It’s fascinating how coins and medals can tell a story even beyond the obvious images embossed onto them. A perfect case-in-point is a US $20 gold piece struck in 1860. The coin features the classic profile of allegorical Liberty on the front with a heraldic spread-winged eagle on the back. 160 or so years ago, such coins were commonplace for people of means....
As happens every year right about now, I’m having difficulty digesting signs announcing “Back To School” in stores. It’s barely the end of July. When do kids get to enjoy summer? In fairness, I do understand some schools begin way earlier than in the past. Particularly for kids who have football practice, going back early is now the norm. (That being said, there’s no way I can wrap my head around Halloween merchandise now appearing on shelves. C’mon!)
I’m of the mind that, particularly for kids, summer should be summer. The new Toy Story 5 movie in theaters underscores that with the sad but true premise that digital media has all but usurped familiar summer pastimes for kids such as pick-up baseball games or coin, stamp and card collecting....
No matter the era, there’s a defining phenomenon of summer for kids. Agelessly enduring, it’s the absolute certainty children have that they can make lucrative tangible discoveries during summers. Truly, kids are convinced treasure and caches of immeasurable wealth are out there waiting.
I don’t know of a child that didn’t, at one time or another, believe they could unearth untold riches during the summer. Maybe it started with a story, perhaps from a TV show or movie. Better yet, after reading from an enticing book checked out of the library. Sources for inspiration abound. Any or all of those inspire kids to dream and hope about what waits to be found on a long, lazy summer afternoon.
One book that has done exactly that is a volume kids and adults alike have stumbled across or sought out for eight decades. Officially, it’s known as “The Guide Book Of United States Coins.” More colloquially, collectors have called it “The Red Book” due to its perennial red colored cover....
About a week ago, the United States turned 250. That’s based on when we officially declared our independence from Great Britain. Some 25 years prior, in 1751, the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly, then under British authority, decided they needed a large bell in their State House. One was commissioned, cast in London and shipped to Philadelphia. It didn’t work. It sounded tinny. People were unhappy. So, it was twice recast. Finally, they thought they got it right. For a while....
It’s here. After two-and-a-half centuries, our Semiquincentennial is upon us. July 4 marks the 250-year milestone celebrating the world’s longest surviving and thriving democracy.
Note, I didn’t say, “It’s finally here.” That’s because, speaking as a participant in and survivor of our 1976 Bi-centennial, so far, this has been anti-climactic. The build-up, if any, has been scant. This year just doesn’t have the same panache or excitement as 50 years ago. In fact, the pending nuptials of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce appear to be getting as much or more press coverage....
Two dollars may not buy much these days. Not even a gallon of gas. Some places it won’t buy anything. Not because prices are high but, due to the retailers and restaurants no longer accepting cash. More and more, businesses declare “Credit Cards Only.” This at a time when money is tight, prices are up and some retailers are adding a three-percent surcharge to credit card purchases....