Restrikes+Novodels+Patterns - the book
RogerB
Posts: 8,881 ✭✭✭✭✭
Permit me to open with a little information about the new book Restrikes+Novodels+Patterns. The book is unconventional for a numismatic book – not so much as in the sense of organization that From Mine to Mint was, but from its exploration of seemingly disconnected subjects from an encompassing organic thread the is woven through them all. Further, the book is not an end point or compendium; for that there are specialty resources such as Kevin Flynn’s “Restrikes, Storied Treasures of the U.S. Mint;” Saul Teichman and Andy Lustig’s “USpatterns.com;” John Dannreuther’s massive “United States Proof Coins;” Eric P. Newman and Kenneth E. Bressett’s game-changing opus “The Fantastic 1804 Dollar;” and a flight of specialty groups, publications and web sites.
_RestrikesNovodels+Patterns _is a statement of the condition of American Numismatic research into the origin, manufacture, +distribution, revenue and self-dealing that has so long enveloped numismatic gossip. There is no static cast of actors, and by nineteenth century standards few mustache twirling villains in the classic style of Snidely Whiplash. There are good-guys, bad-guys, and some who swim between extremes as easily as koi navigate a pond. The book threads through diplomatic Master Coin exchanges in the 1830s and 40s, and experimental pieces of the Civil War era, to a false conclusion in 1887, and finally to the most destructive act of American Numismatics in 1910.
Throughout _**Restrikes+Novodels+Patterns **_we find likely sources for old stories and recollections. We see how errant cataloger assumptions, personal disagreements, sensationalistic newspaper comments, personal interests and deliberate misdirection have been magnified and augmented with guesses, insinuations and fluid assumptions all compressed into publishers’ page allotments.
The central question is not “Who made restrikes, novodels and patterns?” Instead, we have to break this down into more specific pieces: “What are the skills and mechanical instruments necessary to create these items?” This answer is followed by “Which Mint employees possessed the necessary knowledge and skills,” and then by, “During which years were all these available?”
By placing available research materials within an analysis framework built on purpose, capability, resources, opportunity and motivation, we can separate plausible and mechanically feasible “restrikes” from speculations.
With this approach, most coins and patterns converge onto similar creation approaches and results. We then concentrate on similarities which allow exceptions to be identified and investigated on their own.
The book is with the printer, but I don’t have a delivery date. There will be only 500 copies.
Comments
I have read much of this book in draft form. Can't wait to see it with the pictures!
When the book is published, I presume (actually, I hope) you'll announce its publication and availability.
Yes. The printer told me today that it was being scheduled. Small book orders like this have to be squeezed in between normal print runs of 5,000 and more, so I have little control over actual printing date.
Expected delivery from the printer is November 24. I'd hoped for something sooner, but with a small press run this is reality.
I put my name on the "to be notfied when available" list with the book site.
OMG ... My Mother was Right about Everything!
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