Anyone collect US coin glass?

OnlyBuffalos

In 1892, the Central Glass Co. of Wheeling, West Virginia, a division of the U.S. Glass Co., produced a short-lived pattern which was named U.S. Coin. Replicas of current United States coins were impressed in and around the edges of each piece. Approximately 50 different items were made. Sometimes the coins were frosted and sometimes pieces were ruby or amber stained, and occasionally decorated with gold or platinum. It was probably the most collectible pattern of the 1890s.

After just 3 to 4 months in production, the entire line was discontinued when the U.S. Treasury stepped in and claimed they were violating the law by reproducing real coins. Because of this very short production time period, all pieces are hard to find today and quite expensive.

It is an interesting example of bureaucracy in the 1890s in that the U.S. Treasury considered this to be a counterfeit coin that might be used as legal tender.

Conder101

<< <i>It is an interesting example of bureaucracy in the 1890s in that the U.S. Treasury considered this to be a counterfeit coin that might be used as legal tender. >>


Whch was even more humorous because many of the images used were of 1892 seated liberty coins.

ss350camaro

Never heard of, or seen any of these. Would be great to see some pictures.

coinkat

glass is an interesting subject... worthy of a separate section that falls outside the scope of US COINS.

mrearlygold

Very cool stuff!

Tom

numobri

I know what it is and think it's cool.

I never ran across any,but would think about buying some if I did.

goldrush00013

Here is an example, its a crummy picture though.

MsMorrisine

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MsMorrisine

These "coin glass" items were sold as souvenirs at the World's Columbian Exposition

JerseyJoe

But interesting

DaveG

I have a piece - it's a toothpick holder that's pretty beat up (chips, etc.), but as one person told me "that's how you can tell it's a genuine piece."

Several years ago, I was at a meeting of the New Jersey Numismatic Society when Bill Shamhart gave a presentation featuring his outstanding collection of coin glass. As he said, it was the dies to produce the coin images that the Secret Service was interested in - but without dies, you can't produce glass.

There's a book on coin glass that Numismatic Americana used to have in stock. You can read about it here.. You can also search on eBay for coin glass.

Reproductions and modern items are more common, I think, than the originals, so it's important to know what you're buying.

AMRC

Neat to have a piece, but to collect? Not my cup of tea.

Justlooking

It would be a lot cooler if they used real coins to make the impressions instead of facsimiles.

ricko

I have not seen coin glass before... and somehow missed the original thread....Cheers, RickO

johnny9434

i missed that thread as well.

blu62vette

I think my grandparents had a decent collection of it.

abitofthisabitofthat

If you ever stop by CAC, there is some on display in the entrance area. Neat stuff.

streg2

I lived in Fostoria Ohio for a few years and as some may know it is a well know " glass" town. If you ever want to see an interesting glass museum with a lot of coin glass swing by there.

joebb21

<< <i>If you ever stop by CAC, there is some on display in the entrance area. Neat stuff. >>



Actually its quite the viewing pleasure!