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DOC STOUFFER POEM: COINSRecently John Phipps of Atlanta, GA wrote about the Numismatic Poets Society awards. Here's a new contender, first published in the May 2018 issue of The Clarion, the official publication of
the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists, which is having its annual spring show near Pittsburgh May 10-12. Editor Richard Jewell kindly provided the text of a poem on Coins by longtime PAN member "Doc"
Stouffer. -Editor
Every once in a while an interesting letter comes in the mail and I feel it needs some special attention; the following is one such example. "Dear Editor," "Life takes some strange turns. My interest in coins began approximately 70 years ago and is still active. But at ages 91-92 something new! I'm writing poetry! I've never had one iota of interest in this topic before. I now write on subjects that to my knowledge few or no poets have used as subjects. So naturally, I've written one on coins. I know Shakespeare mentioned coins in his plays (as a matter of fact I used to collect and exhibit them). But I know of no others who have used coins in a poem. Can you believe this? A retired 92 year old dentist (Numismatist as well) writing poetry! I've dedicated my poem to our Red Rose Coin Club (Lancaster, PA). I thought your readers might enjoy it. Enclosed is a copy of "Coins" Best Wishes for 2018 That all knowledge will never be past We know they're made of copper, silver, or gold And of many other things I am told When first studying a coins design Very often you'll see a favorite of mine Yes, the bird of our nation – the eagle Our sculptors have tried to make it look regal To go back to the early coinage birth The Greeks and Romans learned to value their worth Please don't judge a coin by its weight And don't always judge age by the date Joined in the hobby is the medal and token Many clubs and groups for them are well spoken As to who forms a collection Be sure to learn all possible protection While learning of many a numismatic mystery You're sure to learn a great deal of history. Dedicated to the Red Rose Coin Club Editor: Thanks "Doc" we appreciate your poem and we're glad you are still active in your numismatic adventure and we wish you continued good health and good fortune in your numismatic journey! This has been the third article since I took over the editorship of the Clarion, in May 2011, that "Doc" has sent in. I can only hope there are more stories like his out there to tell (and print). Thanks, Doc. To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: For more information on PAN and the upcoming show, see: The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
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