I've spent a lot of time at both the Maryland Historical Society in Baltimore and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The MdHS published my book, Treasure in the Cellar, in 2008. My current book, Secret History of the First United States Mint, was aided by source material at the HSoP - we located the fire insurance policy for the first Mint property in that collection.

The news of this theft is a punch in a gut. Archival repositories struggle with the balance of public access and good security, and anytime something like this happens everyone is a loser. As researchers we lose access and in turn the institutions fail to advance their mission of illuminating and sharing history. As researchers and collectors we must be extra vigilant in looking for the bad guys - pay attention to the researcher next to you at your local historical society - and if you see anything suspicious in the marketplace don't be afraid to speak up.

The article about the pending sale of the John Snell collection of modern Chinese coins really caught my attention. There was an earlier sale of his coins by a small coin dealer in Michigan, Fred Knust, in the 1990's I think. The collection Fred had was fairly small, and I believe, all copper coins. Also from the collection were a couple steel dies for a Chinese copper coin, probably a Hunan Republican 20 Cash. Michael Chou of Champion Gallieries Hong Kong Auctions bought the dies, and I believe they were, in the last couple years, in one of his sales.

The information about the family is interesting. One of Snell's sons wrote a biography of his father, which I have in my library. There isn't much about numismatics as I recall. Snell, the collector, lived in China for quite a few years, and was an ANA member. He ran some ads in The Numismatist in the 1920's trying to interest Americans in modern Chinese coins. He also wrote an article on the subject which was published in The Numismatist.

Regarding the Operation Bernhard notes being auctioned in Shropshire, first, I am surprised that these notes can be openly sold within the UK, since the genuine notes have not been demonetized. The Bank of England will still pay current notes in exchange for any white note delivered to them that passes their tests for authenticity. Second, the Bernhard notes are not at all rare (as you find stated in the full text of the article, following the link that you provided). Unless some of the others (not shown) are from branches outside London, I would be astounded if they bring even 750 pounds, let alone the 2000 that are cited as the seller's expectation.

I doubt there are any coins in it, but this is interesting nonetheless! Imagine paying $18 million for one book...