177 Years Ago - Dahlonega Mint History
JJSingleton
Posts: 1,401 ✭✭✭✭✭
On April 17, 1838 the United States Branch Mint at Dahlonega Georgia minted their first coins. Yours truly, Joseph J. Singleton - Superintendent
recorded that David H. Mason - Coiner minted 80 Half Eagles. Maybe the one below was one of them.
In celebration post some Dahlonega Mint historical facts or lore. And of course, post your D-Mint coins.
recorded that David H. Mason - Coiner minted 80 Half Eagles. Maybe the one below was one of them.In celebration post some Dahlonega Mint historical facts or lore. And of course, post your D-Mint coins.
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
0
Comments
Latin American Collection
Another candidate for that "first day of operations."
<< <i>
Another candidate for that "first day of operations."
This one is accurately graded EF-45. Had it been a stronger strike on the obverse instead of the blunt strike that is there it might have AU-50.
<< <i>
NICE!
Looking for Top Pop Mercury Dime Varieties & High Grade Mercury Dime Toners.
my one and only:
<< <i>
The image Rick posted is the only known photograph of the Dahlonega Mint. It was only discovered within the past 30 years. The photo was taken around 1877 shortly before the mint building burned to the ground in 1878. At the time the photo was taken the building had become the North Georgia Agricultural College. The people in the picture are students. After the mint building burned a new college building was build on the remaining granite foundation. The new building remains today as Price Memorial Hall, the current administration building for University of North Georgia. And yes, it does often snow in Dahlonega. And yes, the steeple is covered with Dahlonega gold.
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
My son absolutely loves that place.
US Civil War coinage
Historical Medals
There are several notable dates from Dahlonega. But the most renown has to be the 61-D dollar which its entire minute mintage was produced under the direction of the Confederacy.
The Dahlonega Mint was always a political operation. Yes, they minted coins but coining skills always took a back seat to politics. Every officer was selected by political affiliation and who knew who, and whenever a change of party took place in the White House a sweeping change in mint officers followed in short order. This was not the case at the Mother Mint in Philadelphia and I suspect it drove the Director of the Mint nuts.
In January of 1861 Georgia seceded from the Union. When that occurred George Kellogg, the D mint Superintendent at the time, pretty much acted as you would expect a politician to act, which was to protect his paycheck. George Kellogg was strongly aligned with Georgia Governor Joseph Brown and Kellogg warmly welcomed the secession. Kellogg began campaigning for a future paycheck and job with Governor Brown, but the Confederacy had no action plan for the mint at that time. So Kellogg, with Brown's wink of any eye and assurance that no bullion would be shipped to Philadelphia if requested, continued operations at the mint as if nothing had changed. As such, all officers continued on receiving their pay, reports continued to be sent to Philadelphia, all best described as business as usual. However, there is no record of communications from Philadelphia to Dahlonega. But as few records exist we cannot be sure that none actually took place. We do know that Kellogg put in for officer salaries for the first quarter and they were paid, however not everyone up north thought that was prudent. Kellogg did not send his resignation letter to Lincoln until April after he and his officers had been paid.
Finally in early March the Confederacy addressed the mint issue and Kellogg was directed to continue operations and report to newly appointed Confederate Secretary of the Treasury C.G. Memminger in Savannah. And that was it, the mint now reported to the Confederacy. I make that point because some of the lore suggests there was a seizure or forceful take over and that never happened. Nothing changed from March 8 to March 9. There was a period of concern in January that some local Union Loyalists were going to seize the mint for the Union but that never played out.
So, with all that said what's the hub bub of the 61-D dollar. Well, as I mentioned above reports continued going to Philadelphia through the end of February. And through the end of February the mintage figures show that only 1597 Half Eagles were produced, no dollars. We know dollars exist so what that tells us is any dollar that does exist was minted while the mint was under the full authority of the Confederacy. How many is still a debate, but the most recent research by our own forum member "GeorgeKellogg" (ironic, isn't it) suggests even less than previously thought and as few as 500+.
Sadly, after reviewing the operating costs of the mint on May 17 the Confederate Congress voted to close the mint on June 1. It was decided that it would remain as an assay office. And ironically after all the efforts of the mint officers to save their jobs none were selected to run the assay office. Instead the position was filled by Lewis Quillian, a mint laborer who assisted with assays.
Sorry for the long winded post.
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
scouring the web for affordable $5 Liberty head D and C mint pieces, not a whole lot to choose from. Affordable I mean $1500 - $2000 which limits me.
<< <i>I believe that the 1855-D gold dollar is the rarest Dahlonega mint date and mint mark combination. Some of the die varieties are rarer, of course. >>
It most certainly is in AU and higher. And just might be for all grades. Although the 61-D often considered the rarest gold dollar from any mint it is much more available in higher grades as it appears they were recognized for what they were and put away for safe keeping.
With that said, the 55-D dollar is super tough with a very low mintage of 1811. And being a single year type (only type II) it remains in great demand. Very few have full dates like Bill's above and mine below. Maybe a handful more than a dozen exist in full date. It is a pricey coin to begin with but expect to pay a substantial premium if you have interest in a full date 55-D dollar.
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
RYK's favorite
Overland Trail Collection Showcase
Dahlonega Type Set-2008 PCGS Best Exhibited Set
<< <i>A little Dahlonega history. >>
Nope, that there is bunches of Dahlonega history. Great coins. I can't ever see that 54-D Three with full denticles enough. I have yet to see another like it.
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
Joseph J. Singleton - First Superintendent of the U.S. Branch Mint in Dahlonega Georgia
Findley Ridge Collection
About Findley Ridge
I revived this thread because I figured that most of those interested in the subject matter of this thread would also be interested in the major set of Dahlonega Mint Quarter Eagles that will be auctioned at the ANA Convention. In general, I am puzzled as to why this set has not received more attention in this forum.
I have already viewed the entire set. While no veteran collector would seriously expect each coin in a set of Dahlonega Quarter Eagles to be pristine, this is an important set, considered as a unit. It is not easy to assemble such a set in the AU-MS grade range. Several have green beans.
I really liked the PCGS-62 1843-Small D. The PCGS-58 1846-D is decent.
The 1851-D is an appealing coin, surely among the three to five finest known.
The PCGS-62 1853-D is probably okay. Not one is PCGS graded at a higher level.
The 1855-D is one of the best coins in the "Georgia Peach Collection"
There may be much competition for the "Georgia Peach" 1859-D.
If other forum members viewed or will view this set, then please post opinions about the set and specific coins. It is usually a good idea for numismatists to share their notes and grading opinions with each other.
Classic Silver, Dahlone ga $2½ Gold, and Carson City U.S. Coins Highlight Rarities Night
insightful10@gmail.com