About Us The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit association devoted to the study and enjoyment of numismatic literature. For more information please see our web site at coinbooks.org Subscriptions Those wishing to become new E-Sylum subscribers can go to the following web page Subscribe You may Unsubscribe Here Membership There is a membership application available on the web site Membership Application To join, print the application and return it with your check to the address printed on the application. Print/Digital membership is $40 to addresses in the U.S., and $60 elsewhere. A digital-only membership is available for $25. For those without web access, write to: Jeff Dickerson, Treasurer Numismatic Bibliomania Society P. O. Box 578, Weatherford, TX 76086 Asylum For Asylum mailing address changes and other membership questions, contact Jeff at this email address: treasurer@coinbooks.org Submissions To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com BUY THE BOOK BEFORE THE COIN Sale Calendar Kolbe & Fanning - Web Sale #6 Live Thurs., July 16

 

Content presented in The E-Sylum is not necessarily researched or independently fact-checked, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.

WAYNE'S WORDS: THE E-SYLUM JULY 12, 2026

New subscribers this week include: Adrian Perez, courtesy Greg Bennick; and Kimberly Singer. Welcome aboard! We now have 6,428 subscribers.

Thank you for reading The E-Sylum. If you enjoy it, please send me the email addresses of friends you think may enjoy it as well and I'll send them a subscription. Contact me at whomren@gmail.com anytime regarding your subscription, or questions, comments or suggestions about our content.

This week we open with NBS plans for the ANA convention, four new books, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, and more.

Other topics this week include the new Red Book, medieval pennies, Confederate notes, the Museum of American Finance, Byzantine coinage, stencil medals, world encased postage stamps, and Japanese coin-shaped sand art.

To learn more about the 2026 Semiquincentennial coin program, coinage struck by the city of Gaza under Roman rule, banknotes of New Griqualand, YMCA Canteen Chits, the Heeren Brothers, mysteriously moving mintmarks, sculptures en miniature, the Tyrant Collection, the Midwest Coin Collectors Trading Post, the Vermont Copper, medallic artist Eugene Daub, and an amphitheater of gold bars, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

 

NBS ACTIVITIES AT THE ANA CONVENTION

The annual ANA convention beckons, with this year's installment taking place in Pittsburgh, August 25-29. As usual, the NBS will host a club table on the bourse floor, in addition to our symposium and general meetings.

The NBS Symposium will be held Thursday, August 27, at 1pm in room 324. Cassie Brand, Rare Books Curator at Washington University in St. Louis, will be our featured speaker, on the topic Book Matters: A Brief History of the Object. Cassie shares an overview:

Friday, August 28, the NBS general meeting will take place at 11:30am in room 325. In addition to the presentation of literary awards, we will conduct our annual Charity Auction. We can use a few more items for this book sale, especially material valued at $100 at up. Contact myself ( leonard.augsburger@wustl.edu) or David Fanning ( df@numislist.com) for further information.

Link to previous NBS Charity Auction catalogs:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/auctioncompanydetail/512295

Link to video of previous NBS meetings:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/multimediadetail/515004

WHITMAN: 2027 RED BOOK RELEASED

Whitman Brands™ announced today that the 80th edition of The Official Red Book®: A Guide Book of United States Coins is now shipping to distributors, bookstores, hobby retailers, and wholesalers throughout North America. More than a book release, the 2027 edition marks the beginning of a broader Red Book collector experience spanning premium print editions, secure eBooks, certified collectibles, exclusive bundles, and new merchandise.

Celebrating 80 years in publication and more than 26 million copies sold, the Red Book continues to be the world's most trusted and best-selling guide to United States coins while evolving to serve today's collector in more ways than ever before.

"The 2027 Red Book represents more than an anniversary edition," said John Feigenbaum, CEO of Whitman Brands. "It's the next chapter for one of the hobby's most iconic brands. We're expanding beyond the printed page to create a connected ecosystem of books, digital content, certified collectibles, educational media, and exclusive products that help collectors learn, collect, and enjoy the hobby every day."

Eight Ways to Experience the Red Book

For the first time in its history, the 2027 Red Book is available in eight distinct editions and formats, giving collectors more choice than ever before.

The collection includes:

• Classic Softcover Edition
• Hardcover Edition
• Spiral-bound Edition
• Large Print Spiral-bound Edition
• Limited Numbered Signature Edition in classic red leathertte
• USA 250 Special Collector's Edition featuring an exclusive 16-page section devoted to the 2026 Semiquincentennial coinage
• Retail-exclusive Collector's Edition celebrating the launch with special cover art depicting CAC-certified 2026 circulating coins featuring the Official Red Book® label
• Digital eBook Editions, now available through Whitman.com and powered by Glassboxx®, providing secure, cloud-based reading across iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and web browsers.

The new ebook platform gives collectors instant access to their library from virtually anywhere while preserving the premium reading experience expected from Whitman publications.

Built From Collector Feedback

"For eighty years, the Red Book has been the starting point for millions of collectors," said Mike Pfeiffer, COO of Whitman Brands. "Today, it's becoming so much more. Whether you prefer a classic hardcover, a limited collector's edition, a secure digital library, or exclusive certified collectibles, we're meeting collectors where they are and giving them new ways to enjoy the hobby."

The 2027 edition represents the next step following last year's award-winning redesign, incorporating hundreds of suggestions from collectors, dealers, authors, and researchers.

Highlights include:

• More than 13,000 listings
• Over 1,000 new additions
• Pricing in up to nine grades
• Complete Greysheet CPG® retail values
• GSID™ catalog numbers
• DMPL Morgan Dollar pricing
• Coin roll values
• Restored in-series grading guides
• Proof and circulation values reunited into unified pricing charts
• Expanded error and variety coverage
• More than 2,000 full-color images
• Updated Mint research and market information

The later summer publication schedule also allows Whitman to incorporate newer U.S. Mint releases, more current pricing, and launch alongside one of the hobby's largest annual gathering—the ANA World's Fair of Money®.

Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary

Coinciding with the United States Semiquincentennial, Whitman is introducing a special USA 250 Collector's Edition featuring expanded historical content and a 16-page commemorative section dedicated to the 2026 Semiquincentennial coin program.

The edition serves as both a collector reference and historical keepsake documenting one of the most significant United States Mint programs in generations — a one-year only program featuring unique designs on the circulating dime, quarter, and half dollar, in recognition of the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Beyond the Book

The Red Book has grown well beyond its pages.

Whitman has expanded the brand into an integrated collector platform that now includes:

• Red Book Quarterly®
• The Red Book Podcast with hosts John Feigenbaum and Jeff Garrett
• Official Red Book® graded coin labels
• Exclusive certified coin programs
• Collector supplies and storage
• Educational content
• Digital editions
• Specialty books including Mega Red and Red Book Series™ guides
• Online-exclusive bundles

Among the newest offerings is the Whitman Exclusive U.S. 250th Anniversary Red Book Label Coin Collecting Starter Bundle, pairing the 2027 Red Book with CAC-certified and graded United States Semiquincentennial coins, collector supplies, and exclusive Whitman packaging. The bundle reflects Whitman's ongoing effort to create a complete collecting experience for hobbyists entering the market while offering longtime collectors exclusive products unavailable elsewhere.

Additional Official Red Book merchandise and collectible accessories are expected later this year.

"The Red Book has always been more than a price guide," Feigenbaum added. "Today it's becoming the center of an entire collector ecosystem. Whether someone buys their first Lincoln cent from a coin shop, builds a certified set with our exclusive CAC-labeled coins, or attends one of our Whitman Expos, we want the Red Book to be there every step of the journey."

Available Now

The 2027 Official Red Book is now shipping to bookstores, hobby retailers, distributors, libraries, museum stores, and online retailers nationwide.

Collectors can also purchase directly from Whitman.com, where they can choose among multiple editions, secure ebook delivery through Glassboxx, exclusive bundles, and online-only releases.

For more information, visit www.whitman.com.

 

NEW BOOK: CITY OF GAZA IN THE ROMAN PERIOD

City of Gaza in the Roman Period
The Numismatic Evidence (First Century BCE–Third Century CE)

by Yoav Farhi

This book is a comprehensive discussion examining the production and significance of the coinage struck by the city of Gaza under Roman rule from the conquest of this region by Pompey (64/3 BCE) to the end of the municipal minting in the second quarter of the third century (241/2 CE).

The data presented are based on the study of some 4,494 bronze and silver coins minted in Gaza during the Roman period. As many specimens as possible were located during some 20 years of a through and wide search, at various publications and in public and private collections especially in the Middle East, Europe and the USA. The catalogue presents 318 types with hundreds of variants and the photographs of 833 coins.

This is the first time that such comprehensive research has been conducted regarding a polis in Roman Palestine with a vast volume of minting as in the case of Gaza. This research, which examines the coinage of the largest and most important city in southern Roman Palestine, contributes not only to a better understanding of the city itself, but also can offer new perspectives on the broad subject of city coins of the Roman period, and especially those of this region.

Format: Hardback
Extent: 500 pages
Publisher: The Israel Numismatic Society
Price: $175.00

For a Coins Weekly by Ursula Kampmann, see:
A must-have catalog for collectors and researchers of Roman Gaza: The Coins of Gaza in Roman Times (https://www.sixbid.com/en/blog/the-coins-of-gaza-in-roman-times/)

For more information, or to order, see:
City of Gaza in the Roman Period (https://isdistribution.com/work/city-of-gaza-in-the-roman-period/)

NEW BOOK: MEDIEVAL PENNIES PART III

The Galata Guide to MEDIEVAL PENNIES. Part III: Edward IV - Henry VII, 1461-1489
By: David I Greenhalgh

David I Greenhalgh. Published by Galata Print Ltd., Llanfyllin. 2025. PB (laminated card covers) A4 (210 x 297mm) 126 pages, illustrated throughout with enlarged photographs, in colour and b&w. ISBN 9781908715289.

Mints covered: London, Bristol, Canterbury, Durham and York. It includes a concordance with all major reference works relating to pennies.

Includes a handy 'roadmap' style introduction to the identification of types. Important identification points highlighted by photos of the actual coins.

This is the definitive guide to medieval pennies. Useful for all collectors from the absolute beginner to the most advanced researcher.

This is the final volume of the survey of over 5300 pennies in public and private collections and dealers' and auctioneers' stocks. A summary of the whole survey concludes this volume in a 6 page postscript.

Also available to purchasers of this, as a download or DVD, the digital Reference Collection, individual photographs of all the 1601 coins examined in the survey, from public and private collections, set out on 73 plates, viewable enlarged on screen.

For more information, or to order, see:
The Galata Guide to MEDIEVAL PENNIES. Part III: Edward IV - Henry VII, 1461-1489 (galata co uk/the-galata-guide-to-medieval-pennies-part-iii-edward-iv---henry-vii-1461-1489)

NEW BOOK: REGISTER OF CONFEDERATE TREASURY NOTES

The Digital Register of Confederate Treasury Notes:
Introduction, Overview, and Guide

by Mr. Mark A. Coughlan (Author)

The "Digital Register of Confederate Treasury Notes 1861 - 1865" is composed of four volumes, which collectively cover the seven Issues of Treasury notes authorised by the Confederate Congress during its existence. These four volumes contain significant amounts of detail and collectively amount to over two thousand pages of information. The core financial data from Thian's Register of the Confederate Debt has been incorporated but in a simplified and more powerful manner, which reflects modern classifications such as Criswell Type. Errors found in Thian's original work have been corrected, and more than 40% of the missing data, primarily related to the Seventh Issue, has so far been reconstructed through the Author's ongoing research. Hopefully Mr. Thian would appreciate this.

Although Volume I (1861) and Volume II (1862) are materially complete and stable, the latter two volumes are subject to change as the Author's efforts to reconstruct missing data continues. It is intended that an update to Volume III (1863) will be provided once per year to reflect the sporadic discovery of missing April and November 1863 notes. However, the rate of discovery for previously undocumented Seventh Issue notes continues at a rapid pace, and the Author plans to provide an update to Volume IV (1864) once per quarter.

For these reasons, the Author feels that it would be impractical, costly, and restrictive to publish the Digital Register in paper form, and thus it will be delivered in electronic format, one PDF file for each Volume. In order to help collectors better appreciate and leverage the wealth of information contained in these four volumes, a companion book has been developed by the Author, and this is available to purchase in paper form through Amazon's website. This book provides an overview of the database of Confederate Treasury notes and a history of the generations of numismatic research which have now been digitally encompassed within it. Navigational guides are provided for each Volume of the Digital Register, along with detailed financial, manufacturing, and other statistical information. For the larger and more complex Criswell Types, additional detailed insight is provided to assist collectors.

Despite the considerable effort in producing them, the Author has decided to provide the four volumes of the Digital Register (including any updates) free of charge to the Confederate numismatic community, and consequently these documents can be freely downloaded from this website. However, to gain maximum benefit and enjoyment from the Digital Register, the Author has written a 260-page companion book which can be purchased through Amazon's online bookstore (ISBN: 9798258466891).

Publisher ? : ? Independently published
Publication date ? : ? May 31, 2026
Language ? : ? English
Print length ? : ? 259 pages
ISBN-13 ? : ? 979-8258466891
Item Weight ? : ? 1.66 pounds
Dimensions ? : ? 8.5 x 0.59 x 11 inches

For more information, or to order, see:
The Digital Register of Confederate Treasury Notes: Introduction, Overview, and Guide (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H2V7GMGD)

To download the complete volumes, see:
Treasury Notes of the Confederate States of America 1861-1865 (https://www.treasurynotescsa.com/the-digital-register)

To read an earlier E-Sylum article, see:
BOOK REVIEW: CONFEDERATE ENGRAVERS AND PRINTERS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n27a06.html)

NEW BOOK: 1873

In the late 19th century, the world endured a phenomenon never seen before or since: a continuous fall in prices across the globe. The long slide lasted for a quarter-century and was kicked off in 1873 by an international financial crash.

In Ahamed's expert telling, the problems began with a series of seismic movements of money: the 1848 California gold rush, the construction of railroads in the '50s and '60s, the accumulated debts of the U.S. Civil War and the payment of French reparations to newly united Germany after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. Together these developments stimulated decades of growth.

Soon, more people had more cash to invest in more risky things like foreign stock markets. International loans ballooned and governments, especially in the Middle East, borrowed cheap money to fund ambitious projects of varying degrees of plausibility. Stock and banking bubbles inflated in Vienna, Berlin and New York, and they burst the way bubbles often do, when some big, corrupt firms went spectacularly bankrupt. At the same time, the custodians of the financial world made a tremendous mistake: They demonetized silver and moved to a pure gold standard.

As Ahamed writes, it was "a precipitous and totally unnecessary reordering of the global currency system." Without silver in the mix, there was less money in circulation overall, and prices fell. Falling prices meant "a giant redistribution of wealth from debtors to creditors" that darkened the fortunes of people across the world — from farmers around the Great Lakes who suffered when wheat prices dropped to Central European aristocrats who had sacrificed their inheritances to buy dubious stocks.

The late-Victorian economy was, Ahamed explains, "like a car being driven with one foot on the accelerator and the other on the brake." Political crises proliferated. The Ottoman Empire lost control of its financial system and, in 1876, its deposed leader, Sultan Abdülaziz, slit his wrists. Egypt, unable to repay loans to London bankers, was occupied by the British Empire, which forced it to sell its control of the Suez Canal.

In the United States, President Grant vetoed a monetary stimulus bill, which fractured the dominant Republican Party and, along with a series of scandals involving his cabinet and his family, left his administration wallowing in a "miasma of corruption." The 1876 election was a thicket of fraud and back-room dealing that ended with Rutherford B. Hayes in office. As part of a deal for Southern electoral votes, his administration ended the military occupation of the former Confederacy, paving the way for the rise of Jim Crow.

To read the complete article, see:
How the Gilded Age Economy Broke the World (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/books/review/1873-liaquat-ahamed.html)

NEW BANKNOTE BOOK CHAPTERS PUBLISHED

To read the complete articles, see:
Hesse-Homburg chapter now available (https://banknotenews.com/?p=49975)
Hesse-Kassel chapter now available (https://banknotenews.com/?p=49978)
Hesse-Darmstadt chapter now available (https://banknotenews.com/?p=49972)
Frankfurt chapter now available (https://banknotenews.com/?p=50151)
New Griqualand chapter now available (https://banknotenews.com/?p=50334)
British Kaffraria chapter now available (https://banknotenews.com/?p=50331)
Rhodesia chapter now complete (https://banknotenews.com/?p=50631)

PERIODICAL: TAMS JOURNAL JULY-AUGUST 2026

Table of Contents

Articles

1859-1861 Enduring Medallic Products of the Dickeson/Lovett Collaboration
William D. Hyder and Jeff Shevlin

The Commemorative Medals Program of the Sociedad Numismática de Puerto Rico
Jorge L. Crespo Armáiz

Three Men on a Horseless Carriage
Harry Waterson

YMCA Canteen Chits and Tokens of World War I
Gary G. Ascher

 

Columns

From the President
James Brokamp

Fingers on the Keyboard
Greg Burns

So-Called Dollar Stories
Jeff Shevlin

Token and Medal Trailblazers
Pete Smith

This & That
Harry Waterson

American Token Manufacturers & Their Agents
David E. Schenkman

Counterstamp Corner
Greg Bennick

Sixty Years Ago in TAMS
Greg Burns

Mavericks
Ryan Kordziel

Society News and Reports

Secretary's Report
Donna Moon

From the Bookshelf
Peter Irion

General News/Pleas

Letters

From the President

Greetings members! Just a quick recap of the past few months; we saw shows that traditionally include brisk activity amongst token and medal collectors. From the FUN show in Orlando ... to PAN in Pittsburgh ... to Salt Lake City ... Des Moines ... and over to Cincinnati, there continues to be strong crowds! And I can attest, in Cincy the demand for exonumia outstripped the supply!

And another recent observance in Cincy and elsewhere ... have you noticed the uptick in young collectors roaming the bourse floor? This is a great sign folks, that I hope we'll help foster. I encourage each of us to help our local clubs in getting kids to the shows. And perhaps donate a portion of those "extra" tokens that we all have, to help promote exonumia collecting amongst the youth, too!

Next up, we will all meet in Pittsburgh the week of August 25-29 for our board and regular membership meetings, and our annual TAMS banquet. Be sure to check the schedule of events that secretary Donna Moon has included in her notes in this issue.

Our regular membership meeting will be open to all interested persons, so bring a friend or two! We have an exceptional presentation planned. Mr. Wayne Homren (editor of the ESylum) will present "Forged in Pittsburgh: The Medallic Legacy of Heeren Brothers."

The talk opens with the company's origins in the late 19th century. From there, it traces how the firm evolved from a respected jeweler into a prolific producer of medals, badges, and award pieces ... objects that today serve as miniature historical documents. The presentation will highlight notable pieces and will examine how Heeren Brothers fit into the broader American medallic landscape. A regional manufacturer that left a national imprint through the artistry of metal.

Speaking of shows ... I'd like to personally invite all of you to the IKO-TAMS show, held in Englewood, Ohio, this coming October. Considered "the largest token and medal show in the Midwest", you'll find all of the pertinent details within the ad in this Journal. Mark your calendars, make your travel plans, and come join us for an enjoyable weekend of collecting bliss !!

And lastly, as I come to the end of my TAMS presidency, I'd like to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to each and every one of you! Whether I've asked for advice, solicited funds for a project, encouraged you to write an article, or approached you about buying ad space, you have all been supportive of TAMS and myself.

I appreciate you, and wish you ... "Good health and happy collecting!"

For more information of the Token and Medal Society (TAMS), see:
https://www.tokenandmedal.org/

1917 WALKING LIBERTY HALF MINTMARK LOCATIONS

Mintmark Location Change on 1917 Walking Liberty Half Dollar

Roger Burdette recently posted on an NGC message board "A frequently asked question by collectors is ‘Why was the mintmark moved on 1917 half dollars?' Common answers cover a wide range of speculation, invention, and bluster. The real reason is revealed by these two recently digitized letters." Referring to the letters, the Director of the Mint (Raymond Baker) wrote to the Superintendent of the Philadelphia Mint on April 11, 1917, asking why the mintmark position was changed. The Director answered his own question two days letter, noting that the former Director F. J. H. von Engelken ordered the obverse to reverse change because the obverse position was too prominent and appeared as a defect in the die.

Just for fun we checked ChatGPT to see if AI was responsible for some of the "speculation, invention, and bluster" to which Roger referred. Remarkably, it provided a very detailed, accurate answer, even quoting an early letter from von Engelken that originally ordered the change.

Link to National Archives record group 104 (U.S. Mint), entry 235 (letters sent by Director's office) on Newman Portal:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/archivedetail/512703

Link to NGC message board thread on the 1917 Walking Liberty Half Dollar:
https://boards.ngccoin.com/topic/440732-mintmark-location-change-on-1917-halves/#comment-9927341

 

VIDEO: REVOLUTIONARY BONDS OF DR. SUN YAT SEN

The Qing Dynasty ruled China for 270 years until the revolution in 1912. The goal of Dr. Sun Yat Sen was to remake China as a republic. Speakers: Roger Urce & Howard Daniel

To watch the complete video, see:
Revolutionary Bonds of China's Dr. Sun Yat Sen (https://youtu.be/nP9G8Sa0QpY)
Revolutionary Bonds of China's Dr. Sun Yat Sen (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/540334)

ERIC JENSEN INTERVIEW, PART ONE

I was honored to meet and interview Eric Jensen this last year about his extraordinary work – and unpaid volunteer work I might add – extensively documenting Canadian exonumia. Eric is a Canadian archivist who has thoroughly documented multiple major collections in Canada. Then, rather than sell the product of his labors, he puts all of this information online for the benefit of collectors.

He has been working without fanfare or attention and through this interview I would like very much to shine some light his way. We put particular focus throughout the interview on the Canadian material he has cataloged and explored his selfless work and extraordinary patience amidst an ongoing labor of love.

He has created an absolutely invaluable treasure trove of information for numismatists to refer to and from which their numismatic education can fully blossom. In a recently lecture I gave on counterstamps at the University of Calgary, I referred to Eric as "a Canadian numismatic hero" and made sure to repeat the sentiment multiple times because it is very true.

Anyone interested in Canadian exonumia will find much to learn on his website: https://cnr-rnc.ca/jensen_eric/

Eric Jensen
You'll notice I use the term "countermark" rather than counterstamp.

Greg Bennick
Yes…I actually did notice that. Can you tell me more why that is the case?

Eric Jensen
Chris Faulkner [Canadian coin researcher and author of The Holey Dollars and Dumps of Prince Edward Island] made a very good point. And he said a counterstamp is the tool that makes the stamp but you are countermarking something. I kind of waffled between the two, and then I said to James Williston [Canadian collector who owns numismatic material archived by Eric Jensen] one day, because he was very interested in collecting various kinds of exonumia which was marked and not stamped, "Let's call them countermarks," as that includes every kind of marked token or coin, even those not actually stamped.

Greg Bennick
This is because the word "mark" includes everything. How did you get your start in all of this? With coins, and with the work you do?

Eric Jensen
Like you, I started as a teenager. A friend introduced me to coin collecting, and I started collecting Canadian decimal coinage. This was a poor man's collection, built from whatever I could find in circulation and trading, and so on and so forth. I went through right up until the Hunt Brothers and the big silver crunch. I sold off my spare silver to friends because the value was up so much and then I kind of got away from it. Everything was getting a little more expensive than I would want to take from the family budget to support my silly hobby. So that is when I started looking for varieties.

From a collecting viewpoint, when silver took off, and because the mint stuff started to go a little bit silly with their non-numismatic items, it was a lot more fun to switch over to varieties. I collected them for a long time. Then in the early 1980's, I met a fellow when we were out metal detecting, an elderly gentleman, Alfred Wrigley, who was just a wonderful individual. We became friends, and we went to a metal detecting meeting. One guy was doing show and tell. He had a jar full of coins, and he was rattling it to show people. I cringed, and the fellow beside me turned to me and he said, "Coin collector, eh?" (laughs)

So, we became really, really good friends, and he started what he called "Hobby Helpers," which was a low-end mail order business where he would sell scrip for fifteen cents. That was when mailing costs were low. So, we got involved in that. He came to me, and said, "Nobody's done catalog on Alberta medallions. I only know of about 75 people collecting them, and there's maybe only 90…"

"But," he said, "you're good with a computer. Would you mind helping me out and cataloguing them?" And I said that I would be happy to help. I made up some standard sheets with a program that I was quite happy to try and use to get it all set up. We started into it and put out the first edition of Alberta Medallions in 1986 and then by 1989 when we're up into the hundreds of new additions, he said, "I think we need another edition." I did that, and this was back in the day and age where I did the computer work to put the basics down, but it was the old cut and paste. It was scissors and trips to Staples to do the photocopying.

That's when we actually sold the book Alberta Medallions. I kept working on this. It was just so darn much fun. I didn't mind doing it but it kept growing and growing and growing. And if I look back now at the work I did back then, I just shudder due to some of the quality of it all, because I was a rookie with this stuff.

About the Interviewer
Greg Bennick (www.gregbennick.com) is a keynote speaker and long time coin collector with a focus on major mint error coins and US counterstamps. He is on the board of both CONECA and TAMS and enjoys having in-depth conversations with prominent numismatists from all areas of the hobby. Have ideas for other interviewees? Contact him anytime via instagram @minterrors. He can also be reached by email at minterrors@gmail.com.

 

VISITING THE BOSTON MUSEUM OF AMERICAN FINANCE

Centuries-old currency, no longer in circulation. Paul Revere's bank book. One of the earliest counterfeit checks. The first lottery in North America, started in Massachusetts. Stock certificates from the Boston Celtics and the Boston Red Sox. These are among the hundreds of historical artifacts featured in the new Museum of American Finance, a Smithsonian affiliate opening in Boston's Seaport.

The challenge is interpreting these artifacts for visitors and connecting them to the larger story of finance in America, said museum CEO and President David Cowen.

"We know finance is really intimidating and so we're going to couch that in the lessons of history," said Cowen. "We try to really make it fun and engaging with the understanding of how difficult for many people finances is as topic."

Take for example, a document crafted by Alexander Hamilton, fought over in the room where it happened, as described in the Broadway musical bearing his name, that laid out his vision for how the new nation should handle its debts from the Revolutionary War.

"Hamilton writes that saying it's a moral obligation that we should assume all this debt. And that is the creation of our national debt. There's a direct line from this to today's $39 trillion," said Cowen. "Now, this is 16,316 words. We boil it down to six words: It was the price of liberty."

The museum guides guests through three centuries of financial history in the United States.

An exhibit providing an interactive timeline was developed with guest curator Mark Higgins, author of "Investing in US Financial History."

"I wrote this over three and a half years, and I walked my way to the present over three and a half years and you just see the same things repeating over and over. The technology changes, the situations change a little, but it's the same human stories. And once you understand that, the present and the future becomes a lot less scary," said Higgins.

From there, the museum explores the future of finance, explaining cryptocurrencies, blockchain and more.

For more information on the Museum American Finance, see:
https://www.moaf.org/

To read the complete article, see:
Boston's new Museum of American Finance teaches visitors about money (https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/new-museum-of-american-finance-teaches-visitors-about-money/3975277/)

To read other articles, see:
Don't throw away your shot to speak to an AI Alexander Hamilton at Boston's new finance museum (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/03/the-museum-of-american-finance-opens-its-doors-in-boston.html)
An AI Alexander Hamilton? JFK's blank check? Museum of American Finance shows off the history of money. (https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/07/05/business/museum-of-american-finance/)

To read earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
THE MUSEUM OF AMERICAN FINANCE IS MOVING (https://www.coinbooks.org/v22/esylum_v22n08a23.html)
BOSTON MUSEUM OF AMERICAN FINANCE OPENS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n15a11.html)
MORE ON BOSTON MUSEUM OF AMERICAN FINANCE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n16a20.html)

 

HAMBURGER KUNSTHALLE 'SCULPTURES EN MINIATURE'

SCULPTURAL. The New Galleries is the first-ever large-scale presentation of the Hamburger Kunsthalle's sculpture collection, spanning multiple media and periods. Across an area of 1,500 square metres, over 500 sculptures, reliefs, paintings, works on paper and photographs as well as spatial and video installations from 2,500 years of art history will prompt some surprising comparisons – antiquity versus the present day, two versus three dimensions, miniature versus monumental.

A special focus is the museum's recently uncovered trove of sculptures en miniature, as the first director, Alfred Lichtwark, called these tours de force of numismatic art in the form of coins, medals and sculptural reliefs in gold, silver and bronze. These new discoveries will be exhibited alongside masterpieces in multiple media, such as larger-than-life sculptures by Auguste Rodin and Aristide Maillol, while antique portraits enter into a dialogue with contemporary photography, and reliefs by Käthe Kollwitz with body casts from the 1960s and video works by Marina Abramovic and others.

The presentation developed out of the research project From the second to the third dimension, for which around 6,000 coins, medals and plaques are for the first time being reviewed, restored, digitised and researched in their respective contexts. The first objects will be published online in April 2026.

The research and presentation are made possible by the Dorit & Alexander Otto Foundation, which is once again acting as a major sponsor. Other cooperation partners include the University of Hamburg, the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin and the Musée d'Orsay, Paris.

The sculptural forms suggest associations between dimensions and times based on themes such as the settings for art and the emotions and facial expressions in portraits and masks. While the museum's collection has to date focused on a span of 800 years, here it will be extended by further eventful centuries. Loans of prime works from the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and European private collections will complement the selection from the permanent collection on display in the new sculpture galleries. These extend from the classical columned hall, an architecturally imposing symbol of an early engagement with antiquity, to the rotunda, where a large site-specific contemporary work has been commissioned to conclude the exhibition circuit.

For more information, see:
SCULPTURAL. The New Galleries (https://www.hamburger-kunsthalle.de/en/exhibitions/sculptural)
Forschungsprojekt: Münzen, Medaillen, Plaketten. »Von der zweiten zur dritten Dimension« (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTFu45ULgE4)

2026 WFOM TYRANT COLLECTION BYZANTINE EXHIBIT

A never-before-exhibited portion of the rare historical coins in the unparalleled Tyrant Collection (www.TheTyrantCollection.com) will be publicly displayed together for the first time at the American Numismatic Association 2026 Pittsburgh World's Fair of Money® (www.WorldsFairofMoney.com), August 25-29, 2026.

"The multi-million-dollar exhibit of 224 significant coins certified by Professional Coin Grading Service is entitled Tyrants of the Golden Horn. It will include gold coins of virtually every Byzantine emperor, up to Constantine XI in 1453, from the late Roman period to the collapse of the Byzantine Empire," announced Ira Goldberg, President of Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, Inc. (www.GoldbergCoins.com) in Los Angeles, California.

Goldberg is one of the numismatic professionals guiding the assembling of the wide-ranging Tyrant Collection of superb-quality, historic U.S., world, and ancient coins.

"These coins enthralled everyone in the grading room when they were submitted to Professional Coin Grading Service," said PCGS President Stephanie Sabin.

"When they say ‘coins are history in your hands,' the Tyrant coins are among the first ones I think of. The Tyrants of the Golden Horn Collection serves as a ‘who's who of the ancient world' and helps bring to life the rulers and culture from so long ago. We are thrilled that Dan O'Dowd submitted his Tyrants of the Golden Horn coins to PCGS and are excited to see these historic pieces head to exhibition at the World's Fair of Money in August," stated Sabin.

The earliest coin in the exhibit is a gold Aureus of Diocletian, struck in 290 AD in Cyzicus (in what is now modern-day Turkey), and the last coin is a 1943 Turkish 500 Kurush. This is more than 1,700 years of remarkable numismatic history.

"This portion of The Tyrant Collection is named after the Golden Horn, a horn-shaped natural waterway and primary inlet of the Bosphorus Sea strait that divides the European side of Istanbul, Turkey. For over 2,000 years, it was the principal harbor for trade ships for Byzantium, Constantinople, and the Ottoman Empire," said Goldberg.

‘The Tyrants of the Golden Horn consists of coins of the emperors and sultans who ruled Constantinople from its founding in 324 by Constantine the Great to the abolishment of the Ottoman Sultanate in 1922," explained Dan O'Dowd, the Southern California collector who owns the extensive Tyrant Collection that is described as the world's most valuable rare coin collection in private hands.

"Through most of this period, Constantinople was the largest and wealthiest city in Europe, and the capital of its most powerful country. Its wealth was so vast that hundreds of years later, I can assemble a collection of spectacular coins of every emperor and sultan, most of which are pure gold and look like they were minted yesterday," he said.

One of the many highlights of the exhibit will be a solidus of Mezezius, AD 668-669, graded PCGS MS66. It is the finest of only seven known examples, including one in the British Museum. An Armenian nobleman and General in Sicily, Mezezius, became emperor after the assassination of Constans II in Syracuse, and was executed seven months later.

"This pure gold coin is a spectacular and extremely rare example from this emperor. With only seven known, it is twice as rare an 1804 Dollar, and six times older, but looks like it was made today," declared O'Dowd.

Among the many other important coins in the exhibit will be:

Procopius, AD 365-366, gold solidus struck at Cyzicus in the current Balikesir Province of Turkey. A major rarity and without question the Finest known example. Interestingly, this coin was struck in Cyzicus when Procopius was on his way to Constantinople, where he was to rule -- and stay alive -- for only eight months as the Western portion of the Empire was collapsing.

Helena gold solidus that stands out in both quality and rarity. One of the most important women of all time, she was the mother of Constantine I (Constantine the Great) and is credited with discovering the True Cross. She was converted to Christianity by her son.

The display at the 2026 ANA convention will be the latest in a multi-year series of educational, museum-quality exhibits revealing different portions of the extensive and unprecedented Tyrant Collection.

"The collection is not only focused on Byzantine, but also more on a numismatic narrative of Constantinople, modern-day Istanbul, Turkey. Beginning with the reforms of Diocletian and the Tetrarchy in the late 3rd century, the story follows the transformation of the Roman world into the Byzantine Empire. Coins from the age of Constantine the Great -- founder of Constantinople -- through the reign of Justinian I and later dynasties reflect shifting imperial authority and the growing role of Christianity," explained Goldberg.

"Following Constantinople's conquest in 1453 by Mehmed II, Ottoman coinage introduced new artistic and cultural traditions rooted in Islam. The exhibition concludes with the early Turkish Republic and the leadership of Ismet Inönü. If you remember our exhibition Tyrants of the Tiber, this is more of a parallel concept to that exhibition, but this time we will go farther east," he said.

"The focus of the collection is tyrants of every age and culture. Tyrants go by many titles: Kings and Queens, Emperors and Empresses, Czars and Czarinas, Dictators, Regents, Popes, Caliphs, Sultans, and Khans. But what defines them is their absolute power over a territory containing millions of people," explained O'Dowd.

He decided to have a series of exhibits to share the magnificent sets of The Tyrant Collection U.S. and world coins with the public.

"I started to think, ‘What should I do with all these collections? Let them sit in safe deposit boxes and visit them occasionally?' I decided I wanted to see each collection fully displayed. I had a large professional 30' x 30' trade show booth built with 17 display cases that could beautifully showcase up to 400 coins at each exhibit. Every coin is displayed along with enlarged obverse and reverse images, along with a description," said O'Dowd.

For additional information about The Tyrant Collection, visit www.TheTyrantCollection.com.

For additional information about the ANA 2026 Pittsburgh World's Fair of Money, visit www.WorldsFairofMoney.com.

MIDWEST COIN COLLECTORS TRADING POST MAGAZINE

In February 2026, I purchased a set of 11 issues (Volume 1: #12; Volume 2: #3, 8–12; and Volume 3: #1–4) of the magazine "Midwest Coin Collectors Trading Post" from 1956–1957. According to the seller, this publication was rare and obscure. It does not appear in the "Periodicals" section of the Newman Numismatic Portal.

In Remy Bourne's excellent book "American Numismatic Periodicals 1860–1950: An Illustrated Collector's Guide, Book II" (published by Ramm Communications, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1990), pages 1950-24 and 1950-25 document information only for Volume 2, No. 9, and nothing else.

In fact, looking at Remy Bourne's documentation reminded me of sparse matrices used in Data Structures.

Using the format employed by Remy Bourne and adding information from the 11 issues of the "Midwest Coin Collectors Trading Post" that I possess, the following table is obtained:

In "The Numismatist" of March 1956, page 292 notes that Robert McKeehan's "Midwest Coin Collectors Trading Post" (MCCTP) includes numismatic news and ads.

Again, in "The Numismatist" of April 1957, page 416 mentions that MCCTP is primarily an advertising medium, with a few short editorial paragraphs.

Remy Bourne mentions in his book that the publication "Numismatic Trading Post" followed the publication "Midwest Coin Collectors Trading Post".

According to Akio Lis, neither the ANA nor the ANS has the "Midwest Coin Collectors Trading Post" in its library.

Who was Robert M. McKeehan?

Robert Merle McKeehan was born on 31 August 1913 in Highland Center, Wapello County, Iowa and died on 23 May 1986 in Fort Madison, Lee County, Iowa. He was the son of Franklin Glenum McKeehan (Iowa 1885–1951) and Nancy Belle Cline (Missouri 1886–1958). They married 05 May 1906 in Scotland, Missouri.

His siblings were: Lenna May (1907–1974), Flossie Pearl (1909–1986), Frederick F. (1911–1982), Helen Edith (1916–1997), David Wilbur (1918–1920), Daniel Willis (1918–1977), Richard (1920–1949), Walter Franklin (1922–1995), Mary Blanch (1923–2021), Beatrice Lenora (1926–1987), Bernice Elnora (1926–1995) and Stephen Paul (1929–1929).

In 1940, Robert was working as an attendant of a Service Station in Fort Madison, Iowa. In 1953, he applied for ANA membership # 20624 ("The Numismatist", January 1953, page 60).

I tried to find a photo of him, but I wasn't successful.

Acknowledgments:

Kathy from CB&Q Depot (Museum) of Fort Madison, Iowa. Paul Johnson, Executive Secretary, Royal Canadian Numismatic Association.

And, mainly to Akio Lis, ANA Library Manager. He was a tremendous help in locating information about this magazine and Robert M. McKeehan too at the ANA library. He also greatly assisted me in searching the ANS archives and provided me with numerous research sources. Thank you very much, Akio!

VOCABULARY TERM: STAMP AND STENCIL MEDAL

Stamp and Stencil Medal. Medals, checks, badges and pins made by the processes and equipment of the stencil industry rather than typical medal making. Such items are often called "hollowback;" they are identified by the following characteristics: (1) thin – struck on sheet brass; (2) uniface – only one die with a design is used; (3) low relief – little depth to the design; (4) usually blanked or trimmed unusual shape (since it is just as easy to blank in unusual shape as a round piece); (5) coin finish – no finish other than that of the struck brass; (6) flat back – (if the back is the incuse of the obverse it is a shell, which these often are).

Because of the thin material such items can be struck on a drop hammer press rather than the heavier coin or medal presses. The blank reverse die – a jack die – often bore the maker's imprint or logo, incuse in the die this would be raised in the struck piece. The jack die could be used over and over again, it was not required to fit any size or shape. In those instances where relief of design was desired on the reverse sometimes a dummy force or scrap force was employed (or, of course, a typical reverse die).

Finally, the lightness of the finished product made them ideal for any type of medallic item to be worn – as a badge or pin – and were often fabricated in several parts and assembled. The pin as fastener on the reverse of such an item was often a safety pin soldered in place (but this was susceptible to breaking, or snapping off completely).

There was a widespread number of local manufacturers in the stamp and stencil industry in America. They also made rubber stamps, nameplates and similar related products, their equipment limited, obviously, the products they could make themselves. Local businessmen would come to these firms for a variety of products, including those of numismatic interest. They could manufacture low quality tokens and medals but would act, perhaps as an agent for better items, having them struck by firms with more specialized talent and equipment. A leading manufacturer of this class of medals in the United States was the Schwaab Stamp & Seal Company of Milwaukee.

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Stamp and Stencil Medal (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516802)

TREASURE TALK WITH BOB EVANS, EPISODE 15

The celebration on October 5, 1989, was memorable, when we arrived with a ton of treasure at the dock in Norfolk (See Treasure Talk Episode 1.) The throng of onlookers included investment partners, relatives (my wife Jane, my parents, and brother Bill were there,) reporters, and curious locals who had seen the morning TV news as we were coming into port.

The Herndon High School Band (a very excellent award-winning marching band) was playing rousing music and attracting the attention of anyone within several city blocks. The whole scene was heavily guarded by three separate but coordinated armed entities: the Norfolk Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, and the Brinks guards. My crewmates and I each carried at least one box of treasure off the ship and to the back of the armored truck.

Procedures needed to be followed and papers signed. The US Marshals, under the direction of the admiralty court, took official custody of what we brought ashore. Then they turned it around with another document that assigned our company as the "Substitute Custodian" for the US Marshals Service. That meant that the Brinks trucks were for us, although the Marshals watched as we loaded it in.

It was not practical to show very much of the gold to the public or the cameras. I arranged a bench-top display of ingots, coins, and one of the silicone rubber blocks with coins still imbedded (a recovery technique.) The network TV line producer wanted "more gold!" which I explained was impractical.

At least one newspaper complained that the treasure failed to measure up to expectations, at least visually. There was a remark that it looked like we were delivering cases of auto parts to a local business via armored car.

But, working under the jurisdiction of the court, and given all the necessary procedure and accounting detail, we didn't find a chance to stage a grand, studio "group portrait" of the treasure. There was no "Class Photo."

In October of 1991, shortly after our at-sea season concluded, Tommy Thompson excitedly told me that "LIFE Magazine wants to shoot all the gold. It could be the cover, or the centerfold." He meant the center spread, but his mind kind of ran that way. The full two-page image that sat opposite the covers in the large staple-bound issues of LIFE would be quite a prize for the treasure, and for the magazine. The excellent photography from the Project's own photographer, Milt Butterworth, would illustrate most of the article. But they wanted to send one of their own senior photographers to shoot a formal portrait of "all the gold." He asked me, "Can we make that happen?"

I thought about it for a minute. "Well, if by "all the gold" you mean a great big bunch of it, that means we have to do it at the Norfolk Brinks, the only place with a massive amount of gold and a mountain of security. I will get in touch with them and see if it's possible."

The reader should understand that Brinks usually doesn't allow anyone, ANYONE!, other than their own personnel into certain areas. I had unusual access over the years, and I truly appreciate that. I always obeyed the rules, and I never touched anything that was not related to our deposit. Of course, I was fingerprinted, as were other visitors.

I called Johnny Williams and told him what we had in mind. We needed to pose a large amount of the treasure for a photographer from LIFE Magazine. I figured that it might take two or three days of work, given whatever the preparations would be, the number of sealed containers that would need to be opened, and the amount of procedure and paperwork needed to track it all. Understanding that this was a very unusual request, (turning the inside of a Brinks facility into a photography studio ?!) I told Johnny to think about it and let me know if it was possible. He called back a couple hours later.

The Norfolk facility had an office for the Regional Manager at one end of their string of connected structures, on the other side of the vaults and interior loading docks from their day-to-day offices. That senior official's name was Leo, and I had met him a couple times during previous visits. He usually worked out of Richmond, but Johnny Williams had full operational control of the Norfolk branch. So, Johnny called Leo about our strange proposal. It must have been an interesting conversation. Johnny reported that Leo was initially flabbergasted, but then became intrigued, and he had offered his desk as a sturdy structure that might support many hundreds of pounds, if properly distributed. Leo wasn't planning to work there the second week of November, so he wouldn't be needing his office or desk. If we did this in his office, we wouldn't be in the way of any other Brinks traffic and business.

We scheduled the operations for November 12 – 14, 1991.

Two of my young crewmates, were there to assist me; Mike Kornmiller and Scott Shade. They had assisted me at sea during the 1991 season. Since we ran 24/7 operations whenever possible, they would fill in for me on the graveyard shift in the control room while I slept, service which I truly appreciated. For this operation, they drove a company van from Columbus, bringing some tools. Saws and drills might be handy if we had to build a set. I expected that we would have to improvise, maybe even build a sturdy workbench if Leo's desk didn't work out. We could buy lumber and fasteners locally as needed. While they were driving from Ohio to Virginia, I gathered "highlight pieces" I had previously removed from Brinks for public show. I flew into Norfolk, alert and a little nervous, in the role of courier for my valuable carryon bag and backpack. I rented a car and arrived at Brinks just as Mike and Scott pulled up in the company van, perfect timing, in the age before cellphones. We greeted each other with high fives. The photographer was due an hour later, so we had time to discuss logistics among ourselves and with our hosts.

We signed in as "visitors" to the facility, with Mike and Scott providing fingerprints. Johnny Williams and Walker Pryor both showed us to Leo's office to see if it would be suitable. The desk was indeed very sturdy, as strong as one of those old schoolteachers' desks from back in the 60s, but a little fancier. Nice wood and finish. I figured it might hold a thousand pounds if necessary, but we would have to protect it.

Until we could confer with the photographer, our plans were all speculation. We had started clearing off Leo's desk when a guard came and informed Johnny that the photographer was talking to the front desk, where his camera bag was being searched. His name was Henry Groskinsky. Walker stayed with us while Johnny went to usher Henry through the garage and past the loading docks to Leo's office. There were cameras everywhere, but no outsiders were ever left alone inside Brinks. Henry had only a general idea of the task at hand. He was a career LIFE photographer, then in his mid-fifties, and he had experience with the unusual and the grand. He had been told to go shoot a huge treasure, a big pile of gold. He seemed a little startled as he came through the door into Leo's office. His bag had been searched; no big deal, standard operating procedure. But then he had been fingerprinted, and then led to a remote, seemingly "secret" room on the other side of a big, enclosed garage with an armored car in one corner. This was no palace. But he was smiling as we met, clearly anticipating something wonderful.

Nobody, not even I, had seen "all the gold" or a very large amount of it in one place since our cameras saw it on the shipwreck. So, we had to figure it out, one step at a time.

After initial introductions, I explained the situation "Well, we have over a ton of gold stored here, so security is obviously tight. We have it in dozens of sealed containers, and we will have to bring sufficient gold out of the vault and into this room, to pose it for your camera. While we handle it, we must keep track of each piece, each bar, each coin. We are substitute custodians for the US Marshals, under the jurisdiction of Federal Court."

Henry's brow furrowed with interest as I asked, "How do you think we should pose the gold? What kind of arrangement do you want?"

He thought about it for a few moments. "You say you have a lot of gold bars?"

"Yes. Hundreds if necessary. And they're all different sizes, from tiny chunks the size of ice-cubes up to big bricks weighing hundreds of ounces."

The scope of this opportunity surprised and intrigued Henry the Artist-Photographer, and he joined in the creation. "Can you build an amphitheater of gold bars, then display some coins in front of it?"

An amphitheater of gold bars? What an interesting idea! Now, it was my turn to contemplate the process. "Yes. I think we can do that. What we will do is build the "amphitheater" out of two-by-fours, then cover it with gold bars." Then, pondering what I had just offered, I added, "It may take us the rest of the day to get ready. We planned this as a three-day operation for us, with you shooting on the second day, with set-up for the rest of today, and dismantling in a couple days after you leave."

Henry went to gather his camera, tripod, lights and equipment and bring them into Leo's office, quickly transforming it into a photography studio. A guard escorted him to and from his vehicle for a few trips. He planned to spend the afternoon arranging his equipment and watching us work with the gold, as his subject was built, piece by piece.

As he assembled his kit, I huddled with Mike and Scott. "OK, I need you guys to go buy a couple two-by-four studs, maybe three, and cut them into six-inch and one-foot-long blocks. A bunch of each. That should be more than enough. We're going to build bleachers for the gold." (It's funny how the things we did as kids, like building with blocks, can come back in weird ways as professional adult activities.) "We also need a sheet of 3/4" plywood, a nice thick blanket, and 4 yards of black felt. You can find that at a fabric store. There must be one around here somewhere." They consulted the Yellow Pages and asked questions of the Brinks staff so they could find the nearest stores for the supplies. No Internet in ‘91.

While they were gone, I worked with Walker to clear off the rest of Leo's desk. My plan was to cover the nice walnut of the desk with a blanket, before covering it with the plywood, cut to fit. Then we could arrange the two-by-four blocks like bleachers, or the risers for a choir or orchestra. Cover it with black felt, and… Voila!

As you might imagine, building with gold blocks is a unique, delightful experience. Once we had enough of a foundation of large ingots, we started to get creative. It was fun to pile the little ones on top of the bricks, to stand elongate bars up like the monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Directed by Henry, looking through his camera, our objective was to create an unbroken field of gold bars with no gaps.

We took a lot of notes while we unpacked the ingots. Of course, we had an itemized account of what pieces were stored in which containers, and we would rely heavily on those inventories when we re-packed after the shoot. Many of these pieces had not been seen since their recovery and packing in my lab at sea.

In the final photo, the foreground features what looks like a random pile of coins. But it was not disorderly. We carefully tracked the pieces as we arranged them into this deliberate jumble.

None of the coins touches another, despite appearances. Each coin is separated from all others by thin foam pads. Obviously, bag marks would be a serious offense.

An impressive pile of gold sat on Leo's desk when we concluded our preparations and left for the day. That office had a standard office door, and it would lock, but there was no hasp for a seal and padlock. So, we sealed it with a few of my signatures across overlapping layers of packing tape, a crude but perfectly valid method for making a closed container, in this case a room, tamper evident.

It was a strange feeling to set all that gold on that desk, and then to walk away. I had been working with the gold for over three years, but I had never had so much out of their sealed containers before. I felt nervous, but I realized this was the best we could do, and in fact we had done very well. All was secure, awaiting the photo-shoot the next day.

This was the image ultimately used.

Everything went as expected. Henry Groskinsky declared that he was delighted with the results. He would take the images back to LIFE, and they would decide how to use them.

For the cover of the March 1992 issue, they opted for a "Life After Death" story. But the article about the treasure and the project ran 10 pages, unusually long for a LIFE feature, and it featured not only the full-page portrait posed at Brinks, but also many other excellent photos from our in-house photographers.

The bulk of the treasure went back under wraps as the legal and business complications of the 1990s played out. It would not be seen again in greater abundance, until the Ship of Gold Exhibit debuted at Long Beach in February of 2000.

To read the complete article, see:
Treasure Talk 15: The Iconic Treasure Portrait (https://finestknown.com/treasure-talk-15-the-iconic-treasure-portrait/)

For the complete series, see:
Category Archives: Treasure Talk with Bob Evans (https://finestknown.com/treasure-talk-with-bob-evans/)

To read earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
TREASURE TALK WITH BOB EVANS, EPISODE 14.1 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n22a16.html)
TREASURE TALK WITH BOB EVANS, EPISODE 14.2 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n23a17.html)

HERITAGE: JULY 2026 EARLY COPPER & COLONIAL COINS

1723 Rosa Americana Penny, M. 2.7-Eb.3, W-1278, R.4, AU53 NGC. W-1278. Ex. Ford-Long Island Collection. CDN: $540 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU53.
Ex: Waldo Newcomer; E.H.R. Green; F.C.C. Boyd; F.C.C. Boyd Estate; John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part IX (Stack's, 5/2005), lot 140; Long Island Collection (Heritage, 4/2022), lot 44037.

To read the complete item description, see:
1723 Rosa Americana Penny, M. 2.7-Eb.3, W-1278, R.4, AU53 NGC. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/colonials/1723-rosa-americana-penny-m-27-eb3-w-1278-r4-au53-ngc-w-1278-ex-ford-long-island-collection-cd/a/60552-50010.s?type=surl-60552--50010)

1722 1/2 P Hibernia Halfpenny, Type One, Harp Left, M. 4.1-Bb.2, W-12690, R.3, AU58 Brown NGC. W-12690. Ex: Long Island Collection. CDN: $600 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58.
Ex: Long Island Collection (Heritage, 4/2022), lot 44045.

To read the complete item description, see:
1722 1/2 P Hibernia Halfpenny, Type One, Harp Left, M. 4.1-Bb.2, W-12690, R.3, AU58 Brown NGC. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/colonials/1722-1-2-p-hibernia-halfpenny-type-one-harp-left-m-41-bb2-w-12690-r3-au58-brown-ngc-w-12690-ex/a/60552-50013.s?type=surl-60552--50013)

1739-V French Colonies Sou Marque AU50 NGC. Vlack-193. Ex: Ford. NGC Census: 2 in 50, 2 finer (2/26).
Ex: John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XIII (Stack's, 1/2006), lot 229.

To read the complete item description, see:
1739-V French Colonies Sou Marque AU50 NGC. Vlack-193. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/colonials/1739-v-french-colonies-sou-marque-au50-ngc-vlack-193-ex-ford-ngc-census-2-in-50-2-finer-2-26-ex-john/a/60552-50021.s?type=surl-60552--50021)

1788 1C Massachusetts Cent, Period, R. 7-M, W-6250, R.4, XF45 Brown NGC.

To read the complete item description, see:
1788 1C Massachusetts Cent, Period, R. 7-M, W-6250, R.4, XF45 Brown NGC. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/colonials/1788-1c-massachusetts-cent-period-r-7-m-w-6250-r4-xf45-brown-ngc/a/60552-50036.s?type=surl-60552--50036)

1787 New Jersey Copper, No Sprig Above Plow, M. 64-t, W-5380, R.1 -- Environmental Damage -- PCGS Genuine. VF Details. Large Planchet. Plain Shield.

To read the complete item description, see:
1787 New Jersey Copper, No Sprig Above Plow, M. 64-t, W-5380, R.1 -- Environmental Damage -- PCGS Genuine. VF Details. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/colonials/1787-new-jersey-copper-no-sprig-above-plow-m-64-t-w-5380-r1-environmental-damage-pcgs-genuine-vf-details/a/60552-50072.s?type=surl-60552--50072)

1786 Vermont Copper, VERMONTENSIUM, RR-6, Bressett 4-D, W-2020, R.2, XF40 Brown NGC.

To read the complete item description, see:
1786 Vermont Copper, VERMONTENSIUM, RR-6, Bressett 4-D, W-2020, R.2, XF40 Brown NGC. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/colonials/1786-vermont-copper-vermontensium-rr-6-bressett-4-d-w-2020-r2-xf40-brown-ngc/a/60552-50076.s?type=https://www.ha.com/60552*50076)

1791 Washington Large Eagle Cent XF45 Brown NGC. Baker-15, W-10610, GW-15, R.2. NGC Census: 6 in 45, 61 finer (3/26). CDN: $960 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF45.

To read the complete item description, see:
1791 Washington Large Eagle Cent XF45 Brown NGC. Baker-15, W-10610, GW-15, R.2. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/colonials/1791-washington-large-eagle-cent-xf45-brown-ngc-baker-15-w-10610-gw-15-r2-ngc-census-6-in-45-61-finer-3-26-/a/60552-50111.s?type=surl-60552--50111)

1791 Washington Cent, Small Eagle -- Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. Baker-16, W-10630, GW-17, R.3.

To read the complete item description, see:
1791 Washington Cent, Small Eagle -- Cleaned -- NGC Details. AU. Baker-16, W-10630, GW-17, R.3. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/colonials/1791-washington-cent-small-eagle-cleaned-ngc-details-au-baker-16-w-10630-gw-17-r3/a/60552-50115.s?type=surl-60552--50115)

HERITAGE: 2026 SUMMER FUN SIGNATURE

1888 $20 JD-1, R.6, PR64 Deep Cameo PCGS. In my opinion, this is the crown jewel of the Summer FUN Signature® auction. There is a complete set of 1888 proof gold pieces in this auction, offered as individual lots, which was all raw when it was consigned to us. The double eagle is my favorite coin among the gold pieces, and it is most attractive with deep contrast and mirrors. Close study will reveal a few faint coppery spots, but none are in prime focal areas, and they instead simply endorse the originality of the coin. Proof Liberty double eagles of the 1880s and earlier are some of the rarest gold pieces in the U.S. series. The 1888, offered here, is one of just 20 to 25 examples of this proof issue known to survive today.

To read the complete item description, see:
1888 $20 JD-1, R.6, PR64 Deep Cameo PCGS. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/proof-liberty-double-eagles/1888-20-jd-1-r6-pr64-deep-cameo-pcgs/a/1394-3292.s?ctrack=200071&type=bodylink-4+-coinus-picks-1394-FUN-tem071026)

1797 50C O-101a, T-1, High R.4, VF20 PCGS. Amato Unlisted. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to know Dr. Amato, who compiled the nearly exhaustive census of Small Eagle half dollars that Heritage has long used. His work was magnificent. So, it is a rare occurrence when a coin surfaces that was not one Dr. Amato had previously seen. This VF20 1797 O-101a example is such a coin. In addition to being a new piece on the census, it is highly attractive for its grade, and it is housed in an old PCGS "rattler" holder. I would be interested to know if the winning bidder of this coin is able to someday trace its prior provenance, perhaps to an unplated old auction catalog.

To read the complete item description, see:
1797 50C O-101a, T-1, High R.4, VF20 PCGS. Amato Unlisted. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/early-half-dollars/1797-50c-o-101a-t-1-high-r4-vf20-pcgs-amato-unlisted/a/1394-3072.s?ctrack=200071&type=bodylink-4+-coinus-picks-1394-FUN-tem071026)

(1913-38)-S 5C Buffalo Nickel -- Struck on a Silver Dime Planchet -- AU58 PCGS. Ah yes — yet another Buffalo nickel error. Though, perhaps not just any Buffalo nickel error. This is one of 10 pieces known struck on silver dime planchets. This is one of the rarest Buffalo nickel error types that exist, and it is one that many prominent error authorities in numismatics have long found fascinating. The current example actually comes from the Fred Weinberg Collection back in 2022, and prior to that changed hands a few times via private treaty. While there are many coins in this auction more valuable, this is perhaps one of the most important offerings in terms of rarity and numismatic intrigue.

To read the complete item description, see:
(1913-38)-S 5C Buffalo Nickel -- Struck on a Silver Dime Planchet -- AU58 PCGS. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/errors/-1913-38-s-5c-buffalo-nickel-struck-on-a-silver-dime-planchet-au58-pcgs/a/1394-3139.s?ctrack=200071&type=bodylink-4+-coinus-picks-1394-FUN-tem071026)

1831 10C JR-2, R.3, PR67 NGC. This is a coin that one of my colleagues very much likes, and I have to say I share the sentiment. Not only is it very attractive and well struck, but the 1831 proof dime is a major rarity and this coin is the finest example known to us. Currently, we can positively trace only eight examples, six of which are JR-2 as here. This is the sort of coin that doesn't get the mainstream attention that more famous rarities enjoy, but which is almost never seen at auction. Its current offering is an important opportunity.

To read the complete item description, see:
1831 10C JR-2, R.3, PR67 NGC. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/proof-bust-dimes/1831-10c-jr-2-r3-pr67-ngc/a/1394-3051.s?ctrack=200071&type=bodylink-4+-coinus-picks-1394-FUN-tem071026)

1913-S 25C VG8 PCGS. CAC. I'm going to give this 1913-S in VG8 a shout out. I see a lot of key date Barber quarter, the 1913-S included. But a common theme among so many of them is unsightly eye appeal and/or impairments. Some are generously graded, which in my opinion makes it hard to justify a premium bid even if the coin is otherwise attractive — you're just competing with a higher market level. But this VG8 coin is truly worthy of a strong bid, and by osmosis worthy of a moment to admire it. The rims are complete, sufficient portions of LIBERTY are readable, and the two-tone stone-gray patina is undeniably original and attractive. On top of that, the coin carries CAC endorsement-only a tiny fraction of the VG-graded 1913-S quarters in existence can claim such a distinction.

To read the complete item description, see:
1913-S 25C VG8 PCGS. CAC. (https://coins.ha.com/itm/barber-quarters/1913-s-25c-vg8-pcgs-cac/a/1394-3561.s?ctrack=200071&type=bodylink-4+-coinus-picks-1394-FUN-tem071026)

WORLD ENCASED POSTAGE STAMPS

Algeria

The only issue from Algeria originated with the Exposition d'Alger in April and May of 1921. The history of the fair is a bit vague today, as some references seem to classify it as a World's Fair, and others not. In any event, it clearly was an important exposition which was organized by the General Confederation of Algerian Farmers under the honorary presidency of the Governor General. Featured attractions included a modern art gallery, an automobile show, trade and industry exhibits (including indigenous industries), horse racing, tourism caravans, Moorish festivals, flower competitions, etc.

Argentina

There were only two issues from Argentina. The more common one is from Framacia Franco-inglese, which billed itself as the largest pharmacy in the world. Two denominations were issued, the 1-centavo and 5-centavos. The other piece is rare and was produced for Allemandi D.D.T. insect poison, a 5-centavos issue.

  Austria

This group of encased postage is larger than most, generally about 37mm in size, perhaps to accommodate the elongated stamps in circulation at the time. Stamps of 1919-22 were used (Post Horn, Coat of Arms, Allegory of New Republic, Symbols of Agriculture, and Mercury designs were used), and were placed against backings that were foil, multicolored, or mother of pearl. Various materials were used for the case, including zinc-plated steel, aluminum, and celluloid. There are reports of copper-finished steel, tin-plated steel, and plastic (cellon) capsules also used. The metal capsules did not note the manufacturer, whereas the celluloid and cellon capsules did. In general, Austrian encased postage stamps are not common, but not rare, with a few exceptions. Initially, the issuance of encased postage was limited to a one-year period. Austroreklame in turn sold advertising space to Austrian companies. While the metal capsules were suitable for only simple depictions, plastic allowed the variation of color and artistic advertising. Austroreklame (later called Union-Vienna) advertised that each capsule would change hands at least 3 times a day, meaning that an issue of as little as 10,000 pieces would have a great advertising impact. If one wanted to redeem capsules for banknotes, one could contact Austroreklame, but whether or how this was done is not known. There is one issue which carries the name Austroreklame, which may be a pattern or sample. The first commercial quantities of encased postage made their appearance in August 1923. Initial reports were that it was viewed suspiciously, with some people refusing to accept it, but after a month, the people of Vienna had gotten used to the new money. When the Austrian capsules started appearing, they were immediately identified as a collector's item, but mainly in other countries such as Germany and the U.S. Apparently, no large collections were amassed in Austria, at least at that time. Most types are from Vienna. In general, the celluloid capsules trade at a higher price than the metal ones, with the exception of the two Hammerbrot types, which are usually a bit less. Some of the capsules appear to have circulated only regionally. Also, many capsules were distributed aggressively by some of the advertisers, partly explaining why some are common and some rare today.

Belgium

Belgium used encased postage during 1920-21. There are 5 advertisers who used Belgian stamps, and two that were from Belgium but used German stamps (Chidez and the celluloid Cycles Scaldis pieces).

China

Among the merchants that advertised on encased postage stamps were banks and coin and stamp dealers. After the Japanese invasion of August 1937, minor Chinese metallic coins disappeared from circulation. Emergency currency of many types, called Fa Chia Ch'uan, was pressed into service, encased postage being only a small part of the solution. One source says that encased postage was used until 1945, as the Japanese withdrew a large quantity of the copper coins in Shanghai.

Of the 21 known varieties, four have only Chinese characters on the stamp side to identify the issuer. All the known varieties have an orange background card, except for two where the card is green. These known varieties are all from Shanghai, except for the Hankow and Szechuan issues, and the two issues of unknown origin. It is possible that other cities also issued encased postage stamps. Stamp dealers utilized encased postage to attract customers from the masses of refugees pouring in from Austria and Germany in 1939 to escape the Nazis. The stamp market boomed in 1939 and later years because stamp collections were a portable item of value to bring out of Europe.

Czechoslovakia

Encased postage from Czechoslovakia is rare. They were issued by very few merchants and little information is available. Celluloid and rectangular metal cases are extant. These were produced early post-World War I. Capsules were made in 1920-1 from the stamps of those same years in metal (Carlsbad) or celluloid (Prague). It appears that encased postage here may have been mainly for advertising, as very little emergency money was produced in the Prague area or for the city's electric railways.

Denmark

There were several different issuers of encased postage ("Reklampengar" or "Postskillemonter") from Denmark. Cases were made of tin-plated steel and painted metal (polychrome) and are round in shape. Again, these were made shortly after World War I. Due to a shortage of change in Southern Jutland (Northern Schleswig) after the reunification with Denmark in 1920, the Director-General of the Post Office allowed the issuance of the 10 and 25 øre denominations of encased postage. Initially, in Southern Jutland, day-to-day transactions were handled using unused stamps, but Superintendent Jacob Andersen, head of the Temporary Overpost Inspectorate in Sønderjylland, suggested that the French idea of encased postage be used as a temporary solution to the coin shortage. The Ministry of Finance approved this on February 12, 1921, after obtaining opinions from the National Bank and the Royal Mønt. It was planned to put 500,000 pieces of the values 10 and 25 øre in circulation from the Sønderjian post offices. These were intended to circulate in Southern Jutland for one year. The first 28,000 pieces of each value were put into circulation on April 4, 1921. The last were placed in circulation in July 1921. There are 10 different advertisers known, with roughly equal numbers of the 10-and 25-øre denominations produced for each. There are examples of privately made stamp money, with several different types known in addition to those made by the postal service. There is also a type with a German 50 pfennig stamp. In addition, there are known examples of removing the intended regular stamp and inserting a Christmas stamp. We know of Christmas stamps from the years 1909, 1914, 1919, and 1921 being used. The practical work on the encased postage artwork was carried out by A / S Postreklamen, who, upon the imposition of a tax, had permission to place an advertisement on the back. The advertiser was The American Tobacco Co. A / S. In fact, the American Tobacco Co. later offered to finance the manufacture of encased postage for the entire country, but the authorities rejected the idea.

France

The need for small change was again the reason for a substitute in the case of France. Although there were examples of coin shortages going back to the French Revolution, substitutes in modern times began appearing during the First World War, as there was no availability of non-ferrous metals. Municipalities, Chambers of Commerce and Industry, communes, associations of merchants, and some individual businesses had tokens minted and/or notes of necessity produced as a form of paper money, but in insufficient numbers. Some local traders began to use postage stamps as change for their customers. It was soon seen that the stamps were too fragile, so they were then affixed to printed cards, but these deteriorated rapidly. Stamps were then used by putting them in small translucent cellophane pouches called "pochettes", but this method didn't hold up to repeated use (there were several kinds of pochettes—envelopes, translucent pouches, tissue paper,

After pochettes, some commercial companies at the beginning of 1920 did what the government had already done, which was create booklets of stamps. The Government had started issuing these in 1908, which usually held 20-40 stamps in the denominations of 5, 10, 15, and 25 centimes. A cover on the booklet protected the stamps to some degree. Still, some entrepreneurs wanted to make a product with more protection for the stamp and for more convenient handling. Even though encased stamps had been already patented in the United States by Gault in 1862, a French patent was received by a Frenchman, Edouard Bouchaud-Praceiq, on March 29, 1920. On April 8, the Tribunal de Commerce de la Seine accepted the patent (Coffing). He also applied for (and received) patents in Italy, Austria, and some other countries, as the European patent offices were not aware of the old American patent. The German authorities refused the patent request, as they knew of the American patent. French encased postage (or Timbres-Monnaie) used two different types of cases, aluminum and painted metal. The backgrounds weren't always cardboard, but were often painted or a colored translucent plastic disc. Most of the stamps used were from the 1920 issue, but some were from the 1921 emissions. Issues with the earlier 15 centimes and the later orange 5 centimes stamps are scarce. The Sower No Ground design stamp was used with values of 5, 10, and 25 centimes. Values of 20, 30, 50, 60, and 75 centimes are known. None of the French encased issues are common, and some have a high degree of rarity. The 20 and 35 centimes capsules are thought to be unique. France used encased postage during the years 1920-1924, when small change was again being produced in adequate quantities. The Government never officially sanctioned the use of capsules, but as they helped to alleviate the coin shortage, they were allowed to circulate. There is no record of any legal challenge to their use. As far as rarity goes, the most common piece would have to be the Credit Lyonnais 5c green, as the firm had far more than 12 orders of 1000, although it is almost certain that the total number was much more. According to Christoph Gaertner, there have been 88 different varieties of the Credit Lyonnais issue alone! The painted iron issues deteriorated easily. Unlike several of the embossed aluminum issues, none of the iron issues are common. The French pieces in painted iron often rust, many times where the other side is quite nice.

Germany

Kaiserreich coins were melted for their metal content during World War I, which created a severe small change shortage in Germany towards the end of the war and especially in 1920-1. Postage stamps themselves were first used as small change in October 1915. The use of stamps in transparent envelopes began in late 1916. The first coin-like capsules appeared in 1919. The repeal of the law requiring the redemption of paper currency in gold caused the general public to hoard coins. These factors were responsible for the conditions that caused the need for emergency small change, and encased postage (kapselgeld) was one of these solutions, along with many other types of private emergency issues. Since the penal code only addressed imitation and counterfeit Reich money, the use and production of emergency private tokens, of which encased postage was a part, was tolerated and even promoted by the authorities in some areas. Germany was the most prolific user of encased postage in the post-WWI period with hundreds of firms issuing multiple denominations. While the vast majority of these issues contain Germania or Numeral type stamps, a few used different types, including the worker and posthorn stamps of 1921 and countermarked Bavarian stamps. These later types are scarce. Whereas in France only one factory made encased postage, there were multiple companies in Germany which produced capsules. The firms Alfred Zoelzer in Elberfeld and Meise & Moecking in Vohwinkel produced celluloid pieces, and C. Rembold in Heilbronn and Haenel & Schwarz in Berlin manufactured cardboard kapselgeld. The aluminum capsules were mainly from Richard Beator in Leipzig and F.E. Feissler in Saalfeld, whereas the Opel pieces were produced by Fathos-Reklame in Frankfurt am Main. Generally German encased postage has a colored paper background behind the stamp, and many colors were used (and can be collected by color varieties). In rare cases the paper background has been printed with advertising in addition to the advertising on the reverse. Whereas there are many scarce and rare types, most German encased postage is relatively common. A variety of materials have been used for the cases: iron, embossed zinc, aluminum, tin-plated steel, brass, colored lacquer on metal, celluloid with metal rim, celluloid alone, cardboard with celluloid cover (scarce), and cardboard with glassine (plastic or celluloid) cover (scarce). A few celluloid issues have a photograph in place of the advertisement and are scarce. Denominations run from 5 pfennig all the way to 3 mark, with 5 and 10 (especially) pfennig most often encountered. Larger denominations tend to carry a small premium. Diameters generally run 32-34mm. The side with the advertiser's name and location is considered the obverse. Germany used encased postage from 1919-23. The era of kapselgeld ended when hyperinflation occurred, and the denominations became meaningless.

Greece

According to Courtney Coffing, during a small change shortage in 1922-1923, encasements appeared of 5 and 10 lepta Greek stamps (Scott A26 green and A24 carmine, respectively). These apparently circulated widely and were apparently produced with no advertising. While over 100 varieties of encased postage are said to have been produced in Greece during the postwar period, they are exceedingly rare today, with the exception of an issue by Singer Sewing Machines, which is still fairly rare.

Italy

As in other areas after the war, extreme shortages of small change developed, in fact to the point where customers of businesses would buy commodities in quantity in the amount corresponding to the paper money they had. But this was not an ideal solution. Next, postage stamps were tried as before but failed for the same reasons as before (were lost easily, got sticky and dirty, etc.). Finally, encased postage solved this problem and helped facilitate transactions until enough small change could again be made and distributed.

The Milanese company Solari (a liquor producer) started to encase stamps in aluminum cases embossed with a legend advertising their own company. These capsules circulated mainly in the 1919-20 period and were made of plastic or aluminum. 5, 10, and 25 centesimi stamps were used, with the end product 32mm in diameter. The operation was a success and soon they formed a new company, FYP. It. Brevetti Solari, to produce capsules for themselves and other companies. This was under license from Robert Binds-Shedler, the French patent holder. The circulation of encased postage was useful and profitable for about a three-year period, although they continued to circulate to some degree through at least 1923. These issues circulated not only in Italy but also in the Mediterranean islands and Asia Minor. There have been more recent coin shortages in Italy during which encased postage was pressed into action again. These are the periods after World War II and during the 1970s.

Monaco

The only encased postage from Monaco is the Musée Océanographique / Aquarium de Monaco piece with French stamp. According to Courtney Coffing, Prince Albert I of Monaco willed the Oceanographic Museum to the French government, accounting for the use of French stamps in the capsules. These were in use in the early 1920's. Capsules with other values or Monaco stamps have been tampered with and are not original (cf. de Vos).

New Caledonia

Issued by the Banque L'Indo-Chine (Noumea) after the end of World War I, these encased postage stamps came in 10, 25 and 50 centimes denominations. Produced in 1922, both have aluminum cases and are very scarce. Mica was apparently used as the clear cover over the stamp.

Norway

There were very few issuers of encased postage in Norway. There are several types of cases, including heavy paper with metal rim, round aluminum, brass, or rectangular aluminum. These were used around 1917-20 and all types are rare. Stamps of the olive-gray 1 ore were used for the Alf. Chr. Nielsen pieces from Kristiania (old name of Oslo), which were on cardboard with a metal frame, in the diameter of 33mm. Other issuers include G.K. Hartmann of Kristiania and Marcovitch Cigarettes, which produced metallic rectangular capsules.

Portugal

Because of the lack of coins in circulation, some private organizations, such as banks and insurance companies, issued encased postage ("Monedas de Emergencia"), encapsulating "Ceres" stamps in the denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 centavos in metal cases. Later, to alleviate the shortage of 5 centavos coins (the last issue of which was minted in 1927), an emergency issue with the stamp of the Temple of Diana was produced, which circulated until 1945.

Spain

Encased postage stamps were used in the Barcelona area shortly after the end of the Civil War. The Franco issue "El Cid" stamp types were used in the denominations of 5, 10, and 15 centimos. The cases were aluminum or cardboard with metal rim, bearing the advertisements of various Barcelona firms. Some pieces have a celluloid cover made from unexposed clear photographic film, which still shows the perforations (probably from the discarded ends of film). Apparently, this was due to the intense shortages of supplies in postwar Spain. These are all rare and were issued between the Nationalist victory in 1938 and the resumption of small denomination coinage in 1940. From what I have been able to gather, most if not all of these were produced after the Civil War. A few of the issues contain Franco stamps (including Bazar La Union, Joyeria Oriol, Almacenes Segura, Mutua General Seguros, and Café Restaurante Suizo).

Upper Silesia

Upper Silesia issued their own stamps from 1920-22. One of the merchant advertisers was Hans Rotter, who also produced encasements with German Stamps.

For more information, or to order, see:
THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ENCASED POSTAGE (https://www.numislit.com/pages/books/7855/paul-montz/encyclopedia-of-encased-postage)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NEW BOOK: ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ENCASED POSTAGE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/
esylum_v29n25a03.html)

 

TWO BRENNER PRESIDENTIAL MEDALS

As I have said before, one of the greatest parts of my job is working with the wide range of people who own numismatic material. And working at Stack's Bowers Galleries, that means I get to work with numismatic material as diverse as the folks who collected it. The subject of this week's U.S. Coin of the Week blog is the Charles Prioleau Collection, an incredible assemblage of the medallic work of famed American artist Victor David Brenner. Among numismatists, the ubiquitous Lincoln cent is his most well known work, but Brenner was prolific in his career, creating medals on a wide range of subjects.

Among the many great (and often quite rare) pieces in the Charles Prioleau Collection were two that really caught my eye. If you collect Brenner or presidential material be sure to check out our Summer Global Showcase Auction, as well as our September TAMS Collectors Choice Auction and November Showcase Auction.

The first item is a stunning framed 21-inch bronze portrait plaque of Theodore Roosevelt. This oversized portrait is reminiscent of the bust seen on the Panama Canal Service medal (cataloged as Smedley-80). But thanks to this larger format, the artist was able to treat his subject with much more care and exacting detail. Signed V.D. Brenner/ 1908 at the lower right, the 21 inch round plaque is centrally mounted to a 30"X30" wooden frame, which would make for a striking display in an office or gallery.

The second item is a 1909 Preserve, Protect, Defend plaque. Based on the medal of the same name, the obverse displays Brenner's Lincoln portrait that we know from the "penny" which has been in our pockets and wallets for over 100 years. The reverse shows a stormy sea hitting a cliff with an eagle about to take flight. In his article on the medallic works of Victor David Brenner, Smedley describes this as "one of Brenner's finest creations".

This item was described by Paul Cunningham in his reference Lincoln's Metallic Imagery as a "desk medal" as it is mounted with a stand that allows it to stand freely on a desk or curio. It features the obverse and reverse as uniface pieces that are mounted together with a column topped by an eagle. The Preserve, Protect, Defend medal as a type is rare in any format, in this "desk medal" format, it is quite possibly unique; it is certainly the first we can recall handling.

These two items straddle the line between numismatics, Presidential Americana, and medallic art. When you add that they feature two of America's most regarded presidents, we have no doubt that both will attract very strong bidding.

Be sure to look at all the items in the Charles Prioleau Collection, and remember selections will be offered in the Summer Global Showcase, the September TAMS Collectors Choice Auction, and the November Showcase Auctions.

To read the complete article, see:
Incredibly Rare Presidential Medallic Portrait Art (https://stacksbowers.com/incredibly-rare-presidential-medallic-portrait-art/)

2009 NOBEL PRIZE MEDAL IN PHYSICS

Nobel Prize medal, struck in 18 karat gold plated in 24 karat gold, designed by Erik Lindberg and manufactured by the Swedish Royal Mint. Obverse with bust of Alfred Nobel left, in field left, ALFR·/ NOBEL; behind head to right, NAT·/MDCCC/ XXXIII/ OB·/ MDCCC/ XCVI; at left edge, before bust, E· LINDBERG 1902. Reverse with, INVENTAS · VITAM · IUVAT · EXCOLUISSE · PER · ARTES (Life is enhanced through the arts of discovery) — REG · ACAD · — SCIENT · SUEC · (The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences); below, incuse, on tablet in exergue, W · S· BOYLE / MMIX, Nature, in the form of a goddess, standing left, her right arm holding a cornucopia, a figure representing the Genius of Science, standing right, holding up the veil of Science; in field, left, NATURA, in field, right SCIENTIA / ERIK / LINDBERG; the edge marked MV / G (Myntverket and Assay); weight: 178 g.; diameter: 65 mm (2 9/16 in.). Housed in the original red morocco case, top of case with border of a double-gilt dotted rule, "N" tool in corners, and centered with recipient's name (W.S. BOYLE); the fitted interior lined with suede and yellow satin; interior case edges with gilt dentelles.

Bell Lab scientists Willard S. Boyle and George E. Smith developed the charge-coupled device during a brief meeting while they were working on whether it was possible to make a new form of bubble memory using semiconductors. Bubble memory was receiving a lot of attention – and funding - at Bell Labs at the time and Boyle and Smith thought that if they could develop a competing concept their semiconductor division would be ensured continued funding. Boyle, in a 2009 article in IEEE Spectrum recalled that when he returned home that night, he mentioned to his wife: "George and I did something special today."

They first described their invention in the Bell Systems Telephone Journal: "Basically it consists of storage charge in potential wells created at the surface of a semiconductor and moving the charge (representing information) over the surface by moving the potential minima … In particular, we consider minority carrier charge storage at the Si-SiO2 interface of a MOS capacitor. This charge may be transferred to a closely adjacent capacitor on the same substrate by appropriate manipulation of electrode potentials. Examples of possible applications are a shift register, as an imaging device, as a display device, and in performing logic" (p.587). Boyle, in his Nobel Prize acceptance speech, recalled how Jim Early of Fairchild Semiconductor summarized the CCD: "The transistor worked with the sense of sound while the CCD worked with the sense of sight."

The other applications were largely put aside once its potential as an imaging device was further explored. Boyle and Smith saw how effective the CCDs were in converting light into digital data and they knew that the era of chemical-based photography was coming to a close. CCDs, 10 times more sensitive than film, would become the dominant technology in digital photography through the early 2000s when cheaper CMOS technology took over the consumer market. But it was the CCD that forged the path that led to DLSRs, smartphone photography and instant sharing of images. CCD technology remains dominant where the highest quality images are essential: in medicine and in science, especially in astronomy where the world's most powerful telescopes rely on CCD technology. NASA's space probes and space telescopes also use CCD technology. The Hubble, for instance, widened our perception of deep space through numerous discoveries and observations and expanded our imagination with images like the Pillars of Creation.

Boyle and Smith were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their invention 40 years after its inception. It was just two years after the iPhone was introduced and it was clear that digital imaging was having a profound impact not just in scientific fields, but also on society. Boyle, in his acceptance speech, attributed much of his success to the Bell Labs environment with its fellowship between scientists and engineers of varied fields, the mixture of theory with the practical and access to sophisticated equipment.

To read the complete article, see:
2009 Nobel Prize Medal in Physics Awarded to Willard Boyle, for His Work on Digital Photography Technology (https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2026/history-of-science-technology-2/2009-nobel-prize-medal-in-physics-awarded-to)

JAPANESE COIN-SHAPED SAND ART MYSTERY

On a white sandy beach along the Seto Inland Sea, a giant sand sculp­ture depict­ing an ancient coin emerges from behind a pine forest.

Loc­ated in Koto­hiki Park, "Zenigata Sunae" (coin-shaped sand art) is a major tour­ist des­tin­a­tion in Kan­onji, Kagawa Pre­fec­ture.

The giant coin art has a cir­cum­fer­ence of 345 meters, a major axis of 122 meters and a minor axis of 90 meters. The sand mounds form­ing the char­ac­ters stand over 2 meters high. Des­pite its oval-shaped design, the sculp­ture looks like a per­fect circle when viewed from the obser­va­tion deck at the sum­mit of nearby Mt. Koto­hiki.

The sculp­ture depicts a "Kanei tsuho," a coin that was min­ted from 1636 until around the fall of the Tok­ugawa sho­gun­ate. Kanei refers to the name of the era when the coin began to be min­ted, while tsuho was a widely used cur­rency. Unlike gold or sil­ver coins, Kanei tsuho cir­cu­lated widely among com­mon­ers.

However, many puzzles remain. When was such a big art­work cre­ated? By whom? And for what pur­pose?

The sculp­ture is con­sidered one of Kagawa's mys­ter­ies, as there is no estab­lished the­ory that answers these ques­tions.

To main­tain the sculp­ture, a sand-smooth­ing event is held every spring and autumn, where hun­dreds of volun­teers work to restore the design. This spring the event took place on April 29, and about 400 people par­ti­cip­ated. Instruc­tions for the work were relayed from the obser­va­tion deck via micro­phone and walkie-talkie.

To read the complete article, see:
Mys­tery of coin-shaped sand art in Kagawa Pref. remains to this day (https://www.pressreader.com/japan/the-japan-news-by-the-yomiuri-shimbun/20260612/281668261666196)

LOOSE CHANGE: JULY 12, 2026

The Nation's Commemorative Coins

From the very beginning, one of the main purposes of the United States commemorative coin program was rooted in making a nod to the nation's history. It's what separates the special issues from the circulating coinage that serve their purposes for commerce.

Many commemorative coins were created long before the United States seized the idea in earnest in the 1890s. Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins traces the use of special issues to ancient Greeks and Romans. Over time, there came a need to better differentiate, which Breen explained, "the greatest difference is that commemoratives are increasingly often NCLT's (noncirculating legal tender coins) sold at a premium to coin collectors or the general public, though theoretically able to circulate."

The commemorative has proven to be a suitable means of promoting historic persons, places and events and the variety of commemorative coins seen in the course of American history offers strong evidence of that.

A list of the most impactful commemoratives that represent the nation's 250 years of growth and development is subject to debate and certainly could be more inclusive. We have selected a representative sample from the classic and modern commemoratives that have been brought forth, through approval of the legislative bodies and executive branch approval into the nation's conscience. Your own list may be different and that's OK, for the nation was built on differences.

To read the complete article, see:
Tracing the Nation's History Through Commemorative Coins (https://www.greysheet.com/news/story/tracing-the-nations-history-through-commemorative-coins)

Eugene Daub Interview

Eugene stated he felt he had no real formal training, although his road to sculpture and medals was winding with some rather formal connections. After leaving home, studying to be a hairdresser, and serving a stint in the Army, he ended up at an arts school in Pittsburgh, studying graphic arts, and then became the director of an advertising agency. He later became a bas-relief sculptor at the Franklin Mint, which allowed employees to take classes. He was thus able to study with nationally known sculptor EvAngelos Frudakis and further his training.

Eugene commented that learning bas relief was fascinating, and it seemed quite close to drawing while adding depth to his works. As he got started, he found himself going to the Johnson Atelier School of Sculpture. Here, he felt he learned everything from molds to sand casting to plastics.

Also, when he was starting out, he met Gary Erickson and Carter Jones, who at the time were forming the American Medallic Sculpture Association (AMSA), along with a few others. They were seeking people to join, and this young organization got everyone interested in and on fire for the medal as an art form.

Artists are very ego-driven, Eugene said, and awards are about recognition. He felt that at times it was worth pure gold. He noted that receiving the Saltus Award in 1991 really knocked his socks off.

To read the complete article, see:
Beyond the Mainstream: Sculptor and Designer Eugene Daub (https://www.numismaticnews.net/beyond-the-mainstream-sculptor-and-designer-eugene-daub)

Matt Rothert and 'In God We Trust'

"It's a wonderful story, and Daddy gave God all the credit. He didn't take any credit, he just said, 'I'm in the right place at the right time, and my Dad's using me,'" she said.

Matthew Rothert Sr., born 1904, was a furniture manufacturer and avid coin collector living in Camden, Arkansas, who was passing the offering plate at church on June 21, 1953, when he believed the Holy Spirit moved him to lobby for getting "In God We Trust" on paper money.

What began as a private moment at the historic Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, where he happened to be visiting that summer for an annual furniture show, became a nationwide effort involving determination, thousands of hand-typed letters, key relationships, persistent faith and what the family believes was God's providential hand at every step.

Nelson explained that the fact the idea came to her father in the sanctuary where he was married further convinced him that it was a personal and God-given assignment.

"When he'd go back, he would go to that church, and the offering plate was being passed, and he felt God say, 'Matt, you know, the coins have 'In God We Trust' on them, but the bills don't.' And it was just such a special church for my dad, that he really knew it was God speaking to him through His Spirit," she said.

To read the complete article, see:
'God was in control': Daughter reflects on father's role in getting 'In God We Trust' on US currency (https://www.christianpost.com/news/daughter-reflects-on-fathers-role-in-getting-god-on-currency.html)

Recording Today's Numismatic History

Every year, hundreds of medals, trade notes, wooden tokens, souvenir notes and other numismatic collectibles are issued across Canada. Many are produced in small quantities, quickly disappearing into private collections before anyone records their existence.

Veteran numismatist Yvon Marquis believes that should concern every collector. While classic references by Breton, Leroux and Courteau preserved the stories behind Canada's early numismatic treasures, Marquis fears many of today's issues could be forgotten altogether.

Speaking during a recent Royal Canadian Numismatic Association virtual seminar, Marquis argued that modern medals, tokens, local currencies and souvenir notes deserve the same careful documentation as the coins and paper money that now fill our catalogues.

To read the complete article, see:
Who will record today's numismatic history? (https://canadiancoinnews.com/who-will-record-todays-numismatic-history/)

Recovering Copper, Gold, and Silver from Electronic Scrap

Mint's main focus will be on recovering copper, gold, silver and other metals from printed circuit boards and other e-scrap. Linca will focus on recovering lithium, nickel and cobalt from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. Mint's company reshuffle aims to help align its U.S. operations with the country's recent focus on boosting domestic supply chains for critical minerals used in electronics, batteries and magnets.

It's become a notable economic and manufacturing priority in the U.S., partly because countries like China have cornered the market on certain minerals used to manufacture those items, and recent geopolitical pressures like tariffs and the war in Iran have further strained supply chains for some industries.

The rise of AI and the prevalence of data centers is also driving higher demand for copper, added Matt Bedingfield, Mint's new global CEO. Bedingfield estimates an upcoming global copper shortage of between 6 million to 10 million tons by 2035.

"Every single data center, every single battery electric vehicle, every single energy transition item, be it solar farms or wind turbines — they take an absolute ton of copper, so that's what's powering societal growth," he said in an interview.

To read the complete article, see:
Mint to separate critical minerals work into e-scrap, battery businesses (https://www.wastedive.com/news/mint-separate-critical-minerals-business-copper-battery-businesses/824937/)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
ROYAL MINT'S NEW GOLD EXTRACTION PROCESS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n10a24.html)

LIBRARIES, BOOKS AND BIBLOPHILES

Too Many Books?

For a young Jewish scholar and writer named Mendel Uminer, books are the wellspring of enlightenment. So when he scored a studio apartment a block away from Central Park on Manhattan's Upper East Side a year ago, he brought his books with him — all 10,000 of them. What followed, at least for a little while, was a charmed existence in his 600-square-foot temple of knowledge.

He worked as a freelance Hebrew translator and used the apartment as the headquarters for his fledgling literary journal, Notarikon Review, hosting parties that gained a reputation among quarters of New York's literary underclass. Striving writers drank beer among the teetering stacks while arguing over foreign affairs and Greek poetry.

The stacks kept rising as Uminer added his hauls from thrift shops, book dealers and eBay deliveries. "I don't think of myself as a hoarder," he said, "but I guess my building did."

This past winter, he received a notice from building management. "You are violating a substantial obligation of your tenancy," it began. "You are maintaining the Premises in a severely overcluttered condition; permitting the over-accumulation of books in the Premises; creating a fire hazard by over-accumulating combustible books in the Premises."

After months of slow legal jousting, Uminer finally resigned himself to moving out of 6 East 65th Street, which is owned by the Hakim Organization, a company founded by the New York real estate magnate Kamran Hakim.

"I don't want to be here if I'm not wanted," he said.

To read the complete article, see:
Too Many Books? (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/09/style/too-many-books-new-york-city-apartment-scholar-landlord.html)

Baltimore's 'Cathedral of Books'

Hidden in plain sight in the city's historic Mount Vernon neighborhood, the George Peabody Library doesn't give much away from the outside.

But step through its doors, and visitors are met with a space many struggle to put into words.

Some describe it as cinematic. Others say it feels more like Europe than Maryland.

The collection includes rare and historic texts, from early scientific works to a first edition of Edgar Allan Poe, featuring some of the most important short stories in American literature.

The space itself is just as striking as the collection.

Often called Baltimore's "cathedral of books," the library rises six stories high, with natural light pouring in from a skylight above. Ornate cast-iron balconies wrap around each level, along with staircases and shelving— original to the building's 1878 design.

To read the complete article, see:
Amazing America: Inside Baltimore's 'Cathedral of Books' (https://foxbaltimore.com/amazing-america/amazing-america-inside-baltimores-cathedral-of-books)

For more information, see:
https://www.library.jhu.edu/library-hours/george-peabody-library/

Oxford University's 750-Year-Old Library

At Merton College in Oxford, there is an antique chest. In the Middle Ages, three key-holders had to be summoned to reveal the riches within. But this treasure wasn't gold or jewels. It was books.

Such strict security may sound overly cautious for mere parchment. But in an era before the printing press, books were a valuable commodity. They could take months to produce, as the entire text had to be painstakingly written out by hand. So, just as universities solicit cash from their alumni today, Merton College insisted its 13th-Century fellows donated books.

The Archbishop of Canterbury issued a decree in 1276 introducing this requirement, which marked the beginning of the library at Merton College. It has been running continuously ever since. To put that length of time in context, Merton's library predates the Aztec Empire. Its unbroken history stretches from before the Black Death to beyond the Covid-19 pandemic. And its users have encompassed everyone from famous 14th-Century mathematicians to Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien.

This month marks the library's 750th anniversary. It's a major milestone. But Merton's extraordinary lifespan has been recognised since the Victoria era, when it was routinely described as the oldest library in England.

To read the complete article, see:
'A remarkable time capsule': The enchanting history of Oxford University's 750-year-old medieval library (https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20260423-the-enchanting-story-of-oxfords-medieval-library)

A Swedish Library Forgot to Close Its Doors
When Anna Carin Elf arrived at the Gothenburg City Library on a Saturday morning, she expected the silence of a building closed for a public holiday. It was All Saints Day—a time typically reserved for quiet reflection and honoring the deceased.

Instead, she found the library humming with life.

Unbeknownst to the staff, a door had been left unlocked the previous evening. For hours, the library functioned perfectly, without a single employee on-site. All books were borrowed and returned normally.

The visitors were also surprised, when they found out what happened Elf says. "They thought it was a bit empty. But the people in the library behaved as usual. Many were sitting reading newspapers, some families were in the children's section and others were searching for books on the computer."

To read the complete article, see:
A Swedish Library Forgot to Close Its Doors and Something Beautiful Happened (https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/public-library-restoring-trust-in-humanity-repubz/)

ABOUT THIS ISSUE: JULY 12, 2026

Wayne Homren
Wayne Homren is the founding editor of The E-Sylum and a consultant for the Newman Numismatic Portal. His collecting interests at various times included U.S. Encased Postage Stamps, merchant counterstamps, Pittsburgh Obsolete paper money, Civil War tokens and scrip, Carnegie Hero Medals, charge coins and numismatic literature. He also collects and has given presentations on the work of Money Artist J.S.G. Boggs. In the non-numismatic world he's worked in artificial intelligence, data science, and as a Program Manager for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Garrett Ziss
Garrett Ziss is a numismatic collector and researcher, with a focus on American paper money and early U.S. silver and copper coins. He is also a part-time U.S. coin cataloger for Heritage Auctions. Garrett assists Editor Wayne Homren by editing and formatting a selection of articles and images each week. When he's not engaged in numismatics, Garrett is pursuing a Master's Degree in Quantitative Economics at the University of Pittsburgh.

Pete Smith
Numismatic researcher and author Pete Smith of Minnesota has written about early American coppers, Vermont coinage, numismatic literature, tokens and medals, the history of the U.S. Mint and much more. Author of American Numismatic Biographies, he contributes original articles to The E-Sylum often highlighting interesting figures in American numismatic history.

Greg Bennick
Greg Bennick (www.gregbennick.com) is a keynote speaker and long time coin collector with a focus on major mint error coins and US counterstamps. He is on the board of both CONECA and TAMS and enjoys having in-depth conversations with prominent numismatists from all areas of the hobby. Have ideas for other interviewees? Contact him anytime via instagram @minterrors. He can also be reached by email at minterrors@gmail.com.

John Nebel
Numismatist, photographer, and ANS Board member and Fellow John Nebel of Boulder, CO helped the ANA and other clubs like NBS get online in the early days of the internet, hosting websites gratis through his Computer Systems Design Co. To this day he hosts some 50 ANA member club sites along with our coinbooks.org site, making the club and our E-Sylum archive available to collectors and researchers worldwide.

Bruce Perdue
Encased coinage collector (encasedcoins.info) Bruce Perdue of Aurora, Illinois has been the volunteer NBS webmaster from its early days and works each week to add the latest E-Sylum issue to our archive and send out the email announcement.