NNP Blog

4 DECEMBER 2021

The Lettered Edge on Newman Portal

The number of U.S. periodical titles related to numismatics likely numbers over a thousand. Remy Bourne has made the best attempt to catalog these, in his two-volume set American Numismatic Periodicals, 1860-1960.  One of the more ephemeral titles is The Lettered Edge, a four issue series spanning 1978-1980. Produced by Jules Reiver and Bob Stark on behalf of the Bust Dollar Club, this periodical aimed to boost interest in varieties of early silver dollars (1794-1803). Reiver held the most comprehensive set of 18th and 19th century American die varieties (ultimately cataloged by Heritage Auctions in a January, 2006 3-volume set) and was naturally involved in the effort.  The four issue set is readable, containing tidbits of inside dope, but ultimately building a large coterie of early dollar collectors by Bolender (or Borckardt-Bowers) varieties is a Herculean challenge, as a typical example is well into four figures. Nevertheless, most anything related to Reiver’s numismatic activity is worth preserving, and, with the assistance of W. David Perkins, The Lettered Edge is now available on Newman Portal.Link to The Lettered Edge on Newman Portal: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/publisherdetail/525963Link to American Numismatic Periodicals on Newman Portal: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/books