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HOLDBIRD GRAND FINALE SALE SELECTIONSThe upcoming Holabird Americana sale includes hundreds of numismatic lots. Here are a number that caught me eye for various reasons. -Editor 
Two black cases (5 x 4 1/2 inches) with purple lining. Gold printing inside top: Panama-Pacific / International Exposition / 1915 - San Francisco - U. S. A. / Commemorative Coins / Authorized by Act of Congress / Struck at San Francisco Mint. Bottom half of the case has room for the five coins made: silver half dollar; gold dollar; gold quarter eagle; gold fifty dollar round; gold fifty dollar octagonal. All you need is the coins to go in 'em! Coin holders, cases and other supplies are an important piece of hobby history. I've seen cases like these before, but these are described as reproductions. Does anyone know the background on these? Who made them, and when? -Editor
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Gold Medal from the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, also known as the St. Louis World's Fair from 1904. This piece is really bronze, in a triangular shield shape, 1.75 inches from point to opposite side. The obverse shows two female figures, one wearing a helmet and a flowing garment, the other wearing... not much. The circular shield behind them reads // UNIVERSAL EXPOSITION SAINT LOUIS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / MCMIV //.Reverse shows a spread eagle under which reads // GOLD MEDAL / LOUISIANA PURCHASE / EXPOSITION // over two dolphins. In the top left and right corners of both sides are small wreaths with US and JN at the center. Comes in its original burgundy velvet-lined cardboard box, of which the top has detached (still present) and reads // UNIVERSAL EXPOSITION / ~1904~ / SAINT LOUIS. //.
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Two page letter from Walter Forward, Secretary of the Treasury to M (Mark). A. Cooper, "Hse of Reps." Feb 4, 1843. Mr. Forward is telling Congressman M. A. Cooper That the assayer of the Branch Mint shall perform the duties of melter and refiner, as required by law. Dahlonega Mint Superintendent Rossignol has apparently requested an additional person in charge of melting and refining, and The Treasury Dept has said "no", and it would require a "change in the law." That requested change was later made standard procedure by the Mint. Further, Mr. Gathright, the president of several key Dahlonega area banks, apparently became involved in Mint issues. Apparently Rossignol had "charges" made against him by several "known" and "respected" parties, and Gathright asked what they were. The Mint Director, Robert Patterson, had several letters in hand, which were never released. US President John Tyler fired Rossignol several months after this letter, about May, 1843. James Fairlie Cooper was appointed in Rosignol's stead. Cooper was a direct relative of President Tyler. The reports of Rossignol's removal in local and regional press were scathing: "That John Tyler is a very nice man indeed!!! One thing he is resolved on, and that is whether the Government suffers or not, his family connections shall be taken care of." (6/3/1843 Richmond Times). Another report: "The Cooper Family is now very comfortably clothed, fed and lodged at the expense of the Government." (6/13/1843 Richmond Times, and many others) The recipient of the letter, Major Mark A. Cooper was nominated for Georgia Governor. This two page letter is from a letter book, a hand written copy of the original. Provenance: Fred Weinberg Numismatic Ephemera Collection
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Lot of 5. Cloth bags marked US Mint Carson City Nevada. These from the 1960's not the original mint. They show use and dirty. But overall very good cond. Coin bags are another interesting and important part of hobby history, but not all of these are original, either. The Carson City Mint of part of the folklore of the American West. These are described as modern versions from the 1960s. Can anyone tell us more about these? -Editor
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Two pieces of Labor Exchange currency: 1896 one quarter; balance due bearer in labor (5 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches; political cartoon on back: stop progress legal tender toll gate; 1897 five hundredths (5 x 2 inches).
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Extremely rare. Ex. John J. Ford Collection. Five dollar note issued Oct. 1st, 1871. Signed by the superintendent. Located in New York Canyon near Eureka, the Butter Cup mine was a real producer beginning in 1867. By the 1870s silver and gold coins were scarce and had to be shipped in weekly to meet pay role. The Butter Cup management decided to issue this scrip to reduce the volume of coins every week. Not only was this illegal but the miners refused to accept anything but gold and silver for their wages. These notes, printed by the National Bank Note Co., are very seldom encountered and then almost always as unissued remainders. This issued $5 note features detailed engravings of a frontiersman and a blacksmith. This is an extremely rare obsolete note. 3 x 7"
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One of the only known ISSUED pieces of this rare Nevada scrip. Signed by the cashier of the Bullfrog Bank & Trust Co., the cashier of John S. Cook & Co., the cashier of the First National Bank of Rhyolite and the secretary of the Clearing House Committee. The Rhyolite certificates are considered Depression notes. These were printed when banks thought that the looming panic of 1907 would have people hoarding money, leaving almost none in circulation. The panic did occur, but Clearing House Certificates weren't really needed in Nevada. Almost all the unissued remainders were destroyed, with a few surviving. Only one or two of these certificates were ever issued, and this is one of those. Folds, minor edge wear, extremely rare. 3.5 x 7.25"
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Extra rare! This fabulous piece is the finest example seen by us! $5 scrip issued by the Wells, Fargo & Co. Office in Virginia City, Nevada. "This Coupon entitles the holder to entrance to the Gift Concert and to one Half of any Gift awarded to No. 26041." Front of scrip has Nevada State Seal. Reverse has vignettes of many different U.S. coins. Tan colored. Measures 3" x 7.5" plus stub. Excellent condition. This benefit for the Nevada State Insane Asylum was to take place in Virginia City on August 15th, 1872 (as printed on the bottom of the ticket). However, newspaper articles reveal that the "State of Nevada Gift Concert", as authorized by the State Legislature in March 1871, was postponed until Feb. 1, 1873. One thousand gifts--$265,000 in gold coin--were awarded, including two gold coin gifts of $25,000 each!
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This share warrant, printed by the Franklin Bank Note Co., entitled the bearer to five shares at $10 apiece. The shares have been awarded as this warrant has been cancelled. 3 x 7"
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Original 1803 U. S. Draped Bust dollar, altered to 1804. Overall very good to fine condition, holed at top. 26.5 grams; 39 mm. Lettering on edge "hundred cents one dollar or unit". With the recent discovery and upcoming sale of the 16th known authentic 1804 Dollar, we've had a number of articles on these lately. Pete Smith recently discussed 1804 fakes and replicas. Here's a genuine 1803 dollar that had been altered into an 1804. -Editor
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An old, perhaps contemporary photocopy of the August 1967 text of John J. Ford's Opinion, Analysis and Exhibits presented to the Professional Numismatists Guild arbitration panel concerning the "Arbitration Controversy Between: Paul E. Garland and Thomas Ryan relative to the U. S. A. O. G. 1853 Double Eagle. 8.5 x 11 inch sheets, bound at top; 113 page transcript with 42 page appendix. Previously sold in the January 2011 Kolbe & Fanning auction as lot 443. Important information concerning the Franklin Hoard and the people involved.
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Sons of Temperance Medal commemorating the 38th Annual Session in Concord, NH, July 12, 1882, Obv: // SONS OF TEMPERANCE / ORG.SEP. 29, 1842. // central globe overlain by triangle bearing the words // LOVE / PURITY / FIDELITY // with a radiant Star of David at its center. Rev: 38TH / ANNUAL SESSION / CONCORD, / N.H. / JULY 12, 1882 //. Probably cupronickel, 34mm.
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Wayne Homren, Editor The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org. To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com To subscribe go to: Subscribe All Rights Reserved. NBS Home Page Contact the NBS webmaster 
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