I have speculated in print that the reason why every authorized denomination was first struck with the same date, 1796, was because of Washington’s impending retirement. The feat was not repeated until 1840!
Numismatist. 54 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. 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. Author "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," due out late 2025.
Comments
So very cool!
Was Washington throwing David Rittenhouse (the first Mint Director) under the bus??
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I have speculated in print that the reason why every authorized denomination was first struck with the same date, 1796, was because of Washington’s impending retirement. The feat was not repeated until 1840!