The August meeting of my numismatic social group Nummis Nova was delayed a week due the the American Numismatic Association World's Fair of Money in Philadelphia. OnTuesday the 21st I headed to Bowie, MD after work. Julian Leidman was our host and we were meeting at Jerry's Seafoods, home of the Crab Bomb.

We had a low turnout due to the post-convention lull and distance from our usual Northern Virginia haunts. But a fine time was had by the attendees, which besides Julian andmyself were our guest Michael Merrill and regulars Jon Radel and Steve Bishop.

As usual I brought along recent numismatic literature acquisitions including Dave Bowers new Vermont Copper book and John Dannreuther's two part volume book on UnitedStates proof gold coins still in shrinkwrap. I toyed with the idea of filming an "unboxing" video but opted to keep the books protected from the cornucopia of food ourserver brought out, from soup and appetizers to the famous Crab Bombs (Michael and I got the spicy Firecracker versions).

For more information on the books, see:
NEW BOOK: THE COPPER COINS OF VERMONT (http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n25a03.html)
NEW BOOK: U.S. PROOF GOLD COINS VOL IV: GOLD (http://www.coinbooks.org/v21/esylum_v21n07a02.html)

Julian asked Michael if he remembered Carl Carlson. He did, and recounted a story about visiting Carl in 1975 when he was the numismatic curator at Evergreen House in charge ofJohns Hopkins University's Garrett collection. Carl asked Michael if he'd like to see some of the coins. After receiving an affirmative reply (Duh, who would say no?),Carl reached down to the floor and pulled back a large oriental rug. Beneath it was a hidden hatch which opened to reveal a set of stairs. Carl descended and returned with a trayof coins.

The tray included some gorgeous U.S. silver dollars. Michael asked if he could pick some up for a closer look. He got the OK, but then managed to drop one, which hit the edgeof the table on the way to the floor. Mortified, Michael profusely apologized. Carl said "Before, that was the finest known." After a pause, he continued: "andit's still the finest known."

Michael also remembered visiting Evergreen House for a lecture by Louis Eliasberg about his own top-notch U.S. coin collection. Eliasberg was able to start forming it in the1930s when he was a businessman fortunate to have money during the Great Depression. Eliasberg's wealth came after he founded the Finance Corporation of America.

Later in the evening the discussion turned to Dell Loy Hansen's quest to extend Eliasberg's feat to the present day. Michael asked Julian about the Hansen 1866 LibertySeated Dollar. Julian recalled that he sold the piece to Jimmy Hayes for $850. That was a lot of money at the time (probably the 1970s), but the coin was and remains the finestknown.

Julian adds:

Steve's Beauties
Steve Bishop brought a number of interesting items, as usual. He kindly forwarded these images.

This was a little tough to view in person, but the 2 overstuck on the 0 is clearly evident. Scarce piece.

Steve's great for picking up nice toned dollars. The 1881-S is a beauty.

A busy design, but still a nice medal.

Steve kindly reversed the images for us - these printing blocks are hard to read in reverse. I wonder what publication they were made for? Steve mentioned that it could havebeen a newspaper as well as a book.

We enjoyed looking at this one. An unusual modern piece. What a great variety of nice numismatic stuff!

As the evening wore down I gathered my things and bid the group adeiu. It was a fun and enjoyable dinner. Next month's meeting will roll around soon as we get back onto ourregular schedule. I'll be our host in Ashburn, VA.