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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;johnmilton, post: 8622625, member: 101855&quot;]<b>&quot;1795, a Pivotal Year at the First U.S. Mint&quot;</b></p><p><br /></p><p>The year 1795 marked the beginning of a period when the first United States Mint was under intense pressure from an unfriendly Congress. A significant number of lawmakers were unhappy with the mint’s performance. The output had mostly been copper coins and a small beginning for the silver coinage. The mint had not issued any gold coins, and there seemed to be no initiative to introduce them. Lawmakers were also displeased with the appearance of the coins that had been issued. Overall many thought that the mint was too expensive to maintain, and that a private contractor could do better.</p><p><br /></p><p>Responding to the Congressional pressure, the mint modified its production schedule. All copper coinage was suspended until the end of the year. The mint continued to produce half dollars and introduced the half dime. Silver dollar coinage was delayed until May when a new, larger press became available. The first gold coins were issued in July. In the fall, Mint Engraver, Robert Scot, introduced his Draped Bust design which greatly improved the appearance of the U.S. coinage.</p><p><br /></p><p>By the end of 1795, great strides had been made, but much remained to be done. Some Congressmen continued to press their case for closing the mint, and that pressure persisted into the early 1800s.</p><p><br /></p><p>This exhibit presents an “extended type set” of the coins issued in 1795 and the copper coins dated 1795 that were issued in 1796. Each piece is represented with the rarity estimates for the type coin designs and the individual die varieties.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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