Skeletons in the closet: William H. Bridgens arrested for counterfeiting, October 18,1839

DCW · October 10, 2019 5:20PM

Here is a little known story about one of my favorite Civil War diesinkers, William H. Bridgens from 180 years ago. It seems before he used his skill to craft the many Civil War tokens in and around New York City, the man actually did prison time for counterfeiting US Coinage. I have an article from the New York Daily Herald dated October 18, 1839, which recounts how Mr. Bridgens had been roped into this calamity by a scheming journeyman in Brooklyn.
(I think there are still a few of those around, but now they sell "Rolexes" on street corners.)
Anyway, it's a short article that reads like a police blotter, and I'd like to share it with all of you.

My favorite part of the article:
With this idea he went to the office of Bridgens, and in a "dark way," asked him if he did not make dies.
To this Bridgens replied,

(INSERT VOICE OF JOHN LOVITZ HERE)
"Yes, if I am well paid for it!"

CLASSIC

After three months however, the charges were dismissed, and Bridgens was a free man. This from a technicality in federal statute that did not make the particular coin he counterfeited a crime. (Sixpenny) Also from the New York Herald, January 16, 1840:

Bridgens prepared a myriad of token dies for use during the War of Rebellion, keeping his shop at 189 William St. Curiously, he advertised as a dealer in coins, medals, and paintings of all things. NY Times, April 29, 1862:

Here are some examples of his work:
The Washington Token:

Money Makes the Mare Go/ Bridgens own Storecard

Knickerbocker Currency:
And many with his signature eagle:

Today, his tokens are celebrated for their whimsical designs and are widely collected. Though, it is always interesting to reveal skeletons in the closet from 180 years ago. We all have them.
Thanks for reading.

coinsarefun · October 10, 2019 10:23PM

Very cool, thanks for posting.

3keepSECRETif2rDEAD · October 10, 2019 10:46PM

...gotta start somewhere...especially in Brooklyn, NY

Zoins · October 10, 2019 11:02PM

Great article @DCW . I love reading about history like this. I wonder what happened to the die and if any pieces are still around. Also, what are "sixpenny" pieces?

DCW · October 11, 2019 1:39AM

@Zoins said:

Great article @DCW . I love reading about history like this. I wonder what happened to the die and if any pieces are still around. Also, what are "sixpenny" pieces?

I'm assuming they are talking about English Sixpence, which were probably still circulating alongside federal coinage in those days. It is also probable that this is the loophole that saved his neck. Had he chosen to copy the die of an actual United States coin, it most certainly would have sent him to the gallows.

I'm unsure if the counterfeits he made still exist or if they could be attributed to his shop if they do. I'm guessing "yes" to the former, and "no" for the latter.

Zoins · October 11, 2019 1:48AM

@DCW said:
@Zoins said:

Great article @DCW . I love reading about history like this. I wonder what happened to the die and if any pieces are still around. Also, what are "sixpenny" pieces?

I'm assuming they are talking about English Sixpence, which were probably still circulating alongside federal coinage in those days. It is also probable that this is the loophole that saved his neck. Had he chosen to copy the die of an actual United States coin, it most certainly would have sent him to the gallows.

I'm unsure if the counterfeits he made still exist or if they could be attributed to his shop if they do. I'm guessing "yes" to the former, and "no" for the latter.

Interesting. If the US allowed counterfeiting of UK coins, that seems it would be similar to other countries allowing counterfeiting US coins....