Jeff Shevlin the "So-Called Guy" writes:

Regarding so-called dollars, certainly the ultimate in the series, or close contenders, are the silver dollar size and obverse design embossed shell cards of 1867, 1868, and 1869. These use obverses stamped from dies, to which a metal reverse or a cardboard reverse is attached. They were produced during a time when silver dollars were not seen in circulation in the East or Midwest. Many of them were imprinted to be worth something if brought into a store. While most so-called dollars are really medals, this are about as close to a real dollar as you can get without actually being one!

Harry Lessin, John Ford, Steve Tanenbaum and others wanted to get a book out on these, as did the Token and Medal Society. Although TAMS has had articles, most notably a series started in 1961 by Ralph Mitchell and Russell Rulau, no one has ever had enough of these together to study them, except the late Steve Tanenbaum, who set about in 1977 forming a definitive holding. He eventually acquired what he wanted from the great collections, including Ralph Mitchell, Ray Byrne, John J. Ford, Jr. (with David Proskey and F.C.C. Boyd collections), and more.

That said, I am using Steve Tanenbaum's work as the basis for a book, which is well underway. More information will be found in forthcoming issues of the TAMS Journal, Fred Reed editor. Any E-Sylum readers with information to share will be welcomed�"just contact me at qdbarchive@metrocast.net

Jeff Shevlin adds:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:QUERY: WHY IS THE DOLLAR CALLED A DOLLAR?(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v14n40a11.html)