We now know how long does it take to serially number a batch of new books. The time-and-motion studies are complete. This was carried out at the printing plant as the books arrived from the bindery. It takes 40 minutes per hundred books to stamp or write in the numbers on each title page. Or in an hour you can number 140 books. This includes the work of opening each box of books, removing them and putting them back in boxes after numbering, and sealing the boxes with shipping tape.

People seem split on whether the books are numbered by a small mechanical device or by hand. So there is $25 to be saved if you prefer pen and ink.

This should complete the article and conversations we have been having since November!

I'd like to weigh in on the running subject of signed or inscribed books.

The books of mine that I sell from my own PennyBoard Press are all signed, unless the buyer requests otherwise. I state so specifically in my listings, and I've had no one complain thus far. I'll also inscribe them, if the buyer requests. Since nearly all of these books are bought from me directly, the three PBP titles are actually more scarce sans signature.

Books that were written by me but not published by PBP are more commonly found without my signature, since the majority of copies were sold by other parties. These are sometimes brought or sent to me by their purchasers, and I'll sign or inscribe them according to the owner's preference.

Our ad and the coverage in The E-Sylum got really good response. It isn’t always apparent where action comes from in todays electronic world, but we heard from some folks who I hadn’t heard from in years. The results were pretty darned strong with lots of records. We had 2,106 registered bidders, great numbers for an Americana sale.

You commented that "the 5-cent design is disappointingly flat". This has to be the numismatic understatement of the year 2016!

When I was first scrolling down the E-Sylum issue without paying too much attention to the text, this coin made me stop for a closer look. My first thought was that they had commemorized roadkill, complete with blood stains, tire marks and everything!

With all due respect to the artist, but as well intended as the artwork might have been, the result is outright horrendous! This was a public contest with online voting, and I am sure there also were a couple of experts on some panel somewhere, so how can this have happened? Am I the only one interpreting the design this way? Should I be concerned? Did I fail a numismatic Rohrschach test and should I go and visit a psychoanalyst? I do not watch "The Walking Dead", so that can't be it...

Of course, there are always cheaply done issues from notorious mints of non-existing (or almost non-existing) countries, but this is the Royal Canadian Mint!

As an aside regarding the upcoming book by Ursula Kampmann concerning the Vienna Philharmonic issues of the Austrian mint, I offer this little piece I secured while at the Token Congress held in England this past October. While roaming around, and elbowing through the bourse the final evening, I spotted this piece as a new addition to my wife's musical coin collection.

It's a three pence with the reverse of a massive pipe organ being played at the Rodney Inn and redeemed at the concert hall itself. This is from the very late 19th century and a good brass piece. The advantage to this piece is it shows the instrument being played as opposed to just the pipes. And yes, she does have an Austrian mint piece as well in silver and gold. Now, a shiny brass bauble joins the collection. She is not planning a book.

Just a line to express appreciation for a year's work, and to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Your work is appreciated world-wide - and I should know, I'm down the bottom!