1801- The first in an occasional series covering draped bust/heraldic eagle halves
slumlord98
Posts: 1,180 ✭
In this series, I will share my knowledge (slim) and opinions (many) on the coins of this series. It ran for only 7 years, from 1801-1807, doomed to an early exodus because of the discontinuation of the S$. The dies suffered from poor design which gave them a pitifully short lifespan compared to the far better engineered CBH by John Reich. Reich's design used a tapered business end which prevented cuds from forming, a major flaw of the draped bust design. Terminal die states are spectacular in their failure, a testament to the primitive state of metallurgy practiced at the first mint. With but very few exceptions, though, these late die states are not as spectacular as the smaller silver denominations. Russ Logan explained that half dimes, dimes, quarters, and halves were all struck in the same 80 ton press, but the smaller coins had far less surface area to absorb the impact; for half dimes, it was 1/10th the surface area with the same force.
The combined mintage for the series was 1.6 million coins, however, when you consider that the overwhelming majority of extant examples come from perhaps a dozen die pairings, you can better understand the rarity of most of the series.
Thomas Jefferson was sworn in as the nation's 3rd president in 1801 following a campaign so bitterly fought as to make current political campaigns seem genteel. For a brief read, click here. Most US citizens lived within a few miles of the Atlantic coast, getting around by horse or sailing ship. The main source of tax revenue was customs duties. There was almost no manufacturing base. Life was primitive for most Americans and wouldn't change substantially until after the War of 1812. Jefferson felt that Americans should be content as farmers, and he despised the capitalists of NYC. However, he was a catalyst for much of the change that was about to sweep across the country. More another time.
The first die marriage coined in 1801 is O.101. The reverse die suffered early on from spalling, possibly due to overhardening, resulting in chipping of the die surface in the lower left quadrant. This example is of the most commonly seen state. I have never seen or heard of any cracks or cuds forming.
This example, for sale next week by Stacks, has floated about on ebay for a while. The reverse is the earliest state I am aware of, with minimal spalling.
EDS
Please add your thoughts, comments and pics of youe 1801s.
The combined mintage for the series was 1.6 million coins, however, when you consider that the overwhelming majority of extant examples come from perhaps a dozen die pairings, you can better understand the rarity of most of the series.
Thomas Jefferson was sworn in as the nation's 3rd president in 1801 following a campaign so bitterly fought as to make current political campaigns seem genteel. For a brief read, click here. Most US citizens lived within a few miles of the Atlantic coast, getting around by horse or sailing ship. The main source of tax revenue was customs duties. There was almost no manufacturing base. Life was primitive for most Americans and wouldn't change substantially until after the War of 1812. Jefferson felt that Americans should be content as farmers, and he despised the capitalists of NYC. However, he was a catalyst for much of the change that was about to sweep across the country. More another time.
The first die marriage coined in 1801 is O.101. The reverse die suffered early on from spalling, possibly due to overhardening, resulting in chipping of the die surface in the lower left quadrant. This example is of the most commonly seen state. I have never seen or heard of any cracks or cuds forming.
This example, for sale next week by Stacks, has floated about on ebay for a while. The reverse is the earliest state I am aware of, with minimal spalling.
EDS
Please add your thoughts, comments and pics of youe 1801s.
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Comments
Thanks slumlord for kicking off the DBH series. I do not have an 01, but love the example you posted. I will look forward to reading every one of these threads.
thrown in for good measure.
In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson
Very well written OP, as can only be expected from someone as knowledgeable as slumlord.
SlumLord & Mozin
You provided the idea and Slumlord performed admirably. I could "smell the smoke" rising from his keyboard all the way out here in Forks.
Unfortunately I do not own an 1801 so will have to pass on this thread.
However I have an original copy of "Early Engineering Reminiscences (1815-1840) of George Escol Sellers." Sellers lived virtually next door to the Philadelphia mint and writes first hand accounts of viewing the minting process as a mere lad. His father was good friends with Eckfeldt and Sellers was even invited in by him to insert a blank planchet in the screw press and got to keep the "hot penny" that was struck. Eckfeldt told him he could keep the penny until he understood why it got hot. Then he could spend it on candy.
The Seller's book provides a first hand description into the use of the early screw press. He also knew what he was talking about as he was a recognized mechanical engineer later in life. There is much more.
So when I get some of his writings posted on my web site I will provide a link to the write up. It's fascinating and will go along with all of these early coinage threads.
Thanks for starting the Draped Bust Half Dollar series on CU. Be sure that I will be reading every post.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Thank you for starting this. The amount of knowledge that people have here is pretty incredible and I'm sure will be on display as the series progresses. I look forward to every post.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
maybe someone else can post an image of an 1801 half dollar?
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Thanks for resuscitating this thread! Some interesting new information was uncovered at the Philly archive this summer. I'm going back next month to finish recording data and will have a story to tell later this year. Look for it in a future JRJ.