"I grew up with David in Washington, DC. We lived in the same apartment building. I started him in coin collecting in the late 1950s. I never forgave him for getting in change my most coveted coins. From his father's work receipts, he found a 1909-S Indian cent. Within a month, he received at a neighborhood bazaar from one of my non-collecting friends a 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent.

"David would become a telephone technician and deal coins on the side. Eventually he sold the two coins that I deserved to find and became a full-time dealer. Every year when I visited his table, we started off with my unforgiving jealousy for his childhood luck. The conversations quickly turned to updates on our families. I was close with Dave's mom Ellie, who always treated me well when I visited from the first floor to the third. An avid bowler until her middle nineties, Ellie died at 100 several months before Dave."

Great memories - thanks. -Editor

"When I first read the article based on Sam E. Coudin's investigation of the M. N. DAYCIUS Prank, I immediately suspected another prank. A Google search didn't turn up any reference to that name. I'm not a genetic scientist, but DNA on a stamp that old seems a bit far fetched. Even if possible, who would damage a piece of numismatic history and spend the money to remove and have the stamps tested? Especially someone with a phony sounding name who doesn't seem to want to be identified?

"Sam E. could certainly be "Same". All I could find about Coudin is it may be linguistically related to "cousin". Same cousin? Could this be the original hoaxster taking a second bite at the apple? I anxiously awaited this week's E-Sylum to see the mystery solved by the many E-Sylum sleuths, but alas no one has called out "Mr. Coudin", but Pete Smith has demonstrated that he doesn't want to be identified. Can anyone actually confirm that he is a real person or is someone taking us for a ride?"

I asked, "What names can be made from the letters of "mendacious" ?" -Editor

"Wayne Homren, you are the devil himself! 'Mendacious' rearranged is Sam E. Coudin! Perhaps you are the mendacious hoaxer from years ago who now wishes to confess his sins?"

No confession here. I was nearly taken in myself. Luckily I figured it out and had a good laugh before buying a plane ticket. Credit Len Augsburger with the 2022 'mendacious' name jumble.

A number of numismatic literature luminaries have passed from the scene since 1992. I've not gotten wind of any deathbed confessions and have a suspicion the culprit still walks among us. But while I'm glad DNA evidence unmasked the Golden State Killer, some lesser mysteries are best left unsolved. -Editor

"As I was about to leave for the ANA in Colorado Springs, I got wind of what turned out to be a magnificent accumulation from an old world collector. So, I missed Ted Puls' talk 'The World's First Money, or My Money is Older than Your Money'.

"But a representation of this money was featured in one of our past 'Numismatic Wholesale' Esylum ads.....The Money Cowrie (Cyprea moneta) on a Ghanaian 1 Cedi Coin of 1979."

Cool - money pictured on money. Thanks. -Editor

"At the PNNA (Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association) annual show, I bought the latest Red Book, spiral bound and wanted to check out the Libertas Americana medal. The index directed me to page 87. NOTHING. Went back to see if the regular hard bound edition listed it. Again NOTHING.

"Is this a rarity that will increase in value?"

I passed Tom's question on to Red Book Senior Editor Jeff Garrett and Publisher Dennis Tucker of Whitman Publishing. Dennis' response is below. Thanks. -Editor

"I thought readers might like to see my newest exhibit, titled 'When Numismatics Meets Art'. I actually have the two dollar bill signed. Just thought it would be a fun project. How can you take a two dollar bill with a stamp on it, and really make it worth significantly more?"

Thanks! I'll look forward to seeing the exhibit in person. -Editor

On Facebook Andrew Pollock shared this image form the Wells Fargo Building (the old First National Bank Building) at the intersection of Sansom and Broad in Philadelphia. Nice! -Editor