I just wanted to take this opportunity to join the many others who have saluted your unwavering dedication and devotion to the publication of   The E-Sylum over the past (nearly) two decades. While I am an old man now and have more or less lost my enthusiasm for numismatics (but not the literature), I know from first-hand experience how difficult publishing a periodical on a timely basis (weekly, for crying out loud!!!) can be.

It might be one thing to emit a stream of drivel regularly, but to read, edit and publish a scholarly journal while rarely missing a deadline, is a feat few can even imagine. Nearly thirty-five years ago, I attempted my own publishing venture, intending to issue an 8 to 12-page newsletter on a bi-monthly basis. Needless to say, more numbers missed their deadline than achieved it. The problem wasn't material; Lord knows I had many prominent and knowledgeable readers who provided a plethora (thank you, Howard) of numismatic information, insights, opinions, etc. Rather, the frequent delays were due almost exclusively to my inability to "find the time."

You, on the other hand, not only find the time, you find a LOT of time as evidenced by the amazing volume of topics and articles in each issue of the finest journal of its type in the world. I salute you, thank you, and wish you all continued success. I look forward to every new issue. Many kudos!!!

Regarding the topic "All Things Rittenhouse" to be presented during the ANA Convention, I found one bit of trivia that will likely be omitted from the presentation. There are seemingly two actors in recent years named David Rittenhouse. I don't know whether these are real names or stage names, but both persons must be aware of its famous ancestry. It's possible that these David Rittenhouses are the same person, but there are two clearly separate entries in the Internet Movie Database.

Maybe it's the photo, but the faces of the Presidents look awful to me - in isolation one might not even recognize the images as being from Mt. Rushmore. To me, it's an ugly looking coin.

It's not just you: Rushmore apparently features Henry Gibson, Emma Thompson, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Jeff Goldblum. It makes a nice change.

I'm attaching a sketch that Lincoln Vanderblatt dashed off a few years ago. The recent E-Sylum commentary on "gold dollars" vs. "golden dollars" made me think of it, and I dug it out of the archives.

Could someone write a little article explaining/defining the terms used (these days) to further describe coins being sold? I grew up in the era of : G, F, VF, EF, AU, and BU. I know I could not afford any of the items being offered in the upcoming Stack's Bowers sale. But it is amazing to see:

The 1864 "L" Cent ------------
Proof-65, RB (pcgs) Eagle Eye Photo Seal and later:
CAC, RD, OGH

Please help the humble reader?

See 30 coin dealers on Sunday morning in the Plaza Mayor of Madrid — and not see a single slab. Here you are welcome touch the coins, many of which are not in any 2x2 or flip, but laid out in open air coin cabinet compartments. The plastic entombment of coins is little known here and not highly regarded.

Cop a feel of the coins you like, it's no problem. People here like to have a good look at the edges too. Unc coins you can hold just by the edges. EF and below, few dealers would be upset if you fondled the piece in your fingers. I keep my fingers strictly on the edges. I also use one of my business cards to flick the coin up out of its compartment to hold it, rather that fumbling around grabbing at the coin with thumb and forefinger as do some collectors.

I understand there is a USA 3rd party grading firm branch in Paris — but Paris is a long way from here.