One of the coolest things I've purchased in this business...
COINS MAKE CENTS
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This weekend, I was set up at the Low Country coin show. I bought tons and tons of coins, but I acquired this awesome piece of history I just had to share. This ranks high on the list of cool things Ive purchased in this business. This is an original court stenographer's record of a trial held on June 17th, 1807, in New York. The defendant, Stephen Morris, was accused by the State of New York of knowingly passing a counterfeit gold coin for goods. He pleaded not guilty and was eventually acquitted. A fascinating piece of history for a coin dealer who frequently encounters counterfeit coins. There is 3 pages of records from this trial, but this is the most interesting one. Enjoy.
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Incredible. NYC only had a population of about 80,000 in 1807. Would have been fascinating to take the time machine back there for a couple of days.
Very cool. And a half eagle was the suspect coin.
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Neat stuff. That would go very well with a contemporary counterfeit collection.
I just love the handwriting of that big word at the bottom....ACQUITTED.
Very cool cursive from the early 1800's.
Later, Paul.
Was the DA named Riker? As in Riker's Island?
That is really cool, Rob.
Sure seems like it:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Riker
Yes richard Riker was the district attorney assigned to this case. He was the first ever district attorney in what is now called New York county NY
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Yes it was, anyone have a contemporary counterfeit half eagle for sale?
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I will bring it to the next show for you to see in person! I thought about you after I bought it, and knew you would appreciate seeing it. Cool history!
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I don’t know if he has one, but Dave Wnuck deals in a variety of contemporary counterfeits. If he doesn’t have one he may well be able to find one or point you in the right direction.
Winston Zack at badmetalcoins.com also sells contemporary counterfeit coins. He has written books too.
Very cool, especially with the Riker link!
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Thanks, Rob! I look forward to seeing it.
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Wow very cool piece of Americana.
Never said it was a US gold coin, it 1807 it probably wasn’t.
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
Actually, it does say it was a half eagle. It literally says it was a "half eagle, then being a species of gold coin current in the state of New York". This is a legal document where the exact nature of the coin in question was the centre of the case. If it was a counterfeit British sovereign, or Spanish escudo, or Indian mohur, it would have said so.
What I'm curious about is the reason for the acquittal. Was it determined that the coin was not in fact counterfeit after all, or was he found not guilty on the grounds of being an unwitting utterer - in other words, it was determined that Stephen Morris was previously given a counterfeit half eagle by someone else, and he then spent it in good faith, so there was no "intent to defraud".
We should also consider the amount of money involved. In 1807, a half eagle ($5) was about two weeks wages for a labourer. In which case, Stephen Morris wouldn't have simply been given the counterfeit half eagle in change - his boss would probably have given it to him as the fortnight's pay.
Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, "Meditations"
Apparently I have been awarded one DPOTD.
What a fantastic piece of numis history!
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I agree with the OP. Coolest thing ever.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain
I stand corrected
11.5$ Southern Dollars, The little “Big Easy” set
A very interesting piece of numismatic history. I have examples of my parents writing from 50 years ago that is very similar. I doubt if anyone under 30 has handwriting like that.
Probably a Kettle Token.
Counterfeiting was a very widespread problem with both coins and paper. Documentation from counterfeit currency cases can often be found with the original counterfeit notes attached. These things were saved in court houses all over the U.S. and some have found their way to collectors over the years.