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Message:: [QUOTE="medoraman, post: 1257448, member: 26302"]Very true. People have this misconception that even in the earliest days of the mint that it only coined PM brought into it by citizens. Its true that a citizen COULD bring PM into the mint to have it coined, the mint itself was the largest owner of PM coins, and this ratio grew every year after 1794 so that by 1800-1810 the amount of PM brought into the mint for coinage was almost insignificant. Btw collector1966, if you ever saw small change finds that metal detectorists find you will have your answer I believe. Its extremely common I am told for foreign coins from the early 1800's to be found with a US coin in metal detector fields of the period. The simple fact is that Spanish half, 1, 2, and 4 reales really served as out small change for a long period. The reason foreign coins were not abolished as legal tender until I believe 1853 was because our mint simply did not have the resources to produce enough change for out economy. Having the resources does not mean access to copper, silver, or gold, but the money to fund the striking of these denominations. Great point about Jackson. I had never read about it, but half dimes do coincide with his Presidency. Being half American Indian whose ancestors were on the trail of tears means I do not much care to read about the man, but still an interesting point. Chris[/QUOTE]