| The art of coin collecting
On the wall of the reception room in Firestone Library's Department of Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC) hangs an unassuming white frame. The structure contains a display of 18 coins dating to the 11th century Byzantine Empire.
No one is sure why the Byzantines chose to use cup-shaped coins for the 300 years the empire occupied Eastern Europe. But scholars of numismatics the study and collection of coins, paper money and other currencies are the ones to turn to for possible theories and explanations.
Alan Stahl is the University's Curator of Numismatics whose job is to archive, research and showcase the library's remarkable collection of coins. Princeton, along with Harvard and Yale, are the top universities who hold numismatics collections, though none of them are "world class," Stahl said.
Mid-America survey state-by-state glance
OMAHA (AP) -- The Institute for Supply Management, formerly the Purchasing Management Association, began formally surveying its membership in 1931 to gauge business conditions.The Creighton Economic Forecasting Group uses the same methodology as the national survey to consult supply managers and business leaders.The overall index ranges between 0 and 100. A figure greater than 50 indicates an expanding economy over the next three to six months.Here are the state-by-state results of the March survey in the Mid-America region:Arkansas: The state's overall index declined to a still brisk 64 in March from February's 68.6 and January's 51. Components of the index: new orders at 66.7, production at 62.5, delivery lead time at 66.7, inventories at 58.3 and employment at 62.5. The state's unemployment rate has moved lower over the past two months, and Creighton University economics professor Ernie Goss said the survey suggests that trend will continue.
Indicator Index Points to a Slowdown
TOKYO -- An index of key economic indicators yesterday suggested Japan's economy might lose some steam in the coming months, but analysts doubt there will be any severe slowdown. The index of leading indicators stood at 35.0 in January, the third straight month for the figure to hold below the so-called boom-or-bust line of 50, Cabinet Office data showed. A reading below 50 for the index ... .
G8 mission is back at Gleneagles
ALMOST two years after the G8 summit descended on Gleneagles the spotlight was back on Perthshire yesterday. Kofi Annan, the former secretary-general of the United Nations, arrived at the prestigious hotel yesterday to send a message out to the world that issues raised at the 2005 summit still remain on the international agenda. A spokeswoman for the Treasury told the PA: “Twenty months ago we were here for the G8 and we all made a commitment. “Progress has been made, but there is more which can be done on international matters. The pressures won’t go away, people still need to be reaching for the goals everyone had at G8. “This is not off the agenda. .
Peso takes flight as GDP growth surges on metals
Chile's peso rose to a two-week high after a central bank report showed the economy grew at its fastest pace in nine months in February. The peso strengthened 0.2 per cent to 536.53 (U.S.) per dollar, its strongest since March 22. The currency has gained 1.6 per cent against the greenback since the start of February, bolstered by surging copper prices. Economists forecast the peso may reach 525 per dollar by the end of 2007, its strongest level since December. The central bank's economic activity indicator rose 5.7 per cent in February, more than the 5.3 per cent rise in January. from star staff and wire services .
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