American Numismatic Biographies author Pete Smith asked for assistance in determining the birth date of American numismatic giant J. N. T. Levick. Readers came through again with some great information, although we're still in some doubt. -Editor

"I've been trying to tackle biographical data on J.N.T. Levick and now am beginning to suspect he did not want the details of his early life known! I think he may have intentionally given different birth locations and years to government authorities.

"I also came across this fun little passage from when he was summoned for jury duty in the trial of Mary Alice Fleming Livingston (see: "The sensational clam chowder murder of 1895"
https://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/tag/mary-alice-fleming-livingston/ )

"I did find this: It gives an exact date of birth (Aug 15 1834) - that seems to be the one although 1828 is used most in numismatic records. I am still somewhat suspicious of the accuracy but it may be the best we have."

"Before the 2010 EAC convention in Annapolis some of the Boyz of '94 visited the Civil War battlefield at Manassas Va. (aka Bull Run). The best part of the visit for me was the gift shop. There was a sign over the counter that said for a price you could research your relatives who fought in the war. I had no relatives who had done that, but I knew that JNT Levick was a Civil War vet. So I paid $40 to the Broadfoot Civil War Record Search Service for info on Levick's war record. I got a lot of stuff."

"I also located Levick's NY Times obit. It says Levick was in his 81st year, which matches the earlier birthdate."

I forwarded Jim's document images to Pete and Julia for their records. Thanks, everyone! But we don't have a consensus birthdate yet. -Editor

"Wow! Jim Neiswinter's documentation is terrific! I have to lean more toward the Aug. 15 1834 date. My reasoning is that the information must have come directly from Levick, while a death certificate is reported by someone else (probably his wife?). I could go either way though (and I think Levick may have wanted it this way."