Craig writes:

Bill responds:

Craig writes:

I quite well remember what an advantage the Mint was to us who lived in Philadelphia, for we had the privilege of going to the institution and had the privilege of selecting from trays or drawers subdivided for every date. From these I procured some excellent specimens of cents for their face value; and many of us collectors, knowing this channel, thus secured cheap cents. We also took precaution to lay aside quantities of fine pieces to trade with, and for some years afterwards, the market was well stocked with cents. The employees of the Mint, however, soon learned to know the increasing value of these coins, and also commenced laying aside the finer pieces and more unusual dates. Our game was blocked by this discovery, for we saw thence forward that the desirable cents were missing.

Craig continues:

Craig adds:

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
NOTES FROM E-SYLUM READERS: JULY 25, 2021 : Frossard's Essay on Coin Collecting(https://www.coinbooks.org/v24/club_nbs_esylum_v24n30.html)