The purpose of the John Reich Collectors Society (JRCS) is to encourage the study of numismatics, particularly United States gold and silver coins minted before the introduction of the Seated Liberty design, and to provide technical and educational information concerning such coins.

TheJohn Reich Journal is edited by Bradley S. Karoleff and is the official publication of the Society. Selected back issues of the Journal are available to members in good standing. An on-line index is updated with the contents of recent issues. Each year the membership votes for the best article published in the previous year.

The third issue of Volume 21 of the Journal was mailed in late December, 2011. If you did not receive it, please contact Stephen A. Crain, our Secretary, to verify your current membership status. That issue concludes Volume 21; to receive Volume 22, your membership dues must be current, so pay the $25 before you forget. A renewal notice and a ballot for best-article voting were mailed with Issue #3.

The 2012 ANA convention in Philadelphia will be in early August. The JRCS annual meeting will probably start at 8am on Wednesday, August 8. The Bust Half Nut Club, Bust Quarter Collectors Society, and other groups also will meet there — start at the ANA web site for schedules and details.

JRCS regional meetings will be held at some of the larger shows in 2012. Definitely at FUN, and plans are still being made for Baltimore shows and Central States. Will you attend a regional show? If so, check the show web site for details, or read the issues of the JR Newsletter online.

Have questions concerning the submission of articles or letters? Please e-mail the Journal Editor.

The JRCS shares its roots with the authors of Early United States Dimes 1796 - 1837 and has published over 350 original articles on Federal coinage since 1986. To become a member, please complete the application form and mail it along with a check for $25.00.

The JR Newsletter is now the official e-magazine of the JRCS. Although there are no dues or fees of any kind to view the JR Newsletter, followers are encouraged to join JRCS. Simply go to the following web page to read articles and requests for information, or to comment on the newsletter’s content: http://jr-newsletter.blogspot.com/. If you have questions or comments concerning access to or content of the JR Newsletter, write to the editor of the JR Newsletter at jrnewsletter@jrcs.org.

Many JRCS members are active on the internet, and have established sites which promote both the history of the early Mint and the encouragment of contemporary research of our early silver and gold coins. Paul Hybert has posted some of the early Mint Reports, while Bust Coin Forum is available for all of us to post both questions and news.

We share a common interest in the early U.S. mint with the Early American Coppers club. EAC holds their annual meeting in either April or May; starting in 2007, the convention bourse and programs were expanded to include early U.S. silver coins.