Bickels Coin and Medal News Vol 1

Bickels Coin and Medal News: Index Vol 1 No 1 - Vol 1 No 10

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Vol.1 No 1 – July 1965

THREATS TO SA MINT BY COIN DEALERS, p.1
- Coin collectors have threatened legal and other action against the South African Mint in a desperate attempt to secure larger allotments.
POUND'S VALUE DROPS, p.1
- The value of the pound sterling plummeted to one-fifth of its value in 50 years.
DONT WRITE p.1
- Each of this year's 26,000 proof sets have been allotted to customers of the SA Mint.
"Gold" Fools Again, p.1
- South Africa’s legal history is riddled with cases of rouge’s who sold gilted coins as Kruger gold sovereigns.
OPINION WHO WE ARE, p.2
- This is the first issue of the South African coin and medal newspaper and our publication will have three aims.
AT THE SALES, p.2
- Currie’s Auctioneers, of Johannesburg, held their largest sale in recent years last month when they offered nearly 145 items for sale.
PREVIEW, p.2
- In next month’s edition, we will publish a complete review of South African Crown prices.
"TICKEY” DOOMED: HEADING FOR HIGH PRICES, p.3
- A coin destined to reach a very high price in future years is the common 2 1/2 cent piece.
SA’S NEW COINS, p.3
- The third coin - the nickel 10-cent piece - in South Africa's new series will be introduced on August 10.
CHIPS FOR NEVADA, p.3
- Nevada gaming houses are using plastic chips in slot machines in Las Vegas.
GREAT TASK FOR REPUBLIC’S MINT, p.4
- In the most ambitious programme it has undertaken, the South African Mint will produce 340 million coins this year for the country’s coinage change.
Aussie Coin Hoarders, p.4
- Australia will soon have decimal coinage.
HIGH COIN PRICES, p.4
- A proof set of ten 1893 British coins, including the £5, £2, £1 | and 10/- in gold, was sold for R3,570 at Glendining’s, London, recently.
SA'S FIRST NEW COINS DISTRIBUTED, p.4
- The first two coins - the nickel 5 cent and the bronze cent pieces - of South Africa’s new coinage were placed in circulation.
PRICE TRENDS: SOUTH AFRICAN PROOF SETS, p.5
COIN CLUB NEWS, p.7
- Many of America’s 10 million coin investors have formed themselves into syndicates, each member contributing regularly to a central buying fund.
Know Your Coins, p.7
- Perhaps the most mystifying aspect of coin collecting to an outsider is the phenomenal increase in the price of some coins which are only a few years old.
WHO TO KNOW, p.7
- The art of pure numismatism is very complicated and needs intensive study.
U.S.INVESTORS BUY UP KENNEDY ½ DOLLARS, p.8
- The most popular and sought-after coin in the U.S.A. is the commemorative Kennedy half-dollar which is struck in silver.
IMPORTANT COIN SYMBOLs, p.8
- Coin collecting, like many other hobbies and past-times has a terminology of its own.
NEWS FROM OTHER MINTS, p.8
- The German Mint is likely to produce proof sets in 1965.
MORE SALE NEWS, p.8
- Coin collectors never cease being amazed by the astronomical prices fetched by coins on the world’s markets.
MEXICO COIN BAN, p.8
The Mexican Government is planning to prohibit the removal, export or other shipment of any coins of any metal.
PRICE LIST BICKELS COINS AND MEDALS, p.9 – p.12

Vol. 1 No 2 – August 1965

PROOF SET SNAGS CAUSE A MONTH'S DELAY, p.1
- The first batch of 1965 South African proofsets will only be distributed in September and not in August as advertised in the Mint’s price list.
American Coin Fans Worried, p.1
- American numismatists are fighting tooth and nail two very contentious bills before the United States Senate and Congress. If both measures are passed, they could stop much coin collecting in the States.
SELL YOUR CHANGE!, p.1
- Bickels, of P.O. Box 10690, are anxious to buy the following South African coins from readers of this newspaper:
GESKIEDENIS VAN MUNTWESE, Deur Mnr. J.P. Roux, p.2
- Die geskiedenis van die muntwese (muntstukke en medaljes) Staan gelyk aan die geskiedenis van die wereld.
RECORD YEAR CANADIAN FOR MINT, p.3
Canadian Mint production for the 1984 calendar year reached a new record and coins sold for numismatic purposes surpassed the previous year’s all-time high.
Medal Craze is Genuine, p.3
- The current British craze of snapping up gold medals commemorating Sir Winston Churchill has been attributed by dealers to “genuine sympathy” and not gold-hoarding.
IRELAND GOES DECIMAL, p.3
- Ireland may soon change to decimal currency.
Old ‘Silvers’ Pour Into Mint, p.3
- Thousands of the country’s old sixpences and 5 cent coins are pouring into the Mint daily for refining.
SETS MEAN PROFIT, p.3
- Is proof set production profitable for the world’s mints?
PRICES AT CURRIES AUCTION, p.4
PRICE TRENDS: SOUTH AFRICAN CROWNS, p.5
INVESTMENT HINTS. WE ADVISE YOU..., p.6
- Search through your pockets, cash registers, collection boxes and plates.
COIN CLUB NEWS, p.6
- Caring for Your Collection is Vitally Important.
Know Your Coins, p.6
- OUR ‘LITTLE AMBASSADORS’ – The country’s new proof sets.
AWARDS FOR SCIENCE WRITERS, p.8
- The first medal to be awarded to a scientific writer in South Africa is to be struck by the Mint for the Science Writers’ Association.
PRICE LIST BICKELS COINS AND MEDALS, p9 – p.12

Vol. 1 No 3 – September 1965

40-tons of Silver for World Market, p.1
- A 40-ton load of South African silver obtained from sixpences and five cent pieces will be shipped to America for refining.
Big Change to US Coinage, p.1
- The move by larger countries to abolish silver coinage is gaining ground.
NOW WE'VE GOT ADS!,p.1
- It is difficult to improve your collection unless you buy new coins .... or advertise.
SKY-HIGH AT SOTHEBY'S, p.1
- A recent afternoon sale of coins and medals at Sotheby’s…
Know Your Coins, p.2
- GRADINGS EXPLAINED
New Grades Proposed, p.2
- How many newcomers to numismatism can afford to start their collections with high-quality coins?
IMPERFECT COINS WORTH ONLY FACE VALUE, p.2
- Some of South Africa’s new coins which are slightly damaged or are not of standard weight and size are worth only their face value, and no more.
Pounds Value Down Again, p.3
- The value of the Pound fell by 8d last year.
Most Valuable $ Returns, p.3
- Canada’s most valuable coin, a 1911 silver dollar - estimated to be worth more than R100,000 - has returned home after spending years in America.
PRICES AT CURRIES AUCTION, p.4
THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF MR. H.C.PHILIPSON'S ARTICLE WHICH APPEARS ON PAGE 7, p.4
- designed, modelled and engraved by well-known artists as Coert Steynberg, J.P. Roux and Ernest Naylor.
PRICE TRENDS:BRITISH PROOFSETS, p.5
Rhodesian’s New Series, p.5
- Rhodesia’s new coins were first issued on January 25, 1965. There are four denominations:- 2/6., 2/-., 1/-. and 6d
WE ADVISE YOU, p.6
- Think about the uncirculated coin and study the history of this numismatic term.
Coin Club News,p.6
- BY MR, S. E.EDWARDS, Many budding coin collectors are dismayed by the high prices of Kruger ponds and other popular items.
S.A. Coin Designers Among World's Best, p.7
- BY MR MH C, PHILIPSON, In the August lssue of your newspaper, I find an article by Mr. J.P. Roux with the following statement “Vir opskrifte doeleindes is Latyns nog die Beste"
( Continuation of Bickels' Price List.), p.8
SWOP ADS., p.8
Require Victoria Crown 1892 in EF or better; offering for exchange 196] S.A. UNC.
“FOREIGN COINS”, p.8
- How to order direct Price $2.75 postpaid
PRICE LIST BICKELS COINS AND MEDALS, p.9 – p.12

Vol. 1 No 4 – October 1965

Royal Mint Clamps Down on Sale of Churchill Crowns, p.1
- The Royal Mint has no intention of issuing proof specimens of the unique Churchill Crown.
S.A. Mint has sent out the First 1965 Sets, p.1
- The South African Mint has sent out 500 of this year’s proof sets during the past few weeks.
ZAMBIA PLANS 20,000 PROOF CROWNS, p.1
- Zambia will issue 20,000 cased proofs of its new 1965 commemorative crowns next month.
THERE'S A LOT TO LEARN ABOUT FARTHINGS, p.2
- The South African ¼ d was first minted in 1923 and it ended its existence in 1980.
SWOP ADS, p.2
Libya to have new coins this month, p.3
- The Bank of Libya has announced a new coinage issue under the 1963 Banking Law of that country.
COINS ARE BIG BUSINESS IN AMERICA, p.3
- Coins are big business in most Western countries but in North America they are colossal business.
PRICE TRENDS: SOUTH AFRICAN FARTHINGS, p.4
S.A MINT WORKED FOR MANY COUNTRIES, p.4
- By Mr. S.E. Edwards, Last month I discussed collecting ‘minor’ coins which do not cost the collector so much as Kruger ponds and other popular items.
WE ADVISE YOU...., p.6
- To INVEST in a complete set of South African Crowns — one of the country’s most valuable, and for certain years, most difficult to obtain.
Waarom Ek in Munte en Munt Stelle Bele Het, p.6
- MNR. G. BARNARD VERTEL - Ek is ’n tuinier van beroep. My salaris is gering en dit is net nie vir my moontlik om groot somme geld in munte te bele nie.
Know Your Coins, p.7
- South Africa's Scarce Coins At-A-Glance.
RAAD VIR BEGINNERS, p.8
- DEUR 'N AMATEUR VERSAMELAAR - In die vorige praatjie het ons gesels hoe ons begin versamel en nou kan ons ‘n bietjie meer in besonderhede ingaan.
PRICE LIST BICKELS’ COINS AND MEDALS, p.9 – p.12

Vol.1 No 5 – November 1965

Proof set Sales to be Limited Again Next Year, p.1
- The sale of South African proof sets will be restricted again next year.
Churchill Crowns go for R3-75, p.1
- The first Churchill Crowns arrived in South Africa during the last week of October and within two days of their arrival were commanding prices.
TRY SWOP ADS, p.1
- Our Swop Ads have proved enormously successful.
Sorry. All the gold’s sold, p.1
- The South African Mint has completely sold out of and R2 pieces.
Beware of COUNTERFEIT COINS!, p.2
- By JEROME H. REMICK - Quite a number of counterfeit British Sovereigns with various mint marks and dates are now being placed on the coin market.
UNSTEADY PRICES, p.2
- The past 12 months have seen a revolution in South African numismatism which has changed it beyond recognition.
S.A. INVOLVED IN MYSTERY OF 4 MILLION HONG KONG CENTS, p.3
- One of the world’s greatest and most interesting coin mysteries has been unearthed by Coin World.
DROP US A LINE, p.3
- Hats off to the Mint for producing South Africa’s most beautiful proof sets ever.
COINS AND TOKENS WANTED, p.3
SILVER EXPORTED, p.3
- A total of 110 tons of silver has been exported from South Africa.
RHODESIAIN COIN PRICES, p.4
TRY COLLECTING BY “ANIMALS AND BIRDS”, p.4
- By S.E. EDWARDS - In previous articles, I have referred to the prospective numismatist who is dismayed at the price of popular South African items.
PRICE TRENDS: SOUTH AFRICAN HALFPENNIES, p.5
- It will be seen that half pennies are a great deal scarcer than farthings.
Oorsprong van Oortjie, p.6
- Deur FRIKKIE PRINS - Ons begin hierdie maand met 'n nuwe rubriek waarin ons die herkoms en betekenis van geldstukke se name bespreek.
WE ADVISE YOU...., p.6
- TO BUY GOLD. We said so in the first edition of this magazine, and now we have been proved right.
IT WAS HENRY VII WHO MINTED THE FIRST CROWN, p.7
- By H.C. PHILIPSON - When I was a very young boy my father, whose christian name was Henry, used to sing about that “notorious British king, Henry VIII.
RAAD VIR BEGINNERS, p.8
- DEUR "N AMATEUR VERSAMELAAR - Die vraag doen homself seker op een of ander stadium voor waarom ons met 'n versameling begin.
SWOP ADS, p.8
PRICE LIST BICKELS’ COINS AND MEDALS, p.9 – p.12

Vol 1 No 6 – December 1965

MINT'S HUGE TASK FINISHED , p.1
- The South African Mint is ahead of the gigantic task it was set this year — the manufacturing of the country’s new coinage. The final tally shows the Mint's production was eight times more than in 1963.
Details of our Pattern Sets, p.2
- A Pattem set of the 1965 coinage was recently suctioned for R700 at a Johannesburg sale. No one is quite sure from where it came, but its appearance caused great interest.
NO HOARDING APPEAL TO U.S. COLLECTORS, p.2
- The issue of the new American sandwich coins (copper-nickel alloy with a core of copper) is less than two months away and already State officials are appealing to collectors not to hoard them.
S.A 31st IN WORLD'S MINTS, p.3
- South Africa ranks 31st in a list of coin producing countries of the Western world, according to a report recently issued by the United States Mint.
RHODESIAIN COIN PRICES, p.4
- This is the second in the series of Rhodesian coin prices compiled by the well-known Canadian numismatist, Mr. Jerome H. Remick.
S.A. COLLECTORS MUST “THINK BIG” — AND QUICK By S.E. Edwards, p.4
- South African numismatists tend to be much more parochial in their collecting habits than their philatelic brothers.
PRICE TRENDS: SOUTH AFRICAN PENNIES, p.5
WAAR KOM ONS GELDSTUKKE SE NAME VANDAAN?, p.6
- Die Stuiwer deur FRIKKIE PRINS
RHODESIAN COINS POPULAR AFTER CRISIS, pp.6 & 7
Americans Fooled by Coin Hoax, p.7
- The imaginary Asiatic kingdom of ltse and its even more imaginary $24.95 Proof sets have rocketed to front-page treatment in a major American daily newspaper.
NOG RAAD VIR BEGINNERS deur Amateur Versamelaar, p.8
- Dir is belangrik dat u stokperdjie 'n plesier moet bly en nie ‘n frustrerende uitwerking moet hé nie.
PRICE LIST BICKELS’ COINS AND MEDALS, p.9

Vol 1 No 7 – February 1966

MILLIONS OF OLD S.A.COINS MELTED DOWN, p.1
- More than 90 million coins have been returned to the South, African Mint and remelted since the country’s new coinage was introduced.
History of Veld Ponde and Blanks, p.2
- These interesting historic pieces of the late Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek — the Veld Ponde, were struck at Pilgrims Rest during the last few months of the Anglo-Boer war of 1900-1902.
New 50 cent and R1 Coins out in March: First Silver R1 in S.A, p.3
- Ten Million 50 cent and R1 pieces will be released in the Republic during March.
FAKED GALLEON COINS IN U.S. , p.3
- Florida is being flooded with fake coins alleged to have come from a sunken galleon off the American’s States West Coast.
Kruger Munte Roof, p.3
- 'n Randfonteinse muntversamelaar is van R13,000 beroof toe hy 8,500 goue Krugerponde by 'n Bantoe naby Hammanskraal wou gaan koop.
RHODESIAN COIN PRICES, p.4
GREATER INTEREST IN AUSSIE COINS By S.E. EDWARDS, p.4
- The coins of our great neighbour in the Southern hemisphere, Australia, make fascinating collecting.
PRICE TRENDS: SOUTH AFRICAN TICKEY, p.5
- As South African as the word ‘veld’ and ‘trek’ , the now famous ‘Tickey' appears to be on the way out. In the last four years fewer and fewer of the coins have been minted and last year the tickey died unofficially.
WAAR KOM ONS GELDSTUKKE SE NAME VANDAAN? , p.6
- DIE DAALDER deur FRIKKIE PRINS.
Die Uitruil Van Munte - Deur Amateur Versamelaar, pp.6&7
- Een van die belangrikste metodes wat 'n versamelaar kan aanwend om sy versameling aan te vul is die uitruil van munte met sy vriende.
PRICE LIST BICKELS’ COINS AND MEDALS, p.8

Vol 1 No 8 – March 1966

MORE LONG SETS, LESS SHORT SETS IN 1966, p.1
- The number of short and long proof sets to be struck this year by the South African Mint has been radically changed.
Astronomical Prices for Scarce Coins, p.1
- Wealthy Johannesburg coin collectors have caused a major upset.
History of Veld Ponde and Blanks Part 11, p.2
Sort through old coins for the best, p.3
- South African coin collectors should spend as much time as possible sorting through bags of silver coins for good specimens before the old currency is withdrawn and melted down, Dr. H.M. Stoker, a leading numismatist, said at a recent meeting of the Transvaal Numismatic Association.
INTERNATIONAL COIN FAIR , p.3
- The Second International Coin Fair will be held in the Carlisle Suite of the Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch, London, for two days during June.
HOW RARE IS THE 1963 RHODESIAN 6d Asks S.E. Edwards, p.4
- Is the 1963 Rhodesian 6d a rarity? Some people say that it is and that it falls into the same class of rarity as the 1959 S.A. crown.
WAAR KOM ONS GELDSTUKKE SE NAME VANDAAN? Pennie, Dubbeltjie, Oulap. deur FRIKKIE PRINS, p.6
BEPALING VAN WAARDE VAN MUNTE DEUR AMATEUR VERSAMELAAR, pp.6&7
THE STORY BEHIND THE VICTORIA CROSS AND HOW IT WAS MADE, p.8
PRICE LIST BICKELS COINS AND MEDALS, p.9

Vol 1 No 9 – April 1966

S.A.PRICES ROCKET AGAIN; AUCTIONS IN UK. AND REPUBLIC PROOF, p.1
- South African coin prices are once again climbing. Recent auction sales in England and South Africa show a distinct upward trend in proof set prices while reports from America indicate a similar move.
The National Party has ordered a limited striking of one inch medals bearing the head of the South African Prime Minister, Dr. H.F. Verwoerd, in silver and bronze for its workers, p.1
DON'T WRITE TO THE MINT, p.1
- The South African Mint is once again being bombarded with letters from people anxious to get this year's Proofsets.
New Book Tells about Australian Mint, p2
- THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT CANBERRA by Dion H. Skinner published by Benniks & Co. (Pty.), Australia at 30 shillings reviewed by JERRY REMICK.
MILLION DOLLARS PAID FOR U.S. COIN COMPANIES, p.3
- One of the largest American coin companies, the Paramount International Coin Corporation, has bought out the Empire Coin Company and World Numismatiques, for a record sum of one million dollars.
FIRST NEW COINS FOR THE BAHAMAS IN 160 YEARS, p.4
- Decimal coinage will be introduced to the Bahama Islands in May 95, Sir Stafford Sands, Finance minister, has revealed.
THE PETITION AND REDDITE CROWNS AND WHAT HAPPENS TO DISFAVOURED ENGRAVERS, p.5
- Once upon a time there was a “Protector of the Commonwealth of England”, Oliver Cromwell, and Cromwell had as his engraver one Thomas Simon, a great medalist, possibly the greatest in England and an engraver par excellance.
WAAR KOM ONS GELDSTUKKE SE NAME VANDAAN?, p.6
- Die oorsprong van tiekie is onseker. Dit staan moontlik in verband met 'n Bantoewoord tiki wat iets kleins of minderwaardigs beteken, of met ’n Maleise woord tiga (drie) en in dié geval dan natuurlik drie pennies.

DIE WAARDE VAN MUNTE, p.6
- Verlede maand het ons iets te sê gehad oor die basis van waarde-berekening by die ruil van munte tussen amateurs.

Why Post-World £1 dates are hard to find ? p.6
- One of the strangest stories in numismatics is the case of coinage cannibalizing itself in the 1920’s. Until World War I, sovereigns were the standard coinage in Great Britian, and the most of the British Empire

1931 PROOF SET AND BRITISH TICKEY p.7
- “How much will you pay me for a 1931 tickey?’’ How often are coin dealers throughout the Republic asked this question each day. Perhaps ten times or more. And each questioner is absolutely positive that the coin he has is the elusive tickey.

PRICE LIST BICKELS COINS AND MEDALS p.8
- SOUTH AFRICAN PROOF SETS (in original case of issue)
Order Your S.A. 1966 Short Set Now p.12
- This is undoubtedly the best buy we are offering this month. The chances are that at least one or two (perhaps even three) coins in this set will not be minted for general circulation with the 1966 date — (only for the 1966 Proofsets)

Vol 1 No 10 – May 1966

FAKED S.A. MINT BOXES SOLD BY U.S. DEALER: FORMAL PROTEST TO AMERICAN OFFICIALS p.1
- A South African coin dealer will lodge a formal complaint with the powerful American Numismatic Association and the influential weekly newspaper, Coin World, about American dealers who are selling faked South African Mint proof sets as genuine articles
MINT'S GREATEST JOB OVER p.1
- The South African Mint has completed its largest money-making program when its machines struck the last cent seven days ago
THE COINAGE OF IRELAND 1928—1965 p.2
- The first coins were struck for the Irish Free State in 1928.
MAAK DIE MUNT BLAADJIE TEN VOLLE TWEETALIG! p.2
- Soms gebeur dit dat hierdie wenk aan ons gegee word deur geesdriftige munt versamelaars van die platteland.
THIRD S.A. COIN CONVENTION FOR DURBAN p.3
- The Natal Numismatic Society, Durban, will be the host for the Third South African Numismatic Convention which will be held during July. 1967.
New Way To Swop Coins p.3
- The Transvaal Numismatic Association will introduce a novel system for members to swop their surplus coins,
Photographic Record of Coin Grades p.4
- Since the advent of photographs in our magazine, we have frequently toyed with the idea of answering the most persistent question put to us by beginners: “What do you mean by coin gradings and how do you distinguish between the grades”
WAAR KOM ONS GELDSTUKKE SE NAME VANDAAN?, p.6
- Pond het 'n baie lang geskiedenis.
WAAROM VERSAMEL ONS MUNTE p.6
Sovereigns Or Half-Sovereigns. Which Should You Collect? p.6
- Many collectors wonder whether they should collect, sovereigns or half sovereigns
PRESENT DAY EQUIVALENTS OF £1 STERLING IN PAST AGES p.7
- The enormous literature dealing with past events abounds with monetary references.
HISTORY OF THE TRANSVAAL—LOURENCO MARQUES RAILWAY MEDALS p.8
- It is fitting to give a few interesting facts about the railway line from Lourenco historic to Pretoria
Reader’s Letter Warns of Sets on Sales p.9
- When is a proof set not a satisfactory and perfect proof set?
PRICE LIST BICKELS. COINS AND MEDALS p.10
- SOUTH AFRICAN PROOF SETS (in original case of issue)
OUR MAY FOREIGN PROOF SET SPECIAL p.12
- Pursuing our policy of offering subscribers of this magazine a “really good buy’ possible, we have turned our attention this month to the fascinating field of foreign proof sets.

Vol 1 No 11 – June 1966

RARE GOLD COINS FOUND IN 144-YEAR-OLD SHIPWRECK OFF CAPE TOWN, p.1
- Two young Cape Town skin divers have discovered the largest hoard of sunken treasure ever found off South Africa’s coast.
A History of Early Cape Coins when there was none p.2
- Robert Louis Stevenson told us that Long John Silver had a parrot whose vocabulary was confined to “Pieces of Eight - Pieces of Eight - Pieces of Eight”
SOUTH AFRICA’S LARGEST SALE HELD IN CAPE TOWN LAST MONTH p.4
- One of the largest auction sales ever held in South Africa took place during the first week of May at Ashbey’s Galleries, Cape Town
Reader’s Letters p.5
- Dear Sir, I read your article about faked S.A, Mint Boxes with interest, I am of the opinion that the “fake” boxes are in fact “genuine” and originated from the S.A. Mint.
WANTED p.5
- S.A. Military cap and collar badges, also helmet plates of regiments which existed prior to 1913
PRESENT DAY EQUIVALENTS OF £1 p.6
- The first part of this series was published last month. The article was reprinted from Spink and Son's Numismatic Circular, April, 1966,
VAN DIE OU DAE NA DIE TOEKOMS p.6
Watch Those Old Coins Go up in price p.6
- Investors and students of price trends at local coin sale
RHODESIAN TYPE COLLECTING p.7
- I am always shocked at the stereotyped collecting habits of South Africans.
PRICE LIST BICKELS. COINS AND MEDALS p.8
- SOUTH AFRICAN PROOF SETS (in original case of issue)
THE MASTER MEDALLION SERIES OF SOUTH AFRICA, p.12
- THE CHURCHILL-SMUTS MEDALLION

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