To the editor:

On Sunday, June 9 there was an interesting, if partially flawed story on the front page. In it, your reporter writes that buildings have been identified as having survived Quantrill’s raid by comparing their “coining” with early photographs of buildings along Massachusetts as found in David Dary’s book.  

“Coining” or “coin” are not building terms. However “quoin” is, as is well known to a mason or anyone with an architectural education. It refers to the use of special masonry units at the corner of a building. A common example of the use of “quoins” would be dressed stone on the corners of a brick building. But one does not need expert knowledge of building design and construction to know this definition. It is commonly found in any dictionary.