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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 Kolbe & Fanning October 4, 2025

 

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 SEPTEMBER 21, 2025

New subscribers this week include: John Deyell, courtesy Paula Turner; Joshua Puckey and Katie Tillyer, courtesy Steve Hill; Steve Bienz, courtesy Rich Kelly; Tim Fitzgerald, courtesy of Ernie Nagy; and Jonathan Claydon. Welcome aboard! We now have 6,868 subscribers.

Welcome also to Heritage Auctions - a longtime supporter, Heritage is now also an official sponsor of The E-Sylum. Thank you!

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 three numismatic literature sales, two new books, an obituary, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, the ANA and ACEF.

Other topics this week include metal toy coins, the Kreuzer awards, Fulbright scholars in numismatics, roller dies, Mickey MacDougall, DANSCO, fixed price and auction offerings, Colorado mining notes, Emperor Norton bonds, the BankAmericard, and Japanese bar money.

To learn more about the portrait of Philetairos of Pergamon, the Hyman Montagu collection of Roman and Byzantine coins, Attinelli's Numisgraphics, Kushan coins, sculptor Oleg Gavrizon, David Schenkman, Carson City Trade Dollar varieties, the Sierra Leone dollar, St. Benedict of Nursia, coins of the Dutch East Indies, and the Deaf Mute's Gyp Game, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

 

GUT-LYNT AUCTION 22 NUMISMATIC LITERATURE

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KOLBE & FANNING OCTOBER 2025 SALE ANNOUNCED

Kolbe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers are pleased to announce that we will be holding our next auction sale on Saturday, October 4, 2025. The sale features a wide variety of rare and out-of-print works on ancient, world and U.S. numismatics, the property of over twenty different consignors from around the world. With 500 lots, there is something for everybody.

Some highlights of this first sale include:

 

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ROBINSON AUCTION 129 NUMISMATIC LITERATURE

510 THE CELATOR, the authoritative magazine of ancient coin collecting, 163 issues 1997-2012, nearly complete run, full of great substantive articles & content. Weight abt 70 lbs, to be shipped in 2 boxes (est cost $60, US only). A fantastic and rare opportunity. Starting bid $100

519 Davenport, European Crowns 1484-1600, 1600-1700, 1700-1800, and Since 1800; 4 hardcovers, tape on last, otherwise nice condition. You need these. Starting Bid $10

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NEW BOOK: WHEN COINS WERE KING

When Coins Were King: The Coins, Power Struggles, and Personalities That Defined a Nation by Michael F. Moran is a scholarly and captivating exploration of America's rich monetary history, brought to life with hundreds of vivid images and a compelling narrative. Moran masterfully unveils the untold stories behind the nation's coinage in the late 1800s and early 1900s, a time when the coins that jingled in American pockets had real value in silver and gold. The story starts with the great Comstock Lode--a discovery of gold and silver that outshined the California Gold Rush--and fueled a rebound in our nation's shaky paper-driven economy after the Civil War. It gives the inside story of the outsized personalities that fought life-and-death struggles for economic control and political power at the time.

Against this backdrop, Moran details the political shenanigans, widespread corruption at the San Francisco Mint, and an unlikely cast of characters: the young, idealistic President Theodore Roosevelt...the nation's most-famous sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens...the energetic, populist leader William Jennings Bryan...the sage Senator John Sherman...and many others who influenced our nation's coinage.

Full of rich storytelling and free from overwhelming statistics that tend to obscure the human element of defining moments, When Coins Were King offers a fresh perspective on the economic and political struggles that still echo today. A must-read for history buffs, numismatists, and anyone fascinated by the power of money.

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NEW BOOK: KUSHAN COINS AND HISTORY:

Kushan Coins and History: A Type Catalogue of Kushan, Kushano-Sasanian and Kidarite Hun Coins Based on the Collection of the British Museum, The British Museum, London 2025 (ISBN 9780861591916), 870 pages in two volumes.

Professor Joe Cribb, Hebei Normal University, and his former colleague Robert Bracey, curator of Asian money at the British Museum, have just published their study of Kushan and related coins. This book is the culmination of twenty years of research.

The book catalogues all the Kushan, Kushano-Sasanian and Kidarite coins in the British Museum, presented in the context of a history of the rulers who issued them and the monetary systems they established. It is designed as a type corpus of the series, so alongside the British Museum coins, the authors also list all the known types of these coins not in the British Museum, drawing on public and private collections from across the world. The catalogue is arranged by ruler, mint and phase of issue to illustrate the structure of the coinage system. The catalogue listing is prefaced by an introduction to the history and coinage of the Kushan kings and their successors and to the history of the British Museum collection.

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JAMES ANDREW GUINESSO (1948-2025)

James Andrew "Jim" Guinesso, age 77, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2025, with his loving family by his side. Known for his loyalty, humor, and deep devotion to family, Jim's life was one of love, quiet determination, and unforgettable stories.

Jim was born on March 13, 1948, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, to Andrew and Martha (Manahan) Guinesso. He grew up alongside his brothers, Robert and Dick, in a close-knit home that instilled in him the values of hard work and loyalty. From a young age, Jim had an inquisitive mind and an appreciation for detail, qualities that would later define his lifelong passion for coins and stamps.

He attended Auburn Village School and graduated from Pinkerton Academy with a high school diploma. After graduation, Jim worked in road construction for several years, contributing to major projects including some ledge cuts for Interstate 93, work he proudly recalled to his children and grandchildren throughout the years. In 1973, driven by his entrepreneurial spirit and love for collecting, Jim opened Derry Coin and Stamp, a business he proudly owned and operated for over 50 years. He became a respected figure in the community, known as a pillar of the coin and stamp world, earning admiration for his honesty, expertise, and enduring relationships with clients and fellow collectors alike.

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METAL TOY COINS AND MEDALETS OF GREAT BRITAIN

Metal Toy Coins and Medalets of Great Britain, 1773-1960

Thomas Engelen has published another installment in his ongoing series on play money, with the latest monograph co-authored with Kai Towe. Metal Toy Coins and Medalets of Great Britain 1773-1960 draws from previous work by David de Sola Rogers and incorporates current web searches for additional catalog entries. Not surprisingly, British royalty is prominent on these pieces, with Queen Victoria easily the most seen. Engelen and Towe welcome reports of any additional pieces - they may be contacted at kaitowe@hotmail.com and muis100@hotmail.com.

 

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VIDEO: WHITMAN PHILADELPHIA SEPTEMBER 2009

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ANA AWARDS MEDALLIC ART AND WRITING

During last month's American Numismatic Association's (ANA) World's Fair of Money, hosted in Oklahoma City, members who have contributed to the hobby in profound ways were recognized. The Numismatic Art Award for Excellence in Medallic Sculpture and the Burnett Anderson Memorial Award for Excellence in Numismatic Writing were presented during the 134th Anniversary Awards Banquet.

The ANA's Numismatic Art Award for Excellence in Medallic Sculpture is an annual honor given to an artist whose lifetime work in the field rises above all others. The 2025 recipient is Oleg Gavrizon, a renowned sculptor and medalist based in Netanya, Israel.

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ACEF BESTOWS TWO KREUZER AWARDS

The Anit-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation will honor a collector and a coin dealer for their work in identifying counterfeit coins and educating the public about the dangers of online scams related to fakes during a special awards presentation Friday, Sept. 26, at 11 a.m. in Room 12 of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, during the Great American Coin and Collectibles Show.

Don Ketterling, a member of the ACEF Board of Directors, will present the recipients with the Alan Kreuzer Memorial Award, which recognizes the anti-counterfeiting efforts of collectors, dealers, law enforcement agents or others who are diligently trying to protect the numismatic marketplace.

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HISTORY OF 1856 "UPRIGHT 5" GOLD DOLLAR

An 1856 gold dollar coin's story, buried in historical archives for nearly 170 years, is revealed in "Buried History – How Counterfeiting Changed America," a newly released documentary video posted on YouTube at https://youtu.be/PqKJUekcryI?si=BxRisDyh-pffxuZP.

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MORE ON THE 16TH 1804 DOLLAR PROVENANCE

In response to Doug Ward's comments in the latest E-Sylum, I would like to make a few comments.

I did read his article, as I am a Fellow of the ANS and read the mag each time I receive it.

His article was great! It had some documents that I had not seen.

However, I have some documents that he evidently has not seen. In 2004, at the John Ford literature sale by Kolbe, Kevin Lipton bought a folder of letters detailing the Woodin $50 Half Union story. Kevin gave it to Charles Anderson, who had one of the greatest pattern collections of all time (later sold to Bob Simspon for 23 million). On a train ride from Baltimore to D.C. with Kevin, I read all the letters.

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MORE FULBRIGHT SCHOLARS IN NUMISMATICS

Ken Berger
I obtained my doctorate in Environmental Science & Engineering from UCLA. A few years later, I returned to school and obtained a second master's degree; this time in Asian Studies. Upon completion of this degree, I was immediately awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in 1989-90 at Tunghai University in Taichung, Taiwan.

The following year, I was named a Visiting Specialist by Taiwan's National Science Council and for the next three years a Visiting Professor by Tunghai University. Besides my teaching duties, I also performed research on feng shui as a natural science and the impacts of oil spills in the South China Sea.

While overseas I gave a seminar at the University of San Carlos in Cebu, Philippines. Attending this seminar was Prof. Humaida Jumalon, the daughter of Prof. Julian Jumalon. After the seminar, I mentioned to her my interest in WW2 Philippine emergency & guerrilla paper money. She told me that her father had designed many of these notes for various provinces during the war. This led to a number of visits with her father during the five years I was living overseas. The initial result of these meetings was an article in The Numismatist ("Cebu Emergency Notes of World War II", The Numismatist (May 1993), Vol. 106, No. 5: 643-648). This was the first major study of the Cebu notes and, more importantly, was the first time Prof. J. Jumalon's involvement became well-known throughout the numismatic community.

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NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: SEPTEMBER 21, 2025

The Death of Sarah Elizabeth Freeman
Scott Miller writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
GEORGE FREDERICK GOULD (1912-1991) (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n37a14.html)

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VOCABULARY TERM: ROLLER DIE

Roller Die. (1) A die engraved on the curved surface of a cylinder which is rolled over metal strip under pressure impressing a coin design on the sheet metal, which is blanked afterwards. First created in 1551, in Augsburg, Germany, by Kaspar Goebels, the process spread to other parts of Europe with very mixed results. The process was called taschenwerke and the roller mill was termed the walzenwerke. A larger coin could be made by this method in contrast to stamping a blank in a press. It's shortcomings, however, was the edges of the coin after it was trimmed or blanked from the strip, it had striations on the edge and burrs on one side. These had to be smoothed by hand.

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MICHAEL S. MACDOUGALL (1902-1996)

Want to flush out a crooked dealer at the card tables? Call on Mickey MacDougall, "The Card Detective." Want to expose a tall tale in numismatics? Perhaps MacDougall can help with that.

Michael MacDougall was born as Samuel Smiley MacDougall on October 22, 1902, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father was a grocer, William J. MacDougall (1870-1955). His mother was Margaret Jane "Janny" Belford (1870-1953). Both of his parents were from Irish emigrant families.

Slight in stature at age 14, he landed a job with Horace Goldin in vaudeville as the boy on the rope in an Indian rope trick. He studied magic and learned card tricks. He visited gambling parlors and watched the action. MacDougall made friends with some of the dealers. He taught them card tricks and they taught him gambling tricks. By age 18, he was one of the best card manipulators in the business.

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VISITING DANSCO'S MANUFACTURING PLANT

In March and August of this year, I had the incredible opportunity to visit the Dansco manufacturing plant in Sumas, Washington. During my two visits, the husband-and-wife team of Steve and Leticia Bruce graciously welcomed me into their facility and answered many questions from collectors.

Walking through their factory floor revealed a treasure trove of numismatic history. As a researcher dedicated to the history of both Dansco and the broader world of coin albums, it was an unforgettable experience.

The Dansco family has asked me to maintain the privacy of their internal operations, so I am not able to share pictures of the production process. However, I can share this humorous photo I took right outside their entrance.

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ATLAS NUMISMATICS SELECTIONS: SEPTEMBER 21, 2025

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NUMISMAGRAM MEDAL SELECTIONS: SEPTEMBER 21, 2025

103246 | GERMANY. Bayern (Bavaria). Agricultural Association silver Award Medal. Issued circa 1901-1913 for loyalty and diligence (47mm, 49.28 g, 12h). By Alois Börsch. DER LANDWIRTHSCHAFTLICHE VEREIN IN BAYERN, plow right // LOHN / DER TREUE / UND DES / FLEISSES in four lines within garlanded oak wreath. Edge: Plain. Hauser 668. PCGS MS-62. Extremely lustrous and prooflike, with sparkling, iridescent toning across both sides. $365.

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SOVEREIGN RARITIES AUCTION XIX SELECTIONS

Sovereign Rarities proudly present their 19th Auction to be held at their London office on Tuesday 23rd September in conjunction with the Royal Mint. The online catalogue is now available to view at www.sovr.co.uk with images and estimates of every lot, as well as being hosted on a number of other auction platforms with highlights on social media too. This is the final instalment of highlights for The E-Sylum before sale day on Tuesday starting 10am UK time.

The sale commences with the magnificent Thorburn Collection of coins of 1887 mostly struck for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria, consisting of a plethora of as many UK currency coins, patterns and proofs of the celebration as possible, collected over 30 years. The sale now has its own pdf flipbook with all relevant introductory passages at this link SOVR Auction XIX - Featuring the Thorburn Collection - Flip Book Catalogue

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HOLABIRD SEPTEMBER 2025 SALE: NUMISMATICS

Lot 3000: Series 1935 A, signed by Julian & Morgenthau. Stamped Hawaii twice on the front and across the back. Crisp uncirculated, except one corner was folded at one time. The purpose of these notes was should there have been an Imperial Japanese invasion of the islands, the US government could immediately declare any Hawaii-printed notes worthless, due to their easy identification. Beginning on August 15, 1942, no other paper U.S. currency could be used except under special permission.

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GUT-LYNT AUCTION 22 COIN SELECTIONS I

The auction on Saturday, 4 October at 9:00 a.m. (CEST) will begin, as is tradition, with ancient coins. Around 500 lots will be offered, ranging from Celtic coins to Greek and Roman coinages to issues from Byzantium and Islamic rulers. In addition to attractive individual pieces, the many well-described lots with moderate starting prices are particularly noteworthy.

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KUENKER AUCTION SALE 429

A 1/4 gulden from Utrecht, produced for the Dutch East Indies in 1900, is extremely rare. Only five specimens of this type were minted.

Those attending the auction in person will also have the opportunity to view the material of auction 430, featuring part 4 of the Lodewijk S. Beuth Collection, this time containing Dutch banknotes. This important auction will be held as an eLive Premium Auction on 20 October.

To order a catalog contact Künker, Nobbenburger Straße 4a, 49076 Osnabrück; phone: +49 541 / 962020; fax: +49 541 / 9620222; or via e-mail: service@kuenker.de. You can access the auction catalogs online at www.kuenker.de. If you want to submit your bid from your computer at home, please remember to register for this service in good time.

COLORADO MINING NOTES

Dave adds:

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WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION HOARD

One hundred and thirty-two years ago, Vance LaRue Wilson, a 40-year-old Iowan, attended the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. For many attendees, the Chicago World's Fair was their first time seeing a Ferris Wheel, electric lights, automatic dishwashers, moving pictures, or zippers. Wilson, a man of considerable wealth, was captivated by the spectacle and took home numerous souvenirs, including coins, medals, and tokens that would later surprise his heirs with their value.

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2025 ANNUAL MCA MEDAL: ARS ET MEMORIAE

"Ars et Memoriae"
By Susan Taylor
Bronze, struck; 3" (76.2 mm)
Edition size: 50
Price: $200. Including shipping within the domestic U.S.
PayPal fees are additional
Purchase here: https://www.medalcollectors.org/membership/medals

Obverse:

Since the fifteenth century the medal, as a distinctive art form, has been a popular, versatile, extremely eAective, and compact means of disseminating information to a widespread audience traditionally, at least until the modern era, through a combination of low-relief and text.

With this purpose in mind, the Muse of History, CLIO, has here been modified to put aside the traditional tools of her means of communication, the scroll, a pen, and a bottle of ink, to become a visual artist sculpting the model for the reverse of this medal showing Pegasus.

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STACKS BOWERS TO OFFER EMPEROR NORTON BONDS

Issued by a beloved madman who roamed the streets of San Francisco until his death in 1880, these "bonds" issued by the "Imperial Government of Norton I" are not merely a numismatic reflection of this colorful personality who stands firmly among the ranks of San Francisco's most noted citizens, but a rare opportunity for collectors.

Both pieces trace their pedigrees back to the 1960s and more recently to the collection of John J. Ford, Jr. (Part XX) which sold in 2007. These notes are set to be offered together in the November 2025 Showcase Auction alongside a number of exceptional rarities that includes some that were last offered in the Ford auctions of the 2000s.

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BANK OF AMERICA'S FRESNO EXPERIMENT

No application. No background check. No visit to the bank. Just trust.

This was September 18, 1958, and Joseph P. Williams had just unleashed the most audacious financial experiment in American history.

Williams wasn't a banker—he was a former infantry officer who'd talked his way into Bank of America by driving cross-country and begging legendary founder A.P. Giannini for a job. By the mid-1950s, he was running the bank's think tank, tasked with solving an increasingly obvious problem.

The Problem That Wasn't Supposed to Exist
Middle-class Americans were drowning in paperwork. They carried multiple charge accounts—Sears, Mobil, local department stores. Each came with separate bills, payment dates, and credit policies. It was financial chaos disguised as convenience.

What consumers needed was obvious: one card that worked everywhere. What nobody could figure out was how to make it profitable.

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FEATURED WEBSITE: JAPANESE BAR MONEY

This week's Featured Website is The Rectangle Coins: Japanese Bar Money by Lianna Spurrier.

https://rectanglecoins.com/

ABOUT THIS ISSUE: SEPTEMBER 21, 2025

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