I took several numismatic books with me to read on vacation, as it seems I am always behind in my reading. The first one I started is Million Dollar Nickels, the story of the 1913 Liberty Head nickels. I really have been enjoying it. I came to the part where former owners are discussed. When I came to the name of J. V. McDermott it brought back memories.

I first subscribed to the Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine around 1953 or 54. McDermott always was the first advertiser listed. He usually had a five or six page ad. I started to buy coins from him with money I made from my paper route. I did not have a checking account at that time, so my mother had to write a check to pay for the coins.

She was not happy sending checks to Mac's address, which was always "care of general delivery" where ever he happened to be at the time. He was in South Milwaukee in the summer, then made his way to Texas, then Arizona as it got colder.

Mac later sent me a photo of his 1913 nickel, and wrote on it, "Don't try to spend this one, Mac"

I wonder if some of our readers have memories of this colorful dealer and his famous nickel.