Welcome to the second day of the Whitman Coins & Collectibles Expo. Many of us are “making friends” with Nashville. For me, there is much to learn. I’ve only ever been here twice before, and not within 30 years. Ask me about the other Whitman Expo cities—Baltimore and Philadelphia— and I could stand on the proverbial soap box and declaim for a half hour.

It is the home of Opryland, now in the process of drying out after the flood of a few weeks ago. Well, maybe next year it will be a place to visit. The State Capitol is another attraction, high and dry. Did you know that in February 1862 it was the first State Capitol to fall to the Union Army.

Tonight is Stack’s auction, and I and the staff will have the red carpet out for you. Come and be a part of it. One of the things I like about Whitman Expos is the opportunity to meet new friends and greet many old ones. Chatting about the marketplace, the economy, Liberty Seated silver coins, or National Bank notes is always interesting to do. And, if I keep quiet, I can learn a lot. One thing about numismatics is that things are always changing, usually for the better.

The other day I was reflecting upon the 2004-D Wisconsin “Extra Leaf” quarters and how they were the sensation of the business five years ago. Our bourse table was the epicenter of activity and, for one, David Hall came by to check out a few we had—and took away some pieces, the first ever to be certified. Today the Zachary Taylor presidential dollar dated 2010 on the edge instead of the correct 2009 is in the news. I haven’t seen one yet. Wonder how rare they will turn out to be.

May today be filled with many good times—talking, listening, buying, and selling. All the best to yours!