A recent renewed interest, the coins designed by William Kneass

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by johnmilton, Aug 2, 2023.

  1. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    My collector’s mind runs in cycles. Since I collect by type and tend to “fly over” many different topics. I will get interested in some things and then put them “on the shelf” for a while and then get them down again.

    I was in high school when I first got interested in the coins designed by William Kneass. He was the Chief U.S. Mint engraver from 1824 until 1840. Over that time he made or supervised the production of dies for all U.S. coins. He suffered a debilitating stroke in 1836. After that Chistian Gobrecht did most of work and shared the available salary with Kneass, who died in office in 1840.

    While in high school, I concentrated on building first the eight piece gold type set and then expanded it to the 12 piece set. I was surprised to learn that the Classic Head gold coins were affordable (just barely) for me which expanding my set objectives to 14 pieces.

    Here are the Classic Head $2.50 and $5.00 gold coins that are attributed to Kneass. When you really get into this series, you learn that both Kneass and Gobrecht tinkered around with this design constantly. The basic design was the same, but minor details were always changing.

    The Classic Head $2.50

    1836 $250 Script 8 All.jpg

    The Classic Head $5.00

    1836 $5 2 All.jpg

    William Kneass was not very inventive. His designs were taken from those by John Reich with minimal changes. Here is an example of John Reich’s original design for the half dollar.

    1807 Cap Bust Half Dol All.jpg


    Here is the Kneass interpretation.

    1833 Half Dollar All.jpg

    Recently I decided to get out my William Kneass designed type coins from the 1820s and '30's. I decided to upgrade a couple of them and here they are.

    Half Dime (1829 to 1837 Type)

    1834 Half Dime All.jpg

    Dime, Modified Design (1828 to 1837)

    1832 Dime All.jpg

    Quarter Large Diameter (1815 to 1828)

    1828 Quarter All.jpg

    Quarter Reduced Diameter (1831 to 1838) This is were Kneass made his most significant design changes.

    1831 Quarter All.jpg

    Half Dollar (1809 to 1836)

    1824 Half Dollar All An.jpg
     
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  3. lardan

    lardan Supporter! Supporter

    There was a time I was very interested in John Reich, him being an indentured servant for a year. I read quite a lot about him, thought it was very interesting.
     
  4. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    Do you know that he “signed” his dies with a notch on 13th star on his silver and gold coins? The notch disappeared when he left the mint in 1817.
     
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  5. lardan

    lardan Supporter! Supporter

    I don't remember knowing it, that is for sure. Thanks for the info.

    Would I be wrong in saying Kneass was more ornate than Reich?
     
  6. micbraun

    micbraun coindiccted

    John, your 1832 dime is beautiful. So is the 1836 $5 - all your coins are nice, but those two are special!
     
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  7. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    The $5 is one tiny rub away from a great coin. It was struck as an MS-67, but has a tiny rub in the obverse field. PCGS called it MS-61. Stacks’, who auctioned it, said it looks better.

    The dime is quite nice. An underbidder was after me to sell it to him, but for a $50 profit, I passed.
     
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  8. micbraun

    micbraun coindiccted

    Downgrading such a gem to MS61 for some rub or hairlines is a bit too harsh in my opinion. Luster and eye appeal are great, technically it may be an AU58, but I see an easy MS63/64. Anyway I am sure you’re happy with it no matter the grade :)
     
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  9. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    The 1807 half dollar was one of Reich’s early pieces. I would say that they are similar.
     
  10. johnmilton

    johnmilton Well-Known Member

    I bought the coin in the holder, so I am happy. I had paid a fortune for raw, and had it graded, that would been a different situation.
     
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