Our Numismatic Bibliomania Society Symposium takes place on Thursday the 12th at 11:30 am. I will be speaking on "Medallic Portraits of Admiral Vernon". No less than 14 previous authors have written in depth on the subject - these include such luminaries as Edward Hawkins, C. Wyllys Betts and Jose Medina. I will try to explain the irresistible allure of these medals and then answer an historical mystery: why was the loser of the battle of Cartagena showered with medals and the winner cashiered by his King?

We received reliable information regarding taxi and shuttle service at the Boston Airport. Cabs to the convention center and nearby hotels run around $45 or $50. One different mode of transportation that would be lots cheaper would be contacting www.ultimateshuttle.com or calling them at 888-437-4379 and reserving space on the van. A reservation is required and it is $14 each way per person. The number and email are accurate. Hope this helps.

I am in the process of finalising the 2011 edition of Merchants Making Money, which will be 279 pages in length and will contain 44 full biographical articles on the issuers of New Zealand tradesmen's tokens, as well as information on the remaining NZ token issuers and on all six of the firms known to have struck NZ tokens.

In the mean time, I am having a series of articles published by Token Publishing Ltd in the Coin News magazine in England (Auckland issuers, December 2008, Vol. 45, No. 12, Dunedin issuers, March 2010, Vol. 47, No. 3, Wellington issuers, forthcoming ).

At the Boston ANA show next week, we'll be offering a free Whitman folder for everyone who collects the signatures of 10 or more Red Book contributors. (See attached poster.)

Our pricing and research experts will be proudly wearing their OFFICIAL RED BOOK CONTRIBUTOR lapel pins --- and I've warned them to be on the lookout for autograph hounds!

And now a mystery solved. Back in 1824, naturalist John James Audubon wrote in his diary that he had drawn a small grouse for a Philadelphia engraver. The drawing was meant to appear on a banknote being issued in New Jersey. It would've been Audubon's first published illustration. Scholars searched for it for decades, unsuccessfully, until currency expert Eric Newman and Audubon scholar Robert Bob Peck joined the hunt. He joins us from Philadelphia.

I enjoyed reading your excerpts from the Inquirer article about Eric Newman's Audubon discovery, but I felt a niggling déjà vu. There was something I'd read in the past having to do Audubon and claims about grouse. This morning I found it, in a book given to me by Q. David Bowers called The Rarest of the Rare: Stories Behind the Treasures of the Harvard Museum of Natural History.

This Harper Collins coffee-table book published in 2004 has color illustrations of neat items in the collections, with explanatory text on the facing pages. According to an article on p144, “Audubon's Untruth.”, apparently the issue of grouse and illustrations was a sore point with the man. Perhaps the Inquirer writer was alluding to this incident when she used the phrase “typical Audubon exaggeration.” None of this diminishes the importance of Newman's find: Bravo!

By the way, the Inquirer article you posted last week stated Audubon was 29 in 1824 (at the time of his grousy diary entry) but according to my Britannica he would have been 39 at the time.

Thank you for publishing your extensive write up in The E-Sylum for August 1, 2010 about the discovery of the earliest engraving of an Audubon bird. The detailed article will be published in a few weeks by the University of Pennsylvania Press in The Journal of the Early Republic. Robert Peck (Senior Fellow of the Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia) invited me to join him in trying to solve this age old problem. All it took was persistence and luck.

A comic comment about it by my numismatic friend Chemistry Professor Peter Gaspar of Washington University in St. Louis is a pun worth repeating -- that the article was a "RARA AVIS".

Eric Newman and his co-author Robert Peck, as well as the editors of The Journal of the Society of Early American Republic, have generously given the Princeton University Numismatic Collection permission to publish an edited version of their newsmaking paper on Audubon's grouse in the forthcoming catalogue of our exhibit Money on Paper, Bank Notes and Related Graphics from the Collections of Vsevolod Onyshkevych and Princeton University.

A major portion of the exhibit, which opens on August 30 and runs through January 2 in the Milberg Gallery of Firestone Library, Princeton University, will be devoted to this discovery. Included will be an 1830 Fairman sample sheet with two copies of the grouse vignette, loaned to the exhibit by collector Mark D. Tomasko, photographs of two preliminary notes with the vignette from Newman's collection, and the breathtaking original Audubon print of the Pinnated Grouse in Princeton's original edition of The Birds of America.

Further information on the catalogue and exhibition can be obtained from Alan Stahl, Princeton's Curator of Numismatics, astahl@princeton.edu.

I have been following the Peck/Newman story. This topic is presently being discussed on a currency forum at forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=23&threadid=783255

Given the incomplete information in the press releases, the upcoming article seems to indicate that there are three known surviving impressions of Audubon's "running grouse" on currency. My conclusion is that there are probably at least six surviving impressions:

1. The Ohio proof
2. The Connecticut proof
3. The sample sheet
4. and 5. Two progressive proofs of the Connecticut note
6. Probably an issued version of the Connecticut note

Maybe the complete article will discuss the last three impressions.

I will be a guest (with another numismatist) on the Milt Rosenberg show, Extension 720, on Thursday, August 19, from 10:00 p.m. to midnight. The website is www.wgnradio.com/shows/ext720/ (http://www.wgnradio.com/shows/ext720/)

WGN is an AM station in Chicago at 720. They do podcasts of their shows. I will be discussing my new book, Curious Currency: The Story of Money From the Stone Age to the Internet Age. The format of Extension 720 is a guest interview for the first hour, followed by an hour of listener call-in questions.

I recently acquired Volume 3, No. 7 (whole No. 31) of the “American Journal of Numismatics” dated November, 1868, in David Sklow's Auction sale #10. In it, is a great picture of the mint taken in 1854 with a short story by the photographer.

What is interesting is that I also previously purchased a book titled “Old Philadelphia, In Early Photographs 1839-1914”, 215 prints from the collection of the free library of Philadelphia, by Robert F. Looney, from David Sklow's Mail Bid Sale #5. In it is exactly the same photograph listed as #77 as in the Journal.

The description in this book states that the photograph was from 1861, seven years after the picture in the American Journal of Numismatics! Obviously one if not both have the incorrect date. I would tend to believe the date in the AJN since the article was written by the photographer.

Well, the picture is not exactly the same. The photograph in the AJN is trimmed on the sides to fit the page, but it is a real photograph, pasted onto the page.

Congratulations on acquiring the AJN issue - it is a classic item of American numismatic ephemera.

As you point out, the AJN version of this photograph was cropped. The original (as shown in Looney) is from the Charles Poulson scrapbooks. The catalog of the Library Company of Philadelphia gives additional commentary on this photograph:

"One of images originally part of a series of eleven scrapbooks compiled by Philadelphia antiquarian Charles A. Poulson in the late 1850s entitled "Illustrations of Philadelphia"…The scrapbooks contained approximately 120 photographs by Philadelphia painter and pioneer photographer [Frederick De Bourg] Richards of 18th-century public, commercial, and residential buildings in the city of Philadelphia commissioned by Poulson to document the vanishing architectural landscape."

Richards photographed other buildings about the same time, including the nearby Declaration House, which has an interesting connection to the first Mint - more in the book on that.

The author of the 1868 AJN article has not been conclusively identified - Benjamin Betts seems the best guess, but no one knows for sure. Also unexplained is why the letter is signed "B. B." when the photographer was more likely Richards. We consider the Poulson scrapbooks more definitive on this point than the AJN article, they are earlier, and contain more context. Barring additional research finds (always a possibility), that's our best guess at this point.

With regard to Hobbies Magazine, the New York Public Library in Manhattan at 42nd street has a set.

Some years ago I read through all the issues of Hobbies for numismatic content. The ANA Library has a bunch you can borrow by mail.

I found about six inches (shelf space) of these and am mailing them off to Dave Lange at the end of this week, as he will be at the ANA in Boston until then.

I used to subscribe to Hobbies in the 1950s and 1960s, by which time each of the multiple hobbies featured had a person who wrote an article each month in exchange for a free ad. Charles French (born Lehrenkrauss), of Troy, NY, was the writer for a while. I then let my subscription lapse as there wasn't much useful in comparison to Coin World and Numismatic News. By that time they had a new columnist, G.R. One day a customer wrote to me, “Did you know that G.R. in Hobbies Magazine is using the text from your Coins and Collectors book?”

I didn't know, but found it was true. Hobbies Magazine was as embarrassed as all get out and asked what they could do, etc., etc. Would I take legal action? What would I do? I told them that these things happen, it was okay, and so on. They dumped G.R. immediately and, if I recall, ran a free ad for me.

In response to Dave's query, I have nothing like a set of Hobbies Magazine, but can assist a little. The earliest issue I have is "Number 3, Volume 36" (May, 1931), though I have difficulty believing that Hobbies Magazine was really started in the 19th century. The October 1931 issue has a full page ad by B. Max Mehl on the back cover, offering "some real bargains" such as U.S. $3.00 gold for 6.00, bust half dollars for 75 cents each, etc.

The latest issue I have is June, 1982 (Vol. 87, No. 4); at that time Hobbies claimed to be "America's oldest publication dealing in both antiques and collectibles." The June, 1982 issue features an article, "Collecting Tokens," by Q. David Bowers!

So yes, Hobbies belongs in every numismatic library, and assembling a set may prove as difficult as finishing a complete run of Chapman catalogs.

Hobbies Magazine started in 1931. Prior to this it was published as Philatelic West. Philatelic West merged with several other publications into Hobbies in 1931. There was good "coin content" into the 1950s. I believe the magazine survives under another title today.

I was able to access the Hobbies run (in hardcopy, from 1931 on) at the Chicago Public Library. They also have microfilm which is of course more difficult and slower to use.

Several years back I called for Philatelic West at the ANS. Frank Campbell brought out an old box that was literally turning into dust. There was good content, but they only had a few assorted issues. I believe there is a complete run of this at the Nebraska State Historical Society in Lincoln, NE where it was published. I've had it on my "to do" list for a long time and if there are any NBSers in that part of the country I think this would be worth calling for.

Finally - Frank Ross, who was a long time author for the Hobbies coin section, had several volumes of his collated contributions bound together; these were sold by Orville Grady about 15 years ago. I am anxiously awaiting to see these volumes reappear on the market, but so far no luck.

Dave Lange asked about Hobbies magazine. This was a major publication in its day, containing many good articles on many collecting topics, including coins and paper money. The full title is: Hobbies The Magazine For Collectors (there are other magazines titled "Hobbies"). Published by Lightner Publishing in Chicago, the magazine was formed in 1931 by Otto C. Lightner (1887-1950) from the merger of several smaller hobby magazines.

It was published monthly until 1985, when the title was changed to Antiques & Collecting Magazine. The latter was still being published in the 1990's, but I don't know if it is still in publication. An index was published in 1969, covering 1931-1969. Many public libraries and some university libraries have holdings of Hobbies -- at least they once did. Many libraries are throwing out their periodicals to make room. Hobbies is available in microfilm, and maybe someday will be available online.

Single copies of the magazine can be found for sale on Ebay, on internet book sites (try ABEBooks.com or Bookfinder.com or Alibris.com), or elsewhere on the Internet. Some used bookstores and antique shops also sell old issues. Single copies seem to be selling for around $5. There is an article on Otto C. Lightner in the March 2006 issue of Antiques Magazine.

If David Lange wants a partial set of Hobbies Magazine I would send them to him if he will pay for shipping.

Another book with a medal is The Indiana Medal 1816*1916. The medal by Janet Scudder. Only 918 books were printed with the medal.

I had my own entry in this arena, though it didn't come out quite as planned. The first edition of my Buffalo Nickel book included a leatherbound version limited to six copies. Each had a pair of Buffalo Nickels mounted on the front cover to show obverse and reverse. The binder, however, didn't fully understand the instructions to set them within the cover, as he instead simply glued them to the leather! Since this left the coins vulnerable to rubbing, I solved the problem by fitting a Kointain tightly over each nickel.

I was skeptical that I could sell a deluxe edition of what was my very first book, and that's why I had only six copies prepared. I still have one in my own library, and the only one I've seen offered for sale since 1992 was in Bowers & Merena's sale of the Armand Champa Library, which included copy number one. I don't believe it realized much more than issue price. There may have been some listings since then, but they escaped my notice. While the first edition of my book pales in comparison to the more recent third edition in terms of content, I never again put together a deluxe version of this title, and it remains a modern rarity.

Regarding the carnival throw book by Jay Guren and Richard Egan - you WERE aware of it. In fact you published my description of the book and a illustration of its cover in an earlier E-Sylum (September 19, 2009). Try some ginseng. It helps the memory they say. Ha. Ha.

I thoroughly enjoyed viewing The Medal Maker on YouTube. What a great documentary dating back to 1929! Thanks for sharing the link. Maybe you should mention it again, just in case someone missed it!

Bookbinders span the gamut from quick and dirty (Kinkos) to insanely elaborate and expensive (take a look at the binding used on the George Washington Book in the upcoming Heritage Platinum night sale). I think you need to start with what you want and go from there.

I used Alan Grace in Jacksonville (now in Atlanta) for years, but after a while your library tends to take on a certain Alan Grace look. So I am experimenting with a new bookbinder in Rhode Island for both Book Plates (his wife is a graphic designer) and bindings. So far so good on both fronts, but it is still early days. I will report in again when I get the Plates and the first shipment back.

Charlie Davis uses Harcourt Bindery in Boston. I have used them as well and found their work to be very good, but on the slightly pricey side. One final thought, people have mixed feelings about using bookbinders outside of driving distance. If you can drive there, you can save shipping and time and also explain exactly what you want. But I find geography limiting in terms of skills and diversity of binding look.

I've used a third generation Denver bookbinder over the years with very good luck. Their work has been great and the prices seem reasonable. The name is Denver Bookbinding Company. They are very knowledgeable and still have some of the old machines and craftsman.

I've used them for restoration, new leather bindings and also to bind a set of Detroit City Directories from the 1860s. I've never been disappointed with their work. Here is the link: www.denverbook.com .

A question was posed to me on which your readers might be able assist. What single reference book would you recommend for a discussion of coin chemistry? There is a lot of information out there and a lot to discuss. What reference gathers it up best in one spot?

There is a numismatic connection: Lt. George Dixon, the sub's commander, carried with him a special $20 gold piece. "Early in the war, in Mobile, Ala., Queenie Bennett (Dixon's fiancée) gave him a $20 gold piece. While at Shiloh, a Union bullet penetrated his trouser pocket and struck the coin. The impact left the gold piece shaped like a bell, with the bullet embedded in it. If it wasn't for that coin, he probably would have died on the battlefield–and the Hunley might never have made history. He would carry that coin the rest of his life..."

Regarding why Chinese cash coins have square holes, the two responses you published are correct. The earliest cash coins, cast in the 300's and 200's BC, were made with round holes in some places and square holes in others. The square hole won out in order to file off the casting sprue.

Some numismatic works answer this question in cosmological terms -- the square hole represents the squareness of earth, with its four directions, while the round shape represents heaven, which is round (or more accurately hemi-spherical).

Why do Chinese cash coins have holes? This question is not correct because it was not only the Chinese who issued cash coins! The Chinese issued the first one, but the Koreans, Japanese and Vietnamese also issued them, and the Vietnamese minted the last official cash coins. And there were many unofficial cash coins issued by merchants and mines and plantations in Southeast Asia too, and many unofficial coins had round center holes. So the question should be, "Why do official cash-style coins have square center holes?"

The square center hole in the coin represents the earth and the round outer shape represents the universe. With the king or emperor's reign title in two of the four characters on the obverse side, this showed the king or emperor was a supreme being.

The square center hole was also practical because a square rod was needed to hold the coin in place while excess metal was being filed off on those that needed it. And the holes in cash coins were also used to string them in groups of 500, 600 and/or 1000 when they were sent from the mint. And they often stayed strung to use to complete a transaction.

But a VERY important reason for the hole was that the great majority of East Asians did not have pockets in their clothes! For the upper classes, they had small coin bags, sacks or purses which were tied or looped on their belts to hold their coins, but the poorer people did have coin bags, sacks or purses and strung their coins on a string or wire and then put them on their wrist, belt or their carrying pole.

I now have a supply of this book on hand. Printed in Full Color, it runs 324 pages, with most items illustrated, with a price guide. While in French, it is straight forward, and easily usable by everyone. A four language translation section covers common words. Only $54 postage paid to the USA. I do have most exonumia books, at www.exonumia.com/books.htm.

Rich Hartzog announced the immediate availability of the 28th annual Pass out Sheet listing all quality Token and Medal Dealers at the Boston ANA Convention.

All exonumia dealers will have a supply of the map and listing at their tables, as well as a supply at the front literature tables in the lobby. Pick up a copy and quickly find all exonumia dealers. The on-line version at www.exonumia.com/ana2010.htm also has links to dealer sites, email and physical addresses, as well as specialties at the show. Twenty dealers are on this year's sheet.

Earlier in The E-Sylum I mentioned the passing of Bill Christensen and others added their comments as well. As numismatists we handle old things but we don't talk about our old colleagues much, most of them became our friends as well. At my age of 61 several are gone and I miss them, their friendship, their companionship as well as their business. Your forum is as good a place as any to remember them.

The high-value bills are increasingly "making the euro the currency of choice for underground and black economies, and for all those who value anonymity in their financial transactions and investments," wrote Willem Buiter, chief economist at Citigroup, in a recent research report.

Which is exactly why Britain has banned the use of the 500-euro note in the country. Starting a few weeks ago, banks and money-changers are forbidden to sell the note (I don't know what the policy is on banks taking them in).

With respect to Facebook, I will also admit to not being a big Facebook user, but I am religious about checking in to the Yahoo Colonial Coins Chat Board which probably has 100 plus members. There is not a Colonial question that can't be answered there. I can't remember how many years this has been around but I would say more than 10.

I forgot the the name of the company that Yahoo acquired to buy the ChatBoard/ChatRoom function (and our ChatGroup), but we were all on that before the acquisition. Before that, a very few of us were on the CompuServe Chat Board. I think the Colonial Chat room, which could not have been more than 10 people.....Don Mituzas, Neil Rothschild, Dennis Wierzba, Ray Williams, Dave Palmer....I can't remember the rest, met every Monday night 9PM EST for an hour. Being a Californian, I met several collectors there first.

I share this as I meet one of their employees at the FIDEM conference. The homepage has a cool image of the main gallery. Interesting concept - keep it old.

Unique to this museum is the historical presentation of its collections, largely unchanged since the late 18th and 19th centuries.

The oldest museum in the Netherlands, Teylers was founded in the eighteenth century and still exudes the atmosphere of that time. Built in 1784 to house exhibits legated by Pieter Teyler, a wealthy banker and merchant, it has hardly changed in all those years. As a visitor, you wander past the various items shown in the attractive historical display cases, which are lit only by daylight. It is as if you were leafing through an encyclopaedia, allowing each object to tell its own story – each fossil, mineral or scientific instrument; each coin, medal, book, print, painting or drawing. Some are famous, some are complex; all are fascinating.

The Numismatic Cabinet contains the second most important coin and medal collection in the Netherlands. Its foundations can be traced back to the private collection of Pieter Teyler, founding father of Teylers Museum, but it was not till 1886 that a separate gallery was created to display the collection.

It contains a very fine series of Dutch medals, with an emphasis on historical and genealogical medals. In addition there are smaller numbers of counters, tokens and foreign medals. Two highly specialised collections are those of the West Frisian and Guelders coins. Roman and Dutch coins from other regions are also part of the collection.