Overcharging for Proofs at the Mint? $1.60 for a Trade Dollar?!

RKKay

RKKay

Linderman's letter to the customer:

1904vernacular

Thank you for the copy of the letter. When Linderman responds he says "and struck on a hand ________". Can you decipher what that word might be from your vantage point.
Thanks

CaptainBlunt

My guess…….press

RKKay

@CaptainBlunt said:
My guess…….press

Definitely "press."

lermish

This is very, very cool!

privatecoin

If only I could travel back in time....

The_Dinosaur_Man

I like the difference in cost when paying in silver versus paper money. What does the $1.60 translate to in today's money, and how does that compare to the cost of buying a proof silver eagle?

johnny010

@The_Dinosaur_Man said:
I like the difference in cost when paying in silver versus paper money. What does the $1.60 translate to in today's money, and how does that compare to the cost of buying a proof silver eagle?

LanceNewmanOCC

@privatecoin said:
If only I could travel back in time....

.
you know there are many prestigious ways to pick up some amazing stuff at certain times, contacting the mint, catching stuff at banks, being in politics, sticky fingers but i think i JUST may settle for dumpster diving the san fran mint between 1850-55.

that letter was pretty fun and funny (ironic?) to read.

ricko

Thanks for the history and pictures. The penmanship of those times always amazes me. Certainly a lost art as far as the general population. Cheers, RickO

RKKay

@ricko said:
Thanks for the history and pictures. The penmanship of those times always amazes me. Certainly a lost art as far as the general population. Cheers, RickO

Scary. I think a lot of kids no longer read cursive. They take good pix with their phones, though.

slider23

The reply letter was dated July 27, 1876. The coin was most likely a 1876 proof trade dollar minted before July of 1876 as no proof trade dollars were minted in July of 1876.

CaptHenway

What was the standard premium, and shipping if applicable, on a single Proof coin in 1876?
I am sure that Mr. B could tell us.

Martin

@RKKay don’t worry the mint is making up now on markup

Nice post

Thanks
Martin

RKKay

@Martin said:
@RKKay don’t worry the mint is making up now on markup

Nice post

Thanks
Martin

Thanks. I'm sure they're doing fine.

MS66

@privatecoin said:
If only I could travel back in time....

Indeed. If I could travel back in time, I think I'd stay there.

CaptHenway

I emailed Roger B. and he said that the premium on a Proof Trade Dollar was normally 25 cents, plus a few cents for shipping or 10 cents if you wanted Registered Mail. Sounds to me like the customer was overcharged, unless there was something else involved.

CaptHenway

Roger B. has provided me with additional Mint correspondence showing that at different times the premium on a Proof Trade Dollar was 25 cents, 50 cents or 75 cents. I suspect that they were charging whatever the market would bear.