RWB

Added to list. The Denver die book covering this period is missing. It is recorded as transferred to Denver NARA from Washington DC in the early 1990s, and it appears on a 1938 GAO inventory. It might still exist in some 2nd hand book shop or the collection of a numismatic thief. The cover of the missing volume looks like this (except for the light blue damage) and includes the "Form No. 864" identifier. It covers 1926 through at least 1938 for all denominations.

One of my current tasks is the successor book to From Mine to Mint. This continues the kind of process and mechanical approach to minting coins begun with the first volume. That is, the emphasis is on how equipment worked, how it was used, and the effects on coinage - including errors and defects. There is no deadline for the book -- maybe when it reaches 550 pages - like the first volume? I am interested in hearing from forum members who have subjects of interest -- either specific questions or concepts. (Some here have already provided suggestions; no need to duplicate them.) You can PM your comments to me at any time, and I will consider adding them to the current subject list. Thanks! PS: Please pass this to other collectors or re-post on other forums for those who might be interested.

Maybe my outspokenness is to blame in part. Think I'll go post on the motorized missile launcher hobby website.....

"NGC cleaning service...." Hmmmmm..... Maybe he's asking about the weird elephangellocicles who just want money...does he want them scrubbed into goodness? Well, I don't know.

A nice "earthy" find, but no great value. Step 1. Gentle washing with soap and water. Step 2. Alcohol dip with soft brushing (camel's hair) Step 3. Olive oil soak, the see if crud will chip off using a toothpick.

"NGC Cleaning Service" Do they 'do' windows?

If it's a "worn" die, who wore it? Is it "game worn" or just worn fro somebody practicing spending and not really spending for real ?

Posting twice will not make the counterfeit "genuine."

"Yuan Shih Kai" or "Yuan Shikai". Common fake with the pre-Afro hairstyle. Funny.

The next book is available in standard print format and as a "Smoothie Text." (Trade Mark) The Smoothie Text (patented) version can be poured in your ear while sleeping or injected into your sinuses while you do really important stuff -- like surf the web or study ebay and esty auction offerings.

The effect is not over -- the quality vs real condition has slid downward, so buyers are getting less value for their money.

Sandblasting was done very carefully and at low pressure. This was common treatment for medals at all the major world mints. The work rearranged surface metal slightly, resulting in lowered detail; however, it also enhanced the perception of relief giving the coin or medal a more sculpted look than absent the sandblasting. Medals (and some Peace dollars) were also antiqued to further emphasize relief. The very best detail for proofs was striking the coin on a medal press from new dies, then doing nothing else -- that was a satin proof.

Seems fairly graded.

..but not in reality because the "grades" are unstable, and continued grade inflation pushes inferior coins into superior "grade" labels. The absurdity of "AU-50" is an excellent example. These things have been EF coins for generations. Now, by their individual dictate and fiat, TPGs are declaring them "About Uncirculated."

Here's a link to a really nice 1922 sandblast proof Peace dollar. The coin shows subtle adjustment made by George Morgan to improve the strength and clarity of Anthony de Francesci's 1921 version. The holder and original post perpetuate the misleading and duplicative description of "matte." Also, the Stacks-Bowers quote includes a false statement. The red text is incorrect. Proofs were struck once in a medal press, not multiple times. Per Stacks Bowers auctions: “All Proof 1922 high relief Peace dollars were produced in the same manner, struck multiple times on the Mint's medal press to bring up even the most intricate elements of the design. Once struck the coins were sandblasted in the Mint, this type of finish being popular at the time in production of high quality medallic and coinage works of art. These coins are often referred to as "Matte Proofs," or being of a "matte finish," although they are more accurately described as Sand Blast Proofs in keeping with the method of manufacture.” Link: https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/1079273/1922-peace-pr67-matte-cac

OR --- If supply is short, reduce quality and raise price claiming "New and Improved." Economic Reality 101.

Return the coins for replacement. FYI - the Mint ships coins but does not examine each piece. Everything is handled by machines. It is only when you return a damaged coin that a person examines the coins and selects replacements. The returned coins are used for assay, equipment testing, design evaluation and other internal purposes - they are not re-sent to other buyers.

They are paying inflated prices for overgraded coins in TPG plastic holders.

Reject whatever you wish. The stamp served the same purpose as a STERLING stamp - an indicator of the silver's quality, and often its source. This reassured buyers they were getting silver and not pewter, tin, copper-nickel or silver plated tableware. There are thousands of contemporary newspaper ads explicitly stating the use of coins as the silver source. Go fish for them at your leisure.

Who designed the modern purple heart medal? Here's a little help.... A letter appeared in Time Magazine on June 16, 1947 in which Elizabeth Will, an employee of the Heraldry Section, War Department, claimed she was designer of the Purple Heart medal. The medal was authorized in 1932, and Ms. Will’s claim was only put forth after the death of the real designer, US Mint Engraver John R Sinnock. Following is some additional information clearly establishing that Mr. Sinnock designed the modern Purple Heart medal. The Mint now also is making rapid delivery of “Order of the Purple Heart” medals, an award made to men wounded in action. This medal, considered by experts one of the most beautiful ever produced in this country, was authorized for Army personnel in [February 22] 1932, the Centennial year of the birth anniversary of George Washington, to whom tradition attributes for the founding of the Order. It was authorized for use of the sea forces by an Executive Order [9277] of December 3, 1942. John Sinnock, Chief Engraver of the Mint, won a $1,500 award in national design competition following Congressional authorization for the medal in 1932. As being turned out by the Mint today, the medal is a purple heart made of plastic superimposed upon a larger heart of gold plated sterling silver . In the center of the Purple Heart is a bust of George Washington, and above it is an enameled shield. [Treasury department July 29, 1943. Release No. 37-74] In a publication titled “Insignia and Decorations of the U.S. Armed Forces,” page 51, it was stated that the Purple Heart medal was “designed by Elizabeth Will and modeled by John R. Sinnock.” Mint director Ross asked Sinnock for a full report on design of the medal, and he responded as follows. “I have gone through the above mentioned publication and respectfully submit the following corrections, addition, etc. “(a) Page 51 – The designs for the Purple Heart. I quote from the first letter to me dated May 8, 1931 from L. H. Bash, Brigadier General, Q.M.C., Acting Quartermaster General: ‘In accordance with the desire of the War Department to revive the Badge of Military Merit established by Gen. George Washington at Newburg, August 7, 1782, designs for an appropriate device are desired…. ‘You have been suggested by the Commission of Fine Arts as one who may be interested in furnishing a design and from whom this office should request designs. It is requested that alternative designs be submitted, one to be for execution in plain metal, and one in color or colors…. ‘It is hoped that you will submit a design or designs in pursuance of the foregoing.’ “In accordance with this invitation I submitted my designs, rendered to show them both with and without enamel. “My designs were chosen and on July 16, 1931, I received a contract from the Philadelphia Depot Quartermaster to prepare sculptured models from my designs. I have in my possession these original designs marked approved by the Commission of Fine Arts, and signed by Mr. Caemmerer, Secretary. This Commission no doubt has on file the names of the other contestants [Gaetana Cecere and Thomas H. Jones – ed.] who submitted designs and can verify the fact that I designed this decoration. “The requirements given to me were simply that the medal was to be heart-shaped and must incorporate a portrait of Washington in uniform and his coat of arms at the top. “If Mr. DuBois’ office [Heraldic Section, War Department] did some preliminary work in establishing the above-mentioned requirements, it was unknown to me. Frankly, I was astounded when I saw the National geographic publication, giving credit to an Elizabeth Will for designing this medal, of whom I have never heard before. “ It is obvious that no such an amount as $1,500 would be offered for merely preparing sculptured models of a design already prepared. The award was made on the merits of the designs on paper which were submitted by the contestants, and the winner then prepared his sculptured models from his design, these again being passed upon by the National Commission of Fine Arts, according to standard procedure. After its release, it was given wide publicity in newspapers and magazines in all parts of the country with illustrated articles, naming me as the designer. If there was any question about the matter, it certainly should have been raised at that time. Not a word was heard to my knowledge.” [Wyoming State Archives, H-81-1 Edniss Kimball Wilkins papers, box 10. US Mint Director, Jan 1947 - May 1947. Letter dated March 12, 1947 to Gilbert Grosvenor, Editor, National geographic Society from Nellie Tayloe Ross, Director fo the Mint. Excerpt. Adolph A Weinman was a member of the Commission of Fine Art and confirmed Sinnock’s comments in a letter reporting a phone conversation of June 21, 1947 with Director Ross.]

Silver for the first 1792 half dismes came from the Treasury account. Martha W had nothing to do with it. Silver coins had a standard and well known silver content and only required melting and/or rolling to become tableware. Further, bar silver was of uncertain purity and contained impurities such as arsenic that made the metal brittle even when over 0.900 fine. Bar silver was also difficult to find in small quantities and cost more per ounce than coin silver.

Before the Coinage Act of 1853, two half dollars, four quarters, ten dimes, or twenty half-dimes contained the same amount of silver as a standard silver dollar. After passage of the act, the total weight of all silver coins except the dollar was reduced. The standard silver dollar, which was unchanged, then required about $1.06 in subsidiary silver coin to equal the same quantity of silver. Further, Silver coins of the old standard had unlimited legal tender status; afterward only the dollar retained that.

All circulation presses except half dollars strike 4 coins with each cycle. Halves are made two-up. Ike dollars and 1964 Peace dollars were struck two-up.

Enjoy your birthday with family and friends -- and stay out of the rain!

Owner of the collection has apparently been a faithful custodian of the coins, and has also shared some of the visual excitement of the coins with collectors. Those actions are to be commended.