I was delighted and intrigued to see the Emancipation tag contributed by John Kraljevich in the February 3rd issue. As John eloquently put it, in addition to their usual celebration of both famous and infamous, coins (and coin-like objects) can sometimes identify "triumphs amid struggle," and touch upon the stories of those whose stories often go untold.

I've owned this piece (see attached photo) for about twenty years. I've held onto it as something that was obviously truly special, and which spoke to a profound struggle. It's always struck me as a very powerful object. Needless to say, I was pretty stunned to see the piece that John contributed, named to Dennis Addison. It's almost certainly made by the same hand that made this tag for Mr. Edward Wood, bearing the same date, that of the Emancipation Proclamation, January 1st, 1863.

I've tried in vain to research Edward Wood several times over the years, without finding anything. This tag is extremely worn, but the lettering is virtually identical to the Dennis Addison tag. Who made these? I had always assumed that the one I have was a one-off, but clearly it's not. The mystery of these pieces deepens! It's amazing how much there's still to learn.