But....is my beat up quarter genuine?
RogerB
Posts: 8,896 ✭✭✭✭✭
Recent posts concerning damaged coins brought to mind this little 1876 exchange of letter about a contemporary bit of "coin roadkill." 
Union Iron Works
Thropp, McKenzie & Wilkes
Trenton, N.J.
United States Mint
October 6, 1876
Gents,
Enclosed you will please find one twenty-five cent piece which you will please examine, and advise me at your earliest convenience whether it is genuine or not, and return the same. Bu so doing you will confer a favor.
John E. Thropp
Union Iron Works
Thropp, McKenzie & Wilkes
Trenton, N.J.
[Reply]
Hon. James Pollock,
Superintendent
Sir:
In reply to the letter of John E. Thropp of Trenton N.J., enclosing a 25-cent silver piece for examination, I have the honor to say that the piece is genuine.
It has been battered a good deal – looks as if it had been run over in the road by carriages. The want of sonority is produced by a crack in the periphery of the piece.
The letter and coin are herewith returned to you.
I am, very respectfully,
A Loudoun Snowden,
Coiner
Comments
So.....you're saying that all further questions on "Parking Lot" finds should be sent to the Mint Superintendent?
It always amazes me how small-town the government once was. Got a question? Go straight to the top.....
Why didn't he just ask for a replacement?
bob
Damaged coin threads shall henceforth be answered,
"It has been battered a good deal – looks as if it had been run over in the road by carriages."
-A Loudoun Snowden, 1876
Thanks for this nugget of gold, Roger!
Collector, occasional seller
Someone should give that a try and see what happens just for fun.
Is "2-cent silver" in the original or a transcription typo?
ANA 50+ year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
Author: 3rd Edition of the SampleSlabs book, https://sampleslabs.info/
I suspect that if someone did the same thing today, they would receive a similar reply. All of the tragedies that befell coins 150 years ago still happen....and are still dealt with by Treasury, BEP, or the Mint
Yep...my error. Forgot to pay the full alphabet AND digit rental to Microsoft so they cut off certain numbers and letters.....Got 'em all back now -- except for "Q" which i only order when needed.
-A Loudoun Snowden, 1876
"The skunk got squashed and...there you are"
My apologies Roger, I couldn't resist.
That’s such a courteous exchange.
75% of the Seated Quarters on eBay should be sent in for the same favor, as they are damaged beyond value.
Only thing I wish is that they would all be melted.
I know that the Hessians were always loitering outside the Wawa on Olden Ave, looking for a pickup skirmish.
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Yep...you could tell by their red uniforms and ugly sneer....