With respect to the New York Numismatic Club, I had fond memories of their annual March New York Metropolitan Coin show held at the then Park- Sheraton Hotel, up the street from Stack's, at 57th St and 7th Ave. I recall distinctly that at a show circa 1961, President Martin Kortjohn approached me on the bourse floor and took me aside. He warned me that I would be escorted out if I continued to show a 1797 half cent which I had for sale. Only bourse dealers were permitted to sell coins.

At this show or perhaps the 1962 show , I was up on the balcony overlooking the bourse floor where the exhibits were placed. I gazed for quite a while at a magnificent multi-case display of classic American coinage in the highest grades, my nose almost touching the case glass. "Do you like what you see?" asked a formally-dressed elderly man about 5' 6" who was looking over my shoulder. He introduced himself as Harold Bareford, the owner of the display.

The name meant nothing to me at the time, but he sure had great coins - classic early federal coinage I aspired to own someday...and now do. In 1961-62, R.L. Miles had his entire collection on display on this balcony. Word was, and as evidenced by many of the early copper coins on display, Miles cleaned most of his coins - an all-too-common occurrence in those days when toning was out and "bright" was in. Shortly thereafter, Miles auctioned his extensive U.S. collection thru Stack's.