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The latest issue of The John Reich Journal sent to the membership is Volume 16/ Issue 3, whole number 49, issued June 2005. This completed the issues for the fiscal year and members were requested to send their dues of $20 for membership and receipt of volume 17 of the journal. Any members not having received their copy of this journal are encouraged to contact Brad for a replacement copy.
The journal begins with my call for members to bring any examples of their E and L counterstamped quarters of 1815 and 1825 to the upcoming ANA in San Francisco for study. The previous article by Ted McAuley that appeared in 16/1 reinvigorated the interest in these interesting numismatic anomalies. Another look at the coins themselves was in order by current students to gain insight into their possible manufacturing methods. Even though no new revelations were revealed at the meeting, everyone there enjoyed the opportunity to view numerous specimens.
Edgar Souders then follows with another of his interesting articles about the Capped Bust Half Dollars. This one, "Capped Bust Half Dollars; The Unknowns?" dealt with the odd raised marks found on some of the marriages in this series. The marriages of 1809 O102, 110,107 and 109, 1812 O109, 1814 O107, 1827 O123, and 1828 O123 are reviewed.
Bill Luebke then shares some of his personal experiences in collecting Bust Dollars with the membership. His purchases of some rare Bust Dollar die marriages are presented for the enjoyment of the membership.
Next, Brad Higgins reviews his use of all three editions of the Overton tome for studying the die states of Capped Bust Half Dollars that he collects. His use of the first edition of the work, one that many collectors refuse to even open, for die state clues is very insightful. His study of the marriages of 1818 O105 and 106 is chronicled in the article.
The official minutes of the 2004 meeting of the society at the Pittsburgh ANA follows Brad's article. Steve Crain, our secretary, annually publishes the minutes in the pre-ANA issue of the journal for review of the membership. Steve could not attend this years ANA due to illness, but is recovering nicely and plans to resume his duties immediately.
Steve Herrman then published the newest rarity rating updates for the lettered edge half dollar series from 1794-1836 as determined by the Bust Half Nut Club. The ongoing research of this club is reported on a regular basis in our journal for the education of our membership. The new ratings will help club members determine the rarity and value of coins in their collections and ones for future purchase.
Glenn Peterson follows with the updated rarity ratings for the bust quarter series from 1796-1838. The input of the Bust Quarter Collector Society, a sub-group of the JRCS, pooled their knowledge of the series to formulate the updates.
Our treasurer, W. David Perkins, next submitted the early dollar census for the society. In each issue of the journal we ask the membership to share their holdings of a particular series of coins for the education of the society. This issue called for the bust dollar review. David presented the information supplied by the membership with personal notes for the enjoyment of the members.
Jim Matthews concluded this issue of the journal with an article on the retained and full cuds found on the Capped Bust Dimes. This follows the wonderful article found in the previous issue by Steve Crain and Dr. Glenn Peterson on the half dime cuds. We hope to continue the series next issue with a review on the quarter cuds. These terminal die state coins have been actively collected by specialists for many years. This is the first attempt to not only identify the marriages known with these die breakages, but to also help determine their relative rarity. Collectors have, in the past, been limited to personal observations to determine the rarity of the coins they encountered. These lists were published to encourage members to come forward with not only new discoveries, but with a complete listing of their holdings for rarity information. Jim has sought out these terminal die state dimes for many years, and with the help of other members presented an inventory of which die marriages are currently known in their terminal state.
Numismatically yours,
Brad Karoleff
Editor