The E-Sylum:  Volume 7, Number 27, July 4, 2004, Article 16

REAGAN, NUMISMATICS, AND POLITICS

  Allan Davisson writes: "Numismatics, politics and history are
  so intertwined that leaving out these latter two elements would
  remove a huge amount of the excitement and joy that
  numismatics and its sense of immediacy with other times and
  events provides.

  Like most people, I tend to like the political comments that
  reflect my views and dislike those that do not. And we are
  in a particularly polarized time in the U.S.

  Not talk politics when we talk coins?  There goes the
  Roman series.   There goes the English series. There goes the
  Greek series.  So also most of the token series in England and
  America.

  These are the series I follow most closely in this profession
  that happens to be my passion. I am certain the same can be
  said about most numismatic venues.

  I for one believe it only fair that you published both sides of
  the Reagan issue."

  David Gladfelter writes: "As for Reagan, why not put his
  picture on the $50 bill? Because some of our readers object
  to political expressions I will not say what I think of President
  Grant, except that I hold Alexander Hamilton in much greater
  esteem notwithstanding what Grant did for collectors of U. S.
  Treasury vignette and portrait books. As for rushing him to a
  place of honor on our coins and currency, we did the same
  for Roosevelt and Kennedy, and no one regrets having done
  so after decades of hindsight.

  Thanks for all your time and effort on behalf of NBS. It is
  appreciated by us Indians."

  [The politics of long-ago seems to be fair game for discussion;
  it's the current day which generates heat.  Roosevelt's
  portrait on the dime seems like an reasonable parallel,
  although both Roosevelt and Kennedy died in office, making
  for a more emotional situation.  There must have been some
  opposition voices at the time, but I don't recall reading any.
  Is anyone aware of contemporary arguments against placing
  Roosevelt and Kennedy on coinage? -Editor]

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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