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 October 29, 2025 Lang Kolbe-Fanning October 22, 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 12, 2025

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, the NBS Symposium, six new books, a periodical, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, and more.

Other topics this week include Indian Peace medals, Lincoln Cents, Adolph Weinman, error coins, rotated dies, 1804 dollar stories, fakes and replicas, paper money sale selections, the first living person on a Roman coin, the 2025 gold rush, and Paul Kruger's numismatic legacy.

To learn more about the origin of Whitman Publishing, the Massachusetts Copper Mint, history's unorthodox money, American Token manufacturers, symbology of the U.S. dollar bill, uncut sheet pranksters, the Arts of Money lecture series, the 1804 dollar in gold, the Dean Oakes Collection of U.S. Type Notes, Fred Holabird's Grand Finale auction, living Americans on U.S. coinage, and Philippine abaca fiber, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

 

KOLBE & FANNING WEB SALE NUMBER 5

We will be holding Web Sale #5 of Numismatic Books on Wednesday, October 22, starting at 12:00 PM Eastern. This sale focuses on inexpensive but useful books, catalogues and other publications on coins from all times and places. It will take place live online, in much the same format as our Premier Auctions, and all lots in the Web Sale will begin at a very low $10 opening bid.

Bidders may register for the sale, browse lots, and place absentee bids beginning immediately at bid.numislit.com.

Read more here

THE 2025 NBS SYMPOSIUM

The corporate origins of Whitman Publishing, the current owner of the Guide Book, begin in 1907, as West Side Printing in Racine, WI. The company's name was changed to Western Printing & Lithography in 1910, and the firm found a foothold in the children's book business. The more familiar Whitman Publishing brand, technically a subsidiary of Western Printing, was launched in 1916.

In addition to books, the company developed die cutting capability and produced board games, playing cards, and eventually coin boards. Sometime in the mid-1930s Whitman acquired the rights to the coin board as invented by Joseph Kent Post, and the rest, as they say, is history. Garrett noted that the soon-to-be ubiquitous coin board democratized coin collecting and opened the "hobby of kings" to the general public. Jeff himself was introduced to coin collecting via the Whitman folder, in 1969.

Richard Yeo, aka R. S. Yeoman, joined Whitman in 1932 and took charge of the coin board business. Soon the audience consisted of millions of coin collectors, but with little published information to guide them. J. W. Scott, B. Max Mehl, and others, took furtive steps towards creating catalogs and price guides, but none of these gained a mass following. While Mehl's Star Rare Coin Encyclopedia sold well, it remained a "prices paid for" list rather than an authoritative and concise reference.

Read more here

NEW BOOK: CENTS AND HALF CENTS OF MASSACHUSETTS

THE CENTS AND HALF CENTS OF MASSACHUSETTS
Packard, Michael

2025. 310 pages, illustrated.

The long-awaited standard reference to the Massachusetts copper coinage of 1787–1788, providing detailed historical background as well as a carefully written and well-illustrated attribution guide to the die varieties of the series. The first major study of these coins since Hillyer Ryder's "The Copper Coins of Massachusetts" was published in 1920.

 

Read more here

NEW BOOK: INDIAN PEACE MEDALS AT ANS

The American Numismatic Society is pleased to announce the release of an exciting new book in our Studies in Medallic Art series: "Let Us Have Peace" A Catalogue of Indian Peace Medals at the American Numismatic Society.

With 535 pages, including more than 600 images printed in full color, Let Us Have Peace offers a detailed numismatic, art- and socio-historical discussion of 302 Indian peace medals and related objects that entered the cabinet of the American Numismatic Society between 1883 and 2018. The medals represent an important and often under-utilized resource for the history of relationships between the Native peoples of North America and the colonial powers of France, Great Britain, and Spain, as well as their successors, Canada and the United States of America. Despite being inanimate objects of silver and copper, the Indian peace medals in the ANS collection are incomparable storytellers, each offering its own tale of the past that gives us insight into the remarkable lives of the medals' creators, distributors, and recipients.

Read more here

 

NEW BOOKS: U.S. LARGE CENTS, 2ND EDITION

This is the follow-up publication to the author's 2020 publication, U.S. Large Cents 1793-1814 Variety Identification Guide (the "blue book"). This is the first of three new volumes which are designed in the same familiar format, though with important updates, greatly improved photos, and much more.

This guide is entitled the Professional Edition as it is primarily targeted at users who already have (or aspire to have) an intermediate or advanced level of expertise in attributing Early Date Large Cents, or who have expertise in other series and want to take their underlying knowledge of attribution methods from elsewhere into this series.

Read more here

NEW BOOK: TREASURES OF THE OCCULT

Step into the realm of mysterious money in Dominic Chorney's latest publication: Treasures of the Occult. When you're done with this book, you might never look at the coins in your pocket the same way again.

Just in time for Halloween, Treasures of the Occult will be released in October 2025. Only 800 first edition copies will be printed.

The mysteries of the world aren't confined to haunted houses, spooky woods, and dark tunnels. They're everywhere. They even haunt the money we spend. For over 2,000 years, since the beginnings of currency in the ancient world, coins and treasure have been associated with unusual events, frightening creatures and occult magic. For the first time, Treasures of the Occult will take the reader on a journey through the world of unusual coins: treasure magic, secret societies, monsters, UFOs and occult imagery. These are just a few of the many topics explored in the publication, which will be of interest to coin collectors, historians, and ghost hunters alike. Featuring a foreword by Dr. Ciaran O'Keeffe.

Read more here

 

PERIODICAL: TAMS JOURNAL SEP-OCT 2025

Table of Contents

Articles

The Calvin Coolidge Inaugural Medal
Harry Waterson

Philip Whitlock and His Old Virginia Cheroots
David E. Schenkman

The Home Insurance Company, New York; Counting the Years
Harry Waterson

 

Read more here

NEWMAN PORTAL SCANS LINCOLN SENSE

Newman Portal Scans Lincoln Sense

With assistance from Gary Rosner and Chuck Daughtrey, Newman Portal has digitized a run of Lincoln Sense, the newsletter of the Society of Lincoln Cent Collectors (SLCC), covering the years from 1996 to 2007. The SLCC was formed in 1982 by Dr. Sol Taylor, who for many years acted as president and editor. In later years, Chuck Daughtrey served the organization.

While Lincoln Sense provided liberal coverage of commercial matters such as pricing and grading, the newsletter also included articles on new discoveries and research. Occasional tidbits such as a 1981 handwritten letter from Stewart Blay (April 2005 issue), who formed the ne plus ultra Lincoln cent collection, are present. The September 1998 issue reprinted U.S. Mint correspondence related to Victor D. Brenner, the Lincoln cent designer, this material contributed by Carl Waltz.

Read more here

VIDEO: LOOKING AT A DOLLAR BILL

Read more here

NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: OCTOBER 12, 2025

Stolen Fugio

Read more here

THE ARTS OF MONEY: ADOLPH WEINMAN

The Pennsylvania Association Of Numismatists (PAN), The American Numismatic Society (ANS) and the National Arts Club (NAC) bring together this important program to showcase the interaction between Numismatics and the Arts. Former President of the American Numismatic Association, Tom Uram and PAN Vice President Carlos Kearns (also member of the NAC) are curating the series. The goal is to bridge the arts and numismatic communities through common understanding of the richness of US coin design.

Featured this year will be the coins and artistic works of renowned designer and medalist Adolph Weinman, who created the Walking Liberty Half Dollar and Mercury Dime, two of the most beautiful US coins of the 20th century. Weinman was honored for his work by the National Arts Club in 1936. The series will include a presentation by nationally acclaimed numismatist, Dr. Jesse Kraft. An exhibit of his coins and artistic work will accompany the presentation, courtesy of The American Numismatic Society, Constantin and Jocelyn Marinescu, Gary Adkins and Carlos Kearns.

Read more here

CONECA TO OFFER ERROR & VARIETY EXAMINATION

CONECA, the international error coin and variety club, will be offering free examination of error and variety coins to collectors at educational tables at coin shows across the United States throughout this year and into 2026.

The club, whose name stands for "Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America," is the largest coin specialty club in the United States and has actively been educating collectors about mint error and variety coins for the last five decades. They would love to help you with your error coins!

At their coin show tables, different members of the CONECA Board of Directors and other error / variety enthusiasts (each with different areas of specialty as available) will offer free examination to collectors who bring coins from their collection to the show with questions. This is offered as a free service to help the hobby grow.

Read more here

ERROR COIN PUBLICATION GALLERY

Read more here

 

VOCABULARY TERM: ROTATED DIE

Rotated Die. A striking error in which the axis of the reverse does not agree with that of the obverse. A rotated die is due to one of two causes: 1) misalignment during setup (see DIE ALIGNMENT), or 2) CHATTERING in which the dies are not secure in their chucks and turn, or rotate, during constant striking. The amount of rotation is expressed in degrees of a circle: coins (with the top of obverse to the bottom of the reverse) is 0° normal. Rotation is also expressed in clock face positions from 1 to 12, each number being 30°, as 3 o'clock is 90° off center.

Read more here

MORE 1804 DOLLAR STORIES

Mike Costanzo writes:

Read more here

1804 DOLLAR FAKES AND REPLICAS

After my article last week, Wayne asked if anyone had a fake 1804 dollar. I found five examples in my collection. None are deceptive to an experienced numismatist.

Let's begin the discussion by establishing some terms.

No 1804 Dollar was struck at the Mint in 1804. There is no "Real" 1804 Dollar.

Dollars dated 1804 and struck in 1834-35 are generally known as "Originals." Those struck around 1858 are generally known as "Restrikes." Both terms are not appropriate but have come to be understood. They may also be called "Authentic." If it isn't authentic, it is a fake.

Read more here

1804 DOLLAR OFFERED ON EBAY

A new listing appeared on eBay on September 28, 2025, for a "USA Draped Bust Dollar - Heraldic Eagle – 1804." Closing date was Sunday, October 12, 2025, so you just missed it.

Read more here

U.S. MINT 1804 DOLLAR IN GOLD

The United States Mint has proudly announced the fourth release in its exclusive "Best of the Mint Series," featuring a modern tribute to one of American numismatics' most coveted treasures: the storied 1804 Draped Bust Dollar.

Often called the "King of American Coins" for its extraordinary rarity and mystique, the 1804 Dollar is being reissued as a remarkable one-ounce, 99.99% fine gold coin, offering collectors a chance to own a piece of this legend as the nation approaches its Semiquincentennial in 2026.

Read more here

SBG RICHARD AUGUST COLONIAL CURRENCY SELECTIONS

CT-196. Connecticut. June 7, 1776. 2 Shillings. PMG Choice Uncirculated 64 EPQ. No. 3115. Exceedingly original and laden with premium qualities. The embossing and contrast noticed on this Colonial-era note from Connecticut are just but one of the many attractive traits to be noticed. PMG comments "Cancelled."

Read more here

THE DEAN OAKES COLLECTION, PART ONE

We're excited to announce that the Dean Oakes Collection of U.S. Type Notes is now live! This impressive offering includes his exceptional collection of Large Size Type Star Notes as well as a few noteworthy Large Size Errors. These items are ready for viewing and bidding, so please double-check your credit limits in advance and contact our office for any necessary increases — we don't want you to miss out!

The notes in this collection are available in various forms — some certified by third-party grading services, and others raw, graded by Dean or myself. As someone with "older" eyes, and with years of experience seeing how one's grading ability can change over time, I understand the importance of clarity: Returns on raw notes will only be accepted for authenticity issues. If you can't attend lot viewing in person, we encourage you to send someone you trust to act as your eyes on-site.

Read more here

Read more here

HERITAGE: OCTOBER 2025 WORLD PAPER MONEY

Belgian Congo Banque du Congo Belge, Kinshasa 1000 Francs 3.11.1920 Pick 12b PMG Extremely Fine 40. Belgian Congo banknotes have always appealed to collectors worldwide, due to their incredible designs, tropical locale, and rarity in the best of collector grades. This 1000 Francs was the highest denomination of the first full series of banknotes printed for and issued in the Belgian Congo, which includes notes from 5 Francs to 1000 Francs. At the time of cataloging, this is one of only two Kinshasa-issue 1000 Francs of this type graded in the PMG Population Report. Additionally, PMG has not graded any 1000 Francs of this design from any other city of issue. Extremely rare, as print totals were small and only a few exist to be collected today. Brief circulation, a minor corner stain, small tears, and pinholes are mentioned for accuracy. A design virtually unseen and type note definitely missing from nearly all collections.

Read more here

 

FRED HOLABIRD'S GRAND FINALE AUCTION

October-November 2025 Brings the Last of an Era

Here we are in the fall, and the mountain air here in Reno-Tahoe is spectacular at this time of year. The sunsets are frequently so colorful and majestic that we call them "Bierstadt sunsets," after the famous western landscape artist Albert Bierstadt. His western paintings can be found in many of the great American art museums from New York to Colorado to California.

We've got our own form of special western paintings coming in this upcoming sale, six world-class western paintings by Dan Cody Muller, Buffalo Bill Cody's adopted son, including a painting that may have been part of the inspiration for Stan Jones song "Ghost Riders in the Sky". Don't miss my stories on these fantastic paintings when Grant and Barb send them out!

While we do have two sales left in the bucket before I formally retire from the auction business and close the company, this upcoming auction is special, and is our last live sale. I'm hoping I can convince each of our team to spend at least a few lots on the auction podium, so that you can all see, thus informally meet, the wonderful folks that work so hard together at our business. The very last sale in late November will be automated, with timed lots as we have been doing for several years.

Read more here

LIVING AMERICANS ON US COINS

Read more here

 

THE FIRST LIVING PERSON ON A ROMAN COIN

A proposed one dollar coin featuring US President Donald Trump is causing ructions across the political divide. It's also provoking discussion in the world of ancient Roman numismatics (coin studies).

While only a draft proposal, the coin could be minted in 2026 to mark 250 years since the US declaration of independence. But an old law prohibits the "likeness of any living person" from being "placed upon any of the bonds, securities, notes, fractional or postal currency of the United States."

More than 2,000 years ago, the depiction of living figures on Roman coins caused similar ructions.

Read more here

 

WOULD THE 2026 TRUMP COIN BE LEGAL?

The Trump administration on Monday defended its plan to mint a $1 coin bearing the image of President Trump despite the fact that an 1866 law dictates that only the deceased can appear on U.S. currency.

Initial designs for the coins released by the U.S. treasurer last week stirred controversy and accusations that the Trump administration was violating the law so that Mr. Trump could honor himself by putting his face on a coin. The 1866 law enshrined a tradition that individuals could appear on U.S. currency only posthumously to avoid the appearance that America was a monarchy.

Read more here

PHILIPPINE ABACA FIBER FOR CURRENCY?

The Department of Agriculture (DA)'s fiber industry development arm is exploring the use of local abaca in banknote production with French authorities, promoting its use as part of a broader effort to strengthen the country's fiber industry and expand international market opportunities.

The Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA) yesterday said they held a meeting with Banque de France, the national bank of France, and officials from the French embassy to discuss the potential application of abaca in currency manufacturing.

Read more here

THE 2025 GOLD RUSH

So many customers flocked to a New York City gold dealer this past week that staff had to ask people to wait outside.

"I'll go through this all day long," said Chief Executive Ben Tseytlin, about the people piling into his shop, Bullion Exchanges. Some were there to sell gold, but increasingly people are coming to buy, he said.

It is one of several jewelry dealers along a stretch of Manhattan known as the Diamond District, where business has been thriving as gold and silver values rise. That has brought a flood of new faces to the crowded Midtown block that holds roughly 2,600 businesses, many owned by members of New York's Orthodox Jewish community. Vendors hang out on the sidewalks to try to grab customers.

"Selling gold?" is the common cry of the street.

"Over here, buddy," said a vendor as he flashed a business card.

Read more here

PAUL KRUGER'S NUMISMATIC LEGACY

The year 2025 marks the bicentenary of the birth of Paul Kruger, a seminal figure in South African history whose legacy continues to resonate across political, cultural, and numismatic spheres.

Kruger's enduring presence in coinage has elevated him to global prominence within the field of numismatics.

According to Landon Coleske, numismatic expert and historian at Bassani's Auction House, "Paul Kruger would rank in the top 20 of people who have appeared on the most coins in history. Also, if you exclude monarchs, he'd be in the Top 5." This distinction underscores the remarkable extent to which Kruger's image has been embedded in South Africa's monetary heritage.

Read more here

LOOSE CHANGE: OCTOBER 12, 2025

Draped Bust Half Cents

After the American Revolutionary War had ended, the new fledgling government didn't have an army, a navy, or even its own money to spend. The Coinage Act of 1792 established that the United States should create its own minting facility and to create America's own coinage.

When the Philadelphia Mint opened for business in 1793, it first struck copper coins—Half Cents and Large Cents. Coinage in America at that time was a hodgepodge of foreign coins, each with its own unique value, so buying food priced in British Pounds with Dutch Guilders became a complicated transaction. Standardized American coins would make commerce much easier to conduct.

In 1793, the Mint struck only 35,534 Half Cents, all of which bore the Liberty Cap and Pole obverse with a Wreath reverse. All of these coins were designed by the first Chief Engraver of the United States Mint, Robert Scot. He was a Scottish-American engraver who was born in 1745 in Cannongate, Scotland. He moved to Fredericksburg, Virgina in 1775 and he changed the spelling of his last name from 'Scott' to 'Scot,' to make himself seem more American. One of his earliest jobs in America was engraving plates for Virginia's colonial banknotes. Ironically, the banknotes he engraved were adorned with the Coat of Arms of Great Britain. But a year later, as the Colonies declared their independence, the British Coat of Arms was replaced with a new design representing the Commonwealth of Virginia.

To read the complete article, see:
Engraving a Nation: How Robert Scot's Draped Bust Design Defined America's Coinage (https://www.greysheet.com/news/story/engraving-a-nation-how-robert-scots-draped-bust-design-defined-americas-coinage)

Read more here

ABOUT THIS ISSUE: OCTOBER 12, 2025

Read more here