Chapter III: Part 3

Julius Cæsar to Trajan, inclusive. Beginning 49 B.C., and ending 117 A.D. A simple catalogue of the illustrious names on these coins would convey an idea of their importance. All the victories of Cæsar are marked by coinage; but out of the two hundred belonging to this case reference need only be made to No. 24, a beautiful gold coin, with the undraped head of Augustus, exquisitely severe, the interest attaching chiefly to the legend, “The Son of God,” referring to the deification of Cæsar.

_Division III._

embraces from Hadrian to Elagabalus, 117-222. In the reign of Hadrian much coin was issued, though it did not bear marks of the disasters and revolts that signalized the foregoing. That he was a merciful ruler is indicated by the coins, especially one—Hispania; the reverse showing the emperor raising Spain—a female figure—from the ground. His travels are also illustrated in coin.

_Division IV._

From Severus Alexander to Claudius Gothicus, 222-270. These coins indicate the vicious effect of the rulers immediately preceding.

_Division V._

From Aurelian to the end of the Western Empire; includes 270-475. A brilliant succession; Aurelian’s busy reign, ending in assassination; the war-like Probus, the slave-emperor; Diocletian’s despotism and vindictive persecution of Christians; the usurpation of Carausius; the happy reign of Constantine the Great, Julian, Theodosius, down to Julius Nepos. These are a few of the historic names and events presented in this division.

_Division VI._

covers the period of the Byzantine or Eastern Empire, and a lapse of eight centuries; but the coinage is not comparable with that of other eras, nor were events of so stirring and heroic a character. A general decay, painful to contemplate, marked this long lapse of time, which began near the acceptance of Christianity, and extended through the dark ages.

“THE TEMPLE SWEEPERS.”

A small case attracts no little attention, because it contains a single coin; and the interest does not decrease when the inscription is read: “Struck in the Philadelphia Mint, at least two thousand years ago.” The late Assayer of the Philadelphia Mint, Mr. W. E. Du Bois, under title of “The Temple Sweepers,” wrote, not long since, a valuable sketch of this coin, made in the City of Attalus Philadelphus, Asia Minor, and for which William Penn called his city, because the ancient one was a monument of “brotherly love.” Diana was the patroness of Philadelphia.

“On one side, then, we have a head; not a king’s nor an emperor’s; as yet the free city had a pride and a privilege above that. It is a female head, an ideal, representing the city itself; or rather the dwellers in it, the _Demos_. Here in this head and title, we have the radix of Democracy.

“This is all we can gather from the obverse. On the other side we have a larger variety: a running female figure; a dog also on the trot; a legend of some length and of more significance.

“The half-clad figure is that of the goddess known to the Greeks as Artemis, to the Latins as Diana; and otherwise called Selene, Phœbe, Delia, or Cynthia.

“She was the favorite divinity of the cities of Asia Minor. Once the patroness of chastity and purity. Goddess of the chase.”

The legend on the obverse of this coin explains its name: “Friends of Philadelphia’s [her] Temple Sweepers.”

ORIENTAL.

Oriental coins are not as attractive as other varieties, though there are special coins among them which have no rival in historic importance. Antique coins from the East were usually without device, and, their legends being rudely inscribed in a dead language, proved frequently to be sealed fountains to the thirsting antiquarian. Therefore in cases marked “Oriental” the visitor is undetermined where to begin to study, and often decides to give it but little time.

Those having for device the sacred peacock are from Burmah; there is, however, in the division marked “Selections” a very curious coin belonging to that country, which certainly formed a part of its earliest currency. It is a common gravel-stone, encased in a circling band of brass.

COINS OF SIAM.

The coins of Siam are much sought for. Some of them, known to European travelers as “bullet money,” are lumps of gold or silver, hammered by rude implements into a doubtful roundness, and a few Siamese characters stamped irregularly upon them. The sacred elephant is found on a large proportion of their money. A Siamese coin in the Cabinet, of modern date, is quite handsome in both workmanship and design. On the obverse is the sacred elephant in ponderous proportion, which delights the eyes of the devout, and the reverse presents a group of three pagodas, finely drawn. In the case marked “Selections” is a Siamese coin of gold, comparatively modern, called “Tecal,” corresponding in some respects to the “Shekel,” or “Oxen,” of biblical fame.

CHINESE COINS.

On the south side of the first section is a case of seven hundred coins of the Celestial Empire. With but few exceptions these coins are bronzed. Dynasty succeeds dynasty; usurpation, insurrection, are all writ in bronze. The Chinese assert an uninterrupted coinage for forty-one centuries. The manuscript attesting this is in the case, and was prepared under authority. Large numbers of their coins were considered charms, sufficient to protect the owner against fever, or even the more dreaded horrors of spiritual menace. In this connection it may be said that the Chinese had an exalted reverence for the coin-charm, and a small coin was often placed in the mouth of the dead (now, if a Chinaman dies in California, a small silver United States coin is placed on his tongue). These coins were covered with cabalistic characters, symbolic animals, birds, etc. Two worthy of notice in this regard, and said to be of the oldest issue, are Nos. 1 and 2. The first might be mistaken for an iron safe-key; the second is known as the “razor coin,” its form and almost its size being that of a razor.

In another case, appropriately labeled, is the Chinese porcelain money. They are the only people who have made porcelain a “legal tender,” though it would appear that almost every part of the three kingdoms of nature has been laid under contribution. The specimen here may be mistaken for the popular Chinese sleeve-button, bought in any bazaar for a few cents. The Chinese, as did also the Africans, utilized the small sea-shells for trade. In the same case are some of the variety legalized. Ten small shells made one “cash.” This is a small, round, copper-bronzed coin, with a square hole in the centre. The Chinese dames of high degree wore such strung around their throats. One thousand of them are equal to our dollar. The Japanese, however, _outcount_ their neighbors, as they have a bronze coin called the “One-hundredth,” of which just seven thousand make one Spanish dollar.

Shell money of pure gold, “or gold beaten into small solid shells, was made by those natives who supplied the Portuguese slave-traders with slaves,” and was called by the traders “Spondylus Macutus,” from which, some contend, came the _slang_ term “spondulics.” Forty of those small coins, each worth about a dollar of Spanish money, was a high price for a slave.

There is also in the Cabinet a valuable collection of African ring money. These ornaments are very massive and pure, comprised of elaborately carved “signet-rings, armlets, anklets,” etc. One article, more novel and valuable than the others, is a pipe of fine gold, bowl and handle of curious bas-relief figures, and a heavy, square-linked chain attaching a large medallion, on which is the head of a monarch poorly drawn.

The Chinese government, like all despotisms, is very jealous of its coining prerogatives; yet it does not fail to appreciate an advantage when offered, as is evident to us by the following:

Proclamation for general information:

“WHEREAS, The foreign silver (coin) in daily use among
the people of the Kwang Tung Provinces has long been in
circulation, and is moreover admitted to be advantageous and
convenient. In the 5th and 11th years of Tung Chih (1866 and
1872) the Hong Kong Mint coined a new Dollar which, upon
comparison with pure silver, bore a proportion of fully ninety
per cent., and as the Records will prove. Proclamations were
issued notifying the people that it might come into general
circulation. There has lately come to Hong Kong a newly coined
American Eagle Dollar, called the “Trade Dollar,” and Sir
Brooke Robinson, the British Consul, having requested that
officers might be appointed to assay it, the Viceroy and
Haikwan thereupon appointed officers to melt it down and assay
it, in concert with (an officer from the British Consulate),
when, taking the Haikwan Tael of pure silver as the standard,
an outturn was obtained of fully 89.61—or Taels 111.6 of this
new Eagle Dollar are equal to 100 Haikwan Taels of pure silver.
Minutes of the assay were drawn up in proof thereof.

“For the convenience of Traders and people, therefore, this
coin should be allowed to be tendered in payment of duties at
the rate of touch obtained at the assay, and to come into daily
circulation. It becomes the duty then of the Viceroy and his
colleagues to issue a Proclamation on the subject for general
information.

“This Proclamation, therefore, is for the information of you
merchants, traders, soldiers, and people of every district.
You must know that the ‘Eagle Trade Dollar’ that has lately
come to Hong Kong has been jointly assayed by officers
specially appointed for the purpose, and it can be taken in
payment of duties, and come into general circulation. _You must
not look upon it with suspicion._ At the same time rogues,
sharpers, and the like, are hereby strictly forbidden to
fabricate spurious imitations of this new Eagle Dollar, with a
view to their own profit.

“And should they dare to set this prohibition at defiance,
and fabricate false coin, they shall, upon discovery, most
assuredly be arrested and punished. Let every one obey with
trembling! Let there be no disobedience!

“A Special Proclamation. Tung Chih 12th year, 9th moon—day
(October, 1873.)

“Translated by

“(Signed) WALTER C. HILLIER.”

JAPAN.

Perhaps the peculiar adaptability of the Japanese character cannot be better illustrated than by their late monetary revolution, especially as their coinage is hedged around with laws, with penal attachments of no doubtful character. In the small morocco case marked “Japan” are a few specimens of their original coin. Of this series the large gold plate, four inches by three and a half, is known as the “Gold Oban,” their most valuable coin, worth about seventy-five dollars. This coin is of perfectly smooth surface, with an elaborate black inscription of Japanese text, burnt in by a chemical process. To take the “Gold Oban” out of the kingdom is _punishable with death_; to remove it by mistake, subjects the offender to imprisonment for life. The other coins in this case are, in their composition and shape, as distinctive as the Japanese are peculiar as a people. The progressive character of the Japanese is exemplified by their recent acceptance of the United States system of coinage.

The mind of the Japanese proletaire has been much troubled in recent years with regard to the coinage of his country; not that he ever has much of the currency in question, but the Japanese proletaire has no pockets, and he finds it awkward to carry in his hands such coins as he contrives to possess. In ancient times his rulers were more considerate. They punched square holes in the centre of the coins, through which he passed a string, and was thus able to carry about his available capital tied around his neck or to his waistband, which in those days was his sole garment. The coins were not large in amount; it took a thousand of them to make a few shillings, while a cart was required to convey five dollars worth. But with civilization came an improved coinage, larger in value, and with no holes, and the pocketless proletaire naturally grumbled that civilization treated him hardly in this respect. Paper currency for small amounts partially satisfied him for a time; but at last his cries have been heard, and the Japanese Government has promised to issue a new coin specially for his behoof. Its value is rather less than one cent, and is to possess the indispensable hole, by which he can string it as a child strings beads, and he is probably content.

TURKEY.

Turkish coins often bear texts from the Koran on either side, so it may be said the tenets of their religion are their circulating medium. The piastres in this collection are generally those now in circulation.

EGYPT.

Egypt’s antique coins were of Greek or Roman workmanship, of which the very finest is in the case marked “Selections,” and has not its superior for interest or beauty in the world. It was the work of some Greek artist, and presents the head of Arsinoe, wife of Ptolemy. It was found in 1868, and bought by the United States Government at a high price; but as only three had been found, its market value may be named by thousands, though its metal value is not more than twenty dollars.

This notice of Oriental coins may conclude with suggestive reference to the “Cufic coins,” of which there are some valuable specimens. The first is the silver dirhem of Walid, the eccentric caliph of Damascus, A.D. 713. There is also in case XV. a coin of the reign of Haroun Alraschid.

FRENCH COINAGE.

The French have the credit of making the greatest improvements in modern coinage. The French coins are a history of that nation, from the small coin issued in the reign of Louis “the Meek” to the last currency of the republic of France, spanning a period of one thousand years.

In design and execution the French coins bear the impress of the national character, and also give assurance of the art patronage in which her rulers, failing in much, have never wavered, but brought all their power and cunning to bear on securing the best artists, as in the instance of Francis I. beguiling from the holy father that exquisite artist Benvenuto Cellini, or the later _enterprise_ of Napoleon Bonaparte. No. 83,—a medalet of the unhappy Mario Antoinette,—which is in itself very beautiful, and from its tragic association attracts general interest.

GERMANY.

The collection of Germany is very large and divided and sub-divided by its kingdoms and principalities.

One of the most interesting coins of any age, and excelling in beauty as well, is the gold medallic ducat on which are the heads of Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon. This coin is very generally admired by visitors to the Cabinet.

COINS OF SWITZERLAND.

Switzerland is modestly represented in all her cantons, each, like the classic Greek town, enjoying the coining privilege. There are several pieces of commemorative and artistic worth, especially the two issues of the republic of 1796.

RUSSIAN COINS.

The double rouble, with a magnificent draped head of Peter the Great, is unexcelled for strength of outline, and valuable as a correct portrait of one of the very greatest and most self-reliant of modern rulers. Turning to another rouble, the features of Elizabeth II. are recognized. It may be assumed, with all due deference to royalty, that this portrayal is the most laughter-provoking figure ever stamped on metal. She is so fat as to have the effect of “spreading herself” all over the coin. Another rouble presents the majestic Catherine II.

Of the coins marked Denmark, Norway, Sweden, there can be only the copper half-daler of Sweden mentioned. This coin is four inches square, weighs about twelve ounces, and is equivalent to a United States silver half-dollar. The daler of Sweden, thaler of Germany, dollar of Spain and America, are all synonymous terms.

ENGLAND.

The first coins of Great Britain were of tin, according to Cæsar’s authority, who mentions the “tin money of Britain,” which has lately been sustained by the discovery, in some work of excavation, of coins of that metal in antique design. These coins are, however, of little use, by reason of the obscure inscription, or rather the frequent absence of all device.

The English collection in the Cabinet begins with a coin made after the stater of Greece, presenting the head of Minerva, with Greek helmet on obverse, while the reverse gives the figure of a woman most crudely drawn. It is supposed this rude attempt at art was coined about the time of the Roman invasion. Note the contrast presented in placing this relic by the side of the Victorian sovereign, where, on the obverse, is the queen’s head superbly cut; on the reverse, Wyon’s inimitable figure of Una and the Lion. These two coins are the Alpha and the Omega of British coinage, while the thousands issued between them are progressive links to civilization.

Two small coins are placed here, thought to be contemporary with the Christian era, having no device, but an attempt to portray the sun on one side. No. 2 is the skeattae of Ethelbert I, king of Saxony, and is the first Saxon coin which has yet been appropriated. It bears upon the obverse the head of the king; on the reverse is the figure of a bird.

Next in interest is No. 6, the penny of William the Conqueror. The bust of that famous monarch is attempted; 1068 is about the year it is supposed to have been made. During the three centuries following, the condition of England, whether she was at peace or war, is plainly indicated by her coinage. Every added province is memorialized in coin. The rose, thistle, and fleur-de-lis, all tell in strange language for flowers of bloody battles, long sieges, perils by the sea and land; at last all resistance bowing before the ever-increasing power of Great Britain.

The first coin of English issue was dated in 1553, being either the close of Edward VI.’s or the beginning of Queen Mary’s reign. This is claimed by many to be the first coin dated, though old medals of the preceding century have been found with date.

In 1558, the ryal or royal of Queen Elizabeth was issued. On the obverse the queen is grandly enthroned, while the reverse is a large rose, in the centre of which are the Danish arms of Britain, and the arms of Anjou quartered. This coin and the pound sterling of Charles I. are in Case XV., “Selections.”

This pound sterling is one of the famous “siege pieces” of that unhappy king,—which were often made on the field with hammer and anvil out of the family plate brought to the closely-pressed Stuart by his faithful followers. It is to be regretted that so much valuable family plate of no mean workmanship was thus sacrificed. This “siege piece” is the largest silver coin known. The legend upon it, rudely inscribed, is, “Let God arise; let his enemies be scattered;” above are three fleurs-de-lis, with date, “1642.”

In 1684-88, during the short reign of James II., several varieties of new coins were introduced, notably, “Maundy Money,” a small coin made to be distributed by the king on “Maundy Thursday.” Beggars, on that day, received from his majesty bags containing as many maundy pieces as the king had lived years.

King James II. also had issued “gun money.” This variety was made out of old cannon, after the suppression of an Irish rebellion. Though not even giving a glance towards the interesting series of Queen Anne, it is impossible to pass unnoticed the beautiful bust of George IV., by Chantrey, upon a pattern five-sovereign piece. This well-executed bust of “the handsomest man in Europe,” was said to be the means of Sir Francis Chantrey being knighted. That vain monarch was as careful about how his face would appear to future generations as was Alexander of Macedon; and Chantrey well knew if he placed upon the shoulders of sixty years the head of forty years, he had given the cabalistic words which would be the “open sesame” to royal favor.

The gold sovereign of Victoria, Nos. 183-184, has, on the reverse, an evidence of coins as a deposit of law archives. The shield surrounded by a crown, and bearing the arms of Great Britain quartered; but the arms of Hanover _are omitted_. Although Victoria was next heir to William IV., she was prevented by the Salic law from assuming the sceptre of Hanover. On this coin, it may be remembered, are very beautifully presented the rose, the thistle, and the shamrock.

A recent addition has been made to the Mint Cabinet of a very fine sovereign of the times of Oliver Cromwell, purchased at the coin sale of May 14 and 15, 1885.

Scotch moneys of any variety, are very much prized by collectors (see, in Case XV., “Selections,” “Groat of Robert Bruce, 1602.”) A very rare coin is the penny of Robert II. of Scotland, said to be the only specimen in existence of that monarch’s reign. In the seventeenth century the coinage of Scotland merged into that of England.

ENGLISH SILVER TOKENS,

issued in England, Scotland, and Ireland. During the long suspension of specie payments, occasioned by the wars with Napoleon, the minor currency of England was supplied, not with small paper notes, but with silver tokens, issued by banks and traders, and made redeemable in bank notes. They were of reduced weight, to keep within the premium, and to prevent hoarding. They continued to circulate until the return of better times and of regular silver coinage. There were many varieties, most of which are here.

PORTUGAL AND SPAIN.

The coinage of Portugal and Spain in the fifteenth century, held greater sway than that of other countries. Of their coins, there are many fine specimens in the Mint Cabinet. The “joe and half-joe[12]” of Portugal are known of all nations, while the Spanish dollar, with its pretentious two globes under a crown, did not claim too much, and only tells the almost limitless rule of the great Philip. The coins of these nations became, through their possessions in the New World, the circulating medium of that portion of the earth. Spanish and Mexican dollars were almost synonymous, while the real and joe of South America was patterned after that of Portugal, which fact can be learned in this Cabinet. As nations decay it will be seen their coins become inevitably less trustworthy; even a glance at the cases marked “Portugal,” “Spain,” will give this lesson. In the Mexican collection there are issues which seem to contradict this assertion, for the “Mexican dollar” has, for generations, had a position in the monetary world of almost unchallenged credit, yet not by reason of the recognition given Mexico, but because of the _United States using it so extensively_; for, until the introduction of the “trade dollar,” this country had _no currency_ that would meet the demand of the Oriental market.

MEXICO.

The Mexicans use only gold and silver, and their national series is full of tragic interest, embracing, as it does, three and a half centuries of Mexican history, from Cortez to Maximilian. The “pillar dollar,” “windmill dollar,” “cast dollar” (the Mexicans are the only nation that cast money), and the “cob money” (a series so called by reason of its clumsiness), are all to be seen in this collection.

COINS OF BRAZIL.

One coin, a gold “half-joe,” issued in 1832, with the infant head of Dom Pedro, is very beautiful. By the side of this, in every way a contrast to it, is a series of copper coins of a late issue with the head of the “child” now seated on the throne. The coins of Bolivia proudly present the bust of Simon Bolivar. Among the West Indies are many samples of “cut money.” The law permitting money to be quartered had to be repealed, because the traders of the West Indies made the wonderful mathematical discovery that _five quarters_ make a whole!

* * * * *

Leaving both the eastern and the western world and their coins, there is a single piece, of small commercial value, which is yet a light-house in mid-ocean. This is the one cent of the Sandwich Islands, the only venture of that kind made by the enterprising little kingdom. The inscription is “Kamehameha III., one hundredth, Hawaii.” The name of the king being interpreted signifies “the solitary one,” which is singularly well adapted to the coin.

COLONIAL COINS.

In 1684, the charter of the Massachusetts Bay Company was revoked, and the governor recalled; one of the alleged grievances by the crown was a colonial law concerning the Mint. The currency used by the colonies was chiefly from England, Spain, and Portugal, but the supply was limited from these sources, and the mother-country was jealous of any infringement of her prerogative of coinage. There are various specimens of the “pine-tree” money of Massachusetts in the Cabinet. Some doubt has arisen as to the species of tree intended, but it is generally accepted as the emblematic pine. This is claimed to be about the second colonial issue, a kind of semi-official coin. The first was from the Bermudas.[13] It is a shilling piece, stamped by one John Hall, silversmith, of the city of Boston, 1652, who made a very good speculation of the privilege. There has lately been added to the Cabinet a sixpence of this rare money. The work on this species of coins is so exceedingly simple as to present little save a planchet. On the obverse, a double ring around a pine-tree; legend, “Massachusetts in;” and on the reverse, a double ring also, containing the legend, “New England An Dom.[14]”

Charles II., it appears, was easily deceived in regard to the significance of the “pine-tree shilling.” Sir Thomas Temple, a friend of the colonies, adroitly presented one of these obnoxious coins to the irate monarch, explaining that the tree was the “royal oak” which had saved his majesty’s life. Whereupon the king, laughing, denominated his trans-Atlantic subjects “honest dogs,” and allowed the coinage to proceed.

During the reign of George I. a new species of coin was issued from the English Mint, denomination half penny, and it is asserted upon good authority that this was the only issue ever authorized by the home government for general circulation in the colonies. It was a coin of mixed metal, resembling brass. The head of the king was on the obverse; inscription, “Georgius Rex.” The reverse, a large double rose under a crown; legend, “Rosa Americana.” Upon a scroll, “Utile Dulci.[15]”

“Peltry,” we learn, was one of the principal articles of currency, and was known as “pelt,” or Massachusetts currency, and was extensively used in trading between Indians and whites, sometimes called “Beaver Money,” “Corne, Wheate, Barley, and Rye;” and a still more quaint currency was established, as will be found in an old Massachusetts court order, as follows: “_It is likewise ordered that muskett balletts of a full boare shall passe current for a farthing a peece, provided that noe man be compelled to take above 12d. att a tyme of them._”

In Maryland, not only cattle, tobacco, and other produce was accepted as currency, but powder and shot were also included. Lord Baltimore, in 1660, sent over to Maryland the “Baltimore” shilling. In the colonial case there is a series of these exceedingly rare coins. They were a shilling, sixpence, groats, and are all of the same design, differing only in denomination. They were coined in London, and compare favorably with any minting of that age. The bust of Lord Baltimore on the obverse is very well cut; his name “Cecil,” is the legend. On the reverse, the coat of arms of Cecil, Lord Baltimore, is given; this device has been re-adopted by the State of Maryland. The substitution of any legal tender seems to be fraught with danger, and at best is jealously scanned by the people; and there was trouble to put this coin into circulation. The people, though demanding coin, did not yield their old currency of “_wheat, corn, tobacco, powder, and shot_,” without a demonstration. The Carolinas, Virginia, and New Hampshire all followed Maryland in the introduction of a colonial coinage.

In the interval of the Revolution, known as the Confederacy, the growth of the spirit of independence in the people is plainly written on their coins, especially upon their tokens or individual coins. We notice one inscription attributed to Franklin, “_Mind your business_;” and others, such as “_Good copper_,” “_Cut your way through_,” and like characteristic expressions. The “New York Doubloon” was coined in 1787, value sixteen dollars. This coin is highly esteemed by reason of its rarity, and its market value to-day is about five hundred dollars, as only three or four are known to be in existence.

The Washington cent of 1791 (so-called) was not a coin of the United States, but was struck at a private mint in Birmingham, England, (Boulton’s), partly, no doubt, to bespeak the “job,” and partly to _please Americans_ generally.

It has been said that Washington objected to putting his head on the coins, and it may be true; but it was also objected that no man’s head should appear on the coin of a republic, which, whether good doctrine or not, is still the prevailing idea. The “cent of 1791” is of two types, one very rare and costly, with a small eagle. The other, with a large eagle, is more common, and perhaps sells for about five dollars at a public coin sale.

UNITED STATES COINS.

The first copper coins made by the United States Mint were one cent and one-half cent issues, of which there were four designs: 1st, the “chain cent;” 2d, the “wreath cent;” 3d, the “flowing hair;” and 4th, the “liberty cap,” which was used for a number of years. The “chain” device was not acceptable to the sensitive American mind, and of consequence the accidental breaking of the die was not a subject of regret, but “quite the contrary.” The pattern sections of United States coins are very beautiful and varied, especially those in gold.

THE TRADE DOLLAR.

This coin bears on the obverse a female figure seated on bales of merchandise, holding in her left hand a scroll on which is the word “liberty.” At her back is a sheaf of wheat; this and the bales of goods indicate the commercial character of the coin. Her right hand, extended, offers the olive branch. On a scroll beneath the figure are the words “In God we trust,” and the date below, “1873.” The reverse has a circling inscription, “United States of America, Trade Dollar.” In the centre is an eagle, in his claws three arrows and a sprig of olive. On a label above are the words “E Pluribus Unum.” Below, “420 grains fine,” very beautiful in design.

HISTORY OF THE TRADE DOLLAR.

The coinage of the Trade Dollar was authorized by act of February 12, 1873, and was not intended for circulation in the United States, but for export to China.

It was designed to compete with the Spanish and Mexican dollar. That empire, having no mint for the coinage of gold or silver, depended upon foreign coin for its domestic circulation, and until the institution of the Trade Dollar the principal shipments of coin to China were in the form of Mexican dollars.

The Trade Dollar was made a trifle more valuable than the American and Mexican dollar, thus not only affording a market for the surplus silver of the mines of the Pacific Coast, but furnishing merchants and importers from China with silver in a convenient form for payment for commodities, instead of their being obliged to purchase Mexican dollars for that purpose.

When its coinage was authorized it was inadvertently made a legal tender to amount of five dollars, but this was repealed by section 2, Act of July 22, 1876.

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE STANDARD SILVER DOLLAR.

Authorized to be coined, Act of April 2, 1792. Weight, 416 grains, standard silver; fineness, 892.4; equivalent to 371¼ grains of fine silver, with 44¾ grains alloy of pure copper.

Weight changed, Act of January 18, 1837, to 412½ grains, and fineness changed to 900, preserving the same amount of pure silver = 371¼ grains, with ⅒ alloy.

Coinage discontinued, Act of February 12, 1873.

Total amount coined, from 1792 to 1873, $8,045,838.

Coinage revived, two million dollars per month required to be coined, and issue made legal tender for all debts, public and private, Act of February 28, 1878.

Total amount coined, February 28, 1878, to November 1, 1884, $184,730,829.

PACIFIC COAST.

The semi-official coins of the Pacific coast present quite a glittering array of monetary enterprise, and signify the great wealth and daring spirit of that part of the world. The fifty-dollar octagon gold piece, issued in 1851, is a very beautiful coin. “Gold slugs” are novelties; are oblong gold pieces, and are valued at sixteen dollars. The Utah coins also attract attention. They are of gold, fine. The device is an “all-seeing eye” and two clasped hands; reverse, “a bee-hive,” with inscription, “Holiness to the Lord.” Some have for legend, “G. S. L. C. P. G.,” which the initiated receive as “Great Salt Lake City, Pure Gold.”

The series of the United States coins is complete, and can be readily examined. The changes have been very gradual. The motto, “In God we trust,” was introduced in 1866.

There is one specimen which illustrates how a coin may become famous without the least premonition, and also is a witness of the positive law which protects and governs coinage. A law passed Congress in 1849 ordering twenty-dollar gold pieces to be issued. One piece was struck. Something intervened to delay the work, and the year closed; then, of course, the dies had to be destroyed, as no more could be lawfully issued of 1849. The coin just beside this, marked 1850, of same value, is not worth the collector’s consideration, while “1849” cannot to be purchased. It is marked “unique,” and is really the only one in gold. One specimen exists in brass.

COINS OF THE SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY.

It has been said and repeated as a historical fact that the Southern Confederacy had no metallic currency. After a lapse of eighteen years the following official document from the Confederate archives explains itself, and substantiates the fact that silver to a limited extent was coined at the New Orleans Mint by order of the Confederate Government, in the early days of the rebellion, and only suspended operations on account of the difficulty in obtaining bullion for coinage.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, _March 27, 1879_.

DR. B. F. TAYLOR, _New Orleans, La._

DEAR SIR:—The enclosed circular will explain to you the nature
of the duties upon which I am now engaged; I would like to have
from you, from file with confederate archives, a letter stating
when you were appointed Chief Coiner of the Confederate States
Mint, instructions received copies of the originals of any
official papers, sketches, descriptions, etc., of all the coins
made, etc. This will make a valuable addition to Confederate
history, and I know no one but you can give it.

Very truly yours,

MARCUS J. WRIGHT.

NEW ORLEANS, LA., _April 7, 1879_.

TO HON. MARCUS J. WRIGHT.

DEAR SIR:—Your favor requesting a statement of the history of
the New Orleans Mint, in reference to the coinage under the
Confederate Government, is received. That institution was
turned over by the State of Louisiana, the last of February,
1861, to the Confederate States of America, the old officers
being retained and confirmed by the government, viz.: Wm. A.
Elmore, Superintendent; A. J. Guyrot, Treasurer; M. F. Bonzano,
M. D., Melter and Refiner; and Howard Millspaugh, Assayer.
In the month of April, orders were issued by Mr. Memminger,
Secretary of the Treasury, to the effect that designs for
half-dollars should be submitted to him for approval. Among
several sent, the one approved bore on the obverse of the coin
a representation of the Goddess of Liberty, surrounded by
thirteen stars, denoting the thirteen States from whence the
Confederacy sprung, and on the lower rim the figures, 1861. On
the reverse there is a shield with seven stars, representing
the seceding States; above the shield is a liberty-cap,
and entwined around it stalks of sugar cane and cotton,
“Confederate States of America.” The dies were engraved by A.
H. M. Peterson, Engraver and Die Sinker, who is now living in
Commercial Place. They were prepared for the coining press
by Conrad Schmidt, foreman of the coining room (who is still
living), from which _four pieces only_ were struck. About this
period an order came from the secretary suspending operations
on account of the difficulty of obtaining bullion, and the Mint
was closed April 30, 1861.

Of the four pieces mentioned, one was sent to the Government,
one presented to Prof. Biddle, of the University of Louisiana,
one sent to Dr. E. Ames of New Orleans, the remaining one being
retained by myself. Upon diligent inquiry I am unable to find
but one piece besides my own, that being in the possession of a
Confederate officer of this city, who transmitted it to his son
as a souvenir of his father’s in the Confederate cause.

So soon as copies are made I will take pleasure in sending you
a specimen for the archives you represent.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. F. TAYLOR, M. D.
_Formerly Chief Coiner C. S. A._

The most notable and valuable silver coin is the dollar of 1804. It is said that the scarcity of this dollar was owing to the sinking of a China-bound vessel having on board almost the entire mintage of the 1804 dollars in lieu of the Spanish milled dollars. It is believed that there are not more than seven, possibly eight, genuine 1804 dollars extant. The rarity of the piece and the almost fabulous prices offered for it are patent facts.

SKETCH OF THE 1804 DOLLAR.[16]

This coin among collectors is known as the “king of American rarities.” But seven or eight pieces are known to exist. The 1804 dollars are of two classes, to wit: first, originals, which are from but one obverse and one reverse die,—draped bust of Liberty facing right; the head bound with a fillet; hair flowing; 6 stars before and 7 behind the bust above LIBERTY, upper right hand star almost touching letter y; reverse heraldic eagle bearing on his breast a broad shield, in his beak a scroll, inscribed E PLURIBUS UNUM; 12 arrows in right talon, a branch of olive in left; above, an arc of clouds from wing to wing of eagle; in field beneath 13 stars; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; edge lettered ONE HUNDRED CENTS, ONE DOLLAR OR UNIT, which are lightly struck in some parts. The first specimen in the Mint Cabinet weighs 415.2 grs.; second, Mr. M. A. Stickney procured from the Mint in 1843 in exchange for other coins; third, W. S. Appleton bought, at an advance of $750, in 1868, from E. Cogan, who purchased it from W. A. Lilliendahl, who bought it at a sale of collection of J. J. Mickley, 1867, for $750; fourth, L. G. Parmelee bought, at sale of E. H. Sandford’s collection, 1874, for $700, who obtained it in 1868 from an aged lady, who got it at the Mint many years before; fifth, W. B. Wetmore bought of Mr. Parmelee, 1868, for $600, from sale of H. S. Adams’ collection, 1876, at $500, from sale of M. J. Cohen’s collection, 1875, at $325 (in fair condition); sixth, present owner unknown to us, formerly in possession of collection of Mr. Robert C. Davis, of Philadelphia, and recently sold for $1200; seventh, S. H. and H. Chapman purchased October, 1884, at a sale in Berlin, and resold to a Mr. Scott, a dealer in coins, for $1000 at their Philadelphia sale, in May, 1885.

_Restrikes._ There were struck at the Mint in 1858 restrikes with plain edges, of which three were recovered after diligent search; two of these were destroyed in the Mint, and the other placed in the Cabinet, where it remains. The difference between these and the originals are as follows: obverse, the original die was re-cut in the word LIBERTY, the stars and date, which made them larger and deeper, especially noticeable in the stars, which are broadened; also in the date, it making the outline sharp and square, whereas in the originals they are somewhat rounded; reverse, not having the original die, they used another, which differs in many respects, most easily noticeable in that the A touches the eagle’s claw, the OF much nearer of the end of eagle’s wing than S in States (in the original it is equally spaced); edge, plain; weight, 381.5 grains. One specimen is in the Mint and another in England,—struck between 1860 and 1869, as in the latter year all dies remaining were destroyed, same as the above, but endeavors were made to letter the edges in the absence of a complete collar by using pieces of collars which did not contain all the letters, but repeated some of them several times. There was one of these pieces sold in the Berg collection in 1883 for $740, and showed all the peculiarities mentioned, and its weight was said to be inaccurate. The dies were destroyed in the winter of 1868-69. No counterfeit dies of the 1804 dollar were ever made. After the close of each year all dies are now destroyed.

DOUBLE EAGLE.

Among the rare coins in the Cabinet at the Mint is a Double Eagle. The dies for this piece were made in 1849, and only one was struck. “UNIQUE” and beyond price. There is also a Quarter Eagle of 1842, and the only one known extant at the Mint.

SELECTIONS.

Having referred many times to this case, it may be as well to append the entire list of its contents, as they, almost without exception, are rare, spanning the world from remotest antiquity to the present day, beginning with the gold Daric of Darius, and ending with the twenty-mark piece of Kaiser William.

GREECE.

1. Four drachma, Athens, B. C. 500; 2. Oboloi of Athens; 3. One-half obolos, 1⅓ of a cent; 4. Daric, Darius, of Persia, B. C. 520, value, five dollars and fifty cents; 5. Silver Daric; 6. Brass Ob. Berenice, B. C. 284; 7. Ptolemy and Berenice, copy; 8. Maneh of Ptolemy Philadelphus, B. C. 284, value, $17.70; 9. Drachma, Cyrene, B. C. 322; 10. Coin of Syracuse, copy, about B. C. 300; 11. Silver coin, Bactria, B. C. 126; 12. Brass of Bactria, B. C. 180; 13. Cleopatra, B. C. 30; 13_a_. Denarius of Cleopatra and Mark Antony; 14. Alexander the Great, B. C. 36; 15. Philip, B. C. 323; 16. Stater of Seleucus; 17. Alexander Balas, B. C. 150; 18. Antiochus VI; 19. Philip, King of Syria, B. C. 93.

ROME.

20. Roman aes, B. C. 500; 21. Denarius of Augustus, B. C. 31; 22. Tiberius, A. D. 14; 23. Simon, Bar Cochab, false Christ, A. D. 133; 24. Vespasian, A. D. 49; 25. Gold bezants, A. D. 610; 26. Justinian, A. D. 527; 26_a_. Kingdom of Cyprus and Jerusalem, Peter 1, 1361 to 1372, testoon, Kingdom of Jerusalem; 26_b_. Amaury II., 1194 to 1205.

ENGLISH.

27. Gold of Britain; 28. Carausius, Roman Emperor of Britain, A. D. 287; 29. Penny of Ethelbert, King of Kent, 858 A. D.; 30. Harold the Dane, A. D. 1036; 31. William the Conqueror, 1066, A. D.; 32. Edward the Confessor, A. D. 1041; 33. Robert the Bruce, A. D. 1306; 34. Elizabeth, Double Ryal, A. D. 1558; 35. James I, 1603, Ryal (30 shillings) and sovereign; 36. Charles I, sovereign; 37. Siege pound of Charles I, 1642; 37_a_. Gold sovereign of Oliver Cromwell; 38. Crown, and half crown and shilling, Oliver Cromwell, 1658; 38_a_. Farthing, Queen Anne; 39. George IV; 40. Coins of Australia.

FRANCE.

41. Deniers of Charlemagne, 806; 42. Medalet, Marie Antoinette; 43. Five francs, Napoleon I; 44. Gold, Napoleon I, 1851; 45. Five francs, Paris Commune.

GERMANY.

46. Bracteats; 47. German Crown, Ob. St. Stephen; 48. Ducat, Ob. Luther and Melanchthon, 1730; 49. Crown, Maximilian, A. D. 1615; 50. Ducat, Nuremburg; 51. Ducat Hamburg; 52. Monument, Bavaria; 53. King’s family, Bavaria; 54. Coins of Prussia; 55. Silver piece, Frederick William and Augusta.

SPAIN.

56. Ferdinand and Isabella; 57. Charles II., Spain; 58. Alphonso, Spain.

ITALY.

59. Silver of Venice under the Doges, twelfth century; 60. Ducat of Venice; 61. Copper of San Marino; 62. Silver piece of Lombardy; 63. Gold twenty lira piece; 64. Swiss crown, ob. St. Vincent; 65. African shell money; 66. African ring money.

ORIENTAL.

67. Siamese coins; 68. Chinese tael; 69. Widow’s mite; 70. Jewish shekel; 70_a_. Herod the Great, 37 B C.; 70_b_. Herod Archelaus, 4 B. C.; 71. Glass coin, Egypt; 72. Gold of Alnaser, A. D. 1222; 73. Dirhem of Mahomet V., A. D. 854; 74. Dirhem of Walid, Caliph of Damascus, A. D. 713; 75. Haroun Alraschid, Koran text, 806; 76. Fire Worshippers, A. D. 300; 77. Gold of Japan, 1634; 78. Gravel stone of Burmah; 79. Late coin of Turkey; 80. Mexican dollar used in China; 81. Coin of Cochin China.

The most notable coin in this case, and perhaps the most celebrated coin in the world, is the “Widow’s Mite.” Its name bespeaks its commercial insignificance. Yet visitors every day, upon entering the Cabinet of the Mint, ask first to see the “Widow’s Mite.”

The following letter from Wm. E. Du Bois, will be found of interest to the reader.

THE WIDOW’S MITE.

SIR: The curators of the mint cabinet do not consent to the
intimation in a statement recently made that their widow’s mite
is not the real coin.

The expression of a doubt as to any received fact is thought
to be a sign of superior insight. Hence we have so much
“destructive criticism,” a good deal of it being fatal to the
critic himself.

The widow’s mite in our showcase of specialties, always
attracting much attention, is precisely what the Scriptures
speak of—a _lepton_, the smallest of Greek and Syriac coins.
The name comes from _leptos_, very small. The word “mite” is
English, and was formerly a weight representing the twentieth
part of a grain, but has long fallen into disuse. It was
employed in the translation of the New Testament to represent
the word _lepton_, simply because it was so very small.

It is pretty certain that there was no Jewish or Hebrew coin
so small as the _lepton_; that people depended very much upon
outside coins for their circulation. Even their money terms
had changed to those of the Syrian-Greek Empire and of Rome,
as we see from all the instances in the New Testament. What
few copper or bronze pieces they had, struck by local princes
for a limited time, and now very rare, were large enough to
bear a show of devices and inscriptions, for which the _lepton_
was too minute. The one in our cabinet has a diameter of only
three-tenths of an inch, and weighs but ten grains. On one side
nothing is discernible, on the other a mint monogram, such as
were common in that era, occupies the space. It is much like
the letter x, with a line crossing it near the top. Whether it
is Samaritan, or Syriac, or Greek, we cannot be sure; nor is
it of any consequence. It is enough to show that it is a coin,
and belongs to the age shortly before and after the advent of
Christ, and its size proves it to be a _lepton_.

It is an interesting and confirmatory fact, that this piece
was found among the rubbish of the Temple grounds, by Dr.
Barclay, long resident in Jerusalem, and author of “The City of
the Great King.” By him it was presented to the mint cabinet.
The objector may soberly doubt whether this was one of the
identical mites offered by the widow; for the rest of his
doubts they are of no value.

We are often asked how much this famous offering amounted to?
There is some obscurity and confusion about their coin-tables,
and, therefore, some variety in the estimation. We may say,
however, that the current value of the _lepton_, or mite, was
about one-fifth of a cent in our money; being eighty to the
drachma or denarius, which was 16 or 15 cents.

But as the purchasing or paying power of a drachma was probably
as great in that day and country as a dollar is in ours, we
may say that the value of a lepton, judged by our ideas, was
about one cent. As the treasurer would not take a less gift
than two _lepta_, it follows that the poor but very liberal
woman contributed fully two cents, which is more than some
persons—neither poor nor in widowhood—throw into the church
basket.

It is worth while to add that a visitor at the mint saw a
similar piece in Jerusalem, and tried to obtain one, but on
account of its rarity did not succeed.

W. E. D.

DONATIONS OF OLD COINS.

_Extract from the American Journal of Numismatics, April, 1884._

Under the head of donations, we have from Quartermaster General
Meigs, a half-dollar and pistareen of Carolus and Johana of
Spain. These pieces were presented to General Meigs at Corpus
Christi, Texas, in 1870. The special interest attached to them,
is their having been found on the beach of Padre Island, off
the southerly coast of Texas. The supposition is that they were
washed up from a sunken treasure ship wrecked on the coast,
while carrying funds to the Army of Cortez, who entered the
City of Mexico in 1519. Their good condition may warrant our
accepting this briny romance _Cum grano salis_. Antiquarian
stories must expect to stand the test of the chemist, as
well as of the historian. This reminds me, however, of some
specimens of the Mint Cabinet, from the wreck of the San Pedro,
some account of which may not be uninteresting here.[17] “Early
in 1815, a naval armament was fitted out in Spain, by Ferdinand
VII., for the purpose of reducing the Rebellious Colonies in
South America. The military force of this expedition amounted
to ten thousand men, of whom two thousand were on board the
flag ship “San Pedro.” The vessel was also freighted to a large
amount with gunpowder, cannon balls and specie.”

The account then goes on to state that the fleet touched at the
Island of Marguerita near the coast of Venezuela. After leaving
the island, the vessel took fire, burnt four hours until the
magazine caught and exploded, and the wreck went down with four
hundred men. The right of working the wreck, was granted about
thirty years after, to a Baltimore Company, known as the “San
Pedro Company.” Divers were set to work, and the wreck found in
sixty feet of water on a hard bed of coral. Over this there was
a deposit of mud, and again over this a layer of coral, which
had to be pierced to arrive at the treasure.

The Spanish dollars recovered were sent to Philadelphia, and
(up to September, 1848) about seventy-five thousand dollars had
been recovered and re-coined. The dollars were much corroded
and encrusted, the coating having first to be removed, to
bring the pieces into fit condition for minting; the loss from
corrosion was considerable; one dollar with the impression
still visible, being reduced to thirty-four cents in value. In
the light of these and other facts, it is difficult to conceive
how the pieces found in Texas, could have come so clean from
their reputed berth, of over three hundred years, but they are
worth keeping for all that, and General Meigs has the thanks of
the Republic for them.

COLONIAL COINAGES.

NOVA CONSTELLATIO “QUINT.” 1783.

NOVA CONSTELLATIO “MARK.” 1783.

NOVA CONSTELLATIO, IMMUNE COLUMBIA.

SOMMER ISLAND SHILLING. “HOGGIE.”

NEW JERSEY IMMUNIS.

CONFEDERATIO INIMICA, ETC.

See description.]

CONNECTICUT CENT, 1787.

NEW ENGLAND ELEPHANT TOKEN. VERY RARE. 1694.

GOOD SAMARITAN SHILLING, MASS.

MASSACHUSETTS HALF CENT. 1787.

MASSACHUSETTS CENT.

NEW YORK.

See description.]

NOVA CONSTELLATIO.

Obverse: An eye, the center of a glory, thirteen points cross, equidistant; a circle of as many stars. Legend: “NOVA CONSTELLATIO.”

Reverse: “U. S. 500” inscribed in two lines, a wreath surrounding. Legend: “LIBERTAS JUSTITIA 1783.” Border, beaded; edge, leaf work. Known as the “Quint.”

No. 2.—Obverse: An eye, around which a narrow, plain, circular field; outside a glory, thirteen points cross, equidistant; a circle of as many stars. Legend: “NOVA CONSTELLATIO.”

Reverse: “U. S. 1000” inscribed in two lines, a wreath surrounding. Legend: “LIBERTAS JUSTITIA 1783.” Border, a wreath of leaves; edge, leaf work; silver; size, 21; weight, 270 grains. Known as the “Mark.”

THE IMMUNE COLUMBIA.

Obverse: An eye, on a small, plain, circular field; from the outside of the field radiates a glory of thirteen blunt points, crossing, equidistant, the spaces between as many stars in a circular constellation. Legend: “NOVA CONSTELLATIO.” Border, serrated.

Reverse: The Goddess of Liberty, seated upon a paneled cubic pedestal, facing right; her left hand is well extended and balances the scales of justice. A short liberty staff, crowned with a cap and bearing a flag, rests against her right shoulder, and is supported by the right hand. Legend: “IMMUNE COLUMBIA.” Exergue: the date 1785. Border, serrated; edge, plain or milled; size, 17; weight, gold, 128.8 grains; silver, 92 grains; copper 148 grains.

BERMUDA SHILLING—(“HOGGE-PENNY”).