Augustus Saint-Gaudens' 1905 coin design acceptance letter.

RogerB

This is an image of Augustus Saint-Gaudens' letter accepting the commission to design U.S. coins. Most coin collectors have heard of the design commission and seen its results, but few have seen the original letter. [For additional information see Renaissance of American Coinage 1905-1908.]

Notice Saint-Gaudens is familiar with the necessity of a raised rim. His original gold coin obverse was the same as that proposed for the cent. But after President Roosevelt added his opinions, things began to change.

CaptHenway

A great piece of history!

Smudge

Thanks for sharing, where do you find this stuff?

coinpalice

I wonder what the original letter is worth?

RogerB

This letter is in NARA at the file location on the letter, lower left. There is another in the same file but on the subject of the Franklin medal that was eventually prepared by Louis Saint-Gaudens.

RogerB

Since the original is the property of the US people, it has no value outside of NARA - if this turned up for sale, it would be stolen property. (NARA in College Park, Md now has several "Convicted Thieves" posters near the reading rooms. They include photos and prison sentences of convicted document thieves. One was in the lobby under the photo of Trump, but it got moved a few feet away.)

Smudge

Thanks for sharing your research.

divecchia

@RogerB Your research as always is appreciated.

Thanks for sharing it.

Donato

logger7

Thanks for sharing that great letter, Roger. With your comprehensive scholarly knowledge like this, I'm surprised you haven't gotten major awards for your work.

Timbuk3

Great job, thank you !!!

Bullsitter

Those are too cool.

SaorAlba

@RogerB said:

They include photos and prison sentences of convicted document thieves. One was in the lobby under the photo of Trump, but it got moved a few feet away.)

I wonder if a figurative theft of the Constitution would move the portrait of the latter nearer to the former?

ricko

Thanks for showing us the letter(s) Roger... I love the old formalities in communications.... a sorry loss in modern times (email, texting, etc.). Cheers, RickO

RogerB

"Manual" communication forced people to think a little more than our present "instant" versions. Once the telephone came into common use, the information content of letters declined considerably.

ricko

Strange how things work... Television was the death knell for front porches on houses....Cheers, RickO

dmwest

@ricko said:
Strange how things work... Television was the death knell for front porches on houses....Cheers, RickO

I still enjoy my front porch and people watching....with a cold beer....

jtlee321

@SaorAlba said:

@RogerB said:

They include photos and prison sentences of convicted document thieves. One was in the lobby under the photo of Trump, but it got moved a few feet away.)

I wonder if a figurative theft of the Constitution would move the portrait of the latter nearer to the former?

Please don't bring your ridiculous politics into this... This is a very informative thread and I realize you were making an attempt at humor, but it was in bad taste. Thank you.

CaptHenway

This document should be framed and on display in the Smithsonian as part of an exhibit showing the many variations of the 1907 gold coinage.

RogerB

jtlee321 - Not an attempt at humor. It's a factual statement. The poster was in the position described and then moved, presumably for self-evident reasons.