1870-S quarter

Billet7 · February 7, 2012 2:57AM

There is no reported mintage for the 1870-S Seated quarter...none were made, but in 1870 they placed coinage in the cornerstone of the San Francisco mint building, it was to include ALL coinage from the San Francisco mint of that year. Is it possible that they might have minted a limited quantity (possibly just a single coin) for use in the cornerstone?

To support this idea, there is a single 1870-S Half Dime (Discovered in 1978.) Was this coin part of a limited quantity that were intended for the cornerstone??? Are there records of what coins were placed in the cornerstone?

Apparently no one knows were the cornerstone capsule is located...was it ever opened?

Just some musings for the day.

BaseballAbs · February 7, 2012 3:07AM

Awe, the next undiscovered treasure, the 1870-S quarter. I seriously doubt it.

LINK

Edit, Would be super cool though.

firstmint · February 7, 2012 3:17AM

The Northeast corner location of the cornerstone is known, but the contents of any time capsule "dedication coins" is not.

Nancy Oliver and Richard Kelly have done the most research about the Mint at San Francisco, and have published much of their findings in a book titled, "A Mighty Fortress, 1874-1937, The Stories Behind the 2nd San Francisco Mint".

Coinosaurus · February 7, 2012 3:35AM

<< The Northeast corner location of the cornerstone is known, but the contents of any time capsule "dedication coins" is not.

Nancy Oliver and Richard Kelly have done the most research about the Mint at San Francisco, and have published much of their findings in a book titled, "A Mighty Fortress, 1874-1937, The Stories Behind the 2nd San Francisco Mint". >>

I asked Rich about this one time and he was of the opinion that the coins in the cornerstone will show severe fire damage, if it's ever opened.

Billet7 · February 7, 2012 3:56AM

<< 

<< The Northeast corner location of the cornerstone is known, but the contents of any time capsule "dedication coins" is not.

Nancy Oliver and Richard Kelly have done the most research about the Mint at San Francisco, and have published much of their findings in a book titled, "A Mighty Fortress, 1874-1937, The Stories Behind the 2nd San Francisco Mint". >>

I asked Rich about this one time and he was of the opinion that the coins in the cornerstone will show severe fire damage, if it's ever opened. >>

I guess that would make sense, I believe the North side was exposed to the most heat and fire, still...unless they're melted it would be a discovery of immense proportions (if the supposed coins were in fact enclosed.)

guitarwes · February 7, 2012 4:08AM

I have one, got it from china. I guess 2 must have been minted.

rhedden · February 7, 2012 4:32AM

Imagine if it turned out that the one known 1870-s half dime was originally in the cornerstone, and it was somehow removed surreptitiously and entered into numismatic circulation. That would mean three things:

1) The story of it turning up in a dealer's junk box was likely fabricated to cover up its unauthorized removal from the US mint.

2) There is possibly a stolen 1870-s quarter out there and someone is keeping it quiet. Other stolen MS 1870-s coins could exist as well.

3) The 1870-s half dime would certainly be considered stolen property and subject to confiscation.

I am not saying this is the case, but wouldn't it be the numismatic scandal of the century?

hchcoin · February 7, 2012 4:34AM

Where's Geraldo when you need him????????????

Coinosaurus · February 7, 2012 4:41AM

The dealer junk box story is well-authenticated. CaptHenway was close to the action when it happened.

fastfreddie · February 7, 2012 4:46AM

<< severe fire damage

<< 

Earthquake of 1906 related?

fastfreddie · February 7, 2012 4:47AM

<< There is no reported mintage for the 1870-S Seated quarter...none were made, but in 1870 they placed coinage in the cornerstone of the San Francisco mint building, it was to include ALL coinage from the San Francisco mint of that year. Is it possible that they might have minted a limited quantity (possibly just a single coin) for use in the cornerstone?

To support this idea, there is a single 1870-S Half Dime (Discovered in 1978.) Was this coin part of a limited quantity that were intended for the cornerstone??? Are there records of what coins were placed in the cornerstone?

Apparently no one knows were the cornerstone capsule is located...was it ever opened?

Just some musings for the day. >>

Some muse as you daydream of hopes that your 56 s/s will grade as a top pop! I'm hoping the best for you.

ebaybuyer · February 7, 2012 10:48AM

i believe there is some paper found in the national archives relating to a request as to what coins were included in the cornerstone,

Billet7 · February 8, 2012 1:10AM

<< i believe there is some paper found in the national archives relating to a request as to what coins were included in the cornerstone, >>

That would be interesting indeed.

FastFreddie, apparently it's not condition census, but possibly a top 20...it would be very nice if it graded, but I have no illusions just hopes.

William · February 8, 2012 1:22AM

Coin World reported Richard Kelly's and Nancy Oliver's discovery of a San Francisco Mint warrant in March 2004 that recorded the coins struck for placement in the cornerstone casket. The warrant indicated that a single example each of an 1870-S Seated Liberty half dime and 1870-S Indian Head gold $3 coin had been struck, confirming their production for the first time (although numismatists have long known of the single examples of each). The warrant also indicated that a single 1870-S Seated Liberty quarter dollar had been struck for the casket; this was the first confirmation that an 1870-S quarter dollar had been produced. An 1870-S Seated Liberty dollar was also struck for the casket.

William T. Gibbs
Coin World
News Editor

BaseballAbs · February 8, 2012 1:34AM

<< Coin World reported Richard Kelly's and Nancy Oliver's discovery of a San Francisco Mint warrant in March 2004 that recorded the coins struck for placement in the cornerstone casket. The warrant indicated that a single example each of an 1870-S Seated Liberty half dime and 1870-S Indian Head gold $3 coin had been struck, confirming their production for the first time (although numismatists have long known of the single examples of each). The warrant also indicated that a single 1870-S Seated Liberty quarter dollar had been struck for the casket; this was the first confirmation that an 1870-S quarter dollar had been produced. An 1870-S Seated Liberty dollar was also struck for the casket.

William T. Gibbs
Coin World
News Editor >>

So why can they not just break out the cornerstone and open the casket? Is there a set day and time when it can be opened?

MacCrimmon · February 8, 2012 1:44AM

I wish DCARR would do some 1870-S S$ restrikes on original SL$ !!!

crypto79 · February 8, 2012 2:06AM

<< I wish DCARR would do some 1870-S S$ restrikes on original SL$ !!!

>>

A bridge to far

Coinosaurus · February 8, 2012 3:28AM

<< So why can they not just break out the cornerstone and open the casket? Is there a set day and time when it can be opened? >>

It's not going to happen for our amusement. If someone wanted to fund the entire operation the building management would probably consider it. Of course the contents still belong to the government

Billet7 · February 8, 2012 3:47AM

I guess it doesn't really matter, but confirmation would be nice. Your pic, buried in a cornerstone or deep in the vaults of the Smithsonian? Very few people would see it anyway, since they don't have much of a display in the Smithsonian anymore.

I would be most curious to know if it was melted in the fires of 1906.

BaseballAbs · February 9, 2012 11:03AM

Do we know what type of material this casket was made out of? These days we have some fire proof materials, but back then what did they use? Stone or steel I presume.

1870-S quarter

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