Steven M. Bivens was born in Decatur, Illinois and graduated from Illinois State University in 1979. He has been employed as a juvenile probation officer, an adult presentence investigator, the supervisor of an Intensive Probation Supervision program, and the Deputy Director of a large metropolitan probation department. In addition, he has done stints as a software trainer for an inmate telephone company and as an explosive detection trainer for a defense subcontractor. Steve has trained 1000's of individuals across the county including members of the Transportation Security Administration and representatives of major corporations. Most recently, he taught criminal justice at a college in Colorado Springs. An avid reader and writer, Steve's prior publications include research projects published by the University of Louisville and the University of South Alabama. His other works include several articles published by The Numismatist regarding old coins and paper money.