"Plausible theory but you could also wager that it is the birth years of children."

Another good possibility! I hadn't considered that option.

I doubt we'll ever know why this was done, but these are interesting theories. -Editor

"Regarding the minting of the last US one-cent coin: one sourced article mentions that this is the first discontinuation of a circulating denomination since the half-cent in 1857. Oh? What about all the gold denominations? What about the silver 20-cent piece? What about the 3-cent pieces in various alloys? What about the 2-cent piece in some copper-based alloy? All after 1857."

Well, if they meant the last time the SMALLEST denomination was discontinued, they're right. But it wasn't stated that way in the article you saw. Yes, there have been several discontinued denominations since 1857. The article you saw may have had that point rephrased by the reporter. The Wall Street Journal article we quoted said only that U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach stated "The last equivalent event... was the end of the half-cent in 1857." That doesn't mention denominations and COULD have been about discontinuing the smallest denomination. -Editor

"A shock to see Tom Klunzinger's name in your latest "Who's Dead" report. We were both on the 1972 Assay Commission — the only two youngsters there (he was 27, I was 24), and we stayed in touch since. Over the years he bought coins from me and sold me batches. I knew he was a playwright, but didn't realize what a colorful life he'd had. Though I did know he was a fizzy character. I called him "Zinger."

Not many former Assay Commissioners left now. David Ganz was actually younger than me, but he passed away this year. I believe Paul Whitnah is about a year older. Arthur Fitts rather more. Will I wind up the last survivor?!"

A shrinking club, for sure. Such a shame that the Assay Commission was shut down. Three cheers for the UK's Trial of the Pyx. -Editor

"Here's a group lot of 3 that brought $80 on eBay in 2024 (though Worthpoint often lists things as "sold" that were merely buy it now listings that never sold)."

Thanks. So there's one pricepoint - three for $80. And rather than checks, these are more properly termed "receipts." Still an interesting item, if not rare. -Editor

Bob Leonard submitted these comments about a passage in last week's article about the new "History of Money" book. -Editor

That trust is essential to the system is a key point for McWilliams. Today, if you hand me $10, I'm trusting many things at once: first, that this piece of printed paper has a meaning, a meaning that will be understood by a shopkeeper when I try to exchange it later that day for a coffee; second, that the government which issued this bill will back it; third, that you are not a forger, and the bill you give me is genuine. Our entire relationship with money is based on trust.

In simplest terms, then, money is"anything used to make a payment that the recipient trusts can be reused to make another payment."

I agree! Thanks, Bob - that is even more concise. -Editor

"With the last cent now having been struck, it is safe to say Whitman will soon be issuing its final edition Lincoln Cent folder as well. It recently took four folders to complete the Lincoln series, with the last stopping at 2022. With the cent now history, its safe to say there should be enough blank spaces to complete the series within the last volume. I've always considered Whitman Lincoln Cent folders the gateway to numismatics, especially for younger collectors.

"I can remember several variations and editions from my collecting past. Aside from the recent four volume set, there were separate volumes for the Memorial series. Earlier folders were simply titled "Lincoln Head Cents" and divided into multiple folders as well. I remember one year just before Christmas when I purchased a since long out of print "one-a-year" folder. I was about nine years old, and knew enough about the series that I could never fill the 1909-S VDB slot with my current allowance, so why torture myself. Well, mom caught me with it and made me return it, saying I'd probably get one for Christmas. I did, only to discover she had bought me the harder to fill P-D-S folder. Needless to say I was peeved. I didn't want anyone to tell me what to collect and how to collect it! The best thing about Whitman was they always gave you choices. (You can find all of these, and much more, by looking through David Lange's landmark Coin Collecting Albums Volume Three: Whitman Publishing Company.)"

I reached out to the company for comment. -Editor

"With the final strike of the circulating penny, we'll be closing out any remaining open volumes with 2025 issues across all Lincoln Cent album and folder collections—from the nostalgic Whitman folders to our new, elevated Prestige albums—as inventory is naturally replenished."

"Regarding Saul Teichman's question, I am not able to state this with certainty, but my suspicion is that Andrew Zabriskie is "Highland" in the 1894 Wood catalog by the Chapmans. I compared other rare pieces from the Wood collection catalog indicated to have been won by "Highland" and I found several of the same (along with a Chowder Club medal at Zabriskie lot 117) that appear in the 1909 Zabriskie sale."

"It is certainly possible.

"If that is the case, then the 1884 Wood coin is apparently the Boyd-Ford coin."

Thanks! Julia compiled this comparison using the Newman Numismatic Portal. -Editor

"I get emails from various addresses, wanting me to make reservations for coin shows through them, being the worst. Their opt out button just returns to my address. Does anyone have a way to stop this spam, or should I just hit reply a hundred times and give them a taste of their own medicine?"

Good question. Anyone? -Editor