Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 January 1885 — DOLLARS AND DIMES. [ARTICLE]

DOLLARS AND DIMES.

An Interesting: (hapier on American Coins. The collecting of coins is more universal in this country than one would at first suppose. There are not less than one hundred thousand collectors in the United States at the present day, and nearly every large city in the union contains a dealer to supply their wants. Before the est <blishment of the present United States government by the secession of the colonies from Great Britain there were many native coins in circulation in this country. First to make their appearance were the New England 3-pence, 6-pence, and shilling, which were made of silver and issued in 1&52. They are exceedingly rare and unattainable at the present day at any price. The pine-tree 3-pence, 6pence, and shilling were issued about the same time from the Massachusetts colony, each one being stamped with a pine tree on one side and 1652 oh the other. The oak tree 2-pence, 3-pence, 6-pence, and 12-pence came out in 1662, and subsequently a series of Massachusetts coins, oontaining willow trees, were seen in circulation. All of the above can be bought in fine condition at prices ranging from $3 to $7 each. In 1659 Lord. Baltimore had 4-pences and 6-pences coined in Maryland, and the following year a shilling of the same series was struck off, and in 1783, at the dose of the Bevolutionary war, Annapolis closed her State coinage by the issuing of 3-penny, 6-penny, and 12penny pieces, all of which are hard to obtain now at any figure. The other colonial coins on copper ' are:

Date of Present Coin issue. value. Boea American half-penny and penny ....1722-3 $2 00 Rosa American farthing..- 1722-3 2 60 Wood farthing, half-penny and • penny 1722-3-4 15 Louisiana cent .1721-2-67 50 Cali ornia elsphant penny...... 1761 60 00 Virginia half-penny IU3 25 Nova Gmateilatio 1788-5 25 Georgius Triompho 1783 1 00 Immn' is Columbia 1787 3 00 Hova Eboraa..... 1787 60 U. a A. baroent 1787 1 50 Apctcria Hebis ...1787 1 6| Vermont cents 1785-0-7-8 50 Connecticut cents 1785-6-7-8 16 New Jersey o nts.... ...1786-7-8 30 Massachusetts half-cents and cents 1787-3 1 00 franklin Fugio cent 1787 40 NewTorkoenta 1764-5 25 There were also a number of Washington cents and half cents of copper, silver, and bronze issued during the last three years.of the Revolution, and op to 1793, which bring all the way from ten cents to $lO each; also a large assortment of medals, tokens, etc., strnck off during that period whioh can be fonnd in almost every collection of considerable size, and whioh are considered a legitimate branch of coin-col-lecting. There was a piece coined in IWO, and credited to Sommer's Island, which can not be bought to-day for less than $75 or SIOO, and an Excelsior New Yorkoent, which came out in 1787, brings readily the shm of $35 when effected for sale. The first coin regularly issued by the United States Government was the old-fashioned cart-wheel liberty-cap cent of 1793, of which three dies were made. There has been no break in the issue of cents from that day to this with the exception of the year 1815, when the one mint then in operation in Philadelphia burned down, and no copper mosey was made. Late in December, 1793, a room was fitt ed up where a small amount of gold and silver coining was done, to toe total value of $20,483, or $3,175 in golden halft eagles and $17,308 in silver quarter dollars. The three varieties of 1793 cents bring from $3 to $6 each; the cent of 1794 about 75 cents, and 1755 $1.25. Here a change in the die was made from the liberty-cap to toe fillethead, which latter style ran to 1808 following, when another die was ent and the profile of the goddess of liberty appeared on the face of the coin, with toe thirteen stars surrounding the head A cent of 1796 is valued at sl, 1797 at 7f» cents, 1798 at 50 cents, and 1799, toe raroerof them all, at SSO, if in fine condition. It is hard to tell why the 1799 cent oommande such a premium, unless it

nrises from tbe fact that a number of them yet on hand and unissued from the mint were restruck or rather struck over, in 1800 to supply a deficiency of tbe latter year, thereby '•creating % ftcarcity of the 1799 date. An 1800 aßiawoWu about 40 cents; 1801, ,50 dfPs; 1802, 50 cents;'lßo3, 25 cents, and 1804 from sl2 to S2O. The, year 1803 is one of the common old dates, there being no less than 2,471,353 of them struck off at tbe mint that year, while in the following year only 756,838 were eoiped bearing the date 1804. They»r 1805 is rather hard to obtain, costing from $1 to $2 each, and 18Q6 a little harder still, being worth about $2.50 each if in fine oondition. The year 1807 is common, 1868 a little scarce, and 1809 very nmoh so, the last being respectively 50 cents, $1.25, and $4 each. The year 1810 is an easy one to procure for about 30 cents, and 1811. 1812, and 1813 pretty hard to get for less than $2.50, sl, and $2, respectively. The year 1814 brings not more than 75 cents, even if in very good condition, while from 1816 to 1820 ihclusive there is scarcely any premium at all above the face value stamped on the coin. The year 1821 becomes hard again, selling for 30 cents each, 1822 no premium paid, and 1823 for not more than 50 cents. From 1824 to 1856 the cents bring-’'-so- more than their face value unless in a very fine condition or uncirculated. ~ ■ ■" ■ Here another change was made to the small nickpl cents with the flying eagle, bearing date of 1856, which are quite rare, and sell from $1 to $4 each, according to their perfection. The big copper cent lapped over into 1857, and not many of them being coined during that year, the fact caused their value to rise to about 50 cents each. It will be seen that the last of the big eopper cents and the firsb of fchq flying eagle command premiums, which may be accounted for partly because one ends a long series of its kind, and the other begins a new one. From 1856 to date there lias been an unbroken issue of the small cents, changing in 1859 from an eagle to an Indian’s head, and in 1864 from nickel tdbronze, which are the style at present coined at the different mints. The year showing the most cents coined in the United States was 1865, when no less than 54,18O;0O6 of them was sent out into circulation. Eighteen hundred and eleven come to tne •front with the smallest number, showing but 218,025 coined during the twelve months of that year. Half cents were first issued in 1793; but they seemed to have had an irregu« lar sort of existence, as there are some years during which very few were coined, and others showing no coinage of them at all. The breaks occurred in 1898, 1801, 1812 to 1824 inclusive, 1830, 1837,1838, and 1839. They ceased to exist after the year 1857. The greatest number were made in 1809, 1,154,572, equal to $5,772.86, and the least number in 1831, amounting to sll in value, or only 2,200 half-pennies. A lialf cent dated 1790 is worth $2; 1794 and 1795, $1 and $1.50 respectively, while the issue of 1796 sells fpr $25 each, and hard to get at that;; 1797 brings 75 cents, and 1798 cannot be bought at all; 1800 is high at 25 cents; ,180? cost *2; 1803-4-5-6-7-8-9 and 1810, from a dime to 30 cents each, and 1811 about'sl.so; 1825 to 1829 are only 5 cents apiece, and 1831, in good condition, $7; 1832 to 1835 are also very common, costing only 5 cents a specimen, while 1836 and from 1840 to 1848 inclusive are quite rare, seldom selling foT less than $6 or $7 eaoh; 1849, small date, is valued at SB, and 1849, large date, 10 cents; 1850 and 1851 are placed at a nickel each, and 1851 for some unaccountable reason, at $7. From 1853 to 1857 there is but little premium asked, 10 cents buying as fine copies of each of the five cents pieces as any collection would want.

The bronze 2-cent piece first came out in 1864, and their coinage was discontinued in 1873. There were more made in the year 1865 than in any oth-' er year during which they were coined, the coinage running up to 26,780,000 pieces; the fewest number being credited to 1873, when they fell below 300,000 in all. In fine condition, from 1864 to 1870, they are worth about 5 cents each: 1871 costs 35 cents; 1872, 50 cents, and 1873 about $1.75. United States silver 3-cent pieces were first issued in 1851, authorised by the act of March 3, 1851, entitled “An act to reduce and modify the rates of postage, etc.,” and were intended to fulfill a special purpose—the purchasing of the 3-cent postage stamps. They were not intended for general trade purposes, from the fact that the act authorizing their coinage made them a limited tender in payment of sums of 30 cents and under. From 1851 to 1852 they bring not more than 10 cents each, Vut from 1863 to 1873—the last date olosing their issue—they are separately worth at least fifty times their face valua The greatest number were coined in 1852; 18,663.500 pieces, and the least number in 1864, 370 pieces. The first 3-cent niokel piece was made in 1865, and their coinage has been continuous to the present time. They all average about 10 cents each in fine condition, excepting 1873, which is priced at 60 cents.

The silver half-dimes were bugnn in 1794, and were coined annually from that year to 1873 inclusive, with the exception of 1798,1799,1804, and 1806 to '1822 inclusive. There were more of them coined in 1853 than in any other year since they were began, or 15,705,020 pieces. The least number were made in 1867, only 8,700 half-dimes being coined during that year, nearly every one of which can be found at the present day in the possession of dealers and collectors The rarest halfdime is that of 1802, which bring the fancy price of $75, if obtainable; 1794 comes next, at $5; 1795 can bo had for $2, and 1796 and 1797, the former a| $5, the latter, with sixteen stars, at 25 cents a star; 1801 and 1802 can be bought for $1.50 each; 1803 for $3, and 1805 for $4 From 1829 to 1845 they are sold at about double their face value, and 1846 comes considerably higher at $2 each. From 1847 to 1873, when their coinage was discontinued they average a few cents above face value if in fine condition. The nickel 5-cent piece wa» commenced in 1866, and has proved to be

without exception the worst sampled! coining yet exeonted so far by the government. It is still being ooined at the conn try, circulation until a makes its voice heard and demands a discontinuance of this Coin. In 1867 no lessthan 31,250,000 of them Were poured forth from the mints, while in 1878 only 1,600 were made. . Dealers were sharp and gathered in almost the entire issne of 1878, which they are holding for high figures. They will become scarce after a whtle. The new 5-cent nicked of 1883, without the word cents, was recalled soon after it was issued, but not before at least 7,000,000 of thenj were scattered broadcast over the land. A new one followed close after, bearing the word cents, and a like piece has been issued in 1884. The absence of the word “cents” caused much speculation as to what the true value of the coin might be when gilded; so it was gathered in and a now die made. There will not be much premium on them, at least for a long time, as too many are outstanding, probably in the hands of dealers, who are saving them for a scarce market.' *

Dimes were first made in 1796. None were coined in 1799,1806,1808, 1812,1813 1815 to 1819, inclusive, and 1826. The centennial year shows the greatest number of manufactured, 36,391,050 pieces, and 1810 the fewest, only 6,355 pieces; the latter can not be bought today at any price. The highest prioed dime is that of 1804, which will cost the collector $lO if he needs it very badly. From 1796 to 1804 they bring from $3 to $5 each, and from 1805 to 1821 from 15 cents to $1 each; 1822 costs $6, 1823 to 1845 about 20 cents each, and 1840 $3. From 1847 to 1878 there is a slight premium above face value, and 1*879, 1880, and 1881 bring a quarter each if uncirculated. Dimes are still being coined at au average rate of about 500,000 pieces a year. Twentv-cent pieces were born in 1876 and died four years later. As only 1,355,000 of them were coined altogether, they are destined at no distant day to become very rare and high-priced; 29,220 were first year, 1,817,800 the second, 7,200 the third, and 710 the fourth. They sell for $5 cents, 40 cents, $2.50 in order of dates. Qnarter-dollars were ooined annually beginning with 1786, excepting the following years; 1798 to 1803, 1808 to 18.14, inclusive, 1817, 1826, 1829, and 1830. More were made in 1877 than any other year, no less than 30,336,700 pieces, and the fewest in number in 1798, 252 pieces. The quarters ooined in 1797 disappeared long ago. Not a single one of them is known to be in the possession of either collectors or dealers. Those dated 1823 and 1827 bring fabulous prices if for sale, the former being quoted at $6.85, the latter at SIOO. This can be accounted for from the fact that only a limited number were struck off during the two years named—l7,Boo in 1823, and 4,000 in 1827.

The quarter-dollar bearing date of 1796 is worth $5; 1804, $5; 1805, 1806, and 1807, 75 cents each; 1845,75 cents; 1816, none to be had; 1818, 1819, 1820, 1821, and in 1822, 50 cents each; 1824 and 1825, 60 cents; 1828, 50 cents; 1831 to 1852, 5 cents added to face value; without arrows'on both sides of - date, from $4 to SB, and 1854 to 1884 a slight premium above face value if in fine condition, except 1879, which bring about $1.25 each. Only 450 were made in 1879, hence their scarcity. Quite a difference from the flood of 1877. Their coinage has been reduced to about 18,000 a year. The silver halves were first issued in 1794. There were none made in 179899, 1800, 1804, and 1816. The highest premiums are paid for those blearing the dates of 1796, and 1797—from S3O to S4O each. The year 1794 is worth $5; 1795 only 75 cents; 1801 and 1802, a couple of dollars each; 1803 to 1814, 60 cents apiece; 1815 (alwaysa restrike over the 1812 half-dollar >, about $7; 1817 to 1837,60 cents each; 1836, milled edge, $3; 1838, New Orleans mint (having “o” mark under head) $5; 1839 to 1850, 60 cents; 1851, $1; 1852, $6; 1853, 60 cents; 1853, without arrows, $25; and 1854 to 1884, about 55 cents each; 1880 commands a slight premium, bringing readily 70 cents when fine. The dollars of our daddies were first coined in 1794, and they were coined continuously up to and including 1804. Then a skip' was made to J 836,1837 was left out, and with a new beginning at 1838 their issue ran on smoothly until Js73, when the trade dollar usurped first place and held it for five years. By 1878 the people had enough of the despised trade dollar, so it was rejected' and the coinage of the standard dollar was resumed. The silver dollar of 1804 has the distinguished honor of being the highest priced modern coin, and the rarest of the American collection. About sixty of them are in existence now, but at least fifty-eight of these are spurious. Two are known to be genuine and are valued at SI,OOO each. The 1754 dollar is held cheap at SSO. Seventeen hundred and ninety-five to 1803 at figures ranging from $2 to $6 each; 1836, $5; 1838 and 1839 (flying eaglel $25 each; 1840 to 1850, $1.25; 1851wtnd 1852 liberty seated, $35 and S4O respectively; 1853, ’54, ’55, ’56 and ’57, $1:50 each; 1858, $36, and from 1859 to 1884, a slight premium above the face valued

The most silver dollars were made in 1883—28,111,119 pieces, and the least number in 1839, a little over 300. The trade dollar begun in 1-873 and is still being regularly coined at the mints, and exery single one of them, from first to last, already commands a premium. The issue of the present year is a very small one, and the coin, even now, is very rare. Those who have the trades dated 1884 should hold tight to them. From 1879 to 1884 the tradedollar can hardly be called a regular issue. They are rather proofs struck off at the mints for specimens, and are not intended for circulation. The little gold dollars were* begun in 1849, on the heels of the California gold excitement, and have been continuous in issue ever since; bnt as collectors pay but little attention to gold ooins. they are therefore not much sought after by numismatics. Whenever desired they can be had in fine ;condition for a slight premium above

face value. The most gold dollars were made in 1853 —4,384,149 —and the least number in 1875--only 20 pieces. The laAler'hre quotc*tupli. Quarter-eagles 1 W&iith the exception of 1800, 1801, 1835 to 1820, 1822,1823, and 1828, have been continued annually. Nearly $4,000,000 worth were made in 1851, and only $62.50 worth in 1882, The novel $3 pieces was first made at Philadelphia in 1845. They havo been issued regularly since, 163,738 pieces being made during the first year, which heads the list so far, and only 20 in 1875, which is the lowest. Half-eagles, or $5 gold pieces as they are commonly called, hove been issued regularly, beginning with 1795, with the exception of the year 1816 and 1817; 6,094,791 were made in 1882, and 635 in 1815. Those dated 1795,>’96,’99, 1800, 02, ’O3, ’O4, "06, ’O7, ’O9, ’lO, ’ll, ’l2, and 13 each bring abbut double their face value when sold. The eagles, or $lO pieces, were first coined in 1795, The years in which none were made weio from 1805 to 1837, inclusive. More were coined in 1882 than in any other year—4,436,941 pieces; and the fewest in 1795, 2,795 pieces. Premiums of $5 above face value are paid for the eagles dated 1795,1799, 1800, and 1801. The double-eagles, or S2O, were begun in 1850, and their coining has been continuous to data No premium is asked for them by dealers, except a slight figure for procuring them. Kepresenting a high money value, very few dealers can afford to keep many of them in stock; 2,965,821 pieces were coined in 1861, and only 702,815 in 1857, which was the poorest year for S2O pieces. The following list will indicate the class of United States coins that will in the near future be rare and valuable. It will be well to preserve them in as fine condition as possible, for the state of preservation m which a coin is found determines to a great extent its value: United States silver trade-dollars. 1873 to 1884. United States gold dollars, 1849 tc 1884 United States silver 3-cent pieces. 1851 to 1873. United States bronze 2-cent. ‘pieces 1864 to 1873. United States copper cents, 1793 to 1857. '* . United States copper $ cents, 1793 tc 1857. United States nickel cents, 1856 tc 1864 The gold dollars have been‘coined iD limited numbers of late, and are only struck as proofs the present year. They will probably cease to be circulating mediums of exchange in 1885. The series of United States nickel 3cent pieces will also probably end the present year. — St. Louis Globe-Demo-crat. ■■ "■ ' :