Compiled by the Rev. Henry R. Coleman (1833-1926) of Louisville, KY. Coleman was a highly regarded Masonic scholar, world traveler, and self-published author with a keen interest in numismatics. Though his collection was largely dispersed nearly a century ago, this archive contains the following evidence of his passion for coins and history:

1. Two late 19th century manuscript documents, both titled Templar Coins of the Grand Masters of the Islands of Rhodes, Malta, and the Holy Sepulchre. An introductory narrative precedes a chronological listing of hidden Templar coins that were accidentally discovered in 1880. One document appears to be a draft of the other.

2. Six letters, 1925-1926, proposing the possible sale of Coleman's collection, including the Templar material and a diverse selection of classical ancient coins.
Among the recipients of this correspondence were famed Texas dealer B. Max Mehl and Scottish ANA member James Murray. One manuscript letter is an evaluation of Coleman's collection by the celebrated Edward T. Newell of the American Numismatic Society.

3. A type set of Civil War currency with a letter from Thomas E. Richardson of Sumter, South Carolina dated March 31, 1893. Included in this gift are Confederate central government notes listed by Fricke numbers to include T-39 $100, June 20, 1862; T-41 $100, December 11, 1862; T-42 $2, June 2, 1862; T-63 50¢, April 6, 1863; T-64 $500, February 17, 1864; T-65 $100, February 17, 1864; T-66 $50, February 17, 1864 ( 2 notes); T-67 $20, February 17, 1864; T-68 $10, February 17, 1864; T-69 $5, February 17, 1864; T-70 $2, February 17, 1864; T-71$1, February 17, 1864, and a vertical pair of Confederate 10¢ stamps (CSA #12). Additional notes present are a South Carolina denomination set dated February 1,1863 with 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, 75¢ and a United States 3rd Issue 50¢, March 3, 1863. Various grades, fair to fine.

4. Assorted ephemera and four 1920s pocket journals in Coleman's hand. These small books detail his travels to visit friends and colleagues throughout Kentucky. On November 25, 1926 he wrote, "This is Thanksgiving day, and so is every day with me. Reverend Coleman died six days later on December 1st at age 93.


The currency is generally in good condition; the archival materials are somewhat better overall.