Fabulous post. I recently toured the US mint in Philadelphia. What they accomplished with the resources and equipment at-hand is truly impressive. The early rollers and presses are really something. The examples, photos, and information you shared here is a must-read for anyone who appreciates early Federal issues.
Last night I was following a non-coin related history trail and ended up reading George Washington’s December 8th, 1795 State of the Union address. This excerpt towards the end referred to the mint (and called to mind this excellent thread) so I figured I would share:
“The statements which will be laid before you relative to the Mint will shew the situation of that institution and the necessity of some further legislative provisions for carrying the business of it more completely into effect, and for checking abuses which appear to be arising in particular quarters.“
Hi, Bill great article. Do you know the process the mint used to get the raw silver and copper ready to go through the rolling machine. Seems the stock would have to be close to the right size to be able to be drawn through those hand cranked rollers.
Missed this thread the first time around (travelling). Thank you Bill for the work and thought you put into this , very informative. Very nice 1/2c overstrike BTW.
Hi, Bill great article. Do you know the process the mint used to get the raw silver and copper ready to go through the rolling machine. Seems the stock would have to be close to the right size to be able to be drawn through those hand cranked rollers.
Horses were used to turn the rolling machinery until the fire of 1816. The replacement rolling power was steam. However, screw presses for striking coins were used through 1836 (and hubbing well beyond 1836). The hand crank was possibly used for finish rolling.
Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty - biography of US Mint's first chief engraver
This was the text of the exhibit I did for the 2023 Winter FUN show.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
Comments
Precisely.
Bill,
Fabulous post. I recently toured the US mint in Philadelphia. What they accomplished with the resources and equipment at-hand is truly impressive. The early rollers and presses are really something. The examples, photos, and information you shared here is a must-read for anyone who appreciates early Federal issues.
Last night I was following a non-coin related history trail and ended up reading George Washington’s December 8th, 1795 State of the Union address. This excerpt towards the end referred to the mint (and called to mind this excellent thread) so I figured I would share:
“The statements which will be laid before you relative to the Mint will shew the situation of that institution and the necessity of some further legislative provisions for carrying the business of it more completely into effect, and for checking abuses which appear to be arising in particular quarters.“
Full text: http://presidentialrhetoric.com/historicspeeches/washington/stateoftheunion.1795.html
Hi, Bill great article. Do you know the process the mint used to get the raw silver and copper ready to go through the rolling machine. Seems the stock would have to be close to the right size to be able to be drawn through those hand cranked rollers.
Outstanding post Bill. As a collector of the classics I found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable and informative post. And nice coins by the way!
Missed this thread the first time around (travelling). Thank you Bill for the work and thought you put into this , very informative. Very nice 1/2c overstrike BTW.
@Bustquarterhound
Horses were used to turn the rolling machinery until the fire of 1816. The replacement rolling power was steam. However, screw presses for striking coins were used through 1836 (and hubbing well beyond 1836). The hand crank was possibly used for finish rolling.
This was the text of the exhibit I did for the 2023 Winter FUN show.
Absolutely awesome Bill! And I didn’t expect anything but top notch from you.
Such wonderful history written I a spectacular way. Thank you very much
.
CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
.
Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
.
More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC