"With 80 dead and counting and some 1,900 buildings destroyed, the Lahaina fire is an overwhelming tragedy. But life goes on. Survivors are salvaging what they can and getting on with their lives.

"As a collector, I was struck by this sentence in a report in Saturday's New York Times:

"'She had raced to drive one family car out of the range of the flames, escaping in the second car without stopping to grab (her late dog) Grimace's ashes or the $10,000 worth of gold coins in her home.'

"It also makes you think about what you would lose if your home caught fire. Above my desk is a framed portrait (a print) of colonial printer John Dunlap and a 1777 Pennsylvania four-pence note he printed. That would probably be the first to be destroyed."

My wife and I went to Maui on our honeymoon. Such as shame to see the devastation and loss of life.

If these were bullion coins, the owner may be in luck - the melted mass could be sold to a refiner for the value of the metal. -Editor

"I was observing a new collector's Technique of coin grading. First one must carefully examine the coin for visual attractiveness and surface flaws and wear. The new sure-fire addition is to add tooth to the grade. For those of us more mature I wanted to give fair warning of this new inscrutable technique that is sure to catch on. It surely will transcend green stickers and other current systems and it doesn't use AI systems.

"I thought you needed to know although this isn't yet in book form."

I could really sink my teeth into that... Thanks. -Editor