If mint workers wrote "tell all" books

TwoSides2aCoin

Would it increase interest in numismatics ?

TwoSides2aCoin

Thoughts ?

ricko

TWTC,
What an outstanding idea... such a book would be a numismatic best seller, particularly if well researched and documented, along with interesting 'inside' anecdotes. If only we could inspire an 'old timer' to do such a work.... it would be non-stop reading for most of us. Cheers, RickO

BAJJERFAN

I think if most people in this biz/hobby would "TELL ALL" it would make for some interesting/entertaining/shocking reading.

RWB

If mint workers from past eras, particularly engravers, coiners and superintendents, had written about their work and experiences, we would have a lot less confusion and guesswork in understanding how and why certain coins were made. At the time, their jobs were considered very sensitive and that is likely why nearly all the engravers' and coiners' records have been destroyed.

No one bothered to interview these guys either. What could Charles Barber have told us about his fantastic pattern collection and events over nearly 40 years? We're missing good info from all the engravers including Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparo, too.

FullStrike

Wouldn't it be a blast to hear that there is a large stash of 1800's era dies in the archives?

Mostly proofs but with a fair sprinkling of BU dies?

291fifth

They would probably be very boring books.

RWB

We don't have the most basic recollections of Elizabeth Jones - the last person to hold the title of "Engraver of the United Sates Mint at Philadelphia."