Additinal background for Carson Mint dollars (and others before 1881)

[RogerB]

Letter from Sptd Snowden to Dir. Burchard October 6, 1880.

Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th inst., enclosing a copy of a letter from the Coiner of the Mint at Carson City, addressed to the Superintendent of that Mint, and have also to acknowledge the receipt, by express of two standard silver dollars, and two reverse die for the same.

I am not surprised at the complaint of the Coiner, that the reverse die he refers to are defective and difficult to work. The only surprise I experience is, that he has not drawn attention to the subject long since.

The history of the standard dollar dies is quite familiar to me and a statement of it will clear up the whole difficulty.

The first hubs for the standard silver dollars were found so defective on account of the haste in their preparation, that they were condemned on my own recommendation, although I was then not an officer of the Mint.

The second hubs were prepared also under great pressure. These were also defective. The defects were pointed out to the Director Dr. Linderman, but he was so anxious to have the different mints commence of the coinage of the standard dollars, that he ordered dies from hubs to be prepared and forwarded to the different Mint. These are the dies complained of by the Coiner of Carson City Mint. Accompanying the transmission of these dies, was a letter of instructions, stating their defects, acquainting the officer of the difficulties they would encounter in their use, which are substantially the same as those pointed out by the Coiner at Carson City, to the Superintendent in his late letter.

The shipment of dies to Carson City with these instructions was made April 8th 1878.

To remedy the defect in these dies the Director came to Philadelphia and summoned me to meet him at the Mint, which I did, and at his request I pointed out to the Engraver the defects in his hubs, to wit: that the dies struck therefrom had too great a radius and were basined on 13 and 18, whereas they should be basined, in my judgement, on No. 20 obverse and [No.] 25 reverse.

I also pointed out the necessity of cutting away enough of the ground of the hub to allow proper basining.

The third hub was made in conformity with my suggestions and the dies prepared therefrom have proven entirely satisfactory.

It will therefore be seen that the perfect coin forwarded by the Superintendent of the Carson City Mint is struck from dies prepared for the third hub, whilst the defective coin is from the second hub forwarded. The dies from the second hub which were first sent to Carsen City should have long since been destroyed, and their places taken by dies from the perfected hub. [Ed - third hub]

I find from the record that there have been sixty-five reverse standard dollar dies sent to the Mint at Carson City. Fifteen of these from the last and perfect hub. It may be proper in this communication to state that all the dies for the different Mints are prepared from the same hub, under like circumstances and conditions, and therefore they must be uniform in all respects. The complaint from any one Mint as to the character of a die would apply to all the dies of the same denomination, in use in all the Mints. As no complaint of this kind has been presented, since I have been Superintendent of the Mint, except the one under consideration, I presume the difficulty lies in the dies taken from the second standard dollar hub prepared.

If there is any further information desired I shall be happy to furnish it, or, if it is thought best, I would be glad for all the dies to be sent here for examination, although I can see no particular advantage resulting therefrom.

[Mike7E]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[shortnock]

"I have the honor to acknowledge," being able to read all the cool information that Roger shares.

[lioncutter]

THANKS, for some great VAM history.

[RogerB]

The letter might help explain some of the Carson varieties for 1880.

[vamnuke]

[messydesk]

Great info! Thanks for posting.

[RogerB]

I leave it to the "VAMpire community" to apply the information as appropriate. But, do not hesitate to ask any questions that come to mind.

[HawkeEye]

Great research and find as always

[demetri]

Wow what a great find, there is so much to explore. Vam world just gets better and better. Thanks for the info.