LOOSE CHANGE: FEBRUARY 4, 2024

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V27 2024 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 27, Number 5, February 4, 2024, Article 25

Here are some additional items in the media this week that may be of interest. -Editor

Michael Garofalo published a Greysheet Featured Article about the creation of Hermon Atkins MacNeil's Standing Liberty Quarter. Here's an excerpt - see the complete article online. -Editor

Some numismatic dealers and researchers like to infer that Standing Liberty Quarters, struck between 1916 and 1930, is shrouded in a veil of mystery or controversy. Let's explore these so-called controversies to see if they have withstood the test of time.

In 1916, there were three coins—the current and circulating Dime, Quarter, and Half Dollar—that each had been struck for 25 years. The U.S. Mint's Chief Engraver, Charles E. Barber, had designed all of them. Each of Barber's coin denominations shared the same obverse, and the reverse of the Quarter and Half Dollar shared a common reverse. The Dime had a much simpler reverse but none of the designs were awe-inspiring, even by 19th Century standards.

The Mint Director had invited a number of accomplished artists to offer new and more artistically beautiful designs than Barber's stodgy Miss Liberty. Of all of the designs submitted for the three coins, the works of two sculptors were selected for these three coins. Adolph A. Weinmans' designs were chosen for the Dime (Mercury Dime) and for the Half Dollar (Walking Liberty). Hermon Atkins MacNeil's design was selected for the Quarter. The selections were chosen by Treasury Department officials in February of 1916.

MacNeil was born in Massachusetts in 1866. Early in his artistic career he studied art in Paris and, after winning an art scholarship, he went to Rome for further study. MacNeil was primarily a sculptor and he created numerous life size sculptures of Native Americans in order to portray events in their lives.

I'll bet all bibliophiles envision their dream library, but life and finances get in the way of making it a reality. Some have better luck. Here's a Wall Street Journal article about Austin-based hedge fund manager who went all out on a library remodel. -Editor

The year 2022 was one of many firsts for 59-year-old entrepreneur and hedge-fund manager Mohnish Pabrai. It was the year he celebrated one year of his company's relocation from California to Austin, moved into his new home in Austin's West Lake Hills, and made the decision to work exclusively from home.

At the time, Pabrai's library, from where he worked, was a makeshift space upstairs that could hardly accommodate his enormous book collection. With a view to expand the footprint and give the room some character, he set about finding an interior designer who could help him realize his vision.

Because my previous library in California had proved too small, we more than doubled the capacity of our Austin one. I keep buying books, but I don't think we'll run out of room for decades to come, says Pabrai.

I love the custom millwork and marble countertops. In my dream numismatic library, lockable drawers would hide standard coin-show sized exhibit cases where I could plan, arrange and display exhibits of collection highlights. Blue is my favorite color, so of course I like this room. The view is great, but you don't want to sun the book spines. The adjoining bedroom has no windows, so rare volumes could be shelved there. This is a reader's library, though. -Editor