Dick Doty of the National Numismatic Collection writes:
Regarding the Diana Gambling token, it seems to me that a token is defined as a substitute for ‘real' money. As such, it will be made from a lesser or at least different material than the money whose substitute it is intended to be. Why would anyone create a gambling chip of the same size, weight, and material as the coin it's intended to replace?
I (and others) agree that such a piece would not make sense as a gambling token. It could make sense as a coin substitute, thus it ended up in the Lilly collection alongside other private and pioneer coins. A number of such items in the Lilly collection are of disputed origin. The inventory notes classify the Smithsonian's piece as a fantasy of mid-twentieth century manufacture (i.e. the late 1950s "Franklin Hoard" material).
-Editor
Harvey Stack writes:
Your follow-up report in last week's E-Sylum was great. It gave both sides of the discussion (which was reported and argued since John Ford, and ourselves, defended the accusations and discoveries in the 1950s).
I was trying to promote research and greater numismatics by study and reading and not depending on simple Guidebook information. We both agree, I am sure, that more research is being done today to make numismatics more interesting and exciting than was done within the past half century.
I picked an unusual subject to write about because of the history it had, and the effort made to explain the reason for its existence. Your publication really encourages research and greater understanding about the hobby we all love.
To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
ON THE DIANA GAMES OF CHANCE TWENTY DOLLAR GOLD PIECE
(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v13n24a16.html)
To read Harvey's original essay, see:
HARVEY STACK ON THE VALUE OF BOOKS
(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v13n23a09.html)
Wayne Homren, Editor
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