Bob Leuver on Tom Noe
Bob Leuver writes:

Having spent 16 years in the foreign service and civil service, I understand, but not empathize, with political retribution. My understanding was sharpened as I interacted with the Congressand was able to plumb the the inherent code of political power. I could cite so many examples to which I was privy.

Tom Noe did receive a sentence within the law. Was it an excessive sentence? I have always thought so and did write a letter earlier asking for a pardon. Tom overturned the political balance, atleast for several years, in Ohio. The Toledo Blade and the authors, who "uncovered" Tom's crime took particular delight in promoting a sentence that might equate with treason. And, I doubt ifthe paper and authors will back off now.

Tom is a political captive!

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NEW BOOK: COINGATE (http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n53a02.html)

Bob Leuver on Trump's Challenge Coin
Bob Leuver writes:

"To the victor's belong the spoils!" Trump has been assailed by many names and psychological epithets, particularly that of a narcissist. I think the current presidential medal bespeaks thenarcissistic value that the press and his "enemies" tend to heap on him. But, there are aspects of that medal that are relevant to the politics of today and the change that Trump hasaccomplished in international relations and domestic programs. No matter your political persuasion, this medal, for the sake of history, will in twenty years, be historically memorable, whereas otherpresidential medals will fade as historical, and be only noteworthy to numismatists.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
TRUMP UNVEILS CHALLENGE COIN (http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n53a20.html)

Brasher Doubloon Novel Brings $10,000
Joel Orosz writes:

Every year-end, the American Book Exchange (ABE) tallies up the list of their most expensive sales. Although it didn't quite make the top 20 list, The High Window, by RaymondChandler, sold for $10,000, more than a first edition of Dickens' A Christmas Carol. (See the third and fourth entries under "More Notable Sales" on the linked article). The plot of TheHigh Window turns around the theft of a Brasher Doubloon. Indeed, when the novel served as the basis for a movie, the film was entitled "The Brasher Doubloon."

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
AbeBooks' Most Expensive Sales of 2017 (https://www.abebooks.com/collectibles/most-expensive-sales/2017/)

More on the Eliasberg 1872-CC Quarter
Saul Teichman writes:

With regard to the pedigree on the Eliasberg 1872-CC quarter which supposedly came from Isaac Excell, the pedigree in the catalog was incorrect. Clapp actually purchased the Gem Unc piece at theWetmore sale along with many other CC pieces including the 1870-CC quarter as noted in the named copy on the Newman portal.

If Clapp had purchased one previous to the Wetmore coin from Mr. Excell, it was not the one sold in the Eliasberg sale.

The B.G. Johnson invoices do show Unc 1872-CC quarters.

My guess is the Mehl-Kelly listing which is noted as a Col. Green coin when Mehl had it, was earlier in the Prominent American (Granberg) auction and is likely the piece later in the Norwebcollection, probably among the CC mint coins the Norwebs purchased in 1954 which appear to be ex H.M. Budd. The Kagin coin is likely an AU example by today's standards.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
ISAAC EXCELL (1846-1925) (http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n53a11.html)

More on Charity Tokens
"Etienne LePen" writes:

Charity tokens were very common among Jewish Organizations, especially the wearable types (to show that one has given).

In the charity-money range, Jewish orgs had several forms of receipts for payments. One in particular - the Kollel certificate (Kollel being a sort of Yeshiva-School or Madras, dare I say), wereso common and so acceptable as payment, that the Czar (or more localized officials) would accept them as tax payments.

Also attached is one of these Charity Chits (small value of 25 Bani=Romania) from the Satmars (city of Satu Mare, as Hasidic Dynasties would usually take their names from the Cities they served),which was both in Hungary and Romania at different times.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
1904 Beirut Charity Token (http://www.coinbooks.org/v20/esylum_v20n53a14.html)