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LOOSE CHANGE: JUNE 21, 2026Here are some additional items in the media this week that may be of interest. -Editor HistoryFacts notes the creation date of the U.S. Secret Service, known to the world for protecting the President and other senior government leaders. Collectors know it also protects U.S. currency against counterfeiters. -Editor
The agency's original purpose was slightly less dramatic: fighting counterfeiters. In the mid-1800s, the American money system was chaotic; individual banks issued their own bills, and fake currency flooded the economy. By some estimates, as much as one-third of the nation's money in circulation was counterfeit. The Civil War only made the problem worse, and U.S. Treasury officials pushed for a dedicated force to investigate financial fraud. That force was the Secret Service.
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The U.S. Civil War was a collecting specialty of mine for years, and I've never lost interest. It was an explosion of emergency issues and clever improvisation that changed pocket change forever. Rick Lank's February 27, 2026 Savannah, GA, ANA "MONEY TALKS" presentation titled "MONEY, MAYHEM & MIGHT"™ was filmed and posted on YouTube. Check it out. -Editor No period of U.S. history ushered in as many changes to our money and banking system as the Civil War era. The Coin Act of 1857 outlawed foreign coins. Large and half cents ceased. When the Southern states seceded, they took three of the five U.S. mints with them, and then-President Abraham Lincoln authorized three new mints. This presentation surveys the changes in U.S. currency and banking in the Civil War era, from silver coins at the New Orleans Mint to the National Bank Act and Hugh McCulloch.
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Larry Jewett published a Greysheet article looking at the 2027 American Innovation Dollar Designs. -Editor 
In April, the Commission of Fine Arts and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee considered design proposals for the 2027 American Innovation dollars. Four coins, representing the states of Oregon, Kansas, West Virginia and Nevada, will be issued as part of the continuing multi-year program. The committees were also shown the common obverse that would be used. Each year, the American Innovation dollar features the Statue of Liberty designed by Justin Kunz and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. A stylized gear privy mark, which changes every year, appears below the motto. The American Innovation dollars are intended to offer a reverse design that "symbolizes quintessential American traits—the willingness to explore, to discover, and to create one's destiny." Each panel was invited to make its recommendation on designs with feedback offered from government officials and historic panels as well as descendants of featured individuals.
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Wayne Homren, Editor The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com To subscribe go to: Subscribe All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
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