Happy Morgan Day!
messydesk
Posts: 20,455 ✭✭✭✭✭
132 years ago today, at 3:15 pm, the first Morgan dollars were struck. If you like Morgans, you're encouraged to stand up at 3:15 EST and face Philadelphia. If that puts you in a potentially uncomfortable situation wherein you'll need to do some explaining to your co-workers, all the better.
Also, post your 1878 VAM 9s if you have them (I'll oblige when I have access to the pictures).
Also, post your 1878 VAM 9s if you have them (I'll oblige when I have access to the pictures).
John
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
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bob
Also a big strong Vam-36
Photography by BlueCC
<< <i>Does anyone on her collect Morgans
Shane,I might.See my new thread buddy.
<< <i>
<< <i>Does anyone on her collect Morgans
Shane,I might.See my new thread buddy.
me too
Oh and Marauderrt10....I have a stunning 1878 7/8TF morgan on Ebay right now.....it's not rainbow toned but it's quite attractive for the date
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Does anyone on her collect Morgans
Shane,I might.See my new thread buddy.
me too
Oh and Marauderrt10....I have a stunning 1878 7/8TF morgan on Ebay right now.....it's not rainbow toned but it's quite attractive for the date
I imaged a killer 1878-CC at Baltimore that had amazing toning but not mine to share.....
Dwayne F. Sessom
Ebay ID: V-Nickel-Coins
-Paul
<< <i>no 78s here. They dont tone nicely.
Oh, really? Never mind. I won't bother showing you some of my monster toned '78 Philly strikes.
"Everything is on its way to somewhere. Everything." - George Malley, Phenomenon
http://www.american-legacy-coins.com
<< <i>132 years ago today, at 3:15 pm, the first Morgan dollars were struck. >>
That is quite interesting. I can understand how the date of March 11th is ascertained, but how is the time of day (at which coining began) known?
<< <i>That is quite interesting. I can understand how the date of March 11th is ascertained, but how is the time of day (at which coining began) known? >>
Witnessed by a reporter present who was covering the event for a newspaper. I believe the text of the article is in the VAM book somewhere, but I don't have that with me.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
Here's one of those first Morgans, a crusty EF.
While the time of 3:15 pm may actually be 'the' time that coining commenced, I rather doubt it. The reporter story I have heard before, and do not really believe it based on other factual the events encapsulating the first strikings. The way that I recall the story, the reporter was present to witness the failing of the die(s) after striking 303 pieces.
Consider the fact that the impending Bland-Allison silver dollar bill (that required 2,000,000 silver dollars per month to be struck) was not an overnight surprise to the mint. The Morgan dollar had been in the design and development stages for quite a while. In a letter from mint director Linderman to mint superintendent Pollock dated Feb 21, 1878, Linderman writes:
"It is the desire of the Secretary of the Treasury, as well as my own, that if the silver bill becomes law, the coinage of silver dollars shall be commenced with the least practicable delay and carried to the full capacity of the Mints for the execution of such coinage...."
The silver bill was passed by Congress on February 28th, 1878. On that same day, (evidently unaware that Congress had just passed the bill) Linderman again wrote to Pollock:
"....you will instruct Mr. Morgan to finish this new working hubs, showing the alterations, as speedily as may be practicable, and that immediately thereafter you will cause working dies to be made in sufficient quantity to commence striking pieces as soon as possible after the bill may become law."
The next day (March 1st 1878), Linderman sent Pollock a telegram ordering the following:
".....commence at once the preparation of silver dollar blanks to your full capacity and get the working dies ready as soon as possible and commence striking. The full force of the Engravers Department will be applied to the preparation of silver dollar dies."
The mint was under tremendous pressure to strike coins immediately, yet was unable to do so until two weeks after the silver dollar bill had passed, despite the dictations of the Secretary of the Treasury and the mint director.
Based on the correspondence noted above, that 'are' located in the VAM book among other places, I highly doubt that anyone knew the exact date, much less the exact time that minting of the new silver dollars would begin, so the notion of a reporter just hanging around inside the mint (which I would think to be a fairly secure area) does not pan out for me. I imagine that minting commenced without fanfare, without ceremony, and without any unusual witnesses within minutes after the unscheduled arrival of the dies in the coining room.
Certain parts of the story do bear consideration though; I do believe the failing of the die part for instance. Consider the amount of coins to be struck (2,000,000 per month) and the actual amount struck the first day (303). The next day March 12th was another 100 coins. Not a really good start on your way to that two million mark.
The third day (March 13th) was much better at 40,000 coins struck, 85.000 on the fourth day, and then 48,000 on the fifth day.
What could have cause the foot dragging on the first two days in spite of such extreme pressure to produce coins?
My guess would be die failure, as the working dies were not ready for use until the first day anyway, they were hurriedly prepared, and there may have only been one or two pairs ready on March 11th.
While the reporter story may be true, and I do not discount anyone's belief in it, I can only hope that my own speculation on the matter is not held in ill regard by others.
-Paul
<< <i>What to you get a 132-year old coin for it's birthday? >>
Another one.
Keeper of the VAM Catalog • Professional Coin Imaging • Prime Number Set • World Coins in Early America • British Trade Dollars • Variety Attribution
<< <i>Does anyone on her collect Morgans
I don't collect them.....I hoarde them!!!!
Big Crumbs Link
Mr Rebates Link
EBates Link
Chucknra@yahoo.com
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<< <i>What to you get a 132-year old coin for it's birthday? >>
Another one.
Actually, I'll be happy just finding my first one... maybe at the ANA (provided the pros don't find it first!)
This is vam 15.