I wrote out 100 times "Empress Marie-Louise!"

Those punched up coins were a gimmick that I recall as a college kid working in a San Diego coin shop in the mid-1960s. They were something manufactured about that time with about the same level of numismatic sophistication as colorized coins from tiny Pacific Ocean countries today. I am pretty sure they do not date back to any classic age of coinage.

I only saw the liberty face and I think perhaps a Kennedy face popping out of silver coins. I never saw any any copper items. These pieces were looked upon with disdain by true collectors and the practice did not seem to grow or capture interest -- so I would question the need for a book on the subject.

I respect your wide-open approach. I was not referring to Victorian enameled pieces but the silly NCLT of today. And I love Hobo nickels!

Informative and thought-stimulating, as always, a great treat to read The E-Sylum. Always well-composed and full of insightful information. Warm thanks to you for answering the bell every week.

Really good to read Dick Johnson's background on the Medallic Art Company 50th anniversary medal and about his employment there. He writes doggone well.

This week I acquired an advertising mirror from the Eagle Coin Co. of Fort Dodge, Iowa. It is quite similar to one I have owned from the Eagle Coin Co. of Owatonna, Minnesota.

I am not aware of any connection between the two. Can any E-Sylum reader provide the missing link?