The first coin of this subject is the short-lived U.S.A. Trade Dollar. It's first because it was minted two years before the second coin of this subject (1873). The other coin was first struck in 1875. Both coins were designed by William Barber, Chief Engraver of the Mint. Trade Dollars measure in at a crown-sized 38.1mm. William Barber became an assistant engraver at the Philadelphia Mint in 1865 and was promoted to Chief Engraver of the Mint (1869-1879) upon James B. Longacre's death. Here's a photo of the Trade Dollar courtesy of Wikipedia. Take a good long look at its reverse: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tradedollar.jpg Now imagine the coin minus "E. PLURIBUS UNUM," the reeding around the edge, and the fineness statement. Imagine a coin whose size measures 22mm. Further, change "TRADE DOLLAR" to "TWENTY CENTS" and you have this coin (Wikipedia photo): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Reverse_of_1875_United_States_20c_coin.jpg The Trade Dollar and the 20 Cent piece were both short-lived issues, but have another commonness; they are the only business strike coins designed by William Barber. Besides designing the Trade Dollar and the 20 Cent piece William Barber's designs remain on a variety of U.S. Pattern coins. Here's a few photos: Half Union Pattern: (US Patterns' photo) http://uspatterns.com/j1546p1719.html (Another photo courtesy of Goldberg Auctions): http://images.goldbergauctions.com/php/lot_auc.php?site=1&sale=34&lot=831 Sailor Head 20 Cent Pattern: (US Patterns' photo) http://uspatterns.com/j1392p1535.html Quarter Dollars: (US Patterns photos) http://uspatterns.com/j1090p1226.html http://uspatterns.com/j1096p1232.html http://uspatterns.com/j1100p1236.html 1877 Half Dollars: (US Patterns" photos) http://uspatterns.com/j1105p1241.html http://uspatterns.com/j1109p1245.html http://uspatterns.com/j1111p1247.html http://uspatterns.com/j1114p1250.html Amazonian $2 1/2 Dollar (Quarter-Eagle) Gold: http://uspatterns.com/j1230p1372.html Amazonian $3 Gold: (US Patterns' photo) http://uspatterns.com/j1235p1377.html As a bonus for reading this whole article here's photos of a set of Gold Amazonian coins (US Patterns" photo) Scroll down to each photo: http://uspatterns.com/18amgolset.html Chief Engraver, William Barber, was a prolific medalist producing at least 40 medals during his employment at the U.S. Mint, including David Rittenhouse, Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz, Cyrus Field, President James Pollock, Joseph Pancoast, Dr. Henry Linderman, William Henry, the Centennial medals, and the Valley Forge medal. Because there's not room enoiugh for links to all the photos of the 40 medals here are photos of three of them: Photo of the Jean Louis Rofolphe Agassiz Medal (photo courtesy of the American Numismatic Society): http://numismatics.org/collection/1976.263.7 William Henry Medal by William Barber (americanart.si.edu photo): http://americanart.si.edu/images/2007/2007.39.2_1a.jpg Cyrus Field Medal. Scroll down to photos: http://atlantic-cable.com/Field/medal.htm Hope you enjoyed... Clinker
Thanks for the interesting info as usual Clinker. I love the medals and the Half Union pattern. Very impressive. Bruce
Dang Clinker. Always enjoy the read....... Another fine round of trivia by an extraordinary researcher/numismatist.
Hey green18... Always great to read your comments. Positive comments always keep me in the hunt for more subjects. "THANK YOU!" Clinker
it's funny... I have come to think of Clinker more of a researcher/journalist than as a poster to the forum. Good work, Clinker! I always enjoy what you post!
