Kavan Ratnatunga submitted this update and request for information on the Banknote Book Ceylon chapter. Thanks. -Editor

"The Metis are descendants of Native women and white explorers and the article talks of them existing for thousands of years is so absurd as to be laughable. Where are the editors nowadays? How can there be such basic ignorance? We deal in history, that is what numismatics is all about."

Thanks. Here's what a Google search returns. -Editor

"The Métis are an Indigenous people in Canada who are descended from unions between First Nations women and European men. The term "Métis" comes from the Latin verb miscēre, which means "to mix". The Métis have a distinct culture, language, history, and territory that includes the Great Lakes, the waterways of Ontario, and the historic Northwest"

"Regarding Anne's question about the Saltonstall badge -- I haven't found one exactly like it but here's something close from the Beverly, Mass archives. They attribute it to "United Way of America Community Chests and Councils of America American Red Cross."

"I also found some information in the Newton, Mass. archives, about Leverett Saltonstall. This may be how he came about the badge - though it is possible he was involved in more than one organization like this."

Newton Community Chest, Inc. [RECORDS] OF NEWTON COMMUNITY CHEST, INC. 1932-1958. Newton, Mass., 1932-1958. 9v. NEWTON/Special: N 361.8 N48R (Also Microform) Organized in the summer and fall of 1932 as the Newton Community Chest, Incorporated. The organization's objectives were to develop team work between social agencies of Newton and their constituencies in the interests of the financial support and activities of such agencies. Members were individual, institutional and honorary. The Hon. Leverett Saltonstall was among the founding members. The Newton Community Chest was dissolved in 1978 when it became part of the United Way of Massachusetts.

Thank you! -Editor

"I had a counterfeit Walking Liberty half dollar dated 1920. It was in about fine condition and had good edge reeding and clearly a high silver content. The die work was hand cut but more than good enough to pass all but a careful examination. Sadly, it was stolen from my home while I was serving in the military.

"In that era, silver was cheap, about 65 cents an ounce. A counterfeiter could use good metal and make at least three half dollars with more than 80% silver from an ounce of silver. The profit would be about 95 cents per three half dollars minus all minting costs. Since an hourly wage of 60 cents in 1919 was decent pay, making and passing these half dollars was a profitable enterprise."

Indeed. Thanks. -Editor

"TAMS (Token and Medal Society) has announced that they will host an "Ask the Experts" forum at the 2024 WORLD'S FAIR of MONEY in Rosemont, IL.

"Noted author and exonumia specialist David Schenkman will act as moderator. David will be fielding questions from the audience, and lead a distinguished panel of nationally known token and medal experts in spirited discussion!

"Panelists Bill Hyder, Steve Hayden, John Kraljevich, and Neil Musante will share their insight on topics ranging from so-called dollars, civil war tokens, merchant tokens, historical medals, Americana, and much more!

"The public is invited to attend this free and unique presentation on Wednesday, August 7th, 1pm-to-2pm, Room 12 of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Bring a friend and lots of questions!"

That's a powerful panel - mark your convention calendars! -Editor