Trade Dollar article in Coin World 1 1

[RWB]

Titled "Proof Trade Dollars Continued After Coinage Was Discontinued," the article explores the continued manufacture of proof Trade dollars after commercial production was halted.

This might be of interest to Trade dollar collectors and something of an "insider" view of how things worked in the Treasury Department and Mint Bureau. The article is based on continuing research into restriking and sale of pattern and circulation coins from about 1836 to 1885.

[DWLange]

Excellent piece, Roger.

[RWB]

Thank you! A couple of minor typos crept in...next time I'll use a better "fly swatter."

[RWB]

I will add this little paragraph to the article information:

"The Annual Assay Commission records include Trade dollars through 1878 after which they were discontinued. The Commission never examined medals, so none of the "medal" proof Trade dollars appear in their records. One consequence is that "medal" proof Trade dollars might have been made using normal standard silver dollar planchets, not legitimate heavier Trade dollar planchets. I've seen no uniform data from the TPGs regarding measured weights."

Also, I'm not sure if any of the major TPGs perform routine physical measurements on coins they receive - even ones on the rarity of 1884 and 1885 Trade dollars.

[physics-fan3.14]

Does anyone have a link to this article? Sounds interesting, but I'm not a subscriber. 

[CaptHenway]

On 2/15/2021 at 2:25 PM, physics-fan3.14 said:

Does anyone have a link to this article? Sounds interesting, but I'm not a subscriber. 

It would be worth subscribing to the online editions just to read this article.

TD

[RWB]

Unexpected number of comments sent to me on this subject. Will see what happens with time.

[LNCS]

This was a super read.

[tj96]

What's the date of the edition?

[RWB]

“Proof Trade Dollars Continued After Coinage Was Discontinued” March 2021. Coin World.

I don't have the edition date.

[tj96]

Got it.  Thanks Roger!

 

[RWB]

Neat! I did not get a copy of the printed article, so this is the first time I've seen it.

[tj96]

On 2/27/2022 at 12:45 PM, RWB said:

Neat! I did not get a copy of the printed article, so this is the first time I've seen it.

Really??  The first time you've seen this?   I'm a digital subscriber, so I can see the archives.

That's probably because you do so many article, you can't keep track of them all.............................am I right? 😃 👍🏻

I'm getting ready to submit an article to CW.  If I'm lucky enough to get it published, that would be a MAJOR accomplishment for me.

Great article by the way! 👍🏻   I wish I could write half as good as you!!

[RWB]

Thanks! I do what I can, and try to be complete and accurate. Mint documentation is very scattered with a lot of gaps from lost or discarded materials. Let me know if you'd like an extra set of editorial eyes on your draft.

(I'm not very conscientious about getting print copies - most don't have all the original references, which reduces their research value to me.)

Edited February 27, 2022 by RWB

[tj96]

On 2/27/2022 at 2:00 PM, RWB said:

Thanks! I do what I can, and try to be complete and accurate. Mint documentation is very scattered with a lot of gaps from lost or discarded materials. Let me know if you'd like an extra set of editorial eyes on your draft.

(I'm not very conscientious about getting print copies - most don't have all the original references, which reduces their research value to me.)

Thanks very much!  I just might take you up on your editorial eyes offer.  I've slowly been compiling my thoughts and references research materials.

Yes, I would imagine Mint documentation from years ago would be scattered. 

As part of my research, I submitted a notarized FOIA request to the Treasury and Mint. It's a modern coin, so I'm hoping there are current documents, logs and records available to answer my questions.    

[RWB]

Hope that goes well. The Mint Historian might be able to help.

[tj96]

On 2/27/2022 at 2:45 PM, RWB said:

Hope that goes well. The Mint Historian might be able to help.

The Mint Historian?!?!  Hmmmm!  Who is that?  Where is he or she and how can I track them down. 

That's okay, that's probably easy to find.   Thanks for that tip.  I hadn't thought of that.  👍🏻

[GoldFinger1969]

Congrats on the article, TJ good luck on yours.  I'd like to write an article if I can find the time later this year.

[GoldFinger1969]

Maybe someone can answer quickly....I'm confused.....how or by whom did Trade Dollars continue (to be struck, I presume) after the U.S. Government (I presume no private parties could strike them ?) ceased minting them ?

Is this something unique to Trade Dollars that is confusing me ?  I admittedly know nothing about the series.

EDIT:  NEVER MIND....I see it is for PROOFS only.

Edited February 27, 2022 by GoldFinger1969

[GoldFinger1969]

On 2/27/2022 at 12:55 PM, tj96 said:

I'm getting ready to submit an article to CW.  If I'm lucky enough to get it published, that would be a MAJOR accomplishment for me.

Can I inquire as to the topic of the article, TJ ?

[tj96]

On 2/27/2022 at 7:07 PM, GoldFinger1969 said:

Can I inquire as to the topic of the article, TJ ?

I'll PM you.

[RWB]

The Historian's office is at US Mint HQ in Washington, DC....I think on the 6th floor. There is a directory on-line (I think). You can also contact Mr. Francis O’Hearn, Chief Information Officer, United States Mint.

[tj96]

On 2/27/2022 at 8:16 PM, RWB said:

The Historian's office is at US Mint HQ in Washington, DC....I think on the 6th floor. There is a directory on-line (I think). You can also contact Mr. Francis O’Hearn, Chief Information Officer, United States Mint.

That's brilliant Roger. Thanks very much!!