NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: APRIL 19, 2026

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V29 2026 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 29, Number 16, 2026, Article 13

"Fred Schwan's Operation Epic Fury Ship Scrip discovery covered in the April 1 issue of the MPC Gram sure sounded convincing.

"It had me fooled until he mentioned two sets of serial numbers that are collected by two dedicated MPC Festers who always attend the MPCFest looking for serial numbers ending in 08 and 39.

"I am waiting for Fred to announce the discovery of a new batch of Ship Scrip notes ending in my favourite number: 666!"

I was unaware of the significance of the serial numbers, but did ask Fred if this was an April Fool's item. I didn't hear back until after we published, but he confirmed - yep, it was a joke. Well done, Fred! -Editor

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
OPERATION EPIC FURY SHIP SCRIP (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n15a25.html)

"I am just now catching up to the April 5 edition which has a story about the Wyoming Gold stash.

"You show a "recently stamped [gold] coin" and asked for more details about it. It happens to be a Scottsdale Stacker® 1 oz Gold Round, which is not surprising since Josh Phair (who is quoted in the original story about the gold reserve) is the founder and CEO of the Scottsdale Mint, which has contracts to produce private bullion coins for issuers around the globe, in addition to its own series of Scottsdale-branded products.

"Despite the name, now Scottsdale products are mostly if not all made in Casper.
Scottsdale Mint plans to convert former Star-Tribune building into 'major site' for manufacturing, crypto - Casper, WY Oil City News ."

Thanks! Here's a related article I came across this week about how some states are stockpiling gold and encouraging consuners to save and spend gold. -Editor

More states are piling up gold bars, or encouraging residents to use gold-backed debit cards, to hedge against inflation.

Several states, including Western ones with rich mining histories, have been stockpiling gold as part of their broader state savings. And more states are looking to follow the lead of Texas and Florida by passing so-called transactional gold laws that would invite consumers to save and spend gold through their own accounts.

Critics question the need for these bills and some have panned them as potentially market-disrupting measures that could ultimately provide tax havens for the wealthy. But proponents say they can help bring gold to the masses and provide ordinary consumers an important protection against the creep of inflation, since gold has generally increased in value over time.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
WYOMING'S GOLD STASH (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n14a30.html)

"I will be teaching a class at the ANA Summer Seminar during week two, with co-instructor David Menchell. The class will cover medals from expositions and is titled "Take Me to the Fair." Four people have signed up to take the class. If you are interested, you need to sign up before the end of the month, before April 30th. Go to the ANA website Money.org to sign up."

The ANA Summer Seminar is a marvelous opportunity to learn new topics and meet and mingle with students and instructors from all over. Check out the syllabus and sign up! -Editor

For more information, see:
2026 Summer Seminar (https://www.money.org/summer-seminar/)

THE BOOK BAZARRE

RENAISSANCE OF AMERICAN COINAGE: Wizard Coin Supply is the official distributor for Roger Burdette's three volume series that won NLG Book of the Year awards for 2006, 2007 and 2008. Contact us for dealer or distributor pricing at www.WizardCoinSupply.com.