs, 1973-98, Three Giant Eland, p366

China, 1 Yuan, 1949, Orchid, p462

China, 5 Yuan, 1995, Golden monkey, p479

Comoros, 5 Francs, 1984,1992, Coalacanth, 545

Cook Islands, 20 Cents, 1972-83, Fairy Tern, p555

Cook Islands, 50 Cents, 1972-79, Bonito fish, p555

Cook Islands, 50 Tene, 1988-94, Hawksbill turtle, p556

Costa Rica, 100 Colones, 1974, Manatee, p589

Croatia, 1 Lipa, 1993-2000, Ear of corn, 592

Croatia, 10 Lipa, 1993-2000, Tobacco plant, p593

Croatia, 5 Kuna, 1993-2000, Brown Bear, 594

Cuba, 1 Peso, 1983, Spiny lobster, p603

Cuba, 5 Pesos, 1981, Giant Garlfish, p616

Cuba, 5 Pesos, 1981, Cuban Tocororo, p616

Cuba, 10 Pesos, 1999, Hummingbird, p634

E

East Africa, 50 Cents, 1906-19, Lion, p699

East Africa, 1 Florin, 1920, Lion, p699

Eritrea, 5 Cents, 1997, Leopard on log, p760

Eritrea, 10 Cents, 1997, Ostrich, p760

Eritrea, 50 Cents, 1997, Greater Kudu, p760

Eritrea, 100 Cents, 1997, Elephant, p760

Estonia, 5 Krooni, 1993, Deer, 764

F

Falkland Islands, 1 Penny, 1974-99, Gentoo penguins, p770

Falkland Island, 2 Pence, 1974-99, Upland goose, p770

Falkland Islands, 10 Pence, 1974-99, Ursine seal with cub, p770

Falkland Islands, 20 Pence, 1982-99, Romney marsh sheep, p770

Falkland Islands, 50 Pence, 1980-99, Falkland Island Fox, p771

Finland, 5 Markkaa, 1992-2000, Saima ringed seal, p790

G

Gambia, 8 Shillings, 1970, Hippopotamus, p839

Gibraltar, 5 Pence, 1988-97, Barbary ape, p914

Gibraltar, 1 Crown, 1997, Peac***s, p940

Greenland, 1 Crone, 1926, Polar bear, p994

Greenland, 25 or 50 Ore, 1926, Polar bear, p995

Guernsey, 4 Doubles, 1956, 1966, Guernsey lily, p1003

Guernsey, 3 Pence, 1959, 1966, Guernsey cow, p1003

Guinea, 5, 10 or 25 Francs, 1985, 1987, Palm branch, p1014

H

Hungary, 5 Forint, 1992-2000, White egret, p1054

I

Iceland, 10 Kronur, 1984, 1987, 1994, 2000, Capelins, p1065

India Princely States/Indore, ½ Anna, 1958-9, Bull, p1075

Ireland, 5 Pence, 1969-90, Bull, p1148

Ireland, 1 Penny, 1940-68, Hen with chicks, p1146

Ireland, ½ Crown, 1928-43, Irish Hunter horse, p1147

Isle of Man, 1/5 Crown, 1988, Manx cat, p1166

Isle of Man, 1/5 Crown, 1994, Japanese bobtail cat, p1168

Isle of Man, ½ Crown, 1990-91, Alley cat, Norwegian cat, p1173

Isle of Man, 1 Crown, 2000, Kitten playing with world globe, p1205

Isle of Man, 2 Pence, 1980-83, Bird, p1151

Israel, 1 New Sheqel, 1993, Buck and young Hart deer, p1227

Israel, 1 New Sheqel, 1994, Leopard, p1227

Israel, 1 New Sheqel, 1995, Fox, p1227

Italy, 200 Lire, 1991, Wolf, p1245

L

Latvia, 10 Latu, 1996, Grieze bird, p1340

Latvia, 1 Lati, 2003, Ant

Latvia, 1 Lati, 2004, Mushroom

Lebanon, 25 or 50 Piastres, 1929, 1933, 1936, Cedar tree, p1342

Lesotho, 5 Licente, 1979-89, Single pine tree, p1345

Lesotho, 2 Maloti, 1996 and 1998, Maize plants, p1346

Lesotho, 5 Maloti, 1996 and 1998, Wheat sprigs, p1346

M

Macedonia, 5 Dinari, 1993, European lynx, p1392

Malawi, 5 Kwacha, 1978, Zebras running, p1397

Malawi, 10 Kwacha, 1978, Sable antelope, p1397

Maldive Islands, 5 Rufiyaa, 1978, Spiny lobster, p1407

Maldive Islands, 50 Laari, 1984-95, Loggerhead Sea turtle, p1407

Maldive Islands, 2 Rufiyaa, 1995, Pacific triton seashell, p1407

Mali, 10 Francs, 1961, Horse, p1411

Mali, 100 Francs, 1975, Ears of corn, p1411

Malta, 3 Mils, 1972-82, Bee and honeycomb, p1412

Mauritius, 10 Rupees, 1971, Dodo bird, p1423

Moldovia, 50 Bani, 1997, Grapes, p1455

Mongolia, 50 Tugrik, 1976, Camel running, p1465

Mozambique, 100 Meticais, 1994, Lobster, p1485

N

Namibia, 50 Cents, 1993, Tree, p1493

New Caledonia, 20 Francs, 1972-2000, Three Ox, p1537

New Zealand, 1 Dollar, 1982, Takahe bird, p1548

New Zealand, 2 Dollars, 1993, Sacred Kingfisher, p1549

Nigeria, 50 Kobo, 1991, Corn, 1562

O

Oman, 75 Rials, 1976, 1996, Arabian Tahr, p1587

P

Papua New Guinea, 5 Kina, 1997-98, Snake in tree, p1612

Philippines, 1 Piso, 1983-90, Tamaraw bull, p1642

Poland, 2 Zlote, 1995, Catfish, p1668

Poland, 2 Zlote, 1997, Stag beetle, p1669

Poland, 2 Zlote, 1999, Wolves, p1670

Poland, 2 Zlote, 2000, Crowned eagle, p1670

Portugal, 25 Escudos, 1983, Fish, p1692

R

Rwanda, 5 Francs, 1974, 1977, 1987, Coffee tree branch, p1774

Rwanda-Burundi, 1 Franc, 1960-64, Lion, p1775

Rhodesia, 2-1/2 Shillings, 1964, Sable antelope, p1710

Rhodesia and Nyasaland, 2 Shillings, 1955-57, Eagle and fish, p1712

Russian Federation, 5 Roubles, 1991, Mountain goat, p1743

Russia, 3 Roubles, 1997, Polar bear watching walrus, p1753

Russia, 10 Roubles, 1992, Tiger, p1754

Russia, 10 Roubles, 1992, Cobra, p1754

S

Saharawi Arab D.R., 50 and100 Pesetas, 1990-92, Camel, p1776

St. Helena & Ascension, 2 Pence, 1991, Donkey with wood, p1781

St. Helena & Ascension, 5 Pence, 1998, Giant tortoise, p1782

St. Helena & Ascension, 50 Pence, Green sea turtle, p1782

St. Kitts & Nevis, 4 Dollars, 1970, Banana stalk, p1783

Samoa, 50 Sene, 1974, 1988, 1996, 2000, Banana tree, p1794

San Marino, 5 Lire, 1974, Porcupine, p1804

San Marino, 10 Lire, 1974, Bee, p1806

Seychelles, 5 Rupees, 1976-2000, Coco-de-mer palm tree, p1836

Seychelles, 10 Cents, 1976, 1977, Sailfish, p1835

Slovenia, 50 Stotinov, 1992-2000, Bee, p1868

Slovenia, 5 Tolarjev, 1993, Beehive and bees, p1868

South Africa, 2 Cents, 1990-95, Bird catching fish, p1894

South Africa, 2-1/2 Cents, 1997, Knysna seahorse, p1895

South Africa, 2-1/2 Cents, 1998, Jackass Penguin, p1895

South Africa, 1 Rand, 1965-68, Springbok, p1899

South Africa, 10 Cents, 1990-2000, Arum lily, p1896

Southern Rhodesia, 2 Shillings, 1932-54, Sable antelope, p1909

Spitzbergen, 10,25,50,100 Roubles, Polar bear, p1933

Sudan, 5 Pounds, 1976, Hippopotamus with calf, p1943

Swaziland, 20 Cents, 1986,1998,2000, Elephant, p1951

T

Tanzania, 10 Senti, 1977-84, Zebra, p1981

Tanzania, 20 Senti, 1966-84, Ostrich, p1981

Tonga, 2 Senti, 1967-68, Giant tortoise, p2020

Trinidad and Tobago, 1 Cent, 1974-76, Hummingbird, p2030

Tuvalu, 2 Cents, 1976-85, Stingray, p2085

Tuvalu, 20 Cents, 1976-85, Flying Fish, p2085

Tuvalu, 50 Cents, 1976-85, Octopus, 2085

Tuvalu, 1 Dollar, 1976-85, Sea turtle, p2085

U

United States, Nickel, 1913-38, Buffalo, p2102

United States, 1 Dollar, 1916-1930, Eagle, p2106

Uruguay, 10 Cents, 1930, Puma, p2136

V

Vanuatu, 1,2,5 Vatu, 1983-95, Shell, p2138

Vanuatu, 10,20 Vatu, 1983-1995, Crab & palm trees, p2139

Venezuela, 25 Bolivares, 1975, Jaguar, p2165

Venezuela, 50 Bolivares, 1975, Giant Armadillo, p2165

Vietnam, 10 Dong, 1986, Water buffalo, p2170

Y

Yemen, 10 Riyals, 1969, Gazelles, p2184

Yemen, 20 Riyals, 1969, Camel, p2184

Z

Zambia, 1 Ngwee, 1968-78, Aardvark, p2199

Zambia, 1 Kwacha, 1989 and 1992, Two Falcons, p2200]=

------------

Thank you for your consideration,

Martin Gray

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Cruzi

Got a similar letter in September last year but with important difference:



<< <i>Please be so kind as to reply to this email at your earliest convenience as the production time schedule for this book requires all coins to be photographed by the end of October at the latest >>

pendragon1998

There's an easy way to determine if he's legit - contact National Geographic. I would be extremely skeptical, particularly since he didn't have a nat geo email address. I sure as heck wouldn't send anything to him just because he 'seems legit'.

Someone look over this page and see if you can find out.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/community/email.html?fs=photography.nationalgeographic.com

ajaan

A lot of those coins are NCLT and he won't find them in circulated condition.

ormandh

I am skeptical of these types of solicitations.

ormandh

This seems a little out of his realm, but here is a link about this man.Martin Gray

pendragon1998

From: http://www.bnta.net/stolen_goods.php

"A member of the BNTA has reported that they were recently asked to loan some generic gold coins for a photo-shoot on behalf of a national newspaper. The upshot was that the coins were never returned and it subsequently transpired that the story was concocted.

It transpired (through the insurance company involved) that another member of the numismatic trade was similarly taken in by the same scam. The individual who made contact by telephone sounded very believable and other BNTA members should be put on their guard.
"


Sounds like this is a SCAM!

It should go without saying, but never send your valuables to someone you don't know. DUH!

secondrepublic

Hard to believe someone would go to the trouble of setting up such a content-rich and large website just to scam people out of a few bucks. The Polish coins he is looking to photograph are modern issues worth, at most, a few dollars each. His letter quoted above actually says "The coins may be of any denomination and I am not seeking coins that have any value beyond their face value. ." Seems like there would be easier and far more lucrative ways to scam people if that was what he was trying to do. I don't see any real red flags. My vote is that it's OK.

Edited to add: here is a link to the National Geographic page on Martin Gray.

VTCoins

<< <i>Hard to believe someone would go to the trouble of setting up such a content-rich and large website just to scam people out of a few bucks. The Polish coins he is looking to photograph are modern issues worth, at most, a few dollars each. His letter quoted above actually says "The coins may be of any denomination and I am not seeking coins that have any value beyond their face value. ." Seems like there would be easier and far more lucrative ways to scam people if that was what he was trying to do. I don't see any real red flags. My vote is that it's OK.

Edited to add: here is a link to the National Geographic page on Martin Gray. >>