"Those who find the modern renderings of the David Hartley story too over-dramatized for their likings may wish to try and find a second-hand copy of John Marsh's Clip a Bright Guinea: The Yorkshire coiners of the eighteenth century {pub.1971}, which is much more down to earth. I have had a copy for many years, but unfortunately the online book websites seem to suggest that it has become quite rare.

"I have had cause to visit the area on holiday several times and, whilst out walking, have seen both Hartley's tombstone in Heptonstall churchyard and the Cragg Vale buildings from across the valley."

I once had a copy of this book myself, but alas, I sold it off to recover shelfspace at one point. -Editor

We have a couple minor corrections to last week's piece on the 3rd Edition of Mint Errors to Die For. -Editor

"The 3rd edition is 266 pages. The book is $135 on eBay, but $110 if you buy direct and shipping is included within the 50 states. I can be reached at josephcronin@protonmail.com."

"As you know, I've been laser focused on the 2000-P Washington Dollar Elongated Ray variety. Here's my dilemma: There's someone out there with the highest graded 2000-P Washington Dollar Elongated Ray (MS66) and I'd like to track them down. Not to purchase the coin, just to collaborate with them and find out how they acquired or found the coin. I even contacted ANACS, asking them to pass my e-mail address to the submitter of this coin. They were afraid of a conflict of interest, so they weren't able to help me.

"The person who found it, graded it or bought it, obviously knows what they're looking at. I'd like to get the word out that I'd like to talk to them. I can be reached at tjislander@yahoo.com ."

Do you own this piece, or know who does? Help Tom connect if you can. -Editor

"Ha, ha! I knew banknotes printing was bad for your health, toxic chemical and hearing loss due to high decibels of the intaglio presses, but eating and digesting banknotes? That is a whole new dietary concept. What does one serve or drink with this dish?"

"It's been brought to my attention that disliking slabbing may be an acceptable opinion by old timers in the hobby who feel confident in their examination and opinion of prospective purchases. But what about those collectors who are new to the hobby or have minimal years collecting?

"Good question. My answer would be do what the old timers did before slabbing. Educate yourself by attending shows, examining numerous items both raw and in slabs in both dealers' cases and in auction lot viewing. Ask questions. Read and view auction catalogues and read their narratives too. Today's major numismatic firms issue and post online auction catalogues much more informative than in yesteryear. Buy the published references issued in your chosen specialties, be it Morgan dollars or colonial coins.

"Gradually, you will become more expert in recognizing true rarity and grade. And really appreciating numismatics above and beyond slab grade and market value."

Amen, brother. -Editor

"Thank you for your terrific weekly compilation, so interesting to read each Monday.

"I just returned from a vacation trip which included visits to two cities in beautiful Iceland, Akureyri and Reykjavik. In both cities the local refrigerator magnet souvenir shops also sold these jars of older Icelandic coins. The instructions read "Take the coins in your hands at least once a month to refresh your memories from Iceland". At an exchange rate of 150 Icelandic krona to the dollar, there's no better practical use for the old small denomination bronze coins, "eyrir"and "aurar" anymore. Even a few one krona coins are in the jar."

Interesting use for old coins! Thanks for sharing this. -Editor

Ted Banning submitted this interesting observation from a 1903 issue of The Numismatist. -Editor

May we all live long and prosper! -Editor

"I have been a subscriber for a few years. I am trying to build my collection of books on Spanish and South American 8 Reale coins. Can you suggest anyone I should contact regarding this, or a place I should look?"

Can anyone help? This is outside my area of interest, but I know there are quite a number of titles in this area. Which are the best of the bunch for collectors today? Here's a title on the counterfeits. -Editor