It seems to me that when I was doing some research a few months ago, I ran across a reference to an illustrated catalogue of commemorative medals produced across a certain time period by the Monnaie de Paris. As numismatic bibliophiles, can anyone tell me more about this (these) publication(s)? If they are historical, have they been reissued on CD or available through the Google listings? (I've looked there, but may not be entering my search information correctly).

I wonder if anyone reading The E-Sylum might know anything about Dave Hess - a dealer based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana during the 1960s and 1970s. He issued lists, similar to the Seaby Bulletins, complete with good articles, mostly on British numismatics, and was a frequent traveller to the UK, attending coin shows and auctions in London. I understand he may have passed away some years ago - is there an obituary or any other information about him anywhere? I am sure some of your readers will have some information about him.

I see from perusing my incoming mail today that the Canadian Numismatic Bibliography folks have started shipping the CDs containing the searchable PDF (and Microsoft Excel) files for the two volumes. Certainly makes the original purchase of the book set much more useful; how considerate of the project folks and supporters to push these out to the subscribers…a very welcome addition to the original purchase! Photo of the CD and mailer attached.

I came across this picture on Tuesday, and thought it would make an interesting 'mystery numismatist' quiz.

In last week's edition someone mentioned that he thought that the photo of two men laying on money was from Breaking Bad not Rush Hour 2. I can confirm that the image came from Breaking Bad season 5 episode 10 "Buried"

In response to your question about Niue - it's a quite small island in the Pacific that is officially "self-governing but in free association with New Zealand", which I guess makes it an NZ dependency of sorts. Looking at the plethora of CLO's (I much prefer to say "coin-like objects" than NCLT if I can tell it like it is!) from places such as Niue and the Cook Islands, whose themes usually have very little to do with either of those places, it's clear that they produce a benefit for both parties - the makers/marketers and the tiny countries whose names appear on these issues.

The countries presumably get a share of the sales revenue, which helps their economies, in return for lending their names to these commercial exercises to give what would otherwise just be "medals" an air of legitimacy, since they can then be called "legal tender". I do wonder how many of these items are ever actually seen in the territories of Niue or the Cooks, however. Their legal tender status is even dubious, as cashing them could prove problematic - didn't someone try doing just that with a stash of high-denomination silver "coins" a few years ago and found as a result that they would not be honoured?

The Niuean language, by the way, is a Polynesian language not totally unlike Maori. The island must have been a welcome landfall to early Polynesian explorers, since the name is a phrase - "niu e!", or "Here there be coconut palms!" in pseudo sailor-speak :-)

The production of more coins is an indication that the economy is improving. During poor economic conditions stressed people do not throw their change in a jar but instead spend it on necessities. During better times change does not go back to the banks and the banks demand more change. This has been true for the history of our nation.

I have got to get me one of these and play with it....without setting myself or my house on fire! Fascinating for a long time 49er resident of San Francisco.

It is stated in the Aug 24 issue of The E-Sylum that Colin Gullberg "founded the Chopmark Collectors Club". This wording implies that he founded (as in started) the club is not correct. I believe he discovered and joined the club in 2006 as member #298. The club was founded in 1991.

“An 1838-O three cent silver.” Really? Gotta get me one of those.

I "think" I meant 1851-O silver. I'm not sure what I was thinking of at the time. I'm not a real maven of U.S. coinage so I guess this one slipped by.