Many years ago, I assembled a small collection of Civil War-era Albany-centric storefront tokens. These were issued by merchants in 1863 and 1864 when the government ran out of proper currency; these tokens were essentially custom-made scrip.
One of the tokens I acquired was for Benjamin & Herrick, which operated a downtown grocery. One of the tokens was struck with a cracked die, and I used that token as a test for one of my macro lenses. Came out rather nice.
So I framed the artwork – along with that token and a few other non-fractured examples of the coin – and planned on entering the image at Altamont.
At the last minute, I pulled the picture. I didn’t think it would stand a chance.
So I saved it for Historic Albany Foundation’s BUILT charitable auction fundraiser.
Surprisingly … they chose not to accept it into the art show. Wow. Rejected like a prom night non-kiss. Ugh.
Then, last week, I came across a Call For Art at a Cohoes gallery, Paint Cohoes. The art theme was “Tender Tragedies,” and the art pieces needed to show art in the age of inflation.
Hmm … I’ve got nothing left to lose. It’s already framed. It’s a good photo. Let’s submit it.
Yesterday, I received word. A Fractured Coin of the Rebellion has been ACCEPTED into the Paint Cohoes show, and will appear at their Remsen Street gallery in August 2025.
This I like. This is good news.
And believe me, friends, we all could use some nice news in the world. 😀
Chuck The Writer 
Myself, I wouldn’t let that coin leave my house.
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