I just got off the phone with my son who is studying History at Harvard University through their online program. He had some research to do and so went to one of the museums there on campus. His search was not productive in terms of finding evidence from the old papers as to whether John Adams actually did brew his own beer. What he did see however was an old engraved printing plate by Paul Revere. During the Revolution Revere engraved and had printed pictures of the atrocities of the evil King George such as the Boston Massacre. These were printed up to hand out to the colonists and get them to join the cause of the Revolution. He would pull out the plate and print up more any time he needed them. He then was given the job of designing and printing the Continental Currency. Since the copper for engraving the plates was in short supply, Paul was hip to recycling even at that early date. He engraved the plates for the money on the back of his Boston Massacre work. Apparently he was upset when the Continental Congress wold not return the Massacre plate to him because of counterfeiting concerns regarding the Continental currency on its reverse side. Any way Glenn got to see this printing plate in the museum there. The University does not show the currency side of the plate, preferring instead to show the original engraving of the Massacre done by Revere. If I get to go to the ANA Convention in Boston this summer I want to go over to Harvard and check out this interesting piece of American history. Does any one on the list know of any other Numismatic treasures there which should be part of our trip? When I get to talk to him again I'll get the exact location of this one.
Hi I am actually the chairman of one of the committees planning the Boston ANA show. We are compiling a list of the various sites to visit that have numismatic history. Once they compile the list it will be included in the newsletter as well as being available at the show.
