Tuesday July 16, 2019 was special in two ways - it was the first time my Northern Virginia numismatic social group Nummis Nova began meeting on the 3rdTuesday of the month (to avoid conflict with the recently-formed Fairfax Coin Club), and it was a night when we welcomed several out-of-town guests and twosurprise visitors.

We met at J. Gilbert's restaurant in Mclean, VA. Joining us would be my friend Tom Uram and four of his fellow members of the Citizen's CoinageAdvisory Committee (CCAC), who were in town for an official meeting the next day. Also joining us was my old friend Pat McBride who accompanied Tom on hisdrive from Western Pennsylvania, where both are heavily involved with the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists.

I started off by welcoming everyone and kicking off a long round of introductions that was stopped and started a few times to allow for the waitstaffto do their jobs. I understand everyone enjoyed their meal, which is our usual experience at this place (Photo by Tom Kays).

Our Nummis Nova attendees included regulars Steve Bishop, former CCAC member Roger Burdette, Joe Esposito, Wayne Herndon, Wayne Homren, Tom Kays, Jon Radel,Eric Schena and Dave Schenkman.

Current CCAC member visitors included Erik Jansen, Mary Lannin, Don Scarinci, Jeanne Stevens-Sollman and Tom Uram.

Clockwise from left: Roger Burdette, Erik Jansen, Steve Bishop (hidden), Joe Esposito, Jon Radel, Jeanne Stevens-Sollman, Wayne Homren (standing), MaryLannin (hidden), Don Scarinci (hidden), Wayne Herndon, Tom Uram. Pat McBride, Dave Schenkman and Eric Schena (Photo by Tom Kays)

But we had a couple of surprise visitors as well. I had been driving to the restaurant after work when Tom Uram phoned me to let me know he and Pat hadalready arrived and been shown our room. They were waiting in the bar.

Just a few minutes later I got an excited call from Tom - "you'll never guess who we just ran into here!! - Dick Peterson!!" Richard Petersonsucceeded Ed Moy in Mint leadership and was the longest-serving acting director/deputy director in the U.S. Mint's history, serving from January 2011through March 2017. He was succeeded by acting directors Rhett Jeppson and David Moti until the appointment of David J. Ryder in 2018.

Dick was there meeting with two former Mint colleagues, Jon Cameron and Beverly Ortega Babers, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management and Budgetat the Department of the Treasury. Later Dick and Jon stopped by to visit with everyone (Photo courtesy Tom Uram and a willing bystander).

Tom Uram

In another surprise, Tom announced that a bill was about to be introduced in the House of Representatives for 2021 Commemorative Silver dollars. Partof the surcharge would benefit numismatics, and the coins are sure to please collectors - they include 2021-dated reissues of the Morgan and Peace silverdollar designs, including pieces struck at the old Carson City mint building and bearing the CC mint mark. He and fellow CCAC member Mike Moran had beenpromoting the concept quietly for months.

Tom sent me a copy of the legislation right before I left my office. I printed a copy out and brought it to the meeting where everyone present signed it. Iplan to donate this great piece to the upcoming NBS fundraising donation auction. If you collect silver dollars or numismatic ephemera, be prepared to bid.

To read the complete Coin World article, see:
Legislation seeks 2021-CC Morgandollar struck at old Carson City Mint (https://www.coinworld.com/news/us-coins/legislation-seeks-2021-cc-morgan-dollar-struck-at-old-carson-city-mint)

Tom also brought along copies of a photo booklet he created on the Numismatic Journey of the Apollo 11 Commemorative Coin. The CCAC was involved inpromoting and choosing designs for this coin honoring Saturday's 50th anniversary of the historic July 20, 1969 moon landing.

Pat McBride

Pat brought envelopes with two numismatic presents for everyone at the dinner. First is an unused check for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company,probably the biggest, richest and best known company in the country in its day.

The second item is from the estate of numismatic literature dealer John H. Burns - a similarly unused check from the coin shop he operated for a time in theWilkinsburg area near Pittsburgh - John's Gold and Silver Exchange.

With Pat's current hairstyle a number of people have remarked to him that he looks a lot like Benjamin Franklin. So going all in, he's planning tobe a Franklin impersonator at upcoming Pittsburgh-area coin shows. He showed off his Franklin spectacles and fur hat that Franklin adopted to declare hishumble frontier American roots to the French. Pat explained that Franklin was a city dweller (Boston, New York, Philadelphia) and never visited the Americanfrontier, but the French ate it up and invited him everywhere (Photo by Tom Kays).

Dave Schenkman

Dave writes:

Dave's other exhibits included a great 1802-1902 Scovill Manufacturing Company centennial medal and a 1732 Windisch-Gratz taler.

Dave adds:

Dave can always be counted on to bring some amazing numismatic material.

Joe Esposito
Joe writes:

Steve Bishop

Steve Bishop took the prize for largest numismatic item - a sea-salvaged 1756 Swedish plate money 4 Daler piece.

Tom's Take
This section is authored and illustrated by Tom Kays. Thanks!

Tom writes:

FROM LEFT: Pat McBride, Dave Schenkman, Eric Schena. STANDING: Dick Peterson, Jon Cameron

Mary Lannin writes:

The Ivanpah mining note is pictured above with Dave Schenkman's other material. Here are images of some of my early Washington, DC lottery tickets, withthree different names for the under-construction city.

Group Photo

Clockwise from left: Roger Burdette, Erik Jansen, Steve Bishop, Wayne Homren, Joe Esposito, Tom Kays, Jon Radel, Jeanne Stevens-Sollman, Mary Lannin(hidden), Don Scarinci, Wayne Herndon, Tom Uram. Pat McBride, Dave Schenkman (Photo by Eric Schena)

Our meetings are always enjoyable, but our guests made this quite a special evening. Thanks to everyone who attended and assisted with this article.'Til next time!