"I cringed when viewing the mechanically rotating GW medal Indian Peace medal in the British Museum. Instead of using a mirror to exhibit the uniquely engraved reverse, there are multiple metal prongs "stabilizing" this invaluable medal, the prongs contacting and perhaps impairing the medal's periphery & surfaces on both sides as the medal minutely shifts as it rotates. Even if it doesn't shift, there could be periphery dents and flat surface abrasions from the prongs.

"This brings to mind a very expensive 1792 white metal pattern quarter that suffered large rim dents from a slabbing company's stiff stabilizing plastic prongs."

I wondered about the myself, assuming there must be some unseen soft padding between the piece and the prongs. I'll ask the museum for comments. -Editor

"Scripophily no. 130 has recently been released. Major contents in this issue are articles on British Royal Loans, Gold Rush San Francisco bonds, Dutch loans with homes as prizes, Canada Power and Pulp, and the growing role of antique stocks and bonds on the new Whatnot platform, plus 20 pages of worldwide scripophily news, including the 2027 show in Washington, D.C. Full color throughout with high quality images on paper. Subscribe to the International Bond and Share Society at www.scripophily.org ($35 US) to get future issues."

See the IBNS ad elsewhere in this issue for more information on the upcoming January show. -Editor

I especially want to extend a hand of thanks to my dear friend, Randy Thern, who championed the book and pushed to get Krause Publications to publish the first edition and those that followed under their leadership, and for the aggressive marketing of the current publisher Penguin Random House who made it the second best selling numismatic book in the world only after the Red Book (admittedly way behind RB).

I also want to thank the late J.T. Stanton for suggesting that Dr. Brian Allen and I get together to create this book. We were so far into the project that J.T. had galley proofs published under our original title "Treasures In Your Pocket Change" in 1999 and was ready to go to press. Sadly, he had to end his involvement due to cancer.

A special thanks goes out to all who contributed to the book's success with photos, coins, suggestions and for buying it and recommending it to your friends!

Congratulations! -Editor

Paul Montz, Director of World Numismatics at SARC, recently published his long-awaited work, The Encyclopedia of Encased Postage. This 350-page book, illustrated throughout in color, is the first comprehensive work in English on encased postage stamps of the world.

How to Purchase:

• Standard Shipping: Kolbe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers is the sole distributor.
• Hand-Delivery at Numismata Berlin (November 14–15, 2026): We are accepting advance orders to be picked up directly at our booth (Box F).

• Berlin Pre-Order Details:
  Price: 125 USD / 115 EUR
• Deadline: Orders must be finalized by November 6
• To Order: Reply directly to this email
• Numismata Berlin Show Information

Please note: Due to international transport constraints, hand-delivery orders are strictly for guaranteed pickup at the show. If your attendance plans are uncertain, please order directly through Kolbe & Fanning to have your copy shipped instead.

Some more information about the book:

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ENCASED POSTAGE
Montz, Paul

Description:
This 350-page book, illustrated in throughout in color, is the first comprehensive work in English on encased postage stamps of the world.

While the use of encased postage stamps as a currency substitute during the American Civil War is well known, their use in Europe, particularly in the difficult days following the First World War, is much less familiar to most collectors.

This volume is designed to change all that, with 4,587 listings from around the world. Montz's book introduces these intriguing tokens, discusses their historical background, and provides a catalogue of all known types. The extensive issues of France and Germany are discussed in considerable detail, as are the classic U.S. issues of the 1860s. Lesser-known encased postage stamps are also included, ranging from Norway to New Caledonia and from Algeria to Argentina.

Never before has so much information on this topic been brought together in one place.

"I recently picked this up at dealers junkbox (mainly because I went to the long defunct Freedomland amusement park which was open from 1960-1964, as a child). I could find no information on this on the internet, and was hoping one of your readers might have some information. The park was in Bronx, New York. It is now Co-Op City, a large housing development."

I'm not familiar with these. Can anyone help? -Editor