Collecting Paper Gold For The Fourth

 Release: JUNE 26, 2026

     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....

Anniversary As Rare As A Two-Dollar Bill

Release: JUNE 19, 2026

     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....

Who Can Afford Our Anniversary?

Release: JUNE 12, 2026
 
    Curious news came out last week.  In the past few decades, the gauge of what’s considered a successful annual salary jumped from $100,000 to, I’m not making this up, $270,000.  That must be sobering news to anyone in the once-respectable $50,000 a year range.
    The primary reason for the jump is inflation.  Since COVID hit in 2020, the buying power of $100,000 has had to grow to $125,000 – an increase of 25 percent, and climbing.
   Salaries aside, collectors and/or anyone of reasonably modest means were stunned last week by news on the website of the US Mint.  For the first time, the cost for a set of four US gold Eagle coins including the one-, and fractional one-half, one-quarter and one-tenth ounce pieces exceeded $10,000.  Harkening back to 2020, that’s a 300 percent increase.  It also represents a price that’s surely out-of-reach for most of us....

History Trumps Possible New Currency

Release: JUNE 5, 2026

    We’re less than a month away from our official 250th anniversary.  Having been alive on July 4, 1976, I know how big such significant-date celebrations are.  This time around, we’ve been repeatedly told the magnitude to expect for 2026.  Many are still waiting....

Postal “Treasures” Are Anything But Artificial

Release: MAY 29, 2026

     Most college graduates will concede their commencement ceremony was entirely forgettable.  Being handed the diploma aside, unless the speaker was a celebrity or the president, few can or will recall any speeches or the individuals who gave them....

Humans Pay Dearly For Colorful Cardboard

Release: MAY 22, 2026

     Quite a few years back, I was coaxed into attending a ComiCon-type convention in St. Louis.  Like many sci-fi/collector gatherings, this one had dealer booths selling books, posters and collectibles.  There were also special appearances by some celebrities.

     I was unfamiliar with many of the “luminaries.”  I assumed they were notable in their field.  The exception for me was author Stephen King.  As a fan of the horror genre, I was familiar with King’s novels and creations.  At this show, he was going to be personally signing books.  I couldn’t resist.  I bought four of his books and got in line.  A long line.  The wait was expected to be several hours.

    I very slowly inched my way forward.  Finally, after 90 minutes or so, I was getting close to the table where King was signing.  Just as I neared, a woman announced the signings were over.  King had other obligations.  Those of us still in line were out-of-luck.  No books to be signed for me.  Or, would there be? ...

Are New Stamps Also An Ad? You Decide.

Release: MAY 15, 2026

     Sports fans or not, many still have memories of our two US Olympic hockey wins at this year’s games.  Both the men’s and women’s teams took gold medals.  The victories were reminiscent of a match years ago that many either remember first-hand or have heard about.

   Those games were the 1980 Olympics where the US men’s hockey team was widely considered the underdog against formidable opponents from the Soviet Union.  No one thought we had much of a chance.  The team the US faced had won gold in the last four Olympic games.  They were clearly Goliaths.  In what has long been called the “Miracle On Ice,” the US team beat the Soviets and then went on to defeat Finland to snag the gold.

    As dominant as the US team was, formidable too were many then-rules and protocol in various areas.  One of those was US postage stamps.  Regulations strictly forbade any living person to be depicted on a US stamp.  Essentially, they still do.  The hitch was, in 1980, among other First Class postage stamps commemorating the games, one showed a uniformed and masked US hockey player.  It was the team goalie....