A new type of U.S. Mint® collecting that I have been pursuing specimens with a primary emphasis on ownership/gifted by a President of the United States. President Johnson -to- Congressman Stephens -to- DrDarryl (the number of -to- indicates I achieved two degrees of separation from President Johnson). Bonus point 1 for the original White House letter signed by President Johnson. Bonus point 2 for the specimen identified as "...among the first Kennedy half dollars...". Bonus point 3 for the March 24, 1964 date (it's the first day of issue of the John F. Kennedy half dollar). Bonus point 4 for original White House envelop. Bonus point 5 for obtaining a letter of provenance from the estate of the original recipient (redacted for privacy). Bonus point 6 for finding another example gifted to Senator Medcalf. To be continued ... (ownership/gifted specimens from John F. Kennedy, Richard M. Nixon, and Dwight D. Eisenhower)
That is a sweet find. From a historical perspective it is a great collectable, and I'm sure from a financial standpoint the provenance adds big value. The only way it could have gotten any better is if you had a coin with the accompanying letter from one of the better known and popular presidents of the 20th century, like an FDR, or a JFK, or even Reagan. But hey, LBJ is not a bad signature to have...probably a lot more collectable than a Harding or a Coolidge, or Taft (you know, one of those presidents hardly anyone knows).
That is awesome!!! My dad worked for the Federal Reserve for 47 years. The day before the Kennedy half was released to the public he came home with a roll of them. In those days the armor cars as they were called delivered bags of mint coins to the Federal Reserve and branch banks , they were rolled at the branch banks to be shipped to the commercial banks. I recall several visits to the old Federal Reserve bank in Baltimore. The front doors were huge bronze doors you walked in and to the left was a clock around 10 feet off the floor . The clock was a focal point for the gun turret that was right over the clock. With a clear view of the floor below. Next there were cages. Tellers were locked in them they had several functions. Gold scales,rolling machines. Out back was an alley leading up to the loading dock. When a shippment arrived the armoured car/truck would be met by guards with Thomson machine guns. The door would be opened and the truck pulled right in and door closed. The truck pulled in not backed in as there was a turn table....that turned the truck around to be unloaded. This was done for security so no time was lost turning the truck to back up to the loading dock. The bags were placed on heavy dollies.pushed into the cages were mostly women rolled and packed the coinage. The vault was down in the basement....and the floor actually lowered to open and close the door. Inside were several rooms that housed bricks of money. Banded together with a steel strap and plywood on the ends. The front end showing the money run of notes. As a kid I actually got to sit on a skid of $100,000.00 notes! Who's on a 100 k note? And if you had a million dollars could you get 10 of them ? Money was also destroyed there.... cut and burned. I do remember the nignt dad came home with the newly released Kennedy halfs! I still have 5 . He actually had two rolls as he was gifting them to my cousins and other family members....one also was given to Sister Helen my 4th grade teacher. I have no paper work...to prove anything...but a memory of a 10 year old collector with a bright new half dollar. The night before the banks around Baltimore had them! Sorry for hijacking the thread , just a flash back to 54 years ago.... A very cool piece of numismatic history!
I can post a picture of five 64 halfs....but again no providence other than my childhood memories. And my father worked at the bank 47 years untill 1974 .
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Appreciation Medal - "Six Degrees of Separation". Not the movie...but a rare Presidential artifact. Back in 2013, I discovered, organized, formed, and named an entire U.S. Mint® series (really I did). This medal is part of this series. http://www.potus-sgm.com/ This medal has a diameter of a half dollar and a little thicker (prevent clash marks on the blank reverse side). The engraving was performed by a jeweler in the Pentagon. The engraved text identifies Eisenhower's Summer White House (Newport, Rhode Island) in 1958. The provenance was traceable and documented with the help of "owner 1". Provenance in images. This is the chain of ownership. Identification of 5th and 6th degree of separation Identification of 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st degrees of separation. The Dwight D. Eisenhower connection. The bill of sale from 5th degree. To be continued ... (Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy).
Please forgive me for inquring, but I believe I understand your chain of provenance. However, just by looking a the LBJ letter at a distance in your photo, I would be concerned as to whether the Signature is actually the president's as opposed to an Autopen signature. This type of mass mailing is famous/infamous for having been handled involving Autopens. If it was me, I would proceed cautiously and apply liberal doses of caveat emptor at large.