"I read the article on THE OLYMPIC GAMES THAT AREN'T RECOGNIZED. It stated that As was customary at the time, the medal is of course not made of pure gold, but gilded silver. I believe that this is not correct. The first place finishers received a silver medal. I know this because a friend's grandfather won one of the track and field events (I won't specify which one for privacy reasons). He still has his grandfather's medal and it is not gilded silver, but just silver.

"You might be interested to know that over a century after the first Olympics, the grandson commissioned a jeweler to make 15 copies (in silver) for distribution to all of his descendants. The copies can be identified for the original by the fact that other than tiny casting indicators and the sharpness of the striking, the only clue that sets the original apart from the copies is that the original has the word argent clearly struck along the edge and the others do not.

"A side note: There is a small dent in the side of the medal. This was caused by two sons of the winner of the medal, as the boys were chucking it against a brick wall to see who could get it closest."

Ouch. Thanks - great information and story. -Editor

"I have a question I was hoping your readers could help me with. We recently acquired an outstanding collection of Inaugural medals including all the holy grail medals – TR Saint-Gaudens/Tiffany, Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge to name a few. We are in the process of listing them and will start including them in our Sunday emails to customers.

"I'm driving myself crazy trying to describe one of the Harding medals (amazingly there were two) that the owner bought from Joe Levine years ago. This one is in weak condition and the edges in particular are poor and rough, but I just can't seem to find the words to accurately describe the edges (so I'm adding a lot of photos.) Whether it was a poor minting job, over melted in some way I don't know. I know there is a word for it but I just can't seem to think of it!

"Thank you, your collective wisdom would be appreciated."

Wow, that's a tough one. I wish Dick Johnson were still here. I might call it a "weak edge", but I just made that up. What do readers think? Is there an accepted term for this? What would YOU call it? Thanks. -Editor

Bob Rhue passed along this satirical note. Perfect for political convention season! Thanks. -Editor

"For 2026, what do you think of the mint issuing not only silver coin sets, but a gold, and a platinum set? Too rich for my blood but they would raise money and would be pretty cool. Canada issues some of their coins in gold for collectors."

Weird idea, but I guess the stuff sells. Why not? Wayne included an image of a gold version of the Canadian quarter. -Editor

Bob Shippee passed along this image of another numismatic tattoo, "An 1804 Silver Dollar in MS-67+, with a strong strike, original toning, and ample luster..." Very cool! -Editor

Philip Mernick passed along this offering of an 1814 George III Indian Peace Medal in silver. -Editor