Thought we Fractional collectors should have our show and tell too Especially since the Conder and Civil War tokens have put mine to shame!! lol I'll start slow with a piece from a Low Ball set
Only 2- 25 cent Washington's are missing for the complete 4th and 5th Issues. Only 1- 3rd Issue so far (Red Back Spencer Morton Clark) as I have been busy with the Large Size notes which consume all my $$$$$$ RickieB
Well... I get to play the stunned and awed audience member in this thread... LOL! Gazoink! Those are some awesome fractionals, I think seeing them all together makes them all the more amazing for me to see. I really like that vignette of the helmeted liberty on the .15¢ And some of them are just loaded with silk fibers too!
Whoa Rickie!!! We were to start slow and let everyone post some!! Now you went and dropped the hammer Nice notes for sure. That last one, is it a obsolete fractional from NY?
What are the difference in Washington's you are missing? I have several but didn't know there was a difference.
It was an Anti Counterfeiting Device. In the best ones the Ring is a bright Golden color but after 150 years most of those have turned to a dark brown or even dark green. This one is turning as you can see. I'll post a gorgeous one a little later to show what a mint one looks like.
Is it metallic ink or some sort of leaf, like silver-leaf? If silver or copper in composition those certainly would have 'toned' over time should they have used ground metallic flecks in the ink.
That Bronze Ring was an anti counterfieting device devised by Spencer Morton Clarke of powdered Bronze and horse glue... RB
Thanks! Are there other known notes, other than fractionals, that used this form of anti-counterfeiting? I'm curious how it was printed? Also intaglio method, maybe from a etched plate in the aquatint process? I doubt from the era, it was screened on. Anyone know? edit: interesting, I just Googled his name and read this little bit of trivia on Clark at papermoneyfacts.com
Duke..it is from Tenn, however, it has New York in the Title and that qualifies it for the collection...LOL Thanks guy's.. I need to finish these sets someday soon..just 2 notes needed. RB
Krispy... I recall reading about Clarks method of Bronzing..I just cant recall the book it was in..I will try to look it up for you when I can... He was brilliant!! RickieB
Thanks Rick. Now here's something pretty special: Spencer M. Clark's Fractional Currency Presentation Book (Heritage Archives)
I need the 1302 and 1307 pieces.. one 1307 has a blue stained end and smaller seal...the other is a watermarked paper difference. RickieB