Of interest to Gold Dollar collectors - Annular 'planchets'
RogerB
Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
This letter explains a lot about one of the odd gold dollar patterns (Judd 136), shown below. These were called "planchets" by the Mint and intentionally made in January 1852 along with half dollar "planchets" using half-dime dies.
Mint of the United States
Philadelphia
January 27, 1852
Hon. R.M.T. Hunter
United States Senate
Washington City
Dear Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 17th I herewith enclose planchets of perforated or annular dollars and half dollars in gold, with such rude design as was practicable without the construction of new dies. The planchets are rather larger, and the perforation consequently wider than I think desirable for the piece, but we were limited by the time and means at our disposal, and have struck them with dime and ½-dime dies.
Respecting the practicability of such a coinage, I find some difference of opinion among those familiar with the mechanical processes of the mint. Some doubt that it can be executed; the only doubt is as to the comparative rapidity with which it can be done. In the absence of actual trial, on a tolerable extended scale, and with such new modifications of machinery as would be requisite, it is, indeed, impossible to give reliable assurances upon the subject. If Congress should approve such perforated coins, it appears to me that any law authorizing the issuance should not be absolutely obligatory, but defer the matter to the ultimate decision of the President, which could be safely given after practical trials, and a report from the Mint.
I think any attempt to increase the size of the gold dollar by alloying it quite impracticable. Any small addition of silver would make, to all appearances, a silver coin, so that counterfeiting would be readily accomplished. Copper would create a copper color, and be so much worse than silver.
In short, if the present gold dollar is unacceptable, the perforated coin appears the only feasible substitute. Better than all, however, is such an alteration of our laws as would restore silver to the circulation, and render such small gold pieces altogether unnecessary.
Very respectfully,
your obedient servant
George N. Eckert, Director
[Note: Senator Hunter was a prime supporter of adding a $3 gold coin to national currency. His idea was that full-value gold coins of small denomination would drive state bank paper of $1, $2, and $3 denominations out of circulation. It didn’t work.]
(Photo courtesy Smithsonian Institution National Numismatic Collection; document from NARA Rg104 Entry 216 Vol 09.)
Comments
Thank you for posting this Roger. I had read about the problems with the "ring dollar" in other sources, but had never seen this letter. I'd love to get a "ring dollar," but I've always been out bid at auction.
BTW here is a portrait of Senator Hunter on an 1864 Confederate $10 note and a "bullet points" bio that I include in my presentations.
He served in the U.S. House from 1837 to ‘43 and was Speaker of the House from 1839 to ’41. (He was youngest Speaker ever.)
He was a strong supporter powerful southern senator, John C. Calhoun.
Served in the U.S. senate from 1847 to ‘61.
He was briefly the Rebel secretary of state
He was one of three southern peace negociators at the Hampton Roads Conference held in 1865.
He opposed reconstruction and was active in Virginia state politics. Served as state treasurer from 1874 to 1880.
He died in 1887.
Thanks, great post.
Very interesting... I had not heard of these....I would think they would be impractical due to easy damage of bending or even breakage.... Cheers, RickO
You could string them for a nice necklace.
And.... that's the only pattern I have lusted for.
Well that and some of those Amazonian thingies.
Nice to see a few responses. Was beginning to think no one liked gold dollars....even patterns.
Fascinating. Thanks for the letter. Was this the only gold half dollar proposed?
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
There were several proposed designs. The problems were that gold dollars of 1849 were so small they were easily lost, and so light they were easily counterfeited.
If you go to the best site: USpatterns.com and click on the "Photo Gallery" link, you can check out all the versions.
Thanks - I had checked and saw the only gold half dollar listed here
I just wondered if there were any other gold 50 cent pieces proposed, perhaps before they got to the trial state.
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
I have not found mention of any gold half dollars; however the legitimate and fake California pieces occasionally pop up in US mint letters - mostly after the Civil War.