Why I Haven't Been Around Lately AND A Partial Book Review-Two Threads In One!

[TomB]

Some of the board members might have noticed that I have either not posted much lately or that I have been lax in my timely response to any PM sent to me. I apologize for any lengthy response time to a PM, but I have been busy. A few weeks ago my loving 22-month old daughter game me strep throat, which landed me in the hospital for a day and on steroids and antibiotics for a week. It was fairly taxing. Of course, as soon as I felt well again my wife went into labor and we now have a one-week old baby girl. All the girls (mom, older sister Haley and younger sister Ashley) are doing well, but dad has been running around like a maniac. Luckily, big sister Haley absolutely adores little sister Ashley and has been hugging her, sharing toys with her and helping to wrap her in blankets since we all came home from the hospital. Here is the web premier of Haley and Ashley together-

 

This Morning 1

This Morning 2

This Morning 3

 

During my small bit of free time I have been starting to read a book published in 1984 by Bowers and Merena that contains the collected numismatic correspondence of Walter Nichols. It seems that Nichols’ father-in-law was S. Benton Emery, who had amassed a large collection of 19th and early 20th century proof coinage. Nichols kept this collection intact and added significantly to it. Many of the additions occurred in the 1930s, while the nation was in a deep depression, but while Nichols job as a CPA kept him employed and financially sound.

 

I have not read the entire book, but looking through the letters of the years of 1931 and 1932 shows some amazing things. For example, Nichols bought a complete Panama-Pacific framed set from Scott Stamp and Coin for $389, which was delivered to his bank until his check was cleared and then the bank delivered it to him. Further, he purchased another complete, framed Panama-Pacific set from MH Bolender for $460 where Bolender described it as being “in perfect condition”. Remember, these sets contain two $50 issues, both round and octagonal, as well as the $2.5 and $1 gold and half dollar. He was also able to buy, and did buy, uncirculated fractional currency directly from the Treasury Department at face value! Apparently, anyone could buy fractional currency at face value at this time, though the practice was not publicized. Additionally, there is a plethora of letters from banks across the nation that he had contacted in his search for old-style notes that had been withdrawn from circulation. Almost every bank responded by telling Nichols that they would choose the nicest obsolete notes from their vaults and send them to him at face value. An interesting letter from the Treasury Department in 1932 informed Nichols that the Denver Mint had fewer than $3.00 face value of 1929 cents on-hand and that they could not, at that time, sell them to him. Lastly, there were several offers of $4 Stellas at $125 for a proof, $85 for a VF and $95 for another proof. The Treasury Department also informed him that they were honoring his request for four 1932 Washington quarters from each mint and sending them to him. I do not know if he bought the Stellas, but he did buy several complete Panama-Pacific sets and also bought all the currency offered to him.

 

Some of the coins he sold at this time to other collectors include proof Seated half dollars at $1 each and an 1815/2 CBH for $2. The condition of the coins is not listed. There is little information on the other coins that Nichols sold as these letters are letters sent to him and not letters that he wrote.

 

There is so much more to read in this book as it goes through 1941, and the materials offered and discussed are incredible. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in numismatic history and I obtained my copy off of ebay from South Park Coins for $3.74, which was well worth it!

[truthteller]

Hoorah! TomB is back.

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations on the new birth.

 

 

 

 

Hope you are feeling much better.

 

 

 

TRUTH

[supertooth]

Tom B----Wow!! A dedicated Numismatist. Sick---Has a Baby Girl---And still has time to read about coins. Congrats, my friend!! Bob [supertooth]

[jtryka]

Congrats on your new baby Tom! Glad to hear you are feeling better and your wife and new baby are well.

 

Great info on those letters, absolutely amazing! Direct dealing with mint, treasury and bank officials like that are things none of us are likely to ever see in our lifetimes.

[cpm9ball]

Welcome back MR. DAD!!! Best wishes for you and your family during the coming holidays and any other time, for that matter.

 

That book sounds really interesting, too!!

 

Chris

[jom]

Welcome back, Tom! And Congrads on the new addition!

 

Just think, now you can get strep throat from both kids.

 

jom

[chinook]

Congrats on the new addition.

 

I have 2 small kids also. 1 and 3. Both boys. You have my sympathies

[DaveG]

Tom,

 

You've got a couple of real cuties there!

 

 

 

(By the way, you do realize that you're going to have two teenage girls in the house at the same time. Yer Doomed )

[michael]

[Hoot]

 

Hoot

[JamminJ]

Lovely children.

[Oldtrader3]

Cute babies, congratulations! Nice to have you back.

[ArtR]

Tom, congratulations to you and your wife on the new arrival.

[dena]

Your daughters are beautiful! Congratulations

[HaydenTubbs]

Welcome back Tom and congratulations on the new addition to the family!

That book sounds most interesting and I will most definately have to pick up a copy.

 

-Hayden

[EVillageProwler]

Congratulations, Tom!

[Beijim]

Tom, congratulations on your new daughter! It's good to have you back.

 

Beijim

[gmarguli]

Congrats Tom!!! I hope you and your newly expanded family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

[IGWT]

Congratulations, Tom. I also have 2 girls; the younger is 8 (soon to be 9), and the older is 12. The estrogen/testosterone imbalance in our household has served to civilize me.

 

Thanks for the book report. I also just received a book from South Park Coins, a 1977 reprint of Illustrated History of the United States Mint by George C. Evans (1891). It includes a description of the minting process and how it evolved 1792-1891. "Recent" sale prices, plates of coins, and biographical sketches of Mint officials are included. South Park offers some really great opportunities to "buy the book first."

 

Good luck getting by on 5 hrs. of sleep for the next month or two.

[Bruceswar]

congrats to you....Oddly enough I was in your neck of the woods.... the North East... but it seems you had a full plate... The North East was a great getaway.... I enjoyed it. Hope all is well