Last week Linda and I were at the Grand Canyon with our 8 and 10 year old grandkids and I did not get around to responding to the query about the GFK tokens. Over the years, I have commissioned two. An earlier one, the size of a small cent, was produced by Jesse Patrick at the Patrick Mint. Pete Smith summarizes the details surrounding the large cent-sized one well.

A number of years after its issue, I received an order for a book from one of my “Numismatic Bookseller" fixed price lists, accompanied by a check. The written amount, however, was $5.00 less than the price quoted. You guessed it! The order was accompanied by TWO Kolbe tokens. It amused me for days thereafter and still does. Those two were the only ones ever redeemed.

The May 18th E-Sylum had a great hobo nickel by Alan Chernomashentsev. I have another one that he did, attached, titled "Industrial Revolution." It's one of the top nickels in my collection.

I would point out that if this object is indeed terracotta it must be a mould and not a die. Also, Livia is not a "Greek goddess" but the mother of the Roman emperor Tiberius. This mould would be for a denarius or aureus of Tiberius and probably reads PONTIF MAXIM. (The denarius of this type is usually considered to be the "Tribute Penny" of the Bible.)

While reading the last E-Sylum, an ad came on the TV for some company selling Morgan silver dollars. They were guaranteed to be in "brilliant uncirculated to fine condition." What do you bet that if you ordered one you would get a well-worn coin?