"The coins in the photo appear to be stock, with the ones on the left appearing to be 1983 and the ones on the right appearing to be in 2010s, possibly 2014. Thank you for all the work you and your staff put into The E-Sylum. As an ANA Life member, I enjoy reading the articles each week."

Luckily, a couple images published this week do show the actual coins distributed at the ceremony - see the article elsewhere in this issue.

Our 'staff' is basically myself and our intrepid webmaster Bruce Perdue, who's always available to help and who sets up the issues for the web and presses the "Send" button every Sunday. Our essential unseen ingredient is John Nebel of Colorado who kindly provides server space and coding assistance. Thanks, everyone! -Editor

"Those Fred Weinberg collection dies are so cool! You probably already had some replies regarding the Continental dollar reverse. I noticed the "S" mark between Delaware and Pennsylvania and was able to track down information via the assistance of Google. It led me to this copy of the So-Called Dollar Collectors' Club Journal and an article by Jeff Shevlin, which indicates it was on the 1960s Bashlow silver restrikes."

Thanks - nice catch! -Editor

"Regarding the Continental dollar reverse die, that is one of Bashlow's c. 1961 copy dies. It has an "S" down near 6 o'clock, and was used for his silver strikings.

"Back in the late 1970's I received a flyer offering a large collection of dies. There were several Thomas Elder dies in it, many of which I bought. I do not recall the seller, and if any of your readers has a copy of that flyer I would love to have a set of good photocopies of it. Perhaps this die is in it. I do know that the dies came from the Estate of August Frank, though by what route I do not know.

"Shortly after I received that flyer, who should come in to my place of employment but Robert Bashlow himself! I discussed the flyer with him, and he told me that August Frank had "stolen" (his word) his die collection from him, and that as soon as he got back from a trip to Spain he was going to try to get them back.

"Well, he did not return from Spain, and it was reported that he was killed in a hotel fire in Zaragoza. Over the years I have heard it suggested, without any evidence, that instead of dying he may have just staged a disappearance for financial reasons, but the bottom line is that he never came back to challenge the title to his former dies in amongst the Frank holdings.

"I have also heard from an extremely reliable source, a member of this forum, that Frank had legally obtained title to Bashlow's die collection in lieu of unpaid coinage charges. I am strongly inclined to believe this explanation."

Thanks! Great hobby lore. -Editor

"I was taken aback by the remarkable resemblance of Louis Golino and well known professional numismatist David Wnuck. They could be twins."

Well, I asked Dave for a photo, so here they are side-by-side. I think Alan's on to something here... -Editor

"Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed Jeremy Bostwick's article in the last issue regarding brewing medals and their artistic influences. Reading about the Indianapolis Brewing Company reminded me that before the 1887 merger, when it was owned by Peter Lieber, this was author Kurt Vonnegut's great-grandfather, and Kurt was always proud to make this fact known.

"May I suggest that Jeremy submit this writing to the Brewery Collectibles Club of America journal for publication? I happen to also be a member of that organization and am sure that many BCCA members would appreciate this foray into breweriana medals."

We passed the suggestion on to Jeremy, and he'll consider it! Great idea. Thanks. -Editor