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Any reports welcomed re: the half disme at Long Beach & Dunsmore's Painting of Washington "
northcoin
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The Long Beach show will feature the best known specimen of the 1792 half disme. Apparently the U.S. Mint in Philidalphia has on display a painting by John Ward Dunsmore showing George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and others viewing these first coins of which only 1500 to 2000 were made. Can anyone here link to an internet site that would show the subject painting?
Hey, it is Easter Morning. Anyone out there looking for a challenge in helping to locate a link to a copy of the above painting?
...... edited to add: Thanks to all who posted regarding the painting and the half disme - these the first coins authorized by congress and made available for circulation in the United States
Hey, it is Easter Morning. Anyone out there looking for a challenge in helping to locate a link to a copy of the above painting?
...... edited to add: Thanks to all who posted regarding the painting and the half disme - these the first coins authorized by congress and made available for circulation in the United States
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09/07/2006
09/07/2006
Opened on a limited basis. U. S. Mint Coin Sets, commemorative coins, numismatic collectables, books, games and U. S. Mint souvenirs are available. Please call the store directly at 215-408-0230 for sales information.
09/07/2006
Medal link
As an added thought it would be neat if the U.S.Mint or whoever has the original painting could loan it to the Long Beach show so that it could be displayed along with the best known half disme that will be appearing there.
The last article was by Stephen A. Crain, a half dime specialist and frequent contributor. Stephen's article was "Inspection of the First Coins of the First United States Mint." Stephen stated that "As photography would not become a reality until 1840, no photographs of the original mint are available today. Certainly, no photographs are available of such a historically significant event as the presentation of the very first United States coins." He shares with the readers the story behind and a 10" X 7" print (from a 1916 calendar) that he acquired of the John Ward Dunsmore painting "Inspection of the First Coins of the First United States Mint." Stephen is an avid collector of half dimes, and of course, the first coins produced by the Mint were the 1792 half dismes (dimes).
So all you have to do is find the calendar or Stephen A. Crain.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
09/07/2006
I'll bet if Andrian shows up he would know.
09/07/2006
09/07/2006
That should make it easy. Frank Stewart donated the painting, so he probably pictured it in his book “History of the First United States Mint”. Anyone out there have a copy?
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
09/07/2006
New collectors, please educate yourself before spending money on coins; there are people who believe that using numismatic knowledge to rip the naïve is what this hobby is all about.
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
This picture is neat, but it is historically inaccurate. The 1792 half dimes were all minted during one day in July, I think it was the 17th. That same month the government purchased the land where the first U.S. mint was built. Therefore there was no mint building and the coins could not have been made there. The best guess was that they were produced in the workshop of John Harper under the supervision of Thomas Jefferson, who was the secretary of state. Although Alexander Hamilton was the secretary of the treasury, Jefferson was responsible for the mint.
Note that there is a sketch on the wall of the Ms. Liberty that appeared on the obverse of the half disme.
I believe that I saw this painting at the Philadelphia, in the early 1980s behind the display of "the 1792 coin press" (which the Gallery Mint folks say is a planchet cutter). There is or was a reproduction of it on an outside wall of the Philadelphia Mint that faces toward Independence Hall.
The Ludlow Brilliant Collection (1938-64)
As for artist's conceptions, that's true for many famous paintings of the places and events. The more famous painting of the First U.S. mint buildings by Lamazure was an impossible view of the facility. There were other structures around the mint buildings that made that view impossible. Still, that's how collectors see them in their minds because no known pictures were painted of the first mint while it was in operation.
<< <i>This picture is neat, but it is historically inaccurate. The 1792 half dimes were all minted during one day in July, I think it was the 17th. That same month the government purchased the land where the first U.S. mint was built. Therefore there was no mint building and the coins could not have been made there. The best guess was that they were produced in the workshop of John Harper under the supervision of Thomas Jefferson, who was the secretary of state. Although Alexander Hamilton was the secretary of the treasury, Jefferson was responsible for the mint.
Note that there is a sketch on the wall of the Ms. Liberty that appeared on the obverse of the half disme.
I believe that I saw this painting at the Philadelphia, in the early 1980s behind the display of "the 1792 coin press" (which the Gallery Mint folks say is a planchet cutter). There is or was a reproduction of it on an outside wall of the Philadelphia Mint that faces toward Independence Hall. >>
The picture isn't just inaccurate, it's made up hogwash painted 120 years after the fact! Julian found records showing Washington was away the day they were delivered (July 13). Also by this time Voigt is Chief Coiner (he started June 1) and Eckfeldt is out of the picture. The coinge was stuck in Harper's workshop. Jefferson supervised and received the coinage - this is recorded in his personal papers.
The screw press the Mint claims is the "first press, and made by Eckfeldt" is, in fact, a common cutting or stamping press circa 1850 - the machine-made screws and casting gives it away. I told the Mint this 20 years ago. They weren't very happy with me.
The feature article is entitled "The Mint and Pattern Coinage of 1792" by R.W. Julian.
From the LB Expo site:
We are happy have as our main exhibit, the Finest Known 1792 Half Disme graded MS 68 by NGC, which is valued at over $1,500,000.00. It will be displayed courtesy of Bob Higgins and Don Ketterling of Certified Assets Management, Inc. managing the Rare Coin Alliance. Ltd. Trading Fund.
I don't know which coin they have. The best ones I've seen are as follows:
Jimmy Hayes (Superb and very colorful)
James A. Stack (Superb and Specimen PL, very light toning)
Pittman (Superb, pretty, but just a bit on the darkish side)
I'm probably missing a couple...
Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.
Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
Below is hopefully the link to the news release regarding the best known half disme to appear at the Long Beach show along with an historical description of the 1792 half disme.
http://www.longbeachshow.com/attractions.htm Long Beach Show Half Disme
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
thruogh the kindness of mr frank h. stewart we have received a print of the beautiful painting to lour first coinage
special credit is due to mr stewart of the stewart electric company of philadelphia owners of the site of the first us mint for his interest in the history of our first mint
thruogh the efforts of mr stewart he has had produced another beautiful painting entitled inspection of the first coins of the first united states mint it is the work of the artist mr john ward dumsmore of ny and is owned by mr frank h stewart
washington referred to these half dimes in his 1792 address to congress as follows
"there has been a small beginning in coinage of half dimes the want of small coins in circulation calling the first attention to them"
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i am not going to type the really wordy description of the painting it will take me too long lol if someone wants me to type out this description on here just pm me and i will
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but to end i will tell you this
frank h stewart the president and founder of the stewart electric company has for several years spent much time in uncovering the lost history of early philadelphia. and the inspiration for this painting was furnished by him and executed by dunsmore who is also historically inclined
the original painting will be placed
on exhibition january 1 1916 in the offices of the frank h stewart electric company 37 and 39 north seventh street philadelphia in the new building located on the site of the first united states mint
michael
<< <i> Any impressions of how the display was at Long Beach? >>
I would love to see the coin under a stereo-scope just to illuminate it for a detailed inspection. The 'blow-up' poster which gives a decent indication of the colour was still a tad blurry. As to the coin itself; it could have benefited from better lighting. It was next to impossible to tell much about it.
These types of coins should be featured with some kind a macro-mode AV presentation, not a high school style poster board exhibit......that's my 2 reals.
fantastic coin with a great history, obviously a very special piece, the high security box was just ok but the accompanying display was very nice.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry