"You should include the full title of John McCusker's book to make it easier for people to find - The Economy of British America, 1607-1789. Despite being written by a distinguished professor of history and economics, it is a very approachable book, not dense in theory or language; and with much information that will be new to numismatists (new-mismatists?)."

Thank you! -Editor

"I think I just found a friend!

"Meeting Mr. Finan would be a pleasure as I would bore him with numismatics only AFTER discussing Man U!"

"The traveling bullion buyer lowball offers are well known and have nothing to do with the Fang mask situation, except that there may be mitigating facts when considering dealer profits. Traveling buyers have to pay for travel expenses and hotel, and hire a big tough guy to stand at the door. Even a top-name retail numismatic firm, if such engaged in this type of business, could send a buyer who knew not much more than how to test bullion. Without time or resources to check numismatic coins for authenticity and sales records, the offers could be lower than if the seller were at a coin shop or even a show. But yes, 5-8¢ on the dollar does not speak well for the firms involved!"

See the article about a New Zealand auction house elsewhere in this issue for another take on dealer ethics. -Editor

"I never thought about this this way before, but your article about the person buying hoards then studying them, and then buying the book about them. Many new numismatists find something odd and learn about the coin and its story and sometimes its extraordinary value. This leads down the long road of a life of numismatics and maybe buying the book. I love buying a hoard then studying the content and studying the book about them. This is a very exciting way to collect but only if the cost is low. The better healed collector buying very expensive items, requires the book first maybe, but has less fun I feel. How could someone reading about Bibliomania ever think such a way?"

"Book Recommendation:
British Celtic Coins Art or Imitation? An introduction to the coins of pre-Roman Britain by Tim Wright

"It isn't everyday that a client of mine writes a book about coinage. Usually I am the one to recommend books for clients. I am thrilled to announce a handy new book which gives a glimpse into British Celtic coinage through the eyes of Tim Wright. I really enjoyed the book and Tim's perspective on this interesting coinage. Speaking of Celtic coinage, I'm convinced that artists like Picasso were heavily influenced by the Celtic coinage coming from the European continent."

I've wondered myself if the stylistic similarities were evidence of influence or just coincidence. Interesting thought. Who can send us a side-by-side comparison of say, a portrait or horse on a Celtic coin and a similar Picasso painting or drawing? -Editor

"Last Monday and Tuesday PBS aired a two-part Ken Burns documentary on The American Buffalo and its ties to The American Experience. Part II, called Into The Storm recounts the Bison's slow struggle back from near extermination as a species. One of the markers Ken Burns used to document that struggle is the 1913 Buffalo Nickel by James Earle Fraser. The narrator, Peter Coyote, said that Fraser wanted to produce a coin that was totally American and could not be confused with the coinage of any other country. Fraser not only succeeded in that endeavor but he created a milestone in the resuscitation of the Bison back into the fabric of American life. Still an ongoing effort and well worth our support and good will."

Absolutely. Good point. Thanks. -Editor

"Well sometimes grinding through the nothingness at the bottom of a box of stuff one finds a diamond, found this super rare item in the bottom of a box of junk at 1am. This will bring a smile to the consignor for certain!

"A new discovery, and now the highest reported denomination Nome, Alaska Fort Davis Military Outpost $1 Good For Token, countermarked H during it's use in Company H of the 10th Infantry stationed there to keep law and order at the turn of the century. Kind of a cool find that will get all the token and Gold Rush guys shorts into a stir… I would personally rather own this than any silver Mike Tyson stickered chit in an NGC slab… when you figure this was used by the same infantry who fought multiple battles in the Civil War and went on to fight in the Indian Wars, then off to Nome to bring the rule of law to the Gold Rush frontier town in all its craziness. Bet this was a rough lot of dudes using this sucker!"

Nice find! Very cool item. -Editor

"Does anyone have information about this token? EL PROVEEDOR DE LAS FAMILIAS (The Family Provider), with a value of 5. It is uniface, copper, and about 23mm & 3.7g. I found a "snippet" on Google Books from Pulperías, esquinas y almacenes de la campaña bonaerense historia y tradición · Part 2, By Carlos Antonio Moncaut · 2000 (Grocery stores, corners and warehouses of the Buenos Aires countryside, history and tradition), which mentions a store by this name was run by Martin J. Alustiza in Arrecifes, Argentina. However, I don't know if this token is from this store as I have not been able to find any information on it and the Moncaut book is very difficult to find."

Can anyone help? -Editor

HISTORIAN DOUGLAS BRINKLEY calls numismatist Kenneth W. Rendell's autobiography, Safeguarding History, a dazzling memoir by the world's most venerated rare-manuscript dealer and document collector. Every page of this adventure book sparkles with wisdom. A must read! Order your copy online (including at Whitman.com ), or call 1-800-546-2995.