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About Us The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit association devoted to the study and enjoyment of numismatic literature. For more information please see our web site at coinbooks.org Subscriptions Those wishing to become new E-Sylum subscribers (or wishing to Unsubscribe) can go to the following web page link Membership There is a membership application available on the web site Membership Application To join, print the application and return it with your check to the address printed on the application. Print/Digital membership is $40 to addresses in the U.S., and $60 elsewhere. A digital-only membership is available for $25. For those without web access, write to: Jeff Dickerson, Treasurer Numismatic Bibliomania Society P. O. Box 578, Weatherford, TX 76086 Asylum For Asylum mailing address changes and other membership questions, contact Jeff at this email address: treasurer@coinbooks.org Submissions To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com BUY THE BOOK BEFORE THE COIN Sale Calendar Watch here for updates!

 

Content presented in The E-Sylum is not necessarily researched or independently fact-checked, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.

WAYNE'S WORDS: THE E-SYLUM MARCH 9, 2025

New subscribers this week include: Ryan Sullivan. Welcome aboard! We now have 7,249 subscribers.

Thank you for reading The E-Sylum. If you enjoy it, please send me the email addresses of friends you think may enjoy it as well and I'll send them a subscription. Contact me at whomren@gmail.com anytime regarding your subscription, or questions, comments or suggestions about our content.

As often happens, I had more material than I could fit in. More good stuff on the way next time. This week we open with an offering of rare American Bank Note Company annual reports, four new books, one book review, updates from the Newman Numismatic Portal, notes from readers, and more.

Other topics this week include Umayyad coinage, American medallists, the Southern Gold Society, women in numismatics, the 2025 Medallion Congress, serial hero Tom Sampson, fixed price and auction offerings, makers of elongated coin presses, and the new National Medal of Honor Museum.

To learn more about William Cumming Smillie, United States Currency, the 1892 World's Columbian Exposition, numismatics of the Hispanic Caribbean, the D. Wayne Johnson artist "databank", the casting of counterfeit Roman coins, parting agents, the Life Saving Benevolent Association of New York medals, touch pieces, Leo Mildenberg, the coins of Roman Egypt, coin-embedded tableware, and "squishin' missions", read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

 

AMERICAN BANK NOTE CO. REPORTS 1864-1876

New York, 1864 to 1876. Lot of 11 ABN Annual Reports. An extraordinary collection of annual reports of the business conducted by the legendary security printer, American Bank Note Company. ABN, as it is commonly known, has been America's premier engraver and printer for over 150 years. These eleven reports document the annual activity of the company from 1864 to 1876, missing only the years 1870 and 1871. The reports are fascinating to read, and they document the company's activities in printing national currency for the United States as well as currency for foreign governments.

While the details they offer on the company finances and production is interesting, they are signed by some of the period's most prominent and well respected engravers who had been previously highly successful independent operators of their own companies before forming the American Bank Note Company. There are various combinations of the trustees of the company signing at the conclusion of each of the annual reports including the following: George N. Hatch; J. D. Bald; Jno E. Gavit; J. V. Carpenter; William Cumming Smillie; James L. Graham; John G. Wellsford; A. G. Goodall; Tracy R. Edson; Charles Welsh; Theo. H. Freeland, and others. Every one of these men played an important role in the early history of security printing and engraving in the U.S. and with their predecessor companies until they merged to form the American Bank Note Company in 1858.

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NEW BOOK: UNITED STATES CURRENCY, 9TH ED.

Whitman Brands™ proudly announces the release of the revised ninth edition of United States Currency, a fully illustrated guide to the history and market values of American paper money. First published over 30 years ago, this popular reference book is now updated with market pricing from the Greyhseet team and features high-quality images, making it an invaluable resource for both seasoned collectors and those simply curious about their old banknotes.

The latest edition of United States Currency covers the evolution of U.S. paper money, from large-size and fractional currency to small-size notes. Readers will find comprehensive information on denominations ranging from $1 to $10,000, as well as insights into World War II issues, uncut sheets, error notes, and even early Notes of the War of 1812. Additional features include guidance on grading, counterfeit detection, and a comprehensive collector glossary.

"This book is an excellent starting point for new collectors and an essential identification guide for understanding the many types of U.S. currency issued over the years," said Patrick Ian Perez, Foreword author and Vice President of Data and Development at Whitman Brands. "Interest in paper money collecting has been growing significantly, and it's exciting to see this momentum continue!"

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NEW BOOK: REFERENCING COLUMBIANA

Referencing Columbiana

Introducing a new reference book on medals, badges and souvenirs of the World's Columbian Exposition - compiled and presented after four years, by Steve A. Starlust.

This new 305 page book will replace the Nathan Eglit book "Columbiana", printed 67 years ago. Over 900 images and unlisted "new discoveries" are shown in different metals, in full color- to size. All designs have been enhanced to portray, whenever possible, how the medal would have looked if you acquired it at the fair.

The book is dedicated to Tom Hoffman, one of the premier collectors of our time. Many renowned Columbian Expo experts have lent their expertise and contributed images from their personal collections. Jeff Shevlin, so-called $ guy has praised it. This reference book has been well received as long overdue. Mr. Starlust has hopes his book will create a renewed interest in this historic event and possibly a coffee table book for non-collectors.

After the book is published. Steve's 1,500 pc. collection, which contains some of the nicest and rarest medals, badges, and souvenirs from the Exposition, will be auctioned.

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NEW BOOK: DOCUMENTS OF THE HISPANIC CARIBBEAN, VOL 2

Documentos Numismáticos del Caribe Hispano (Siglo XIX) Tomo II
Numismatic Documents of the Hispanic Caribbean (19th Century) Volume II
By Ángel Navarro Zayas

The Roman orator, Marcus Tullius Cicero, stated that: "History is the witness of the times, the light of truth, the life of memory, the teacher of life, the messenger of antiquity." Coins have an intrinsic history which marked their time; a history which is sometimes silent, given their inherent nature, which makes them travel through space and time, sometimes reaching our present. Historians, like numismatists, have the task and duty to decipher and reconstruct the history of these historical pieces, which are used in everyday life, and have sometimes come to us from a not-so-distant past.

On the other hand, it is worth reflecting that, given the intricate nature of human life, together with the unavoidable advance of time, have caused that, in certain situations, humanity loses the memory of its past. The aforementioned premise is based on the careful conservation of history in archives, libraries, private collections, or its loss through time and space. Today, people dedicated to historical research and conducting studies with old documents have a commitment to society and the historical discipline of rescuing from oblivion the characters, social and economic events that have had a considerable impact on the present and cultural identity, in this case, the monetary history of the Caribbean.

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NEW BOOK: IDENTIFICATION OF UMAYYAD COINAGE

A recent publication provides visual details for identifying the challenging coins of the Umayyad period from AH 77-132. Spanning 48 pages, it offers visuals for recognizing the dates, legends, mints, and governors' names on these coins. Published in the Manquso Gacetilla, Especial No. 20, January 2025, this edition is so significant that it was published in both Spanish and English.

English: https://wearenumismatics.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Manquso-20-english.pdf.

Spanish: https://wearenumismatics.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/MANQUSO20.pdf.

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BOOK REVIEW: THE PUBLICATIONS OF ERIC P. NEWMAN

I must be Kolbe & Fanning's favorite customer. I buy every new book on colonial numismatics and many older ones. In addition, people send me books and articles to read and review, with some arriving unannounced on my front porch like foundlings. Many of these books and articles get little more than a passing glance before being put on a shelf. Others are given a premium spot in my library, and a select few make it next to my bed. The Publications of Eric P. Newman: A Collector's Guide by Leonard Augsburger & Joel Orosz, with a foreword by Kenneth Bressett, and published by Kolbe & Fanning 2025, is on my nightstand. I am a big fan of the authors' previous collaborative efforts, including Truth Seeker: The Life of Eric P. Newman and 1792: Birth of a Nation's Coinage.

The first thing that struck me when the book arrived was the fabulous dust jacket showing a young Eric Newman with a rich, bright red background. A similar red color scheme was used on the Heritage auction catalogs of his collection and for the Truth Seeker cover. I later learned that the Newman home was partially decorated in red, which was a color many came to associate with him. Maria Fanning designed the cover and contributed to the book's graphics and layout. Maria has prepared the layout for many numismatic publications over the years, and this one is a stunner. The cover so captivated me that I was immediately drawn to look inside. The images, of which there are many illustrating the listings, are in sharp color and really pop from the page. From a production standpoint, this book stands out. Indeed, it may be the finest numismatic work from a production point of view I have ever seen. This sort of thing may go unnoticed by most people, but I have come to believe that the attention to detail paid by authors and publishers to these features foretells what the reader will discover inside. This book epitomizes that theory.

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NNP ADDS DICK JOHNSON MEDALLIST DATABANK

Dick Johnson Artists Databank Rescued from Digital Oblivion

Through the efforts of Mark Schlepphorst and John Sallay, and the cooperation of Shirley Johnson, the D. Wayne Johnson artist "databank" is now available on Newman Portal. For American artists, this is the most significant contribution to the field since Leonard Forrer's Biographical Dictionary of Medallists (1902-1930). The work covers seven volumes, nearly four thousand pages, and presents capsule biographies of American engravers along with lists of their related works.

Many thanks to Mark, John, and Shirley for recognizing the value of this work and going above and beyond to ensure its preservation for future generations. Collectors and catalogers of American medals will do well to consult this reference frequently.

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NNP ADDS SOUTHERN GOLD SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

Newman Portal Adds Southern Gold Society (SGS) Newsletter

Courtesy of David Crenshaw, the newsletters of the Southern Gold Society are now available on Newman Portal. This mission statement of this group notes "The Southern Gold Society was formed to increase the enjoyment and study of Southern gold coins and related history, through an informal, relaxed mix of education and fellowship. " The SGS periodically meets at regional coin shows, typically in a southern locale.

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VIDEO: WOMEN IN NUMISMATICS

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NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: MARCH 9, 2025

Gold Piece Mystery

Chriss Hoffman writes:

Pete Smith writes:

Joel Orosz writes:

Chriss writes:

Pete writes:

Joel adds:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NEW BOOK: PUBLICATIONS OF ERIC P. NEWMAN (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n09a03.html)

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THE 2025 MEDALLION CONGRESS

This year the 11th annual medallion congress organised by the Historical Medal Society will this year be held at a new venue:

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VOCABULARY TERM: RELEASE AGENT

Release Agent. A coating in a mold to ease the removal of a casting; a mold release. Release agents are also called parting agents and are used in most all casting applications irrespective of the type of mold or the composition of the casting. (Green sand castings are the only molds which do not need a mold release, because of the water in the sand.)

In electrogalvanic casting the release agent of bronze powders metallizes the surface, not only does the bronze powder coat the surface of the object to be cast but also makes the surface electrically conductive for the deposition of the metal. Clay models are usually coated with talc but graphite can also be used. Plaster models are coated with green soap when pouring other plasters in the casting, but light oil, silicon spray can also be used as release agents. See plaster casting.

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HONEST TOM SAMPSON (1827-1901)

Let's begin with this premise: Anyone who gets a medal by Act of Congress has a story worth telling. Thomas W. Sampson was mentioned in more than three hundred newspaper articles during his life. As stated in the New York Times in 1878, "To detail his exploits would require a volume." This is a story you have not read before.

Thomas W. Sampson was born in Appleby, England, in February 1825 or 1827. He came to America with his family at the age of three.

Records show Sampson was married to Mary Brown (1831-1886) in Manchester, England, on Christmas Day in 1854. They had daughters Ida Wharton Sampson (Phillips) (1850-19XX), Fanny Wharton Sampson (Miller) (1851-1899) and Cornelia Euphemia Sampson (Phillips) (1854-1874). Their daughter Cornelia married James Lyle Phillips in 1873. She died on Christmas day in 1874. James Phillips then married daughter Ida in 1878.

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NUMISMAGRAM MEDAL SELECTIONS: MARCH 9, 2025

102947 | ITALY. Papal States. Pope Pius IX/Opening of the Albano-Ariccia Bridge bronze Medal. Issued 1854 (82mm, 227.44 g, 12h). By Giuseppe Bianchi & Niccolò Cerbara in Rome. PIVS IX PONT MAX, bust left, wearing zucchetto, mantum, and decorative pallium; all within ornate border of oak and laurel wreaths // PROVIDENTIA OPTIMI PRINCIPIS / ARICIAE CLIVI PERICVLO SVBLATO, view of the bridge of Ariccia with the three rows of arches; the Lazio hills in background; in foreground, between fields and paths, the old road that climbs and leads to Ariccia; in three lines in exergue, VIA INGENTI MOLITIONE ARCVBVS IMPOSITA / COMMEANTIVM SECVRITATI / ANNO MDCCCLIV. Edge: A few light marks, otherwise plain. Mazio 699; Bartolotti IX, 9. Choice Mint State. Deep brown surfaces, with a great lustrous and glossy nature. Given its large-format status, extremely rare in this advanced state of preservation, with no scuffs, distracting marks, or bruising. $795.

Architecture in general plays a heavy role in the medallic art of Pius IX, given the number of restorations done to religious edifices during his rather lengthy reign. In the case of this medal, the opening of the Albano-Ariccia Bridge, which was built between 1847 and 1853, and is considered one of the most important engineering works of the 19th century.

Pius IX presided over the longest verified papal reign in history, serving as pope from 1846 to 1878, and also saw the loss of papal dominion over the states (parts of central mainland Italy) to which it laid claim for centuries. Following Italian unification under the King of Sardegna (Sardinia), Vittorio Emanuele II, the peninsula began to coalesce under a single regnum, leaving the rule of Pius in question. When Rome fell, then taking a new role as the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, Pius became trapped, literally and figuratively, and considered himself a prisoner in the Vatican—a standoff between the papacy and the kingdom that would last for nearly 60 years. In 1929, and brokered by then-Pope Pius XI and leader of the Fascist Party, Benito Mussolini, the Lateran Treaty ended the longstanding feud between the two factions over the sovereignty of the papacy within the kingdom. The treaty gave the Vatican City to the papacy—a separate city-state headed by the pope within the city of Rome itself—as well as compensation to the papacy by the Italian government for the loss of the territory within the former papal states.

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SOVEREIGN RARITIES AUCTION XVII

Sovereign Rarities Auction XVII, in partnership with the Royal Mint, takes place online on Thursday March 13th, 10:00 GMT. Featuring an eclectic mix from Ancient through to modern Royal Mint issues, with strong Anglo-Saxon and Scottish sections to boot, the highlight piece of the sale must be the Elizabeth I fine gold Sovereign, graded MS62 by NGC, with a noble Dutch family provenance dating back seven generations to 1722. Seen also are superb collections of milled silver Crowns and Halfcrowns, as well as a wonderful date run of Half-Sovereigns across the various mints.

Following from these are a marvellous display of Royal Mint modern issues, with coins from the Great Engravers series present including an Elizabeth II 2oz Una and the Lion graded PF70 UCAM. Finally, we see a great selection of medals, with a rare platinum issue of the 1977 Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II Medal on show, closing the sale with a Dutch East India Company silver Ingot from The Rooswijk shipwreck, c. 1739.

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KUENKER AUCTION SALE 422

Künker's Spring Auction Sales: Netherlands, Württemberg, Anhalt and Much More

Every coin enthusiast knows that Künker holds its Spring Auction Sales in mid-March. The coins can be viewed not only at the headquarters in Osnabrück, but also in Munich – before and during the Numismata. More information can be found on the Künker website and in the catalog.

There will be plenty to see, as four heavy-weight auctions will take place over the five days. A separate preview is dedicated to ancient coins, which will kick off the auction week on Monday, 17 March. This preview exclusively presents the three auctions with coins and medals from medieval and modern times.

On Tuesday, 18 March 2025, auction 420 will offer the third part of the Lodewijk S. Beuth Collection with Dutch issues. Auction 421 follows on 19 March 2025 with the second part of the Heinz-Falk Gaiser Collection with Württemberg coins. The week will be rounded off by auction 422 with world coins and medals. It includes the Dr. Kurt Sonnenberg Collection of coins from the various lines of the House of Anhalt.

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ANCIENT COIN COLLECTORS GUILD AUCTION

ATTICA, Athens. Circa 454-404 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 17.15 g, 7h). Helmeted head of Athena right, with frontal eye / Owl standing right, head facing, closed tail feathers; olive spray and crescent to left; all within incuse square. Kroll 8; HGC 4, 1597. Toned, a few minor flan flaws and light scratches on obverse. Good VF.

To read the complete item description, see:
ATTICA, Athens. (https://auctions.cngcoins.com/lots/view/4-G3TGKE/attica-athens-circa-454-404-bc-ar-tetradrachm-24mm-1715-g-7h-good-vf)

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ARCHIVES INTERNATIONAL 100TH AUCTION

This highly anticipated event will feature a remarkable collection of rare and historic items, many of which have not been available for public sale in 25 to 50 years—or ever. A highlight of the auction is the extensive U.S. Federal Bond and Liberty Loan Bond section, showcasing over 25 exceptional pieces, many missing from even the most advanced collections. Additionally, a wide array of Federal Drafts, Warrants, Checks, and fiscal documents from prestigious government agencies—including the War, Navy, Army, Interior, and Post Office Departments—will be presented, many of which have never been offered before at auction or through private sale.

Collectors will also be drawn to a stunning selection of World banknotes, featuring rare and desirable notes from China, Hong Kong, Czechoslovakia, Canada, Mexico, and more. U.S. Colonial, Obsolete, and Confederate currency will be represented by over 115 lots, including many items new to the auctioneer's platform. Further excitement is generated by the inclusion of over 130 lots of U.S. Large and Small type notes, with many pieces not seen in more than 25 years. For enthusiasts of early American currency, 25 lots of 1907 Panic Currency from a notable collection will provide an opportunity to acquire rarely seen examples. The auction will conclude with an outstanding selection of Scripophily, featuring issued and specimen bonds and shares from the worlds of railroads, banking, mining, and foreign certificates.

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THE COINS OF ROMAN EGYPT

FOLLOWING THE DEATH of Mark Antony and Queen Cleopatra VII at Alexandria in August 30 BCE, Egypt became a province of the Roman Empire. For over three centuries, Roman Egypt maintained a separate, closed currency system, based on the denominations of the previous Ptolemaic kingdom. Regular Roman coins did not circulate in Egypt, and Egyptian coinage was not exported. There was a debased silver tetradrachm of about 13 grams, and several bronze fractions. Four (later six) bronze drachms typically equaled one tetradrachm, and six small bronze obols equaled one drachm. In practice, moneychangers in the marketplace would exchange one tetradrachm for 28 or 29 obols. The coins were inscribed in Greek, Alexandria's administrative language[1].

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THE PENNY PRESS MACHINE COMPANY

Some may say the penny is past its prime, but it is still a big deal for a small company in Little Canada.

Since 1987, The Penny Press Machine Company has manufactured custom machines that flatten coins while printing new images on both sides, replacing Abraham Lincoln and the Lincoln Memorial or Union Shield with whatever the buyer wants.

"From theme parks to zoos to souvenir gift shops, fast food restaurants. We'll do a lot of sports teams."

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SCOTLAND'S PENNY PRESS FACTORY

New copper pennies vanished from circulation in 1982—73 years after the first Lincoln penny was minted. They were replaced by coins of mostly zinc thinly coated with copper.

The solid copper old ones were more pliable and easier to stamp, making them hot items for kids at funfairs.

"They'll clean 'em so when they elongate the dino or shark of the printed coin it maintains a ghost image of the printed head of Lincoln," said Brian Peters, general manager of Minnesota-based Penny Press Machine Co. "Pre-1982 copper pennies, they bring those."

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THE PIERRE DE COUBERTIN MEDAL

A total of 5,084 medals were produced for the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, with a total of 878 medal events contested across the summer.

Established athletes such as Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky continued their Olympic legacies, while France swimmer Leon Marchand took home four gold medals and was arguably the star of the Olympics.

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NATIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR MUSEUM OPENING

The National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation is a 501(c)(3) educational organization dedicated to safeguarding and celebrating the legacy of the Medal of Honor and its Recipients.

Guided by the Medal's core values—Courage, Sacrifice, Commitment, Integrity, Citizenship, and Patriotism—we fund, build, and sustain three landmark tributes:

• The National Medal of Honor Museum, Arlington, Texas
• The National Medal of Honor Monument, Washington, D.C.
• The National Medal of Honor Griffin Institute, Arlington, Texas

Through education, leadership, and immersive spaces, we inspire every visitor to awaken the extraordinary by exploring what's possible in the service of others.

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE GOLD MEDAL

A Department of Commerce Medal of Award for Exceptional Service to F.H. Wheeler, Feb. 14, 1951 makes for interesting research which indicates that this is Floyd Hall Wheeler. From his obituary in the Anchorage Daily News, March 25, 1995:

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FLUSHING COIN CLUB 60TH ANNIVERSARY MEDALS

David Menchell writes:

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COLONIAL GEORGIA COLORED SEALS, PART 5

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LOOSE CHANGE: MARCH 9, 2025

Half Cents

For now, the penny survives as the smallest unit of U.S. currency — but that wasn't always the case. When the U.S. Mint was established in 1792, it made 10 denominations of coins, and the smallest was the half-cent. Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton proposed the half-cent for two reasons: so America's poorest residents could buy smaller quantities of items for less money, and so merchants could price their wares more competitively in smaller increments. Average wages in the 1790s were around $65 a year, so a half-penny made sense for purchasing everyday items.

Half-cent coins declined in popularity over the next few decades, and their production waned until they were discontinued in 1857. By that time, they were mostly used by the Post Office, which still made change in half-cent amounts.

To read the complete article, see:
The U.S. used to have half-pennies. (https://historyfacts.com/us-history/fact/the-u-s-used-to-have-half-pennies/)

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FEATURED WEBSITE: THE SOUTHERN GOLD SOCIETY

This week's Featured Website is The Southern Gold Society.

For collectors and historians fascinated by the legacy of Southern gold coinage, the Southern Gold Society (SGS) offers a valuable online resource dedicated to this numismatic niche. The society focuses on gold coins from historic Southern mints, including Charlotte, Dahlonega, and New Orleans, as well as private minters such as the Bechtlers and Templeton Reid.

The SGS website (southerngoldsociety.org) serves as the primary hub for the society's mission to educate and connect enthusiasts of Southern gold. Through informative articles, historical insights, and a community-driven approach, the site preserves the heritage of these significant coins while fostering deeper engagement among collectors. The website is designed to be accessible and easy to navigate, providing dedicated sections on each mint's history, notable coinage, and their unique place in American numismatics.

As a virtual numismatic society, SGS relies on digital communication via newsletters, emails, and its website to share knowledge with members. The society holds an annual gathering in conjunction with the Georgia Numismatic Association Coin Show, with additional informal meetings at various numismatic events throughout the year.

While the website provides excellent historical context and coin-related information, additional updates and interactive features could enhance the user experience. Expanding content with more frequent updates or member-driven contributions might further strengthen the society's role as a go-to source for Southern gold enthusiasts.

For those interested in Southern gold coins, whether as collectors, researchers, or history buffs, the Southern Gold Society's website is a noteworthy destination. It stands as an essential reference for understanding the region's gold coinage and the rich history behind it. We encourage numismatists to explore the site and consider joining the society's efforts to preserve this fascinating aspect of American coinage.

https://www.southerngoldsociety.org/

ABOUT THIS ISSUE: MARCH 9, 2025

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