First copper pieces struck by steam power
RogerB
Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
This little letter reports the first striking of copper coins by steam power on March 23, 1836. Does anyone have examples of screw press vs toggle press cents/half cents for 1836?
March 23, 1836
Hon. Levi Woodbury
Secretary of the Treasury
Sir,
I send you enclosed the Gold dollar pieces which you asked for in your letter of the 18th.
I also send by this mail some copper pieces struck at the Mint today, on our new press, by steam. They are the first ever struck by this power in America, and I must consider this day therefore as marking an epoch in our coinage. I showed you before pieces struck with this press, at the work-shop, and by hand: these, however, are the first struck by steam.
We have also been perfectly successful in milling our coins by steam. A few days ago 44,000 pieces were milled, in 5 hours, by our [machine] new apparatus, and only one third part of it was at work.
I received this morning your letter respecting Dr. Barclay, and another letter respecting the coinage which I shall answer tomorrow.
Your faithful servant,
R. M. Patterson
Comments
This is referring to the First Steam Coinage pieces - the ones dated February 1836 are the ones struck on a screw press, while the March over February 1836 pieces are the actual steam press examples. I'm on the road now, but have a February example at the office and can shoot pictures of it for you next week.
What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
i wonder where the coins referenced are now. i would be cool to have any tied to the letter, but i guess there would be know why to know for sure, if they were separated.
Here's a link to the most interesting of the March-dated pieces:
https://coins.ha.com/itm/u.s.-mint-medals/tokens-and-medals/1836-first-steam-coinage-mar-23-original-ms65-brown-ngc-julian-mt-21/a/1208-5792.s?ic4=ListView-ShortDescription-071515
What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
The owner must be very proud of that piece
Magnificent token !
I wonder if anyone has before & after cents or half cents? Do we have only 1835 and 1837 for comparison?
YOICKS!
I remember watching that one and totally drooling
.
CoinsAreFun Toned Silver Eagle Proof Album
.
Gallery Mint Museum, Ron Landis& Joe Rust, The beginnings of the Golden Dollar
.
More CoinsAreFun Pictorials NGC
Interesting !!!
Such an amazing coin... The owner must be very proud. Pieces such as these really do belong in a museum. Cheers, RickO