I read mgoodm3's photography article AGAIN and made some progress: A few Shield Nickels
IGWT
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- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
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BONGO HURTLES ALONG THE RAIN SODDEN HIGHWAY OF LIFE ON UNDERINFLATED BALD RETREAD TIRES
- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC
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BONGO HURTLES ALONG THE RAIN SODDEN HIGHWAY OF LIFE ON UNDERINFLATED BALD RETREAD TIRES
–John Adams, 1826
Hot damn!
That pattern is really cool. They shoulda used it. Where do I get one?
Aluminum is better than gold.
" . . . . I know not how far it may coincide with the present or future policy of the Government -- but it has appeared to me as a desideratum, that the portion of the circulating medium -- designated as fractional currency should possess an instrinsic value in the material of which it is composed, which it has not now.
If this view should be entertained now, or hereafter: it is important to find or suggest a material that would meet the exigency. The use of aluminum foro the purposes of coinage, was suggested by its peculiar qualities as I became acquainted with them: especially when I ascertained that it was employed successfully in Paris for the purpose of striking medals.
. . . . These considerations have induced me to prepare for the purpose from dies designated an engraved by myself -- the accompanying specimens, corresponding in size with the coin above mentioned [the Half Eagle], in order to exhibit fully and fairly under the usual process of coining, the fitness of the metal for the requisite operations. . . ."
Letter from J. Longacre to H. McCulloch (June 12, 1867), quoted in D. Taxay, The U.S. Mint and Coinage at 245-46 (1966). Of course, the nickel advocates had their way, and the Cu/Ni Shield continued.
Longacre also prepared at least two hub trials (each is unique) for the design. The hub trial takes us one step closer to Longacre than J-561. It's hard to tell from the photo, but the design elements are incuse as well as reversed (like you would expect to see on a die). This piece is a "snapshot" of one stage in Longacre's creative process for the 561. You'll see on the hub trial, for example, that the word UNION is not yet punched into the headdress, a significant addition reminding us that the Civil War had just ended. You'll also note that Longacre modified the design slightly by repunching the stars before striking the 561, and you can see scribe lines (circular, horizontal, and vertical) used to position the letters.
Knowledge is the enemy of fear
Harlan J. Berk, Ltd.
https://hjbltd.com/#!/department/us-coins
Those photos are exceptional. Of course, I think it helps that they are pictures of exceptional coins!
The pattern is also one of my personal favorites, though I do not own one. I have always liked Longacre's work. Some of it was fairly pedestrian but occasionally he really managed to create a stunner. I think J-561 is probably my favorite Longacre design. For some bizzare reason, I also like his liberty on the 3CN. Perhaps it's because he used that design on a large number of patterns. In any case, I have acquired a few patterns that feature the 3CN liberty head. (Which is similar to other liberty heads he created.) But, all that said, 561 is my favorite and your coin--and your picture--are really nice.
Can you share some details about what you are doing to take these shots and what you are now doing differently after rereading mark's article?
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)