Wikipedia article on gold coinage I made

[stinkycheese1]

I used to edit wikipedia in the past, so I decided to start an article about my favorite coin, the classic head 2.50.

 

I cited my references and it still needs work, but am quite pleased someone worked on it and it didn't get deleted!

 

Give it a read, perhaps you'll learn something new

 

My classic head $2.50 gold article

[MunkyMan95]

Could be a little more informative.

 

Here's a similar blurb I found on WikiPedia, which I think is more eloquent and gets the same point across.

 

By 1834, the gold in the half eagle had been worth more than its face value for several years. The Act of June 28, 1834 called for a reduction in the gold used. The weight of the coin was reduced to 8.36 grams, the diameter reduced to 22.5 mm, and the composition changed to .8992 gold and .1008 silver and copper. A new obverse, the "Classic Head", was created by William Kneass for the altered coin. The reverse still depicted the modified eagle introduced in 1813, but "E PLURIBUS UNUM" was removed to distinguish further the new composition. In 1837, the gold content of this type was increased to .900 in accordance with the Act of January 18, 1837.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_Eagle#Classic_Head_Design

[michael]

interesting and a good job

 

hope it leads to more interest and collectors

[EZ_E]

Could be a little more informative.

 

Aaah, teenaged rivaly and peer pressure. I think that Chad's just upset 'cause Kevin stole his girlfriend away. haha

[bartlesvilleok]

"Wikipedia article on gold coinage I made" - Wow your making your own coins? I guess that is how all the fakes are getting in the country j/k

[EZ_E]

Kevin, it would be nice if you could post a picture of your coin directly on the page.

 

I also helped add to your article. My additions are in italics. I invested a bit of time in the research. I hope you don't mind.

 

The classic head $2.50 gold coin is an American coin, also called a quarter-eagle, minted from 1834-1839[1].

 

1834 witnessed tough economic times in the United States. President Andrew Jackson was opposed to the developing central bank of that era known as the Bank of the United States. His aim was to reform a system which took power away from the states and concentrated it in the hands of a few. He recognized the potential for abuse and manipulation that was not necessarily in the best interests of the United States. His attacks on the fledgling central bank served to erode their power despite the fact that their charter did not expire until 1836. This allowed the president to introduce banking reform which was officially passed by Congress in 1836. It was known as the Deposit Act. [2]

 

In 1834, President Jackson began action to strengthen the U.S. economy. His goal was to retire the notes of the Bank of the United States prevalent in society at that time and to replace them with specie gold. In addition, he realized that the ratio between gold and silver must be adjusted if gold specie was to remain in circulation. At that time, the gold to silver ratio was 15:1 while in Europe, the ratio was 15.5:1. This led to the practice of melting down contemporary U.S. gold coins for profit because there was a slightly higher gold content than the face value. This practice led to significant coin rarities in the Capped Bust series of gold coins minted from 1808-1834. Gold specie fineness was reduced from .916 fine to .8992 fine and the gold to silver ratio was increased to 16:1. This action was extremely astute and ensured that the new $2.5 and $5 coins would remain in circulation. These were the first widely circulated gold coins in our nation's history.

 

The new quarter eagle also saw a reduction in diameter from 20 millimeters to 17.5 millimeters and a reduction in weight from 4.37 grams to 4.18 grams. This new issue was designed by William Kneass and minted in Philadelphia only. [3]

 

The original 1834 dated Classic Head $2.5 gold coins come in two different varieties: the "Small Head” and the “Booby Head.”[4]

 

About uncirculated (AU) and mint state specimens may exhibit proof-like or semi proof-like surfaces. In general, a semi proof-like surface is somewhat reflective around the devices and the edge of the coin as well as around the portrait. Coins that have not been cleaned generally show an original patina manifested with various golden, orange colors and a thick "skin". Advanced collectors seek such specimens as opposed to cleaned, shiny examples.[5]

 

This series is highly collectible and are relatively inexpensive for an early gold U.S. coin. The astute collector/investor will seek original, problem-free examples and avoid damaged and inferior coins. It is also wise to pursue coins authenticated and graded by a leading third party grading service such as Numismatic Guarantee Corporation (NGC) or Professional Coin Grading Services (PCGS).

[EZ_E]

p.s. I'd also recommend you change the title if you can to:

 

[font:Comic Sans MS]U.S. Classic Head $2.5 gold quarter eagle[/font]

[stinkycheese1]

Wow, great job EZ_E!

 

Thanks for improving it, of course I don't mind! I really appreciate the help.

 

I'm still new to wikipedia, not really sure how I can add a picture of my coin.

 

[physics-fan3.14]

Hey Vic, we're trying to edit it at the same time!

 

I'm doing a bit of wikifying.

[EZ_E]

Yeah, I finally figured that out, Jason. I was wondering how I got such miraculous changes! I was having a heck of a time adding a pic. Then I figured that the mystery editor would grab my link and fix it nice and proper like.

 

I'm impressed with the changes you made. I'm also glad that you put in the tidbit that it was the second central bank. I was considering the same thing myself.

 

This is the first exposure that I've had to editing wikipedia. Thanks for the help.

[physics-fan3.14]

No problem! I haven't done a whole lot of it, but I've learned enough to do a little. I fixed your picture there, changed the title, added links, put it in categories, and did a bunch of other stuff to make it more wiki.

[EZ_E]

p.s. While you're at it, Jason, could you please add this table. Thanks.

 

Also, you misnamed the coin in the title and thumbnail description. It is the Classic Head Quarter Eagle. coin facts

 

I couldn't figure out how to edit the title. I never saw the option. Just goes to show how collaboration is such a good thing!

[physics-fan3.14]

 

Also, you misnamed the coin in the title and thumbnail description. It is the Classic Head Quarter Eagle. coin facts

 

I couldn't figure out how to edit the title. I never saw the option. Just goes to show how collaboration is such a good thing!

 

Oops. I fixed it.

[stinkycheese1]

You guys rock! it's great to see such collaberation and teaming up!

Thanks to both of you!

[WoodenJefferson]

I like to see collaborations, good job guys.

[RWB]

Folks might want to add that Jackson's actions led directly to the devastating Panic of 1837:

 

“Jackson moved federal funds from the Second Bank of the United States to smaller state-chartered banks. The President felt that the Congressionally-chartered Bank of the United States harmed ordinary citizens by controlling business credit and restricting economic initiative. After a contentious battle with Congress Jackson succeeded in preventing the bank’s charter from being renewed.

 

“But the state banks used their federal deposits to leverage massive speculation in Western land and self-serving credit and loan practices. By 1837 banks began to fail and with no recourse, thousands lost their homes and land. Federal money eventually was deposited in the U.S. Treasury which led to development of the sub-Treasury system.”

 

[EZ_E]

The key is that it was the bankers who caused the panics. The same was true in 1854, 1893 and 1907 to name just a few. The whole problem was that greedy bankers did not have the financial means to back their loans. If and when depositors withdrew their money and it exceeded the cash the bank had on hand then it would go insolvent. As wrong as this might be, it is still much preferable to a central banking using our money to finance their interests. Look at the collaboration between our central bank and the Federal government now! Their "stimulus package" is a blatant misnomer. Instead, it is the largest spending program in U.S. history. Almost everything about it is dishonest. It is a spending bill, not a stimulus bill. It's real aim is to push America toward becoming a Western European socialist welfare state. That's the reason Newsweek recently headlined on its cover page, "We are all socialists now." Very little of this newly created money went to schools and roads which could actually create jobs, most went to pork barrel projects and to huge bonuses paid to executives who were partially responsible for leading our nation down the road to financial ruin. Instead of having a free market, capitalist economy correct itself, Resident Obama is instead degrading the value of our dollar even further and putting our country so far in debt that it will be impossible to ever recover from.

 

This is no coincidence. Without expounding too much, this has always been a primary objective of the private banking cartel known as the Federal Reserve System since its inception in 1913: to involve the federal government as an agent for shifting the inevitable losses from the owners of those banks to the taxpayers. Banks make most of their profits by making huge, unsecured loans to Latin America, Africa, China, Russia and Eastern European nations. When it comes to the point that a loan's interest cannot be repaid, the banks will rollover the loan, loaning more money to these nations so that they can continue making interest payments to them. Bear in mind that the money loaned is printed with no backing whatsoever. It will eventually come to the point where they will appeal to the federal government for help pleading that without assistance then there will be massive disruptions in the world markets and dire consequences to the American people. To make it look good, the banks will absorb a small portion of the losses which is but a small step backward to achieve a giant stride forward. And as has happened with the recently passed "stimulus bill", instead of the money being paid out immediately, future credit is provided which guarantees future payments should the borrowers again default. Our government has now become a co-signer to foreign loans while the bankers are making a killing at our expense! It is nothing but one huge scam!

 

If you doubt any of this then I'd suggest you read "The Creature from Jekyll Island" by G. Edward Griffin. $19.99 1-800-496-3266

[RWB]

Thus, a fundamental defect in Wiki-type productions - - Never mind....