Welcome to The Asylum's Summer 2025 digital edition.

In this issue:

Message from NBS President Len Augsburger

Welcome to our spring issue, as always capably orchestrated by our editor, Maria Fanning. We are grateful for your article contributions, and the wide array of content demonstrates active interest in numismatic literature and research. While spending time with The Asylum and our numismatic libraries is always pleasant, there is no substitute for in-person interaction, and we hope to see many of you at the ANA convention this summer. I like to think there is something inherently human about face-face contact, and for this reason I have no fear that coin shows will disappear. Perhaps there will be consolidation or other evolution, but people like to get together and always have. While online connection is a useful supplement, in-person connection remains richer and more nuanced.

Although this year's ANA summer convention is not in the most accessible location (Oklahoma City), almost all the people I've communicated with expect to attend, albeit with a bit of grumbling about the site selection, mostly in proportion to their distance from the convention center. Be that as it may, we are planning on our usual NBS programming, including the NBS Symposium on Thursday (August 21) and the NBS General Meeting on Friday (August 22). The Symposium highlights recently published works, and, if you are so inclined to present, do contact me directly. The General Meeting will feature our annual Benefit Auction, which features a variety of numismatic literature. Please or David Fanning (df@numislit.com) if you wish to donate material to this sale.

Enjoy this current issue of The Asylum, and we hope to see you at the ANA convention in August!

Please renew your membership in the NBS to continue receiving The Asylum. Go to coinbooks.org to pay by PayPal or download a membership form today. Your current expiration date is printed to the right of your name on your subscription envelope, which should be arriving soon.