B. Max Mehl (1884–1957) was a prominent coin dealer in the U.S. for more than 50 years. He was born in Congress Poland, which was then part of Imperial Russia, but his family moved to present-day Lithuania, and then to the U.S.; Mehl lived in Fort Worth for most of his life. He started selling coins as a teenager, and joined the American Numismatic Association aged 18. By 1910 he was one of the most prominent dealers in the U.S. His customers included Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. He auctioned coins from the collections of prominent numismatists, and he was the first dealer to advertise in non-specialist publications, helping to broaden the hobby's appeal. To generate interest and sell his books, he offered to buy a 1913 Liberty Head nickel for $50, knowing there were none in circulation. His great auction sales were in the 1940s, but he later became less active, dying in 1957. He was elected to the Numismatic Hall of Fame in 1974, and the CoinFacts Dealer Hall of Fame in 2010.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._Max_Mehl

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1678:

Trunajaya rebellion: After a series of difficult marches, allied Mataram and Dutch troops successfully assaulted the rebel stronghold of Kediri in eastern Java. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1678_Kediri_campaign

1936:

Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan signed the Anti-Comintern Pact, agreeing that, if the Soviet Union attacked one of them, they would consult each other on what measures to take to "safeguard their common interests". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Comintern_Pact

1975:

Upon Suriname's independence from the Netherlands, Johan Ferrier became its first president. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johan_Ferrier

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

vinous: 1. Pertaining to or having the characteristics of wine. 2. Involving the use of wine. 3. Having the colour of red wine; vinaceous. 4. Tending to drink wine excessively. 5. Affected by the drinking of wine. 6. Induced by the drinking of wine. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/vinous

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

I am grateful for what I am & have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. It is surprising how contented one can be with nothing definite — only a sense of existence. Well, anything for variety. I am ready to try this for the next 1000 years, & exhaust it. How sweet to think of! My extremities well charred, and my intellectual part too, so that there is no danger of worm or rot for a long while. My breath is sweet to me. O how I laugh when I think of my vague indefinite riches. No run on my bank can drain it — for my wealth is not possession but enjoyment.   --Henry David Thoreau https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Henry_David_Thoreau