The missing key.

There is one rumoured to be in the LBJ Library somewhere. It has been suggested that LBJ got one in early 1965 - he was instrumental in having them struck in the first place.

 

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You know, the Denver mint employee who watched them being struck (IF they were) may still be alive, retired in the Ozarks. But we never hear (or find) those first-hand witnesses who could set the record straight -- despite the fact that this employee KNOWS this is a critical and significant part of the nation's coinage history. Now multiply this concept by tens of thousands of people WHO WERE THERE at the defining moment of various collectibles' birthing. But where are they now?

 

Either six feet under or drifting around the world as ashes?

 

Several of the Denver mint employees who were there at the time have been interviewed. The mintage was pretty close to 322,394 pieces struck. If you want to know some of the best information about them pick up a copy of Whitman's Guide Book of Peace Dollars by Roger Burdette. It's part of their "Official Red Book" series.

 

you beat me to it!

 

Right. Loose lips sink ships........

 

Btw Detecto, I see that you love reading about coins. I would highly suggest going to the library and getting some books from Q. David Bowers, like The Bedside Reading Companion, (something like that). They may need to borrow it from another library. He is highly readable, has been involved in the hobby since the early 50's, is a numismatic pioneer in many fields. His books are just great reading and you will learn a ton about the history of this hobby, famous rarities, famous personalities, etc. Knowledge is always good, and enjoyable reading is always my favorite way to gain such knowledge.

Heck, I even loved to death his first part on Colonial Coinage and his stories about the personalities and dealers when he helped start the club devoted to them. All of his books are good, but he makes a few just of enjoyable reading.

 

How about the 1907 (philadelphia) peso? Only 3 minted (for assay purposes, if I've got the story straight). Only 1 known today.

I dream of going through a melt bucket looking at 1907-S pesos and finding one without a mint mark...

 

Well, yes, I suppose, but I was mostly referring to the fact that a lot of the people "WHO WERE THERE at the defining moment of various collectible's birthing" have since died off due to the passage of time. Those who were around for the minting of the 1933 $20 double eagle gold coin or 1916D Mercury dimes, for example, would be exceptionally old now if they were still alive.