Jay Parrino happened upon the numismatic market from almost total obscurity perhaps 2+ decades ago and fast became the single biggest individual personality in commercial numismatics. To my knowledge, he had not been known in the hobby before his sudden appearance and yet within just a few years was buying major collections like the R.E. Naftzger early dates large cent collection from Eric Streiner for well over $5 million.

He bought and sold only the highest quality American coins at then seemingly outrageous prices. Rumors abounded about his background, his source of funds, his apparent excellent taste in numismatics. And then he suddenly disappeared from rare coins, almost overnight. And re-appeared a few years later then, so I've heard, occupying the same prominent market position in rare comics.

Can anyone expound in detail about this man who came a numismatic blazing meteor and then vanished, only to re-appear elsewhere just as prominently ? What's his background, why'd he suddenly leave numismatics, what's his connection with the mysterious, now deceased Southern Californian Iranian numismatic investor Iraj Sayah?

One item from this week's issue caught my attention. It was stated that the million dollar display installed at the Horseshoe Club in 1954 included 100 gold certificates, but this could not have been possible. From 1934 to 1964 it was illegal for individuals to possess gold certificates. Numismatists campaigned for years to get this law overturned, but they were not successful until 1964.

The photo included in The E-Sylum appears to date from the late 1960s, judging by the young lady's hairstyle. When blown up it reveals Federal Reserve notes, with their distinctive bank seals at the left of each note.

The Treasury Department stopped distributing $10,000 bills, which featured former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Salmon Chase, in 1969. By 2000 only 340 remained in circulation, making the display the most valuable currency collection in the world, according to experts.