@northcoin said:
For those following this thread, here is a statement from Breen, (as referenced in a Heritage publication) that confirms the involvement of the Pony Express as discussed in my above posts:
"Working dies were prepared, for use in 1861, and were sent out to the New Orleans and San Francisco branch Mints. The first proofs were struck in Philadelphia during the period Jan. 2-5. These two specimens are perfect, mainly because of the greater force of the hydraulic press used for proofs. When the Mint tried to strike regular examples on the double eagle press, it became evident that a serious error had occurred. The inner diameter of the reverse die was too great, the border too narrow, and the coins (1) would not stack, (2) would of necessity be beveled and have the obverse border misstruck, after the slightest giving way of the collar (normal in striking silver dollars and double eagles). One copper trial piece exists (A.W. 334a, ex Newcomer coll.) showing this beveled and imperfect periphery, and was undoubtedly the reason why the Mint director stopped any further action with the Paquet die at Philadelphia. On Jan. 5, 1861, he sent orders to the New Orleans and San Francisco branch Mints to 'use the old $20. reverse and not the new one.' The directive to New Orleans reached that branch in time to prevent any coinage of Paquet twenties. That to San Francisco, sent by Pony Express, was delayed en route and did not reach that branch until Feb. 2nd. The San Francisco Mint had reopened for coinage on Jan. 10th, and the superintendent had complained earlier to the director about trouble in hardening and adapting to the presses the new $20. reverse. There followed a letter of 2/9/1861: 'I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your favor of the 5th ulto., overland which however did not come to hand until the 2nd inst. "
Were you able to find the image of A.W. 334a? I'd love to see it.
I guess my attention was focused on the Pony Express historical tie-in and had not made any effort to see what happened to the Newcomber Copper specimen trial piece of the Paquet Reverse. @yosclimber has had success in locating auction history records for another elusive coin I own (a unique specimen of the 1850 Double Eagle traced back to having been in the collection of its designer, James B. Longacre, suggesting it may have even been the first one minted) so perhaps he will be able to provide some insight.
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