"I took a better look at the so called 1950/1918 mint bag and those who responded that it is in fact a 1950 over 1948 are correct. Here's a close up clearly showing 1948, not 1918. That would make more sense. Not a good idea for me to look too quickly at coins or mint bags!"

It had me fooled at first, too. Our readers don't miss a thing. Thanks, everyone. -Editor

"In regard to the recent article about the China Mint Long Beach Expo Panda medals, they do sell for a premium over the spot silver price and a few are currently listed on eBay. The one I was able to purchase in 2019 while at the show has a really neat hologram effect as seen in the photo and they are still a popular collectible item."

Thanks. -Editor

"The link about Robert K Wittman was fascinating. It prompted me to take another look at my small collection of Civil War artifacts dug out of the ground thirty years ago. US Belt buckles and buttons, and a number of coins, an 1852 three cent piece, an 1853 Half Dime, an 1862 $ .02 coin and an 1857 Flying Eagle, all gifts.

"The Medal of Honor piece also touched me in that when researching my first book, This Gunner at His Piece: College Point, New York & the Civil War, I learned that of the 226 men who served, four had been awarded the medal. Incredibly, it appears that the medal destined for soldier James C. Cornell was never sent or did not arrive. His name is not included among the acknowledged 1,195 recipients from the Civil War.

What came to light upon reviewing his Military Record at the National Archives was significant in that on February 21, 1865 he was recommended for the Medal by Major General John G. Parke, Commander of the 9th Army Corps for conspicuous gallantry, to wit: for his proficiency as gunner, he rendered great service at the Battle of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, and before Petersburg, June 17th. At the latter place he succeeded in exploding two of the enemy's caissons which brought fourth a huzza from the whole line and caused the enemy to withdraw from their position.

"Did he know he was recommended for the honor? There is no way to know; but that his valor in the face of the enemy was recognized by Major General Parke surely puts him in the ranks of Carl Ludwig, John Starkins and Joseph Hibson."

"I don't know if you can help me, but I would appreciate any information you might have. I have heard that the 1950 proof set was wrapped in one strip of tape, and that the 1951 proof set was wrapped with two strips of tape. Could you tell me for certain if this is true or not? Any contacts you might give me would also be of help."

Well, my library often comes in handy for queries like this. I have two books on the topic: United States Proof Sets and Mint Sets (1936-2002) by Bill Gale and Ron Guth published in 2002, and Dave Lange's A Guide Book of Modern United States Proof Coin Sets, published by Whitman in 2010. However, while the sections for those years do discuss packaging, there is no mention of strips of tape.

We all dearly miss the late Dave Lange. I was able to reach Ron Guth and find these images online. -Editor

"We never recorded the numbers of strips of tape used to seal the packages on the early U.S. Proof Sets. However, in looking at images of 1950 and 1951 Proof sets on the Internet, it appears that two tapes were used."

You can't prove a negative (so we're not 100% certain), but all the 1950 and 1951 box images I saw online also showed two pieces of paper tape at 90-degree angles forming a cross over the top of the box. Can anyone show us an example of one with just a single piece of tape? Thanks. -Editor