It was a VERY GOOD YEAR

Lehigh96 · 10-14-2008, 07:26 PM

The purpose of this thread is to determine which year in the US Mint's history is the most important to Numismatics. I have chosen 6 different years and will list the coins produced along with a photograph to provide a visual representation of the Mint's production. I will then briefly give some reasons why that year should be considered. Please review each year and cast your vote for the year you think was most important to coin collectors. All images are courtesy of Polaris and Heritage.

1795 (Flowing Hair Era)

While some might criticize the choice to skip the first two years of official mint production, 1793 & 1794 simply did not offer enough coins to be competitive with the other dates. The Liberty Cap and Flowing Hair designs ruled the year with coins issued in the following denominations: Half Cent, Cent, Half Dime, Half Dollar, Dollar, Half Eagle & Eagle. Although these coins are not incredibly attractive with the exception of the gold pieces, they represent the beginning of the US Mints production efforts during a very difficult time for a fledgling government. These coins are exceedingly rare in mint state and are extremely expensive in all grades.

1804 (Draped Bust Era)

This year's reason for inclusion should be obvious, despite the fact that the 1804 Silver Dollars were actually minted in 1834 & 1859 (restrikes). This year provides collectors with the much more attractive Draped Bust coinage along with the gorgeous Capped Bust Gold pieces. Denominations minted in 1804 include: Half Cent, Cent, Dime, Quarter, Quarter Eagle, Half Eagle, and Eagle. The coins are striking and very expensive with the exception of the Half Cent which is still affordable. The 1804 Dollar needs no introduction or comment on my behalf. It is the King of US Coins and a vote for this year would certainly confirm it's importance in Numismatic history.

1836 (Capped Bust Era)

This year marked the return of the silver Dollar with the Gobrecht Dollar which is undoubtedly a numismatic treasure (photo is of restrike). The Capped Bust design is one of the most celebrated and collected designs and this year also saw the Reeded Edge Variety for the Half Dollar. If that is not enough, it also saw production of the Classic Head design for the Half Cent and gold pieces. Denominations produced in 1836 inlcude: Half Cent (proof only), Cent, Half Dime, Dime, Quarter, Half Dollar, Dollar, Quarter Eagle, and Half Eagle. Despite their age, the 1836 coins are relatively affordable in mint state with the expection of the rarities: proof Half Cent, Reeded Edge CBH, and the Gobrecht Dollar.

1879 (Seated Liberty/Morgan Era)

The Seated Liberty design is one of the least flattering depictions of lady liberty only rivaled by the Barber design. However, 1879 was the second year of production of the Morgan Dollar which is one of the most collected coins in US History. For those that don't like the Morgan design, you still have the very impressive Trade Dollar minted in 1879 as well. The mint had abondoned the Half Cent and Half Dime by 1879, but almost every other denomination was accounted for including: Cent, Three Cent, Nickel, Dime, Quarter, Half Dollar, Dollar (2), Gold Dollar, Quarter Eagle, $3 & $4 Gold, Half Eagle, Eagle, & Double Eagle. The minor coinage designs were not particularly fantastic with the exception of the Indian Head Cent. The Dime through Half Dollar still bore the seated Liberty design and the gold saw the Indian Princess & Liberty Head design. The crowning achievement of the year was the $4 gold Stella. While technically a pattern, the Stella is a very important Numismatic piece as it's price tag confirms. I added the Washlady pattern in this year as well because, well it is my favorite pattern, and it is my thread

. Most of the coins from 1879 are very affordable.

1916 (Beautiful and plentiful)

There is no doubt that 1916 belongs on this list. For starters, lets look a the number of coins minted: Cent, Nickel, Dime (2), Quarter (2), Half Dollar, Quarter Eagle, Half Eagle, Eagle, Double Eagle, and a Commemorative. Now consider that 1916 saw the best aesthetic design for the Nickel (Buffalo), Dime (Mercury), Quarter (Standing Liberty), Half Dollar (Walking Liberty), Eagle (Indian), and Double Eagle (Saint Gaudens). If you like beautiful designs on your coins, you simply have no other choice than to vote for 1916. If you like ugly designs, you might still choose 1916 since two Barbers were also issued in this year. In addition, 1916 provided numismatists with two of the monster key date coins for the 20th century, the 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter and the 1916-D Mercury Dime. Add in the Mckinley Gold Commemorative and this year is becomes a true force despite the absence of a Silver Dollar.

1936 (Proof Sets & Commemoratives)

Before everyone thinks, what is this year doing on the list, consider the following. This year marked the start of the proof set and a 1936 proof set is not cheap. In fact, I cringe to think how much the one in the photo would cost. Otherwise, 1936 was a rather generic year with no key dates, no Silver Dollar, and no gold produced. The mint produced a cent, nickel, dime, quarter, and Half Dollar. So what made 1936 special? Commemorative Half Dollars, a lot of them. Nineteen different Commemorative half Dollars were produced in 1936. They are Albany, Arkansas, Bay Bridge, Boone, Bridgeport, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbia, Delaware, Gettysburg, Long Island, Lynchburg, Norfolk, Rhode island, Robinson, San Diego, Texas, Wisconsin, York. Now that is a boat load of coins.

OK, time to cast your vote.

indianhead · 10-14-2008, 07:59 PM

I'll have to go with the Flowing Hair era. Actually one of my favorite time periods in U.S. Coinage. Obviously not the most beautiful design ever concieved but nonetheless a classic.

jazzcoins · 10-14-2008, 08:09 PM

I would go with the 1916 era the liberty half dollar today is a very popular coin for it;s design and beauty, that coin alone drew interest to the hobby and it's still widely collected today. The buffallo nickle was another coin that helped the hobby the 1937D three legged nickle drew alot of attention to collectors . and the standing liberty quarters wiith it's beautiful design, and don;t forget the mecury dime with it's errors 1942over the one . I think that was the best time for the mints history for numimatics

Jazzcoins Joe

Vess1 · 10-14-2008, 08:10 PM

Now, it took some time to put this post together! Wow! Neat poll.

At first I was going to say the capped bust era. Before I scrolled through the pics. To me, undoubtedly, it's hard to argue that the 1916 era yielded some of the best designs we've ever had. These are the designs that people know today and that seem to 'grab' people into the hobby. Then it's likely that once they're here, the other design eras open up to them. I say this in general.

The beauty of it is that there were so many of these types minted that most of them are readily available and affordable to everyone still today.

That being said, I love Liberty head gold and Liberty seated coins.

rzage · 10-14-2008, 09:14 PM

Lehigh , if you tell me these are your coins , I'm gonna have to tell you to adopt me .
rzage

Magman · 10-14-2008, 09:49 PM

I voted 1916 as well, mostly because of the SLQ and the 10$ Gold. I really love those designs.

Lehigh96 · 10-14-2008, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rzage

Lehigh , if you tell me these are your coins , I'm gonna have to tell you to adopt me .
rzage

No way, this was a purely educational exercise. I don't own a single one of these, not even the Morgan.

bqcoins · 10-14-2008, 10:22 PM

I have been partial to the Capped bust Era, but can see why so many chose the 1916 Era. But for me, the medallic arts were at their height during that time, and while 1916 was a more diverse time, it really started paving the way for the end of beauty in coins as lackluster presidential portraits replaced what was true beauty.

Arizona Jack · 10-14-2008, 11:51 PM

Art Deco
1916

Treashunt · 10-15-2008, 06:29 AM

nice job on the set up & pictures.

mikenoodle · 10-15-2008, 09:42 AM

although I LOVE the subject, I think the choices are a bit slim. My personal favorite year is 1921. Almost every series has a key or semi-key date in 1921.

excellent thread, and nice set-up on illustrations!!

Treashunt · 10-15-2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikenoodle

although I LOVE the subject, I think the choices are a bit slim. My personal favorite year is 1921. Almost every series has a key or semi-key date in 1921.

excellent thread, and nice set-up on illustrations!!

Agreed, except for the Morgan $.
[hence the 'almost'.]

**GDJMSP** · 10-15-2008, 10:00 PM

Of the choices you presented I chose 1916. But I think there are 2 other dates that should have been included because they come closer to being true answers to the question of what year was most important to numismatics. Those years would be 1933 and 1965. In all honesty, I don't think you find any 2 years more important to the hobby than those.

Lehigh96 · 10-15-2008, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GDJMSP

Of the choices you presented I chose 1916. But I think there are 2 other dates that should have been included because they come closer to being true answers to the question of what year was most important to numismatics. Those years would be 1933 and 1965. In all honesty, I don't think you find any 2 years more important to the hobby than those.

Maybe I should have specified important in a good way. I don't consider the end of circulating gold or silver worthy of celebration, although I do acknowledge their importance. Personally, I find very few coins minted after 1964 even worthy of collecting.

**GDJMSP** · 10-15-2008, 10:30 PM

Didn't mean to imply it was worthy of celebration - just the importance. That was your question.

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