1857-1867 A Decade of Change

Eugene I wanted to show with this thread a few things. One that during this decade US coinage was vast. We had a lot of money in the system . However for five or six years during the Civil war and reconstruction hard money was very hard to find. So coins were hoarded or spent and used til they wore thin. Tokens were used as hard money "coinage" of gold or silver was again hoarded. Paper notes were more so a promise to pay backed by your word .
Tokens allowed people to buy goods needed more so barter then again having any true backing by a bank or government. Some of The best coins ever produced by the U.S. came from his time frame. Designs that were truly Americana . The artist and the mints made beautiful coins. Another thing most people take for granted is the fact this money had value! Meaning it was worth it's weight. A half cent or cent was a lot of money. Most people of this time period never seen a gold coin or more less a twenty dollar coin! Thanks for sharing your coins from this time frame. I know you well enough to know you're enjoying the pictures and post. As we all here have the passion.... your's is like a love affair my friend. To build a collection second to none.

 

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Thank you very much, Paddy! And Happy New Year, my friend!

 

in 1866 we had a cent, two cent, Three cent , silver half dime. But what this country really needed was a good 5 cent Cigar and a nickel beer to go with it! so by the act of May 16 1866 the Shield nickel was first produced.
The nickel being made of .750 copper and .250 nickel was a much stronger medal and the coins would last longer.The work horse of the working class. Plus there was no silver in the coin thus no hoarding.its Designer James B. Longacre first designed the coin with Rays between the stars. and within a year congress made him change the design to just stars on it's reverse. This was due to the fact that the nickel being a diameter of 20.5 mm and the thickness of the platchet caused issues using the ray design. Most dies only got around 12,000 strikes. With millions needed to support the working class needs the design was changed mid-year 1867. thus the 1867 Variety with rays and the 1867 No Ray Variety. All were coined at the Philadelphia mint with no mint marks.

 

Happy New Year to you my friend ,to your wife ,and children. I bet they are looking forward to January 6. Have a safe holiday.

 

You know Eugene one day maybe we should meet up at the North Pole. We could drink some good Vodka .... talk coins ,and throw snowballs at the polar bears.

 

Here you go guys! 1857s MS66 SS Central America pedigree! Beautiful wish I owned it!

 

An interesting area I hope to explore more someday, store cards and patriotics.

 

Please see my P/M Eugene.

Bruce

 

Here's one of my oldest... as a part of my collection ,I've had it since I was 7 years old! an 1863 CWT

 

Here one 1866 Seated quarter not graded in look a life holder.

 

Here one just made for postage.