Well I suppose I should start this off with a couple of announcements regarding the Newsletter. First of all - next month - I'm going on vacation. It's my father's 88th birthday and I'm not going to miss it this year ! However, JD White has graciously consented to come out from behind that green curtain of his and fill in for me. The Tarnished Truth will return on its regular schedule Sept. 1, 2004.

Next announcement - sorry folks but there is not going to be a Happenings section this month. Frankly, I'm running out of ideas as to what to include in this section of the Newsletter. Some months there is a lot of activity or what I consider items of interest. Other months, it seems like there is little to discuss or write about that may be of interest to WINS members. This is one of those months I'm sorry to say. To be honest with you - I'm considering doing away with the Happenings section of the Newsletter altogether. But I'll leave the final decision up to the membership.

So you've got about 6 weeks to decide folks. By the time I return from vacation I would like to hear from as many WINS members as possible with their thoughts - should it stay or should it go ? If you would like this section of the Newsletter to remain - please tell me what you would like to see included. This can encompass almost anything that has to do with numismatics. It's your Newsletter and your opinions matter. Please let me know what they are. You may contact me here - Doug Prather

I would also at this time like to remind the membership, that in order to make this Newsletter as good as it can be I need YOUR HELP ! This help can come in the form of a biography - we have many, many new members - and we'd all like to know about you. It can come in the form of an article on the topic of your choice. It can come in the form of a Letter to the Editor regarding a numismatic topic on which you have a strong opinion. It could be your sharing with us a memorable experience. It could be almost anything.

So now's your chance - you've got 6 weeks to think about it, put your ideas down on paper and send them to me. So c'mon folks - there are several of you out there with a lot of talent when it comes to writing and a lot of knowledge to share. I'll be expecting to hear from you ;-}

That's about it for now - I hope you enjoy this as well as future issues of - The Tarnished Truth.

THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER - Words of inspiration from the WINS President. Special Announcement in this issue ! Read it HERE.

FROM BEHIND THE GREEN CURTAIN - Interesting IT tidbits helpful to all members and more. Read it HERE.

EXCEPTIONAL EMAIL - An email taken from the WINS Talk List worth reading. Read it HERE.

TREASURER'S REPORT - The WINS PayPal account is - winstreasury@bellsouth.net

With regard to donations, all donors will be named in future Treasurer's Reports unless you ask for anonymity.

The answer is: ? ? ?
The 2001 Buffalo dollar commemorative - both the Proof and the UNC have incuse mint marks. It's the only time it's ever been done on a US coin.