The recent threads about mint buildings and coins struck outside of them made me take notice of eBay items 160644041547 (which comes with a COA stating that it was made by the mint, in the Government building at the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition in 1909) and 150655578815 (which does not state where it was made, but could have been done in the mint exhibit at the Columbian Exposition in 1893).

I, too, was a guest on What's My Line in the 1970s, when Larry Blyden was the host. However, programs from that time period were not saved or do not appear on YouTube. At the time I was the curator of the Chase Manhattan Bank Money Museum and they didn't guess my occupation.

I read Pete Smith's comments in the latest E-Sylum about the characters from Stars Wars wandering the bourse floor of the Chicago ANA convention. As I walked past them on Tuesday, I commented "Wrong convention guys!" Only later did I find out that the New Zealand mint is issuing a set of Star Wars commemorative coins, and that Darth Vader and his comrades were there to help promote this new series. Not my "cup of tea," but based on the activity at the New Zealand booth, there are still Star Wars fanatics out there, even at a coin convention!

In regard to Pete Smith's comments about the Star Wars characters at the ANA in Chicago, they were a promotion for the New Zealand Mint. According to the ANA, "The New Zealand Mint went all-out to promote its new Star Wars series." I have a photo at the mint booth (supplied by ANA) that will be published in the MintMark (ANA Club Rep Program newsletter).

I'm a little disappointed with the picture. It is a recycled image that has been around the Internet from various earthquakes, high wind events, and whatever tickles someone's fancy. Especially with the actual damage, it just wasn't funny.

However, my dogs' reaction was funny. I wasn't home; I was with my wife at an appointment when the ground began to shake. After it was over, I turned to her and ask, "was that an earthquake?" It just didn't register! When I came home, I found my dogs huddled in the kitchen. They never stay in the kitchen when we're out. But they were just so glad to see me, they clung to me for hours!

Due to Hurricane Irene and flight delays that have affected much of the Spink staff, Spink has decided to move the Collector's Series Sale, originally planned for Tuesday, August 30th to Thursday, September 1st. The Waldorf Collection, originally scheduled for August 31st, will remain unchanged.

I agree with Dick Johnson that there is no point in debating a new composition for the cent when the coin is hopelessly obsolete. A point which never seems to come up during such debates is that even a coin costing less than one cent in materials will cost far more than that to manufacture, store and distribute.

I would have loved to attend the NBS functions, as well as Bill Burd's library tour, but anyone who works a commercial booth during ANA conventions is pretty much a prisoner of said booth. I did have a chance to speak with Bill earlier that day and thank him in person, and I envy those who got to attend his reception.

The policy of the St. Francis Hotel to wash all the coins it dispenses pops up in the news every few years, and it was reported even more often in the local press when I lived in that area. It's a quaint tradition and one that is no longer necessary. The problem of ladies' white gloves becoming soiled corrected itself about 40 years ago when both hats and gloves ceased to be required fashion accessories.

Also overlooked is that our current clad coins do not tarnish the way that silver coins did. Anyone who has sorted through silver coins looking for better dates will know how it becomes necessary to wash one's hands afterward, but I don't see this happening with the coins in use today. At a time of such high unemployment, it's amazing that someone can still be employed in such a useless activity.