Log in or Sign up
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Coin Chat
>
Unlocking the Die Manufacturing Process
>
Reply to Thread
Message:
<p>[QUOTE="WFN, post: 2715740, member: 86967"]Chief Engraver Robert Scot wrote a four page report to Congress in late 1794 (probably submitted 12/20/1794 with the Treasurer's report) that describes the die making process. Scot's report was the most comprehensive engraving description in the first thirty years of the US Mint - very little engraving process data was actually recorded. This report was mentioned by Don Taxay, but was first published in full in my article in the August 2012 <i>John Reich Journal</i>. I also have the full text in my Scot biography <i>Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty</i>.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here is an excerpt, courtesy of the National Archives in Philadelphia, from my research in 2010. The "original die" (master die) and "hubb" had just the central device (Miss Liberty and Eagle on silver and gold), while the lettering, date numerals, stars, dentils, and a few other elements were engraved or punched in the working die - with the exception of a few experiments. Scot also described the great difficulty in the annealing, hardening, and tempering processes, which often cracked dies before any coins were struck. The original die had to be hardened, and the hubb blank annealed (softened) in order for the steel to steel design transfer to occur.</p><p><br /></p><p>Robert Scot to the Congressional Committee on the Mint:</p><p><br /></p><p>"Before a Die to strike money can be made, the previous step is to Engrave an Original one first. The execution of that of the head of the Cent will take four or five days, and if it is hardened with success, a Hubb is struck out of it (that is an impression in steel) but if otherways, which is not unfrequent; it is to begin de novo. The Original Die being compleat, and Hubb struck; by failure in hardening it, it becomes useless immediately, or very soon so. On the success of these processes and that of a good clear and distinct impression in striking the Hubb, depends on the celerity with which the Dies that strike the money can be finished, for they are struck with the Hubb previously thereto."</p><p><br /></p><p>I will try to post an image of the actual letter for this excerpt in a day or two.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="WFN, post: 2715740, member: 86967"]Chief Engraver Robert Scot wrote a four page report to Congress in late 1794 (probably submitted 12/20/1794 with the Treasurer's report) that describes the die making process. Scot's report was the most comprehensive engraving description in the first thirty years of the US Mint - very little engraving process data was actually recorded. This report was mentioned by Don Taxay, but was first published in full in my article in the August 2012 [I]John Reich Journal[/I]. I also have the full text in my Scot biography [I]Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty[/I]. Here is an excerpt, courtesy of the National Archives in Philadelphia, from my research in 2010. The "original die" (master die) and "hubb" had just the central device (Miss Liberty and Eagle on silver and gold), while the lettering, date numerals, stars, dentils, and a few other elements were engraved or punched in the working die - with the exception of a few experiments. Scot also described the great difficulty in the annealing, hardening, and tempering processes, which often cracked dies before any coins were struck. The original die had to be hardened, and the hubb blank annealed (softened) in order for the steel to steel design transfer to occur. Robert Scot to the Congressional Committee on the Mint: "Before a Die to strike money can be made, the previous step is to Engrave an Original one first. The execution of that of the head of the Cent will take four or five days, and if it is hardened with success, a Hubb is struck out of it (that is an impression in steel) but if otherways, which is not unfrequent; it is to begin de novo. The Original Die being compleat, and Hubb struck; by failure in hardening it, it becomes useless immediately, or very soon so. On the success of these processes and that of a good clear and distinct impression in striking the Hubb, depends on the celerity with which the Dies that strike the money can be finished, for they are struck with the Hubb previously thereto." I will try to post an image of the actual letter for this excerpt in a day or two.[/QUOTE]
Your name or email address:
Do you already have an account?
No, create an account now.
Yes, my password is:
Forgot your password?
Stay logged in
Coin Talk
Home
Forums
>
Coin Forums
>
Coin Chat
>
Unlocking the Die Manufacturing Process
>
Home
Home
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Activity
Recent Posts
Forums
Forums
Quick Links
Search Forums
Recent Posts
Competitions
Competitions
Quick Links
Competition Index
Rules, Terms & Conditions
Gallery
Gallery
Quick Links
Search Media
New Media
Showcase
Showcase
Quick Links
Search Items
Most Active Members
New Items
Directory
Directory
Quick Links
Directory Home
New Listings
Members
Members
Quick Links
Notable Members
Current Visitors
Recent Activity
New Profile Posts
Sponsors
Menu
Search
Search titles only
Posted by Member:
Separate names with a comma.
Newer Than:
Search this thread only
Search this forum only
Display results as threads
Useful Searches
Recent Posts
More...