New Research Project – Your Suggestions?

RWB · October 22, 2007 11:51PM

Having completed a three volume research project Renaissance of American Coinage 1905-1921, I am looking for two or three short-term numismatic research projects. These should be subjects that collectors feel would be of the greatest value to the hobby, but not large enough to warrant a book-length treatment.

Thanks!

Coinosaurus · October 23, 2007 12:16AM

How about a history of the US Mint from 1830-1839? Probably the most important transitional time in its entire history.

291fifth · October 23, 2007 12:19AM

<< How about a history of the US Mint from 1830-1839? Probably the most important transitional time in its entire history. >>

:

I agree!

Nysoto · October 23, 2007 12:23AM

Research on the transition from the screw press to the steam press. The phasing plan and timing of the different denominations introduced to the steam press, the correspondence, the initial problems etc. This would be very interesting, thanks.

MrEureka · October 23, 2007 12:25AM

I'd suggest a fact-finding mission regarding coins that may or may not have been struck. Things like the 1931 SLQ, 1964 Franklin Half, 1873-S Seated Dollar, etc. BTW, I envision a unicorn on the cover of the report.

cmerlo1 · October 23, 2007 12:30AM

The proofs of 1917...

Coinosaurus · October 23, 2007 1:11AM

How about this - "A Guide to the National Archives for Numismatic Research"?

If you could demystify the whole thing, it would probably encourage a lot of folks to go study this material. As it is, the only people who can do it now are those who have jumped through all the hoops themselves.

oxy8890 · October 23, 2007 2:03AM

<< Having completed a three volume research project Renaissance of American Coinage 1905-1921, I am looking for two or three short-term numismatic research projects. These should be subjects that collectors feel would be of the greatest value to the hobby, but not large enough to warrant a book-length treatment.

Thanks! >>

I would suggest you do a piece on Coppercoins project regarding cents in current circulation by demographic. There seems to be a significant interest in that project.

For more information and to contact Coppercoins here is the link:

Thread Link

RYK · October 23, 2007 2:39AM

<< 

<< How about a history of the US Mint from 1830-1839? Probably the most important transitional time in its entire history. >>

:

I agree! >>

Third!

jimmymac · October 23, 2007 2:49AM

how about a project that details how invention, innovation and technology have affected how coins are minted through the years - one case in point is the IKE - US Mint had difficulty producing the first year 1971 IKE due to its hard composition (clad) and how the dies were made to soft - reason why the strike on these coins is so weak - what did the Mint do to overcome this problem?? - good luck whatever you pick as your projects and thanks for asking.

Shamika · October 23, 2007 3:17AM

<< The proofs of 1917... >>

Here, here!

LanLord · October 23, 2007 3:22AM

<< 

<< 

<< How about a history of the US Mint from 1830-1839? Probably the most important transitional time in its entire history. >>

: I agree! >>

Third! >>

you can fourth me on this one.

I might be interested in seeing an article or two on the influence of European artists and engraveurs on the early mint.

mgoodm3 · October 23, 2007 5:13AM

I like the 1830-39 idea.

RWB · October 27, 2007 5:20AM

Thanks to everyone for your ideas. I'll put them in the hopper and see which ones can be accomplished. (Unfortunately, so many original mint and treasury documents have been destroyed that we can never figure out some things.)

ricko · October 27, 2007 6:56AM

I like Andy's idea... chase down the myths of those coins that may or may not have been released... the '64 Peace dollar for example. Cheers, RickO

RWB · October 27, 2007 11:16AM

The '64 Peace dollar is covered by a long chapter in a book on Peace dollars that I am working on along with a Peace dollar specialist.

firstmint · October 27, 2007 2:34PM

IMO, the timeframe of 1830-1839 for a history about the U S Mint could not be covered without doing a full length book. There's too much going on to consider this to be a "short-term" project, especially if written by Roger W Burdette.

The Franklin Peale correspondence between 1833-1835, while he was in Europe and Russia, is quite extensive by itself.

One of the biggest "missing pieces" would be that there are virtually no surviving technological reports (from Eckfeldt or Peale) which outline the problems that were encountered and overcome, to change from the screw press to the steam press for regular coinage production.

I agree that it is a pivotal point in American numismatic history.

Overdate · October 27, 2007 4:01PM

I would be interested in seeing some research on coin circulation patterns during the mid to late 19th century. This was a period of great change in American coinage.

Some of the questions I have wondered about are:

How did the public react when the half-cent was discontinued? Were the same arguments brought up as today's arguments about eliminating the one-cent coin?

Were there complaints about silver trimes and one-dollar gold coins being easy to lose because of their size?

Were two-cent copper and three-cent nickel coins (and three-dollar gold pieces) readily accepted in change, or were they considered oddities like today's two-dollar bill? Were odd-denomination coins readily available at banks?

Did all gold and silver coins actually "disappear" during the 1860's, or were they sometimes used in personal or commercial transactions at a premium to paper money?

Were large denomination gold coins often seen in circulation, or were they mostly used for interbank transfers?

I've run across anecdotal information on questions like these, but have never seen such information assembled in one place. Basically, I'm interested in how typical Americans of this period used coinage in their everyday lives.

New Research Project – Your Suggestions?

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