A Mint Medal That Documents When the First Coins Were Struck on a Steam Press - 1836 Token (with ima
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The U.S. Mint issued a copper medal in 1836 to commemorate the first coins to be struck by steam press. There were a handful of medals struck with the date Feb. 22, 1836. Those were struck on copper large cent planchets. It is presumed that those handful of medals struck with the Feb. 22 date were issued to coincide with George Washington's birthday. The Mint's haste resulted in the equipment failing, or at least having mechanical difficulties. Only a handful of the Feb. 22 medals were struck and today they are rare. Within a month the Mint had the steam press back in running order and the balance of the medals were struck, but the date had been reengraved to reflect the actual date that the medals were first struck; Mar. 23, 1836.
You can actually see remnants of a 2 under the 3 on the later strikes. Sorry for the poor images. Maybe I will post better pics later. These first medals were designed by Christian Gobrecht. Later, in 1861 Anthony Paquet redesigned the dies and restrikes were issued. The U.S. Mint actually struck these into the 1960's. The originals are struck on copper bronzed and always have a rim cud at 6:30 on the side with the cap and rays. In addition, the date always shows a 2 under the 3 in the date. This is not true on the restrikes. There are other subtle differences, but you get the point. The medal imaged below was struck from the original dies in 1836 or shortly thereafter. It is my understanding that they struck these for a few years after the first striking. The attribution is Julian MT-21. The images don't quite indicate this, but the coin is a choice proof, with attractive mirrored surfaces and a bold strike. Enjoy!
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Thanks for sharing, Dennis!
-Amanda
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<< <i>Very nice Dennis. Wish my Feb. 22 specimen was this nice! >>
Congratulations on your Feb. 22 specimen. Those are tough to locate in any grade and one in the condition of my example would be extremely rare.
On another note, there are silver strikings with the Feb. 22 date known, but they are also rare.
By Anthony C. Paquette.
On January 23, 1837, Mint director R.M. Patterson reported from Philadelphia to President Andrew Jackson: "On the 23 of March last (1836), the first steam coinage in America was executed at this Mint; and the performance of the press, in which the power of the lever is substituted for that of the screw, has answered all our expectations. Since that time, all the copper coins have been struck by this press, and has been lately used with success in coining half dollars. The workman are now engaged in making other steam presses; and as these are completed the coining by human labor will be abandoned, and the work that can be executed in the Mint will be greatly increased" The medal commemorates this epoch in U.S. coinage methods.
I purchased this medal repo from the Mint back in 1972 which sold for $1.75 over the counter and $1.90 mail order at the time.
Don-gemini
At a FUN Show a couple of years ago I inquired of Anthony Terranova if he had an example of the 1836 Steam Press Medal. He smiled and pulled a beautiful example out of his case - struck in silver! It was absolutely gorgeous! It had perhaps the most attractive toning that I have ever seen, and was a stunning medal. It could be mine for a mere $7000. As I recall, it had the March date, but I cannot be sure. Needless to say I passed, but it was a pleasure to behold. I wonder how many were struck in silver, and if there were any struck in other metals, perhaps gold? Many of the originals develop a beautiful chocolate brown patina, while most of the restrikes have a yellow bronze color that is less attractive, at least to me.
Thanks for sharing that medal, and the information about it.
Does anyone have the current values of the different versions?
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<< <i>Very nice Dennis. Wish my Feb. 22 specimen was this nice! >>
Congratulations on your Feb. 22 specimen. Those are tough to locate in any grade and one in the condition of my example would be extremely rare.
On another note, there are silver strikings with the Feb. 22 date known, but they are also rare. >>
Dennis, would it surprise you to know that my specimen was obtained on the BST just two months ago? I believe that several others were skeptical about the offering... Glad I wasn't!
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
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<< <i>Very nice medal, Dennis. I have always been interested in the 1836 Steam Press medal, and have acquired several examples over the years, only a few of the originals, the rest restrikes. I was fortunate to acquire one of the February 22 examples, on eBay, with next to no competitive bidding. I still cannot explain why no others saw it or were interested in it, but I was quite pleased to get it.
At a FUN Show a couple of years ago I inquired of Anthony Terranova if he had an example of the 1836 Steam Press Medal. He smiled and pulled a beautiful example out of his case - struck in silver! It was absolutely gorgeous! It had perhaps the most attractive toning that I have ever seen, and was a stunning medal. It could be mine for a mere $7000. As I recall, it had the March date, but I cannot be sure. Needless to say I passed, but it was a pleasure to behold. I wonder how many were struck in silver, and if there were any struck in other metals, perhaps gold? Many of the originals develop a beautiful chocolate brown patina, while most of the restrikes have a yellow bronze color that is less attractive, at least to me.
Thanks for sharing that medal, and the information about it. >>
Stephen, I think that less than 20 are known to exist in the silver version and I don't believe that any were struck in gold. My pictures are off, as the medal posted actually displays lovely mahogony finish with deep reflectivity; characteristic of mid-19th century mint made medals. The restrikes are obviously different, when compared side-by-side.
John, the modern restikes are common and cheap, but also of less historical significance. You are looking at $20 or $30, maybe less. The originals are $150 up to $1000, depending on condition. The silvers? Forget it! (unless you get lucky)
<< <i>One on ebay, I assume it's the restrike? >>
That's a Paquet restrike. Too much money.
I woke up to a couple of messages asking what the price is for this medal. I should have stated in the OP that this is NOT for sale. It is off of the market, which is why I posted it here.
<< <i>John, the modern restikes are common and cheap, but also of less historical significance. You are looking at $20 or $30, maybe less. The originals are $150 up to $1000, depending on condition. The silvers? Forget it! (unless you get lucky) >>
Thanks for the info Dennis!
I found this one today unidentified in a really ugly pile of old copper coins and tokens. Hope it makes you feel better about yours!
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Nice! Ugly, but nice!
Now try to find it in other metals. :-)