New subscribers this week include: Douglas Adams. Welcome aboard! We now have 1,956 subscribers.

I endured a hard drive crash earlier this week but managed to get back on my feet quickly and complete this issue. However, some emails may have been lost. If you've been in touch with me lately and haven't gotten a reply, please resend your note.

This week we open with a numismatic literature sale from CNG, one new book and one review, followed by the latest report on additions to the Newman Numismatic Portal.

Other topics this week include the first Civil War token, coal scrip, literature dealer Frank Katen, an important 1873 letter from the Director of the Mint, the demise of the U.S. Half Dollar, fake proof 2015 American Eagles, the NLG Clemmy award and the world's most beautiful banknotes.

To learn more about the Library of Coins and Treasury of Coins, gold ducats of the Netherlands, Cincinnati die sinker John Stanton, Johann David Schöpf's Travels, Katen's Koin Kapers, Lou Gehrig's Baseball Hall of Fame plaque, medals by Kauko Räsänen and Sven Havsteen-Mikkelse and Bar Kokhba coins found in Kentucky, read on. Have a great week, everyone!

Wayne Homren
Editor, The E-Sylum