"I've been enjoying reading the latest edition of The E-Sylum and stopped at the further report on the 16th appearance of an 1804 dollar. John Dannreuther mentions our names in contribution to the nefarious actions of Archibald Snowden in that writing, and had forgotten the date of that column in The Numismatist. Without repeating that column here is the gist of it:

"The column, dated August 2013, and entitled "Milking the Mint Connection" does mention the production of an 1804 dollar, which apparently appeared at a major coin auction in New York City on November 17th, 1869. The gentleman who presented the coin (not for sale) was said by mint employees to be present in a press room at night with Snowden and may have been secretly using a coining press with restored old dies. An investigation later ensued, but nothing was proven.

"Anyway, there is more information in this column on Snowden's questionable activities, and we thank John for bringing our column to the fore."

Thank you. -Editor

"... who hath served in the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army,..." I cannot read those words without losing my composure.

This is in reference to an article mentioning a lot in the September 20, 2025 Early American History Auctions sale. -Editor

Another lot documents a Black soldier, Robert Freeman, who served in the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army, Revolutionary War, a pay order signed "X" with his mark, The "Valley Forge Muster Role Project" records Robert Freeman as a private, with the 8th Connecticut Regiment. serving at Valley Forge Camp

"I was delighted with the story of Bank of America's founding of the Visa credit card system and sent it to a friend who works for the bank in Manhattan.

"Great question for Trivia games: Who founded Visa, when and where?"

"I have been collecting Reeded Edge half dollars and I need the book "A Registry of Varieties of Reeded Edge Half Dollars, 1836-1839" authored by Dick Graham. I have been unable to locate one to buy for many months looking.

"If a reader has one and isn't using it or knows of someone selling one, please get in touch with me at 978-995-6586 or mdpsk@hotmail.com."

I thought I had one of these for a hot minute, but no - I have the book on Reeded Halves by Jim Koening. If anyone knows where to find a copy of the Dick Graham book, please let Philip know. -Editor

"In relation to the recent notations on the 1853 O half dollar (sans arrows and rays), it is a wonder if other tail dies were used to produce this rarity, because in the research of the history of the New Orleans mint we found that New Orleans cancelled 6 head and 24 tail (!) dies in May of 1853 - of the old standard. Makes us wonder about the high mintmark decision of the recent submission."

Thank you. Interesting possibility. -Editor

Highest compliments on the latest E-Sylum!

Perhaps one of the most informative of any past edition. Jam-packed with stimulating information, video and illustrations. Wow!

The excellent book review by Jeff Garrett of Mike Moran's "When Coins Were King" was top-notch.

Jeff truly prompts one to buy the book:

"rich in detail including the fact that senators were well into their cups, in fact, embarrassingly drunk, in the early morning voting that restored the silver dollar as legal tender currency in 1878."

"In the ensuing struggle, Mike presents the story in easily understood terms. He points out that Saint-Gaudens missed a golden opportunity in March 1907 to do an end run around engraver Charles Barber at the Philadelphia Mint. He also…"

Thank you - I enjoyed that issue as well. -Editor