Here's a quote and photo of Captain Robert Taylor who fought at Perryville - Kentucky's largest Civil War battle. Not sure if this Captain Robert Taylor had a son Frank.
The Battle of Perryville laid waste to more than just soldiers and their supplies. The commonwealth's largest combat engagement also took an immense toll on the community of Perryville, and citizens in surrounding towns. After Confederates achieved a tactical victory, they were nonetheless forced to leave the area. With more than 7,500 casualties, the remaining Union soldiers were unprepared for the enormous tasks of burying the dead, caring for the wounded, and rebuilding infrastructure. Instead, this arduous duty fell to the brave and battered locals. Former executive director of the Perryville Battlefield Preservation Association Stuart Sanders presents the first in depth look into how the resilient residents dealt with the chaos of this bloody battle and how they rebuilt their town from the rubble leftover.
Nancy McClellan wrote is a descendant of a Captain Robert Taylor who passed away during the Civil War. This coin is from Christmas 1865 and the Civil War ended in May so this may be a different Robert Taylor:
http://www.vagenweb.org/unknown/vaqryd00.htm
From: NSM5221aol.com (Nancy McClellan) June 7, 2000
TAYLOR -
Captain Robert Taylor supposedly had a plantation called Mount Eagle in Fairfax; Could be Alexandria; or elsewhere--can you help? It was not far from Mount Vernon. He died in the Civil War; but as a child witnessed the battle of Bladensburg. I cannot find him anywhere!! He also according to family history helped at George Washingtons second funeral (?) Any help on this plantation or man would be helpful. He suppossed to be my great,great, grandfather.
A Robert Taylor from the 146th Regiment, Company F died on May 14th, 1963. This Robert Taylor may be related to Nancy McClellan but not the one in the OP since that is dated Christmas 1965. More here.
Very cool. I bet that wouldn't hurt the value one bit to a lot of people. Kind of like a chopmark. Could even add to the value especially with the toning compared to a blast white in same condition minus the engraving.
Careful research is needed to make sure you have the right Robert Taylor. It was probably a common name then and probably is today as well. (Think "Longmire".)
@291fifth said:
Careful research is needed to make sure you have the right Robert Taylor. It was probably a common name then and probably is today as well. (Think "Longmire".)
Agreed, as I previously mentioned, I have done all the research, located the family and am writing it up It was not the Mr Taylor previously mentioned above. Great story too.
Good to know. Have you been able to trace the descendants too? It would be nice for them to know about this coin.
I'll keep looking when I have time. It's fun to learn about history
@stev32k said:
It's a shame PCGS slabbed it as damaged.
Agreed but if they straight graded it it would open the flood gates because it technically is graffiti after all. At the very least it would cause them an ongoing headache.
@stev32k said:
It's a shame PCGS slabbed it as damaged.
Agreed but if they straight graded it it would open the flood gates because it technically is graffiti after all. At the very least it would cause them an ongoing headache.
How true. Right now they are grading the host coin, and the originality and provenance of the engraved details are up to you. I don't think they want to get into the business of guaranteeing the legitimacy and age of engraved text.
@CascadeChris said:
Very cool. I bet that wouldn't hurt the value one bit to a lot of people. Kind of like a chopmark. Could even add to the value especially with the toning compared to a blast white in same condition minus the engraving.
I tend to agree, although having the rest of the numismatic community jump aboard would be problematic imho.
It is a shame that such a piece may not get the respect it deserves simply because of the so-called damage. The engraving is exquisitely done, the info on the family is solid as a rock and the coin is also gorgeously toned and in high grade. Obviously it was put away after given as a gift for a long time and well taken care of by that family until it was auctioned off and John Ford picked it up since this was once owned by John Ford as per his sale catalog.
So far, everyone here has said they like it. I haven't heard anything negative other than why it cannot be straight-graded, which isn't really negative. Who are you thinking of when you say the "rest of the numismatic community"? And would it change anything if they did get on board? Enough people seem to like it that it would probably sell for a premium as is.
Although this Captain Robert Taylor isn't the one from the Battle of Perryville, KY I posted above, I just realized that this is the same battle where the Confederate Half Dime was given to one of the calvary commanders the day after the battle. It's nice how everything is connected by history.
@Zoins said:
I just realized that this is the same battle where the Confederate Half Dime was given to one of the calvary commanders the day after the battle.
I can just imagine the conversation: "Great job in the battle, commander. Glad you made it out in one piece. Here's five cents for your trouble."
Thx for posting the links. I had never heard of these. I would love to have one, but I hope whoever made it didn't quit his day job (or his night job, either).
That dollar is especially amazing for the recorded (and, as stated, traceable) history. I find it surprising that a family would sell such an heirloom... at least while the family was still in existence..... Cheers, RickO
Why was this coin slabbed when it could not be straight graded? A Capital Plastic holder would have done just fine.
Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.
With condition of this coin and the fascinating history attached to the engraving, it's really a nice piece of numismatic and U. S. history. I'd rather on that one over a conventional S. L. dollar of the same date and condition.
Hope everyone has an enjoyable Thanksgiving!
Pete
"Ain't None of Them play like him (Bix Beiderbecke) Yet." Louis Armstrong
It would probably be a good feature on "Antiques Roadshow" with the provenance behind it. With Heritage Auctions featured there, I don't know why they don't have an occasional coin like this.
Comments
Love it!
Partner @Gold Hill Coin

It will probably be possible to find out info on both the father and son. Exceptional condition for a piece like that.
My guess - a present from a son glad that his father made it back in one piece for the first Christmas after the war ended.
Most acceptable graffiti. I LOVE it! Thanks for posting.
Cheers
Bob
That's a really nice looking dollar. I look forward to reading more about Capt . Taylor and his family's history.
Here's a quote and photo of Captain Robert Taylor who fought at Perryville - Kentucky's largest Civil War battle. Not sure if this Captain Robert Taylor had a son Frank.
This excerpt is from the following book:
https://books.google.com/books?id=4n52CQAAQBAJ
Nancy McClellan wrote is a descendant of a Captain Robert Taylor who passed away during the Civil War. This coin is from Christmas 1865 and the Civil War ended in May so this may be a different Robert Taylor:
A Robert Taylor from the 146th Regiment, Company F died on May 14th, 1963. This Robert Taylor may be related to Nancy McClellan but not the one in the OP since that is dated Christmas 1965. More here.
Very cool. I bet that wouldn't hurt the value one bit to a lot of people. Kind of like a chopmark. Could even add to the value especially with the toning compared to a blast white in same condition minus the engraving.
Wow. beautiful!
Cool coin, and it's always neat to find the backstory.
I like it a lot. Especially like the story that may go along with it. If you find out any more be sure to keep us posted.
it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide
Careful research is needed to make sure you have the right Robert Taylor. It was probably a common name then and probably is today as well. (Think "Longmire".)
@afford, beautiful and historic coin! Thanks so much for sharing it with us.
If your friend ever wants to sell I'd love to be contacted. Thanks.
W. David Perkins Numismatics - http://www.davidperkinsrarecoins.com/ - 25+ Years ANA, ANS, NLG, NBS, LM JRCS, LSCC, EAC, TAMS, LM CWTS, CSNS, FUN
Good to know. Have you been able to trace the descendants too? It would be nice for them to know about this coin.
I'll keep looking when I have time. It's fun to learn about history
That is damn cool. And gorgeous to boot!
Lance.
Who ever inscribed that, had some real talent...beautiful!
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
It's a shame PCGS slabbed it as damaged.
Agreed but if they straight graded it it would open the flood gates because it technically is graffiti after all. At the very least it would cause them an ongoing headache.
Yes that coin has problems! Its not in my collection!! Gorgeous!!
Truly amazing piece that would be a Bo20 coin for me.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
How true. Right now they are grading the host coin, and the originality and provenance of the engraved details are up to you. I don't think they want to get into the business of guaranteeing the legitimacy and age of engraved text.
So far, everyone here has said they like it. I haven't heard anything negative other than why it cannot be straight-graded, which isn't really negative. Who are you thinking of when you say the "rest of the numismatic community"? And would it change anything if they did get on board? Enough people seem to like it that it would probably sell for a premium as is.
Although this Captain Robert Taylor isn't the one from the Battle of Perryville, KY I posted above, I just realized that this is the same battle where the Confederate Half Dime was given to one of the calvary commanders the day after the battle. It's nice how everything is connected by history.
https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/961814/1861-csa-half-dime/p1
Truly amazing piece. How often has it been said "if only this coin could talk".......this one does.
I can just imagine the conversation: "Great job in the battle, commander. Glad you made it out in one piece. Here's five cents for your trouble."
Thx for posting the links. I had never heard of these. I would love to have one, but I hope whoever made it didn't quit his day job (or his night job, either).
That dollar is especially amazing for the recorded (and, as stated, traceable) history. I find it surprising that a family would sell such an heirloom... at least while the family was still in existence..... Cheers, RickO
I really like the engraving style. Very nice coin!
BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
Why was this coin slabbed when it could not be straight graded? A Capital Plastic holder would have done just fine.
With condition of this coin and the fascinating history attached to the engraving, it's really a nice piece of numismatic and U. S. history. I'd rather on that one over a conventional S. L. dollar of the same date and condition.
Hope everyone has an enjoyable Thanksgiving!
Pete
Louis Armstrong
Possibly because it is a Seated Dollar, a favorite of counterfeiters.
Real nice coin!
It would probably be a good feature on "Antiques Roadshow" with the provenance behind it. With Heritage Auctions featured there, I don't know why they don't have an occasional coin like this.