First steam coinage

100g4life

I have this coin wanting to know if it's real and worth anything I have alot of coins to be checked out but always people out there trying to get over on people just wanting people advice and hopefully come across something worth some money please help thank u

cardinal

Perhaps the lighting is making the piece look a bit brassy, rather than toned copper. These metals are valuable in good condition and were actually struck in copper in 1836. The U.S. Mint restruck these medals in the mid-1900's in what was called "Yellow Bronze," aka Brass. Those restrikes have some collector value, but not nearly as valuable as the originals from 1836.

100g4life

Thank u and any ideas on how I could go about testing this coin to see whether it's copper or brass

MedalCollector

That is a genuine US Mint medal restrike. Likely worth about $10-15. Restrikes of this type used to sell for more a couple years ago, but demand has chilled somewhat.

100g4life

Thank u

RogerB

This letter might also be of interest regarding the copper medal.

ricko

Very interesting piece... .Please let us know what you find out about metal content. Cheers, RickO

dcarr

The one pictured does appear to be brass with a matte surface texture. Both of those characteristics indicate a newer re-strike.

jonathanb

It’s a modern restrike. No question about it. The originals look quite a bit different.

“Modern” means after 1960 or so.

NumisOxide

I agree, modern restrike. Another diagnostic I’ve noticed is the distance from the rays @4oclock to the cap near the letter Y in the word LIBERTY. The rays on the original dies are closer to the cap, almost touching, where as the modern restrikes it is farther.

NumisOxide

I actually recently purchased an original and a 20th century ”restrike”. It has the overdate March 23 repunched over the Original Feb 22 date and obverse rim cud.

Zoins

@coinJP said:
I actually recently purchased an original and a 20th century ”restrike”. It has the overdate March 23 repunched over the Original Feb 22 date and obverse rim cud.

Are all with the repunched date considered "originals"?

NumisOxide

@Zoins said:

@coinJP said:
I actually recently purchased an original and a 20th century ”restrike”. It has the overdate March 23 repunched over the Original Feb 22 date and obverse rim cud.

Are all with the repunched date considered "originals"?

From what I understand and have read on these is that on February 22 1836 several examples were struck on large cent planchets before there was an issue with the new steam press. The mint postponed striking the medals and recut the die with a March 23, 1836 date. I believe all the 1836 March 23 1836 medals with the obverse rim cud and repunching are considered originals but can't say that for sure. I believe in 1861 Anthony Paquet created new dies and the mint started minted the design again. So possibly the mint could of struck these up until that time frame.
Maybe Billjones or someone with documentation can chime in on the subject.

Zoins

@coinJP said:

@Zoins said:

@coinJP said:
I actually recently purchased an original and a 20th century ”restrike”. It has the overdate March 23 repunched over the Original Feb 22 date and obverse rim cud.

Are all with the repunched date considered "originals"?

From what I understand and have read on these is that on February 22 1836 several examples were struck on large cent planchets before there was an issue with the new steam press. The mint postponed striking the medals and recut the die with a March 23, 1836 date. I believe all the 1836 March 23 1836 medals with the obverse rim cud and repunching are considered originals but can't say that for sure. I believe in 1861 Anthony Paquet created new dies and the mint started minted the design again. So possibly the mint could of struck these up until that time frame.
Maybe Billjones or someone with documentation can chime in on the subject.

Interesting, I've been under the impression that the Feb 22, 1836 medals were intended standard strikes with the originally intended date until problems occurred, not that the two dates were planned in advance. Also didn't know about the large cent planchets for the Feb issues.

Here's a description from Heritage.

• https://coins.ha.com/itm/u.s.-mint-medals/tokens-and-medals/1836-medal-first-steam-coinage-feb-22-bronzed-copper-julian-mt-20-sp50-pcgs/a/1294-4582.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

1836 First Steam Coinage Medal, SP50
Rare, Feb. 22 Original Dies

1836 Medal First Steam Coinage, Feb. 22, Bronzed Copper, Julian MT-20, SP50 PCGS. Struck from the original, perfect dies and dated Feb. 22. Preparations were made for a ceremony to celebrate the first steam coinage at the U.S. Mint, originally scheduled for February 22, 1836, the anniversary of George Washington's birthday. A keepsake U.S. Mint medal was prepared in advance of the date -- the dies made and samples struck -- but mechanical problems forced postponement until March 23. The reverse die was modified to the Mar. 23 date, and that medal (Julian MT-21) is scarce but available. A few medals from the original Feb. 22 date survived (Julian MT-20), but they are extremely rare. This is one of the few survivors, certified SP50. It was likely carried as a pocket piece for a short period of time, although attractive, rich-brown surfaces remain. A few light marks near the cap and slight, high-point wear do not detract from the pleasing surfaces. Population: 3 in 50, 2 finer (3/19). (PCGS# 515423)

NumisOxide

@Zoins said:

@coinJP said:

@Zoins said:

@coinJP said:
I actually recently purchased an original and a 20th century ”restrike”. It has the overdate March 23 repunched over the Original Feb 22 date and obverse rim cud.

Are all with the repunched date considered "originals"?

From what I understand and have read on these is that on February 22 1836 several examples were struck on large cent planchets before there was an issue with the new steam press. The mint postponed striking the medals and recut the die with a March 23, 1836 date. I believe all the 1836 March 23 1836 medals with the obverse rim cud and repunching are considered originals but can't say that for sure. I believe in 1861 Anthony Paquet created new dies and the mint started minted the design again. So possibly the mint could of struck these up until that time frame.
Maybe Billjones or someone with documentation can chime in on the subject.

Interesting, I've been under the impression that the Feb 22, 1836 medals were intended standard strikes with the originally intended date until problems occurred, not that it was a planned delay.

Here's a description from Heritage.

• https://coins.ha.com/itm/u.s.-mint-medals/tokens-and-medals/1836-medal-first-steam-coinage-feb-22-bronzed-copper-julian-mt-20-sp50-pcgs/a/1294-4582.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515

1836 First Steam Coinage Medal, SP50
Rare, Feb. 22 Original Dies

1836 Medal First Steam Coinage, Feb. 22, Bronzed Copper, Julian MT-20, SP50 PCGS. Struck from the original, perfect dies and dated Feb. 22. Preparations were made for a ceremony to celebrate the first steam coinage at the U.S. Mint, originally scheduled for February 22, 1836, the anniversary of George Washington's birthday. A keepsake U.S. Mint medal was prepared in advance of the date -- the dies made and samples struck -- but mechanical problems forced postponement until March 23. The reverse die was modified to the Mar. 23 date, and that medal (Julian MT-21) is scarce but available. A few medals from the original Feb. 22 date survived (Julian MT-20), but they are extremely rare. This is one of the few survivors, certified SP50. It was likely carried as a pocket piece for a short period of time, although attractive, rich-brown surfaces remain. A few light marks near the cap and slight, high-point wear do not detract from the pleasing surfaces. Population: 3 in 50, 2 finer (3/19). (PCGS# 515423)

Yes Feb 22 was the intended date of striking them for Washingtons birthday but I believe while testing the dies and minted a few test strikes the press had issues. This was before the 22nd in preparation. So they had to reschedule the event and recut the die.

100g4life

So this is for sure a restrike not worth much thank u everyone for ur advice u all are very good with these things glad to have input and knowledge

RogerB

Feb 22 copper pieces were struck by manually turning the toggle press' flywheel. These are mentioned as an aside in the March 23 letter I posted (above). I've not located anything referring to a mechanical problem causing delay; however, as with any new equipment that is likely.