WAYNE'S NUMISMATIC DIARY: FEBRUARY 22, 2026

On Tuesday, February 17 I headed out from home for the monthly dinner meeting of my Northern Virginia numismatic social group Nummis Nova. Our host was Steve Bishop, who'd chosen the Southeast Impression restaurant in Fairfax. It was the first day of the 2026 Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year). The place was packed and we were the only non-Asians in the building. They put us in a room at the back. The food was marvelous - good pick, Steve!

I was the first to arrive and was quickly joined by Robert Hoppensteadt. The table filled quickly and we had to squeeze in another chair. Julian Leidman arrived and sat between us at the head of the table. Other attendees were Steve, Mike Packard, Erik Douglas, Jon Radel, and my guests Kellen Hoard and Fox Besch. Fox is a fellow student with Kellen at George Washington University who studies archeology and has an interest in British coinage.

I took a couple exterior shots at the end of the evening. That's Julian inside the door waiting for Erik to bring their car around.

 

 

 

Why use silverware when you can use goldenware?

 
Clockwise from left: Steve Bishop, Mike Packard, Kellen Hoard, Jon Radel, and Fox Besch

 
Kellen Hoard, Erik Douglas, Jon Radel, Fox Besch

 
Jon Radel, Fox Besch, Julian Leidman, Steve Bishop

See the article by Julia Casey elsewhere in this issue about a group of numismatists gathering in New York City. She used ChatGPT to reimagine our February 2026 dinner as if it had taken place in 1888.

 
Numismatists Dining, as if in 1888

Wayne's Books
I usually bring along some numismatic literature and just had two items this time - a copy of the new Robert Powers book on 1794 cents and the latest Kolbe & Fanning sale catalog.

 

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
NEW BOOK: A YEAR IN COPPER: THE 1794 LARGE CENT (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n03a02.html)
KOLBE & FANNING SALE 176 ANNOUNCED (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n06a02.html)
KOLBE & FANNING SALE 176 HIGHLIGHTS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n07a02.html)

Caracalla Medallion
Robert Hoppensteadt passed around this rare and seldom-seen Roman Medallion of Caracalla. He kindly provided the images and a description based on a 2009 CNG catalogue (auction 81 lot 792 - not this specific coin) with "a few minor changes to include the Berk and Harmer Rooke provenance, RPC info and details specific to the coin". Thanks.

 

PHRYGIA, Laodicea ad Lycum. Caracalla. AD 198-217. Æ Medallion - 43mm 49 g. L. Aelius Pigres, Asiarch. Struck AD 214-217. Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / ? AI? ?IGPHC ACIAPX G ANETHKEN, • ?AO?IK?ON/N?OKOPON in exergue, emperor standing right on steps of distyle temple, holding wreath in right hand; on either side, pair of togate figures raising hand in acclamation; behind, troops standing, holding shields and spears; all within precinct enclosure, seen from aerial perspective; enclosure entrance composed of six columns; figure of Hygieia, holding serpent, standing in outer intercolumnations; uncertain figures (Pigres and spouse?) standing facing in central intercolumnation. Von Aulock, Phrygiens -; SNG München -; SNG Leypold -; SNG von Aulock -; BMC 227 (same rev. die); Friedlaender and von Sallet 876; SGI 2592 (same dies) RPC V.2 unnasigned right now one of 12 most in museums. VF, brown surfaces. An attractive architectural type and extremely rare. ex Berk and Harmer Rooke auction 25 1986.

This medallion commemorates an otherwise unknown address of the emperor Caracalla to the leading citizens of Laodicea during that emperor's advance across Asia Minor to meet the Persians. This issue appears to have been struck as a personal dedication of the Asiarch, as evidenced by the reverse legend.

Steve's Type Coins
Here are a couple of the nice U.S. type coins Steve Bishop brought to show.

 
1795 Plain Edge Large Cent

 
1917 Type 1 Standing Liberty Quarter Toned

Julian and Erik gave Kellen and Fox a ride back to campus afterwards. Another great evening of numismatic fellowship.

Key West Side Trip
The next morning my wife dropped me off at Dulles Airport and I hopped on a flight to Key West where I met up with NBS President Len Augsburger and his wife Debra. On Friday we were joined by numismatic literature dealers (and Asylum Editor) David and Maria Fanning. We had a great time catching up, socializing, dining and doing some touristy things. Here are some photos including the closest things to numismatics I came across.

 

 

 

Cash is still king at Harpoon Harry's Diner and more than one dollar-decorated bar.

 

Pennies were no good at this bakery, but the Turtle Museum was still pressing them. Coin jewelry was also on offer.

 

 

Bibliophiles would appreciate the prints on display at the Audubon House museum.

 

 

Adjacent to the house museum is a shop selling Audubon bird prints. I asked the proprietor if she was aware of the long-lost Audubon Grouse print from his early days as a banknote engraver. She wasn't - I gave her some keywords and she looked up the article about Eric Newman's discovery.

To read the complete article, see:
Discovered! The First Engraving of an Audubon Bird (https://dvoc.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Cassinia_74-75_Discovered-The-First-Engraving-of-an-Audubon-Bird.pdf)

   

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