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 September 26, 2026 Workman's Books November 1, 2026

 

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 SEPTEMBER 20, 2026

New subscribers this week include: Dan Garske, courtesy Tom Sheehan, Jaye Waterman, courtesy Bruce Perdue, Jason Forsyth, and Matthew Salzberg. Welcome aboard! We now have 6,361 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 more Kolbe & Fanning numismatic literature sale highlights, three new books, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, notes from readers, and more.

Other topics this week include medalets of the U.S. Mint, German banknotes, the Castorland jeton, the Santini medal, HaithiTrust, Bob Schulman, fixed price and auction selections, my numismatic diaries, a new Canadian banknote, and one of the most important financial documents of the American Revolution.

To learn more about the Charles Morris collection, Clapp's photographic Type Set of United States Cents, 1793–1857, engravers William H. Key and George B. Soley, the medals of Venice, the 1933 Double Eagles, NBS events at the 2026 ANA, L.W. Hoffecker, Student Work, Hard Times Tokens, the William and Mary Crown, the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of North America, and the Wienermobile's license plate, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

 

MORE KOLBE & FANNING SALE 178 HIGHLIGHTS

On Saturday, September 26, 2026, the outstanding numismatic library formed by Robert A. Schuman, M.D., is being sold by Kolbe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers. The online catalogue can be accessed at bid.numislit.com. Bob Schuman's collecting interests focused on U.S. coins and tokens, and his library includes an impressive array of classic auction catalogues, rare periodicals, special editions, association copies, and much else.

Some highlights include:

 

Lot 7: J.N.T. Levick's annotated copy of Frank Dewette Andrews's 1881 first edition of his study on middle- and late-date large cents, a legendary rarity of American numismatic literature

Lot 41: a fine example of S.H. & H. Chapman's rare photographically plated 1905 catalogue of the Charles Morris collection, in its original state

Lot 60: the 1920 S.H. Chapman catalogue of the W.H. Hunter collection, with 9 exceptional photographic plates depicting Indian Peace Medals and other early American medals

Lot 98: George Clapp's photographic Type Set of United States Cents, 1793–1857, one of only a few sets produced of this five-photograph portfolio, presented to Wayte Raymond

Lot 121: a beautiful copy of the special hardcover version of Tom Elder's 1908 catalogue of the Peter Gschwend collection, with 17 fine photographic plates

Lot 154: Elder's 1921 catalogue of the Lynch, Walker & Tilden collections, with the complete complement of 22 photographic plates, one of only four such sets of plates known to us

Lot 201: the prototype plates of 1793 large cents made for J.N.T. Levick in 1868 as he worked on the project that resulted in the 1869 "Levick Plate"—the first die study in numismatics

Lot 214: Edward Cogan's personal hardcover copy of the 1869 first edition of Maris on Varieties of the Copper Issues of the United States Mint in the Year 1794

Lot 236: a complete set of the unplated United States Coin Company catalogues issued by Wayte Raymond between 1912 and 1918, a significant series of often-rare catalogues

Lot 255: Clarence Bement's example of the rare plated version of Harlan Page Smith's 1886 auction catalogue of the Dr. Edward Maris collection.

Register early to bid online
Bids may be placed via post, email, phone, as well as online. Kolbe & Fanning use Auction Mobility as our third-party online bidding platform. Auction Mobility is an app-based platform allowing users the ability to participate in the sale through phones, tablets and computers. To register for the sale, bidders must go to bid.numislit.com and sign up. Once you have set up an account, you may browse lots, place advance bids, or participate in the live sale online. Those wishing to participate on their devices can download the Kolbe & Fanning app through the Apple or Google Play Store. The sale has also been listed on Biddr and NumisBids.

The printed catalogue has been mailed to all active customers on our mailing list. As international mail speeds have been inconsistent, we encourage our foreign clients to consult the electronic catalogue in case their printed catalogue does not arrive promptly. A PDF of the printed catalogue has been posted to our main website at numislit.com for those who prefer that format. Bids placed via post, email, or phone must be received by September 25, the day before the sale, in order for them to be processed. Advance absentee bids may also be placed at any time online at bid.numislit.com. Internet bidding will be available during the sale itself through the same platform.

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
KOLBE & FANNING SALE 178 ANNOUNCED (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n36a03.html)
KOLBE & FANNING SALE 178 HIGHLIGHTS (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n37a02.html)

NEW BOOK: 18MM MEDALETS OF THE US MINT

18 mm Medalets of the US Mint, William H. Key, and George B. Soley: An Illustrated Reference
by Jonathan Brecher

The ultimate illustrated identification guide to 18 mm US Mint medalets and their die pairings to Civil War tokens and Centennial Exposition medalets (1830s–1880s).

Dive into the fascinating world of 19th-century American numismatics. 18 mm Medalets of the US Mint, William H. Key, and George B. Soley: An Illustrated Reference is a comprehensive catalog designed for collectors, historians, and professional dealers alike.

In the mid-1800s, the United States Mint—alongside celebrated private engravers like William H. Key and George B. Soley—produced a series of small, 18-millimeter political medalets, campaign tokens, and store cards. While earlier catalogers on specific topical areas, this reference proudly steps into the gaps. By analyzing decades of auction history and historic archives, author Jonathan Brecher unlocks a dense web of previously unlisted, rare, and complex die pairings.

Whether you are trying to identify a minor variety of a US Mint medalet, differentiate an unsigned Lincoln or Grant die, or cross-reference related historical campaign pieces for Lincoln, Jackson, or McClellan, this guide provides the framework needed to evaluate these die pairings.

Key Features & What's Inside:

• Comprehensive Die Cataloging: Detailed breakdowns of over 160 medalets produced from approximately 90 distinct obverse or reverse dies.
• Design Family Breakdowns: Dedicated sections evaluating portrait busts of historic American figures, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Andrew Jackson, and George B. McClellan.
• Advanced Variety Attribution: A clear decimal numbering system built to easily identify major design types and minor die varieties.
• Correcting Numismatic History: Critical analysis evaluates 150 years of auction catalogs to flag doubtful or erroneously listed pieces, helping collectors avoid phantom varieties.
• Exhaustive Cross-Referencing: Essential lookup tables for Julian, Musante, Baker, DeWitt, Cunningham, King, Abler, Rulau, and Fuld identifiers.

Perfect for the specialized token collector or any lover of American political history, this illustrated reference is an indispensable addition to your numismatic library.

The US Mint first produced 18 mm presidential medals before 1860, using designs commemorating Andrew Jackson and George Washington. Production expanded during and after the Civil War, driven by interest in Washingtonia and by the desire to commemorate President Abraham Lincoln after his assassination. Even more pieces were produced outside the Mint during the US Centennial celebration of 1876.

Many of these small medals, or medalets, are already familiar to collectors through catalogs of Washington pieces, Lincoln pieces, Civil War tokens, presidential campaign medals, US Mint medals, and US Centennial medals. Others fall outside those established categories. Auction listings frequently describe additional pieces as variants of cataloged varieties or as unlisted varieties entirely.

Contemporary records are scarce, often limited to an occasional note in an auction catalog. US Mint records are fragmentary and unclear. For those reasons, this catalog relies primarily on die evidence. When the medalets are grouped by the dies that struck them, four production groups emerge:

• Presidential medalets produced mainly at the US Mint
• Civil War tokens and presidential medalets produced by William H. Key
• US Centennial medalets produced by William H. Key
• Presidential and US Centennial medalets produced by George B. Soley

Anthony C. Paquet's dies connect all four production groups. Paquet engraved several medalet dies while he was employed at the US Mint from 1857 to 1864. Some of those dies were later paired with non-Mint dies, including several with subjects that postdate his departure from the Mint. One plausible explanation is that Paquet took five dies with him when he left and later shared them with others, including Soley, Key, and possibly John H. Diehl, who is known to have struck medalets for both Soley and Key.

Paquet signed several of these mixed-use dies, and he may have engraved others. None of the medalets produced by Soley or Key are paired with any other US Mint dies. Aside from the Paquet-associated dies that cross production boundaries, the four production groups share no other dies.

For more information, or to order, see:
18 mm Medalets of the US Mint, William H. Key, and George B. Soley: An Illustrated Reference (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HCRG55WR)

NEW BOOK: GERMAN BANKNOTES, 24TH ED.

German banknotes from 1871 onwards
Hans-Ludwig Grabowski

Paper money issued by German central banks, government paper money, colonial and occupation issues, German territories and banknote-like securities and vouchers

ISBN: 978-3-86646-279-3
Edition: 24th edition 2026/2027
Dimensions: 14.8 x 21 cm
Type of figures: colored throughout
Type of cover: Hardcover
Number of pages: approx. 880

This comprehensive, full-color, up-to-date reference work on German banknotes from the founding of the German Empire in 1871 to the present day, organized by historical period: the German Empire, the Weimar Republic, the Third Reich, the Allied occupation, the GDR, the Federal Republic of Germany, and related territories. In addition to the notes of the German central banks (including state-owned note banks), it also includes government paper money, colonial and occupation issues, banknote-like securities and vouchers, occupation issues from both World Wars, and military currency. All areas are cataloged with their own numbering systems and currently valued.

The catalog includes:

• German banknotes and government paper money
• German Empire 1871–1918
• Weimar Republic 1918–1933
• German / Greater German Reich 1933–1945
• Allied Occupation 1945–1948
• German Democratic Republic 1949–1990
• Federal Republic of Germany 1949–1999
• European Monetary Union from 2002

Related areas:

• Emergency government issues
• German state and private note banks 1871–1930
• Banknotes of the German colonies
• German foreign banks (Argentina, China, Mexico)
• German military and occupation issues as well as ghetto and prison money
• Paper money-like securities (conversion vouchers, tax coupons)
• Paper money-like vouchers (WHW vouchers)
• German territories (Occupied Rhineland, Danzig, Memel Territory, Saar Territory)

Newly included are the vouchers of the "Reich Commissioner for Maritime Shipping" from 1942 to 1944, as well as the draft of an edition from the High Command of the Red Army from 1944 for the occupation of Germany.

For more information, or to order, see:
Die deutschen Banknoten ab 1871 (https://www.battenberg-bayerland.de/produkt/die-deutschen-banknoten-ab-1871)

NEW BOOK: VENICE THROUGH MEDALS

427 entries in this new volume that tells the story of Venice through medals, badges, and plaques in the crucial 19th century.

The new edition, entitled Venice through medals. The nineteenth century, is the result of extensive research by Professor Leonardo Mezzaroba , with contributions from Piero Voltolina (1930-2005) and Meri Beni Voltolina. Libra Media & Services, the publishing house of CN Cronaca Numismtica , has released it.

In 544 A4 pages, printed entirely in color and richly illustrated, the author continues, both conceptually and concretely, The History of Venice Through Medals, a work to which Voltolina himself devoted so much energy, culminating in the publication of three weighty volumes. Those volumes, however, were interrupted on May 12, 1797, when the Great Council met for the last time in the Doge's Palace. With Napoleon's armies at the gates, it declared the Most Serene Republic of Venice collapsed , and with it, the last Doge, Ludovico Manin.

For Venice, the nineteenth century, after the French , saw the arrival of the Austrians , the brief freedom of the revolutionary two-year period of 1848-1849 , the new Habsburg rule, and finally, in 1866, the arrival of the newborn Italian nation . This century, full of upheavals, but also of progress and important innovations, represents the period of investigation of the volume by Leonardo Mezzaroba which, writes the editor Roberto Ganganelli in the preface , casts "a detailed and timely look at the many historical and social changes, major events and pages of micro-history, associative realities and demonstrations that have punctuated the daily life of Venice and the lives of its citizens."

Thanks to a rigorous and systematic analysis of the materials (starting with the fundamental Voltolina Collection itself), the bibliography and the archival sources, Mezzaroba lists over four hundred types of material evidence, unique, extremely rare or mass-produced metal objects and often small formats (not only medals but also plaques, badges and honours) that tell the story of Venice in the 19th century.

An extensive bibliography concludes the volume , and includes not only medal and numismatic texts, nor only the "primary" historical sources for nineteenth-century Venice, but also a significant number of gazettes, period magazines, and documents that testify to the quality and depth of Leonardo Mezzaroba's research work.

The book Venice Through Medals. The Nineteenth Century (ISBN 978-88-945966-9-4) will be officially presented in Venice in June, during a day in remembrance of Piero Voltolina, marking the twentieth anniversary of his death. This limited edition is available for €90 including shipping . For information and orders, simply email Libra Media & Services by clicking the banner below.

To read the complete article, see:
VENEZIA attraverso le MEDAGLIE: l'800 nel nuovo libro di LEONARDO MEZZAROBA (https://www.cronacanumismatica.com/venezia-attraverso-le-medaglie-l800-nel-nuovo-libro-di-leonardo-mezzaroba/)

THE U.S. MINT 1933 DOUBLE EAGLE PANEL

The U.S. Mint Presents the 1933 Double Eagles

At the American Numismatic Association convention held in Pittsburgh, PA, August 25-29, 2026, the U.S. Mint exhibited eleven 1933 double eagles. On August 27 and 28, Stephen Fenton, Greg Weinman, and David Tripp presented on the coins and took Q&A from the audience. This video includes the August 27th presentation, with Q&A, followed by the Q&A from the second session held on August 28th. U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis hosts.

Fenton, owner of Knightsbridge Coins in London, is a one-time owner of an example of the 1933 $20, while Greg Weinman serves as U.S. Mint Counsel. David Tripp is the author of Illegal Tender: Gold, Greed, and the Mystery of the Lost 1933 Double Eagle. All three played a prominent role in the litigation surrounding this enigmatic piece of U.S. Mint history.

Newman Portal acknowledges Dennis Fish, U.S. Mint Public Affairs Chief, for his assistance with this content.

This video was produced by Lianna Spurrier of Numismatic Marketing on behalf of Newman Numismatic Portal.

Link to "The U.S. Mint Presents the 1933 Double Eagle" on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/3YufGD9PZYw

Link to "The U.S. Mint Presents the 1933 Double Eagle" on Newman Portal:
https://nnp.washu.edu/Documents/Detail/the-u.s.-mint-presents-the-1933-double-eagle/8067042?item=8067052

2026 ANA NUMISMATIC BIBLIOMANIA SOCIETY EVENTS

Video from Numismatic Bibliomania Society Events Available

Video from the NBS events at the recent American Numismatic Association is now available. In the NBS Symposium on Thursday, August 27, Cassie Brand spoke on "Book Matters: A Brief History of the Object." This presentation touched on the history of printing, typography, binding, and illustration, with a focus on how the look of the book changes in response to technological advances. Brand is the Rare Books Curator at Olin Library, Washington University.

Link to 2026 NBS Symposium:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-qi4Ij8KGU

The NBS General Meeting took place Friday, August 28, 2026. This video includes presentation of NBS awards and the ever-popular annual charity fundraiser, which raised over $5,000 on behalf of NBS.

Link to 2026 NBS General Meeting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlDrF_u2CZI

VIDEO: THE CASTORLAND JETON

Chester L. Sullivan speaks at the 2016 ANA World's Fair of Money in Anaheim, CA.

To watch the complete video, see:
Castorland Jeton: America's Most Beautiful French Coin (https://youtu.be/LtsfJ8_00Ko)
Castorland Jeton: America's Most Beautiful French Coin (https://nnp.washu.edu/Documents/Detail/castorland-jeton-americas-most-beautiful-french-coin/4143859)

 

MORE ON THE SANTINI PRIZE MEDAL

Below is another example of the Washington & Lee (W&L) University Santini medal. John Lyle Campbell was a professor of chemistry, mineralogy and geology at the college. John Lyle Campbell Jr. was the treasurer at the college (1877-1886). As treasurer, he would have been the one to pay for the medal struck by the U.S. mint in 1882. That medal is most certainly the one in the mint records. This medal was presented to Harry Donald Campbell who served as an instructor and assistant professor at W&L University - besides being an undergraduate there earlier. Harry is the son of John Lyle Campbell professor of chemistry and geology and the brother of John Lyle Campbell Jr. the treasurer.

The below mint record was found in the NNP archives and sent to me by Jonathan Brecher. It shows that J.L. Campbell paid the U.S. Mint for one Santini and one Robinson gold medal. The Santini medal was awarded to the writer of the best essay during the session in The Southern Collegian. The Robinson medal was another award (actually three) given out by the W&L.

In May of 1871, Joseph Santini wrote to Robert E. Lee at the college and provided Lee with the gold medals for the best article published in the Southern Collegian after being conferred upon by and with the permission of the faculty.

Jonathan adds:

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: APRIL 7, 2019 : Another Wreath-Wreath Medal Mule (https://www.coinbooks.org/v22/esylum_v22n14a08.html)
MORE ON THE MYSTERY WB WREATH-WREATH MEDAL (https://www.coinbooks.org/v22/esylum_v22n15a12.html)
WB WREATH-WREATH MEDAL UPDATE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n37a11.html)

NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: SEPTEMBER 20, 2026

More on L.W. Hoffecker
Jason Elwell writes:

Jason adds:

To read the complete L.W. Hoffecker articles, see:
Go Tell it on the Franklin Mountains ... L.W. Hoffecker is reborn (https://texasnumismatics.org/hoffecker)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
L.W. HOFFECKER ARCHIVE DISCOVERED (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n45a07.html)

AI Opens the World of Numismatic Literature
Jeff Pritchard writes:

Hermon Atkins MacNeil eBook Available
Author Jim Haas writes:

For more information, or to order, see:
Hermon Atkins MacNeil: American Sculptor In the Broad, Bright Daylight by James E. Haas (Author) Format: Kindle Edition (https://www.amazon.com/Hermon-Atkins-MacNeil-American-Sculptor-ebook/dp/B0HHG4B93B/ref=sr_1_2)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NEW BOOK: HERMON ATKINS MACNEIL (https://www.coinbooks.org/v25/esylum_v25n43a02.html)

NUMISMATIC LITERATURE ON HATHITRUST.ORG

Introduction
Are you having trouble finding obscure or out-of-print numismatic literature? HathiTrust.org has a digitized library of over 19 million items, including books, journals, and government publications. You can search anonymously or create a free account to organize your finds into customizable "collections." Filter items by type, date, language, author, subject, and more! You can download PDFs of relevant pages for offline viewing.

Search Using Keywords
A keyword search is the quickest way to find numismatic information, and you don't even have to login to do so! Broad search terms yield the greatest number of results. For example, if I search our organizational namesake word numismatic, the site produces 112,533 results. That is a lot of matches! Similarly, if I search the general term coin, I get an astonishing 2,342,540 results. Working with such a large number of results requires refinement of the search criteria. This can be done using the advanced search feature.

Filtering Search Results
Filters help to focus your search more closely upon the specific item you are looking for. Our previous search for coin, while broad, can still be narrowed down to a more manageable number of matches. The site prominently features seven filters: Subject, Author, Language, Place of Publication, Date of Publication, Original Format, and Original Location. Let's take a closer look at each of these.

The Subject filter contains several themes. A favorite of mine is periodicals. Applying this filter immediately condenses our number of matches to 67,706 items. A dramatic difference! Next, I filter by Author and select United States Congress which further focuses us down to 5,441 results. The Language and Place of Publication filters are not needed in this instance as all of the items were in English to begin with and were published within the United States. This leads me to the powerful Date of Publication filter. This filter has a two-step behavior in which I can first filter by decade, then filter again to each year within the decade. This is very handy for items that are published every year (e.g., Annual report of the Director of the Mint). Sticking with the entire 1870s decade brings us down to 3,867 results.

Two Original Format filters are available to choose from: Journal and Serial. The site says both contain 3,867 results – the same number that we just received after applying the previous filter – so selecting either one of these would be redundant. Lastly is the Origin Location filter. In this example, HathiTrust provides a list of seven universities with results as few as one and as many as 3,708. As we are often looking for a very specific item, selecting University of Michigan gives us a solitary result: Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the Forty-Fourth Congress, volume 4, part 6, 1876. Now we are getting somewhere!

Examining an Item
Having found a specific item, what can I do with it? The About this Item field indicates that there are 1,040 page scans in this particular item. A substantive amount! There are six additional options to help get the most from this item: Download, Search in This Text, Jump to Section, Get This Item, Collections, and Share. Let's take a look at each of these.

Download allows a PDF file to be saved to your local computer for offline viewing. If you are affiliated with a member institution (e.g., Northeastern University) you can download an entire file in a single procedure. Otherwise you are limited to single page downloads. Search in This Text is a great way to look for instances of a particular keyword, like bronze. Ticking the Open Results in a New Tab box helps you to not get lost, especially within a large file. In the file we are working on, the word bronze appears three times, all near each other, on pages 68, 72, and 74. The pages are hyperlinked for easy access. When you click the link you are taken to the page and the keyword is highlighted in yellow. This helps when combing through information-dense pages, especially on government documents.

Jump to Section is handy for general browsing as it helps you get to an area when you are not quite ready to go to a particular page just yet. Get This Item identifies places where you can access the item either digitally or physically. The Find in a Library link searches WorldCat.org to find the nearest location where a physical copy of the item can be found. For me, here in the Detroit area, my nearest location is at University of Detroit Mercy, School of Law. Over a thousand libraries are shown as having the item available worldwide. Not bad for 150-year-old government document!

Collections is where HathiTrust really shines as a numismatic research tool. Though you must login, it is a quick process to create an account, and it's free! Think of a collection as a bucket in which you place files according to themes that are meaningful to you. For the file we found above, I might create a collection called 19th Century Base-Metal Coins. As I find other related items, I add them to the collection for future review. Share is a great way to provide yourself or a collaborator with a Permanent Link to This Item or a Link to This Page Scan.

Conclusion
Over a quarter million new websites are created every day on the public internet. Finding the right numismatic information can be a slow and frustrating process. Using HathiTrust.org can shorten research timelines while yielding higher quality results.

About the Author
Dale Batko is a freelance writer based in Michigan. Several of his articles have appeared in over 32 magazines/newsletters/websites in 9 countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, England, Germany, South Africa, Sweden, USA) on 6 continents over the last 30 years. He started collecting coins in 1978.

Online Sources:
https://www.hathitrust.org/
https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015052104570 (Sample Search Document Above)

VOCABULARY TERM: STUDENT WORK

Student Work. Early medallic creations while an artist is in training or learning the craft. The student work of artists in training at the Zecca Mint in Rome are not allowed to leave the premises. Elsewhere these examples are often saved by the artist and occasionally come on the market. Student work can be highly creative, but often lack the sophistication and detail of a professional medallist. Knowledge and execution of the later comes with experience in the field. Much of the member work of the American Medallic Sculpture Association in America, and the British Art Medal Society in England, is student work because these organizations support learning in the field.

Subjects of student work are frequently portraits of family members or self portraits (for the ease of obtaining a willing sitter!). Publication of an artist's student work is at his discretion. He can command these creations early in his career to obscurity or offer them up for posterity. However, should the artist become famous for his medallic work later in life, his early work takes on more importance and is readily sought after by collectors also by his biographers and catalogers.

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Student Work (https://nnp.washu.edu/Documents/Detail/student-work/4362358)

 

PROFILE: ROBERT A. SCHUMAN, M.D.

Welcome to our sale of the Robert A. Schuman, M.D. Library. Bob (as he was generally known in the hobby) was involved in numismatics since the late 1950s, and he developed a level of connoisseurship that is infrequently encountered. Indeed, over the years of his collecting, he became an expert in no fewer than three areas: U.S. large cents, Hard Times Tokens, and numismatic literature. These are all areas that require years of study to attain expertise, though they all have their charm and their capacity to entice and intrigue the more casual collector.

Bob was far more than a casual collector, though. Even as a teenager, he took his coins seriously, delving into die varieties and other minutiae. He was a born specialist, so perhaps it comes as no surprise to learn that his only years away from the hobby were when he was attending university and medical school as he trained to become a radiologist: another sort of highly skilled specialist that requires a keenly interpretive mindset. His years as a large cent collector really blossomed when he became aware of EAC—Early American Coppers— and Bob became active in the social world of collecting. Bob tells that story himself in the article we reprint on the following pages.

Later, Bob was introduced to the world of Hard Times Tokens, and he set about nurturing this interest with the same dedication and intensity that he had given to his large cent collecting. Large cents and Hard Times Tokens have something in common besides their general size and shape: they both require a library. U.S. large cents have the richest literary history of any specialized area of American numismatics, and the generation of collectors involved in EAC in the 1970s and 1980s were especially devoted to that history, which is on display throughout this catalogue. The literature of Hard Times Tokens is less well developed, but the obscurity of many of the issues, and the complexity of the political and economic context in which they were issued, demands research in order for them to be fully appreciated. Bob was up to the challenge, and built a substantial library to support his interest in these tokens.

As with many collectors, Bob's interests narrowed and focused over the years, and this is reflected in his library. He occasionally consigned parts of his library for sale, even parting with some of its high points if they no longer reflected his core interests (see his large paper Hickcox and other gems in our Sale 153, for instance). At the same time, he carefully developed his remaining library. His set of Chapman catalogues lacks only one unplated catalogue and includes every single plated sale. His collection of plated Elder catalogues is one of the best ever formed, as is his run of unplated Elder sales. His set of unplated United States Coin Company catalogues is complete, and his holdings include four of the firm's rare plated sales. There are many additional highlights. Bob worked carefully with his preferred bookbinder, Judith Ivry of Manhattan, to preserve his books either through fine bindings or the creation of custom-made book boxes. His library was truly beautiful, and enhanced the lovely home he shared with his wife, Carole, who supported Bob's collecting interests throughout their marriage.

Bob was a friend of ours, one of several good friends we have lost in recent years. The sale of his library marks a closing to one lifetime of passionate collecting, but it provides any number of other numismatists the opportunity to build their own libraries and enhance their personal collecting experience. We are, therefore, excited to bring Bob's library to your attention and invite you to take advantage of the opportunity presented by its sale.

To read the complete article, see the Kolbe & Fanning sale catalog:
Sale 178 IMPORTANT NUMISMATIC BOOKS The Numismatic Library of Robert A. Schuman, M.D (https://numislit.cdn.bibliopolis.com/images/upload/kolbefanningsale178-web.pdf)

ATLAS NUMISMATICS SELECTIONS: SEPTEMBER 20, 2026

1087901 | GREEK. PAEONIAN KINGDOM. Lycceius. Struck circa 359/6-335 BC. AR Tetradrachm. NGC Ch. AU (Choice About Uncirculated) Strike 4/5 Surface 5/5. 23mm. 12.69gm. Laureate head of Zeus, right ???? - [????]. Heracles crouching to left fighting with the Nemean lion, grasping its neck and holding club in his right hand; (bow and quiver, right). SNG ANS 1019; AMNG III, 8; HGC 3.1, 142.

Includes NGC Photo Certificate.

To read the complete item description, see:
1087901 | GREEK. PAEONIAN KINGDOM. Lycceius. (https://atlasnumismatics.com/1087901/)

1087394 | DENMARK. Christian IV. (King, 1588-1648). 1646 AV Ducat. PCGS MS61. Copenhagen. 3.45gm. Standing figure of King with scepter and orb Hebrew text in center. KM 141; Sieg 128.2; Hede 33; Schou 3; Aagaard KG 5; Fr.-39.

To read the complete item description, see:
1087394 | DENMARK. (https://atlasnumismatics.com/1087394/)

1087505 | FRANCE. First Empire, Napoleon Bonaparte. (Emperor, 1804-1814, 1815). 1812-A AV 20 Francs. NGC MS66. By Pierre-Joseph Tiolier. Paris. NAPOLEON EMPEREUR. Laureate head left EMPIRE FRANCAIS. Denomination within wreath. KM 695.1; Friedberg 511; Gadoury 1025; F. 516.

To read the complete item description, see:
1087505 | FRANCE. (https://atlasnumismatics.com/1087505/)

1087559 | GERMAN STATES. Lubeck. 1697 AR Medal. PCGS MS61. 49.4mm. 28.06gm. Busts of the four mayors facing, right Radiant eye above an obelisk bearing shield of arms; in the background, a city view shown from the east. Behrens 697; Röhl 300.28.

Unsigned medal dedicated to Mayors Johann Ritter, Anthon Winckler, Hieronymus von Dorne, and Gotthard Kirchring.

Housed in an oversized holder.

To read the complete item description, see:
1087559 | GERMAN STATES. Lubeck. (https://atlasnumismatics.com/1087559/)

1088021 | GREAT BRITAIN. Victoria. (Queen, 1837-1901). 1858-Dated AV Medal of 30 Ducats Weight. NGC MS64DPL (Deep Prooflike). By F. W. Kullrich. 51mm. 104.18gm. FRIEDR WILH PR v PR - VICTORIA PR R v GR BR u I. Conjugate busts, right Kneeling bridal couple exchanging rings before a standing angel; Prussian and English coats of arms with a scroll below. BHM-2624 Variant (Gold); Marienburg 6491 (In Silver); Sommer K 22; Mues/Olding 770.

Struck to commemorate the marriage of King Wilhelm IV of Prussia's nephew, the future Emperor Frederick III, to Victoria, Princess of Great Britain. Currently the finest known at NGC as of September 2026

Ex Imperial Collection of the Hohenzollern Museum, Monbijou Palace, Berlin collection (HM 299, MKB 1504). From the estate of Kaiser Wilhelm I.

To read the complete item description, see:
1088021 | GREAT BRITAIN. Victoria. (Queen, 1837-1901). 1858-Dated AV Medal of 30 Ducats Weight. NGC MS64DPL (Deep Prooflike). (https://atlasnumismatics.com/1088021/)

1087909 | GREAT BRITAIN. England. William and Mary. (Monarchs, 1689-1694). 1692 AR Crown. PCGS MS62. Edge: QVARTO. Conjoined busts of William and Mary right Crowned cruciform shields, interlocking WM in angles, lion of Nassau in center. KM 478; SCBC-3433; ESC-83; Dav.-3780.

Superb strike and color; one of the finest examples we have encountered of the type.

To read the complete item description, see:
1087909 | GREAT BRITAIN. England. (https://atlasnumismatics.com/1087909/)

1087792 | ITALIAN STATES. Milan. Carlo II. 1666 AR Filippo. PCGS AU53. 41-42mm. 27.88gm. CAROLVS. II. HISP. REX. ET. MARIA. ANNA. TVT. ET. G. Accolated busts of Carlo II and his mother to right, date below MEDIOLANI. - DVX. ET. C. Crowned shield of manifold arms in baroque frame. KM 78; Crippa 2; Dav.-4004; Toffanin 380.

Includes original collector's envelope.

To read the complete item description, see:
1087792 | ITALIAN STATES. Milan. Carlo II. 1666 AR Filippo. PCGS AU53. (https://atlasnumismatics.com/1087792/)

Updates to their online inventory are issued monthly.

For more information and to sign up for the firm's monthly newsletter, visit:
atlasnumismatics.com.

NUMISMAGRAM MEDAL SELECTIONS: SEPTEMBER 20, 2026

103724 | UNITED STATES. San Francisco. Mechanics' Institute silver Award Medal. Engraved and awarded to Weed & Kingwell in 1885. (49mm, 43.50 g, 12h). By Albert Kuner.

MECHANIC'S' INSTITUTE, Columbia standing facing upon base featuring "MI" (Mechanics' Institute) monogram; she presents laurel crown to personifications of industry—with hammer, anvil, gear, and compass—and of agriculture—with plow, sickle, bushel, grapes, palette, and harp; in background, locomotive crossing stone bridge and steamship sailing in the bay; SAN FRANCISCO in exergue // INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION / AWARDED TO, Weed & Kingwell / "Best Plumbers Goods" elaborately engraved in two lines; decorative scroll work above and below; all within laurel wreath; 1885 in cartouche in exergue. Edge: Plain.

Harkness CA-92. NGC MS-63. Extremely brilliant and prooflike, with very colorful toning throughout. A popular series and very rare when encountered this attractive and problem free.

The Mechanics' Institute in San Francisco was originally established as a vocational school for unemployed miners in 1854, just a few years after the gold rush and California statehood. Without the presence of facilities such as universities and public libraries, it served as one of the only sources by which one could attain a more advanced education in a trade. In this role, the institute was instrumental in the formation of the University of California in 1868, along with its eventual public university system. The institute is still extant, though now mostly acts in a different role, housing a vast library as well as serving as a cultural center and as a home to the oldest continually operating chess club in the United States.

No stranger to technical prizes at industrial shows, the California Brass Works—with Joseph H. Weed and Vincent Kingwell as proprietors—was established in 1851 by Gallagher & Weed and recognized as one of the leading firms in this branch of trade. Located at 125 1st Street in San Francisco, their operation is summarized by this print advertisement from the 1883 Strangers' Guide to San Francisco and Vicinity:

"Manufacturers of all kinds of Brass, Composition, Zinc and Babbit Metal Castings. Church and Steamboat Bells. Also, a full assortment of Steam and Water Cocks and Valves, Hydraulic Pipes, Nozzles and Hose Couplings, etc. Brass Ship Work, Spikes, Sheathing Nails, Rudder Braces, etc. Agents for Siebert's Eureka Lubricator."

The registry for the 1885 event mentions that they won this medal in class 18—a class in which they also took the third (bronze) place for best assortment of steam fittings.

To read the complete item description, see:
103724 | UNITED STATES. San Francisco. Mechanics' Institute silver Award Medal. (https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/103724)

103411 | GERMANY & FRANCE. Black Shame/The Watch on the Rhine cast bronze Medal. Dated 1920. "Die schwarze Wacht am Rhein"—on the supposed sexual crimes against German women by Franco-African soldiers (58mm, 64.93 g, 12h). By Karl Goetz at the München mint.

DIE WACHT AM RHEIN!!, helmeted head of French-African soldier right, with heavily caricatured features such as the lower lip and stretched earlobe; in four lines to lower left, LIBERTÉ / ÉGALITÉ / FRATERNI / TÉ // DIE SCHWARZE SCHANDE, nude Lorelei (representing vulnerable German women in the Rhineland) with her arms behind her, chained to oversized male genitalia surmounted by helmet (representing supposed sexual crimes committed by Franco-African soldiers); broken lyre to left, with tops terminating in heads of eagles; radiant Eye of Providence above, with rays almost acting as tears. Edge: Plain.

Kienast 262; Jones, Dance of Death, 52. Choice Mint State. Warm brown surfaces, with a pleasing matte aspect mostly throughout. An extremely provocative and popular medal.

Following Germany's defeat in World War I, French and British troops occupied portions of Germany to ensure that reparations would be paid. In some areas, such as the Rhineland, France utilized colonial troops from North Africa for patrolling and occupying—possibly serving as an act of further humiliation—making the local Germans be subject to those who were, in turn, subject to a colonial power. Within Germany, however, sentiments became overtly racialized, with anti-African propaganda found everywhere in the print media, and with caricatures and stereotypes endlessly employed. This biased and unfounded campaign even found its way into numismatics, with many medals featuring iconography that reveals these feelings. At the forefront was the belief that African troops, racially portrayed as oversexed and primal, were ravaging German women. Though this campaign subsided in the early 1930's, it wasn't the first appearance of this form of racism, and certainly wouldn't be the last. Along with the "Sinking of the Lusitania" medal, this extremely provocative medal stands as one of the more iconic, controversial, popular, and rather infamous (all at the same time) of Goetz's entire oeuvre.

To read the complete item description, see:
103411 | GERMANY & FRANCE. Black Shame/The Watch on the Rhine cast bronze Medal. (https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/103411)

103565 | GREAT BRITAIN & AUSTRALIA. Wimbledon/Harry Hopman silver Award Medal. Engraved and awarded in 1935 for the mixed doubles runners-up at the Wimbledon Championships (38mm, 25.66 gms, 12h). By Fattorini & Sons.

Athena, representing the virtues of athletic competition, kneeling left before tennis net, holding crowning Nike on globus and wrapping laurel wreath around the earth // THE LAWN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS, "• 1935 • / MIXED DOUBLES / RUNNERS–UP / H. C. HOPMAN, / MRS H. C. HOPMAN" engraved in five lines. Edge: Plain.

PCGS MS-64. Matte gray surfaces, with some darker highlights around the devices. An incredibly attractive and interesting medal from one of Australia's greatest tennis players and coaches.

Born in a suburb of Sydney, Australia in 1906, Henry Christian Hopman began playing tennis at the age of 13, and would go on to be the men's finalist at the Australasian Championship (now Australian Open) in 1930, 1931, and 1932. Though he would never garner a Grand Slam singles title, he did so in doubles, winning the Australasian in 1929 and 1930, and the mixed doubles title there in 1930, 1936, 1937, and 1939, as well as the mixed doubles at the US Open in 1939. The medal offered here was earned for his runners-up finish—along with his then-wife, Nell Hall—for their mixed doubles loss in the Wimbledon Finals in 1935. Following World War II, his focus turned more toward journalism and coaching, eventually serving as the captain-coach of some 22 Australian Davis Cup teams from 1939 to 1967. In this role, his Davis Cup coaching coincided with Australia's golden era in tennis, alongside such greats as Ken Rosewall and Rod Laver, among others. At the end of the '60's, he relocated to the United States, coaching a young future star, John McEnroe, at the Port Washington Tennis Academy on Long Island, and then at his own academy founded in Bardmoor, Florida in 1976. Hopman passed away from a heart attack in 1985 at the age of 79, having been predeceased by his first wife Nell in 1968.

This item was featured in our E-Sylum ad.

To read the complete item description, see:
103565 | GREAT BRITAIN & AUSTRALIA. Wimbledon/Harry Hopman silver Award Medal. (https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/103565)

103401 | SWEDEN. Torbern Olof Bergman bronze Medal. Issued 1957. Commemorating the chemist and mineralogist, and issued for the Swedish Academy of Sciences (45mm, 34.63 g, 12h). By Erik Lindberg at the Stockholm mint.

+ TORBERN • BERGMAN • PROF • CHEM • UPSALIENSIS + / N • MDCCXXXV • OB • MDCCLXXXIV, garlanded bust left // + ATTRACTIONES • ELECTIVAS • INVESTIGAVIT + / SOCIO • MERITISS • R • AC • SCIENT • SUEC • MCMLVII (he investigated the elective forces of attraction), representation of one of Bergman's affinity formulas, showing copper nitrate, copper, silver, and silver nitrate. Edge: MJV BRONS 1957.

Ehrensvärd 471. Choice Mint State. Olive-bronze surfaces. From a mintage of just 200 pieces in bronze.

To read the complete item description, see:
103401 | SWEDEN. Torbern Olof Bergman bronze Medal. (https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/103401)

103598 | UNITED STATES. Benjamin Cardozo bronze Medal. Issued 1987. Jewish-American Hall of Fame series: commemorating the famous lawyer and associate justice of the US Supreme Court (44mm x 43mm, 58.14 g, 12h). By Gerta Ries Wiener for the Medallic Art Company.

Bust facing slightly right left; facsimile signature to lower right // Façade of the US Supreme Court building; in four lines in exergue, THE FINAL CAUSE OF LAW / IS THE WELFARE OF SOCIETY / JUSTICE BENJAMIN NATHAN CARDOZO / 1870-1938. Edge: MAGNES MUSEUM / 076 / MACO–BRONZE.

JAHF 19. Choice Mint State. Paler bronze surfaces. Serially numbered 76 of 400.

To read the complete item description, see:
103598 | UNITED STATES. Benjamin Cardozo bronze Medal. (https://www.numismagram.com/product-page/103598)

HERITAGE: GERMAN STATES SHOWCASE

Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. Wilhelm gold Krone 1858-B MS61 NGC, Brunswick mint, KM1153. We have only sold this issue once before, and to find this fleeting, gleaming type in certified Mint State is a delight.

To read the complete item description, see:
Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. Wilhelm gold Krone 1858-B MS61 NGC, (https://coins.ha.com/itm/german-states/brunswick-wolfenbuttel/german-states-brunswick-wolfenbuttel-wilhelm-gold-krone-1858-b-ms61-ngc-/a/61655-22097.s?ctrack=200071&type=featured-1-coinus-news-tem091526)

Ferdinand II 2-1/4 Taler 1622 XF45 PCGS, St. Veit mint, Horsky-1688, Montenuovo-752. Commemorating the royal marriage of Ferdinand and Eleonora Gonzaga of Mantua. A scarce piece with crisp, pleasing details with bold devices. The only representative located in the certified population of PCGS.

To read the complete item description, see:
Ferdinand II 2-1/4 Taler 1622 XF45 PCGS, (https://coins.ha.com/itm/austria/austria-ferdinand-ii-2-1-4-taler-1622-xf45-pcgs-/a/61655-22003.s?ctrack=200071&type=featured-2-coinus-news-tem091526)

Frankfurt. Free City 2 Taler 1841 MS62 PCGS, KM326, Dav-640. Lowest mintage of the four-year type. Rosaceous coloration with champagne and teal toning imbue this river view of Frankfurt with a cinematic quality.

Ex. Heritage Auction 3101 (August 2022, Lot 35583)

To read the complete item description, see:
Frankfurt. Free City 2 Taler 1841 MS62 PCGS, (https://coins.ha.com/itm/german-states/frankfurt/german-states-frankfurt-free-city-2-taler-1841-ms62-pcgs-/a/61655-22107.s?ctrack=200071&type=featured-3-coinus-news-tem091526)

German Colony. Wilhelm II 5 Mark 1894-A MS62 NGC, Berlin mint, KM7. As always, it is a privilege to handle this collector favorite, bearing the design that immortalizes German colonization and the exoticism of Papua New Guinea.
From the John Lewis Powell Collection

To read the complete item description, see:
German Colony. Wilhelm II 5 Mark 1894-A MS62 NGC, (https://coins.ha.com/itm/german-new-guinea/german-colony/german-new-guinea-german-colony-wilhelm-ii-5-mark-1894-a-ms62-ngc-/a/61655-22062.s?ctrack=200071&type=featured-4-coinus-news-tem091526)

Hamburg. Free City gold 20 Mark 1875-J MS64 NGC, Hamburg mint, KM602, J-210. First year of type. Fresh-looking surfaces display as radiantly silky with precise motifs catching every hint of the light. Out of a limited NGC certified population, this piece ranks as second-finest behind one sole representative.

To read the complete item description, see:
Hamburg. Free City gold 20 Mark 1875-J MS64 NGC, (https://coins.ha.com/itm/german-states/hamburg/german-states-hamburg-free-city-gold-20-mark-1875-j-ms64-ngc-/a/61655-22116.s?ctrack=200071&type=featured-5-coinus-news-tem091526)

Hamburg. Free City gold Ducat 1866 MS62 NGC, KM579, Fr-1142. This luminous Top Pop issue boasts impressive contrast for a non-Proof emission, with virtually pristine, jet-black pools of reflectivity immediately catching the viewer's eye. A Near-Choice desirable selection that will please both specialist and gold enjoyer alike.

To read the complete item description, see:
Hamburg. Free City gold Ducat 1866 MS62 NGC, (https://coins.ha.com/itm/german-states/hamburg/german-states-hamburg-free-city-gold-ducat-1866-ms62-ngc-/a/61655-22120.s?ctrack=200071&type=featured-6-coinus-news-tem091526)

SOVEREIGN RARITIES AUCTION XXIII: MEDALS

Marriage of Princess Mary to William of Orange, 1641, Marriage of Princess Mary to William of Orange, 1641, silver medal by J Blum, the couple face each other and clasp hands, each crowned with a wreath by a cloud-borne cherub, above them a dove in a radiant sun and in the distance a palace, ALBIONUM GENUIT REX ME SUMMUSQUE MONARCHA CAROLUS, ET SPONSAM ME JUBET ESSE TUAM, PRINCEPS ME HENRICUS GENUIT FORTISSIMUS HEROS NASOUIÆ, ET SPONSUM ME JUBET ESSE TUUM, in exergue, LONDINI DESPONSATI WILHELM' ET MARIA, ANO 1641, 12 MAJ, rev. the Titan Pallas, trampling Bellona, and attended by Victory with attributes of the Archangel Michael, receives an olive branch from Peace attended by Ceres, BELLONAM PRINCEPS PALLAS PEDIBUS TERIT ET PAX FLORET, ET ALMA CERES, CONFERT SACRO ALITE FRUGES, in exergue, NOUI IMPERII AUSPICIO BONO, 72mm, 95.29g (Eimer 137; MI i 287/100; Scher (1997) 15; vL II, 251). Good extremely fine with the classic deep, cabinet tone associated with medals from the Bute collection.  

To read the complete item description, see:
Marriage of Princess Mary to William of Orange, 1641, (https://auctions.sovr.co.uk/index.php?option=com_timed_auction
&view=lot_detail&auction_id=33&lot_id=761437)

Arrival of Princess Mary in Holland, 1642, Arrival of Princess Mary in Holland, 1642, silver medal by Sebastian Dadler, Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange seated on a throne, his conquered enemies at his feet, LIBERTAS PATRIÆ, ME DEFENSORE, TRIUMPHAT, INSIDIATA NIHIL VIS INIMICA NOCET., rev. Prince William and Princess Mary meet at the entrance to a fenced garden, QUO TE MARS ET AMOR VOCAT INTRA. DIVA VIRETUM FRUCTUM HIC LIBERTAS TE GENITRICE FERET., 72mm, 120.03g (Eimer 138; Maué 47; MI i 290/105; Scher (1997) 16; vL 257; Wiecek 107). Ink date 1642 in obverse exergue, good extremely fine with deep, cabinet tone, a medal of exceptional detail.  

To read the complete item description, see:
Arrival of Princess Mary in Holland, 1642, (https://auctions.sovr.co.uk/index.php?option=com_timed_auction
&view=lot_detail&auction_id=33&lot_id=761438)

Princess Mary, and her son Prince William (later William III) of Orange, Princess Mary, and her son Prince William (later William III) of Orange, silver medal formed of two cast plates joined at the rim, 1654, by Pieter van Abeele, bust of Mary, left, against a floral background of Scottish thistles and English roses, MARIA D. G. PRINCEPS M. BRIT. AVRANT. DOTARIA ETC, rev. Prince William almost facing, within a wreath of orange branches, AN 1654, WILHELMVS III D G PRINC ARAVS ETC, on a ribbon below, 64mm, 53.05g (Eimer 192; MI i 417/55). Extremely fine.

To read the complete item description, see:
Princess Mary, and her son Prince William (later William III) of Orange, (https://auctions.sovr.co.uk/index.php?option=com_timed_auction
&view=lot_detail&auction_id=33&lot_id=761444)

Charles II and Charles I, Charles II and Charles I, silver medal formed of two cast plates joined at the rim, 1660, by Pieter van Abeele, facing bust of Charles II in plain collar with medal on riband, CAROLVS D II, rev. three-quarter facing bust of Charles I, in lace collar, CAROLVS D I, on both plates the fields richly decorated with a floral design, 70mm, 50.63g (Eimer 209; MI i 449/33; Frederiks 23/24). Toned, extremely fine and very rare.  

To read the complete item description, see:
Charles II and Charles I, (https://auctions.sovr.co.uk/index.php?option=com_timed_auction
&view=lot_detail&auction_id=33&lot_id=761447)

Naval Action against Holland, 1666, Admiral Cornelis Evertsen, Naval Action against Holland, 1666, Admiral Cornelis Evertsen, silver medal formed of two cast plates joined at the rim, by Wouter Müller, bust three quarters right, CORN. EVERTSEN ADMIRAAL V. ZEEL, HEER EVERTS MET TRIOMF OPTBED VAN EER GESNEEFT, ALDUS IN'T SILVER DOOR DEKUNST VAN MULLER LEEFT. Ao. 1666 den 14 Iunii, rev. detailed scene of the naval engagement, HIER STRYCKT HET BRITSCH GEWELT VOOR NEDERLANT DE VLAGH, DE ZEE HEEFT NOIT GEWAEGHT VAN ZULK EEN ZWAEREN SLAGH, 79mm, 113.28g (Eimer 239b; MI i 523/171). Slightly uneven tone, extremely fine.  

To read the complete item description, see:
Naval Action against Holland, 1666, Admiral Cornelis Evertsen, (https://auctions.sovr.co.uk/index.php?option=com_timed_auction
&view=lot_detail&auction_id=33&lot_id=761451)

Peace with Holland 1667, Peace with Holland 1667, silver medal by Christopher Adolfzoon, Holland tramples on Discord, the aftermath of a naval battle behind her, MITIS ET FORTIS, in exergue, PROCUL. HINC. MALA. BESTIA, REGNIS! IUN: 22. 1667, rev. Peace holding sword, caduceus and cornucopia, tramples on arms, behind her trade ships in full sail, IRATO BELLUM PLACATO NUMINE PAX EST, in exergue, REDIIT. CONCORIDA. MATER. BREDÆ. IUL. 31. Ao 1667, edge, NUMISMA. POSTERITATI SACRUM. BELGA. BRITTANOQUE. RECONCILIATIS. CUM. PRIVIL: ORDIN: HOLLAND: ET. WEST:, 71mm, 122.91g (Eimer 240; MI i 528/176; Scher (1997) 38). Extremely fine.  

To read the complete item description, see:
Peace with Holland 1667, (https://auctions.sovr.co.uk/index.php?option=com_timed_auction
&view=lot_detail&auction_id=33&lot_id=761452)

Peace of Breda, 1667, Peace of Breda, 1667, silver medal by Johannes Lutma the Younger, lion tramples on canon and arms, naval and trade ships behind, chronogrammatic legend SIC FINES NOSTROS LEGES TVTAMVR ET VNDAS, LEO BATAVUS, rev. legend in 19 lines, 70mm, 123.61g (MI i 529/177; vL II 555/534.2). Good extremely fine.  

To read the complete item description, see:
Peace of Breda, 1667, (https://auctions.sovr.co.uk/index.php?option=com_timed_auction
&view=lot_detail&auction_id=33&lot_id=761453)

Coronation of William & Mary, 1689, Coronation of William & Mary, 1689, silver medal by Jan Smeltzing, highly detailed busts, close and vis-à-vis, MAIUS. PAR. NOBILE. SCEPTRIS, in exergue, G. HENR. ET MAR. PR. AUR. M. BRIT. R. 1689, rev. Minerva is greeted by Britannia on the shoreline, a fleet sailing away in the distance, M. BRIT. EXP. NAV. BAT. LIB. REST. ASSERTA., 59mm, 64.08g (Eimer 309b; MI i 672/44). Perhaps expertly conserved at some stage and without tone, extremely fine and rare.  

To read the complete item description, see:
Coronation of William & Mary, 1689, (https://auctions.sovr.co.uk/index.php?option=com_timed_auction
&view=lot_detail&auction_id=33&lot_id=761458)

Coronation of William & Mary, 1689, Festivities in Amsterdam, Coronation of William & Mary, 1689, Festivities in Amsterdam, silver medal, unsigned, formed from two plates cast in high relief and joined at the edge with a broad collar in the manner of medals by Pieter van Abeele, fields stippled, William & Mary enthroned, almost facing, each holding orb and sceptre, GVILHELMVS ET MARIA. REX. ET. REGINA CORON APR 11/12 1689, rev. three figures representing the captain, lieutenant and ensign of the City Guard of Amsterdam, armorial shield of the city above, TER. GEDAGTNIS DAT. OP. DE. DAGH. DER. KRONING. DE WAGHT. HAD. D. COMP. VAN. D. H. B. MVIKENS, 62mm, 44.51g (Eimer 309a, this medal; MI i 678/54; vL III, 390). In such high relief as to be sculptural, slightly uneven tone, extremely fine and rare.  

To read the complete item description, see:
Coronation of William & Mary, 1689, Festivities in Amsterdam, (https://auctions.sovr.co.uk/index.php?option=com_timed_auction
&view=lot_detail&auction_id=33&lot_id=761459)

See www.sovr.co.uk for much more detail about all of these coins, medallions and more!

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
SOVEREIGN RARITIES AUCTION XXIII: KILMARNOCK COLLECTION (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n36a19.html)
SOVEREIGN RARITIES AUCTION XXIII: SCOTTISH (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n37a17.html)

MORTON & EDEN OCTOBER 2026 BYZANTINE SALE

Byzantine coins at Morton & Eden, London, 7 October, 2026

A major sale of Byzantine coins from the Porphyra collection is to take place in London on 7th October. Covering coins from the time of Constantine the Great up to the fall of Constantinople in 1453 it is the most comprehensive offering of its type for many years, comprising over 400 lots and covering more than a thousand years of history.

The collection was built up over a 10-year period and previous auction provenance is recorded for each piece. Among the highlights are:

Lot 1. An unrecorded solidus of Constantine the Great (307-337) struck in Constantinople just before he moved his capital there from Rome in AD 330. (estimate £4000-6000)

Lot 4. An exceptionally well struck and perfectly preserved solidus of Julian II, the last openly pagan emperor, issued from Constantinople and with a reverse showing a soldier dragging a Persian captive by the hair, which relates to his campaign against the Sasanians (estimate £8,000-12,000)

Lot 7. An extremely rare solidus of Procopius, the usurper in Constantinople who was put down by Valens in 366 after a brief reign – and whose coin proclaims his reign as "Reparatio Fel Temp" or "happy times are here again" – but not for long! (estimate £20,000-30,000)

Lot 90. An extremely rare bronze devotional medallion of Christ and the Adoration of the Magi (of which only two others are recorded), dating from the 6th-7th centuries and in the style of mosaics found in the church of St Apollinare in Ravenna (estimate £4000-6000)

Lot 154. An important Arab-Byzantine "de-christianised" solidus struck as the first experimental coinage by the Arabs during the reign of the first Umayyad caliph al-Mu'awiya (AD 661-680 and AH 41-60) which repeats the designs of the coinage of Heraclius but with all signs of Christ's cross removed (estimate £40,000-60,000)

Lot 217. Solidus of Theodosius III (715-717) who was sometimes referred to as "the reluctant" since he was proclaimed emperor against his will. His reign lasted less than two years until he was able to abdicate in favour of Leo III, spending his final years in a monastery in Ephesus.

Lot 272. An extremely rare silver miliaresion of Alexander (912-913), in exceptional condition and possibly the finest known in private hands (estimate £12,000-18,000)

Lot 273. A spectacular solidus of Constantine VII (913-959) struck in 914 under the regency of his mother Zoe Karbonopsina (estimate £20,000-30,000)

Lot 300. A particularly beautiful and rare silver miliaresion of Romanus III (1028-1034) with a full-length figure of the Virgin and Child (estimate £4000-6000)

The sale ends with coins of Trebizond, the Byzantine state that survived the taking of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453. There are no coins of the last emperor Constantine XI but the last lot in the sale (lot 410) is a scarce silver asper of John IV Megas Comnenus of Trebizond (1429-1459) whose reign straddles the fall of the City (estimate £200-300).

For more information on this sale, please contact Tom Eden on tom@mortonandeden.com.

To visit the firm's website, see:
https://www.mortonandeden.com/

 

WAYNE'S NUMISMATIC DIARY: 2026 ANA, PART 4

This segment discuses my time at the Pittsburgh ANA on Friday, August 28th. Here's a view from my room, looking toward the convention center.

At breakfast I ran into Bob Fritsch and we shared a table. He suggested going out the hotel's back door to get to the convention center - it's faster. He's right. I'd learned that lesson last time but forgot and fell into the habit of going out the front door. The back way gets you to the riverwalk, which goes right under the convention center and is closer to where you enter the building.

There's a nice historical marker noting the nearby location of the launch of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which stopped next in St. Louis before departing for the unexplored west.

Ephemera
I resisted the temptation to gather some, but physical advertising flyers are not dead - there were multiple tables filled with offerings.

The New Newman Numismatic Portal
At 10am I attended Len Augsburger's talk on the Newman Numismatic Portal's new platform.

NBS General Meeting and Charity Auction
At 11:30 it was time for the annual NBS General Meeting and Charity Auction.

David Fanning calls the sale while Tom Harrison holds up lots and Len Augsburger records winning bids.

1933 Double Eagle Display
I ducked out of the auction to get downstairs for the end of the second U.S. Mint panel session on the 1933 double eagles. Eleven of them were on display. After speaking with Stephen Fenton and getting David Tripp's autograph on my copy of his book, I took these photos. I wasn't the only one taking photos.

There was a long line waiting to meet Mint Director Paul Hollis.

Nathanael Greene Society of the Cincinnati Medal
I stopped the speak with E-Sylum supporter Jon Sullivan, who pointed out an amazing exhibit at a table just across the aisle.

U.S. Mint Director Appointment Documents
In the but-wait-there's-more department, there were official documents appointing U.S. Mint Directors ANA 2026-08-28 MINT DIRECTOR APPOINTMENTS Washington appointed David Rittenhouse, Elias Boudinot, and Samuel Moore.

AMAZING! Sure wish I'd had those in my numismatic ephemera collection.

Hanging Out in the Club Aisle
My next stop was the club table aisle, where I got to speak with several old friends.

Len Augsburger and I sat down to speak with Dave Schenkman about some unpublished manuscripts he'd like to work with the Newman Portal to wrap up and post online. That's Eric Schena manning the next table.

Tyrants of the Golden Horn Exhibit
Next, I caught a look at the Tyrants Byzantine coin exhibit.

I finished my day at the show over in the competitive exhibit area. I'll save that for another couple articles.

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
WAYNE'S NUMISMATIC DIARY: 2026 ANA, PART 1 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n35a16.html)
WAYNE'S NUMISMATIC DIARY: 2026 ANA, PART 2 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n37a20.html)
WAYNE'S NUMISMATIC DIARY: 2026 ANA, PART 3 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n37a21.html)

WAYNE'S NUMISMATIC DIARY: SEPTEMBER 20, 2026

Tuesday, September 15th was the meeting night of my Northern Virginia numismatic social group Nummis Nova. Wayne Herndon was our host at the Lazy Dog Restaurant in Fairfax. Other attendees included Mike Packard, Mike Markowitz and his guest Jim Sims, Jon Radel, Steve Bishop, Erik Douglas and Julian Leidman. I didn't get a group shot, but here are some of my photos.

A smiling Julian Leidman presides at the head of the table.

At the other end, Jim and Erik review some of the items being passed around.

Mike Markowitz brought these catalogs of the Byzantine exhibit of Dan O'Dowd's Tyrant Collection.

Wayne's Numismatic Literature
I usually bring along some numismatic literature. Here are two books I purchased in the Numismatic Bibliomania Society's Charity Auction at last month's Pittsburgh ANA.

I had sold the Anderson book with my numismatic library, but got this replacement copy at a fair price. The St. Patrick's Coinage book was an impulse purchase - I was pretty sure I didn't already have a copy, and when I brought it home... nope, already got it. [Don't tell me that's never happened to you, bibliophiles!] So now this one's for sale, everyone!

A couple other pickups from the ANA were this Sovereign Rarities catalog of the Kilmarnock Collection, and Rick Lank's monograph on antebellum coin circulation in the U.S., from the SS Central America educational exhibit.

Virginia Obsolete Paper
I've been casually collecting obsolete paper money from my adopted state of Virginia, mostly Civil War era, and mostly from the nearby town of Leesburg. I picked up two notes from different sellers at the ANA. The first one matches neither of my main criteria, but it's from Winchester where my friend Eric Schena lives and I bought it in case he didn't have one. He didn't, at least not until he bought an example of the same note during the same show. Well, I'll still happy to add it to my collection.

The second note is from another nearby town, Charles Town, WV. At the time this note was issued, it was part of Virginia. Portions of the Confederate state of Virginia occupied by Union forces seceded and joined the Union in 1863.

Steve's Stuff
Steve Bishop brought a number of interesting tokens and medals.

Topics at my end of the table included the Trump Dollar (someone brought one along), the recent ANA convention, the Tyrant Collection, the John Beck collection, and 1792 Half Dismes - Wayne Herndon recently sold one, and bought another.

It was another great evening of good food, drinks, and numismatic fellowship. 'Till next time!

IAPN'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY MEDAL

The International Association of Professional Numismatist's 75th Anniversary Medal charmed admirers when it was first revealed at IAPN's Congress held in Rome, Italy, on May 21, 2026. The medal garnered more praise when it was exhibited along with its engraver's plaster casts at the American Numismatic Association's World's Fair of Money in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from July 26-28,, 2026.

Chiara Principe (https://www.chiaraprincipecoindesign.com/), an independent artist who has created coins and medals for institutions and countries including Luxembourg, San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican, designed the medal. She has described her artistic vision as follows:

As realized in her finished medal, Numismatics is personified on the obverse as a female figure crowned with a laurel wreath decorated with coins. The goddess contemplates a Greek gold stater of Alexander the Great that also figures in the Association's logo. Radiating behind her is the celebrated star-shaped design of Michelangelo's pavement on Rome's Capitoline Hill. Other design elements reference the City of Rome, the host of IAPN's 75th Anniversary Congress. They include the outline of the Vatican dome and the famous Wolf and Twins. The obverse legend in English references the 75th Anniversary and the associated dates of 1951-2026.

On the reverse, the Capitoline Wolf takes center stage, with an outline of the Coliseum and Roman Forum in the distance supported by ancient paving stones. Above is IAPN's logo along with a selection of coins from Ancient Rome, Medieval Florence, Ancient China and the United States in the 19th century. The English legend references the May 21-24, 2026 dates of the Congress which is also described as the 74th Assembly in Latin numerals.

Originally, what became the obverse and reverse were alternative proposals for the obverse with the IAPN logo forming the reverse. However, IAPN's Executive Committee believed that both designs were of such artistic merit that they both should be utilized for the finished medal. Ms. Principe readily accommodated this request, which also required some adjustments of the legends and other details on each side.

Umberto Moruzzi of Moruzzi Numismatics both organized the Congress and the medal's production The medal was cold-struck by Omea Milano (https://www.omea.it/sito/) and then lathe-finished and hand-patinated. It is 60 mm in diameter. Bronze examples were distributed to IAPN member firms attending the Rome Congress along with gold and silver plated copies for dignitaries attending associated events.

The decision to strike a medal for IAPN's 75th Anniversary was a return to a past tradition of striking special medals to commemorate IAPN's annual Congress. See https://www.iapn-coins.org/IAPN-Medals. IAPN's Congress is held every year in a different city around the globe to conduct Association business and to foster relationships between IAPN member firms. IAPN's upcoming Congress will take place in Hong Kong in May 2027.

NEW VERTICAL CANADIAN $20 BILL

It's official — Canada has a new $20 bill.

Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem unveiled the new, vertical bill featuring a portrait of King Charles on Thursday in Ottawa. It's the first Canadian bank note to feature Charles, whose image replaces that of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

In a news conference, Macklem called the unveiling "historic." It's been more than 70 years since a new monarch appeared on a Canadian bank note. The late Queen Elizabeth II first appeared on the Bank's inaugural $20 note in 1935 as a young princess, Macklem added.

Two years later, in 1937, the bank's bilingual series featured King George VI on most of its bills. By 1954, with its landscape series, every note carried the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, until now.

The new bill is also historic because it "features security technologies never before used on a Canadian bank note," he said.

About the design

In a news release, the bank explained that the portrait of Charles is surrounded by a floral and leafy tapestry "inspired by the King's lifetime dedication to the environment."

Also on the front are provincial and territorial floral emblems representing the 13 provinces and territories. A circular window, which the bank explains is visible from both sides of the note, "features plants that are culturally significant to Indigenous Peoples in Canada."

As for security features, the note has a purple security stripe which includes elements that "spin, transform and pulse" when the note is moved, the bank explained. This makes the bill "easy to check and hard to counterfeit."

To read the complete article, see:
Bank of Canada unveils new vertical $20 bill featuring King Charles (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/bank-of-canada-king-charles-new-bill-9.7330784)

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN LOAN DOCUMENT

One of the most important financial documents from the American Revolution has sold at RR Auction. This twice-signed Benjamin Franklin promissory note records the first installment of the final French loan that helped finance the Revolutionary War.

A twice-signed 1782 promissory note completed entirely in the hand of Benjamin Franklin, binding the United States to repay France 1,500,000 silver livres for funding the Revolutionary War, sold for $484,151 at RR Auction's Spirit of '76: America's 250th Anniversary Auction, which closed July 8.

Executed on April 10, 1782, while serving as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States in France, the document states in part: "I, Benjamin Franklin, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of North America…promise in its name…to make payment and reimburse the Royal Treasury of His Most Christian Majesty." Franklin completed the document entirely in his own hand and signed it twice. The promissory note was produced at Franklin's celebrated Passy press outside Paris.

The document records the first installment of the final French loan of the Revolutionary War. It commits the United States to repay the Royal Treasury of Louis XVI with annual interest at five percent. The loan formed part of the financial support negotiated by Franklin after France formally allied with the United States in 1778, loans that helped keep the Continental Army financially solvent during the war.

Dated six months after the American victory at Yorktown and while preliminary peace negotiations were already underway in Paris, the document corresponds to the first of three 1782 receipts later enumerated in the July 16, 1782 agreement between France and the United States, together comprising the final 6,000,000-livre French loan of the Revolution.

"This is the last loan France ever made to the United States during the Revolution," said Bobby Livingston, Executive Vice President at RR Auction. "We were broke, we couldn't feed our own army, and Benjamin Franklin kept the money coming. It's an extremely important financial document from the founding of this country."

The Spirit of '76: America's 250th Anniversary Auction realized $1.79 million.

To read the complete article, see:
Benjamin Franklin Loan Document Sells for $484,151 at RR Auction (https://content.rrauction.com/benjamin-franklin-loan-document/)

ABOUT THIS ISSUE: SEPTEMBER 20, 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.