div style="margin-right: 5px;margin-bottom: 10px;margin-top: 10px;padding: 3px 12px;background-color: #a7c0cd;"> About Us The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit association devoted to the study and enjoyment of numismatic literature. For more information please see our web site at coinbooks.org Subscriptions Those wishing to become new E-Sylum subscribers can go to the following web page Subscribe You may Unsubscribe Here Membership There is a membership application available on the web site Membership Application To join, print the application and return it with your check to the address printed on the application. Print/Digital membership is $40 to addresses in the U.S., and $60 elsewhere. A digital-only membership is available for $25. For those without web access, write to: Jeff Dickerson, Treasurer Numismatic Bibliomania Society P. O. Box 578, Weatherford, TX 76086 Asylum For Asylum mailing address changes and other membership questions, contact Jeff at this email address: treasurer@coinbooks.org Submissions To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com BUY THE BOOK BEFORE THE COIN Sale Calendar Workman's Books November 1, 2026 Watch here for updates!

 

Content presented in The E-Sylum is not necessarily researched or independently fact-checked, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.

WAYNE'S WORDS: THE E-SYLUM AUGUST 16, 2026

New subscribers this week include: Al Flyr of the DesMoines Iowa coin club, courtesy Terry Freed, Thomas Tozser, and former subscriber George P. Welcome aboard (and back)! We now have 6,402 subscribers.

Thank you for reading The E-Sylum. If you enjoy it, please send me the email addresses of friends you think may enjoy it as well and I'll send them a subscription. Contact me at whomren@gmail.com anytime regarding your subscription, or questions, comments or suggestions about our content.

This week we open with the 2026 NBS Charity Auction and other numismatic literature at the Pittsburgh ANA, one new book, a periodical, an update from the Newman Numismatic Portal, and more.

Other topics this week include the Colonel Green collection, Jim Halperin and Steve Ivy, the mystery 1933 double eagle, AI coin sorting, Adrian Perez, Silvano DiGenova, auction previews, Indian Peace Medals, and the 1936 double die cent.

To learn more about Woodward's Twining sale, the "Witch of Wall Street," Republic of Texas paper money, Richard Falkiner, straight edge clips, engraver Peter F. Cross, Territorial Gold, the Al Merito medal, the Loudoun National Bank and the Belgian sewer worker who struck gold, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum

 

 

2026 NBS CHARITY AUCTION AT ANA

NBS Charity Auction at ANA

The NBS Charity Auction at the ANA Convention will take place as part of the NBS General Meeting, Friday, August 28, at 11:30AM in room 325 of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Sale highlights include a plated copy of Woodward's Twining sale, held April 27-29, 1886, donated by Tom Harrison. Any early plated American sale is desirable, and this example is rated A by Adams for colonials and tokens. Joel Orosz donated a copy of Anburey's Travels Through the Interior Parts of America (1791), one of the earliest works to depict Continental Currency. Joel is well-known for his affinity for association copies, and one can only assume he has acquired Anburey's original copy and is donating this example as a duplicate.

From Dan Hamelberg comes an early work on American tokens, the c. 1860 volume Catalogue of American Store Cards, published by the Numismatic Society of Philadelphia. Dan further contributed a deluxe copy of Breen and Gillio's California Pioneer Fractional Gold (1983), this from a limited edition of a hundred copies.

Many thanks to David Fanning for cataloging this year's sale, as well as to the generous donors who contributed literature on behalf of NBS.

To read the complete catalog, see:
https://mcusercontent.com/5c68a72f4948c463818f613c2/files/540d3c2d-40bd-d303-9e41-667e26908755/2026_NBS_Auction.pdf

To read previous NBS sale catalogs, see:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/auctioncompanydetail/512295

The annual ANA convention beckons, with this year's installment taking place in Pittsburgh, August 25-29. As usual, the NBS will host a club table on the bourse floor, in addition to our symposium and general meetings.

The NBS Symposium will be held Thursday, August 27, at 1pm in room 324. Cassie Brand, Rare Books Curator at Washington University in St. Louis, will be our featured speaker, on the topic Book Matters: A Brief History of the Object. Cassie shares an overview:

Friday, August 28, the NBS general meeting will take place at 11:30am in room 325. In addition to the presentation of literary awards, we will conduct our annual Charity Auction.

Link to video of previous NBS meetings:
https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/multimediadetail/515004

CHARLES DAVIS OFFERS LITERATURE AT PITTSBURGH ANA

Numismatic literature dealer Charlie Davis writes:

See also:
https://www.numisbook.com/

BOYD'S E.H.R. GREEN COLLECTION APPRAISAL

F.C.C. Boyd's Extensive Original Appraisal of the Legendary "Colonel" E.H.R. Green Collection

A Contemporary Record of one of the Greatest American Collections

[Green, "Colonel" Edward Howland Robinson]. Boyd, F.C.C. Appraisal of the "Colonel" E.H.R. Green Estate Collection of Coins, Medals & Tokens, and Paper Money. New York City. F.C.C Boyd, Appraiser, (1937).

Original red cloth-backed stiff brown card covers. 35.5 cm x 45.5 cm. (2), 442 leaves of original carbon typescript on pre-printed sheets, ruled in blue, with pencil computations. Front and back covers neatly detached, otherwise Fine with all interior pages intact. Of the highest importance as a contemporary record of one of the greatest American collections, accomplished by another of the greatest collectors of the early 20th century.

The son of financier Hetty Green, popularly known as the "Witch of Wall Street," "Colonel" E.H.R. ("Ned") Green (1868-1936) spent astonishing sums in the 1920s and 1930s on his hobbies. Arthur H. Lewis's biography of Green, The Day They Shook the Plum Tree, tells the remarkable story of the miserly mother and her profligate son, who, upon Hetty's death in 1916, indulged his enormous appetite for yachts, coins, stamps, jewels, orchids, and exactly the sorts of women one assumes Hetty warned him about at length. The average annual income in the United States in 1916, when Hetty Green died, was a bit over $700; in 1936, when "Col." Green died, it was something over $1,700. Lewis estimates that "Col." Green spent as much as $3 million a year on his various pastimes. He vies with Egypt's King Farouk as perhaps the most eccentric coin collector of the 20th century.

Green's numismatic holdings were amassed on a scale exceeded by few, and the truly remarkable inventory present here confirms it. The first sheet comprises a "Recapitulation of Coins, Medals & Tokens" with a face value of $126,409.13 for 51,018 pieces, valued at $376,799.64. The second sheet features a "Recapitulation Paper Money" with a face value of $839,688.92 for 62,434 pieces, valued at $858,122.18. Thereafter, the inventory sheets feature columns for Trunk / Book / Page / Date / MM / Denomination / Remarks / Face Value / Good / Very Good / Fine / Very Fine / Ex. Fine / Unc / Proof / Total Pieces / Value. Since the items are listed by the trunk in which they were stored, the arrangement is not always orderly. The result is similar to Virgil Brand's ledgers, which are arranged by date of acquisition. All the good things are there, but serendipity may be required to find them quickly.

Green's American holdings are comprehensive and laden with rarities, from colonials to pioneer and federal gold issues, half cents to silver dollars, from Hard Times tokens to patterns to encased postage stamps. The foreign portion is hardly less impressive: the collection features extensive world gold, especially rich in Mexican, Central and South American pieces, but running the gamut, including platinum and other Russian coins. While the face value of the paper money predominates, nearly 90% of the 442 pages are devoted to listing coins, tokens and medals. Indeed, $198,256.00 of the various "bank notes extracted from various trunks," were "delivered to the Redemption Department of United States Treasury, Washington, D.C. and destroyed." This said, the face value and appraised value of the paper money differed only to a small degree in 1936. However, the content listed on pages 439-441 of the appraisal include more than 3,200 original six-subject sheets of 1929 National Bank Notes, putting the astonishing vastness and modern-day significance of the holdings into perspective.

In American Numismatic Biographies, Pete Smith sheds light on this amazing inventory:

On October 25, 1936 [Green's] collection was transferred from South Dartmouth to the First National Bank of Boston. The move required eight armored cars, sixteen private guards and seven state policemen. At the time the value of his coin collection was estimated at $5 million...In 1937 F.C.C. Boyd was asked to make an appraisal of the collection. The courts determined that the value for tax purposes was $1,240,299. His total estate was valued at more than $40 million.

Col. Green's obituary in the July 1936 issue of The Numismatist summarizes his collection well:

Although he kept his personality well in the background in numismatics, he had been for a number of years one of the largest and most active collectors in the United States, and when his collection is disposed of-if it is, publicly-even those who knew him well will probably be surprised at its size. He had several agents among the dealers who were always on the lookout for rarities for him, and for whom he was always a desirable customer.

Green's inventory is of the highest importance because no catalog of his monumental numismatic collection was ever made. The coins, medals, tokens and paper currency were gradually dispersed privately, and the lack of a formal catalogue is a serious impediment to provenance research.

This was F.C.C. Boyd's own copy of the Green inventory, which was acquired by John J. Ford, Jr. along with Boyd's own extensive collections of colonial coins, tokens, medals and colonial paper money. It sold in the 2004 Stack's-Kolbe Sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Reference Library, Part I, lot 518, where it brought $42,550, and again in our August 2017 ANA Auction, lot 67, for $30,550. To our knowledge, only one other example of the Green inventory has come to market: the Green Estate's copy, sold in Kolbe & Fanning's 2012 New York Book Auction, lot 287, which sold for $40,250 and is now a part of one of the finest American numismatic libraries ever assembled. It seems highly possible, if not likely, that only these two copies are extant, though a third (the original typescript) existed at one time. The present copy is from the library of John J. Ford, Jr., who obtained it from the estate of the appraiser, F.C.C. Boyd. Another copy may never come to sale.

Provenance: Ex F.C.C. Boyd; John J. Ford, Jr.; our (Stack's) sale, in association with George Frederick Kolbe Fine Numismatic Books, of the John J. Ford, Jr. Reference Library, Part I, June 2004, lot 518; our ANA Auction of August 2017, lot 67.

To read the complete item description, see:
F.C.C. Boyd's Extensive Original Appraisal of the Legendary "Colonel" E.H.R. Green Collection (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1UUFGR/green-colonel-edward-howland-robinson-boyd-fcc-appraisal-of-the-colonel-ehr-green-estate-collection-of-coins-medals-to)

NEW BOOK: THE PAPER REPUBLIC, 3RD EDITION

The Paper Republic is back in print – Now in its Third Edition! I took delivery of these copies on August 4, 2026 after months of turning down requests for purchase because I had sold them all. This first book focused on the economic, financial, and political challenges of Texas from the colonial period through annexation and is richly illustrated in full color on high-quality paper. All copies are hardback with a high-resolution book jacket. It is a must for collectors of Republic of Texas paper money. Aside from its contribution to Texas numismatics, it was the winner of four literary awards:

"Summerfield G. Roberts award, 2009" The award is given for the entry which "best portrays the spirit, character, strength, and deeds of those who lived in the Republic of Texas."

"Best Specialized Book on U.S. Paper Money" by the Numismatic Literary Guild at the ANA World's Fair of Money in Boston, August 2010.

San Antonio Conservation Society citation for an outstanding contribution towards "the preservation of historic buildings, objects, places and customs relating to the history of Texas. March 25, 2011.

Catherine Munson Foster Memorial Award for Literature, by the Brazoria County Historical Museum for "a significant literary contribution through a factual, fictional or folklore publication to the public's understanding of Texas or Texans. Angleton, Texas, April 29, 2012.

New copies are $60 each + $7.34 shipping. Wholesale pricing is $240 for boxes of eight, plus shipping. Copies are available in the Houston area at US Coins and Jewelry, Maida's Belts and Buckles, The Taste of Texas Restaurant, The Antiquarium, and the San Jacinto Museum of History.

Individual copies are also available through the author at mercury225@sbcglobal.net.

James P. Bevill is an independent historian and award-winning author whose works explore pivotal moments in American and global history. His books form the foundation of widely praised presentations, and he is frequently invited to serve as a keynote speaker for historic and academic organizations. While most visitors to this site may be familiar with his expertise in Texas history and numismatics, in recent years, Bevill has branched out into compelling non-fiction stories on World War II in China and the earliest CIA and American involvement in the French Indochina war and the creation of South Vietnam which followed.

Bevill's second book, Blackboards and Bomb Shelters, The Perilous Journey of Americans in China during World War II, follows the lives of three Yale graduates and their unlikely paths of public service in Nationalist China during the Japanese occupation.

His most recent book is Spies in Saigon, CIA Covert Operations in French Indochina and South Vietnam, 1950-1963, and vividly reveals the surprising depth of CIA and American involvement during the French War and the creation of the first Republic of Vietnam which followed.

More information on these two titles can be found below. Professionally, Bevill is a Senior Vice President at UBS Financial Services in the River Oaks office. He lives in Houston with his wife, Jodie Springer Bevill.

For more information, or to order, see:
Blackboards and Bomb Shelters : The Perilous Journey of Americans in China during World War II (https://www.schiffermilitary.com/products/blackboards-and-bomb-shelters)
Spies in Saigon : CIA Covert Operations in French Indochina and South Vietnam, 1950–1963 (https://www.schiffermilitary.com/products/spies-in-saigon)

To read earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
BOOK REVIEW: THE PAPER REPUBLIC (OF TEXAS) BY JAMES BEVILL (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v13n04a08.html)
BOOK REVIEW: THE PAPER REPUBLIC BY JAMES P. BEVILL (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v13n38a05.html)

PERIODICAL: ERRORSCOPE JULY-AUGUST 2026

CONECA (Combined Organization Of Numismatic Error Collectors Of America) has been putting out its excellent official club magazine ErrorScope for decades. The magazine comes out every two months for club members who receive six issues over the course of the year. The magazine includes outstanding articles on error and variety coins, along with photos and advertisements for current error dealers.

In the current issue of the magazine, writers explore articles on topics such as a 1921 Morgan Dollar with a raised lamination flaw across the reverse, a review of the CONECA table at the spring PAN (Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists) convention, and an in-depth description of the incredible nickel errors of numismatist Ken Hill. The Ken Hill article is the first of three or more installments of the subject, exploring what is a magnificent and otherwise unpublished collection.

A short article notes that major error dealer Mike is offering free digital copies of his award- winning book World's Greatest Mint Errors online. The book can be downloaded for everyone, including readers of the E-Sylum at https://tinyurl.com/byersbook

As a bonus for readers of The E-Sylum, I am including a classic article from the magazine along with this review. The late Del Romines wrote the article. It was published originally in the April 1988 issue of the magazine and explores the 1936 double die cent. Modern articles have better photos of course, but this article shows how the magazine has been producing numismatic content for many years.

For more about the club, to join, and to be a part of the error/variety collecting community, E-Sylum readers can visit conecaonline.org.

VIDEO: JIM HALPERIN AND STEVE IVY

ANA Legacy Series, featuring Jim Halperin and Steve Ivy. From the 2016 Spring ANA convention in Dallas, TX.

To watch the complete video, see:
ANA Legacy Series (Jim Halperin & Steve Ivy) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOJRP5MXRRw)
ANA Legacy Series (Jim Halperin & Steve Ivy) (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/548860)

U.S. MINT SESSIONS AT THE 2026 ANA

The United States Mint (Mint) will bring together leading experts on the legendary 1933 Double Eagle $20 Gold Coins for two presentations and an artist Q&A session at its booth (#830) during the American Numismatic Association's (ANA) World's Fair of Money®, which takes place Aug. 25-29, 2026, in Pittsburgh.

On Thursday, Aug. 27, at 2 p.m., and Friday, Aug. 28, at 11 a.m., Mint Acting Chief Counsel Greg Weinman will present "The Extraordinary Case of the 1933 Double Eagle $20 Gold Coins" alongside David Tripp and Stephen Fenton. These presentations coincide with the Mint's historic display of 11 of the 1933 Double Eagle gold coins together for the first time on Friday, Aug 28. Weinman has advised the Mint on significant legal matters involving the 1933 Double Eagles for decades and has been closely involved in litigation and other legal issues surrounding these famed coins since he first joined the Mint in 1997. Tripp is an award-winning numismatic author, researcher, and former director of Sotheby's Coin Department, whose acclaimed book, Illegal Tender: Gold, Greed, and the Mystery of the Lost 1933 Double Eagle, established him as one of the foremost experts on the history of the coin. Fenton is a British rare coin dealer who has handled some of the world's most important numismatic rarities, including the King Farouk 1933 Double Eagle. That coin was at the center of the landmark legal case resulted in the only privately owned example being authorized for public auction in 2002. Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet the presenters during a signing session immediately following each presentation.

Counting the 1933 Double Eagles
Tom DeLorey writes:

A Coin World article by Paul Gilkes states:

David Tripp writes:

David continues:

To read the Coin World article, see:
Surrendered 1933 double eagle mystery coin (https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/surrendered-1933-double-eagle-mystery-coin.html)

To read the complete Mint press release, see:
United States Mint to Host 1933 Double Eagle Panel Discussion and Artist Q&A Sessions at ANA World's Fair of Money (https://www.usmint.gov/news/press-releases/united-states-mint-to-host-1933-double-eagle-panel-discussion-and-artist-q-and-a-sessions-at-ana-worlds-fair-of-money)

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
IN OTHER NEWS: JUNE 24, 2018 : The Naftzger-Browning 1933 Double Eagle (https://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n25a41.html)
FAROUK 1933 DOUBLE EAGLE RETURNS TO MARKET (https://www.coinbooks.org/v24/esylum_v24n11a22.html)
THE FAROUK 1933 DOUBLE EAGLE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v24/esylum_v24n21a24.html)
THE FAROUK 1933 DOUBLE EAGLE, PART 2 (https://www.coinbooks.org/v24/esylum_v24n22a20.html)
U.S. MINT TO DISPLAY 1933 DOUBLE EAGLES (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n31a14.html)
EBOOK SALE: ILLEGAL TENDER (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n32a04.html)

 

NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: AUGUST 16, 2026

More on Richard Falkiner
Richard Lobel of Coincraft writes:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
RICHARD FALKINER (1936-2026) (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n32a09.html)

NUMI V4: AUTONOMOUS AI COIN SORTING

After gathering feedback from dealers and collectors at seminars last summer, I've spent the past twelve months rebuilding my automated coin-sorting robot from the ground up. Here's a walkthrough of the new system, from dumping a handful of coins to full AI analysis and automated sorting.

While v4 isn't perfect, it's a massive leap forward. Numi v3 was a bulky Raspberry Pi rig on a flex-prone LEGO chassis with two cameras.

For v4, I completely tore it down. The LEGOs are gone, replaced with a custom 3D-printed frame. The Raspberry Pi is gone too, replaced by a microcontroller running C++ directly to the hardware.

How It Works: One Coin's Journey

The Hopper: A laser rangefinder monitors the distance of the coin stack, automatically starting and stopping the feed.

The Pusher: A motor pushes the bottom coin onto a small stage lit by a 19-LED ring, then resets its position against a hard wall.

The Flip: A mechanical flipper arm turns the coin over so the single 5MP camera can capture both sides.

AI Analysis: Both photos are sent to Google Gemini Flash with a set of plain-English instructions. Instead of complex code, I simply write rules like "Save: Silver, Key Dates" or "Inspect: Variety Candidates." The AI extracts the series, year, mint mark, tags, and sorting decision, then sends it all to a dashboard.

Sorting Carousel: A web browser tab runs the master control loop. It reads the AI's verdict and directs the machine to drop the coin into one of five bins (Dump, Save, Inspect, Misc, Retry).

Numi now processes about 250 coins an hour at a cost of roughly $0.25 per thousand coins. It's a massive improvement from my initial 60 seconds-per-coin rate.

Lessons Learned for v5

Moving Parts Fail: Mechanical flippers and funnels eventually jam. Writing functions to unjam a machine means you designed the wrong machine.

Bring Back Two Cameras: Dropping from two cameras to one saved a camera but cost me a moving part that touches every coin. That was a bad trade.

Lighting is Unforgiving: Brightness swings wildly depending on how a coin lands, either blowing out the lettering or hiding dates. For version 5, I'm moving back to simultaneous two-sided photography using museum-grade glass panels and circular polarizer filters to cut the glare.

Bringing Numi to shops and shows has been invaluable. Even during moments when I hear harsh feedback, it's immensely appreciated because my ultimate goal with Numi is to raise awareness about the usefulness, but more importantly, the upcoming impacts of AI on our community.

I'd rather ship an honest version 4 and share what broke than pretend I got it right the first time. If you have ideas, I'd love to hear from you. And if you see me at a show, come say hello! The machine will be running.

If you'd like to keep up with Numi's latest developments [as well as Dansco coin album research], come check out my Instagram page.

Justin, aka Dansco Dude

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
NUMI: AI-POWERED COIN IDENTIFICATION APP (https://www.coinbooks.org/v26/esylum_v26n47a10.html)
NUMI: HOW THE AI SAUSAGE IS MADE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v26/esylum_v26n47a11.html)
NUMI V2.0 COIN IDENTIFIER & SORTER (https://www.coinbooks.org/v27/esylum_v27n28a14.html)
NUMI V3: AUTOMATED AI COIN SORTING PROTOTYPE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n26a15.html)
NUMI V3: AI COIN SORTING PROTOTYPE DEMO (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n29a15.html)

VOCABULARY TERM: STRAIGHT EDGE CLIP

Straight Edge Clip. A type of clipped planchet in which the punch was not positioned properly over the metal strip but instead punched a blank off the edge or off the end of the strip. The blank is not a perfect circle but is missing a portion which looks cut off with a fairly straight edge. If the edge or end was not machined smooth on the strip and had a ragged edge, this may cause a ragged edge clip. See clipped planchet.

To read the complete entry on the Newman Numismatic Portal, see:
Straight Edge Clip (https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/dictionarydetail/516828)

ENGRAVER PETER F. CROSS

Wayne Homren innocently suggested I write an article about 'Peter Filatreu Cross'. Some articles send me down a rabbit hole. This one sent me down a rat hole. This comic strip appeared in The E-Sylum issue of March 24, 2013.

My 1991 listing in American Numismatic Biographies relied heavily on the listing in New-York Historical Society Dictionary. At the time, I questioned the reliability. It is time to revisit the sources.

Sources on P. F. Cross

Joseph Florimond Loubat included a biographical sketch in The Medallic History of the United States of America, 1776-1876 (1878).

George G. Evans mentions Cross in Illustrated History of the United States Mint (1885).

Leonard Forrer compiled Biographical Dictionary of Medallists (1904). He had a listing for P. F. Cross.

David McNeely Stauffer compiled American Engravers Upon Copper and Steel (1907).

No Census record or other public record has been found for P. F. Cross.

Sources on Peter F. Cross

The New-York Historical Society's Dictionary of Artists in America, 1564-1860. compiled by George Cuthbert Groce and David H. Wallace (1957) had a listing for Cross.

This is great because it cites sources that can be checked. The date of birth, 1820, is interpreted from his listed age of 40 in the 1860 Census. His actual birth was in 1815. His father was William Cross (1790-1815).

The 1855 and 1856 Philadelphia City Directories list "Cross Peter F. engr. U. S. Mint. h 11 Madison"

The 1857 Philadelphia City Directory lists "Cross Peter F. engr. U. S. Mint. h 615 Girard av"

The 1858 and 1859 Philadelphia City Directories lists "Cross Peter F. engr. U. S. Mint. h 2011 Girard av"

The 1860 Philadelphia City Directory lists "Cross Peter F., engraver, 2021 Girard av"

This is certainly evidence that the 1860 Census listing is for the mint engraver. However, there are errors in city directories as in other sources. I don't trust it.

The name Peter F. Cross first appears in the Newman Portal in the April 1, 1973, issue of Coins, the Magazine for Collectors. It next appeared in the July 27, 1993. issue of Coin World.

Sources on Peter Filatreu Cross

Wikipedia has an entry for Peter Filatreu Cross. compiled about 2011. Although the author thought this was the Mint engraver, there is no verification.

The FamilySearch site has a "Tree" for Peter Filatreu Cross created by a user on March 16, 2023. However, none of the linked records include the middle name. His mother's maiden name was Filatreau and two infant sons had the middle name Filatreau. The reference to Filatreu is an obvious error.

Sources on Peter Filatreau Cross

The 1850 Census has a listing for Peter F. Cross, married to Harriet, living in Williamsburg, New York, employed as an engraver and born in New York. Mint engraver, P. F. Cross, would have been in Philadelphia in 1850, but no Censos record has been found.

An article by David McCarthy in the January 2025 issue of The Numismatist mentions Peter Filatreau Cross.

Conclusion

I trust sources that report that P. F. Cross (18??-1856) was born in Sheffield, England and died in 1856. I trust records that report that Peter Filatreau Cross (1815-1862) was born in New York and died in 1862. Thus, they were two different people.

I could be wrong.

I believe that Wayne asked me to write a biography of a person who did not exist, and if he had existed, would not have been employed at the Mint. Thanks Wayne!

The diaries of James Barton Longacre are preserved at The Library Company of Philadelphia. Here are some specific entries. (Reported by Rick Snow)

• Monday, November 6, 1849: "Mr. P. F. Cross arrived from N.Y. to assist me in the engraving at the Mint."
• Tuesday, November 7, 1849: "P. F. Cross returned to N. Y. receiving pay for 6 weeks and 2 days."
• Wednesday, Jan 9, 1850: "Mr. Cross arrived from NY."
• Thursday, January 10, 1850: "Mr. Cross began working"
• Tuesday, April 16, 1850: "Went to New Brunswick, N. J. to meet Mr. Cross."
• Wednesday, April 17, 1850: "Gave Mr. Cross the dies (one pair) with the necessary directions to be made for DuBosq and Co."
• Saturday, March 22, 1851: "Certified P.F. Cross bill on the Mint for $30."
• Monday, December 12, 1853: "Peter F. Cross reported himself for duty in the Mint as my foreman of the engraving department. Salary $3 per.

The Longacre diaries may include more information on Cross that would help with his identity.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NUMISMATIC CARTOONS (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n12a26.html)

 

ADRIAN PEREZ INTERVIEW, PART THREE

Greg Bennick
Great — and people don't have to search "coin" to find them anymore, because of you. So with that said: is this the kind of work you'd want to do more of in the future? Would you be fascinated to do this for other hidden collections — or other prominent collections, for that matter?

Adrian Perez
Absolutely — not a shadow of a doubt. This whole project was honestly just fun. I loved it; it was the highlight; I loved doing it. There are a lot of numismatic collections out there — many universities have them. Some are very well digitized; Yale's collection is famously digitized. But others have these collections that aren't visible to the public or aren't on a website, and I really think all these coins should be free for the public to use — for numismatists, for researchers. That freedom to use them, for the benefit of the community, is an amazing thing.

Greg Bennick
Excellent — and your work definitely helped do that for the RISD collection, without a doubt. Congratulations!

Adrian Perez
Thanks. Going in, that was definitely my number one goal: to bring these coins out to the community at large. And there's still more work to be done. These were definitely the highlight of the collection, but they still have more coins, and I hope to go back and continue my work.

Greg Bennick
I'm sure they'll let you — I'm sure they'll invite you and appreciate you doing it. That's wonderful. So let's do this: let's talk about Summer Seminar for a minute, because that's how we met, and it's an amazing educational opportunity, social activity, and research opportunity all in one. Do you want to say a few words about it?

Adrian Perez
Yeah — it's really incredible, isn't it? We met, I think, on the Tuesday or Wednesday of that week. We sat down out of nowhere and just started talking — and here we are now, having this interview, all from a random lunch conversation.

Greg Bennick
That's how it happens.

Adrian Perez
That's the beauty of Summer Seminar: everyone getting together in a low-stakes, laid-back environment — like this interview, actually — having a dialogue, a conversation, and learning something new. It's such a gift to the hobby at large. And you were, from everyone I heard from who took your class, a very good instructor. I didn't have the luck to take your class — I took photography. I had a great time and learned a lot, and I chose that class partly thinking, maybe I can go back to the RISD Museum and redo those photographs. Summer Seminar gave me the tools to do that. I still consider myself intermediate, but my photography has jumped leaps and bounds thanks to Summer Seminar.

Greg Bennick
I'm so glad. Well — shameless plug time; let's do the standard plug. What we're talking about is the American Numismatic Association's Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs. It happens every summer: two weeks of classes — you can sign up for one week or two — in everything from grading to counterstamps to coin photography to how to build a numismatic exhibit, ancient coins, foreign coins, you name it. People can find out more at the ANA's website, money.org. The shameless plug is that every year, during the first week, I teach a class with my friend John Miller on mint errors and varieties and learning the minting process, which we feel is incredibly important — when people understand how coins are made, they know, when they see something unusual, what it is or is not. And in week two I teach US merchant counterstamps — coins that tell their own story — where I talk about the dual purpose of money, and how a coin counterstamped by a merchant in the 1800s was both a coin and a piece of advertising, and often served other purposes as well. But you made the great point that the beauty of Summer Seminar is yes, the learning, but also the experience of being there and meeting people. Our friend Bianca Bart saw you and asked whether you had anywhere to sit at lunch, and invited you to sit with us. Within a couple of minutes, you were talking about this RISD coin collection, and I excused myself and called my friends at The E-Sylum and the Newman Numismatic Portal and said, "I'm sitting with a young numismatist who seems to have discovered a collection of gold coins — can I interview this person?" And they both said, "Yes, please do." Those are the types of opportunities that come up at Summer Seminar, and I'm so glad we met and have had the opportunity to do this interview.

Adrian Perez
Yeah, absolutely — I hope to take your class next year, for sure. And one more thing to know about Summer Seminar: the scholarship opportunities. I personally went on scholarship, and that's just amazing — they have an auction each week, two auctions over the two weeks, and all the proceeds go to YNs for scholarships. I think that's awesome, because otherwise I wouldn't have been able to go.

Greg Bennick
It's cool. And organizations step up — with the scholarships, but also with other benefits. I just spoke to the folks at CONECA — I'm on the CONECA board — and next year, for 2027, we're going to offer a free one-year membership to every student who completes the mint errors class, the learning-the-minting-process class. Things like that — it's all about the promotion of education. I'm just so happy that you've taken part, that I've been able to take part, and that we met. It's fantastic.

Adrian Perez
Absolutely.

Greg Bennick
So — any parting words before we close our interview today?

Adrian Perez
Well, I just want to say, Greg, it was an absolute pleasure to meet you, and thank you so much for this interview. I really appreciate it.

Greg Bennick
You're very welcome. And if people want to get in touch with Adrian, feel free to reach out to me through the Newman Numismatic Portal, and I'll connect you. If you've got a collection, or you're in charge of a museum and you need to know what's in your collection, Adrian is clearly the person to do that — I would highly recommend him. Thank you, Adrian, for being here today; it's been great. And if people are interested in other interviews, please check out the Newman Numismatic Portal — you can search my name, GREG BENNICK, and see the people I've talked to. There are many interviews to come; I actually did one this morning, and there's a whole list of them in the process of being edited and released now. I'm really happy to have done this one today. So thanks, Adrian, for being here.

Adrian Perez
Thank you, Greg — thank you so much.

Greg Bennick
Thank you.

See also:
Rhode Island School of Design Coin Catalogue Spreadsheets (https://tinyurl.com/perezspreadsheet)
Rhode Island School of Design Coin Collection Links and Descriptions (https://tinyurl.com/RISDancients)

About the Interviewer
Greg Bennick (www.gregbennick.com) is a keynote speaker and long time coin collector with a focus on major mint error coins and US counterstamps. He is on the board of both CONECA and TAMS and enjoys having in-depth conversations with prominent numismatists from all areas of the hobby. Have ideas for other interviewees? Contact him anytime on the web or via instagram @minterrors. He can also be reached by email at www.gregbennick.com.

To read the earlier E-Sylum articles, see:
ADRIAN PEREZ INTERVIEW, PART ONE (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n31a07.html)
ADRIAN PEREZ INTERVIEW, PART TWO (https://www.coinbooks.org/v29/esylum_v29n32a17.html)

 

ARTICLE PROFILES SILVANO DEGENOVA

DiGenova's interest in the coin industry started at a young age, and by the time he started college at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, he was running a nearly full-time business.

By 1983, which was his junior year, the business had taken off. He decided to take a leave of absence from school to "play it by ear."

"The first full year, I think we did like $8 million in sales, and the very next year, 1985, we did something like $20 million, which in terms of today's dollars would be considerably more."

In the early 1990s, DiGenova moved to California, establishing his locations first in Laguna Beach and soon after in Newport Beach. Now, Tangible Investments offers a variety of fine collectibles, including high-end fashion, jewelry, art and furniture.

In 1986, DiGenova was involved in starting the Professional Coin Grading Service, or PCGS. The premier third-party authentication and grading company evaluates the condition and authenticity of rare coins, assigning a standardized grade based on the 70-point Sheldon scale.

It established a universal standard used by dealers and collectors, where higher numbers mean better condition. Through this process, experts verify that a coin is genuine, protecting buyers from counterfeiters. PCGS changed the coin collecting world, establishing a way that coins could be authenticated for value and sold on a market with unprecedented liquidity and trust.

Collectors could purchase and trade coins "sight unseen" — without laying their own eyes on it and instead relying on the guarantee of third-party grading and electronic dealer networks.

"We changed the parameters, (encasing) the coins in essentially a tamper-proof holder, and then we got other dealers to make a market so that these coins could actually trade sight unseen," DiGenova said. "That hadn't really been done on a large-scale basis, and as it turned out, that was a huge innovation in the coin business and the market."

To read the complete article, see:
How Silvano DeGenova Revolutionized the Rare Coin Market (https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/news/how-silvano-degenova-revolutionized-the-rare-coin-market/article_5c192d30-429d-4788-b9b2-48ff078648a7.html)

 

HERITAGE: TERRITORIAL GOLD RARITIES

1851 Humbert Fifty Dollar, Lettered Edge, 887 Thous., 50 Reverse, AU58 PCGS. CAC. K-4, R.5: In its early days, the United States Assay Office combined the coinage operations of Moffat & Co. and the powers vested in New York watch-case maker Augustus Humbert, who was recently appointed as United States Assayer of Gold for California. The Assay Office was a precursor to the San Francisco Mint. Its fifty dollar octagonal "slugs" were produced in quantity and provided a semblance of official imprimatur to the new made-in-California money. This pleasing example was once certified as MS60 by NGC and now resides in an AU58 PCGS holder with CAC endorsement.

1851 Humbert Fifty Dollar, Lettered Edge, 887 Thous., 50 Reverse, AU53 PCGS: The arrival of Augustus Humbert in San Francisco on January 8,1851 established the United States Assay Office, a Federal office that would function as a provisional mint. Initially, its sole function was to provide proper assaying of gold dust and bullion and form it into octagonal ingots of varying denominations. Humbert brought the dies designed for that purpose with him from New York, engraved by Charles Cushing Wright. The provisional mint used the facilities of Moffat & Company, who had suspended their private coining operations that month. The first fifty dollar octagonal gold pieces were struck on January 31, 1851. This AU53 green-gold example is bright and sharp with only a few tiny marks. The edges and corners are smooth and undamaged, while the engine-turned reverse shows only minor ticks. It will be a considerable challenge to find a finer example for the assigned grade.

1855 Wass, Molitor & Co. Fifty Dollar XF45 PCGS. K-9, R.5: Two Hungarian patriots -- Count Samuel C. Wass and Agoston Molitor -- made their way to the California gold fields in 1851. Both men had experience as miners and were mining engineers, setting up their assay office in San Francisco in late 1851. Initially, the Wass, Molitor & Company produced only ingots. They established a good reputation and branched out into coinage, producing smaller-denomination gold coins in 1852 before striking the twenty and fifty dollar coins of 1855. More than once the Wass-Molitor connection came to the rescue of the fledgling San Francisco Mint at the behest of the California banking community, when the Mint was unable to provide adequate gold coinage in 1854 and 1855. Deep honey-gold color and much remaining luster are hallmarks of this outstanding Territorial gold piece. It is an extremely attractive example of the K-9 fifty despite a few grade-consistent marks and light circulation wear, accounting for the Choice XF grade. The coin's visibly sharp strike remains intact including the lush olive wreath on the coin's reverse.

1853 $20 Assay Office Twenty Dollar, 900 Thous. MS65 NGC. K-18, R.2: From 1848 to 1853, there was significant debate over the establishment of a Mint in California. Some representatives were reluctant to have a Mint in such a far away state for fear the gold would dry up, as had happened in Charlotte and Dahlonega. Representatives of North Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania also wanted to keep their monopoly on coinage minting. As a compromise, an Assay Office was opened in San Francisco. While it could not make regular-issue U.S. coins, its output was made legal tender, which did not happen to any other Assay Office's output. Of the present K-18 twenty dollar variety, 2.5 million pieces were struck between March and October 1853. Full mint luster rolls around each side of this piece, with bright greenish-gold color. There are no mentionable marks and the strike is full throughout, even in the center of the obverse, which shows complete claws on the eagle and full details on the shield top.

See these rarities and many others in Heritage's September U.S. Coins Signature® auction.

ANTIQUE WOODEN COIN CABINET

Antique Wooden Coin Cabinet. Height: 33 inches. Depth: 19 inches. Width: 22 inches. Key-locking front doors (functional lock) open to a single column of 25 low-profile drawers. Most of the drawer pulls are original, although one drawer has brass replacement pulls. Interior drawer dimensions: 18 5/8 inches x 15 inches, with 1/4 inch wooden dividers running along the long axis. The interior dimensions of the divided areas of the drawers, lined with velvet, range from 3.5 inches to just under 3.75 inches. Drawer depth is 1/2 inch. Each drawer will comfortably hold 28 standard PCGS or NGC slabs.

This coin cabinet has a storied history with prominent numismatic figures. Steve Ivy recalls that it came from a coin collection he purchased more than 40 years ago (circa 1983), and at the time it had hundreds if not thousands of manila 2x2 coin envelopes, including at least one that had an early U.S. Colonial coin in it. Those who handled the envelopes at the time recall that most were printed with Henry and Samuel H. Chapman's dealer stamps. Other Chapman brothers ephemera was also with the cabinet in the 1980s. Some of these pieces of ephemera have, for more than 40 years, resided in the Heritage Cataloging offices. These include unused consignment papers for S.H. and H. Chapman, Henry Chapman letterhead stationary, and a small group of the individual coin envelopes mentioned before. These relics of numismatic history were framed many years ago to preserve them. With the return of the cabinet itself to a Heritage offering, it seems only fitting that these pieces of Chapman ephemera that originally came from it be reunited with it. They are included here with the hope the cabinet's next owner will cherish them for the next 40 years.

From The Key West Collection.

To read the complete article, see:
Antique Wooden Coin Cabinet (https://coins.ha.com/itm/miscellaneous/antique-wooden-coin-cabinet-total-3-coins-/a/1396-4238.s#)

SKYLER LIECHTY INDIAN PEACE MEDALS

Skyler Liechty has been here before. He's picked a challenging numismatic topic, investigated it deeply, made connections with those who knew the material (and those who marketed it to collectors), became an expert on the subject, published on the subject, and formed a collection whose importance ensures collectors in a century will cite it in their own research.

He did it with the Admiral Rodney medals, inspiring his book Medallic Memorials of George Brydges Rodney, Admiral of the White. We sold that collection in January 2025. He did it with John Law medals; we sold that collection in August 2023. He did it with portraits of Benjamin Franklin, a collection he sold through Freeman's in Philadelphia in 2021.

And now he's done it with one of the most avidly researched and difficult collecting specialties in the American numismatic firmament: the medals awarded to native leaders by colonizing powers between the era of contact and the conquest of the American frontier.

Mr. Liechty, who works in real estate investment in Texas, has studied these medals for many years. He was an author, along with Barry Tayman and Tony Lopez, of "Tomès Prieto's Al Mèrito Spanish Indian Peace Medals" in Peace Medals: Negotiating Power in Early America, published by the Gilcrease Museum of Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2011. His collection has been built over a similar interval, one piece at a time, scouring auctions all over the world and building relationships with the principal professionals in the Peace medal space in the United States and abroad.

Skyler's efforts have resulted in a cabinet of unusual breadth and depth. Never before have we offered a collection that included awarded medals from so many of the North American colonizing powers. France, whose Royal Family medals offer enough challenges to frustrate many numismatists, is well represented here. The medals of New Spain are extraordinary rarities, left out of all but the most advanced collections, but Skyler has made them something of a specialty. (I will admit more than a little joy in again seeing the Al Merito medal I sold Skyler over a decade ago. The rest of you will be seeing this rarity for the very first time.) The English Indian Peace medals in the Liechty Collection are the sort of pieces dreams are made of: four of the rare brass Indian Trade medals that are so important and fascinating; a historic 1757 Quaker Indian Peace medal; beautiful George III medals, including one of the prettiest Lion and Wolf medals ever, and more. The Indian Trade silver armbands are wonderful things with outstanding documentation, and the medals distributed in Sarnia, Ontario by the future King Edward VII in 1860 are complete by size. The Americans are represented by three fascinating medals, the sorts of things that underscore that history was the driving passion behind assembling this remarkable collection.

Skyler has served as Vice President and President of the Medal Collectors of America (medalcollectors.org), leading that organization since 2016. Their journal, the MCA Advisory, has included several of his articles, at least one of which has been recognized by the Numismatic Literary Guild. Skyler was awarded the MCA's Georgia Stamm Chamberlain Award in 2010. His tireless support of medal collecting has helped usher in a Golden Age of interest in American historical medals. He has led, not only by doing the hard work of organizing collectors and publishing good research, but by doing it the right way: focusing on historical importance, casting a wide net for acquisitions, understanding the material well enough to see relevance and connections that most miss.

We admire the example of his leadership, but this community admires him more as a person: warm and kind, affable and dedicated, encouraging and perceptive. It's a pleasure to handle this collection. We can't wait to see what he collects next.

John Kraljevich
Director of Numismatic Americana

Majestic Large Size 1693 French Royal Family Medal One of Four Original Strikings Known in Silver 1693 Louis XIV Royal Family Medal. Silver. First Size. Betts-75, Breton-1. AU Details--Cleaned (PCGS). 76.0 mm. Plain edge, no hanger. A medal of impressive size and majesty, a rarity in one of North America's most important medallic series. Bright silver gray with gentle golden peripheral toning around the reverse and a blush of warm violet in the right obverse field. Light polishing has left the usual sheen and hairlines, but the surfaces retain much of their reflective character. Scattered contact marks are noted on both sides, individually heavier on the obverse but more widespread on the reverse. A thin scratch crosses the digits of the date at the base of the reverse. The texture of the surfaces, including marks and polishing, is consistent with what's seen on awarded Indian Peace medals and suggests, at a minimum, non-numismatic distribution and handling. The eye appeal is excellent, and the high relief of devices on both sides is extremely impressive in hand.

This piece is struck from the same dies as the magnificent gold striking offered in our 2009 sale of the John W. Adams Collection of Indian Peace medals. Canadian researcher Jacob Lipson has identified just four original examples of this largest size Royal Family medal struck in silver: this medal, an example at ANS with a later added hanger, the Duke of Northumberland - John W. Adams medal that was last sold in our 2009 Americana sale (lot 5006, $16,100), and the example offered in the Michael Joffre Collection (Geoffrey Bell Auctions, April 2022, lot 2). That makes this piece one of just three identified in private hands despite its importance to collectors in Canada, the United States, and France. The Partrick example was a later restrike.

There is good original evidence showing that this type was distributed in North America. Victor Morin, in his 1916 Les Medailles Decernees Aux Indiens published a letter dated October 17, 1723, from a nun in Quebec that pins down the presence of this exact type in Canada at that time: "King Louis 14 had some rather large silver medals, having his portrait on one side and on the other side that of his son and the three princes, his children, to give to those who distinguished themselves in the war. Since then a flame-colored ribbon four fingers wide has been added, which is greatly esteemed by them." A ribbon four fingers wide would seem to preclude the more frequently seen 36-mm and 41-mm medals of this general design type and strongly suggest this module instead. An inventory of trade items held at Fort Frontenac in 1702 counted "2 dozen large medals and 22 dozen small medals," this just a decade after the celebrated presentation of two gold medals of this size to Abenakis who visited King Louis XIV in Paris, a story told admirably by John W. Adams in our 2009 Americana sale catalog.

It appears that this medal type was a frequently used diplomatic gift, not exclusively in North America and not exclusively looped for wearing. Robert Wellington's article "Medals for the Shah," published in Australian and New Zealand Journal of Art, 1-14, June 2026 points out several such occasions. In September 1699, nine gold medals of this size and from these dies were struck with loops for distribution, and in 1701 a further four were struck to order. Just as the presence of a loop does not prove Native American distribution, the absence of one doesn't necessarily suggest the opposite. In the late 17th century, the idea of presenting medals to North American natives was new enough that presenting the medals so they could be physically worn and displayed around the neck may not yet have become convention. It's unknown whether the medals of this type sent to Persia were looped or not.

For numismatists who specialize in medals for North American chiefs, this type is really the genesis of the two centuries of medal diplomacy. While earlier bespoke medallic issues had been presented, like the engraved Virginia passports, this type was the first made in numbers with the intent of presenting identical medals to allied natives. The tradition thus begun, it was followed by the English, then the Americans and Canadians, and persisted until the dawn of the 20th century. After 1763, when the French were expelled from North America, French medals were solemnly replaced, one by one, with those of a later conquering power. Few survived that process, making an example like this a prize and a collection centerpiece.

Provenance: From the Skyler Liechty Collection of Indian Peace Medals. Earlier, from Heritage's sale of August 2022, lot 4220.

To read the complete item description, see:
Majestic Large Size 1693 French Royal Family Medal (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1UUCJN/1693-louis-xiv-royal-family-medal-silver-first-size-betts-75-breton-1-au-details-cleaned-pcgs)

Remarkable Gilt Large Size Louis XIV Medal 1693 Louis XIV Royal Family Medal. Gilt Bronze. First Size. Betts-75, Breton-1. About Uncirculated, Mounted. 76.0 mm. 215.32 grams. Round hanger loop mounted at 12 o'clock atop rectangular plinth. C U I V R E punched in single letter punches in an 18th century typeface near 6 o'clock. Especially crisp and expertly applied gilding is rich and golden across both sides, applied with enough subtlety to leave the fields of both sides deeply reflective. Were it not for the edge cut within the subtle rim bruise at 3 o'clock on the obverse and the applied CUIVRE edge mark identifying this as a copper medal, most would assume this was gold and even an accomplished numismatist could assume the undermetal is silver based upon the depth of the mirrors. A few little rim abrasions are seen, along with an edge bump near 3 o'clock on the reverse. The fields show scattered contact marks and typical hairlines, along with a vertical scratch behind the uppermost bust on the reverse, that of the Grand Dauphin.

Struck from the same dies as the medal in the previous lot and the famous Adams example of this type in gold, this piece clearly was produced to imitate the gold presentation medals of this type. The gilding's exceptional execution and the bon mot on the edge to advise the viewer that this medal is copper, not gold, suggests the intentionality of officialdom. It's staggering that the Paris Mint could do gilding this well in this era and almost unthinkable that anyone else could. The gold strikings of this medal were top level diplomatic gifts, awarded to Abenaki chiefs, the Shah of Iran, and others (as described in the previous lot and by Wellington in "Gifts for the Shah"). We could speculate on what purpose an exceptionally well made gilt bronze one with a loop may have served, but this is clearly no mere copy intended to sit in a cabinet. It's a truly remarkable piece.

Martha Hamilton's book Silver in the Fur Trade reports several instances when New France's Governor General Marquis de Vaudreuil requested or mentions "medailles de vermeil" between 1708 and 1710, offering three documented references to a gilt silver composition.

We note nothing similar in the literature, though gilt - and clearly awarded - medals of this design type but smaller modules are known. This exceptional property may be the only such example of this largest size available to collectors today.

Provenance: From the Skyler Liechty Collection of Indian Peace Medals. Earlier ex Tony Lopez, March 2017.

To read the complete item description, see:
Remarkable Gilt Large Size Louis XIV Medal (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1UUCKD/1693-louis-xiv-royal-family-medal-gilt-bronze-first-size-betts-75-breton-1-about-uncirculated-mounted)

Important Silver Betts-75C 1693 Louis XIV Royal Family Medal. Silver. Betts-75C, Breton-3. Extremely Fine. 41.0 mm. 23.45 grams. Round mount applied to edge at 12 o'clock. Even light silver gray with no significant toning and surfaces that suggest presentation and worn display. The surfaces show old hairlines from ancient polishing, not brightness from a recent process, along with a host of scattered contact marks that are most noticeable on the cheek. Some old pin scratches are seen above the word LUDOVICUS along the obverse rim, most severe above the end of the word. There is no significant damage, the rims are intact, and the eye appeal is positive. This has the look of a medal that was presented non-numismatically and worn for some time.

We've had a few bronze examples from these dies over the years, but even the Ford Collection sales lacked this issue in silver. A presented and worn example is impounded in the Musee de Civilization in Quebec, but none was present in the Joffre, Bell, Foster, or Adams collections. The Partrick cataloger suggested a population of less than a dozen.

This size is well attested in the documents as present in North America, though undoubtedly examples of this type served a wide variety of donative purposes. The 1702 Fort Frontenac inventory that included "2 dozen large medals and 22 dozen small medals" suggests how many medals of this format could have made it to Nouvelle France during the reign of Louis XIV. The inevitable replacement of French medals with English ones, a process that became total after the mid 18th century, condemned medals like this one to rarity in North America, and precious few emerge from the Old World as well. The weight of this piece compared to the one that follows is suggestive, as silver trade items intended for the fur trade were often produced with minimal silver weight as a cost saving strategy. This piece's surfaces suggest it did not spend its useful life in a mahogany cabinet in a castle.

Provenance: From the Skyler Liechty Collection of Indian Peace Medals. Earlier ex Donald G. Partrick Collection; Heritage's sale of March 2021, lot 15173.

To read the complete item description, see:
Important Silver Betts-75C (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1UUCKT/1693-louis-xiv-royal-family-medal-silver-betts-75c-breton-3-extremely-fine)

Extremely Rare Ca. 1778 Carlos III Al Merito Medal With Louisiana Provenance First Auction Appearance (1778-1783) New Spain Al Merito Indian Peace Medal of Carlos III. Silver. Betts-536. Extremely Fine. 55.6 mm. 72.81 grams. One of the rarest and most important of all North American Indian Peace medals, with only 10 specimens known worldwide and only five in private hands. Of significant interest to collectors in Spain and the Americas, this medal was designed and intended exclusively as a recognition for the native chiefs of Spanish Louisiana during the American Revolution. The present specimen shows many of the usual hallmarks of presentation and display wear. The surfaces are even light silver in color, finely granular over both sides but still retaining a good deal of liveliness under a light. All that remains of the mount is a horizontal line parallel to the obverse rim at precisely 12 o'clock to show where the mount's rectangular plinth once adhered. The edges and rims show many small bumps and bruises, none individually notable. The devices show good relief and sharpness, but are evenly worn on both sides. A nearly vertical scratch from in front of the profile's lips to above the worn Order of the Golden Fleece on his chest stands out more than other scattered marks and scratches on both sides. This is a medal that has been through some things, but the visual appeal remains strong.

Your cataloger (JK) sold this medal to our consignor in 2012 after acquiring this piece from a gentleman in Louisiana. That man's father (born 1924) "was in the banking business in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana (just southeast of New Orleans) since 1949," his son recounted via email at the time. Continuing:

He says that a man came into the bank who was doing salvage after WWII and brought in a lot of coins and the medal. My dad exchanged the coins for cash and told the man he could do nothing with the medal since he didn't even know what it was. It was at that time that the gentleman told him he could keep the medal...The medal was put away and looked at periodically over the years as an amusement. Hurricane Katrina came in 2005 and destroyed our homes. While going through salvaged items, my father came across the medal and gave it to me. I searched the web and finally discovered what had been in our possession all these years. This was the second new specimen discovered in a single year, just months after another new specimen turned up on eBay, listed along with an incredibly rare Louis XV Honos et Virtus Indian Peace medal. That eBay piece is listed as Census #9 at the CarlosIIIAlMerito.com website. This piece is listed as #8.

Since this piece was discovered and sold privately in 2012, one new piece has been added to the census, an example sold in a Jesus Vico auction in Spain in June 2024 that brought just over 50,000 euros, more than $57,000 at current exchange rates. The only other piece to sell during that interval, publicly or privately, are the Adams example, which brought $17,250 in our January 2009 sale before these medals were well known, and the Bosco-Partrick specimen, which sold for $52,800 in the March 2021 Patrick sale. The late 2011 publication of "Tomas Prieto's Al Merito Spanish Indian Peace Medals" by Barry Tayman, Tony Lopez, and Skyler Liechty in the Gilcrease Museum's Peace Medals: Negotiating Power in Early America, revolutionized the understanding of and interest in the Al Merito medals, changing market dynamics significantly.

Four examples are held institutionally, and one is currently untraced but assumed to be held institutionally. The example at the Wisconsin Historical Society is described in the Gilcrease book as a "heavily worn specimen from an Indian grave in Prairie du Chien" in Wisconsin and is "widely accepted as that being presented to Huisconsin, or Mitasse, chiefs of the Sauk and Fox, on November 20, 1781, in St. Louis, Missouri by the Spanish governor, Don Francisco Cruzat." The Asa Thomas Hill (1871-1953) specimen was excavated "from a Pawnee gravesite on land he purchased at the Pawnee Republican Village in southern Nebraska" sometime in the early 20th century. Hill later sold many of his finds to the Nebraska State Historical Society, many of which were later repatriated to the Pawnees. The medal appears not to have been among the items sold to NSHS and its modern whereabouts are unknown. A picture of the medal shows it is well worn and retains its hanger. Other impounded examples are the one held by the Missouri Historical Society (gilt, once presented to Charles Dehault Delassus, lieutenant governor of Upper Louisiana who signed the 1804 document turning the territory over to the United States), and two in Spanish museums, one of which is also gilt. Five pieces are held privately: the Adams specimen, the Bosco-Partrick specimen, this specimen, the 2011 eBay specimen, and the 2024 Jesus Vico specimen.

The Al Merito medals have been well researched, and the original documents related to their issuance underscore that this is an American medal intended for native leaders. The full story is told in the Tayman, Lopez, and Liechty article in the Gilcrease Museum's Peace Medals book, which is also available online. Spain took over the French holdings west of the Mississippi following the 1763 Treaty of Paris that ended the Seven Years War and held them until Napoleon demanded them back in 1800, with the official transfer taking place the following year. Headquartered at New Orleans, the territory was essentially contiguous with Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase, including portions of modern Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, the Dakotas, and Minnesota.

As early as October 1769, medals were presented in New Orleans to native leaders within the new Spanish territory. The Gilcrease article quotes Prucha in describing this event:

At the end of the speech, His Excellency [General Don Alejandro O'Reilly, Governor of Spanish Louisiana] arose from his chair to place about the necks of each one of the chiefs the medal which hung from a silk ribbon of deep scarlet color. He first had them kiss the royal effigy, and then with his bare sword touched them on both shoulders and chest, and made over their heads the sign of the cross, and finally gave each an embrace and his hand, where upon they again showed such admiration that it was evident how pleasing to them was the ceremony and that it was the first time they had seen it.

To read the complete item description, see:
Extremely Rare Ca. 1778 Carlos III Al Merito Medal (https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots/view/3-1UUCMR/1778-1783-new-spain-al-merito-indian-peace-medal-of-carlos-iii-silver-betts-536-extremely-fine)

EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY AUGUST 2026 SALE

JOHN DEVOTION (1730-1802). Congregational Pastor of the Third Church in Saybrook, Connecticut, also called the West Parish of Saybrook, which later became the separate town of Westbrook, where he was settled by 1769. He taught David Bushnell, the West Saybrook-born Inventor of the "TURTLE", the world's First Submarine used in combat, preparing him locally before Bushnell went on to Yale College. Devotion's role as David Bushnell's early instructor places him directly in the intellectual formation of one of the American Revolution's most inventive figures.

May 12, 1779-Dated Rare Type of Revolutionary War Partly-Printed Continental Loan Office Receipt and with a Historically Important Connection, Signed, "JOHN DEVOTION" and completed in bold brown ink manuscript at Hartford, Connecticut, Choice Crisp About Uncirculated. This vivid near mint typeset form recording receipt from John Lawrence, Commissioner of the Loan Office for the State of Connecticut, of two bills of exchange totaling forty two dollars. That amount representing a full year's interest on two Continental Loan Certificates held jointly by "Myself" John Devotion and Major John Murdock, one being for $400 and one for $300, dated January 1778 and running to January 1779. Major John Murdock was John Devotion's father-in-law.

This rare type payment form carries real significance of its own. Rather than paying interest in Hard Coin, Specie, or near worthless Continental paper money by 1779, Congress paid interest on Certificates issued before March 1778 through Bills of Exchange. JOHN DEVOTION was a Congregational minister settled at Saybrook, Connecticut, evidently trusted enough by his fellow investor to collect and manage both men's Continental Loan interest on their joint behalf, a small but telling example of how ordinary Connecticut citizens, clergy included, helped underwrite the Revolutionary War debt at one of the most financially precarious points of the Revolution.

On May 8th, 1777, John Devotion was chosen to preach the Connecticut Election Sermon before the General Assembly at Hartford, published as "The Duty and Interest of a People to Sanctify the Lord of Hosts." This was a significant civic honor each year the legislature selected one minister of high standing to address the assembled government on the moral obligations of leadership, and being chosen in 1777, deep in the war, meant Devotion was viewed by Connecticut's Revolutionary government as a trusted, Patriot-aligned voice at a critical moment (the year of Saratoga, and only months after Washington's retreat across New Jersey).

Perhaps John Devotion's most historically significant Revolutionary War connection was that he educated David Bushnell, the West Saybrook-born inventor of the Turtle, the world's First Submarine used in combat, preparing him locally before Bushnell went on to Yale College.

Bushnell's Turtle was used in a September 1776 attempt to attach a explosive charge to the hull of HMS Eagle in New York Harbor, an operation that drew praise from Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin as a bold, if ultimately unsuccessful, piece of early submarine warfare. Devotion's role as David Bushnell's early instructor places him directly in the intellectual formation of one of the Revolution's most inventive figures.

Major John Murdock (1706 --January 21, 1778) moved to Saybrook, Conn. and became a prominent, wealthy figure there serving as a Deacon in the Congregational Church, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, a Justice of the Peace and Quorum for New London County (Saybrook's county at the time), and was elected Deputy to the Connecticut General Assembly multiple times. He rose through the Connecticut militia to the rank of Major. Colonial records confirm "Major John Murdock" representing Saybrook as a deputy to the General Assembly (serving alongside Capt. John Shipman) as early as 1768, so by the 1778 document date he'd have held that rank and civic standing for a decade or more.

Major Murdock's daughter, Phebe Murdock (born November 13, 1738), married the Rev. John Devotion, the same pastor of the Third Church of Saybrook signing this form. She died in 1813. So Major John Murdock was John Devotion's father-in-law, both prominent figures in the same small West Saybrook/Westbrook community during the Revolutionary era being one the town's leading civil and military officer, the other its Minister and Election Day Preacher.

[American Revolution, Revolutionary War, Connecticut] [John Devotion, War Finance, Continental Congress] [Manuscripts, Documents, Currency, Autographs]

To read the complete item description, see:
May 12, 1779-Dated Continental Loan Office Certificate Interest Receipt Signed Reverend John Devotion of Saybrook the Pastor who Educated David Bushnell, Inventor of the "Turtle", the World's First Submarine used in Combat (https://earlyamerican.com/pages/page-single.php?r=170915x975456&lot=6&auction=2026-08-29)

August 8th (Written Date) 1766 Act, Province of Georgia Colonial Currency, One Pound Sterling Certificate, SAVANNAH COURT-HOUSE with "Court-House" Vignette, Large Format Printed in Red & Black, PCGS Banknote graded Very Fine-30.

Fr. GA-45. Very Low Serial No. 83. This extremely rare Sterling Certificate is fully Signed by; N. Jones, Grey Elliott, A. Wylly, John Smith, and William Ewen. Among the Finest Known, as PMG reports only two certified which were likely Unissued Remainder notes. This pleasing Large Format sterling Certificate measuring about 4.25" x over 4.75" (123mm x 115mm), Uniface having no detractions on its blank reverse. This special 1766 Act Certificate was issued, "For the Encouragement of SETTLERS, and rebuilding the SAVANNAH COURT-HOUSE in Savannah." Its details holder adds comments about the expert conservation performed as; design redrawn, small pieces added, edge and internal repairs. A rare historic Georgia currency prize that is fully signed and issued. Some remainders are also known, being more plentiful than the actual signed and issued notes. This example is well printed in deep black ink with bold red ink text inserts. Georgia's colonial government's 1766 Act was literally printing these Certificates bearing a woodcut picture of the very building, Savannah's original Colonial Court House, to fund the needed major repair of its decaying most important seat of justice in Savannah. This note has significant overall eye appeal, being vastly superior for this dedicated Court House issue and in comparison the example in Newman's reference work certificate No. 605 illustrated on page 136 of the 5th Edition 2008, which also lists a value of that note selling in Fine quality for $3,747 in the John Ford Collection sale May 2004. Our currently offered note, having some expert conservation is clearly superior in quality and eye appeal to the illustrated Newman plate note.

Numismatist Eric Newman estimated roughly 2,523 certificates were printed, exceeding the officially authorized number, with some dated into the following year. A surviving example cited in Newman's reference work certificate No. 605 illustrated on page 136 of the 5th Edition 2008, was issued September 1, 1766, giving a sense of how the serial numbering ran chronologically alongside the hand-written dates. The current note having some expert conservation is clearly superior in quality and eye appeal to the Newman plate note.

The building on the vignette was Savannah's original Colonial Court House, and its history explains exactly why this currency issue existed. It stood in what is now Wright Square (originally named Percival Square, after John Perceval, 1st Earl of Egmont; renamed in 1763 for Georgia's last Royal Governor, James Wright).

Around the square stood the original court house as well as a market place, and near the courthouse was the public gaol (jail), while officially representing Christ Church Parish, the small scale of Georgia's infrastructure left it as the primary gaol for the entire province. The building was a wooden structure that had fallen into disrepair by the 1760s: in 1763, complaints about poor sanitation and a lack of a fireplace were read before the Commons House. This deterioration is precisely what prompted the 1766 Currency emission, being dedicated to its rebuilding.

The courthouse had earlier religious significance too. It was the building where John Wesley, founder of Methodism, preached in 1736 and 1737, during Georgia's earliest colonial years. Despite the 1766 rebuilding effort, the structure continued to decline. By the early 1770s the colony had moved on from it: unable to afford building their own church, Savannah's Lutherans instead bought the deteriorating wooden court house in 1772 and moved it to serve as their house of worship.

Today the site is occupied by the Tomochichi Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, and Wright Square itself is also notable as the burial site of Tomochichi, the Yamacraw leader whose alliance with James Oglethorpe was essential to Savannah's founding.

[Colonial America, Colonial Georgia, 18th Century America] [Currency and Finance, Local History] [Currency, Colonial Currency, Certificates, Bonds, Numismatics, Exonumia]

To read the complete item description, see:
Extremely Rare Fully Signed and Issued 1766 Province of Georgia One Pound Sterling SAVANNAH COURT-HOUSE (https://earlyamerican.com/pages/page-single.php?r=170915x975456&lot=48&auction=2026-08-29)

1776 Georgia Revolutionary War Issued Colonial Currency note, Eight Dollars, "Colonial Man Holding His Sword" Vignette, with Full Outer Sheet Margins at top and left, PMG graded Very Fine-20.

Fr. GA-82. An important "1776" Revolutionary War Georgia note with a wonderful large vignette at lower right of a Colonial "Man with Cane" this note printed in red and black. PMG graded this note Very Fine-20 for its overall eye appeal and details. All five signatures are present being boldly written in deep rich brown ink including; William Bryan, John Elliott, Quintin Pooler, William Bryan and William Ewen. Only eight examples of this Friedberg number have been certified and listed in the PMG Population Report. A further rarity have the fully wide marginal sheet outer selvage being the top left printed note on the sheet. Likely the only $8 denomination with its original wide swath of selvage on the left and top original margins makes this piece stand out above its peers. In fact, some edge paper could be unfolded primarily along the right margin and corner to more fully widen the edge. The note's holder mentions (a single tape reinforcement) repair(s) on the blank reverse and (short fold edge) splits, plus we note a few minor contemporary financial notations on the back. Page 147 of the 2008 5th Edition of Newman illustrates this $8 denomination note (Type F) with tight margins where it was then valued at $5,000 in Very Fine.

[American Revolution, Colonial Georgia, Revolutionary War] [War Finance, Political History] [Currency, Colonial Currency, Numismatics, Exonumia]

To read the complete item description, see:
Rare 1776 Georgia Eight Dollars with "Colonial Man Holding His Sword" Vignette PMG Certified Very Fine-20 (https://earlyamerican.com/pages/page-single.php?r=170915x975456&lot=49&auction=2026-08-29)

July 8, 1775, Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, Sixteen Shillings, Only 667 Printed, Not Cancelled, Early Revolutionary War 6% Interest bearing financing note, Copper-Plate Engraved Printed by Paul Revere, Jr., Uniface design, Ex: John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, PCGS Banknote graded Choice Fine-15.

Fr. MA-155. This extremely rare genuine early Revolutionary War note of only 667 Printed and Issued to be returned into the Treasury just one year later in 1776. Impressively printed on laid period paper off the original Copper-Plate Engraved by Paul Revere. This note displays wide full margins, with the left side indent margin being partial, as intended, with the Patriotic political statement "(Am)ican Paper." clearly printed and easily viewed. Revere earlier engraved the Portrait of Reverend Samuel Willard on the opposite side of this Copper-Plate which is still held in the Massachusetts Statehouse archives. Serial No. 5459 is crossed out in "Error" and changed to No. 4717 in brown ink above. Signed by "H(enry) Gardner" as Receiver General (Treasurer), measuring 167 mm x 81 mm, Uniface in design, backed with laid period paper with a penciled notation at upper right that reads "at 11-20-(19)30 Elder Sale". Its PCGS details holder comments repairs, backed. This important Uniface note displays the superior overall eye appeal of Choice Very Fine both face and back. This issue is exceedingly rare, especially for this July 8, 1775 issue having a due date, to be return back to the treasury of May 25th, 1776 just a year later. Overall, quite similar in quality to the illustrated Plate note for this issue on page 207, where it is valued at $6,000 in Fine and $9,000 in Very Fine with no higher valuations due to its rarity. PMG has not certified any Fr.-155 note to date. An outstanding Paul Revere engraved July 8, 1775 Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, Sixteen Shillings genuine note.

Overall, is extremely well centered and bright, being a very appealing survivor from an authorization of only 667 notes. Most of these long notes were heavily worn, many to pieces when in circulation, many others were hole or manuscript canceled, or otherwise removed from commerce by the treasury. That any specimens survive today is a lasting tribute to earlier generations of Colonial note collectors. That this present note exists today, especially in such a pleasing high state of preservation, is a call to all collectors stimulate interest to acquire it to further preserve this exceptional historic bit of "pocket change" produced by Paul Revere on "American Paper" from our Revolutionary War colonial era.

Pedigree: From Stack's sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part X, May, 2005, Lot 4642; Kagin's Auction 2023 Lot 188, Current consignor.

[American Revolution, Revolutionary War, Massachusetts] [Paul Revere, Continental Currency, War Finance] [Currency, Colonial Currency, Numismatics, Exonumia]

To read the complete item description, see:
Paul Revere Copper-Plate Engraved July 8, 1775 Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, Sixteen Shillings PCGS Choice F-15 (https://earlyamerican.com/pages/page-single.php?r=170915x975456&lot=51&auction=2026-08-29)

June 22, 1775 New York, City of Albany, Two Shillings, Revolutionary War Municipal Currency issue, PCGS Banknote graded Choice Extremely Fine-45.

Fr. NY-171.1 An extremely rare official City of Albany, New York Revolutionary War municipal currency issue, to date PMG has not graded any Fr. NY-171.1, Two Shillings note. A Uniface typeset note printed on laid paper in a wide rectangular format measuring about 4.5" x 2.25" the left margin end has bold flourishes with ornamental borders on the other three sides. Two signatures; Jacob Lansing, Jr., Jacob C. Ten Eyck, are both easy to read vividly well penned. The Boyd collection contained a complete set of all five denominations. His ten shilling note sold in Ford Part XV nearly two decades ago for $4,312. This current note has PCGS Banknote comment details for repairs; severed and reattached, backed. The printing of this note is as dark black as we can recall having seen. This lowest 2s denomination note should see spirited bidding being perhaps the finest example available. This City of Albany series was not represented in DuPont, the foremost collection of Colonial private and municipal notes ever formed. Many of his private issue notes that were plated in Newman are still Unique. Listed in the current Friedberg as "VERY RARE" and in the 2008 5th Edition of Newman at $4,500 in Fine and no higher grades due to rarity and equal or better in quality to the illustrated plate note on page 285.

[American Revolution, Revolutionary War, New York] [Municipal Currency, Albany New York, War Finance] [Currency, Colonial Currency, Numismatics, Exonumia]

To read the complete item description, see:
June 22, 1775 New York, City of Albany, Very Rare Two Shillings Revolutionary War Municipal Currency Issue, PCGS Banknote graded Choice Extremely Fine-45 Ex: Ford-Boyd (https://earlyamerican.com/pages/page-single.php?r=170915x975456&lot=56&auction=2026-08-29)

Pennsylvania Colonial Currency, Bristol, March 25, 1776, Private Issue Note, "We Promise to Pay the Bearer Here of Nine Pence Current Money of Pennsylvania", PMG Very Fine-20.

Fr. Not Listed, Hoober 39-31. Low Serial No. 14. Signed by Large and Hartshorne. Printer unknown. Uniface. Measuring a small size 84mm x 46mm. This note and issuer was Unlisted in Newman at the time of the John Ford Jr. sale, where the writer Bruce Hagen noted: "the first we have seen in over 20 years of obsolete private scrip study," and later noting "the condition is less than enormous, but if it is unique, does it matter?" Unpriced in the 5th Edition of Newman without a photo 2008. Deeply toned off-white paper and strong black typeset inking, with easily readable signatures of "Large" and "Hartshorne". Its current PMG net holder comments; backed, repaired. An important note that an equally important opportunity. Provenance: F.C.C Boyd Estate, Stack's sale of the John J Ford Jr collection, Part XVII, March, 2007, Lot 4501.

[Colonial America, Obsolete Currency, 18th Century America] [Currency and Finance, Private Scrip] [Currency, Colonial Currency, Numismatics]

To read the complete item description, see:
March 25, 1776 Bristol, Pennsylvania Large and Hartshorne (https://earlyamerican.com/pages/page-single.php?r=170915x975456&lot=64&auction=2026-08-29)

"War of 1861" American Eagle Union Army Dog Tag Struck in Bronze for Private Thomas Lane of Company B, 57th New York Infantry, Choice Extremely Fine.

Private Lane's name and unit designation are stamped on the reverse. A hole has been drilled through the tag's top to allow it to be worn around the owner's neck. This Tag measures about 1" across, minor deep tone on the reverse rim edge and having traces of light golden luster within the obverse legends, American Eagle and lettering on the reverse side. Thomas Lane enlisted on September 17, 1861 at the age of 20 in Utica, NY. He was mustered out on December 15th, 1864 in Rochester, NY. Additional copied information on this soldier will accompany the item. (See additional unit history online at: www.EarlyAmerican.com)

The 57th New York Infantry Regiment was formed by amalgamating companies of several smaller military formations in and around New York City, including the National Guard Rifles, the Clifton Rifles, the United States Voltigeurs, the Washington Zouaves, and the Manhattan Rifles. They were mustered as the 57th on August 12th, 1861.

After joining the Army of the Potomac, they participated in the Peninsular Campaign, the Seven Days Battles, Antietam and Fredericksburg, suffering heavy casualties at the latter two engagements. The 57th went on to fight in the Gettysburg and Wilderness Campaigns, after which the regiment's remaining men were transferred to the 61st New York Infantry on December 6, 1864.

During their term of service, they lost 103 officers and enlisted in battle and 91 to disease. (Provenance: courtesy of Historical Data Systems Civil War Regiment Database).

[Civil War, Union Army, New York] [Military Service, Identification Discs] [Identification Discs, Militaria, Numismatics]

To read the complete item description, see:
"War of 1861" Civil War Union Army Dog Tag for Thomas Lane Company B of the 57th New York Infantry Regiment (https://earlyamerican.com/pages/page-single.php?r=170915x975456&lot=142&auction=2026-08-29)

1862 Civil War Era Encased Postage Stamp Emergency Currency, EP-81, HB-151, S-108, Five Cents, HUNT & NASH, "Irving House", Plain Frame Rarity, Choice Extremely Fine.

Rated as Rarity-8 (5 to 10 known) according to Fred Reed. This fully original premium quality example is exceedingly rare as a "Plain Frame" major type. This specimen ranks among the Finest Known. According to the Hodder-Bowers "Standard Catalogue" reference book, the "Plain Frame" 5¢ is stated to be "just barely collectable." Only about a half dozen are known to exist. The perfectly centered bright clean 1861 issue Thomas Jefferson stamp is rich brown fully original displaying great eye appeal. The mica is virtually perfect being crystal clear and unbroken, with some faint traces of modest circulation. The case is an even natural light chestnut in color. The latest example to be sold was in the EAHA August 26th, 2006 Auction, Lot 937 graded Choice EF which brought $5,900. This is a significant and highly important quality Encased Postage Stamp rarity should likely do even better. (EF Friedberg Cat. $4,000)

[Civil War, 19th Century America, American Numismatics] [Encased Postage, Thomas Jefferson, Plain Frame Type] [Currency, Postage Stamps, Numismatics, Exonumia]

To read the complete item description, see:
Rare "Plain Frame" HUNT & NASH "Irving House" Five Cents Rarity-8 (Only 5 to 10) and Perhaps the Finest Known (https://earlyamerican.com/pages/page-single.php?r=170915x975456&lot=157&auction=2026-08-29)

1860-Dated Civil War Period, Genuine "SERVANT" Slave Hire Identification Tag from Charleston (South Carolina), Tag Number "1998" made by William M. Rouse, Very Fine.

A rare well detailed and pleasing Genuine fully authentic 1860 "SERVANT" Charleston Slave Identification Tag. This sharply detailed attractive Tag measures about 1.75" x 1.75", is diamond shaped and properly holed at top for suspension, as usual, as made. The corners have been clipped as usual so as not to be sharp. This Slave Tag reads, "*CHARLESTON* / 1860 / SERVANT / 1998". This Slave Tag is said to have been located in McPhersonville, SC. nearby the City of Charleston. The details are all clear and readable, well centered showing a strong, clear "1860" date "SERVANT" occupation and city name at top. This is the nicest quality 1860 dated Tag we have offered and the reverse is particularly clean and free from detractions. The rich natural patina is attractive. We offered an 1840 dated Slave tag in our EAHA Auction of April 25, 2020 which sold for $3,900. A Letter of Authenticity signed by noted Slave Tag historian and relic hunter Cal Packard accompanies this lot.

Slave Hire Tags or Badges were created and sold only in Charleston, South Carolina. These Tags were renewable at the end of every year as long as the fee was paid. According to Greene, Hutchins, Jr., and Hutchins in their book "Slave Badges and the Slave-Hire System in Charleston, South Carolina, 1783-1865".

The badges for 1860 were made by William M. Rouse, a silversmith, who made more Slave badges than any other maker. The badges were diamond-shaped, made of copper, and for the year 1840, noted on page 119, information appeared in this order: "Charleston," the date, occupation, and finally, the badge number.

[Antebellum Period, Slavery and Abolition, South Carolina] [Charleston Slave Badges, African American History] [Metalwork, Relics, Militaria]

To read the complete item description, see:
1860 Civil War Date Charleston "SERVANT" Slave Tag Tag Number "1998" made by William M. Rouse (https://earlyamerican.com/pages/page-single.php?r=170915x975456&lot=182&auction=2026-08-29)

THE 1936 DOUBLE DIE CENT

For years I have been fascinated by 1936 Lincoln cent doubled dies, as they have provided some of the most beautiful and fascinating doubles.

I have had several of the varieties in circulated condition, but paid very little attention to the actual doubling on them because the detail was always worn off. I would just look in the book without really paying much attention to the photographs except for the major areas of identification. However, I had noticed over the past 20 years of searching circulated rolls of 1936 cents (couldn't afford BU rolls) that 3-0-V was just as scarce in circulated condition as 1-0-IV and 2-0-V, and yet the value was considerably lower. Many times I made comparisons between the three circulated varieties, and 3-0-V was basically just as strong (if not stronger) in most areas as the other two. Upon questioning this on numerous occasions, I normally got the same answers: "1-O-V is a Class IV and the rarest of doubles, and 2-0-V has doubling on the date."

GUESS WHAT! 3-0-V is NOT 3-0-V, but in fact is 3-0-IV, and it is doubled on the date! I was finally. (after so many years) able to get my hands on a BU copy. and there is absolutely no doubt, it is CLASS IV!

Since the photos in the doubled die book do not show anywhere near all of the coin, it is fairly easy to accept Class V, but if you look closely at the two photos in the book, you can see it is Class IV with the shift being to the east.

Following are the photos -- proof positive -- that 3- O-V is really 3-0-IV.

Just as in Wexler's book, you can easily see the strong doubling, and if you look closely you will see that the doubling is to the east and is not rotation- al. It is apparent after much study that the R on the hub was broken sometime prior to most of the doubled die obverses being made. A few dies bearing the broken R were placed into use -- possibly before they realized the R was broken. It is most apparent that they caught the break, and caught several dies before they were placed into use, and the broken R dies were rehubbed with a new hub. Notice that the second hubbing to the right had a complete R and not the broken variety. Dies #1, 2 and 3 were all first hubbed with the broken R, and then rehubbed with a new hub.

This photo shows that the date is also doubled to the east. The 1 shows no separation lines, but is extremely thick. The 9 on this copy does have a split tail, and very early die states may show separation lines on the complete date.

You can easily see an eastern spread in this photo on various hair lines, but the real clincher is the division line to the east at the front of the ear -- another doubled ear variety. The eyeball (not shown) is also doubled to the east, and the first hubbing can be seen slightly to the left of the visible eyeball. Numerous other marks, hairlines, etc., can also be seen on the head as east.

Keeping the drawn lines horizontal, notice that the corners of the first and second hub bed letters are in exact alignment, proof of an Eastward shift.

Here you can see near exact alignment on WE, and only slightly off perpendicular on the T of TRUST. The T is so near perpendicular that the vertical bar is exactly (plus or minus .0003") double. A small notch at the upper left of T also indicates it is slightly off the perpendicular.

The last photo shows that the lettering is still doubled to the East. Notice that the horizontal corners have now gone from the bottoms of the letters on the left to the tops of the letters on the right. This is the final proof of a Class IV east shift.

Due to the new finding of this rarest type of doubling, and years of records to indicate the scarcity of this coin, the doubled die records will be changed as follows: From 1936 1c 3-0-V to 1936 1c 3-0-IV.

As far as doubled dies go, I would personally pick up as many copies of this one as possible, and if I had the money, I'd pay $100 to $200 for BU copies. When the collecting public at large gets word of this new finding, prices are liable to skyrocket, and this doubled die could become one of the most sought after doubled dies of the earlier years.

For more information about the Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America (CONECA), see:
https://conecaonline.org/

BELGIAN SEWER WORKER STRIKES GOLD

For a student with a summer job working on a Belgian building site, “money down the drain” has taken on a whole new meaning: excavating the trenches for a sewage system, he stumbled across a hidden trove of gold worth an estimated €9m (£8m).

“We suddenly saw something lying there,” 18-year-old Kobe told the Belgian news network VTM. “At first I thought it was €1 coins. So we started digging them up. Then we saw a gold bar. It turned out to be a bit more than we thought.”

The student, who has not been further identified, was working with colleagues on the site of a former brewery on Van Langenhovestraat in Sint-Gillis-Dendermonde, about 19 miles (30km) north-west of Brussels, when they made the discovery on Tuesday.

The hoard, which includes gold coins, nuggets and numbered bullion bars, was stashed in a bag in a bricked-in cellar wall beneath the grand villa originally built for the brewery's owner, Theophilus Van Assche, in the late 19th century.

Kobe said: "It's just not something you expect when you're working on a regular Tuesday morning," adding that the treasure trove appeared to have been deliberately hidden. "It was really bricked in there – not in a safe or anything."

Brewing on the site began in 1899 and ceased in 1970, and the listed property – the wrought-iron gates of which still bear the initials "VA" – is being completely renovated by the social welfare organisation CAW Oost-Vlaanderen to create new offices and housing.

To read the complete article, see:
Belgian student strikes gold worth €9m while digging a new sewer (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/14/belgian-student-strikes-gold-worth-9m-while-digging-sewers)

For other coverage, see:
$10 Million in Gold Found Buried Under Former Brewery in Belgium (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ydzg0dnz7o)
Construction Workers Dig Up Mysterious $10M Gold Stash While Working on Sewer System (https://people.com/construction-workers-find-gold-stash-with-estimated-worth-of-usd10m-12059840)
$10 Million in Gold Found Buried Under Former Brewery in Belgium (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/15/world/europe/gold-bars-coins-belgium.html)

AI IS STILL HOOVERING UP BOOKS

Anthropic can finally start cutting checks to a group of authors and book publishers that sued the AI lab over copyright infringement. A federal judge gave final approval ... of Anthropic's landmark $1.5 billion settlement of a class action copyright lawsuit, Reuters reported.

The payout will deliver $3,000 per work across an estimated 500,000 works, shared among the authors and publishers who hold rights to them. While the settlement is believed to be the largest in the history of U.S. copyright law, many authors and creators still don't view it as a win.

That's because of how the legal question was resolved. Alsup sided with Anthropic on the core issue. He ruled that training an AI model on copyrighted text counts as fair use — a decision widely seen as a turning point for the AI industry. But the ruling didn't excuse how Anthropic obtained the books in the first place. Anthropic had built its training library from two sources: books it purchased and scanned (fine), and books it downloaded from pirate sites like Library Genesis and Pirate Library Mirror. Alsup found the second method illegal on its own terms and said that piracy question could go to trial; Anthropic agreed to a settlement soon after to avoid a trial and whatever damages a jury might have awarded.

While the final approval closes out this case, it doesn't settle the legal question industrywide because Alsup's ruling was a single district court decision, and Anthropic's decision to settle means the case will never reach an appeals court to become binding precedent.

Other judges are still free to reach their own conclusions on their own facts, which is exactly what's playing out elsewhere. There is still a string of copyright lawsuits against companies such as Google, Meta, Midjourney, and OpenAI over whether it's legal to train AI models on copyrighted works.

To read the complete article, see:
Anthropic's landmark $1.5B copyright settlement is approved (https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/20/anthropics-landmark-1-5b-copyright-settlement-is-approved/)

As AI companies search for more training data to improve their models, one company is offering old, printed books as an ideal source because they are guaranteed to be free of the very AI slop AI companies are producing. 

"The world's best AI training data is sitting on a shelf," ISBNdb, a company that produces what it claims is "the world's largest book database," and that offers high-volume book acquisition services for AI companies, says on its site. "Books represent curated, peer-reviewed, domain-specific human knowledge, structured in a way no web crawl can replicate. Dense, edited, authoritative.

To read the complete article (subscription required), see:
AI Companies Are Buying Tons of Old Books Because They're Free of AI Slop (https://www.404media.co/ai-companies-are-buying-tons-of-old-books-because-theyre-free-of-ai-slop/)

From Galway to Berlin and beyond, independent booksellers across Europe agree that something very strange is going on.

Last May Tomès Kenny of famous Galway book retailer Kennys received what he describes as a "bananas" online order for 5,000 books. But it was less the scale of the order that caught his eye and more its eclectic selection.

"Some was high-quality non-fiction, like A History of Connemara, and the next thing might be The Eddie Hobbs Guide to your SSIA," said Kenny.

Large orders are nothing new for the kennys.ie website. It was only the second bookshop in the world to launch a website in 1994 and it is popular with large institutions, such as Asian universities seeking to stock shelves in newly opened English libraries.

But when publicly funded institutions contact him, they usually negotiate a bulk price. May's online order – with no haggling – sent up a second red flag.

Booksellers say it is not unusual for these orders to range from €10,000-€50,000, welcome income amid an ongoing earthquake in their industry thanks to Amazon and other online booksellers. Yet many fear that, with these bulk orders, they may be signing their own death warrant.

What is happening and its legality depends, however, on where it is happening. European booksellers say they have noticed a shift in the mass orders, away from costly shipping of titles across the Atlantic to addresses around Europe. The suspicion is that these are collection points for books, which are then shipped in bulk in containers to the US.

To read the complete article, see:
A ‘bananas' order for 5,000 obscure titles from a bookshop in Galway fuels suspicion (https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2026/08/10/a-mysterious-buying-spree-is-unsettling-europes-booksellers/)

LOOSE CHANGE: AUGUST 16, 2026

Stolen Art Recovered in Italy and Brazil

If 2025 was the year of the museum robbery, perhaps 2026 will be the year of the recovery. On Friday, Italian police announced that they had recovered three artworks stolen in March from the Fondazione Magnani Rocca near Parma in Northern Italy, according to Reuters.

The recovered paintings are Paul Cezanne's Still Life with Cherries (1890), Pierre-Auguste Renoir's late-career Les Poissons (1917), and Henri Matisse's Odalisque on the Terrace (1922).

Their collective value is said to be in excess of $10.4 million. A report by the BBC in March noted that Les Poissons, the sole oil on canvas, is worth the most, valued at around €6 million ($6.9 million). The Cézanne and Matisse are both works on paper.

To read the complete article, see:
Italian Police Recover $10 M. Worth of Artworks by Cezanne, Matisse, and Renoir (artnews.com/art-news/news/italian-police-recover-artworks-cezanne-matisse-and-renoir-1234794996/)

The police in Brazil recovered eight stolen works by Henri Matisse on Thursday, officials said, months after armed men made off with them from a library in São Paulo.

The police tracked the pieces, which belong to the French master's 1947 series called “Jazz,” to an apartment in the suburb of São Bernardo do Campo, the São Paulo city government and the police said.

The pieces were stolen in December from the Mário de Andrade Library, São Paulo's largest, during public viewing hours. Along with the eight Matisses, the thieves also took five works by the Brazilian modernist painter Candido Portinari, the authorities said.

To read the complete article, see:
8 Matisse Works, Looted from Library in Brazil, Are Recovered (nytimes.com/2026/08/14/world/americas/matisse-stolen-art-found-sao-paulo-brazil-heist.html)

On the morning of February 6, 1961, a graduate student and dormitory aide at the University of Pittsburgh reported Picasso's painting "Femme dans un fauteuil" (1918) missing from the Students Union building. The 13.5-by-10.5-inch oil had been on loan from the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation for an exhibition in the fall semester, and was due to be returned to the museum later that month. The school reported the theft to the Pittsburgh Police Department and the FBI was swiftly brought in to investigate, but despite a slew of news articles, notifications to institutions across North America, and a reward for information, the case went cold.

More than six decades later, the Guggenheim says the painting has turned up, and it is headed to court to get it back.

In a lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court this week, the Guggenheim Foundation accused Massachusetts residents Lawrence Jay Handler and Wendy Cohen Handler of unlawfully withholding the painting, disregarding the museum's ownership rights, and unjustly benefiting from possessing stolen property.

According to court filings, the Handlers purchased "Femme dans un fauteuil" from Beadleston Fine Art in Manhattan in 1999, nearly 40 years after it went missing in Pittsburgh. But the Guggenheim learned of the painting's reappearance only in July 2023, when a researcher at Christie's who was looking into the work for a private sale consignment brought it to the museum's attention.

To read the complete article, see:
A Picasso Vanished in 1961. The Guggenheim Now Wants It Back (hyperallergic.com/a-picasso-vanished-in-1961-the-guggenheim-now-wants-it-back/)

For decades, the 1990 theft of 13 artworks from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum — now valued at more than $500 million — has remained unsolved.

It remains the largest art theft in history — far surpassing more recent museum thefts, including a daylight heist at the Louvre involving far fewer works that was resolved more quickly. In 2013, the FBI said it knew who was responsible for the Boston museum heist but declined to name them, fueling speculation that persists today.

A former FBI agent who led the investigation for more than two decades is now offering the first detailed account of how investigators reached that conclusion — and publicly identifying the men he believes were involved. In a new book, "Thirteen Perfect Fugitives," Geoffrey Kelly traces how the artworks moved through criminal networks, where violence took the lives of key suspects and witnesses, and challenges long-circulating theories by revisiting key details.

To read the complete article, see:
nside the world's largest art heist when over $500M of paintings were stolen from a Boston museum (https://apnews.com/article/isabella-stewart-gardner-museum-art-heist-boston-512da0322ce5c93c1bbafc7a5e228b2c)

FEATURED WEBSITE: THE LAST MUSEUM

This week's Featured Website is The Last Museum, an online search engine images of some 6.3 million artworks held in museum collections around the world, searchable by "theme, style, subject, vibes, or any description you can imagine."

https://lastmuseum.com/

ABOUT THIS ISSUE: AUGUST 16, 2026

Wayne Homren
Wayne Homren is the founding editor of The E-Sylum and a consultant for the Newman Numismatic Portal. His collecting interests at various times included U.S. Encased Postage Stamps, merchant counterstamps, Pittsburgh Obsolete paper money, Civil War tokens and scrip, Carnegie Hero Medals, charge coins and numismatic literature. He also collects and has given presentations on the work of Money Artist J.S.G. Boggs. In the non-numismatic world he's worked in artificial intelligence, data science, and as a Program Manager for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Garrett Ziss
Garrett Ziss is a numismatic collector and researcher, with a focus on American paper money and early U.S. silver and copper coins. He is also a part-time U.S. coin cataloger for Heritage Auctions. Garrett assists Editor Wayne Homren by editing and formatting a selection of articles and images each week. When he's not engaged in numismatics, Garrett is pursuing a Master's Degree in Quantitative Economics at the University of Pittsburgh.

Pete Smith
Numismatic researcher and author Pete Smith of Minnesota has written about early American coppers, Vermont coinage, numismatic literature, tokens and medals, the history of the U.S. Mint and much more. Author of American Numismatic Biographies, he contributes original articles to The E-Sylum often highlighting interesting figures in American numismatic history.

Greg Bennick
Greg Bennick (www.gregbennick.com) is a keynote speaker and long time coin collector with a focus on major mint error coins and US counterstamps. He is on the board of both CONECA and TAMS and enjoys having in-depth conversations with prominent numismatists from all areas of the hobby. Have ideas for other interviewees? Contact him anytime via instagram @minterrors. He can also be reached by email at minterrors@gmail.com.

John Nebel
Numismatist, photographer, and ANS Board member and Fellow John Nebel of Boulder, CO helped the ANA and other clubs like NBS get online in the early days of the internet, hosting websites gratis through his Computer Systems Design Co. To this day he hosts some 50 ANA member club sites along with our coinbooks.org site, making the club and our E-Sylum archive available to collectors and researchers worldwide.

Bruce Perdue
Encased coinage collector (encasedcoins.info) Bruce Perdue of Aurora, Illinois has been the volunteer NBS webmaster from its early days and works each week to add the latest E-Sylum issue to our archive and send out the email announcement.