160 years ago today, Nov. 1, 1858, was the first Ed Cogan sale. The 77 cents realized $128.68. The result of this sale was published in Philadelphia newspapers and was credited by Cogan as "the chief cause of the unprecedented demand that arose for obtaining coins."

I discovered with great interest the Stack’s Baltimore sale this week of the Dubois Brasher electrotype (circa 1860). I was greatly impressed by Craig Sholley’s communication to The E-Sylum displaying great knowledge. Then following carefully considers my careful examination of the original on exhibit in the Smithsonian Institution (slide by side) and the photos of the electrotype just sold.

I own what I am 100 percent certain is an electrotype of the doubloon made by Dubois from the original, circa 1860. My example is identical in every respect (save one). Briefly, it exhibits the scratches, weaknesses, depressions, etc. that are present on both the aforementioned genuine example in the Smithsonian and the electrotype just sold this past week. The distinction is that the electrotype I own is fully gilt which I assume was done at the time of production.

Here is the provenance (or circumstances)as to how I acquired the piece. In the late 1960s I was friendly with Colonel Bill Smothers who was affiliated with Midas Coins od Annandale, Virginia. Bill purchased an extensive collection of colonials, politicals, and tokens directly from a family which had not been disturbed in any way since the 1880s. The collection was extensive yet did not include any U. S. Coins. I purchased the subject electrotype from Bill in addition to some colonials and Lincoln politicals. It became clear to me this indeed was a Dubois electrotype. My problem had been there was no known example of another Dubois electrotype to compare it with and have it verified to be as described. I submitted it last year to ANACS for authenticating and they returned it as “counterfeit”.

I am preparing an extensive article on the life of John J. Ford, Jr., and invite anyone with pictures of JJF, New Netherlands office and auction room, or related to send them to me, for possible use (will be credited).

The indomitable Grover Criswell, a man of many numismatic talents and as keen sense of humor, was on a tedious flight from the East coast to the West coast. In need of a libation to shorten the trip, he asked the flight attendant for a stout spirit drink. To pay, he pulled out a half-sheet of $2 bills, and cut one out to pay for the drink - or did he tear one off from a checkbook he'd made? Anyway...

The flight attendant notified the captain, who called ahead to Los Angeles, the flight's destination. Grover was met by the police and Secret Service when he exited the plane. It took Grover a bit of time, probably in an inconspicuous and dungeon-type room at the airport, to explain he wasn't a counterfeiter, but, rather, THE preeminent, worldwide numismatic scholar and coin dealer--as only Grover could. May Grover rest in peace and the stories of his life brighten any numismatic conversation.

Do you have an information on enforcement of the National Coin Hobby Act which required the word COPY on replicas, fakes and other junk? I would be eager to read something about this US regulation. Maybe your readers can help

Re: BIKINI COINGIRL; What were the coins again? I forgot to look at the coins.