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E-Gobrecht Volume 1, Issue 5, August 2005 Whole Number 5 This is an electronic publication of the Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC). The LSCC is a non-profit organization dedicated to the attributions of the Liberty Seated Coin series. The LSCC provides the information contained in this email newsletter from various sources as a general service to the membership and others with this numismatic interest. All disclaimers are in effect as the completeness and/or accuracy of the information contained herein cannot be completely verified. Information, input, comments, or suggestions for improvements to this E-Gobrecht are actively solicited from anyone and may be sent to wb8cpy@arrl.net or by writing or calling: Bill Bugert Editor, E-Gobrecht (717) 337-0229 To be added or removed from the E-Gobrecht mailing list, send an email message with the words "Subscribe/Unsubscribe" in the subject line of the message to wb8cpy@arrl.net. Acknowledgements Many thanks to repeat submitters Brian Greer and Len Augsburger and first time E-Gobrecht author Vicken Yegparian. Features in this issue ==> Market Update by Brian Greer. ==> ==> 1875 Letter
on ==> Michael Fey, LSCC member, elected to the ANA Board of Governors. ==> More on Overstruck Seated Coinage by Vicken Yegparian. ==> Officers elected for the LSCC. ==> Recent or upcoming Liberty Seated Collections for sale. Details ==> Market
update on the 2005 ANA Convention by Brian Greer. While the ANA convention was smaller by
comparison to the previous few years, activity remained quite strong and
collector coins were in serious demand. For the date collector, I can recall
seeing a fair number of rare date Liberty Seated coins on the floor. Rare coins from the ==> Hanover
Numismatic Society Gobrecht Medals issued from 1966 to 1981 by Len
Augsburger. In 1966, the Hanover
Numismatic Society of Hanover, Pennsylvania commissioned a series of medals
commemorating the work of Christian Gobrecht, who was born in Sketches of Gobrecht works were provided to a private mint that returned an aluminum trial piece for each year, along with the actual dies after the silver and bronze strikings were complete. These dies remain with the Hanover Numismatic Society. The obverse die remained the same throughout the entire series and many of the Gobrecht medals described in Julian's "Medals of the United States Mint" were used as the basis for the reverse dies. One example is the Charles Carroll medal, Julian PE-6, which was used for the 1976 and 1977 reverses. An original example of this 1826 medal, in gold, appeared in Stack's Ford V 10/2004:220, there illustrated with a full-page color plate. The Hanover Gobrecht medals were struck to the extent of several hundred each year, this number declining as the price of silver rose in the 1970s. They remain highly collectible today, with specimens frequently appearing on eBay.com (search for "Gobrecht"). Bronze examples are typically several dollars each, while the silver specimens are in the twenty to thirty dollar range. Medals from the later 1970s are scarce, owing to their diminished mintages and are infrequently seen on http://www.eBay.com . The American Numismatic Society collection has a full set of these interesting medals in bronze, along with a silver example from the 1966 inaugural year of the series. Thanks to Sterling Yost of the ==> 1875 Letter
on MINT OF THE UNITED STATES COINER’S DEPARTMENT Hon. James Pollock Superintendent- Sir; I have read and considered with much care, the letter of J.F. Evans, Esq. Special Agent of the Treasury Department (unfortunately, I don’t have a copy of this letter – Editor), transmitted through the Director of the Mint, in relation to Trade dollars coined at the Carson City Mint, and said to be defective. It would be much more satisfactory in deciding a question so important, and one effecting the work of another Mint, if we had in our possession for examination, both the unstruck planchets, and the coined pieces, as well as the dies used in the coinage, - so that we might make an examination, with the pieces, planchets and dies, before us, for inspection and comparison, and I would respectfully recommend that this course be adopted. Not having the planchets, coin or dies to examine, I must take no pretense that the defects named by Mr. Evans do exist, and treat them accordingly ~ The defects in the coinage as specified are as follows:- “Rough and imperfect in finish.” “Want of distinctness in the figures on the coin.” “Milling too light.” “Reeding not heavy enough” “Letters C.C. not quite of the same size” “Impressions are light and uneven” “General appearance of the coin not so attractive – as those coined at San-Francisco.“ (About same as second defect noted) “Pieces will not stack or pile properly” Want of brightness in coin, and said to tarnish quicker than those coined at San-Francisco, and are therefore not so closely refined” (Refining has nothing to do with appearance) I would respectfully submit that these defects, if they do exist, may arise from one, or more, or all, of the following causes; 1st Rolls not kept parallel. 2nd Want of proper adjustment of pinch-die, in draw bench. 3rd Use of punches too small for dies and collars. 4th Use of collars, originally too large or, made so by use. 5th Want of proper annealing. 6th Want of sufficient pickling. 7th Want of proper rinsing after pickling. 8th Dies not properly levelled. 9th Dies not properly centred. 10th Work on dies too deep. 11th Dies sinking. 12th Dies nor polished. First – When Rolls are not parallel – a strip of uneven thickness is produced. If however the strip is properly annealed, the draw bench should correct this defect. Second – Want of proper adjustment of the pinch dies in draw bench. If the pinch dies are not set parallel, a strip that comes perfect from the Rolls, will be made thicker on one edge than the other. But as this defect would be quite apparent, and easily remedied – as well as want of correctness in the Rolls – I am opinion that the defects alluded to arise from subsequent manipulations. Third. Use of punches too small for dies and collars. If such were the case, planchets would be produced which could not be struck with a proper centre, and upon which the reeding of the collar would make but a faint and irregular impression. Fourth. Use of collars originally too large or made so by use. This would strike me as the most likely cause of several of the “defects” named. Where collars so not fit the dies very snugly, the dies cannot be centred, the reeding will be imperfect,- the false border will be greater on one side of the piece than the other,- a burred edge will frequently appear. These defects can be easily noticed in the old Spanish and Mexican Dollar coinage. The use of a defective collar will render abortive all attempts at a perfect, or even passable, coinage. The collar controls the size and cantering of the pieces,- gives correct or defective reeding,- evenness or unevenness in the false border,- indeed it may be aid that a collar of exact size, and perfect in the reeding therefore, is essential to a complete development of the work on the dies, and to the production of a credible coinage. Fifth - Want of proper annealing. When planchets ate not properly or uniformly annealed, they will not expand with equal uniformity in the collars – Some will therefore be well defined on the edge, whilst others will not – defective reeding is the result. Sixth – Want of sufficient pickling. Where planchets have not been properly pickled, the dirt and grease accumulated in the working, and incrusted by annealing, is not removed, and the coin struck therefore would not be “bright and attractive” but dark and dull looking. Seventh – Want of proper rinsing after pickling. If the acid is not thoroughly removed by rinsing, the coin would “tarnish sooner” than where it was, and the acid coming in contact wit the dies, would soon tarnish and destroy their luster. Eighth. Dies
not properly levelled. This is a
prolific source of defective coinage – Among the defects cause thereby may be
named – want of uniformity in developing the work upon the dies – false
border, too deep on one side and too light on the other – defective reeding,
crumbling on edge of dies and consequent defects on edge of the piece is
thicker than the other. Unless dies
come together perfectly levelled, it is impossible to produce a perfect
impression of the work upon the dies, or the reeding in the collar. No difficulty should be experienced in
levelling dies, and keeping them so – since the adoption of the solid stake,
at my suggestion, and which has been in use since 1867. The dies sent to Ninth. Dies not properly centred. This is so obvious a defect that anyone should see it at a glance. Tenth – Work on dies too deep. The work on the Trade Dollar dies is too deep. The relief is too real, and not enough apparent relief. The left claw and leg of the Eagle on the reverse, can scarcely ever be brought up. To the uninitiated it looks “battered”. The difficulty is that with the pressure employed there is not enough metal to fill up all the work on the dies. I have frequently pointed out this defect, and much effort has been made to remedy it without complete success. Eleventh. Dies sinking. When dies sink under the great pressure in coining or from defective hardening, the pieces struck therefore are very imperfect, presenting a battered and unsightly appearance. Twelfth. Dies not polished. The want of brightness said to characterize the Carson Dollars, may, to a great extent arise from the use of unpolished dies. Polished dies have only been used, in our ordinary coinage, within the past few years. I found that the labor in keeping the dies polished was trifling, whilst the beauty of the coinage was much enhanced. This work I specially commit to the foreman of the coining room. Mr. Echfeldt, late an Officer in the Mint at San-Francisco noticed in one of his visits here, that our coins were brighter than those coined at San-Francisco, and on learning the cause, said the plan should be adopted on his return, which I know was done. It is a very simple operation, and should not be omitted. In fine to have perfect coinage, the best appliances should be had, and then the exercise of constant and unremitting watchfulness. Ingots should be rolled on parallel rolls, and fillets drawn between perfectly adjusted pinch dies. Annealing – in strips and planchets should be to a light cherry red. Pinches, should be of exact size and kept with the beds in perfect order. Milling – No more milling should be had than is necessary to let the planchets into the collar. The Sulphuric Acid used should be in the proportion of one part acid to twenty parts water. Planchets should be allowed to remain in the solution from three (3) to five (5) minutes according to condition of silver. Rinsed – Planchets should be thoroughly rinsed in pure water, and dried in clean saw dust in Revolving Riddle. Dies – Being ready for coining the dies should be polished and perfectly set. Collars – Use of exact size with reeding on inside clearly defined. The Press – should be carefully adjusted by the use of a sufficient number of blanks, so as to have the dies centred parallel and in such proximity to each other, that each revolution will give enough force to bring up the work on the dies. With these precautions I can see no difficulty in producing as good work at one Mint as at any other, provided the appliances are equally favorable. In reference to the concluding portions of the Director’s letter “as to the limit allowed in the adjustment of Trade Dollar planchets, and the actual deviation shown in coined pieces”. The rule prescribed for the Adjusters is that no lights or heavys shall be passed that exceed a grain in divergence from the standard weight. Where the Silver works well, the draw bench brings them close to standard, and not frequently above or below one half ( ½ ) of a grain. The Director will understand that our heavys must be adjusted to meet the light and standards so as to make the deliveries in bulk run within one hundredth of an ounce of the standard weight. By an examination of the records of the weighings of single pieces, I find that the Trade Dollars run about one-third ( 1/3 ) standard – one-third ( 1/3 ) lights and one-thirds (1/3 ) heavys, and that the variations on lights and heavys seldom reaches more than three-eights (3/8) of a grain from standard. The uniform variation being on lights and heavys from one-sixteenth (1/16) to one-quarter ( ¼ ) of a grain on a single piece. The difference of the full allowance (one and one-half ( 1 ½ ) grains on a single piece) could have no effect on the coined piece, that would be noticeable to the eye – The suggestion of Mr. Evans in this connection, may therefore be dismissed, as containing nothing of practical value. All of which is respectfully submitted by Your Obedient Servant Soudon hunday (?? – Ed.) Coiner ==> LSCC member elected to the ANA Board of Governors. Congratulations to Michael S. Fey on his recent election to the ANA Board of Governors. With 4,642 votes, Michael was one of the seven new Board members recently elected. Best wishes and good luck, Michael! ==> New
E-Gobrecht subscriber and Stack’s employee, Vicken Yegparian, has this to add
about overstruck coinage previously reported in the E-Gobrecht. “I was intrigued by Len Augsburger's
listing of "Overstruck Seated Coinage." I can add one tangentially related pattern
piece, an 1852 Judd 146 Ring Dollar in Silver struck on an 1860 Dime Obverse
Die Trial (Stack's 68th Anniversary Sale, part of the Randolph S. Rothschild
Collection, ==> The results of the election of officers for the Liberty Seated Collectors Club was announced at the LSCC meeting at the 2005 ANA Convention. The membership elected the following officers: President John McCloskey Vice-President Larry Briggs Secretary/Treasurer Greg Shismanian. Congratulations! As
these are volunteer positions, the membership thanks you for your dedication
and desire to serve the greater good of the numismatic community. ==> Recent or upcoming Liberty Seated Collections on the market. Please report others for distribution in the E-Gobrecht. The Mark
Sheldon collection of AU-MS Liberty Seated Half Dimes was offered at the Pre-2005 ANA William H. LaBelle collection sale by
American Numismatic Rarities. The full
set of seated half dimes with many major varieties and overdates, as well as
many of the coins Mark wrote articles about {in nice collector grades} were
included. The Rod
Sweet collection of Liberty Seated Dollars was offered by Bowers and Merena
Auctions in the July 2005 rarities The William
A. Harmon collection of U.S. Half Dimes will be offered by Heritage
Numismatic Auctions on The
Lemus Collection of U.S. Dimes, 1796-1916, will be offered by Stack’s at
their 70th Anniversary Sale in October 2005.
This collection is a complete date and major type set of Dimes with
most pieces falling in the Jules Reiver collection of copper, silver, and gold coinage will be offered by Heritage Numismatic Auctions in November 2005. Recent Finds ==> Anyone wishing to report their recent finds, including rarities, cherry picks, late die states, “neat coins,” etc., are encouraged to share it with others in this column. An anonymous numismatist reported the following finds: - 1876-S Type 2 reverse half dollar in VG. - 1847/6 Overdate half dollar in XF.
Miscellaneous - Steve Crain, LSCC member and half-dime numismatist, recently spent a month in the hospital recovering from bypass surgery. He reports he is doing extremely well and feeling better than he has in perhaps several years. We all wish him well and a speedy recovery - In their upcoming September 2005 auction, Stack's will be selling some literature that once belonged to D.W. Valentine, the author of The United States Half Dimes, The American Numismatic Society, 1931. Calendar Next issue of the Gobrecht Journal – November 2005
Information on the The LSCC Pledge. To encourage, promote, and dispense numismatic knowledge of the Liberty Seated coins; to cultivate fraternal relations among its members and all those interested in the science of numismatics. LSCC Officers. President: John McCloskey. Vice-President: Larry Briggs. Secretary/Treasurer: Greg Shismanian. LSCC Membership Information. Dues are $15 per year and include three issues of the Gobrecht Journal, an award winning numismatic publication. To join the Liberty Seated Collectors Club, for Gobrecht Journal mailing address changes, or for other membership questions, correspond with the LSCC Secretary Greg Shismanian. His address with be reported in the next issue. (In the meantime, send me any correspondence and I will get it to him. Editor.) Articles, comments, or advertisements for publication in the Gobrecht Journal may be addressed to the LSCC President: John W. McCloskey President, LSCC, and Editor, Gobrecht Journal Email address: John.McCloskey@notes.udayton.edu |
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