Visit our NBS Sponsors

About Us The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit association devoted to the study and enjoyment of numismatic literature. For more information please see our web site at coinbooks.org Subscriptions Those wishing to become new E-Sylum subscribers can go to the following web page Subscribe You may Unsubscribe Here Membership There is a membership application available on the web site Membership Application To join, print the application and return it with your check to the address printed on the application. Print/Digital membership is $40 to addresses in the U.S., and $60 elsewhere. A digital-only membership is available for $25. For those without web access, write to: Jeff Dickerson, Treasurer Numismatic Bibliomania Society P. O. Box 578, Weatherford, TX 76086 Asylum For Asylum mailing address changes and other membership questions, contact Jeff at this email address: treasurer@coinbooks.org Submissions To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com BUY THE BOOK BEFORE THE COIN Sale Calendar Watch here for updates!

 

Content presented in The E-Sylum is not necessarily researched or independently fact-checked, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.

WAYNE'S WORDS: THE E-SYLUM AUGUST 24, 2025

New subscribers this week include: Curt Mease, courtesy Ron Guth; Zach Coplea, and R. Tabor. Welcome aboard! We now have 7,067 subscribers.

Thank you for reading The E-Sylum. If you enjoy it, please send me the email addresses of friends you think may enjoy it as well and I'll send them a subscription. Contact me at whomren@gmail.com anytime regarding your subscription, or questions, comments or suggestions about our content.

This week we open with ANA convention updates from NBS and NLG, one new book, a book review, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, notes from readers, and more.

Other topics this week include sample slabs, 1804 Dollars, Abraham Lincoln in numismatics, ring tests, libraries on coins and medals, fixed price and auction selections, ancient trade networks, coins for Princess Anne and Stacey Park Milbern, and ideas for Swiss banknotes.

To learn more about Korean coins at the U.S. Mint, ancient Rome, a flying tortoise on a book, elephants in numismatics, J. L. Polhemus counterstamps, the Fisherman's Tournament medal, 1889-CC Morgan Dollars, the Wyon family of engravers and medalists, Weinman's Cat and Mouse medal, anaerobic fermentation, sprigs, pheons, triads and a brace of serial number doodads, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

 

NBS 2025 CHARITY AUCTION REPORT

NBS 2025 Charity Auction Report

The NBS Charity Auction was held Friday, August 22, at the American Numismatic Association Convention in Oklahoma City, OK. A total of 21 bidders registered to compete for the 41 lots. Top honors went to lot 30, a complete set of Wayte Raymond's Coin Collectors Journal (1934-1958), which sold for $1,100. Many thanks to David Steine for donating this set. Lot 15, a full-leatherbound copy of the Charles Davis reference American Numismatic Literature (1992), drew a bid of $1,000 on a $300 estimate. We thank ex-NBS President Tom Harrison for donating this lot. A leaf copy of Adams & Bentley's Comitia Americana (2007), Lot 1, donated by Dan Hamelberg, drew a high bid of $950.

Read more here

 

2025 NLG BOOKS OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED

We are proud to announce that the Kolbe & Fanning publication The Publications of Eric P. Newman: A Collector's Guide by Leonard D. Augsburger and Joel J. Orosz was awarded the Numismatic Literary Guild's Book of the Year for 2025. This is the fourth time the pair of authors has won the NLG's Book of the Year for their books The Secret History of the First U.S. Mint (2011), Truth Seeker: The Life of Eric P. Eric Newman (2016, with Roger W. Burdette), and 1792: Birth of a Nation's Coinage (2017, with Pete Smith).

 

Read more here

NEW BOOK: SAMPLE SLABS 3RD EDITION, VOLUME 1

If you have an inexpensive encapsulated coin, such as a proof clad dime or circulated war nickel, that is labeled "SAMPLE", think twice before giving it away or breaking it out of its holder. Originally distributed free to collectors and dealers, these "sample slabs" have an active secondary market, with many desirable varieties commanding $100, $200, or more.

Still the leading book on this young numismatic subject, SAMPLE SLABS covers sample, promotional, club, show, luncheon, novelty, and young numismatist coin holders. In 2025, the known number of types is over 1,500, with more new ones and old ones being discovered almost daily.

This shows the massive increase in the creation of sample slabs, but some of the growth is in newly discovered types released as much as 15 years ago, hiding in plain sight all this time.

Volume 1 covers NCS, NGC, and PCGS and includes almost 1,000 types. Volume 2 will cover the other forty grading companies that we know have issued samples.

Read more here

 

BOOK REVIEW: MONETA: ANCIENT ROME IN TWELVE COINS

Moneta: A History of Ancient Rome in Twelve Coins
By: Gareth Harney

"This is two thousand years old," my father reminded me as he placed the small silver disc into the palm of my hand. It was still gleaming, cool to the touch, no bigger than a penny. My young mind could not possibly — and will always struggle to — comprehend such an expanse of time." (page 1)

So begins this superbly illustrated book, in my opinion, the best publication on ancient Roman numismatics from the viewpoint of a collector to appear in the last few years. The British author doesn't assume the reader knows Latin, or has studied Roman history. He is a talented storyteller, and a gifted explainer.

Each of the book's twelve chapters focuses on a specific coin type that highlights a story from Rome's long history, but over thirty different coins are illustrated, some with magnified details. Some of these coins are common and relatively affordable, others are great rarities that go for fabulous prices. There is also a section of color plates with images of some of the coins and related works of arts. A clearly drawn map locates every place mentioned in the text.

Read more here

ANA CONVENTION COMMOTION AND 1804 DOLLARS

Convention Commotion, and 1804 Dollars

Anyone questioning the draw of the ANA convention might do well to track the major announcements made around the time of the annual ANA gathering. Stacks Bowers set the bar high this year, with their "reveal" of the 16th known 1804 dollar, a class III example from the James A. Stack collection. This recalls the unveiling of the King of Siam set at the 1962 ANA convention. To set the scene, Eric Newman had condemned, at the previous year's convention, the 1804 and 1805 dollars in the Ostheimer collection.

Read more here

VIDEO: ABRAHAM LINCOLN: THE IMAGE OF HIS GREATNESS

Read more here

MORE ON AUTHORS, BOOKS AND LIBRARIES ON COINS

I know it's not a trade token, but in 1892 Joseph Leroux issued two advertising tokens (one English, one French) that depict his numismatic catalog. I guess it qualifies as a store card (the $5 is just the price of the book, quite high at the time).

Because it's actually advertising a numismatic book, I thought it was particularly worthy of mention.

Read more here

MORE ON THOSE DOODADS ON PAPER MONEY

Read more here

NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: AUGUST 24, 2025

More on that 'Fred. Douglas' Medal
Regarding the medal John Kraljevich displayed at a dinner meeting left week, Mary Lannin writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
WAYNE'S NUMISMATIC DIARY: AUGUST 17, 2025 : Fred. Douglas Medal (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/
esylum_v28n33a22.html)

For more on Frederick Douglass, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Douglass

 

Read more here

 

DENNIS TUCKER ON LINCOLN IN NUMISMATICS

Dennis Tucker will give an illustrated talk on Abraham Lincoln to the Chicago Coin Club on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The club meeting begins at 6:45 pm Central Daylight Time at the Chicago Bar Association, 321 South Plymouth Court, Chicago, and the talk will also be streamed online.

Tucker's presentation is titled "A Gallery of Abraham Lincoln in American Numismatics." It draws on his work with award-winning author Fred L. Reed. Tucker was publisher at Whitman Publishing for Reed's two monumental volumes of Lincoln numismatic history—Abraham Lincoln: The Image of His Greatness (2009) and Abraham Lincoln: Beyond the American Icon (2013).

The lecture is both a tribute to the late Mr. Reed (who passed away in 2021) and a richly illustrated exploration of the Great Emancipator in American coins, medals, tokens, paper money, and popular culture. It includes major seldom-seen rarities as well as more common collectibles. Tucker will also share insight from his experience on the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, discussing its review of modern Lincoln coins.

Read more here

VOCABULARY TERM: RING TEST

Ring Test. Tapping a suspended coin or medal on the edge for its resonance. The ring of any small metal object is due to its internal structure; thus its alloy, thickness and any gas pockets affects its tone. Both cast and struck items will ring but with notes of different pitch (it is necessary to compare a suspect item with a known or genuine item). Using a ring test for authentication, however, is delusive.

Read more here

LIBRARIES ON COINS AND MEDALS

At one time I aspired to form a collection of libraries on medals. I soon lost interest. Shown are examples of library buildings and library shelves on coin and medals.

Library of Congress

The 2000 Library of Congress Bicentennial Commemorative Silver Dollar has what I call a "flying book" on the obverse. There is writing on the pages. The only description I could find says that the text is illegible. The reverse shows the dome of the Thomas Jefferson building. Available in UNC and Proof.

Read more here

TREASURE TALK WITH BOB EVANS, EPISODE 7.2

The sheer numismatic variety that passed through my hands as I sat at that table was a constant challenge. Many pieces were encrusted, and the details could not be discerned through the mineral matrix enclosing them. That data would remain blank on the inventory spreadsheet until finally resolved during curating in the lab in 2018.

I wore exam gloves, and everything was wet. Some things smelled very bad, particularly the items that emerged from the safe, a deep-sea, enclosed, refrigerated swamp that sat on the seabed in a state of anaerobic fermentation for 157 years. A small sign, "Smell the History!" was posted on the door to the Coin Room. It is hard for some to imagine that treasure recovery is sometimes a "Dirty Job."

But as we endured the odor, wonderful coins appeared before me, raw and rusty, but also fresh and glistening, and not seen for 157 years!

Read more here

NUMISMAGRAM MEDAL SELECTIONS: AUGUST 24, 2025

103198 | GERMANY. Saxe-Römhild. Heinrich III silver Medal. Issued 1698 for his receiving the Danish Order of the Elephant and the title Generalfeldzeugmeister (general of the artillery) by Holy Roman Emperor Leopold the previous year (50mm, 72.81 g, 12h). By Christian Wermuth. HEINRICVS • D • G • DVX SAX • I • C • M • A • & W •, draped and armored bust right // VTRVMQVE MERETVR, Heinrich standing facing, holding up scroll; crowned eagle above, holding scepter in talons; crowned Danish lion to right, holding collar chain of the Order of the Elephant; to left, pile of musical instruments and military implements; in five lines in exergue, CAESAR GENERALEM REI TORMEN / TARIAE PRAEFECTVM CONSTITVIT / AN MDCIIIC REX DANIAE IN / ELEPHANTIN ORD COO / PTAVIT MDCIIC. Wohlfahrt 98006; Merseburger –; Horn Coll. II, 222. PCGS AU Details–Scratch. Deeply toned and with a great deal of original brilliance among the fields, though some light rub on the high points and noted scratch in the reverse field account for the designation. Nevertheless, an extremely rare type, with this cataloger able to locate just one other specimen selling in the past quarter century—the Horn example, a very attractive uncirculated and problem-free piece which sold for a total of €10,800 ($12,244 at the time, after buyer's fee) in Künker 258 (29 January 2015), lot 222. $1,595.

Read more here

 

HERITAGE AUCTIONS: DESERT FIND OF 1889-CC MORGANS

One of the greatest Morgan dollar finds of modern times will bring 35 previously unknown 1889-CC Morgan dollars, each in Brilliant Uncirculated condition, to the podium in Heritage's ANA U.S. Coins Signature® Auction August 26-31.

The Desert Find of 1889-CC Morgan Dollars features 35 Mint State 1889-CC Morgans, many of which are Prooflike to Deep Mirror Prooflike. Considering the Desert Find features coins that were set aside more than half a century ago by a family in Nevada, from whom they are consigned today, it is no surprise that the grades on the included coins are exceptional.

The coins appear to have been put into paper rolls, dated January 1957, and put away — quite possibly unseen since the 1950s or early 1960s.

Read more here

WYON FAMILY'S IMPACT ON COIN DESIGNS

As a family of medalists in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Wyons retain a legacy of prominent artistry. While there are Wyon family members with pursuits as varied as sculptor, architect, lawyer, and rector, their skills as engravers and medalists are what earned their fame. Heritage's August 27-29 ANA World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction features treasures from a trio of Wyons: Thomas, William, and Leonard.

Read more here

STACKS BOWERS: SUMMER 2025 GLOBAL SHOWCASE

Stack's Bowers Galleries' annual Global Showcase Auction of World and Ancient coins will feature nearly 5,500 lots, encompassing an expansive range of material across nine sessions, with a high estimate that exceeds $10 million. The live auctioneer-led sessions will be held August 25, 26, 28 and 30, with the internet sessions taking place September 2-5.

The Richard August Collection offers interesting and desirable selections from the cabinet of this respected numismatist and familiar presence at coin shows, especially around New England. Among his world coin holdings, Mr. August's British Isles coins are particularly notable for their quality and include a Great Britain 1668 5 Guineas and a stunning 1601 British Crown graded AU-55 by NGC. Also worthy of mention from the Richard August Collection is a charmingly struck and detailed Bolivian "Royal" Presentation Cob 8 Reales.

Read more here

STACK'S BOWERS: COLLECTORS CHOICE TOKENS & MEDALS

Undated (1847) State of Louisiana Medal to Major General Zachary Taylor. Julian MI-25. Copper. About Uncirculated, Edge Bruise. Housed in the Original Case. 76.6 mm. Produced in antebellum New Orleans through contract with the firm of H[orace] E. Baldwin & Co., silversmiths, the dies were created by America's most famed medallist of the period - Charles Cushing Wright - with the design assistance of New Yorker Peter Paul Duggan, an historian and professor of drawing at New York's Free Academy. The same design team accomplished the Washington Allston medal struck by the Mint in this era. The military scene on the reverse is reminiscent of the finest work of Dupre or Furst and is glorious in its fine detail. It is unclear if H.E. Baldwin & Co. had the means to strike such a substantial medal themselves or subcontracted its actual coining.

Read more here

JERSEY PROPOSES NEW HERITAGE LAW ON HOARDS

A pair of metal detecting enthusiasts who unearthed almost 70,000 Iron Age coins said they were "very pleased" with proposals for a new law to make reporting and valuing treasure easier.

Richard Miles and Reg Mead made the discovery, which included gold and silver ingots and jewellery, in a field in Grouville, Jersey, in 2012.

Read more here

"RISING SUN" COINS REVEAL ANCIENT TRADE NETWORKS

Archaeologists obtained new insights into early Southeast Asian trade and cultural connections through an extensive examination of silver coins dating to as early as the fourth century CE. Carrying distinctive Rising Sun and Srivatsa designs, the coins were widely in circulation across the region—from Vietnam to Bangladesh—demonstrating a level of economic integration that has rarely been the subject of previous historical studies of the region.

The coins, originally struck by the north-central Myanmar's Pyu-Mon polities, were produced with dies—molds that imprint designs onto both sides of a blank disc. While there are slight variations in diameter, weight, and imagery, their overall uniformity suggests strict standardization. This consistency, scientists assert, indicates shared economic and cultural systems that transcended local political boundaries.

Chinese chronicles from as early as the late Han Dynasty (second century CE) recorded Southeast Asia's role in sea and land-based trade routes connecting the Near East to China via the Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea. Archaeological excavations have confirmed these accounts, with imported artifacts such as Roman glassware, Persian and South Asian ceramics, Indian jewelry, and Chinese ceramics discovered in both coastal trade ports and inland settlements. Of these finds, the Rising Sun/Srivatsa coins stand out for their exceptional geographic spread, having been found within the Irrawaddy River basin in Myanmar, Dvaravati culture centers in Thailand, Funanese centers in the Mekong Delta, and even riverine settlements along the Malay Peninsula.

Read more here

U.K. HER ROYAL HIGHNESS COMMEMORATIVE

The Royal Mint has today revealed the first UK coin to celebrate Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. The commemorative coin has been released in the year in which she will celebrate her 75th birthday, marking her remarkable lifetime of service.

The coin's design, personally approved by Her Royal Highness, has been created by renowned Royal Mint coin designer Thomas T. Docherty, who previously designed HRH The Prince of Wales's 40th birthday coin. Thomas' coin design features a striking portrait of The Princess Royal and is based on an official portrait of The Princess Royal taken by John Swannell, a fellow of the prestigious Royal Photographic Society. In the portrait, Her Royal Highness has also been depicted wearing the Aquamarine Pineflower Tiara which was created by Cartier.

The design is framed with the inscription "The Princess Royal - Celebrating 75 Years - Duty and Devotion" - a fitting tribute to her lifetime of service to the Crown and nation. To the right of The Princess Royal's portrait features a depiction of The Princess Royal's official Coat of Arms.

Read more here

DISABILITY COMMUNITY CELEBRATES MILBERN QUARTER

On Wednesday, August 13, disabled people and allies gathered at the National Museum of American History to celebrate the release of a new quarter depicting Stacey Park Milbern, a leader of the disability justice movement. She is the 19th woman honored as part of the American Women Quarters Program, which celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by women throughout American history.

The event's program partners included the United States Mint, National Museum of American History, American Women's History Museum, Access Smithsonian, Asian Pacific American Center, Disability Cultural Center at Georgetown University, and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). Many of the partners tabled for the first hour of the event.

Read more here

SWISS NATIONAL BANK SURVEYS NOTE DESIGNS

At a time when established electronic payment methods are increasingly dominating everyday transactions—and with new digital payment options such as cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) emerging—the Swiss National Bank is pushing ahead with its «New Banknote Series Project» for many good reasons.

Read more here

OZZY OSBOURNE TRIBUTE BANKNOTES

As well as pasting a 12ft mural on a building in Broad Street the day before Ozzy's funeral, he has created a series of commemorative banknote designs in tribute to the Black Sabbath singer, with 30 per cent of the proceeds from each sale going to Parkinson's UK.

Read more here

ABOUT THIS ISSUE: AUGUST 24, 2025

   

Read more here