Browsing some of the 1907 Saint-Gaudens design files 0

[RWB]

Those who would like to leaf through some of the correspondence regarding the Saint-Gaudens coin designs can now access the files on NNP. Go to this URL: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/archivedetail/512703. Select the years 1907 or 1908, and then look for the volumes shown on the list below. Be warned that these volumes are from 500 to 2,000 pages long, and letters are in chronological order; however, there is no index to any of them. (One day these will be fully searchable, but for now the task is to digitize everything we can.)

E-235-Vol-365 1907 ST
E-235-Vol-366 1907 P
E-235-Vol-367 1907 Misc
E-235-Vol-368 1908 P
E-235-Vol-369 1908 ST
E-235-Vol-370 1908 Misc

Here's a sample letter tucked away in E-235 Vol 366"

Edited March 4 by RWB

[GoldFinger1969]

You didn't have access to these when you wrote your book, right ?

Have you scanned them...anything worthwhile or noteworthy ?  

[RWB]

I searched through these manually when I wrote RAC 1905-1908 and used many of the documents; however, copying every page was not feasible back then. Now, they have been digitized and anyone can search from the comfort of their man-cave (or woman-cave). I have not identified any "missed" documents that changed anything. There is much more correspondence about getting the edge collars to work at SF and D.

[GoldFinger1969]

On 6/4/2024 at 11:37 AM, RWB said:

There is much more correspondence about getting the edge collars to work at SF and D.

I never even knew there was edge-on writings until about 10-15 years ago.  It's a very tricky procedure.

Wonder when they first thought of doing coins with edge-on writing.  You'd think the natural reaction would be to put all writings on the obverse and reverse.

[Henri Charriere]

All French 20-francs gold rooster coins have quite prominent edge lettering. However, I fail to see why the dates of any coin series, such as the Sacagaweas were relegated to the edge. Just my opinion...

Edited June 4 by Henri Charriere
Restore word

[RWB]

I don't know when raised edge lettering or ornamentation was first used. It is used on Oliver Cromwell crowns. The major automation change was Jean-Pierre Droz' six-part collar.