Category: Uncategorized

For some time now our website has been in need of an update. Sadly, I have been remiss in doing so. Though the overall reasons have been important. We managed in May to purchase our first home. This move is giving me the opportunity to expand my work areas, and production possibilities.

There have been delays and errors in shipping due to the move, and we certainly got a little behind in our work. Most of these things have been amended or fixed to our customers satisfaction. For which I am very pleased. The only real downside is I have new responsibilities on the land we now own, and that really is not a detrimental thing.

The fires and smoke have been discouraging and fearful at times. So far we have escaped injury. And hope our new home and workshop remain safe.

In other news we have added many new works of art to our collection of items we offer. I am in the middle of adding them this week. We are far out of date in adding our new creations, so please have a fresh look see over the next 2 weeks.

Our helper will no longer be available for the full coverage of hours that we needed. So for now I am back to this being a one man show again. We ask your patience with any special orders you may require.

We find ourselves drifting towards Fall. One of my favorite times of the year. After a long Summer, I seem to wake up and get even more creative. So look for some new items from now until December.

Thank you for checking in on us at Alpha Officium. We will try and add a little more in our postings more often.

Looks like we have solved the Flat Rate shipping to Canada. This is mostly for small items. We will still have to update the shipping for larger orders (over four lbs.). So if you make an order and get a follow up letter asking for a little more postage-it is what it is for now. Tricky things getting websites to function correctly.

We finished our audit of the Catalog and realized something shocking…there are 27 of our coins that are not on the website!!! It is going to take a few days but we will have those up and on the site asap. Who knew that everyone was missing out on 27 types of things we sell. A little discouraging, but it will now be fixed.

In other news, the first Silver Bullion Trade coin is now available. It is a Penny of Burgred King of Mercia. Please check it out.

Additionally, we are carrying the “Plague” coin. In Pewter Alloy, and in Fine silver. A memento of the times in which we live.

Finally, the updates and improvements on the website continue, and will for some time. The few write-ups (descriptions) on many of our products are obvious. The historical notes need to be finished, so we are on the job. Look for the improvements and come back often to see how things are coming along.

Thanks for visiting.

Welcome to July 2020. Over half way thru the year!

We have been a little neglectful in keeping our website up to date and adding all of our new pieces of art. But we are about to fix that.

It has been a very difficult time for friends and family since our world has changed. Here at home we initially locked down on March 13th, as I have at risk family. But that has not stopped us from continuing to work in the shop. The odd thing is, business has hardly seen any drop in orders throughout the pandemic. I have nothing but praise and respect for my customers, they have helped keep Alpha Officium going. It seems folks still have their dreams of getting back to normal and making plans for when that day comes. So we have endeavored to create the little treasures that they want.

Over the next few days we will be updating the website. There are a number of things we will be adding. Both new specials and new coins. We will also be carrying some items made by other artists in a co-operative fashion. So, a number of cool things are coming down the pipe.

Alpha Officium is evolving. We have been in business now for 8 years, so it looks like we are over the hump. Just need to add more options to our catalog as we always planned. And add items that have been asked of us to produce. Sometimes it takes a while for that to happen, as we are short handed now, and often we are working alone these days.

We will endeavor now to get back into the habit of keeping all of you informed as to the latest news, and sneak peeks at what is in store for later this year.

Hope everyone is having a great Summer despite difficulties. Be safe out there!

James/Alpha Officium

Wanted to send the very best to everyone for the holidays. We have stayed close to home this Winter, and had plenty of food and good cheer with family. Plans for the coming year is in order. We have a few outstanding orders, And some dies sets due out. Not to mention the November Dividends on Subscriptions…running late as usual. That said, we are pleased to get them out by the 15th of December.

Sales have been steady, and we have had a good year. We have improved on shipping, but have fallen way behind on posting new types and posting to our blog…time to make a new year’s resolution to amend those items.

We intend a slow down of work for a few days off. Beginning December 20th, and running to the 1st of Jan. This will NOT be a suspension of work, more of taking it a little easier than we have. Working some rest in where we can. Orders made online will be processed, but we will watch it in the commissions, and strive to finish any outstanding for the year before the first of the New Year. We want to go into the new year as clean a slate as we can.

Thank all of you for your business thru the year, and the wonderful feedback we have received. We look forward to a new and prosperous year for everyone.

Pax

 

Welcome to May!

Spring is in full swing. Our Fruit trees are loaded down with blossoms or already growing fruit.

The shop is also developing new things as well. We will shortly add Venetian Soldino (little shilling), and a new Penny of Aethelred, along with his Gold Mancus. (30 penny valued coin) Oddly there is a example of a gold Mancus struck with the same dies as was used for silver, showing that his gold was likely not a rare item. Historians suggest the reason so few are known is due to them being melted down.

Up this coming week is a Portuguese Real of 10 Soldo coin of John the First 1385-1433…referred to as “the Bastard” in Spain, for the obvious thrashing he gave them in keeping Portugal free and independent.

After that, later this month we will be offering our first Papal coins, Some silver toned, and at least one gold toned. Ideally we want to do three, from rather historical circumstance. Leo X, (for known excesses), Clement VII (Sack of Rome and fight with Henry VIII), and possibly Julius II, (So much history, where do I begin). Of course the Medici Popes! How could we not.

Down the road we have sponsors that have asked us to create Henry VI Pennys, and Edward IV Groats…for those that need a taste of the Wars of the Roses era.

So much to do, and so busy. Back to the shop!