What was going on when one of your coins was minted?

Here's my 1795 Flowing Hair Dollar (2 leaves). It amazes me what was happening around the word when coins like this were minted. For example, George Washington was President. John Adams his VP. Beethoven played his first piano concert. Our national debt was $2 million and it was paid off by private citizen John Rutledge. That same year we passed the 11th amendment giving rights to states.

 

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In 1795, I was in the poolroom.

By the way, I'd bet the coin would look a lot nicer in the NGC EdgeView holder.

Chris

 

Agree!

 

I think it would look a lot better raw. But that's just me.

 

nah, it would look better as 'mine'!

 

Hey Frank? What were you doing in 1795? Assisting Elias Boudinot at the mint?

 

1912 Matte Proof Lincolns and Titanic sinks April 15th, 1912

 

1941 Mirror Proof Lincolns and Japan bombs Pearl Harbor December 7th, 1941

 

Gorgeous Lincolns and tragic events in history. I think coins act as virtual time capsules.

 

Smart idea toast the news papers too.

 

I like toasted newspapers too.........

 

Someone was playing around in the US mint when these were made.

 

March 11, 1878, 3:15 pm. The first of Morgan dollars were struck at this time with assorted brass present for the festivities. Meanwhile, in Portland, OR, by way of Spokane Falls, WA (the newspaper below erroneously says Idaho), a U.S. Marshal finally had a counterfeiter, L. M. Rima, in custody who had been suspected of making fake $5 gold pieces out of a gold/tin alloy. His partner was already in prison. (See article on right side of page 1 of the St. Paul Daily Globe.)

http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83025287/1878-03-12/ed-1/seq-1/

After reading the article, I searched for L. M. Rima, and found this obituary, which seems to be a match for the arrested Rima, but omits the whole counterfeiting arrest bit.

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/MNDOUGLA/2002-09/1032061621

I also found that he was on the first city council of Spokane (then Spokane Falls), WA, in 1881, so perhaps it's a different, but related person.

Anyway, I wonder how the trial went. Would love to have one of those contemporary counterfeit $5s.

 

yes, where do you think my coins came from?

 

In future posts I'll get better photos, the lighting on my basement workbench is just plain awful! Here's today's history nugget. The year is 1818. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is published, the first "bicycle" is patented - - then called a draisine. The US government approved he first pensions for employees and formally declared the American flag as 13 red and white stripes with 20 stars. James Munroe was president, the first use of boxing gloves was also in 1818 and Handel's Messiah premiered in Boston.

 

3 coins dated 1783 (though the Washington piece was likely produced in the 1820s). February 3rd, 1783: Britain grants independence to the United States. I would think that's pretty important

 

Apologies for being a little off-topic, but I think of coins and history in a different way, since I live in Philadelphia. When I walk past the site of one of the U. S. Mints, I often think of one of the coins in my collection having been minted right on that spot. The 2nd Mint site near 13th and Juniper Streets is where my 1885 quarter eagle was made, the 3rd Mint at 17th and Spring Garden Street is where my 1942/41 Mercury Dime was minted. I look at the plaque on the wall for the first Mint near 7th and Arch Street to see where my 1807 Comet variety large cent was done. And, finally, the current Mint where my 1997 Matte Jeff Nickel was produced.

 

Which is why the SSDC "meat and greet" at the 2018 ANA show will be held at Fogo de Chão. We're going to try and get a table in George Morgan's office or the coining room, assuming there are tables in those locations.

 

One last one for the day. 1891 saw a lot of inventions. The first gasoline powered automobile, the radio, the game of basketball and of course everyone's favorite lunch meat, Spam was invented in 1891. Although I assume the S on this dime is not for Spam but San Francisco.

 

What was going on?

Well, I think someone wasn't paying attention!



Maybe a new secretary or something??