A Guide Book of United States Coins (PDFDrive)
A Guide Book of United States Coins (PDFDrive)
A Guide Book of United States Coins (PDFDrive)
perity, and creativity of every major nation on earth. We are but the custodians of
these historical relics; we must appreciate and care for them while they are in our pos-
session. Those who treat rare coins with the consideration and respect they deserve
will profit in many ways, not the least of which can be in the form of a sound financial
return on one's investment of time and money.
figure does not seem to correlate with a coin's price. For example, among such coins
the 1901, of which 6,962,000 were made for circulation, is valued at $225,000 in
MS-65. In the same series the 1884-CC, of which only 1,136,000 were struck, is listed
at $500, or only a tiny fraction of the value of a 1901.
Why the difference? The explanation is that nearly all of the 6,962,000 dollars of
1901 were either placed into circulation at the time, and became worn, or were melted
generations ago. Very few were saved by collectors, and today MS-65 coins are
extreme rarities. On the other hand, of the 1,126,000 1885-CC silver dollars minted,
relatively few went into circulation. Vast quantities were sealed in 1,000-coin cloth
bags and put into government storage. Generations later, as coin collecting became
popular, thousands were paid out by the Treasury Department. Years after that, in the
early 1960s, when silver metal rose in value, there was a "run" on long-stored silver
dollars, and it was learned in March 1964 that 962,638 1884-CC dollars—84.7% of
the original mintage—were still in the hands of the Treasury Department!
With this information, the price disparities become understandable. Even though
the 1901 had a high mintage, few were saved, and although worn coins are common,
gem MS-65 coins are rarities. In contrast, nearly all of the low-mintage 1885-CC dol
lars were stored by the government, and today most of them still exist, including some
in MS-65 grade.
There are many other situations in which mintages are not particularly relevant to
the availability and prices of coins today. Often a special circumstance will lead to cer
tain coins' being saved in especially large quantities, later dramatically affecting the
availability and value of such pieces. The following are some of those circumstances.
Then this:
In November 1962, during the normal payout of silver dollars as gifts for the holiday
season, some long-sealed bags of coins were taken from a Philadelphia Mint vault that
had remained under seal since 1929. It was soon found that brilliant 1903-O dollars
were among these! A treasure hunt ensued, and hundreds of thousands of these for-
mer rarities were found. The rush was on!
From then until March 1964, hundreds of millions of Morgan and Peace dollars
were emptied from government and bank storage. At one time a long line of people,
some with wheelbarrows, formed outside of the Treasury Building in Washington,
DC, to obtain bags of dollars. Finally, only about three million coins remained, mostly
the aforementioned Carson City issues, which the Treasury decided to hold back.
These were later sold at strong premiums in a series of auctions held by the General
Services Administration.
In the meantime, Morgan and Peace dollars became very large and important sections
of the coin hobby, as they remain today. However, as can be seen, the combined ele-
ments of some coins' having been melted in 1918, others having been placed into circu-
lation generations ago, and still others existing in Mint State from long-stored hoards,
results in silver dollar prices that often bear little relation to mintage figures.
— 28
WELCOME TO NUMISMATICS INTRODUCTION WELCOME TO NUMISMATICS
On August 31, 1934, two young boys were playing in the cellar of a rented house at
132 South Eden Street, Baltimore, and found these coins hidden in a wall. Later, more
were found in the same location. On May 2,1935, many of the coins were sold at auc-
tion, by which time others had been sold privately, some unofficially. This hoard
included many choice and gem coins dated in the 1850s.
• New Orleans Bank Find (1982). A few minutes past noon, on October 29, 1982, 55 Central America, Lost September 12, 1857
a bulldozer unearthed a cache of long-hidden silver coins, believed to have been
stored in three wooden boxes in the early 1840s. The pieces were mostly Spanish- In contrast to the preceding, in the annals of undersea treasure hunting the
American issues, but hundreds of United States coins, including 1840-O and 1841-0 SS Central America has been extremely well documented. On August 20, 1857, more
Liberty Seated quarters, were also found. A scrabble in the dirt and mud ensued, and than 400 people, plus crew, and about $2,600,000 in gold treasure left San Francisco
men in business suits, ladies in dresses, and others scrambled to find treasure. The aboard the steamer SS Sonora, headed for Panama. The destination was reached in
latest dated coin found was from 1842. This must have been a secret reserve of some due course, and the passengers and gold crossed 48 miles of land on the Panama
Railroad and arrived at the port city of Aspinwall on the Atlantic side.
long-forgotten merchant or bank.
• Wells-Fargo Hoard of 1908 $20 (1990s). In the 1990s, dealer Ron Gillio pur- On Thursday, September 3, SS Central America left Aspinwall. A stop was made at
chased a hoard of 19,900 examples of the 1908 No Motto double eagle. For a time Havana on Monday, September 7. On the next morning the ship continued north toward
these were stored in a Wells Fargo Bank branch, giving the name to the cache. All New York City, its destination, where the gold coins and ingots would be received.
were Mint State, and many were of choice and gem quality. Offered in the market, On Wednesday, September 9, a day out of Havana, the second officer noted in his
these were dispersed over a period of several years. records that a fresh breeze was kicking up swells. A tropical storm was in progress, but
• Gold coins from abroad (turn of the 21st century). In the late 20th century and sure to fade in a day or so. Meanwhile, the large ship could handle any type of weather.
However, matters went from bad to worse, and on Thursday the SS Central America
in the first years of the 21st, some exciting finds of Mint State double eagles were
was in the grip of a monster hurricane, one of the strongest on record.
located in foreign banks. Involved were high-grade examples of some Carson City
issues in the Liberty Head series and hundreds of scarce-mintmark varieties of double On Friday the storm still raged, and the ship developed leaks in several places,
eagles after 1923. As is often the case when hoards are discovered, pieces were fil- flooding the lower areas. On the lower deck, the rising water and the violent tossing
tered into the market without any publicity or an accounting of specific varieties found. of the vessel made it virtually impossible to continue feeding coal to the boilers. At
11:00 in the morning, Captain William Lewis Herndon enlisted the aid of male passen-
gers to form a bucket line to bail water, which proved to be futile. The ship became
Sunken Treasure swamped and was at the mercy of the waves hitting broadside. By the next morning
Throughout American history, tens of thousands of ships have been lost at sea and the decks were awash, and it was feared that the ship would be lost. The captain
on inland waters. Only a handful of these vessels were reported as having had signif- directed that the American flag be flown upside-down, a signal of distress.
icant quantities of coins aboard. Early in the afternoon the sail of the brig Marine came into sight, and soon the small
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, numismatists were front-row center as ship drew near. In the following hours nearly all of the women and children were trans-
coins from several side-wheel steamers lost in the 1850s and 1860s yielded rare ferred to the Marine, and some crew members went also. A few minutes after 8:00 in
coins. Sketches of four of these ships are given here. Two of these, the SS Yankee the evening a huge wave hit the ship; she shuddered, timbers splintered, and with Cap-
Blade and the SS Central America, carried coins from the California gold rush. tain Herndon standing on the paddle box, the SS Central America slipped below the
The other two treasure ships, the SS Brother Jonathan and the SS Republic, were waves. Although some passengers and crew were later rescued from the water, about
lost off the coasts of California and Georgia, respectively; each had double eagles and 435 lives were lost. The hull settled at the bottom, 7,200 feet below the surface.
other coins on board. Overshadowed by the Panic of 1857, the Civil War, and other matters of national
importance, the SS Central America was largely forgotten. Its location was not known,
55 Yankee Blade, Lost October 1,1854 except that it had gone down somewhere along the planned route. In 1980 Tommy
The SS Yankee Blade, launched in 1853, was in the service of the Independent Thompson, a Columbus, Ohio, scientist, directed his efforts to finding the wreck, and in
Steamship Co. in 1854. On October 1 she was on a run from San Francisco south to 1985 a group of entrepreneurs and investors formed the Columbus-America Discovery
Panama, carrying about 900 passengers and crew and an unknown amount of gold, Group. After much effort, including the guidance of scientist Bob Evans, the long-lost
but including about $152,000 in coins consigned by the banking house of Page, ship was found, and recovery of gold coins and ingots was accomplished through the
Bacon & Co. In heavy fog Captain Henry T. Randall, believing he was in deep water aid of the Nemo, a remote-controlled underwater device with arms that could retrieve
far at sea, proceeded at full speed ahead, trying to establish a speed record—certain the treasure carefully. When all was said and done, more than 5,400 mint-fresh 1857-S
to be beneficial in advertising. double eagles, several hundred gold ingots, and other coins were recovered.
The captain was wrong, and the steamer was amid the rockbound Channel Islands, The California Gold Marketing Group, under the direction of Dwight Manley, began
off the coast of Santa Barbara, California. The ship smashed onto a rock, and was the sale of the treasure coins and ingots in 2000, and within the next few years all were
stranded at a tipsy angle. In time, she sank, but not before most people escaped. In sold, for an estimated $100,000,000. As part of the project, Q. David Bowers created
the ensuing confusion, an estimated 17 to 50 passengers lost their lives. the 1,050-page book A California Gold Rush History, with extensive illustrations and
As to what happened to the gold coins aboard, some were seemingly recovered information. As no larger Gold Rush-era treasure was ever lost, by definition no greater
soon after the disaster, in circumstances shrouded in mystery. Perhaps other coins treasure can ever be found, making the SS Central America find a unique event.
WELCOME TO NUMISMATICS INTRODUCTION
.32
COLONIAL ISSUES PRE-FEDERAL ISSUES
Maryland
Lord Baltimore Coinage
Cecil Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, inherited from his father nearly absolute
control over Maryland. Cecil believed he had the right to coin money for the colony,
and in 1659 he ordered shillings, sixpences, and groats (four-penny pieces) from the
Royal Mint in London and shipped samples to Maryland, to his brother Philip, who
was then his secretary for the colony. Cecil's right to strike coins was challenged but
upheld by Cromwell's government. The whole issue was small, and while his coins did
circulate in Maryland at first, by 1700 they had largely disappeared.
COLONIAL ISSUES
Calvert's coins bear his portrait on the obverse, with a Latin legend calling him
"Lord of Mary's Land." The reverses bear his family coat of arms and the denomina-
tion in Roman numerals. There are several die varieties of each. Many of these coins
are found holed and repaired. The copper penny, or denarium, is the rarest denomi-
nation, with only six known specimens.
New Jersey
St. Patrick or Mark Newby Coinage
Mark Newby, who came to America from Dublin, Ireland, in November 1681, brought
copper pieces believed by numismatists to have been struck in Dublin circa 1663 to
1672. These are called St. Patrick coppers.
The coinage was made legal tender by the General Assembly of New Jersey in May
1682. The legislature did not specify which size piece could circulate, only that the
coin was to be worth a halfpenny in trade. Most numismatists believe the larger-size
coin was intended. However, as many more farthing-size pieces are known than half-
pennies, some believe that the smaller-size piece was meant. Copper coins often cir-
culated in the colonies at twice what they would have been worth in England.
The obverses show a crowned king kneeling and playing a harp. The legend FLO-
REAT REX ("May the King Prosper") is separated by a crown. The reverse side of the
halfpence shows St. Patrick with a crazier in his left hand and a trefoil in his right, and
surrounded by people. At his left side is a shield. The legend is ECCE GREX ("Behold
the Flock"). The farthing reverse shows St. Patrick driving away reptiles and serpents
as he holds a metropolitan cross in his left hand. The legend reads QUIESCAT PLEBS
("May the People Be at Ease").
The large-size piece, called a halfpenny, bears the arms of the City of Dublin on the
shield on the reverse; the smaller-size piece, called a farthing, does not. All of these
pieces have a reeded edge.
The decorative brass insert found on the coinage, usually over the crown on the
obverse, was put there to make counterfeiting more difficult. On some pieces this dec-
oration has been removed or does not show. Numerous die variations exist.
COLONIAL ISSUES
The obverse, c o m m o n to both Rosa Americana and Hibernia pieces, shows the
head of George I and the legend GEORGIUS D:G MAG: BRI: FRA: ET. HIB: REX
("George, by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland") or abbre-
viations thereof. Rosa Americana tokens, however, were rejected by the American
colonists. The coins are made of a brass composition of 7 5 % copper, 2 4 . 7 % zinc, and
. 3 % silver (sometimes mistakenly referred to as Bath metal).
Virginia Halfpennies
In 1773, coinage of a copper halfpenny was authorized for Virginia by the Crown. The
pattern, in Proof struck on a large planchet with a wide milled border, is often referred
to as a penny.
The silver piece dated 1774 is referred to as a shilling, but may have been a pattern
or trial for a halfpenny or a guinea.
COLONIAL ISSUES
EARLY AMERICAN AND RELATED TOKENS
Elephant Tokens
London Elephant Tokens
The London Elephant tokens were struck circa 1672 to 1694. Although they were
undated, two examples are known to have been struck over 1672 British halfpennies.
Most were struck in copper, but one was made of brass. The legend on this piece,
GOD PRESERVE LONDON, is probably just a general plea for divine aid and not a
specific reference to the outbreak of plague in 1665 or the great fire of 1666.
These pieces were not-struck for the colonies, and probably did not circulate widely
in America, although a few may have been carried there by colonists. They are associ-
ated with the 1694 Carolina and New England Elephant tokens, through a shared
obverse die.
Uncirculated—A circulation-strike coin that has never been used in commerce, and NICKEL FIVE-CENT PIECES
has retained its original surface and luster; also called Mint State. Bowers, Q. David. A Guide Book of Shield and Liberty Head Nickels, Atlanta, GA, 2006.
unique—An item of which only one specimen is known to exist. Fletcher. Edward L., Jr. The Shield Five Cent Series, Ormond Beach, FL, 1994.
Lange, David W. The Complete Guide to Buffalo Nickels, Virginia Beach. VA, 2000.
variety—A coin's design that sets it apart from the normal issue of that type: Nagengast. Bernard. The Jefferson Nickel Analvst (2nd ed.), Sidney, Ohio, 1979.
PetersrGloria, and Mahon, Cynthia. The Complete Guide to Shield and Liberty Head Nickels, Virginia Beach,
wheaties—Lincoln cents with the wheat ears reverse, issued from 1909 to 1958.
VA, 1995.
year set—A set of coins for any given year, consisting of one of each denomination Wescott, Michael. The United States Nickel Five-Cent Piece, Wolfeboro, NH, 1991.
issued that year.
407.
BIBLIOGRAPHY BIBLIOGRAPHY
HALF DIMES GOLD PIECES ($1 THROUGH $20)
Blythe, Al. The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dimes, Virginia Beach, VA, 1992. Akers, David W. Gold Dollars (and Other Gold Denominations), Englewood, OH, 1975-1982.
Breen, Walter. United States Half Dimes: A Supplement, New York, 1958. Bowers, Q. David. A Guide Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins, Atlanta, GA, 2004.
Logan, Russell, and McClosky, John. Federal Half Dimes 1792-1837, Manchester, MI, 1998. Bowers, Q. David. United States Gold Coins: An Illustrated History, Wolfeboro, NH, 1982.
Newlin, H.P. The Early Half-Dimes of the United States, Philadelphia, 1883 (reprinted 1933). Breen, Walter. Major Varieties of U.S. Gold Dollars (and Other Gold Denominations), Chicago, 1964.
Valentine, D.W. The United States Half Dimes, New York, 1931 (reprinted 1975). Fivaz, Bill, United States Gold Counterfeit Detection Guide, Atlanta, GA, 2005.
Garrett, Jeff, and Guth, Ron. Encyclopedia of United States Gold Coins, Atlanta, GA, 2006.
DIMES
Ahwash, Kamal M. Encyclopedia of United States Liberty Seated Dimes 1837-1891, Kamal Press, 1977. COMMEMORATTVES
Davis, David; Logan, Russell; Lovejoy, Allen; McCloskey, John; and Subjack, William. Early United States Bowers, Q. David. A Guide Book of United States Commemorative Coins, Atlanta, GA, 2006.
Dimes 1796-1837, Ypsilanti, MI, 1984. Bullowa, David M. The Commemorative Coinage of the United States 1892-1938, New York, 1938.
Flynn, Kevin. The 1894-S Dime: A Mysteiy Unraveled, Rancocas, NJ, 2005. Mosher, Stuart. The Commemorative Coinage of the United States 1892-1938, New York, 1940.
Flynn, Kevin. The Authoritative Reference on Roosevelt Dimes, Brooklyn, NY, 2001. Slabaugh, Arlie. United States Commemorative Coinage, Racine, WI, 1975.
Greer, Brian. The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Dimes, Virginia Beach, VA, 1992. Swiatek, Anthony, and Breen, Walter. The Encyclopedia of United States Silver and Gold Commemorative
Kosoff, A. United States Dimes From 1796, New York, 1945. Coins 1892-1954, New York, 1981.
Lange, David W. The Complete Guide to Mercury Dimes (2nd ed.), Virginia Beach, VA 1993. Taxay, Don. An Illustrated History of U.S. Commemorative Coinage, New York, 1967.
Lawrence, David. The Complete Guide to Barber Dimes, Virginia Beach, VA 1991.
TOKENS
QUARTER DOLLARS Fuld, George, and Fuld, Melvin. U.S. Civil War Store Cards, Lawrence, MA, 1975.
Bowers, Q. David. A Guide Book of Washington and State Quarters, Atlanta, GA, 2006. Jaeger, Katherine. A Guide Book of United States Tokens and Medals, Atlanta, GA, 2006.
Bressett, Kenneth. The Official Whitman Statehood Quarters Collector's Handbook, New York, 2000. Rulau, Russell. Standard Catalog of United States Tokens 1700-1900, Iola, WI, 1997.
Briggs, Larry. The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of United States Seated Quarters, Lima, Ohio, 1991.
Browning, A.W. The Early Quarter Dollars of the United States 1796-1838. New York, 1925 (reprinted PATTERNS
1992) Judd, J. Hewitt. United States Pattern Coins (9th ed., edited by Q. David Bowers), Atlanta, GA, 2005.
Cline, J.H. Standing Liberty Quarters (3rd ed.), 1996.
Duphorne, R. The Early Quarter Dollars of the United States, 1975. PRIVATE AND TERRITORIAL GOLD
Fivaz, Bill, and Stanton, J.T. The Cherrypickers Guide to Rare Die Varieties, Atlanta, GA, 2006. Adams. Edgar H. Official Premium Lists of Private and Territorial Gold Coins, Brooklyn, NY, 1909.
Haseltine, J.W. Type Table of United States Dollars, Half Dollars and Quarter Dollars, Philadelphia, 1881 Adams, Edgar H. Private Gold Coinage of California 1849-1855, Brooklyn, NY, 1913.
(reprinted 1927, 1968). Bowers, Q. David. A California Gold Rush History Featuring Treasure from the S.S. Central America,
Kelman, Keith N. Standing Liberty Quarters, 1976. Wolfeboro, NH, 2001.
Lawrence, David. The Complete Guide to Barber Quarters, Virginia Beach, VA, 1989. Bowers, Q. David. The History of United States Coinage as Illustrated by the Garrett Collection, Los
Angeles, 1979.
HALF DOLLARS Breen, Walter, and Gillio, Ronald. California Pioneer Fractional Gold (2nd ed.), Santa Barbara, CA, 1983.
Flynn, Kevin. The Authoritative Reference on Barber Half Dollars, Brooklyn, NY, 2005. Clifford, Henry H. "Pioneer Gold Coinage in the West—1848-1861," reprint from The Westerners Brand
Fox, Bruce. The Complete Guide to Walking Liberty Half Dollars, Virginia Beach, VA, 1993. Book—Book Nine, Los Angeles, 1961.
Lawrence, David. The Complete Guide to Barber Halves, Virginia Beach, VA, 1991. Doering, David. California Fractional Gold, Seal Beach, С A, 1982.
Overton, Al С Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794-1836, Colorado Springs, CO, 1967 (3rd ed., 1990, edit Griffin. Clarence. The Bechtlers and Bechtler Coinage and Gold Mining in North Carolina 1814-1830,
ed by Donald Parsley). Spindale, NC, 1929.
Peterson, Glenn R. The Ultimate Guide to Attributing Bust Half Dollars, Rocky River, OH, 2000. Kagin, Donald H. Private Gold Coins and Patterns of the United States, New York, 1981.
Wiley, Randy, and Bugert, Bill. The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dollars, Virginia Beach, Lee, Kenneth W. California Gold—Dollars, Half Dollars. Quarter Dollars, Santa Ana, CA, 1979.
VA, 1993. Leonard, Robert D., Jr., et al. California Pioneer Fractional Gold by Walter Breen and Ronald J. Gillio (2nd
ed.), Wolfeboro, NH, 2003.
SILVER DOLLARS Owens, Dan. California Coiners and Assayers, Wolfeboro, NH, and New York, 2000.
Bolender, M.H. The United States Early Silver Dollars From 1794 to 1803 (3rd ed.), Iola, WI, 1982 (reprint Seymour. Dexter С The 1830 Coinage ofTempleton Reid, American Numismatic Society Museum Notes No.
ed 1987). 22, New York, 1977.
Bowers, Q. David. The Rare Silver Dollars Dated 1804, Wolfeboro, NH, 1999.
Bowers, Q. David. Silver Dollars and Trade Dollars of the United States: A Complete Encyclopedia, PHILIPPINE ISSUES
Wolfeboro, NH, 1993. Allen, Lyman L. U.S. Philippine Coins, Lyman Allen Numismatic Services, Oakland Park, FL, 1998.
Bowers, Q. David. A Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars: A Complete History and Price Guide Shafer, Neil. United States Territorial Coinage for the Philippine Islands, Whitman Publishing
(2nd ed.), Atlanta, GA, 2005. Company, 1961.
Fey, Michael S., and Oxman, Jeff. The Top 100 Morgan Dollar Varieties, Morris Planes, NJ, 1997.
Haseltine, J.W. Type Table of United States Dollars. Half Dollars and Quarter Dollars, Philadelphia, 1881 PROOF COINS AND PROOF SETS
(reprinted 1927, 1968). Lange. David W. A Guide Book of Modern United States Proof Coin Sets, Atlanta, GA, 2005.
Newman, Eric P., and Bressett, Kenneth E. The Fantastic 1804 Dollar, Racine, WI, 1962.
Van Allen, Leroy C, and Mallis, A. George. Comprehensive Catalogue and Encyclopedia of U.S. Morgan TYPE COINS
and Peace Silver Dollars, New York, 1997. Bowers, Q. David. A Guide Book of United States Type Coins, Atlanta, GA, 2005.
Willem, John M. The United States Trade Dollar (2nd ed.), Racine, WI, 1965. Garrett, Jeff, and Guth, Ron. 100 Greatest U.S. Coins (2nd ed.), Atlanta, GA, 2005.
Guth. Ron, and Garrett, Jeff. United States Coinage: A Study by Type, Atlanta, GA, 2005.
108
INDEX INDEX
abbreviations, 8 bullion values, 394 decimal ratio system, 13 fractional coins, 16
African Head copper, 58 bungtown tokens, 47 de Francisci, Anthony, 214, 215 fractional currency, 17
Alaska Rural Rehabilitation Corporation deniers, 50-52 Franklin, Benjamin, 13, 72, 81, 83
tokens, 385 California gold, 30, 31, 344, 357, 364, 365, die defect, 387, 390 Franklin cents, 13, 83
Albany Church pennies, 71 366, 367 dimes, 15, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 140-154, 156, Franklin half dollars, 194-196
alterations. See counterfeits small-denomination gold, 364-366 194, 336, 394 Franklin Press tokens, 12, 72
American Numismatic Association, 86 ingot bars, 366-367 Barber, 147-149 free coinage, 14, 16
grading system of, 9 California gold rush, 15 Roosevelt, 152-154 Frosted Proof, 320
American Plantations tokens, 39 Callender, Joseph, 56 Winged Liberty, 149-151 (See also Frossard, Edouard, 29
ANA. See American Numismatic Association Carter, Amon, Sr. and Jr., 395 "Mercury" dimes) Fugio cents, 13, 28, 82-84
Anthony dollars, 218-219 Castine Hoard, 28 dismes, 13, 84, 85
Appleton, William Sumner, 395 Castorland medals, 73-74 dollar, origin of word, 200 Garrett, John Work, 396
Articles of Confederation, 12 cents dollars Gasparro, Frank, 118, 196, 216, 217, 218, 293
auction prices, top 250 U.S., 399-403 Confederate, 375 Lesher Referendum, 73 Georgia gold, 343, 346
Auctori Plebis tokens, 11, 70 copper-nickel (see white cents) pattern, 340, 341 Georgivs Triumpho coppers, 11, 75
Indian head (see Indian head cents) pillar (see Spanish milled dollar) Georgivs/Britannia, 64
Bailey, John, 62, 63 large (see large cents) Sacagawea, 26, 220 Getz patterns, 78-79
Baldwin & Co., 355-356 Lincoln (see Lincoln cents) Susan B. Anthony, 218-219 Getz, Peter, 78
Baltimore Find, 29 memorial reverse, 118-120 See also gold dollars; goloid metric dollar; Gloucester token, 11, 46
Bank of New York Hoard, 28 pattern, 334, 335, 337, 341, 342 silver dollars Goadsby, Thomas, 65
Bar coppers, 69 plastic, 342 double de I'Amerique Frangoise, 50 Gobrecht dollars, 205-207, 333
Barber dimes, 147-149 found in Randall Hoard, 28 double dimes. See twenty-cent pieces gold
Barber half dollars, 191-192 shell-case, 116-117 double eagles, 16, 26, 30, 233, 254-261, 342 bullion, 327-329
Barber quarters, 163-164, 341 silver center, 14, 85 found in hoard, 30 California, 344
Barber, Charles E., 24, 26, 125, 147, 163, small (see small cents) pattern, 342 Colorado, 362-364
191,233,267 steel, 25, 116 doubloons, 10, 11, 61 dollars (see gold dollars)
Barber, William, 155, 209, 338, 339 wheat, 113-117 Dubosq & Company, 355 double eagle (see double eagles)
Barnum, P.T., 264 Chalmers, J., coinage of, 11, 49 Dudley, Benjamin, 13, 81 eagle (see eagles)
Barry, Standish, 11. See also Standish Chapman Hoard, 29 Dunbar & Company, 356 four-dollar (see four-dollar gold pieces;
Barry threepence Chase, Salmon P., 17 Dunham, William F, 395 Stellas)
Bass, Harry W., 395 Cincinnati Mining & Trading Co., 353 Georgia, 343
Bechtler, August, 346 Civil War, 16 eagles, 6, 14, 15, 16, 24, 30, 31, 32, half eagle (see half eagles)
Bechtler, Christopher, 344-346 Civil War tokens, 374 246-253, 350 Mormon, 360-362
Bechtler gold, 15, 344-347 clad coinage, 19, 153, 169, 196, 197 pattern, 338 private and territorial, 16, 343-367
Bermuda (Sommer Islands), 11, 34 Clark, Capt. William, 134 See also silver eagles quarter eagle (see quarter eagles)
Bicentennial coinage, 170, 197 Clark, Gruber & Co., 362-363 Eckfeldt, Adam, 396 three-dollar (see three-dollar gold pieces)
half dollars, 197-198 clipped planchet, 386, 390 Economite Treasure, 29 gold dollars, 15, 221-223, 364
quarter dollars, 169-170 Cohen Hoard, 28 eight reales, 10 found in hoard, 29
silver dollars, 217-218 coin alignment, 176 Eisenhower dollars, 216-218 pattern, 334, 335
Birch cent, 14, 84, 85 coins Elephant tokens, 11, 44-45 gold standard, 16, 18-19
Birch, Robert, 14, 84 care of, 22 Eliasberg, Louis E., Sr., 396 Gold Standard Act, 18
Bishop, Samuel, 57 coins, increase and decrease in prices, 8 Ellsworth, Col. James W., 396 goloid metric dollar, 341
bit, 13, 18. See also Spanish milled coins, investing in, 20-22 error pieces. See misstrikes and error pieces; Goodrich, John, 57
dollar Collins Find, 29 state quarters, error pieces Gouverneur Morris, 52
Bland-Allison Act, 19, 210 colonial issues, 34-51 Excelsior coppers, 62 grading. See American Numismatic
Blank & Co., 366, 367 Colonies, French, 49-51 Exeter Hoard, 29 Association, grading system of
blanks, 387, 390 Colorado gold pieces, 362-364 Granby coppers, 46-47
Bowie, J.H., 352 commemoratives, 262-319. See also alpha- F.D. Kohler, 354-355 gratuitous coinage. See free coinage
Boyd, Frederick C.C., 395 betical index on pp. 262-263 Farouk, King (Egypt), 396 Gruner, Ferdinand, 359
Brand, Vergil M., 395 commemorative sets, 314-319 farthings, 38, 39. See also in "Colonial Issues"
Brasher doubloons, 61 Comstock Lode, 17 section half cents, 13, 14, 15, 17, 22, 26, 29, 56, 57,
Brasher, Ephraim, 11, 61 Confederate cents, 375 Feuchtwanger tokens, 373 86, 87-92, 93, 108, 109, 370
Brenner, Victor D., 24, 113, 114, 118 Confederate half dollars, 189, 375 fifty-dollar gold pieces. See bullion coins; Half found in hoards, 29
Brilliant Proof, 320 Confederatio coppers, 54-55 Unions pattern, 335
broadstrike, 388, 390 Connecticut, coinage of, 57-60 file marks, 9 half dimes, 15, 17, 18, 22, 25, 26, 135-139
brockage, 388, 390 Continental Currency, 13, 81 five-cent pieces half dismes, 14, 84, 85
Broome, Samuel, 57 contract issues and patterns, 81-86 aluminum, 337 half dollars, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24,
Brown, Moses, 14 Copper Company of Upper Canada tokens, pattern, 341 25, 26, 29, 32, 78, 169, 177-198, 214,
Browning, Jeff, 395 73 ,„_ silver wartime alloy, 130 217, 218, 230, 320, 326, 339, 341, 342,
Buell, Abel, 57, 83 counterfeits, 22-23, 47, 63, 71, 107, 117, 12b, See also half dimes; nickels 375, 376, 396, 397
buffalo nickels, 25, 127, 134. See also Indian 130, 150, 193,229,230,245 five-dollar gold pieces. See half eagles Barber, 191-192
head nickels Cox, Albion, 65 Flying Eagle cents, 16, 109 Confederate, 375
with three-legged buffalo, 129 found in hoard, 29 found in hoards, 29
bullion coins, 326-332 Dahlonega, GA, 15, 20, 221, 226, 231, 239 four-dollar gold pieces, 233. See also Stellas Franklin, 194-196
—.110
INDEX INDEX
Kennedy, 196-198 large cents, 17, 22, 29, 93-108, 397, 398 Newby, Mark, 11, 38 See also gold, private and territorial
pattern, 334, 335, 339, 342 Law of 1873, 17, 156, 210 Newcomer, Waldo, 397 Proof coins, 320
half eagles, 14, 230, 234-245, 347 Lesher Referendum dollars, 373 Nichols Find, 28 collecting of, 398
Half Unions, 334, 340, 398 Lewis and Clark. See Westward Journey nick nickel three-cent pieces. See three-cent making of, 320
halfpence els; See also under commemoratives pieces, nickel and mintmark application, 20, 320
imitation British, 63 Liberty and Security tokens, 79-80 nickels, 17,25,27, 124-134 Proof, defined, 320
See also in "Colonial Issues" section Lilly, Josiah K., 396 Indian Head (see Indian Head nickels) prooflike, defined, 320
halfpennies Lima Style doubloons, 61 Jefferson (see Jefferson nickels) Proof sets, 320-322
found in Cohen Hoard, 28 Lincoln cents, 22, 113-120, 342 pattern, 337, 341
vs. farthings, 38 lint marks, 9 wartime silver, 130 quarter dollars, 25, 26, 156-176
Hamilton, Alexander, 12, 13, 14, 15 Liverpool halfpenny, 77 Norris, Gregg & Norris, 347 1792, 86
Hard Times tokens, 16, 368-372 Longacre, James В., 108 North American tokens, 69 Barber, 163-164
Harmon, Reuben, Jr., 62, 67 Lord Baltimore coinage, 37-38 North Wales halfpennies, 80 Bicentennial, 169-170
Harris, Marchand & Co., 366, 367 North West Company tokens, 74 found in hoards, 29, 30
Haseltine, John W., 333 Machin, Thomas, 62 Norweb, Mrs. R. Henry, 397 pattern, 338, 340, 341
Hawaii, coins and tokens of, 176, 376. See Machin's Mills coinage, 62-64 Nova Caesarea coppers, 65 statehood (see state quarters)
also commemoratives, Hawaiian mark, 13, 82 Nova Constellatio coppers, 11, 52, 53 Washington, 25, 167-176
Sesquicentennial, 275 Massachusetts and California Company, 353 Nova Constellatio patterns, 13, 81-82 quarter eagles, 14, 224-230, 239, 245, 267,
Hentsch, Henry, 367 Massachusetts, coinage of, 55 Nova Eborac coinage for New York, 11, 62, 274
Hercules Head (Connecticut), 58, 59 found in Exeter Hoard, 28 64-65 quint, 13, 82
Hibernia coinage, 11, 42-43 Matte Proof, 320 numismatics, history of American, 86
Hibemia-Voce Populi coins, 11, 47 medal alignment, 176 Randall Hoard, 28
Higley coppers, 46-47 medio, 12 Oak Tree coinage, 11, 29, 36 rarity, 23
Higley, Samuel and John, 11, 46 merchants' tokens, 11 Oregon Exchange Company, 360 Raymond, Wayte, 86
Hillhouse, James, 57 "Mercury" dimes, 25, 149-151, 342, 390 Ormsby, J.S., 354 Red Book, as a collectible, 391-393
hoards, famous, 28-30 metals, wrong, 390 values of previous editions, 392-393
Hogge Money (Bermuda), 11, 34 Mickley, Joseph J., 397 Pacific Company, San Francisco, 354 Reed, Byron, 398
Hopkins, Joseph, 57 Miners' Bank, 353 paper money, 13, 15, 16, 17, 22, 29, 374 Reich, John, 26, 90, 99, 101, 141, 157, 179,
Hull, John, 11, 35 Mint sets, 320, 323-325 Parmelee, Lorin G., 397 225, 236
Humbert, Augustus, 343, 347, 348, 358, 367, Special, 325 pattern pieces, 14, 15, 52, 333-342 Reid, Templeton, 15, 343-344
348-350, 358 Special Millennium, 220 1792 proposed coinage, 14-15, 84-86, 397 replicas, 22, 23, 81, 364
Uncirculated, 323-325 dimes, 145 Rhode Island Ship tokens, 48
Immunis Columbia pieces, 53, 54 mintages, inaccuracy of reported, 9 eagles, 247, 252 Rittenhouse, David, 14
Indian Head cents, 16, 29, 110-113 Mint Cabinet, 86 Flying Eagle cents, 109-110 Roberts, Gilroy, 196, 197
Indian Head nickels, 127-129 mintmarks, 19-20 Gobrecht dollars, 205-207 Roosevelt dimes, 152-154
ingot, defined, 343 mints, U.S., 19-20 half dimes, 139 Roosevelt, Franklin D. See under commemo
ingots, California, 366-367 misstrikes and error pieces, 176, 386-390 half dollars, 185, 189 ratives
investing in rare coins, 21-22 types of, 387-388 history of, 333 Roosevelt, Theodore, 230, 252, 293
values of, 390 large cents, 94-95 Rosa Americana coins, 11, 39-42
J.H. Bowie, 352 Mitchelson, John C, 397 quarters, 161
J.J. Conway & Co., 363-364 Moffat & Co., 347-348, 350 silver dollars, 208 Sacagawea dollar, 26, 200, 219, 220, 388, 390
J.S. Ormsby, 354 with Augustus Humbert, 349-350 Stellas, 233 Saint-Gaudens, Augustus, 24, 27, 230, 252,
Jackson, Andrew, 15, 368 Moffat, John L, 352 Peace dollars, 27, 28, 214-216 258,318,327,342
Janus copper, 56 Morgan silver dollars, 27, 210-216 penny boards, 86 Sanderson, Robert, 35
Jefferson nickels, 27, 129-134, 317, 318 Morgan, George T, 24, 210, 233, 267, 340 Philippine issues, 20, 377-384 Schultz & Company, 356
Jefferson, Thomas, 12, 15, 133. See also Mormon gold pieces, 360-362 commemorative, 384 Scot, Robert, 87, 89, 96, 101, 135, 140, 156,
Jefferson nickels; See also under commem Morris, Gouverneur, 12-13, 52, 81 piece of eight, 10, 11, 20, 200 177, 178, 200,224,234,246
oratives Morris, Robert, 13, 52 pillar dollar, 10. See also piece of eight Sheldon, William H., 398
John Parsons & Company, 363 Mott Store cards, 70 Pine Tree coinage, 28, 37, 55 Sherman Act, 18
Justh & Hunter, 367 motto "In God We Trust," 208, 252, 260, 267 Pittman Act, 18,27,211,214 shillings, 11, 12, 28, 35, 37. See also in
Mould, Walter, 65 Pittman, John Jay, 397 "Colonial Issues" section
keelboat nickel. See Westward Journey nickels Moulton, William, 55 Pitt tokens, 48 Ship halfpenny, 79
Kellogg & Co., 358-359 mousequetaire, 50 planchets Shipwreck Effect coins, 31
Kellogg & Humbert, 367 Myddelton tokens, 11, 73 blank, 387, 390 shipwrecks, 30-32. See also S.S. Brother
Kellogg, John G., 358 clipped, 386, 390 Jonathan; S.S. Central America; S.S.
Kellogg & Richter, 358 NE coinage, 35 coins struck on wrong, 388, 390 Republic; S.S. Yankee Blade
Kennedy (John F.) half dollars, 25, 196-198 New Hampshire, coinage of, 55 platinum bullion, 329-332 silver bullion, 14,27, 35,326
Kennedy, Robert F. See under commemora New Jersey, coinage of, 62, 65-67 Piatt, Jeremiah, 57 silver dollars, 16, 18-19, 23-24, 200-219
tives New Orleans Bank Find, 30 Postage Currency, 17, 336 Bicentennial, 217-218
Kentucky tokens, 11, 71 New Spain (Texas) Jola tokens, 74 post-colonial issues, 52-80 Eisenhower, 216-218
Kneass, William, 136, 158, 226, 238, 239 New York coppers, 11 Post, J.K., 86 found in hoards, 28
Kohler, F.D., 343, 354-355 New York Theatre penny, 74 Pratt, Bela Lyon, 230, 245 Gobrecht, 205-207, 333
New York, coinage of, 61-65 private gold Morgan, 27-28, 210-216
lamination, 388, 390 New Yorke in America tokens, 11, 45 defined, 343 pattern, 208, 336
413
-—412
INDEX
Peace, 28, 214-216 pattern, 339
Trade, 209-210 (See also trade dollars) twenty-dollar gold pieces. See double eagles
silver eagles, 220, 326 two-cent pieces, 17, 18, 19, 121
sixpence, 12, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 49. See also found in hoard, 29
in "Colonial Issues" section pattern, 334, 336
slabs, 21 twopence, 34, 35, 39, 42. See also in
sliders, 9 "Colonial Issues" section
small cents, 109-120
Snowden, James Ross, 398 Uncirculated Mint sets, 323-325
sols, 50 United States Assay Office, 348-352
Sommer Islands (Bermuda) coinage, 11, 34 United States Assay Office of Gold, 350-352
Sommers, Sir George, 34 and John L. Moffat, 352
sou marque, 50-51
sous, 50-51 V.D.B. cents, 24. See also Brenner, Victor
Souvenir sets, 323, 325 David
Spanish milled dollar, 10, 11, 12-13 Vermont, coinage of, 67-69
Special Mint Sets, 320, 323, 325 Virginia halfpennies, 43
speculative patterns, 54-55 Vistas of Liberty platinum designs, 330
spot values of U.S. coins, 394 Voce Populi coins, 47
SS Brother Jonathan, 30-32 Voigt, Henry, 14, 93, 94
SS Central America, 30, 31, 359, 367, 393
SS Republic, 30, 32 waffled coins, 388
SS Yankee Blade, 30-31 wampum, 10, 35
Standard Silver coin, 337 war nickels, 130
St. Patrick's coppers, 11, 38-39 Washington, George, 13, 14. See also quarter
Standish Barry threepence, 70 dollars, Washington; Washington pieces
state quarters, 19, 25, 171-176, 320 Washington pieces, 75-80
error pieces, 176 portrait, 75-78
states, coinage of individual, 55-69 Wass, Molitor & Co., 356-358
steel cents, 25, 116 Weinman, Adolph A., 149, 192, 230, 326
Stellas, 233, 398 Wells-Fargo Hoard, 30
Stickney, Matthew Adams, 398 West Point mint, 19, 152, 220, 234, 263, 289,
Success medals, 80 290, 291, 299, 300, 312, 320, 326, 327,
sunken treasure, 30-32. See also shipwrecks 328,329, 330, 331,332,415
Susan B. Anthony dollars, 218-219 Westward Journey nickels, 133
wheat cents, 113-117
Talbot, Allum & Lee tokens, 72, 88 white cents, 110-111
Tarryall Mines, 363 White, Hoard of Miser Aaron, 29
ten-dollar gold pieces. See eagles; see also whizzed coins, 9
bullion coins wildcat banks, notes of, 15
territorial gold. See gold, private and territorial Wilkison, John, 398
Theatre at New York tokens, 74 Willow Tree coinage, 29, 35-36
three-cent pieces, 17, 122-123 Woodin, William H., 334, 398
nickel, 123 Wood, William, 11, 39-43
pattern, 341 Wright, Joseph, 86
silver, 16-17, 122-123 Wyon, George, 53
three-dollar gold pieces, 16, 231
pattern, 338
threepence, 34, 35, 37, 46, 49, 70
silver, 12
See also in "Colonial Issues" section
tokens
private, 368-374
See also specific types of tokens
trade dollars, 17, 209, 210, 339, 395, 338
pattern, 338
treasures and hoards, 23. See also hoards,
famous; shipwrecks
Treasury release of 1962-1964, 27-28
trimes, 122-123
pattern, 335
Trompeter, Ed, 398
twenty-cent pieces, 18, 155
.414