WAYNE'S WORDS: THE E-SYLUM DECEMBER 8, 2013

New subscribers this week include David Kirk. Welcome aboard! We have 1,682 email subscribers, plus 256 followers on Facebook.

This week we open with information on the new issue of our print journal, The Asylum, and two new numismatic books. Other topics include the 2009 Glasgow Numismatic Conference, the 2014 Memphis Paper Money Show, and an opportunity to edit a new book on the 1804 Dollar.

To learn more about the U.S. / Philippine Coins book, Riddell's Monograph on the Silver Dollar, the clock of first U.S. Mint Director David Rittenhouse, tools and tips for numismatic authors and editors, and the 2014 American Platinum Eagle designs, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

ASYLUM JULY-SEPTEMBER 2013 ISSUE PUBLISHED

• John N. Lupia III - A Peek into a New Book: American Numismatic Auctions to 1875
• Bradley S. Karoleff - Limited-Edition Silver Coin References: The Connoisseur's Library Updated
• Myron Xenos - "You Don't Say": Numismatic Quarterly Quiz
• Lyman H. Low - The Preface to Lyman Low's December 1883 Numismatic Literature Fixed-Price List
• Eric P. Newman - More Collectors Reveals Need for New Literature
• Leonard D. Augsburger - Numismatic Literature for the Liberty Seated Half Dollar Collector
• Bill Febuary - The Most Fabulous Set of Books on California Currency
• David Fanning - Off the Shelf
• Wayne Homren - Book Review: History of Collecting Confederate States Paper Money, vol. 1, by Pierre Fricke and Fred Reed

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: www.coinbooks.org/club_nbs_member_app.html

NEW BOOK: FAKING IT!: A HISTORY OF COUNTERFEITING IN CANADA

Anyone who thought they would leave a meeting about a book about counterfeiting money with the tools to become selfmade millionaires - so to speak - came away sorely disappointed on Nov. 9. For the rest who came to the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in Almonte for the right reasons were treated to a presentation by authors James Powell and Jill Moxley for their new book Faking It! A History of Counterfeiting in Canada.

The book took three years to write, and drew upon the help of not only the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, but also the Bank of Canada's national currency collection - once they knew that their book was legit, of course. In fact, the bank even helped out with some of the book's financing too, not surprising since, well, they have a license to print money: no, really. When it came to statistics and pictures, "we owe a big debt to the RCMP," said Moxley, no pun intended, of course. "We hope that it is fun to read and scholarly at the same time," she added.

Powell had said he wanted to have the book ready for November - of 2011, in time for when the Bank of Canada's new $100 bills hit the market. Well, clearly that didn't happen, but now they are out in time for the new polymer $5 and $10 bills, so it is more likely that people - especially poorer people - will see the changed bills and be thinking about fighting counterfeiting.

"They are probably the most secure and safe currency in the world," said Powell.

To read the complete article, see: Book on counterfeiting, Faking It!, is the real deal (www.insideottawavalley.com/news-story/4245141-book-on-counterfeiting-faking-it-is-the-real-deal/)

To purchase the book on Amazon, see: Faking It! A History of Counterfeiting in Canada (www.amazon.com/Faking-It-History-Counterfeiting-Canada/dp/1771230444)

BOOK REVIEW: GLASGOW NUMISMATIC CONGRESS PROCEEDINGS 2009

The XIVth International Numismatic Congress in Glasgow was really an impressive event. In 124 sessions – most of them at the same time – 550 numismatists came together attending for three and a half days 375 lectures, looking at 31 posters and visiting some official events too. To admit it immediately, not all of the 375 lectures have been published. However, the pure number and diversity of the contributions is impressive. The heavyweight proceedings are published in two volumes of over 2,200 pages and with some 250 contributions in five languages.

All these essays offer a good insight into the current research since many numismatists seize the opportunity of informing their colleagues about their current studies during this International Congress. The Greek section contains 55 contributions, 77 lectures are in the Roman section. 11 articles represent Celtic coins and 13 papers deal with interdisciplinary subjects in general. 44 articles cover Mediaeval topics, to the rich numismatics of early Modern Western Europe, however, only the humble number of 16 essays were dedicated. Another 16 studies dealt with Islamic and Far Eastern coins while only 8 contributions remain for classical and modern medals. 19 papers concentrated on numismatics in general and in conjunction with the history of research.

Among the authors you will find all important numismatists of the world. Just one more reason for purchasing these books for one’s own library. Oh, by the way, the next International Numismatic Congress will take place in Taormina September 21-25, 2015. We wonder if more lectures will be dedicated to modern numismatics then.

You can order the two volumes directly with the publisher. If you wish to do so, just go to the Spink website.

To read the complete article, see: The Proceedings of the International Numismatic Congress Glasgow 2009 (www.coinsweekly.com/en/News/4?&id=2452)

To order from Spink Books, see: Proceedings of the XIVth International Numismatic Congress Glasgow 2009 by Holmes, N (Ed.) (www.spinkbooks.com/product.php?xProd=17&xSec=7)

2014 MEMPHIS PAPER MONEY SHOW SPEAKERS SOUGHT

Memphis Speakers Series Call for Papers

2014 Memphis International Paper Money Show June 12-15, 2014

Memphis is the paper money speaking event of the year! Be there with your great presentation!

We invite presentations on any fiscal paper or fiscal paper tie-in topic. We will have a packed program. Talks are scheduled on Friday and Saturday.

Deadline for submissions is March 15th so we have adequate time to organize the program and to send out press releases advertising your talk.

Talks are scheduled on the hour throughout the show. Each talk is allotted 50 minutes, which includes time for questions. Speakers arrive 10 minutes before the hour for setup.

You must use Powerpoint for your visuals. No exceptions. Lavishly illustrate your talk. Bring your own laptop or submit a disk or thumb drive with your presentation to Peter Huntoon two weeks in advance of the show.

You are encouraged to mount a parallel exhibit in the exhibition area. Check the Memphis International Paper Money Show website for exhibit details.

Speaker application requirements:

(1) list of presenter(s) with full contact information for each,

(2) title of talk,

(3) concise newsworthy description of the content of your talk consisting of two or three sentences,

(4) advise if you need up to three display cases for show-and-tell items.

Send applications to peterhuntoon@embarqmail.com

For more information on the show, see: International Paper Money Show (www.memphisipms.com)

EDITOR WANTED FOR NEW 1804 DOLLAR BOOK BY MARK FERGUSON

Mark Ferguson writes:

NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: DECEMBER 8, 2013

Milavic Fixed Price List on Ancient Numismatics
Anthony Milavic is selling by fixed price list an extensive collection of numismatic reference books and other books that may be of interest to collectors of ancient coinage. Thanks to Tom Kays for putting us in touch with Anthony, who can be reached at majusmcret@aol.com

Several books have already been sold, but quite a few titles remain on the 17-page list, with prices ranging from $0.91 to $1,099.

Fort McHenry Exhibits
Russ Sears writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: SEPTEMBER 29, 2013 : Fort McHenry and Fire Museum of Maryland Exhibits (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n40a07.html)

John and Nancy Wilson Remember Gar Travis
John and Nancy Wilson write:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: DECEMBER 1, 2013 : More on Gar Travis (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n49a08.html)

More on Collective Terms in Numismatics
Roger Siboni writes:

Harvey Stack writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: COLLECTIVE TERMS IN NUMISMATICS (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n49a15.html)

More on Phone Numbers on Letterheads
Regarding phone numbers on letterheads, Phil Iversen writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: DECEMBER 1, 2013 : Query: When Did Phone Numbers Become Commonplace? (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n49a08.html)

Dr. Lewis Feuchtwanger
Regarding last week's Featured Web Page, Ginger Rapsus writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: FEATURED WEB PAGE: LEWIS FEUCHTWANGER (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n49a19.html)

More on the Feuchtwanger R. E. Russell Token
Aaron Packard writes:

To read Aaron's updated article, see: The Curious R.E. Russell Token Decrypted? (www.novanumismatics.com/engraving/the-curious-r-e-russell-token-decrypted/)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: POSSIBLE ATTRIBUTION FOR THE FEUCHTWANGER R. E. RUSSELL TOKEN (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n49a13.html)

More on the U.S. / Philippine Coins book
Tom Culhane of The Elusive Spondulix responded to my request for more information on his book on U.S. / Philippine Coins. Thanks!

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: NEW BOOK: U.S. / PHILIPPINE COINS 2012 7TH EDITION (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n49a04.html)

MORE ON THE REPRINT OF RIDDELL'S 1845 MONOGRAPH

Ken Berger writes:

Bill Burd writes:

Bill Gibbs writes:

George Kolbe writes:

Dave Ginsburg writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: INFORMATION ON REPRINT OF RIDDELL'S 1845 MONOGRAPH SOUGHT (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n49a07.html)

THE CLOCKS OF DAVID RITTENHOUSE

Al Adams writes:

The Smithsonian's David Rittenhouse Tall Case Clock
David Rittenhouse (1732-1796) was eighteenth-century Pennsylvania's most accomplished clock- and instrument-maker. An avid astronomer, he built complicated astronomical clocks and orreries, or planetary models, that not only kept time but predicted celestial events. These major works, coupled with his notable and widely publicized observations of Venus passing between Earth and the Sun in 1769, established him as a scientific leader and secured him an eminent place in the history of American science.

This eight-day clock in a plain walnut case, made about 1770, reminds us, though, that Rittenhouse spent more than twenty years—from about 1750 until the Revolution—making clocks for a living. Largely self-taught, he incorporated standard English features in this timekeeper: the movement has cast brass plates and steel pinions; a seconds pendulum; an anchor escapement; a rack-and-snail striking mechanism; a second hand on the escape wheel arbor; and a calendar. The dial is engraved "David Rittenhouse/Philadelphia."

The lead weights, according to oral tradition, survived the Revolution while most others did not. Probably because they sympathized with the British, the family that owned the clock hid the weights in a well to avoid having them melted down for shot. Ironically, Rittenhouse was one of those responsible for the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety's drive to procure ammunition during the war. His duties included collecting the lead clock weights commonly in use and replacing them with iron ones.

To read the complete article, see: David Rittenhouse Tall Case Clock (americanhistory.si.edu/collections/search/object/nmah_1063413)

Drexel University's Astronomical Musical Clock
David Rittenhouse (1732-1796), the maker of Drexel University's Astronomical Musical Clock, was Philadelphia's most noted astronomer, mathematician, scientific instrument maker and surveyor during the 18 th century. His clock dates to c. 1773 and has been regarded as the most important clock in America.

The uppermost dial is an orrery that gives the positions of the then-known planets: Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Mercury.

The lunarium in the center dial shows the phase of the moon at the particular time that appears on the clock.

To read the complete article, see: Drexel University's Astronomical Musical Clock, (www.drexel.edu/drexelcollection/decorativearts.asp)

Chippendale Thirty-Hour Walnut Tall Case Clock David Rittenhouse
Chippendale thirty-hour walnut tall case clock DAVID RITTENHOUSE (1732-1796), EAST NORRITON TOWNSHIP OR PHILADELPHIA, circa 1765 The hood with stepped cornice and turned corner columnettes enclosing a square glazed door opening to a brass face with applied cast ornaments at spandrels, roman and Arabic numerals, and inscribed, “David Rittenhouse,” above a thumb molded arched door, plain plinth, and molded base.

To read the complete article, see: Chippendale Thirty-Hour Walnut Tall Case Clock David Rittenhouse (Lot 47) (www.freemansauction.com/sale_pdf/1456.pdf)

Al adds:

Dave Bowers writes:

Anne Bentley of the Massachusetts Historical Society writes:

Joel Orosz writes:

Len Augsburger forwarded the query to Bill Bugert, who is a clock maker/repairer. Bill writes:

Anne Bentley adds:

Dan Hamelberg writes:

DISCUSSION: TOOLS AND TIPS FOR NUMISMATIC PUBLISHERS

I had a nice phone conversation this week with Dan Gosling, editor of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association's Canadian Numismatic Journal. We got to talking about the pros and cons of the various tools authors and editors use to create numismatic publications.

The E-Sylum is a pure web-based publication and we deliver our content in HTML via email and our web archive pages. Most other publications are print-based and the most popular format seems to be the Adobe .PDF file format. These files can be printed and also made available on the web or CD/DVDs. The Canadian Numismatic Journal is available in two versions: Flash and Tablet Friendly (jpg).

With a print-based layout format authors and editors have great control of the exact appearance of their pages. The downside to that is that more of work is required to manipulate the layout. Another problem is that .PDF files containing images can grow very large and be difficult to email as attachments.

Some publishers make use of Adobe security features to prevent readers from copying text or require a password for opening files for viewing; some even restrict printing.

We thought we'd open up an E-Sylum discussion asking other numismatic editors and publishers about the tools they use and thoughts on issues such as copyright, restricted printing, passwords etc. What words of wisdom can you share with the rest of us?

2014 AMERICAN PLATINUM EAGLE DESIGNS

To read the complete article, see: CCAC Review of 2014 American Platinum Eagle Designs (news.coinupdate.com/ccac-review-of-american-platinum-eagle-designs-3043/)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: THE 2013 AMERICAN EAGLE ONE OUNCE PLATINUM PROOF (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n49a09.html)

NOBLE TO SELL THE COPPER CHARLOTTE MEDAL OF AUSTRALIA

The Charlotte medal in silver is believed to have been engraved on board the First Fleet transport Charlotte as she lay at anchor in Botany Bay before sailing into Port Jackson and unloading her cargo of convicts at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788.

Inscribed with an account of the voyage from England and an image of the Charlotte, it is acclaimed as Australia’s first colonial work of art, and furthermore, as a unique record of the arrival of the settlers who founded modern Australia.

The 74mm wide medal is believed to have been made from a surgical dish by convicted thief Thomas Barrett at the behest of John White, the ship’s surgeon. White wanted a memento of the historic landing and chose Barrett for the task after he’d displayed remarkable skill at forging coins during the arduous sea voyage.

Alas, Barrett lasted little more than a month in the convict colony, meeting his fate at the end of a hangman’s rope for stealing beef and peas. Not only was he responsible for the historic silver medal, but also a smaller copper version, thought to have been commissioned by White’s personal servant, William Broughton.

Material for the second medal could have come from copper sheathing used to protect the ship’s hull. The finished piece measured 47mm in diameter and featured an abridged form of the inscription on the silver medal, but no ship.

The silver Charlotte medal belonging to surgeon John White, who returned to England, remained unknown until it appeared in the famous collection of the Marquess of Milford Haven. Details were published in 1919 in the first volume covering his collection of naval medals.

William Broughton remained in the colony, rising to become an official of significant stature in the Government of New South Wales. His copper Charlotte medal was discovered during the 1940s on the site of a farm in Camden with which he was associated.

To read the complete article, see: What is the Charlotte medal and why is it of such immense significance to Australia? (blog.perthmint.com.au/2013/12/05/what-is-the-charlotte-medal-and-why-is-it-of-such-immense-significance-to-australia/)

To read the complete auction lot description, see: CHARLOTTE MEDAL, undated (1788), in copper (www.noble.com.au/auctions/lot/?id=308954)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
AUSTRALIA'S CHARLOTTE MEDAL PEDIGREED TO JOHN J. FORD (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v11n35a08.html)
MORE ON THE CHARLOTTE MEDAL PEDIGREE (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v11n36a15.html)

PISTRUCCI'S ST GEORGE AND DRAGON THROUGH THE YEARS

Benedetto Pistrucci created the iconic St. George and Dragon image for the Royal Mint in 1817. The design has been used on crowns off and on to the present day. It's own of my favorite coin designs. This would make for an interesting collection and exhibit. Here are images of a few examples from 1817, 1951 and 2013.

THE 1710 BOLIVIAN “HEART” 8 REALES

This week we preview a coin which may not visually conform to a coin’s standard dimensions, but nonetheless stands as a true numismatic rarity.

This extremely rare piece has a slightly mysterious background, as its exact purpose is uncertain. One predominant theory is that since the heart shape is similar to “The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus” or simply “Sacred Heart,” they could have been created for special religious purposes. As the religious demographic of Latin America is predominantly Roman Catholic, it seems to be indicative of their religious nature. Regardless of their true purpose, these extraordinary “Heart”-shaped pieces were carefully crafted with special planchets and were carefully aligned to give the piece a medallic die axis. In addition to this special preparation, they are nearly always found pierced for suspension and are often gilt to be worn on display.

The obverse (cross side) prominently displays the Cross of Jerusalem, with the castles and lions of Castille and Leon in the quadrants. The “8” above the cross represents the denomination of 8 Reales, and the first of three full dates “710” is visible below the cross. A good-sized portion of the legend “D.G. HISPAN” is visible. The mintmark “P” for Potosi is to the left of the cross, while the assayer’s mark “Y” is shown at the right.

The reverse (pillar side) contains the Pillars of Hercules, located at the Straits of Gibraltar, indicating the gateway out of the Mediterranean and into the Atlantic. The center Latin legend “PLVS VLTRA” means ‘more beyond’ and most likely refers to the vast uncharted territory beyond the Pillars which the Spanish explored and colonized. The “P” mintmark appears in the upper left and lower right, and the “Y” assayer’s mark appears in the lower left and upper right. The “8” denomination appears in the area above the central legend, with a “710” representing the date below. Waves are represented underneath the Pillars as well. A large portion of the outer legend appears on this side, including the date in the seven o’clock region.

Overall this is a well-struck example with near full legends, three full dates and three clear assayer’s letters. A hint of contemporary gilding is still present in the protected areas giving the piece a lovely marigold tone. This extremely attractive piece is sure to greatly enhance its new owner’s cabinet. We here at Stack’s Bowers are only aware of one other example of a 1710 “Heart” 8 Reales piece, which was lot #193 in our Sale #42 of the 1990 Paul Karon Collection.

To read the complete article, see: World Coin Of The Week: Extremely Rare 1710 Bolivian “Heart” 8 Reales (stacksbowers.com/Blogs/world-coin-of-week-extremely-rare-1710.html)

THE CHENNAI MUSEUM'S ROMAN AND BYZANTINE CATALOGUE

Kavan Ratnatunga forwarded an interesting article about the tribulations of the Chennai Government Museum in publishing a book on Roman and Byzantine coins. He writes:

A catalogue of coins is the last place to expect a story of intrigue. But the Chennai Government Museum’s book of Roman and Byzantine coins belies that. Beneath its deceptive appearance as a clerical list of objects, the catalogue carries an absorbing story of a temperamental scholar and the museum’s shameful ignorance of its own history. It is also a sad account of the falling standards of Indian museums and raises the question whether they are reliable repositories of the past any more.

The story begins in 2002 when the museum decided to publish a catalogue of Roman and Byzantine coins. The Government Museum, Chennai, holds the largest collection of Roman coins outside Europe — a fact not known to many. In March 2002, the book was released and R. Kannan, then Commissioner of the museum, explained that it was a reprint of the 1942 catalogue compiled by T.G. Aravamuthan, curator of numismatics between 1932 and 1942.

What Kannan and his staff did not know was that the museum had never printed the book and that the publication had actually been abandoned during World War II. Following the government’s decision to divert type-metal for war purposes, the press removed the types from the frames of the composed pages and melted it to make ammunition.

In 2002, when the museum found the proof pages in its files, instead of reading it in full or checking the history, it assumed that it had the entire book and printed 1000 copies. The incomplete proof pages are still sold as a professional catalogue. Senior museum officials insist that the catalogue was completed and published in 1942. A letter dated January 7, 1960, from the assistant superintendent of the museum to Aravamuthan states clearly that the museum had the proofs to only the first part of the catalogue printed in 1942 and nothing was set to print after that.

What the museum officials also did not know was that the museum tried to complete the catalogue in 1952 and again in 1965. By then, the relationship between Aravamuthan and the museum officials had soured. When the irritated superintendent sent a caustic reminder and issued a veiled threat, Aravamuthan, who was almost 70 years old, dared the museum to take action. Why ‘hunt out one who had ceased to be its employee’ and whose work the museum had ‘sabotaged,’ he retorted.

Aravamuthan later relented and promised to complete the catalogue. The trail of the correspondence with the museum, which his family generously shared, ends in 1967. Three years later, in 1970, Aravamuthan died at the age of 80. The catalogue was not completed.

To read the complete article, see: Coining a catalogue (www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/coining-a-catalogue/article5357810.ece)

GUPTA-ERA GOLD COIN FIND MYSTERY

Six months back, news channels flashed the discovery of 11 gold coins, thought to be belonging to the Gupta era (320 AD-550 AD), at Ahiran, 265 km from Murshidabad. The discovery made headlines in newspapers, but the ASI remained unaware of the fact.

Last week, ASI director (eastern region) Phanikant Mishra made enquiries from his juniors if they knew about the coins and when the answer was negative, wrote a letter to Murshidabad SP Humayun Kabir demanding to know what had happened and why he was not informed. Meanwhile, the 11 gold coins, each weighing about 10-12 gm, have been kept in an aluminium tiffin box at Suti Police station in Murshidabad.

"We are worried about the safety of these priceless objects and we have written to the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums to take them from here but they did not do anything so far,'' Humayun Kabir told The Indian Express.

It was the directorate under the Department of Information and Culture of the state that first rushed to the place when the coins began to be found on May 31 at Ahiran village where NH-34 was being expanded. Soil dug out of mounds at Sealkali in Mirzapur, 15 km away, was brought to lay the road. On May 31 a village woman first saw a coin and took it home and as news spread people came and more coins were found. The police were informed and a team from Suti police station raided the village at Ahiran and recovered 11 coins. However according to unofficial reports, at least 30 coins were recovered and some of them were smuggled out to Bangladesh which is just 10 km away.

To read the complete article, see: ‘Gupta era’ gold coins found in Bengal; 6 months on, ASI yet to act (www.indianexpress.com/news/gupta-era-gold-coins-found-in-bengal-6-months-on-asi-yet-to-act/1202039/)

JESSE OWENS' 1936 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL

It is one of the most important medals in Olympics history. In 1936 Jesse Owens won it and three others at the Berlin Games, spoiling Adolf Hitler's planned showcase of Aryan superiority.

Imagine the shock to Nazi Party elites when a black American, the son of a sharecropper and grandson of slaves, stared down fascist propaganda, bested his rivals and took home four gold medals.

Hitler was furious, but tens of thousands of ordinary Germans cheered him on.

Owens won the 100- and 200-meter sprints, the long jump and ran the opening leg for the winning 4x100-meter U.S. relay team.

Sports Illustrated chose Owens' feat as the greatest Olympic moment of all time. So auctioneers predict the medal will sell for more than $1 million.

"It leaves one nearly speechless to behold this medal. It survives as one of the world's most poignant symbols of triumph," the vice president of SCP Auctions, Dan Imler, said in a written statement.

The medal was given by Owens to friend Bill "Bojangles" Robinson a few years after the Olympics, and the late entertainer's widow Elaine Plaines-Robinson is selling the medal, the auction house said.

To read the complete article, see: Bidding for Jesse Owens' 1936 gold medal tops $200,000 (www.cnn.com/2013/12/02/us/jesse-owens-gold-medal-auction/)

The medal is the only original Owens gold medal in existence, but cannot be traced to the specific event for which it was awarded. Owens earned four gold medals at the Games, for winning the 100-meter race, the 200-meter race and the long jump, and as part of the 4x100-meter relay team.

The medal in the auction has reportedly been in the estate of entertainer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson’s late widow Elaine Plaines-Robinson. Owens gave Bill Robinson the medal because he helped Owens find work in entertainment following Owens’ Olympic exploits, as documented in the biography Mr. Bojangles by N.R. Mitgang.

The other three medals were lost, and Owens was issued a replacement set that was featured as part of the 1976 Freedom Train exhibit. The replacements are now on exhibit at Owens’ alma mater, Ohio State University, as part of their Jesse Owens exhibit.

Ingrid O’Neil, of the Corona Del Mar, Calif., sports and Olympic memorabilia firm bearing her name, said 1936 Berlin gold medals come up at auction occasionally, but cannot usually be traced to a recipient because, prior to 1960, recipients’ names were not engraved on the edge as they have been since that time.

O’Neil said she has been offered 1936 gold medals purported to be among the missing Owens medals on multiple occasions, but those pieces lacked documentation.

To read the complete article, see: Jesse Owens 1936 Olympic gold highlights online auction (www.coinworld.com/articles/jesse-owens-1936-olympic-gold-highlights-onli)

To view the auction lot description, see: Lot #365: JESSE OWENS 1936 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL FROM BERLIN GERMANY FROM THE ESTATE OF BILL "BOJANGLES" ROBINSON (catalog.scpauctions.com/JESSE-OWENS-1936-OLYMPIC-GOLD-MEDAL-FROM-BERLIN-GE-LOT26318.aspx)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: FRANCIS CRICK'S 1962 GOLD NOBEL PRIZE MEDAL TO BE AUCTIONED (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n09a34.html)

THE PRE-HISTORY OF THE US DOLLAR

In 1620, the Mayflower set sail from Rotherhithe in East London bound for the New World, carrying religious dissenters in search of a new life overseas. Those first settlers took with them gold and English coins. But they weren't wealthy and they soon ran out of hard money, leaving them without means of buying food, animal skins and other necessities from the indigenous people of the American continent.

Jason Goodwin, author of Greenback: the Almighty Dollar and the Invention of America sums up the difficulty: "They simply didn't have any cash. They weren't very loaded when they came over in the first place. And it became quite awkward for the colonists to do exchanges between themselves… it was all very well to barter one thing for another, but of course quite soon you get into quite complex exchanges, and that's where money is so incredibly useful."

Soon after their arrival, the settlers discovered that certain kinds of shell - known as wampum - had great symbolic significance for many native Americans and as such could be exchanged by the English colonists for the things they needed, such as food. In fact, the wampum became so important in the early days of trading in what is now the Eastern seaboard of the US that in 1637 the Massachusetts Bay Colony declared them to be legal tender.

As trade among the settlers themselves became increasingly important, they started to use other goods for bartering. In the northern colonies they used corn and cod, for example, and in the more southerly colonies they also favoured tobacco. Many of these goods were declared legal tender at one time or another, although not all proved successful.

Goodwin also points out that when the settlers tried using nails some were tempted to burn down wooden barns in order to extract the nails, which had a value similar to money.

To read the complete article, see: The pre-history of the US dollar (www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-25119865)

THE UNWANTED, UNLOVED U.S. DOLLAR COIN

To all the great mysteries of life, add this: Why is the lowly, tarnished penny so revered, and the shiny $1 coin so reviled?

Pennies proliferate. They fill our pockets. Our jars runneth over.

When we drop a penny, we conduct the ultimate cost-benefit analysis: Should I pick it up? Consequently, pennies are everywhere.

But where are your Sacagaweas? And where are all those John Quincy Adams presidential coins?

The answer: in the inventory of the nation's Federal Reserve Banks.

The Federal Reserve Banks hold about $1.4 billion in $1 coins -- enough to meet the demand for the next 40 years.

In fact, far more than half of all $1 coins ever minted are in government vaults.

To read the complete article, see: $1 coins: Unwanted, unloved and out of currency (www.cnn.com/2013/11/28/us/one-dollar-coins/)

FEATURED WEB SITE: CAMP MONEY

worldandmilitarynotes.com