Have you talked to the guys at the Badger Mint? That's George Cuhaj and Joe Paonessa. They run a mint at the ANA summer seminar these days, and Joe has built a great competitive exhibit showing the process, from die making through striking and finishing the coins - using first century technology.

The ANA Library had most of the Elder catalogues in its collection when I researched my Elder article back in 1979.

I am on the road this week with no references available, but surely Dick Johnson meant 3.11 grams, not 3.11 grains, for the weight of a wheatie.

Unless Mr. Colt's family had new indoor plumbing obviating their use of the locale in which he was found four months deceased, I have to assume that outhouse in this case means out-building. Or did they have a men's and a women's loo, with the kids using Mom's facility?

Regarding cut-out coins, you might (or might not) recall that was quite the fad around the 1970s. I acquired three such items back then as pendants (not pins) for my wife. One was a Franklin half, with the Liberty Bell swinging from its support. Another was the eagle from a Peace Dollar. And my favorite: a dramatic Walker half featuring the lettering, figure of Liberty, and rays all separated from the background. These were very well done, and not the least bit fragile. And I haven't encountered such items for a great many years. I wonder whether folks still do such amazing cut-outs for sale?