Sometimes when looking through my library, I find a book unfamiliar to me, and I think, where did I get this, or when did get this? Recently I came across a small paper cover book titled A Coin Catechism, written by J K Upton, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury under several secretaries.

It was published in 1895, 116 pages, price 25 cents, and in nice condition, probably because it seems to be rather dry reading. At that time money was in a political tug-of-war between the silver people of Wm. Jennings Bryan, and the gold people of Wm. McKinley.

I decided to look on Amazon to see if anyone had this book for sale. I found there is a modern reprint available in paperback $12 and hardcover $25. One seller has an original edition offered at, Brace Yourself, $2343. Obviously this person is dreaming. Probably worth $10, or under.

Because of interesting things like this, I can never understand when retired people tell me that they are bored. Every time I start to look up something in my library, I find two or three other things even more interesting, and end up with five or six books on the floor by the chair I am sitting in.

The CSNS is largely a U.S., world coin and paper money show with a smattering of ancient dealers exhibiting. The show takes place in my backyard, Schaumburg, IL so I will likely walk the show one day. I’m also looking forward to seeing the presentation on Thursday, April 27 by Len Augsburger. Len is the driving force behind the Newman Numismatic Portal. The NNP is an ongoing project of scanning books, periodicals and such in the area of U.S. coins and currency. This exciting project will hopefully encompass ancient coins in the future.

Your latest issue, as always, had numerous interesting topics, including the one concerning the Steamer J.A. Cotten note in Heritage’s sale. The catalog description cites accounts of the vessel’s sinking, but with the name spelled “Cotton,” which they call an anomaly. Attached is a newspaper account with the name spelled as it is on the note.

About test notes there is a comprehensive website with 5 MB illustrated catalogs linked from http://currency_den.tripod.com/testnotes/testnotes.html

For value, best source is Sold listing on eBay www.ebay.com/sch/Paper-Money-World/3411/i.html?
_from=R40&_nkw=test%20note&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=
nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

And for the exceptional case https://currency.ha.com/itm/world-currency/india-reserve-bank-of-india-1000-rupees
-5111998-pick-unlisted-giesecke-and-devrient-lead-test-note/a/3550-26460.s?
ic4=OtherResults-SampleItem-071515

The envelope pictured in the article about the counter-stamped douzain was produced by Bob Vlack.

Sometimes they are mounted in wood. Lion by Bartholdi.

I am doing research on the fifty year history of the ANA Outstanding Young Numismatist Award. There are several young women who have been mentioned in The Numismatist when they received the award but are not mentioned again. I suspect some of them may have married and changed their names. These include:

1968 Lenora Dickson from Chicago.
1972 Paula Ann Peterson from New Orleans.
1973 Deborah Martin from Lawndale, CA.
1974 Terri Roach from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

I would appreciate any information on their numismatic activities after they received the award.

In the E-Sylum, Vol. 17, No. 25 for June 15, 2014, there was an item on the Junior Numismatic Correspondence Club of America, co-founded by Dean Hansell who was named ANA Young Numismatist of the Year in 1969.

I have been doing research to see what became of those named Young Numismatist of the Year. Today (April 11) I learned that Hansell has had an honored career as an attorney. In 2016 he was appointed as a judge on the California Supreme Court.

In the 1980s and early 1990s in Milwaukee, I was employed by and developed software for Kearney & Trecker Corp., a well-known manufacturer of machine tools and supplier of Flexible Manufacturing Systems. Kearny & Trecker merged with Warner and Swasey, and for a time went by the company name KT-Swasey. So, also as an amateur astronomer, this medal had a double interest for me, and I had to purchase it when I saw it in the stock of Dick Grinolds at a local show. (Plus it is by V. D. Brenner as a bonus!) It was somewhat later I learned of Swasey’s numismatic connection.

Images of Christopher Columbus (Cristobal Colon here in Spain) You commented on the image of Columbus on a medal last week. It is my understanding that there is no image of him in existence made during his life, so in reality no one knows what he looked like.

A note about Euro banknotes shown last week: As many may know the historic architectural features on the notes are not quite anyplace specific. That is to avoid hurting the feelings of anyone in a country whose monument or bridge or building does not appear on a bill. Years ago, citizens here called the rarely-seen 500€ banknote ‘un Bin Ladin’ — because everyone knew they existed — but no one had actually seen one. That nickname may have been abandoned now that we all know where Bin Ladin is.

Gary Beals
Author, Numiscadero dictionary

This is my first time emailing. Thanks for all you do! I recently picked up an 1809 medal commemorating the Golden Jubilee of George III (BHM-642). The medal was produced by Thomas Halliday and issued in white medal (plain, gilt, bronzed), copper, and silver. Examples in white medal and copper are fairly common.

Apparently, the Ashmolean Museum has one, and I am waiting to hear back from their medal specialist. That is the only other silver medal I have been able to locate. It measures 48mm in diameter and weighs 65.7 grams with the brass surround.

Have any E-Sylum readers seen this before?

Also, with respect the "drop a dime" phrase, there's a Tragically Hip song called Long Time Running with the line: "Drop a caribou, tell on you." That references using a Canadian quarter to make a phone call.

I am hoping some one can help with this. We have a token from Nabesna, Alaska. I am trying to date it based upon the maker's mark, which is "R. & Co. S.F." Images are attached. Hopefully, one of your readers can help.