But I'd never want to be "independent" of my collection!!

Looks like in the USA we'll be celebrating another year of independence as we have been doing since 1776. If my quick calculations are correct, that means "we" have officially been a country for about 232 years. And a very young country in comparison to England, France, Greece, Italy. Those countries were already "around" hundreds of years before "we" ever came to be. There are homes, places of business in these other countries that are older than "we" are as a nation....pretty incredible if you think about it.

As a young country, "we" are still learning and are a part of a grand experiment that most of the time works, sometimes falls short, never perfect as humanity was created imperfect.

I am thinking, and almost certain that the coins "we" create here in America will be like those ancient homes and businesses in Europe, the homes of most of our ancestors, the coins will be the "shining city on a hill" that will last throughout time, and remain as beautiful as the idea of democrcy herself.

Makes me a very proud numismaniac who happens to live in America.

Enjoy the holiday, and your coins!!