|
 Numismondo,
our gallery site,
just reached another important milestone -
15,525 banknotes from 384
"countries" in
6387
pages displayed! A special thanks to
Beate Rauch of
APC Paper Collectables
for her
help and encouragement over the past decade.
Numismondo
has in recent times begun to comment on political happenings in the
world, particularly when it comes to corruption, human trafficking
and slavery.
Developing countries continue to struggle with endemic corruption
and power struggles with refugees
becoming dominant in the daily news. Government and business
corruption is
common in the
developing world, while "legal corruption" is pervasive in the
developed world. We vote for the common person.
As an example, in a recent article,
Gabon's President,
Ali Ben BONGO Ondimba announced that he w ill be giving away
some of his
inherited wealth from his father El Hadj Omar BONGO.
BONGO stated he will setup
a foundation to benefit the youth of his country as well as
house a university in one of his family homes in Libreville.
In a national address he said "in my eyes we are all heirs of Omar Bongo
and
no Gabonese must be left by the side of
the road."
Sounds good but
the truth is
President BONGO faces a difficult election next year and critics say these
purported giveaways are to bolster
his chances and to finally get his father's estate distributed.
France has continued this
long-running investigation
into his father's allegedly "ill-gotten gains".
In a country with an unusually high per capita GDP of $14,600 but an
unemployment rate of 27% and a 32% poverty rate, a lot of work remains to
be done for the people of Gabon.
If, however, BONGO actually gives the properties back to the country, that
would be a good gesture regardless of the reasons. Then again, wouldn't it
be great if all
"ill-gotten gains" are
returned to the people of GABON!
Numismondo
also offers Free
Ads to collectors and dealers, with periodic dealer lists and
collector articles when submitted.
The site has been non-commercial since it's inception
in 1999 and recently began accepting donations to help with hosting
expenses. As a wonderful gesture, a long time dealer recently
made a great donation which will more than cover our hosting
expenses for 2016! Thank you so much as we really appreciate that
kindness and support for the many long hours of our efforts, a
labour of love, over the past
decade! In addition to a learning adventure about world history
and the world today, numismatics has given me the opportunity to
make many good friends throughout the world.
GSE
4.4.2016
|
d anxiously
seeking a new webmaster. One individual has expressed interest
but has not followed-thru. Since its hibernation,
President Art Matz has continued to try to keep the
organization afloat. And Author-Numismatist Miguel
Chirinos has continued to write and publish his Latin American articles.
& Latin American Paper Money Society