A reader asked what "spindle cancelled" means. The term was used in this Great Collections lot description. -Editor

Can anyone help? There is a hole though the "Dec" in "December" that could have been caused by impalement in a spindle. Is that all this is referring to? -Editor

"I have been meaning to ask if you have any knowledge of "coin usage heuristics" - I've done some internet skulking, but have not found what I'm looking for, e.g. what is the minimal difference in diameter that humans can usefully distinguish between coins in regular usage? Someone MUST have done studies at some point, but I'm not even sure where it would fall among the sciences. I've done a lot of thinking about this, particularly as it affects the introduction of new denominations, or the replacement of existing coins (like when the British went decimal). Any ideas?"

Wow, not a clue, but great question! Perhaps studies of coins for the blind may have some data. It could make for a fun experiment at a coin show. Thoughts, readers? -Editor

I particularly enjoyed the quote: "Portugal is smaller than the US, Russia and China combined."

It reminded me of something that dates from the 1960s (I think): "Although the Moon is only 2% of the mass of the Earth, it's much, much further away."

"Funny that you had an article in the E-Sylum regarding banks and the closing of the safety deposit boxes. As someone who lives in NYC, I had my coins in my local Chase bank which was close enough to my apartment that I could walk to. They posted that they were going to eliminate them although they have not set an actual date.

"Citibank is also apparently in the process of doing the same thing. I tried the local TD Bank and Dime Savings Bank and they did not have any boxes that were large enough to store slabbed coins (they are called 5x10 boxes). I finally found two at a Ridgewood Savings Bank but now I have to drive there. In any event, if your bank is getting rid of these in your area, you may find it difficult to get these boxes."

Thank you for citing the Canadian collector who lost part of his collection at a closed Bank of America branch in Detroit. My library was able to print out the article in the Detroit Free Press. Frightening.

Most of the collectors here in MA at my former clubs seem to have their own safe at home. Since I'm alone and female, I wouldn't do that.

I had a box at a Chase in NYS and the branch which was to be closed sent me two certified mail letters about the box up here in MA. That's responsible of them but I had to scramble in NY looking for other available safe deposit boxes. It is true Chase wants to get out of that service. .

I kind of don't have the value of coins the unfortunate Canadian collector has but still no one likes to lose what they have.

I allege there's something fishy about what he went thru. You can see Chase was very responsible.

Further here in MA if a safe deposit box becomes "abandoned" for non-payment for example, the contents escheat to the state treasury which in turn holds an auction at some time interval. I haven't heard of any shenanigans or loss of box contents here in MA. God forbid. The state used to have an in person auction and with guards and allowed the public to view contents in various cities. Alas, the whole thing is online now and I really don't have the computer skills to buy online! Maybe just as well. Certainly a national audience affords a higher selling price should the box holder reappear.

Having read the Detroit Free Press article, I understand why I read a box may not have more than so many dollars in them. They you know what!! They probably wouldn't even pay a dime!

Whole thing is discomforting.

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