The latest issue of the John Reich Journal, volume 14/ issue 2/3, whole number 43 has been delivered to the membership. This issue is the last for the year 2002 and for volume 14. Any member who had received whole number 42 and not the current issue is advised to contact the editor, Brad Karoleff, at the email address listed on the homepage of this site.

The current issue begins with a commentary by the editor, Brad Karoleff, about the passing of our treasurer, Russell Logan. His tragic death deeply effected the normal operations of the society, as well as the lives of all those who knew him. Numismatic research into the bust series of coins has been dealt a tremendous blow. Russ' involvement in the running of the society and the related research into the silver coins of the Federal Mint was legendary. It will be impossible to fill his shoes, though we must do our best.

Many favorite recollections of past incidents involving Russ are relayed in the Editors' Comments. Everyone has a favorite story, or two, involving Russ and numismatics. These interesting antidotes will live on with us allowing Russ to continue to be part of our numismatic experiences. His guidance and friendship will be sorely missed by all of those lucky enough to have known him.

Due to this unfortunate situation some fundamental changes have been made in the operation of the society. W. David Perkins has been appointed treasurer of the society. The bank account has been moved and we are currently conducting normal business. There have also been changes to the censuses published by the society. A census keeper for each denomination has been appointed. Steve Crain is now responsible for the half dime census, Charles Horning the dimes, Glenn Peterson the quarters, Steve Herrman the halves, and W. David Perkins the dollars. Each census keeper will be compiling the new lists at the time of publication. The first new census to be published in the next issue of the journal will be the dimes. Charlie is busy putting together the information for publication. We will be presenting a census in EACH journal published in the future. The quarter census will follow, and then each in denomination order. Calls for updates to the information will be made in each issue of the newsletter.

There has also been a new award established by the board. It will be called Award The Founders Award in the name of the founding fathers of our organization, David Davis, Russell Logan, Allen Lovejoy, John McCloskey, and Bill Subjack. The award is to be given at the discretion of the officers for merit us service to the society. Nominations from the membership will be considered by the officers for the award.

Following the editors' notes there are letters to the society from the membership, which includes a recollection of Russ by George Hamilton. Other letters deal with experiences with various denominations of the bust coins we collect.

The first article featured in this issue of the journal is by Eric M. Krauss, MD on the 1836 B3 Bust Quarter in terminal die state. This is an interesting marriage that eventually comes with a heavily cracked obverse die.

Next our treasurer, W. David Perkins, gives us some insight into the recent auction prices for bust dollars. David is recognized as an expert in the bust dollar series and gives some interesting thoughts on coins recently sold in Heritage sales.

Philip J. Evans follows with an interesting story of how he found a very rare die marriage in the Capped Bust Half Dollar series for his collection. Anyone, with perseverance, can come up with an interesting find for his or her collections.

John McCloskey is next with a wonderful tribute to Russ. John and Russ were very good friends dating back to the 1970's. Their involvement with both the dime and half dime books have made numismatic history. These two books are the benchmarks by which all-future die marriage manuals will be measured.

John then follows with an interesting article on a double struck 1803 JR2 dime. This article goes to prove that the best-looking coins are not always the most interesting. Much can be learned from the study of error coins.

One of our most decorated and prolific writers, Edgar Souders, follows with another wonderful article on the Capped Bust Halves. This article deals with the secrets of the denomination found on the reverse of these halves. His detailed studies of the half dollars are unequaled by anyone.

Lastly, Lano Balulescu remembers another of our departed members, John Haugh. John was a noted collector of the bust dollars who passed away recently while on vacation. Johns' contributions to the hobby will also be missed by the society.

The membership is reminded that dues are requested for continuing membership in the society. If you haven't already sent your membership, or if you would like to become a member, please send a check to JRCS, PO Box 135, Harrison, OH 45030.

We look forward to publishing the next issue of the journal in February or March of next year. We are always looking for submissions to be included in the next issue. If you have anything, a letter, question, article, or ???? Please send it to the editor.