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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 Workman's Books November 1, 2026 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 30, 2026

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 report from the NBS General Meeting, three new books, an ANA video from the Newman Numismatic Portal, a note from a reader, and more.

Other topics this week include so-called dollars, banknote security features, the Museum of American Finance, Charles Enders, Jr., Cheech Litman, auction previews, the coins of Medusa and the Sutton Hoo, coin devaluations, and rec.collecting.coins.

To learn more about Connecticut copper coinage, Indian Government Mint souvenir tokens, a Society of the Cincinnati badge, electrotypes, the Bar Copper, the Haseltine Restrike Confederate Cent, the Loring-Levin Collection, SS Central America paper money, Potosí, and the 1690s diving bell boom, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

 

2026 NBS GENERAL MEETING REPORT

Charity Auction Raises Funds for NBS

The annual NBS book sale, held Friday, August 28, at the ANA convention in Pittsburgh, once again delivered healthy support to the NBS treasury. Top honors went to a beautifully bound copy of the 1900 DeKnight work on U.S. paper money, lot 16, which sold for $450. Other notable volumes included the Stack's limited edition of The Connecticut Copper Coinage, 1785-1788, lot 36, which drew a high bid of $425 on a $200 estimate. A plated Woodward sale, lot 44, the 1886 Twining catalog, attracted a bid of $425. The Philadelphia Numismatic Society c. 1860 volume on American store cards, lot 13, an exceptionally rare publication, sold for $375.

The unaudited final total for the sale, which was called by David Fanning, was $5,030. David further prepared the sale catalog. Messrs. Tom Harrison and Jeff Dickerson provided yeoman support in transporting lots from the bourse to the meeting room, setting up the sale and delivering lots to winning bidders. Dan Hamelberg's traditional role as "Vanna" was filled in his absence by Mr. Harrison. Many thanks to those who donated literature and equal thanks to those participated in the sale. As usual, the bid book will preserved in the NBS archives, which are maintained by Joel Orosz.

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NEW BOOK: INSPIRATIONS: SO-CALLED DOLLARS

Just Released in 2026! The latest publication on So-Called Dollars by Jeff Shevlin and Bill Hyder, Inspirations: So-Called Dollars and the Stories They Tell – A Coffee Table Art Book, is now available.

This spectacular, oversized 11" × 11" coffee table art book showcases 63 extraordinary So-Called Dollars, each presented with a full-page image of the medal's obverse along with the fascinating story it has to tell. The book reveals detailed information and insights never before published, bringing these remarkable pieces of history to life in a way that is both visually stunning and informative.

A true celebration of So-Called Dollars, Inspirations is designed to be enjoyed not only by collectors and numismatists, but by anyone who appreciates history, art, and the stories captured in these remarkable medals.

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NEW BOOK: INDIAN GOVERNMENT MINT SOUVENIR TOKENS

The Standard Catalogue of Indian Government Mint Souvenir Tokens (2010–2026) by Shri Ravi Shankar Sharma marks a major addition to Indian numismatics. Presented as the first-ever dedicated catalogue on Indian Government Mint souvenir tokens, the 168-page volume documents a fascinating and relatively less-explored segment of modern Indian numismatics.

Covering souvenir token issues from 2010 to 2026, the book provides comprehensive documentation supported by high-quality photographs and detailed information on the various issues produced by the Indian Government Mint. It includes tokens representing diverse themes, including Dhanteras, State-specific issues and other commemorative subjects, making the publication a useful reference for collectors seeking to identify and study these pieces systematically.

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NEW BOOK: SECURITY FEATURES ON WORLD BANKNOTES 2026

During an International Bank Note Society dinner held in Oklahoma City in 2025, I had several members ask if my Security Features of Bank Notes book of 2021 was still available. It was out of stock. I thought there were enough new trademarked and patented security devices to attempt an updated book. I was right! With five years of real science put to work, I found over 1/3rd new features. And this was with 1/4th more security device firms.

The oldest security feature is probably the watermark invented in 1282 by Fabriano, the same paper firm Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo used. Fabriano is still in existence producing new security features. The newest patented device is the TwinColors patch of 2025 by Giesecke & Devrient. All the known features for the last 743 years are included in the new Security Features on World Banknotes, 2026.

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VIDEO: ANA CELEBRATES 125TH ANNIVERSARY

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NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: AUGUST 30, 2026

The 1798/7 7x6 Stars Gold Eagle
Saul Teichman writes:

To read the George Earle catalog entry, see:
https://archive.org/details/georgeearle1912chap/page/n169/mode/2up

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
HERITAGE: 2026 ANA SIGNATURE SALE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n34a14.html)

MUSEUM OF AMERICAN FINANCE EXHIBITS

"America in Circulation" features hundreds of examples of American paper money, most of which are on loan from the collection of Mark R. Shenkman. Highlights include currency bearing the signatures of signers of the US Constitution and Declaration of Independence; a complete set of notes from the Educational Series of 1896, renowned for being the most beautiful paper money in American

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VOCABULARY TERM: STRIKING

Striking. Forming relief objects by an impression with a pair of dies and the force of a press. Presses utilize two dies, one obverse, one reverse, to impart the design on both sides at once. The first press, used at the beginning of the 16th century, were screw presses. They were able to strike small thin coins and were powered by man, or more likely two men. Each pressed against a long bar that transferred the motion – by a transversal screw – a downward thrust of a housing containing one of the dies (usually the reverse, where the obverse die is fixed in the pile position below). Pressing creates the raised relief on both sides of the struck piece at one time.

The screw press was used for nearly 400 years. Its improvement came slowly at first, but as the presses were built stronger and with attachments to feed blanks and eject struck pieces, the striking improved. As power changed from man to horse to steam power, larger diameter pieces could be struck with greater depth of impression.

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CHARLES ENDERS, JR.

Charles Enders, Jr. was a young coin dealer for a brief period of time in the 1880's. His legacy in numismatics extends to the present day.

He was born in New York City, the son of Charles Enders and Katherine Schulz. At the time of the 1870 Census, he is listed as six years old. The 1900 Census showed his birth in June, 1864, the closest thing found to his date of birth.

Enders worked at a department store, A.T. Stewart's dry Goods Emporium in New York City. He read extensively about numismatics and set up business at home as a coin dealer.

John Lupia had correspondence between Enders and the Chapman brothers in 1882 when Enders was about eighteen. Enders also acquired coins from Charles Steigerwalt.

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STACK'S BOWERS: CHARLES "CHEECH" LITMAN COLLECTION

Undated (ca. 1785) Bar Copper. W-8520. Rarity-4. MS-63 BN (PCGS). OGH. Choice autumn-brown with frosty luster and exceptional eye appeal for the assigned grade. Both sides glow with original mint bloom, direct lighting calling forth soft pinkish-lilac undertones and faint traces of semi-reflectivity. Centering is typically off for the issue, both sides devoid of denticulation along the right borders, but the bars on the reverse are complete and crisp, the USA monogram on the obverse likewise razor sharp. Broad denticulation frames the left borders. The texture is glossy and temptingly close to Choice Mint State quality. In sum, this is a stellar specimen of this iconic and popular issue.

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ARCHIVES INTERNATIONAL SALE 116 SELECTIONS

Ranspach, Germany, ND (ca.1918-20). Lot of 5 Issued German Notgeld from Ranspach, Includes: 50 Pfennig on gray paper; 1 mark on white paper; 2 Mark on yellow paper; 3 Mark on mint green paper; and 5 Mark on beige paper. All notes are uniface and range from Good to Un circulated condition. (5). Sold "AS IS" no returns accepted.

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HERITAGE: LORING-LEVIN COLLECTIONS AT FUN

Early American Coppers (EAC) Charter Member Denis W. Loring and his wife, Donna Levin, have consigned their collection to Heritage's Jan. 12–16 FUN U.S. Coins Signature® Auction. Additional selections from the collection will be offered in Heritage Showcase Auctions early next year. The collection will be presented without reserve.

"We are delighted that Denis and Donna chose Heritage to present their collection," says Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auctions. "Many of us at Heritage have considered them friends for decades. Their consignment features exceptional large cents, Donna's specialized collection of Buffalo nickel errors and outstanding numismatic treasures ranging from Colonial issues to Territorial gold."

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KUENKER AUCTION SALE 445-446

Once again, collectors can look forward to an interesting and diverse auction week. From 22 to 25 September 2026, Künker will auction a colorful selection of coins and medals from medieval to modern times in auctions 445 to 446, featuring many special collections. Catalogs 445 and 446 comprise a total of nearly 2,600 lots with a total estimate of around 5 million euros.

Of particular note are:

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GADOURY NOIR OCTOBER 2026

Gadoury will hold its annual live auctions on October 16 and 17, 2026. The company will begin with the Gadoury bleu auction, featuring nine collections, which will be auctioned on October 16. Please have a look at the separate auction preview for details. Gadoury noir takes place on October 17, 2026, and offers nearly 1,000 lots spanning from antiquity to the modern era, including many rarities. We present some of these here. You will also find many interesting coins and medals for an average budget in the auction. So whatever you are collecting, make sure to take a look at the auction catalog.

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WAYNE'S NUMISMATIC DIARY: 2026 ANA, PART 1

One the morning of Tuesday, August 25 I set out for Pittsburgh and the 2026 American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money. I always look forward to the first old friend I encounter. Usually that happens before I even enter the bourse. This time it wasn't a person. Outside my hotel I couldn't help but notice...

... the Wienermobile! Last time I saw this classic American kitsch-kar, it was parked in front of a Baltimore hotel at another ANA decades ago, perhaps 1993.

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COINS OF MEDUSA: THE MALIGNED MAIDEN

Medusa is one of the most recognizable figures in Greek mythology. Even people with little interest in classical history know her name.

That familiarity comes primarily from popular culture. Films like Clash of the Titans (1981 and 2010), The Gorgon (1964), and Medusa: Beauty Is the Beast (2020) kept her story alive for modern audiences.

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THE SUTTON HOO ANGLO-SAXON COIN PURSE

The interment of a ship at Sutton Hoo represents the most impressive medieval grave to be discovered in Europe.

Inside the burial mound was the imprint of a decayed ship and a central chamber filled with treasures. But who was buried there and what did it reveal about this period in history?

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POTOSI, THE ANDEAN MOUNTAIN OF SILVER

As early as the 1530s, Mexico exported silver too, and considerable amounts of it. Yet Mexico's many mining camps – Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Taxco, Pachuca, Real del Monte and the namesake San Luis Potosí – peaked only after 1690. In the 18th century, the Mexican peso or ‘pillar dollar' took the world by storm. Even in the Andes of South America there were other silver cities (or towns) besides Potosí, including Oruro and Castrovirreyna in Peru. But no silver deposit in the world matched the Cerro Rico, and no other mining-refining conglomeration grew so large. Potosí was unique: a mining metropolis.

Thus Don Elias, like others, made the pilgrimage to the silver mountain. It was a divine prodigy, a hierophany. In 1580, Ottoman artists depicted Potosí as a slice of earthly paradise, the Cerro Rico lush and green, the city surrounded by crenellated walls. Potosí, as Don Quixote proclaimed, was the stuff of dreams. Another alms seeker, in 1600, declared the Cerro Rico the Eighth Wonder of the World. An indigenous visitor in 1615 gushed: ‘Thanks to its mines, Castile is Castile, Rome is Rome, the pope is the pope, and the king is monarch of the world.' A 1602 Chinese world map identified the Cerro Rico as Bei Du Xi Shan, or ‘Pei-tu-hsi mountain'.

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DEVALUATIONS AND THE FRENCH ‘MINT BILLS'

France was the setting of one of the largest early experiments with paper money in Europe. This experiment usually refers to the paper money introduced in France by the Scottish economist and banker John Law in the mid-to-late 1710s. This was not the true introduction of paper money in France though. The country used paper money just before John Law, when France was engaged in the War of the Spanish Succession from 1701-1714. These were the billets de monnaie, or ‘mint bills'.

Michel Chamillart

French public finances resorted to greater improvisation under the management of Michel Chamillart, who was finance minister starting from 1699. His tenure overlapped substantially with the War of the Spanish Succession, which started in 1701 by which point Chamillart had already also been made minister for war. Wars always tested the limits of governments and this one cost the French state about 100 million livres annually. A fiscal deficit of up to 80 million livres appeared, and this before considering debt service costs that were mounting as well.

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THE 1690S DIVING ENGINE BOOM

In June 1687 a ship called the James and Mary came up the Thames carrying roughly 32 tons of silver and jewels. Her captain was William Phips, a New England shipwright turned treasure hunter, and the cargo had spent forty-six years on a reef north of Hispaniola inside the wreck of the Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, the almiranta of the Spanish plate fleet of 1641.

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BEHIND-THE-SCENES NYC LIBRARY OPERATIONS

At a warehouse tucked away in an industrial corner of Queens, books of all shapes, sizes and colors fly across a series of conveyor belts, tumbling into shipping containers destined for 150 library branches across New York City.

It's a symphony of bar codes and Dewey decimals, taking place under the watchful eye of an unlikely conductor: Salvatore Magaddino, 65, a onetime Police Department captain and now the maestro of the logistics department of this unique production, known as BookOps.

BookOps is a collaboration between the New York Public Library and the Brooklyn Public Library systems, an operation that sorts and sends books from branch to branch. The process includes organizing and cataloging the systems' books so that when a customer requests a book that isn't on the shelves at their location, Mr. Magaddino's team can have it there, usually by the next day.

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LOOSE CHANGE: AUGUST 30, 2026

Georgia Man Finds $30 at Walmart

According to police, another shopper dropped $30 on the ground while inside the store. The person pictured then allegedly picked up the money but did not hand it over to Walmart employees.

The department has now appealed to anyone who recognizes the person or has information that could help identify them.

Comments on the police department's post were largely unhelpful, with the most liked simply reading "Finders keepers."

To read the complete article, see:
Police searching for man who found $30 on the ground and didn't hand it in (https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/police-searching-for-man-who-found-30-on-the-ground-and-didnt-hand-it-in-3400820/)

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FEATURED WEBSITE: REC.COLLECTING.COINS

This week's Featured Website is the archived Usenet group rec.collecting.coins, a classic newsgroup dedicated to the hobby of numismatics, including discussing, buying, selling, and sharing knowledge about coins, tokens, and medals. Active since the early days of the internet, it serves as a text-based discussion forum within the recreational (rec) hierarchy.

https://usenetarchives.com/threads.php?id=rec.collecting.coins

ABOUT THIS ISSUE: AUGUST 30, 2026

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