Lafayette Dollar Question : Smithsonians Lafa pic included!

erickso1

In doing some reading on them in my growing Commem Library I was wondering if the very first Lafayette dollar that was sent to the president of France has ever been seen since. In the Swiatek Breen they mentioned the casket it was transported in hadn't been seen. Outside of that I haven't read anything else.

Just curious.

Nick

savoyspecial

i have never heard this but it sounds very interesting, would love to hear more

ldhair

You probably have this information. Robert Thompson did give the coin to President Loubet March 3 1900. It would be fun to know where it is today.

ricko

It is likely languishing in some forgotten corner of politico memorabilia... not even on display. Cheers, RickO

erickso1

In pondering about it I'd say there is a chance it could be in Germany. Just seems weird that it has never been seen or heard from again.

erickso1

Just a quick update on this post I had back in June.

I received a reply email from the Smithsonian which stated :

Your email of June 13, 2011 regarding a Lafayette dollar has been received by the Smithsonian=s Public Inquiry Mail Service for response. We sincerely apologize for the delay as we process a backlog of correspondence.

Curators of the National Numismatic Collection (NNC) inform us that they do not know the current location of the first Lafayette Silver Dollar that was presented to President Emile Loubet of France in 1900. They surmise that this coin still resides in France but cannot provide any additional information about it. The NNC includes several other examples of this commemorative edition, including the superb specimen detailed here.

Thank you for your interest in the Smithsonian Institution.

The coin they are referring to is on their website here.

devious

Cool! I like the look of that Lafayette.

blu62vette

That is an amazing example.

messydesk

If this coin remained in Loubet's possession after he left office in 1906, it could be in the hands of one of his descendants. Attempting to locate it would likely prove to be an interesting adventure, probably requiring some fluency in French. Does RWB have a counterpart in Paris? What other insight into not having seen it does Anthony Swiatek have?

scher

Pretty..i like the color a lot!
Looks better than my 67..
Bruce Scher

devious

Bruce, I'd take your Lafayette as well. Nice!

jessecarlk

<< <i>In pondering about it I'd say there is a chance it could be in Germany. Just seems weird that it has never been seen or heard from again. >>



Maybe after a detour in Germany, it made its way back to the US...