Peter Merton's private mint

"Peter Merton's Private Mint" by Lee Archer is a science fiction tale unfolding in the mid-20th century, centered on Peter Merton, a young executive suddenly facing financial disaster when a large amount of money mysteriously vanishes. This sets the stage for a thrilling exploration of luck, unexpected discoveries, and the pitfalls of unchecked ambition, enhanced by a unique twist involving trading modern currency for historical documents through time travel. Peter stumbles upon a message from a agent in the Thirtieth Century's historical investigative agency. As Peter trades, his wealth explodes but draws the suspicious eyes of the U.S. Treasury, leading to accusations of counterfeiting. A sequence of events reveals the situation is much stranger than it appears, as everything culminates in a chaotic return of misplaced artifacts and stolen cash to their correct timelines. This narrative masterfully weaves together humor, mystery, and the intricate challenges that come with greed and the temptation of easy money.