Ever wonder why there were no 1876 Centennial commemorative coins?
RogerB
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Maybe this little letter will explain the situation. With Director Linderman opposed to any coinage change, nothing was allowed to happen. Bracketed words were added by me after the transcription was submitted by a volunteer.
April 28, 1873
L[awrence] A[ugustus] Gobright, Esq.
[President of Associated Press]
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
I have to acknowledge your favor of the 25th instant, enclosing the following resolution of the Centennial Commission, and requesting any suggestion which I may think proper to offer in relation to the subject embraced in the resolution:
“Resolved: That the Committee on Legislation be and they are hereby instructed to enquire into the expediency of suggesting to the proper federal authority that on or before the fourth day of July, 1876, the coin of the United States bear such device and inscription as will recognize the great event then to be commemorated.”
The gold and silver coin of the United states, with the exception of such denominations as are not of sufficient size to admit of their first issue, borne on the obverse an impression emblematic of liberty, and on the reverse the figure or representation of an eagle. These emblems, with the inscription “United States of America,” and the legends required by law, consume all the space which the coins afford, and it would be difficult to add anything further in the shape of emblems or inscriptions. The present emblems, which were adopted by the founders of the republic, are expressive in character, familiar to the people, and the displacement of either one of them would no doubt be received with general dissatisfaction. Moreover, coins of the precious metals are “money” in the proper sense of that word, and must be expected to disappear with any change of standard that may be made, and are, therefore not well adapted for commemorating remarkable events, as medals, which are struck for that purpose only, and it should be added that the latter, when composed of gold, or silver, generally find their way to the crucible at no distant period on account of their intrinsic value, while those composed of less valuable metals are preserved for ages on account of being more valuable for the purposes for which they were struck than the value of the metal of which they are composed.
With due deference, therefore, to the views of the Commission, I respectfully suggest for its consideration, that the object which it has in view will be more effectually carried out by the issue of a commemorative medal, bearing suitable emblems and inscriptions, and composed of such metal or alloy as will place it within the reach of all, and render its preservation and transmission to posterity more certain than if struck in either of the precious metals.
I am, Sir,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
H. R. Linderman,
Director
[RG104 E-235 vol 086]
Comments
Missed an opportunity to make some nice collectable coins and medals. Too bad. Oh well I probably couldn't afford it anyway.
I can't post pictures at the moment, but the mint did make and sponsor (mint made dies used by outside shops to strike some medals) some nice, but not outstanding medals. One was made of silver and has a following today. It was about the size of a silver dollar.
The second half of the 19th century was not a great time (Liberty Seated and gold Liberty Heads both since the late 1830s) for innovative coin designs. There were some nice metal designs, but by in large it was a dull time for numismatic art.
Engravers of the Mint (William Barber & George Soley, and William H. Key) created numerous medals for business and the Centennial. Only one or two (I think) were made on government time. The rest were private commissions.
I love the syntax of the time. He presents his position and backs it up with strong arguments. This type of reply would be beyond the cognitive abilities of most of our recent college grads.
Then again it is a nice way to say, "I'm too lazy or otherwise occupied to undertake the task, besides my friends at the mint can make more money themselves on private commissions."
It was a great time for private medals with the exposition and all. Love my HK19.
bob
The attitude certainly changed when 1976 rolled around.... all sorts of coinage recognizing the Bi-Centennial...Cheers, RickO
I agree. Although only a teen-aged wise guy then, by 1976 I was already sick of the endless milking and business promotions, gimmicks, advertising, TV, radio, etc.
I can only imagine how it would be milked if today's media was involved.
Well, then again, maybe it would be on twitter or Facebook for 5 seconds and then be forgotten.
Well, but by Director Linderman's argument, by the time of the bi-centennial the coins were no longer "coins of the precious metals" being money.
ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
Linderman's view was that Mr. Gobright was proposing some sort of inscription added to the present coins. There's no specific rejection of a separate commemorative coin, although Linderman seem to object to any precious metal coin design that might confuse users.
(Linderman was also deeply interested in a complete change in coin designs and one of his reasons for hiring George Morgan was to improve the coinage and obtain an "ideal head of Liberty for our coins."
Here is a boxed set of the Centennial medals. The large ones are gilded copper and white metal. The smaller ones are gilded copper and silver. It is my understanding that the issue price for this set was $11, whcih was a lot of money at the time.
Here are a couple close-ups. Both designs were by William Barber.
The large medal.
The small medal in silver.
This is the Centennial Award medal which was given to those mounted exhibits at the fair. The original idea was to issue this in a four inch diameter formate, but Coiner O.C. Bosby-Shell told the Mint Director, James Pollock, that four inches was too big to strike in large qunatities. It was cut back to three inches. The designer was Henry Mitchell, and the dies were by William Barber.
Well, no one claimed William Barber was much of an artist.....
Thanks for posting the medals!
This may be not so far from the truth.
Pete
The small silver one has or at least had a following at one time. Here is a graded example and the original box of issue.
There was even a set issued in pressed wood. It came in an interesting box that had a bird's eye view of the fair under lid. My box is pretty much toast, but the medals are still quite nice.
I am gong to give a presentation to my local club about the Centennial Fair this month.