Comments on "David Cornell, Coin Designer"

[<k>]

<k> did you get this info directly from Mr Cornell, or is there a certificate etc that lists him as the engraver of this coin?
It would help me greatly with my research.

From an old email of mine to an acquaintance, re. David Cornell and the UNICEF designs of the late 1990s.

On June 7 2021 I revisited the subject when I emailed David. He replied: "I can confirm I did Madagascar and Turkey, Gerry [his wife] has just told me she thinks she knows where the designs are. So maybe more info to come. "

On June 9 2021 David emailed me: "The Indonesia and Zambia coins puzzle me. Graham Kitchen from Spinks, who then became freelance, commissioned myself and Geoff Colley. We [he and his wife] can't find the information we once had, apart from the two I did. [He did three, he originally told me] I looked for all my photos of coins and medals and I haven't got any from UNICEF. When I upgraded my iMac to Catalina, I lost my catalogue. Most I found on backups but not UNICEF designs or plasters. Sorry can't be more helpful."

On June 11 2021 David emailed me: "I did do those three you just referred to, plus 95% sure I did Jordan and Turkey. I agree on your deductions regarding the others. I would have said Nathan or Rizzello for Indonesia but didn't think Rizzello did them, as he was working for me at that time and was giving coin work to other artists like Ron Hooker who worked for me, when he was working on large Sculpture commissions. All a long time ago."

I showed David the Turkish design and asked him if he was sure. On June 11 2021 David emailed me: "Strange one !  As I can't remember doing it and it doesn't really look like my work .But Gerry, who did all the admin and kept records, remembers the designs and thinks there were some changes that were asked for of the buildings, so whether I made the changes only I don't know. She still has the records somewhere, so one day they will turn up and resolve the mystery."

On June 16 2021 David emailed me: "Just to clarify after finding further information. I did two designs for China in 97, one design for Turkey 97, both for Spink . United Arab Emirates 98 for Spink, Madagascar 98 for Spink,Bahrain 98 for Spink, Jordan 99 for Spink, Jamaica 2001 Swiss Bank and Bahamas same. Jamaica for the Royal mint."  I queried him about China, as I couldn't find any, but he said they must never have been minted, even though he was paid for them. I mentioned he'd told me originally that he'd only engraved Madagascar, but he didn't comment. Looking at Bahrain, the style looks similar to his Jordan design, so I think maybe he could be right there - but because I am unsure, I have no included it in his topic, though I did include Turkey.

[RnL]

Thank you,

I hope this happens someday then:

"one day they will turn up and resolve the mystery"