Author Archives: John M

Twist and Shout

Posted on September 13, 2012 by John M

As anticipated, the Fed today announced plans to burn $40 billion a month, with no end in sight: The Fed said it will buy $40 billion of mortgage-backed securities per month in an attempt to foster a nascent recovery in the … Continue reading →

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They Were Expensable

Posted on August 1, 2012 by John M

One of the many less-fun things about being an employee of a defense contractor is the constant reminder that you are expensable. You and your salary and benefits are an operating expense, one of the items on the accounts payable … Continue reading →

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Transitions

Posted on May 28, 2012 by John M

Design Changes to the Young Head Victoria Shield Sovereign, 1838 – 1887 1. Introduction One of the challenges confronting the collector of young head Victoria shield sovereigns is the lack of an overview of the transitions between design changes during … Continue reading →

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Busy Morning

Posted on May 11, 2012 by John M

An egret and a beaver making their morning rounds at Huntley Meadows Park, Virginia.

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The value of a cent

Posted on April 20, 2012 by John M

I just read news that a 1792 US silver center cent sold for $1 million at a recent Heritage auction!* A pattern with a known population of less than a couple dozen, it’s one of the most extreme example of the relative … Continue reading →

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Cherry Blossoms 2012

Posted on March 24, 2012 by John M

 The shoreline in East Potomac Park, near East Basin Drive and the Jefferson Memorial Because of rain and thunderstorms in the weekend forecast, on Friday I went with a small group for a short lunchtime walk around the Tidal Basin. Click the … Continue reading →

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Back on the Trail

Posted on March 14, 2012 by John M

With spring arriving, it’s time to get back on the walking trail! I have been a member of a local walking and hiking group for several years, always just tagging along enjoying the scenery and taking photos. But in January I … Continue reading →

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Daffodils

Posted on March 1, 2012 by John M

These daffodils bloomed just in time for St. David’s Day.

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Rainy Day Visitors

Posted on February 17, 2012 by John M

Two bucks?! A rainy day brings a small herd of deer to the woods outside my backyard fence. Note the construction in the background – developers are paving a cul-de-sac that will leave these woods otherwise undisturbed. Fortunate, because these woods … Continue reading →

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Evliya Çelebi and the Leopold Taler

Posted on February 5, 2012 by John M

Here’s an entertaining description of Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I; who lived from June 9, 1640 to May 5, 1705; given by Evliya Çelebi, an Ottoman traveler who visited Leopold’s court at Vienna in 1665: One may almost doubt whether the Almighty … Continue reading →

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