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BUY THE BOOK BEFORE THE COINSale CalendarWatch here for updates! |
- WAYNE'S WORDS: THE E-SYLUM OCTOBER 5, 2025
- LANG NUMISMATIC LITERATURE AUCTION 8
- NEW BOOK: MONNAIES FRANCAISES, 1789-2025
- NEW BOOK: INDIAN BANKNOTES 2025
- PERIODICAL: PAN CLARION FALL 2025
- 2025 NLG AWARD: ERIC BROTHERS
- BOHORA'S BANKNOTE STORIES ADDED TO NNP
- VIDEO: MEXICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE COINS
- NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: OCTOBER 5, 2025
- U.S. MINTS CASHIER'S DAILY STATEMENTS
- OCTOBER 2025 PAN SHOW SPEAKERS
- ACEF HONORS TWO COUNTERFEIT EDUCATORS
- VOCABULARY TERM: ROMAN GOLD
- 1804 DOLLAR STORIES
- TREASURE TALK WITH BOB EVANS, EPISODE 7.2
- 1715 FLEET: 1,000 COIN TREASURE CHEST FIND
- NUMISMAGRAM MEDAL SELECTIONS: OCTOBER 5, 2025
- HERITAGE: EARLY COPPER AND COLONIAL COINS
- STACK'S: SIGMA COLLECTION OF RUSSIAN COINS
- HERITAGE: GACC CURRENCY SALE
- 2025 GACC SHOW PHOTO ALBUM
- 1659 SWEDISH 8 DALER PLATE MONEY
- COMPANY ADOPTS NEW ‘CASH ROUNDING' POLICY
- CHARLIE KIRK COMMEMORATIVE COIN PROPOSED
- TRUMP COMMEMORATIVE COIN PROPOSED
- TAFT-PEDIGREED $7 COLONIAL NOTE
- HERITAGE: COVINA, CA UNCUT BROWNBACK SHEET
- LOOSE CHANGE: OCTOBER 5, 2025
- ABOUT THIS ISSUE: OCTOBER 5, 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 OCTOBER 5, 2025
We now have 6,831 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 a numismatic literature sale, two new books, a periodical, updates from NLG, NNP, PAN and more.
Other topics this week include French coins and Indian banknotes, coins of the Mexican War of Independence, U.S. Mint chairs and cashier's statements, Roman gold, and 1804 dollars galore.
To learn more about the Libertas Americana medal restrikes, Eric Brothers, Johnny Swing's Quarter Lounge, the Jane Goodall Roots and Shoots medal, Siege Notes of the World, Jack Young, Matt Dinger, the Dreifus-Rosenthal Specimen, the J. L. Polhemus counterstamp, the latest 1715 Fleet recovery, fixed price and auction selections, the Vermont Copper, SS Central America artifacts, slabbed numismatic literature, Swedish copper plate money, proposed commemoratives, and a new "cash transaction policy," read on. Have a great week, everyone!
Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum
Image of the week
LANG NUMISMATIC LITERATURE AUCTION 8
The eighth numismatic literature auction from Numismatic Antiquarian Bookshop Lang closes October 29, 2025. Here's the announcement. -Editor
We are pleased to announce the 8th literature auction of Numismatisches Antiquariat Lang GmbH. As usual, the auction will take place on the Auex.de platform and will start on October 29, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. (CET).
The auction will also be accessible on the Sixbid, Biddr and Numisbids platforms to give you the greatest possible flexibility in participating.
NEW BOOK: MONNAIES FRANCAISES, 1789-2025
Collectors of U.S. coins have the Red Book. Collectors of French coins have the Rouge Book. Here is the announcement for the latest edition of the Gadoury book on French coins. -Garrett
Monnaies Françaises 1789-2025
By: Maison Gadoury
It is with great pleasure that we announce the release of the new edition of Monnaies Françaises 1789–2025 by Gadoury, the essential reference catalogue for French numismatics from the Revolution to the present day.
Complete, richly illustrated, and fully updated, this volume is an indispensable tool for collectors, dealers, and researchers alike.
What's new in this edition:
NEW BOOK: INDIAN BANKNOTES 2025
Kavan Ratnatunga passed along recent offerings from Indian numismatic book publisher IIRNS Publications. Thanks. One of the most recent offerings is this book on Indian paper money. -Editor
Indian BankNotes
Author(s): Sainath Reddappa
Pages: X+657 Pages
Published by: Sainath Reddappa
Date Published: 2025
Format: HardCover
ISBN no. 978-93-341-9625-2
Indian Banknotes 2025: British India - Portuguese India - French India Independent and Republic India (1861-2024) is a comprehensive guide to the history of banknotes in India. It covers the period from 1861 till 2024 and includes banknotes issued by British India, Portuguese India, French India, Hyderabad, Kashmir and the Republic of India.
PERIODICAL: PAN CLARION FALL 2025
The Fall 2025 issue of The Clarion from the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists (PAN) has been published, as the group readies itself for their upcoming fall show. I expect to attend, and hope to see many E-Sylum readers there as well. -Editor
Table of Contents
President's Message
Editor's Desk
Using a great design again, and again—the Buffalo nickel
by Mark Benvenuto
The Libertas Americana medal
by Malcolm Johnson
The ICE Man—Accumulator?
by Rob Throckmorton
A quick guide to Civil War coinage
by Matt Campbell
Counterstamps: Window into the past
by Greg Bennick
The great gold heist of 1933: A lesson in power and pretext
by Blaine Schiff
2025 NLG AWARD: ERIC BROTHERS
There's been a correction to one of the 2025 Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) awards announced earlier this year. The author of the winning article in the ANS Magazine was Eric Brothers. The original announcement mistakenly listed ANS Magazine editor Peter van Alfen as the author. -Editor
Eric Brothers, a regular contributor to Numismatic News, recently received a writing award from the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG). He won in the category "U.S. Coins 1901 to Date (Numismatic Columns or Articles)" for his article, "Liberty in Motion: Adolph Weinman's Iconic Masterpiece," which was published in the American Numismatic Society's ANS Magazine in the Spring of 2025. The article discusses the numismatic history and artistry of the Walking Liberty half dollar (1916-1947). It also covers the supposed inspiration behind Weinman's half dollar, Oscar Roty's Sower coin (1879-1920). Many authors consider Roty's coin to have inspired Walking Liberty; however, Weinman himself never discussed the Sower's impact upon his own work.
BOHORA'S BANKNOTE STORIES ADDED TO NNP
The latest addition to the Newman Numismatic Portal is Banknote Stories by Anil Bohora. Project Coordinator Len Augsburger provided the following report. -Editor
Newman Portal Adds Banknote Stories, by Anil Bohora
The latest installment in Anil Bohora's ongoing series on world paper money, Banknote Stories, is now available on Newman Portal. Bohora writes in the introduction: "Every banknote tells a story. There is visual interplay between the various elements on the banknotes. In this way, a banknote resembles a well-rounded story that includes a fascinating plot and characters…In this book some of the topics I have covered include banknotes reflecting the impact of hyperinflation, banknotes with hidden messages and secrets, banknotes with a difference, different materials used to make banknotes, banknotes telling us war stories, banknotes as works of art, etc."
This is Bohora's 11th contribution to Newman Portal, with previous works focused on Indian scrip, fiscal paper, world banknotes, and short snorters.
VIDEO: MEXICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE COINS
The David Lisot Video Library on the Newman Numismatic Portal can be found at:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/multimediadetail/522852
We highlight one of his videos each week in The E-Sylum. Here's one from 2009 with Ricardo DeLeon speaking about the coins of the Mexican War of Independence.
Excellent presentation - well worth watching. -Editor
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: OCTOBER 5, 2025
The Mint Remains Open
Len Augsburger passed along this Facebook post from the U.S. Mint noting that they're operating normally during the U.S. government shutdown. Thanks. -Editor
#DYK? The United States Mint's programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to the taxpayer.
The Mint remains open for business, including tours and gift shops at our Denver and Philadelphia facilities, as well as our coin store in Washington, D.C.
How is this possible? The Mint is funded by its own Public Enterprise Fund, not by annual appropriations.
More info can be found on our website https://www.usmint.gov/about/tours-and-locations
To read the complete Facebook post, see:
https://www.facebook.com/100064938992077/posts/1199565772218045/
Other topics this week include the Quarter Lounge by artist Johnny Swing, and the Jane Goodall Roots and Shoots medal. -Editor
U.S. MINTS CASHIER'S DAILY STATEMENTS
Roger Burdette submitted this research note offering U.S. Mint documents from the National Archives that may be of use to fellow researchers. -Editor
Example pages from San Francisco and New Orleans Cashiers Daily
Research note from Roger W. Burdette:
A compilation of Cashier's Daily Statements for the following years and mints have been completed to a usable level, and are available to any member free on request. None of the files are absolutely complete with all 305 daily reports; missing items will be added if/when located.
THE BOOK BAZARRE
OCTOBER 2025 PAN SHOW SPEAKERS
On Friday, October 17, 2025 the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists (PAN) will host a series of educational speakers at their fall show in the Pittsburgh suburb of Monroeville, PA. And on Saturday the 18th there's more for young numismatists. Here's the schedule. -Editor
Friday, October 17
12:00pm – V. Kurt Bellman, numismatist, PAN exhibit judge
Topic: "The Joys and Foibles of Collecting British Coins"
1:00pm – Owen Seymour, former grader PCGS
Topic: "Coin Grading Tips and Tricks"
2:00pm – Greg Bennick, TAMS and CONECA board member
Topic: "US Merchant Counterstamps: Coins That Tell Their Own Story"
3:00pm – Dr. Lawrence Korchnak, author, numismatist
Topic: "Siege Notes of the World 1793-1913"
4:00pm – John Frost, Liberty Seated Collectors Club, Barber Coin
Collectors' Society
Topic: "Liberty Seated and Barber Coins of the New Orleans Mint"
ACEF HONORS TWO COUNTERFEIT EDUCATORS
Collector Jack Young of Dayton, OH, and coin dealer Matt Dinger of Indianapolis, IN, were honored by the Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation at a special awards ceremony Sept. 26 during the Great American Coin and Collectibles Show in Rosemont, IL for their work in identifying and creating awareness of counterfeit coins. -Garrett
Don Ketterling, a member of the ACEF Board of Directors, presented Dinger with the Alan Kreuzer Memorial Award 3-inch bronze medal. Young, who was unable to attend the ceremony due to a family medical emergency, will receive his medal award in Dayton.
The award is named for the late Alan "Al" Kreuzer, a Castro Valley, CA, coin dealer who was instrumental in alerting the hobby about counterfeit third-party certification holders and fake insert labels. After his death in 2016, his daughter, Chandra, donated $50,000 to establish the award and to help launch the Anti-Counterfeiting Task Force, now integrated into the work of ACEF.
VOCABULARY TERM: ROMAN GOLD
Here's another entry from Dick Johnson's Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Terminology. -Editor
Roman Gold. Contrasting matte finish and polished surface on the same item that has been goldplated. The term was infrequently used in the jewelry field beginning in 1890s where either bronze, brass or sometimes other alloy was given a matte finish – by light sandblasting or chemical dip – then the contrasting area highly polished before the object was goldplated. The surface would retain the finish of the matte and polished areas but be the color of the goldplate.
1804 DOLLAR STORIES
E-Sylum Feature Writer and American Numismatic Biographies author Pete Smith submitted this article on 1804 dollar stories published over the years. Thanks! Published long before any definitive research on the topic, most newspaper stories were an amusing mix of fact and fiction, and most of the coins discussed were likely fakes such as altered dates. But just because most of the coins were fake doesn't mean all of them were. -Editor
On August 20, 2025, I held in my hand an 1804 Dollar certified as PF-65. This is the sixteenth
known example of an 1804 Dollar. I looked in back issues of newspapers for previous reports of
examples found.
Richmond Independent Telegram, Saturday September 22, 1866.
"The 1804 dollar is the rarest of all dollars; only two of them are known in any collection."
The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, Thursday September 26, 1878.
TREASURE TALK WITH BOB EVANS, EPISODE 7.2
In January, our good friend Bob Evans began publishing a series of blog articles on the Finest Known website detailing his experience as co-discoverer and curator of the treasures recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Central America. Subject of the book "Ship of Gold", many exhibits, countless interviews and articles, books and auction catalogs feature the legendary haul of gold coins, bars, nuggets, gold dust and more from the 1857 shipwreck. Here's another excerpt - see the complete article online. -Editor
One of the delights of numismatics is gazing at a circulated coin and pondering the possibilities of its circulation. How was it used? What did it pay for, and where? For the most part, details such as this are elusive, totally unknowable.
Coins from the S.S. Central America have a real story. We know where they came from. There is a full record, at least from their time on the shipwreck to the time they entered the numismatic market.
In a few rare instances, we can discover a little more of their stories. This is the forensic science of numismatics, part of what makes the subject sing to me.
1715 FLEET: 1,000 COIN TREASURE CHEST FIND
The 1715 Fleet Society is a non-profit organization that is "dedicated to researching the history of the 1715 Fleet, its loss, rediscovery, and recovery." The 1715 fleet was part of the Spanish New World Treasure Fleets that funded Spain's activities as a world leader.
Each month the group highlights a "Treasure of the Month". This month's treasure is a doozy. Here's an excerpt - see the complete article online. Images and text courtesy of 1715 Fleet – Queens Jewels, LLC. -Editor
The 1715 Fleet Society is truly privileged to be able to present October's Treasure of the Month. Today, the Society has been accorded the honor of being one of the few agencies chosen to announce to the world a significant recovery from one of the wreck sites of the 1715 Fleet. That recovery is the subject matter of our Treasure of the Month.
NUMISMAGRAM MEDAL SELECTIONS: OCTOBER 5, 2025
Numismagram's Jeremy Bostwick sent along these four medals from his most recent upload of new spooky material to his site. For all of the new items, please visit https://www.numismagram.com/inventory. -Garrett
102972 | GERMANY, GREAT BRITAIN, CHINA & JAPAN. Satire of Kiauchau bronze Medal. Issued 1914. The Defense of Jiaozhou (Kiauchau/Kiautschou) (33mm, 16.59 g, 12h). Crowned eagle (representing Germany) perched in oak tree; to lower left, British officer sending monkey (dressed in Japanese uniform) up the tree in which three other bodies hang lifeless // DER / ENGLÄNDER / UND SEIN JAPANER / "JETZT KLETTRE DU MAL / AUF DIE DEUTSCHE EICHE / UND VERSUCHE, / OB DU IHM NICHT EINE / FEDER AUS DEM SCHWANZ / REISSEN KANNST!" (The Englishman to his Japanese pet: "climb up this oak and see if you can pluck a feather from the eagle's tail!") in nine lines. Edge: Plain. Cf. Zetzmann 4062 (silver). PCGS MS-63. Tan-brown surfaces, with a few stains on the reverse. A very haunting and rare type, made that much more desirable on account of its great state of preservation. $985.
HERITAGE: EARLY COPPER AND COLONIAL COINS
Heritage Auctions will be hosting their Early Copper & Colonial US Coins Showcase Auction on October 6. Select items from the Curators' Picks are discussed below. -Garrett
1787 New Jersey Copper, No Sprig Above Plow, M. 45-d, W-5240, High R.5, VG8 PCGS. Hypertrophic Ear. This is a lovely collector-grade example of one of the scarcer 1787 New Jersey copper die varieties. It represents one of two varieties that use Obverse 45, known as the "Hypertrophic Ear" obverse, with an unusually large ear on the horse. We also have an example of the other Obverse 45 variety, 45-E, in this auction, but the current 45-D is the rarer of the two pairings. This is a coin that deserves close attention from Colonials specialists.
STACK'S: SIGMA COLLECTION OF RUSSIAN COINS
Stack's Bowers will be selling the Sigma Collection of Russian Coinage as part of their October 2025 Hong Kong (SAR) Auction. Select items are discussed below. -Garrett
Lot 43618 (t) RUSSIA. Ruble, 1799-CM MB. St. Petersburg (Banking) Mint. Paul I. NGC MS-63. KM-101; Bit-35.
HERITAGE: GACC CURRENCY SALE
Heritage Auctions will be hosting their GACC U.S. Currency Signature Auction on October 7 - 10. Select items from the Curators' Picks are discussed below. -Garrett
T5 $100 1861 PF-1 Cr. 5 Jones Signature PMG Very Fine 25. This note was one of nine T-5 $100s issued on August 12, 1861, with serial numbers 2101 - 2109 and bears the signature of C.T. Jones, signing for the Register. At present, this is the only known T5 having Jones sign for Tyler. A comparison of the note versus the plate on page 132 of Fricke's 2014 catalog strongly suggests that this is one and the same note. The back bears two endorsements, the first, in red ink, from William J. Bromwell, disbursing clerk for the Department of State, issuing the note on August 26, 1861, and the second receiving the note and recording its face value plus accrued interest of $4.25. The note has two sealed hammer cancels. A rare chance to acquire an excessively rare note that will take any collection to which it is added to the next level.
2025 GACC SHOW PHOTO ALBUM
Len Augsburger attended the recent Great American Coin and Collectibles (GACC) show in Rosemont, IL, and passed along these photos and comments for readers. Thanks! -Editor
"This was a commercial show with not a lot of exhibits, club meetings, presentations, etc. I'm sure those will come over time if the show becomes a fixture."
1659 SWEDISH 8 DALER PLATE MONEY
Stack's Bowers Galleries published this article on a large, rare example of Swedish copper plate money. -Editor
Not all change can be carried in one's wallet or even in a pocket; some money can't even be carried in a regular backpack. One such item is lot 12197 in our sale of the L. E. Bruun Collection Part III, coming up at the end of this month.
Sweden had been geologically blessed with great copper fields, the largest being in the Great Copper Mountain of Falun, where a mining operation had been ongoing since the 10th century. But a large-scale production of copper coins from its mines didn't happen before the warmongering Gustaf II Adolph needed more money for his wars and large building projects of the early-17th century. As silver and gold were considered real money, the copper coins had to weigh the equivalent to the silver weight of the denomination (known as full-bodied coins).
COMPANY ADOPTS NEW ‘CASH ROUNDING' POLICY
As cent supplies dwindle, a Wisconsin company is implementing a new policy to round cash purchases down to the nearest five cents. -Editor
Kwik Trip announced it will no longer accept pennies months after the U.S. Department of Treasury announced it would end penny production.
The department said in May it would stop minting pennies in order to phase out the copper coin.
In response, Kwik Trip will use a new "cash transaction policy." The retail chain said the decision comes as store locations run out of pennies.
The company is adopting a new "cash rounding" policy. Registers at all Kwik Trip and Kwik Star locations will start rounding all cash purchases down to the nearest 5 cents.
CHARLIE KIRK COMMEMORATIVE COIN PROPOSED
Aaron Oppenheim passed along an article about a proposed commemorative coin honoring Charlie Kirk. Thanks. I added an image from another article which pictures a mock-up. -Editor
A pair of House Republicans are pushing to have Charlie Kirk memorialized on U.S. currency in the wake of his assassination earlier this month.
Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger, R-Texas, and Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Ariz., plan to introduce a bill later this week directing the U.S. Treasury to mint 400,000 silver dollar coins with Kirk's likeness, the pair first told Fox News Digital.
It's the latest proposal in a litany of bills and resolutions introduced by Republican lawmakers to honor the conservative activist after he was shot and killed during a college campus speaking event in Utah earlier this month.
TRUMP COMMEMORATIVE COIN PROPOSED
But wait - there's more! Howard Berlin, Aaron Oppenheim, Alan Luedeking, Len Augsburger, Paul Horner, Kavan Ratnatunga and others sent in articles about a proposed coin picturing President Trump. -Editor
The U.S. may mint a $1 coin bearing President Trump's image for the 250th anniversary of America's independence, a Treasury spokesperson told Axios Friday.
Why it matters: Federal law generally prohibits depictions of living presidents on U.S. currency, but it's unclear if the design evades or violates those rules.
- "No coin issued under this subsection may bear the image of a living former or current President," or any deceased former President within two years of their death, according to 31 U.S. Code § 5112, which governs coin designs.
- For anniversary-specific coins, including the $1 design proposed for the country's birthday, the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 says, "No head and shoulders portrait or bust of any person, living or dead, and no portrait of a living person may be included."
TAFT-PEDIGREED $7 COLONIAL NOTE
A $7 Continental Currency Note, with a pedigree to the extended family of President William H. Taft reaching back to 1776, is for sale by dealer Mike Byers. -Garrett
This unique and historic $7 Continental Currency Note is accompanied by a handwritten envelope and letter documenting its pedigree back to 1776. It was just authenticated and certified by PCGS and is being offered for sale for the first time. The fascinating history surrounding this set follows the genealogy tree of the Taft Family dating back to 1640, which includes President William Taft. This $7 Continental Currency note was in the extended Taft Family since the American Revolution in 1776. This incredible discovery was unknown to the numismatic community until now.
HERITAGE: COVINA, CA UNCUT BROWNBACK SHEET
Heritage published an article by Marilyn Pace in their latest Currency News email entitled A Hometown Favorite: Charley Colver's Uncut Brown Back Sheet from Covina, CA. -Garrett
Among the most fascinating pieces in the upcoming 2025 October 7-10 GACC U.S. Currency Signature Auction is a Covina, CA Brown Back Uncut Sheet. Its rarity and visual appeal are only part of the story; what makes this sheet especially compelling are the personal connections and layers of history that invite collectors to see it not simply as currency, but as a story worth preserving.
LOOSE CHANGE: OCTOBER 5, 2025
Here are some additional items in the media this week that may be of interest. -Editor
A young numismatist in Bhopal, India set up a public coin display. -Editor
Eleven-year-old Sahir Saxena has a hobby unusual for his age. He is interested in coins - from the ancient to the modern and from Indian to foreign - and collects them.
Currently, his collection has over 600 rare coins. He displayed 60 rare ones of them at an exhibition in the city on Sunday. They include coins from ancient and medieval India, besides from countries like Germany, France and Sri Lanka.
Titled "Coin Expedition – A Journey Through Empires and Eras," the exhibition drew visitors of all ages. It showcased coins from ancient India, including those from Taxila, the Kushan Empire, and the Chola Dynasty, as well as coins issued by the East India Company, the British Government of India and several foreign countries.
To read the complete article, see:
Bhopal News: 11-Year-Old Numismatist Taking His Grandfather's Legacy Forward; Loves Stories Coins Tell
(https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bhopal-news-11-year-old-numismatist-taking-his-grandfathers-legacy-forward-loves-stories-coins-tell)
Other topics this week include Mahatma Gandhi coins, and chairs from the Philadelphia Mint. -Editor
ABOUT THIS ISSUE: OCTOBER 5, 2025
Thanks to everyone who wrote to congratulate me for my run in last week's "5K on the Runway" race at Dulles Airport. One reader hoped I'd publish a photo of my medal, so here goes:
I started the week with a day off; I often do that at the beginning of a new quarter so I can invoice our sponsors and advertisers; even with some recent automation it's still a time-consuming effort. It went smoothly except that I accidentally archived half of the invoice emails and couldn't find them for a few days. Naturally, I found them in the last place I looked. The day also helped me get a head start on this week's issue.
Wednesday morning I got a call from Ben Costello of the 1715 Fleet Society with news of a just-unveiled recovery. Elsewhere in this issue is an article excerpted from their website. A Society representative had been invited to the salvor's press conference announcing the new find.
I went into my office to get confirmation that I'd been furloughed due to the U.S. Government shutdown. I went out for a nice lunch and drove home. On Thursday I pulled some money from savings and paid off our October bills. I also stopped at the branch where I have my business banking account. They recently upgraded their online system and I discovered that now when a wire transfer comes in, I see the date and dollar amount, but not who sent it. Four overseas wires came in over a couple days and I was able to guess who two of them came from, but the others were a mystery. My banker could only help by calling a support specialist. Some "upgrade."
After dinner I took a walk. Finding no interest from my wife or sons I went myself to see a new movie - "One Battle After Another" with Leo DiCaprio and Sean Penn. It was well acted and captivating - it didn't feel long but clocks in at over two and a half hours.
Movies are made by people, and they have a point of view. Audiences are people too, and they will always view films through the lens of their own times and experience, whether that's weeks or decades after their initial release. "One Battle After Another" presents its liberal protagonists as heroes. "Eddington" made fun of liberal protesters and their opponents alike. Like "Sinners," I thought the films were well acted and enjoyable and needn't have devolved into a typical Hollywood climax of blood, murder, and evil villainy. Seems there always has to be an evil villain or conspiracy to rail against. Yes, conspiracies are possible, which makes them compelling and entertaining, but they're also highly unlikely for multiple reasons, including human nature. It's just us - all of us, each with their own unique situation and point of view, having to deal and struggle with everyone else's actions and views.
On Friday afternoon a coin in an upcoming Heritage sale caught my eye and I ended up placing a bid online.
A few months back my wife's mother fell and fractured her pelvis and broke a wrist. Since then she's been in the hospital and a rehab center. She comes home on Monday, and my wife set up a ramp she bought to be able to navigate her wheelchair to the bathroom. Saturday morning she asked me to sit in the wheelchair so she could test out the ramp. "So I'm your crash test dummy, now?," I asked. It was a successful test. We'll see what real life brings this week.
I've only been off work a few days, but already I've reverted to my pandemic self, which I described as a classic dating profile - I like sleeping in, long walks, sunsets, red wine and chocolate. Sorry, ladies - I'm taken.
Finally, here are some interesting non-numismatic articles I came across this week.
'Secret chamber' from 1847 has been discovered beneath the National Mall
(https://www.earth.com/news/secret-chamber-from-1847-has-been-discovered-beneath-smithsonian-castle/)
The Future Will Be Mundane
(https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/16/opinion/future-ai-adaptation.html)
Trick or Treat: Wild and Historic Halloween Pranks
(https://blog.newspapers.com/trick-or-treat-wild-and-historic-halloween-pranks/)
-Editor
Editor Wayne Homren, Assistant Editor Garrett Ziss
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