"The August 18 edition of Coin World carries the 171st and final installment of "The Numismatic Bookie." If you are keeping score at home, that's approximately 102,600 words and 350 illustrations over the past 14 years and two months. It was my decision to call it a day--I've always tried to follow the comedians' adage to "leave while they are still laughing"--and Larry Jewett has kindly asked me to contribute as I am able to Coin World in the future.

"It has been fun sharing the Good, the Bad, and the downright Peculiar in numismatic literature with fellow--and prospective--bibliomaniacs, but now it is time to scribble on other topics. Spoiler alert: significant new findings on the Brasher Doubloon should be published before the end of the calendar year!"

We're sad to hear Joel's wonderful column is ending, but look forward to his upcoming numismatic scribblings - some of the best research work around. -Editor

"I live in Illinois. I have a business named R&J Rare Coin Gallery, Inc. that I have operated since 1978.

"Clark's envelope is one of mine! In looking at my sales records, I see that I bought the coin in 2004 here in Illinois. I sold it in 2010 at the Annapolis EAC convention. Unfortunately, my record does not show who I bought it from or who I sold it to. But I did notice that on the envelope it says that it has a 50 degree rotation. But my sales record says it has a 30 degree rotation? TYPO somewhere?

"I hope that Clark is enjoying the coin as much as I did when I owned it. By the way, I am old, but not quite old enough to have been a coin dealer in the 1950's. By the end of the 50's, I was only 11 years old."

Wow, thanks! I love it when we can solve a numismatic mystery. -Editor

"This is my first time commenting on an E-Sylum. I need to do this more often. I am pretty sure that the photo is from the Superior Sale in May 1990 with the King of Siam Set on the cover. The sale was called "The Father Flanagan's Boys Home Sale" but the big deal was the sale of the Siam set. Supposedly only realized $3,190,000. Or $2,900,000 plus 10% buyers fee. Only 10%, the good old days.

"My wife (Susie) and I are at the top right center of the photo. She was standing on a ledge by the window and appears taller than me. We all looked much younger then. LOL!

"I remember my hands sweating as I was holding the coins in my hand during lot viewing. It was a special coin moment for me."

I recognized the handsome devil front and center, looking to the sky, as Sheridan Downey, noted early half dollar specialist and dealer. I sent the photo to him and he comments as follows:

"I think the B&W photo is from Superior's May or June 1990 sale where Wayne Gretsky bought a fancy set of Trade Dollar patterns and the King of Siam proof set sold to Terry Brand and "Raj" Sayah."

(I told him it reminded me of the photo of Jack Nicholson at the end of the movie "The Shining")

"Ah ha !!!!! Mystery solved. I was the big fat guy with the bidder card."

Thanks! Indeed, another mystery solved. Joey added an image of the cover of his well-used catalog. -Editor

"In the delightful holiday town of Okoboji, Iowa, in the heart of the so-called "Iowa Great Lakes," is a fantastic first-class numismatic museum. The William Higgins Museum features Iowa national bank notes with fine collections from other midwestern states as well. In total there are more than 2600 national banknotes and obsoletes and ancillary exhibits as well.

"The curator of this museum is noted numismatic author George Cuhaj well-known for his extensive work on Krause numismatic catalogs, medals, other numismatic writings, and work on auctions. He knows the museum collection well and I recently spent a few days with George at Okoboji in and near the museum. It is, simply put, a treasure. Rare notes abound, numerous serial ones, great errors including a double denomination note, uncut and cut sheets, bank records, national bank charters, safes, signature machines, and a large postcard collection of thousands of cards with numerous images of national banks too.

"The museum is open during the period from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It is well worth the visit. The area too is a great vacation spot."

Above is Higgins Museum Curator George Cuhaj demonstrating a printing press. -Editor

Thanks! -Editor

It is with much debate with myself, that I have decided to sell my main Bust Quarter collection which contains my reference collection and many plate coins for my book "Early United States Quarters 1796-1838" published in 2008. Additionally, I have added a few Bust Quarter errors and counterstamps.

These are to be sold by Stacks-Bowers in the ANA auction held the week after the show. Here is a link to the auction lots:

https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/auctions/3-1KQ73S/summer-2025-global-showcase-auction-session-8-us-coins-part-1-half-cents-through-half-dollars-lots-4001-4586?sort=lot_number&limit=36&search=Steve+Tompkins

Stacks-Bowers will have lot viewing throughout the show as well. I encourage anyone who might be interested to view the coins in person, as the photos really do not do the coins justice.

I will also have a table at the show, table 1714, so feel free to come by with any questions you might have about Bust Quarters. Hope to see many of you at the show and at the Bust Quarter Collectors Society meeting on Wed. August 20th from 02:00 PM-03:00 PM, Room 204.