I have to take exception to the statement in the Vocabulary Term: Bimetallic article in the sub-heading Bimetallic Tokens. The usual scenario is an aluminum center with a brass outer ring, not the other way around. The arrangement as stated is true for encased cents, etc. but not for tokens. And, the Schenkman book is a true book, not a list. Dave states that there are "numerous exceptions" to the convention of having a harder metal for the outer ring (to reduce wear), but posits that they were made in an effort to circumvent the George G. Greenburg patent of 1899.

The 1882 Valentine Varnishes token pictured in The E-Sylum is very common. Far rarer are the numerous other tokens issued by the company, some of which use the intermingled letters in the name. In Merchant Tokens of Hard Rubber and Similar Compositions I list thirteen different types, some of which exist in more than one color of rubber. In fact, they issued a token identical to the one you pictured in five different colors of rubber.

Here are pictures of a 1987-D dime that appears to be struck on an 'un-clad' planchet, lacking the top and bottom of the usual sandwich. The piece is very rough and porous and much lighter than usual. Puzzling are a number of horizontal 'ridge' raised lines that may have been caused by scratches into the obverse striking die.

Bruce Tyo of Rochester, NY found it and offers it for your readers' pleasure. Frank Calandra of Webster, NY deserves photo credit for the images.

What is misleading is the pictures show the coin as a silvery color, but it is actually a coppery warm tone.

In researching the Columbia & Washington medal, I find there are conflicting statements as to the place and time of the Columbia's construction. Various sources, including the Ford V catalog, give the location and date as 1773 in Marshfield, Massachusetts. Frederic Howay cites two registers of the Columbia found in the National Archives that indicate the ship was constructed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1787. Can anyone shed any light on these conflicting sources? Could these be different ships with the same name?