Does anyone know if Brenner's original models for the Lincoln cent are still in existance?
Longacre
Posts: 16,717 ✭✭✭
I was reading Burdette's new Renaissance of American Coinage book (which is great, by the way). It makes reference to the several models for the Lincoln cent that Brenner created (which were ultimately rejected and returned to Brenner). Does anyone know if these models are still in existance? The book had pictures of some items, but I don't know if those are just archive pictures or whether the models are still around.
Also, there was a letter from the Mint Director to Brenner which stated that the rejected models were being packed up and returned to Brenner (except for one, which couldn't fit in the box). It also stated that any final models would become the property of the US government. Does anyone know the theory behind the practice of returning rejected models to the artists? Was this standard practice? One would think that anything submitted related to the creation of a new coin would become the property of the government, so I was a little surprised that models were so readily returned. Is this practice still in place today? Also, did Brenner ever receive that last model that didn't fit in the box?
I have a bunch more questions from the book (I already read about 50 pages), but I forgot it this morning and don't want to ask too many questions from memory.
Also, there was a letter from the Mint Director to Brenner which stated that the rejected models were being packed up and returned to Brenner (except for one, which couldn't fit in the box). It also stated that any final models would become the property of the US government. Does anyone know the theory behind the practice of returning rejected models to the artists? Was this standard practice? One would think that anything submitted related to the creation of a new coin would become the property of the government, so I was a little surprised that models were so readily returned. Is this practice still in place today? Also, did Brenner ever receive that last model that didn't fit in the box?
I have a bunch more questions from the book (I already read about 50 pages), but I forgot it this morning and don't want to ask too many questions from memory.
Always took candy from strangers
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
Didn't wanna get me no trade
Never want to be like papa
Working for the boss every night and day
--"Happy", by the Rolling Stones (1972)
0
Comments
The final model (or variants thereof) was supposed to become property of the government and protected under the law restricting use of images of coins. Any copies were supposed to be destroyed but that does not seem to have been followed with any consistency. In 1909 Bela Pratt displayed a model of his half eagle at a Philadelphia exhibition and the got a letter from director Frank Leach demanding the model be turned over to the mint. However, the Saint-Gaudens’ models were openly exhibited in 1908 and on later occasions, so obviously the “rule” was not strictly observed.
The Philadelphia Mint has a vault full of models, casts, galvanos, etc. Presumably that material will be included in the “numismatic inventory” Director Moy has authorized.