New book - Pittman Silver Dollar Production

RWB

Seneca Mill Press LLC is proud to release a superb CD-ROM of unique silver dollar production records from 1921 through 1928. Silver Dollars Struck Under the Pittman Act of 1918, edited by Roger W. Burdette, includes high resolution images of the original Treasurer’s journal in convenient PDF format.



The Treasurer’s journal presents daily production of silver dollars at all three mints in their original manuscript format. This is the only complete production record for Pittman silver dollars, yet only a handful of researchers have ever examined these important records since their re-discovery four years ago. Now collectors and silver dollar specialists can examine documents that were completely unknown to van Allen and Mallis, Breen, Taxay, Bowers and others. This is the first and only published edition of these invaluable historic resources.

As a special bonus, the full text of the Pittman Act of 1918 is included along with a Federal Reserve Bank discussion of silver purchases since the Bland-Allison Act of 1878. Lastly, Silver Dollars Struck Under the Pittman Act of 1918 features a newly completed essay on the background of the Pittman Act and the role of Mint Director Raymond T. Baker.

This definitive edition was prepared by numismatic research specialist Roger W. Burdette. Original documents from the National Archives in College Park, MD were photographed in high resolution and adapted for publication. All images are a combination of manuscript and typescript. Although not directly searchable, these image files are easy to use and print for personal use.

WoodenJefferson

CaptHenway

Do the daily numbers vary wildly, such as a couple hundred thousand coins a day for two or three days and then nothing for weeks, or did they space it out to keep the employees busy?
TD

RWB

1922 seems to be mostly dollars every day. Later it looks like dollars were worked in between other things.

The journal is about 70 pages, approx 14x22-inches. I had to do a lot of perspective work on the images, and then composite multiple images to get good full-page photos. No lights, etc. were permitted.

CaptHenway

Since they weren't doing anything else except 1922-D (or not 2-D) cents, double eagles and Grant commems, that is not surprising. Did they stop production altogether for any extended periods?
TD

savoyspecial

love the cover image


is there any sort of symbolism at work here?
laurel wreath = peace?
lion= England?


also, where does that image come from?

BigE

<< <i>Since they weren't doing anything else except 1922-D (or not 2-D) cents, double eagles and Grant commems, that is not surprising. Did they stop production altogether for any extended periods?
TD >>




Why dont you just buy a copy,------------------BigE

CaptHenway

<< <i>love the cover image


is there any sort of symbolism at work here?
laurel wreath = peace?
lion= England?


also, where does that image come from? >>




RWB no doubt will tell us, but I assume that it refers to the fact that the Pittman Act of 1918 was passed to help save Great Britain from bankruptcy and keep their war production going.
TD

RWB

The cover is cropped from a WW-I poster. The American eagle is dropping a laurel wreath (praise, victory) on the British lion. The title is "America's Tribute to Britain." I added the green and blue color to the image, and cleaned up a lot of cracking in the original. This American poster is very difficult to locate.

Silver dollars melted under the Pittman Act were used by Britain to avoid currency collapse in India in mid-1918 into 1919. The 1921 Morgans and all Peace dollars through 1928 were struck as replacements.

RWB

The Pittman journal lists only dollar production.
The Mint HQ journal showing daily production of all coins (after 1915) is still in posession of Mint HQ (not in the archives), and is not available for research.

Dentuck

Congratulations to Roger W. Burdette as he continues to bring valuable numismatic information to light --- to the benefit of researchers, historians, collectors, and the entire hobby community.

RWB

Dentuck:
Thanks! Your comment means a lot to me.

(Maybe one day I'll figure out how to make a profit, too! )

RWB

RE: "Are these photos searchable?"

The CD contains digital images of the journal pages. The originals were written by hand and the writing varies in size and clarity from page to page. No attempt was made to convert the images into computer searchable text.

RE: "Is everything listed by date and mint?"

All production days are individually listed by mint. However, the production of one mint might be grouped together, or several mints' production might be on adjacent rows. Mostly, the entries are in date order.

YogiBerraFan

I received my copy today. It is full of very interesting information and the images of the original documents are very clear. If you have any interest in this information you should get one. You certainly can't beat the price.

RWB,

How are you making any money on these? Will I be receiving another disc each month at regular club prices ($29.95)

Great work!

Longacre

RWB

Thanks for the kind remarks. Glad you find it useful and easy to read. Stitching together those big page images was not fun to do.

Sorry, no "Club Price" or automatic billing to your credit card until you turn 135 years old....$8.95 ppd through the end of Feb (ads were delayed).

At the number of hours it took to produce, the CD should sell for about $100 each. I'd break even if I sold about 500.