Dr. Matthews: John Smith Dye was an expert on coinage and counterfeiting. He is the author of Dye's Coin Encyclopedia: a Complete Illustrated History of the Coins of the World (Philadelphia, Bradley & Company, 1883. Mr. Dye died shortly before this work went to press. In a preface to the 1883 edition, his publishers notes that Dye was the "founder and for thirty odd years the editor and publisher of Dye's Counterfeit Detector, and for forty years a recognized authority on the paper and precious metals currencies of the world...." From this, it is apparent that Dye lived a long and professionally productive life. The posthumously published work is copyrighted by an Emma C. Dye, who is probably a family member. In 1866 Dye published a work entitled History of the Plots and Crimes of the Great Conspiracy to Overthrow Liberty in America. (He gives his address in 1866 as 100 Broadway, NYC, opposite Trnity Church.) In his preface, Dye writes: "It is the object of the author to give, in a small compass, a complete history of the political crimes originating with African Slavery, and perpetrated by its friends, during the last century, in America." (These crimes include assassinations.) This work is in the collection of the NYS Library. For more titles, check the NUC and FirstSearch. I will send you some more information by mail. Melinda Yates New York State Library Albany, NY 518-474-5124