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Dr. Gordon A. Singer
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Mr. Dmitry Markov


Be.G.O.N.
The Bermanian Guild of Numismatists
 An association of hobbyists, scholars and dealers,
getting together in the spirit of Bermania.

 

Principles and Organization

Like all things Bermanian, BeGON is not a democracy but is benevolent, and based on principles of legitimacy. Membership classes consist of:
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    Royal Patron
    Founder
    Charter Member
    Member

    Membership application is made by petition to the two Founders and to His Majesty the King of Bermania. Nomination can be made without application by application by either of the two Founders or His Majesty the King of Bermania. Membership is granted upon unanimous approval by that triumvirate, who constitute the Board of Governors. Once granted, it is held in perpetuity at the sufferance of the Board of Governors. All Bermanian subjects as of 7 November 1998 who are also numismatists are, barring reason to the contrary, ipso facto granted membership in BeGON. One or two new members may be accepted per year. Memberships are free; and mailings and are subsidized by Royal Largesse.

    Membership in BeGON does not automatically confer citizenship or the status as subject of the Kingdom of Bermania. Naturally, all these terms are subject to change at the whim of His Majesty with the consultation of one or both of the Founders.

    The Bermanian Guild of Numismatists is an equal opportunity organization, open to humans, canines, equines, felines, dragines, and ursines. BeGON meetings are designated porcupine free environments.

The Second Annual Meeting
of BeGON, the Bermanian Guild of Numismatists, was held in conjunction with the 28th Annual New York International Numismatic Convention. It was convened at the Marriott World Trade Center at 7:30 p.m. on 4th December 1999.
    In addition to a speech by his Majesty concerning recent revelations of Bermanian History, there was also an opportunity to honor and recognize our founders, Mr. Dmitry Markov and Dr. Gordon Andreas Singer. Doctor Singer presented an address on early numismatic associations in the Bermanian homeland.
    berwebwcnbegonphoto2.jpg (17050 bytes)It was announced that in the past year the American Numismatic Association had officially recognized the Kingdom of Bermania, designating the Royal Couple as ANA Region 10 Country Ambassadors to Bermania.
    Members in attendance were presented their perpetual membership badges. As is the tradition in Bermania, the Royal Couple also distributed largess to all present. In this case largess consisted of silver colored chocolate coins struck at the behest of Queen Barbara to honor the silver anniversary of the reign of King Alanus I. Thus was provided sustenance for the members and guests for their distant journey near at hand.
    The meeting was closed by Royal decree.  Light refreshments and good nosherae were served. Immediately following attendees joined Their Majesties, for dinner at Abyssinia, 35 Grand St., near Soho, New York City for Ethiopian food, in the "Dutch" manner. (We're a small kingdom with a small treasury.)

 


 


World Coin News
photograph of
His Magesty
addressing BeGON

The Third Intermittent Meeting
of Be.G.O.N. was held in conjunction with the 32nd Annual New York International Numismatic Convention. It was convened at the Waldorf Astoria, New York, Saturday, January 17 at 7:00 p.m., 2004.
The New York International brings together the leading dealers and collectors of non-United States coins from throughout North America. A great many numismatists from overseas were present as well.

His Majesty, King Alanus I of Bermania, addressed gathered BeGONers concerning Bermania's involvement in international governmental organizations. His Majesty will specifically discuss the relationship between the Kingdom and the United Nations and its predecessor, the League of Nations.

A small exhibit of products from Bermania were displayed. As is the tradition in Bermania, the Royal Couple distributed largess to all present. It is their intent not only to increase trade but to promote the country's national principles of "responsibility and joviality." New members were recognized, including the world famous General Tsao, but the meeting was open to members of the general public.

The Fourth Intermittent Meeting
of Be.G.O.N. was held in conjunction with the Chicago International Coin Fair. It was convened at the Holiday Inn O'Hare International, Friday, April 30 at 6:30 p.m., 2004. The C.I.C.F. is sponsored by Krause Publications, the world's largest hobby publisher. The event brings together leading dealers and collectors of non-United States coins from throughout North America.

His Majesty, King Alanus I of Bermania, discussed the origins of the Bermanian people, and the historical titles of Bermania's kings. According to convention chairman Kevin Foley, "While the United States Treasurer has appeared at coin conventions, I believe that King Alanus is the only head of state to make such appearances." New members were recognized, but the meeting was open to members of the general public.

A small exhibit of products from Bermania were displayed. It is His Majesty's intent not only to increase trade but to promote the country's national principles of "responsibility and joviality." As is the tradition in Bermania, the Kingdom distributed Royal Largess, in the form of Baklava, to all present. Refreshments were generously
donated by C.I.C.F. Chairman Kevin Foley.

The Fifth Intermittent Meeting
of Be.G.O.N. was held in conjunction with the 33rd Annual New York International Numismatic Convention. It was convened at the Waldorf Astoria, New York, Saturday, January 15 at 7:30 p.m., 2005. The New York International brings together the leading dealers and collectors of non-United States coins from throughout North America. A great many numismatists from overseas were present as well.

His Majesty, King Alanus I of Bermania, addressed gathered BeGONers concerning how Howard Hughes saved the ancient Bermanians. But he stopped in the middle due to general hunger. The Royal Couple distributed largess to all present. A new members was inducted.

The Sixth Probable Meeting
of Be.G.O.N. was held in conjunction with the Chicago International Coin Fair, we seem to recall. It was likely convened at the Holiday Inn O'Hare International, on a Friday in April, 2005. Nobody seems to be sure.

The Seventh Irregular Meeting & Norton Walk
In conjunction with the Annual convention of the American Numismatic Association, BeGON hosted two events. The convention was held in San Francisco, capitol city of Emperor Norton I of the United States. In his memory, on Thursday, July 28, 2005 King Alanus, accompanied by Bermanians, BeGONers, and ANA members, ceremoniously traced the steps of "Emperor Norton's Last Journey." As is universally known, Emperor Norton died in 1880 on a Thursday at 8:15 pm while walking to a lecture scheduled to begin at 8 pm sharp.


His Majesty on the Norton walk with Sir Mark of the Joyful Countenance and BeGONer Gregory Thompson.


The walk began at the former location of the Emperor's Palace. It traced his steps uphill to the spot where the Emperor collapsed just steps from his destination.
The following night, BeGON hosted an Irregular meeting, held in the Mosconi West Convention Center. As the U.N. was founded in San Francisco, His Majesty delivered a speech on Bermania's involvement in the U.N. and League of Nations. Lite refreshments and good nosherae were served.

The Eighth Intermittent Meeting
of Be.G.O.N. was held in conjunction with the 33rd Annual New York International Numismatic Convention. It was convened at the Waldorf Astoria, New York, Saturday, January 14 at 7:30 p.m., 2006. The New York International brings together the leading dealers and collectors of non-United States coins from throughout North America. A great many numismatists from overseas were present as well.

His Majesty, King Alanus I of Bermania, addressed gathered BeGONers concerning the history of St. Francis of Assisi and the Royal Bermanian Free Zoo. The Royal Couple distributed largess to all present. A new members was inducted.

The Ninth Intermittent Meeting
of Be.G.O.N. was held in conjunction with the 35th New York International Numismatic Convention at the Waldorf-Astoria, New York, Saturday evening, January 13, 2007. The New York International brings together the leading dealers and collectors of non-United States coins from throughout North America. A great many numismatists from overseas were present as well.

His Majesty, King Alanus I of Bermania, addressed those present concerning how Howard Hughes really saved the ancient Bermanians, a story interrupted two years ago due to hunger.

The Tenth Intermittent Meeting
of Be.G.O.N. was held in conjunction with the Chicago International Coin Fair. It was convened at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare, Friday, April 27, 2007. The CICF is sponsored by Krause Publications, the world's largest hobby publisher. The event brings together leading dealers and collectors of non-United States coins from throughout North America.

His Majesty, King Alanus I of Bermania, addressed those present concerning how Howard Hughes really saved the ancient Bermanians. Be.G.O.N. membership was bestowed on shiny coin dealer David Gotkin, whose 7th century ancestor of the same name figured prominently in the story.

As is the tradition in Bermania, the Kingdom distributed Royal Largess, in the
form of superlative Baklava, to all present.

The Eleventh Semisecret Meeting
of Be.G.O.N. was held in conjunction with the 36th New York International Numismatic Convention at the Waldorf-Astoria, New York, Saturday evening, January 12, 2008. The New York International brings together the leading dealers and collectors of non-United States coins from throughout North America and around the world.

In an unprecedented move, His Majesty, King Alanus I of Bermania, discussed an aspect of the numismatic history of Bermania. Revealed was the recent recovery of an original hoard of Bermanian horse cart tokens from 1940. All present were given one of the rare artifacts as Royal Largess.

Be.G.O.N. membership was bestowed on numismatist Robert F. Fritsch. Mr. Fritsch is also President of the New Hampshire Numismatic Assoc., and served on the committee to approve the design for the New Hampshire Statehood Quarter.

The Twelfth Getting-to-be-regular Meeting
of Be.G.O.N. was held in conjunction with the Chicago International Coin Fair. It was convened at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare, Friday, April 26, 2008. The CICF is sponsored by Krause Publications, the world's largest hobby publisher. The event brings together leading dealers and collectors of non-United States coins from throughout North America.

In a perhaps unprecedented move, His Majesty, King Alanus I of Bermania, discussed an aspect of the numismatic history of Bermania. Revealed was the recent recovery of an original hoard of Bermanian horse cart tokens from 1940. All present were given one of the rare artifacts as Royal Largess.

Bermanian Security Chief Dr. Gordon Andreas Singer used highly technical techniques to auger the current threat level to Bermania national security by means of a bag on m&m's. The security level revealed remains confidential to all but those present for security.

Be.G.O.N. membership was bestowed on numismatist Robert D. Leonard. Mr. Leonard is also President of the Token and Medal Society, and has authored more numismatic articles than Gretta the horse would have been able to count.

The Thirteenth Lucky Meeting!
January 2009, Waldorf Astoria (we will find the minutes somewhere!)

The Fourteenth Meeting
April 2009, Rosemont, Illinois (ditto)

The Fifteenth Very Important Meeting
January 2010, Waldorf-Astoria (squirmy prince prevents account).


Membership ListBermanian chocolate coin

 

 

Royal Patrons (1998):
001 King Alanus I of Bermania
002 Queen Barbara of Bermania

Founders (1998):
003 Mr. Dmitry Markov
004 Dr. Gordon Andreas Singer

Charter Members (1998):
005 Mr. Lucien Birkler, Esq.
006 Frederick, King of the Belgians, Archmoneyer of Bermania
007 Alexander of Montrose
008 Mrs. Elaine Malloy
009 Dr. David Sorenson
010 Mr. Gregory Thompson
011 Mrs. Carolyn.Thompson
012 Mrs. Camden Percival

Members (1999):
013 Sir Mark of the Joyful Countenance, KNW
014 DeAnne, Empress of Persia, Queen of Armenia, Mechinka, and Hungary
015 Theodore, Graf von Talladega

Annual Members:
016 Robert Charles François Jean-Victor Sekulovich (2000)
017 Gar Travis, Numigeoarthistographer (2001)
018 General Tsao (deceased, 2002)
019 Roger J. Merritt (2002)
020 Randy Thern (2003)
021 Kevin Foley (2004)
022 John Kraljevich (January 2005)
023 Robert Walter (January 2006)
024 James Diricles, Esq. (April 2006)

025 Luke Sky Walter (January 2007)
026 David Gotkin (April 2007)
027 Robert F. Fritsch (January 2008)
028 Robert D. Leonard, Jr. (April 2008)
029 David, Procurator of Nyack (January 2009, ex post facto to 2008)
030 Kerry Wetterstrom (April 2009)
031 John Burns, Royal Executioner & Lord High Character Assassin (January 2010)
032 Eugene Freeman (April 2010)
033 John, King of Arles (January 2011)

034 Michael Godier (April 2012)
035 Ken Bresset (January 2013)
036 John Kemp III of the Cotton Republic (April 2011, ex post facto to 2005)
037 Sir Robert of the Strong Tower (January 2012, ex post facto to 2007)
038 Oded Paz (April 2013, ex post facto to 2010)
039 Simcha Kuritzky (January 2014)
040 Michael, Duke of Missouri (ex post facto to November 2012)
041 Kenneth, Judge of the General Court of Currencies (ex post facto to 2012)
042 David Liost (April 2015)
043 Ursula, Burgravine of Munich (ex post facto to January 2015)
044 Joseph, Keeper of the Royal Peahen (April 2016, ex post facto to November 2015)

 

 





    BeGON may be contacted at BeGON@bermania.org

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