This 10-centesimi copper coin, issued in Italy each year from 1919 to 1937, carries the image of a bee on a flower on one side and Vittorio Emanuele III on other side. The bee is Apis Mellifera, the honeybee, although Chris Maund (who picked up the coin at a flea market) tells us that his coin reference book mistakenly identifies it as Apis mellifica. Bees are the ancient heraldic motif of the noble Roman family of Barberini, which we’d have to assume is the reason for the bee image on this coin.

Check online auction sites, such as Ebay.ca, for collectible coins on a bee theme.

NOD Apiary Products is giving away free full-size plans for building their new design of hive cover, the “MiteAway Migratory Lid” with a built-in rim.

You can do formic acid treatments or feed pollen patties, all with one piece of equipment. This lid avoids carrying around two separate pieces of equipment, reduces the need for equipment storage space, and can stay on the hive year-round.

Visit www.miteaway.com for more information:

No strings attached. You don’t have to buy a thing. Just email, download from our website, fax us, or call. We would be happy to supply you with a full set of plans. Including detailed drawings, a material and parts list, and all the information needed to put together as many of the “MiteAway Migratory Lids™” as you need.

Josephine Brooks of LampworkArt.com specializes in hand-crafted glass beads that are, more than anything, tiny whimsical sculptures — like this bright bead in the shape of a bee.

To Bee or not to Bee Sox, honeycomb-pattern socks designed by Lynn DT Hershberger, would make a great gift for a beekeeper!

The free knitting pattern was created using slipped stitches, rather than the fair-isle knitting style, so a capable knitter should be able to complete a pair of these socks in two days.