I S' I § s I S' I § s The beautiful U.S. Mint Steam Coinage Press has given birth to a gem and I thank same machinery long ago. You and the Gallery Mint experts must have had fun bringing To: Craig Sholley January 8, 2001 From: Eric P. Newman Re: Strawberry Leaf U.S. Cents In this last millennium you sent me a 5 page article you wrote entitled “The Strawberry Leaf Cents-Real or Counterfeit?” This followed a telephone conversation this Christmas in which you asked me to obtain the diameters of the Strawberry Leaf Cent owned by ANS. I requested those measurements for you immediately. You and Holmes permitted me to see the Holmes pieces at the Philadelphia ANA Convention and I was appreciative. I concluded that the edges were decorated as on other vine and bars 1793 cents and as I expressed to Kleeberg long ago I feel that no one would counterfeit a copper coin for circulation and put a decorated edge on it. I never used the word “counterfeit” to you or to anyone else as to the Strawberry Leaf cents. I stated that they might be 19th century alterations of genuine cents. I took no position and yet you state “Eric’s argument fails on several points.” I did not say that fusing could have taken place but mentioned that expert tooling could have been done. Added material would ordinarily show up in an x-ray. Smith of Ann Street alterations of 1793 cents about 1860 are tooled gorgeously and metal was moved (possibly using heat) into different positions and shapes. I did not comment upon tooling of rare varieties as compared to tooling more common varieties. You are and must feel free to write whatever you wish as long as it is sincere. All I am doing is pointing out what I said. I have never expressed or written any opinion on the pieces, but am happy to discuss research thoughts with you or anyone working on a topic. We have a fine relationship and it will stay that way. Differences of opinion on hanging chad or otherwise are normal. Keep up the good work as solutions to complex problems are often elusive. Ain’t we got fun?