Dear Editor,
The funniest of story coming out of Guyana was to read about a reporter who quit his/her job in 2012 just after receiving a supposedly rare British Guiana 1832 coin from the owner, and was then pressured into returning the coin. I am guessing that the individual thought they had hit the jackpot, but found out that even though the coin was old, it didn’t really have any worth.
I am very happy that Mr Grantley Philip Waterton of Den Amstel, WCD came forward and educated the general public about the 1832 coin, and he has now elevated himself to the position of having one of Guyana’s oldest coins. I have just moved down to second position with mine which is dated 1834, and the owners of 1835, 1836 and 1838 coins would fall just behind. I make reference to a Daily Chronicle report dated March 22, 1972, when the latter were owned by Mr Hubert Urling and Mr Khalil Mohamed.
I have learnt over the years that not all old or rare historical artefacts have any monetary value, and I honestly don’t believe that any bidder would come forward for coins. Perhaps some rich individual with money to waste who would love to have in their possession a piece of history for display in their mansion might one day approach with an offer, and if that materialises, serious consideration should be given to accepting it. However, I honestly don’t forsee the 1832 coin or my 1834 coin making it to the door of Sotheby’s.
On July 2, 2012, SN published a letter from me about my 1834 coin.
Yours faithfully,
T Pemberton
