Signature Set Overview
Set Category:
Thematic & Topical Coins
Set Name:
Transitional Pieces of 1836-40
Set Theme:
This is a type set of coinage minted from 1836 through 1840. It represents all major type and subtype pieces and includes all denominations minted at the time.
Set Description:
This set represents a new endeavor in my collecting and will take me a long period of time to assemble. My goal is not to collect every date and Mint mark combination in the period or every variety of the period, as some of the date/MM and varietal pieces are quite rare and thus expensive! Rather, my goal is to collect beautiful and original coins that present strong character in representing major type and subtype changes in this transitional period for the U.S. Mint.
The impetus for this set came when studying seated coinage and the seated Liberty effigy in American coinage. There is much to say of the seated Liberty adorning our coinage for so many years of the 19th century, and I'll get to that below. However, there are four seminal figures in Mint History that deserve mention here. The first is the fifth Director of the Mint, Samuel Moore, who in 1831 wrote President Andrew Jackson to lift the sanctions against silver dollar mintage. Nearing retirement in 1835, Moore directed veteran Engraver William Kneass to implement many improvements in the appearance of coinage of the time. Following Moore's retirement from the Mint, Robert Maskell Patterson would become the new Director. (R.M. Patterson was the Philadelphia born son of fourth Mint Director (1805-1824) Robert Patterson, senior). On August 27th, 1835, tragedy struck Kneass who suffered a debilitating stroke that required the new Director to act swiftly on behalf of bringing a new Engraver on board. This was the final impetus to hire Christian Gobrecht as Engraver.
Gobrecht began study of die engraving and was quick to implement changes and improvements in the face of coinage by 1836. A new half dollar design crafted by Gobrecht (based on Reich’s capped bust) appeared in 1836, as well as a new dollar design, which was first minted as a regular issue on December 31, 1836.
Gobrecht implemented many design modifications throughout all denominations from the half cent through the ten dollar gold piece (eagle). Gobrecht is, perhaps, best known for his design of the so-called Gobrecht dollar, which was the first silver dollar minted since 1803. The so-called Gobrecht dollar, which bears a seated figure of Liberty on the obverse, and a flying eagle on the reverse in a field of 26 stars (one for each state in the Union), was largely the brainchild of Director Patterson. Gobrecht’s seated Liberty was modified in 1840 by the skilled hands of Robert Ball Hughes, who is said to have been employed by Patterson to refine the effigy of Liberty, lower the relief of the design, and improve the design for metal flow across the die.
One might claim, rightfully, that the concept of a seated Liberty, a uniquely American interpretation of the allegorical seated figure, belongs strictly to its inventor, Robert M. Patterson. (The concept of a flying eagle in a field (sky, really) of stars is also Patterson’s own concept.) In his book entitled Numismatic Art in America, Cornelius Vermeule states “… the seated Liberty on the obverse of the silver dollar and its divisions is a thoroughly American creation…” Vermeule and others indicate that the portrait of a seated Liberty arose from the effigy of Britannia (defender of England) found on British coins of the time, which was inspired by Greek and Roman forms. Thus, the influence for the development of the seated Liberty figure on American coinage arises in its most primal form from ancient roots.
Gobrecht’s seated Liberty sits on a rock or stone pedestal (plinth). (On English coinage of the time, Britannia sat atop a rock representing the island of England.) The presence of a plinth is in likeness to statues atop a stone pedestal. One might think of this as presenting Liberty in statuesque form, which the high relief of the Gobrecht dollar does, but might also be considered an elevated place of honor, much like a stone throne. Liberty is adorned with a chiton, which is a long, flowing tunic worn typically by rulers and those of high status in ancient Greece. The chiton is buttoned at the shoulder, and the folds of Liberty’s chiton are fashioned to flow naturally, and are quite similar in form to those of the seated Britannia. Liberty holds the shield of the United States before her (as did Britannia hold England’s shield), while resting it firmly in her hand. The thirteen vertical stripes of the shield (or “paleways”) alternate red or gules (stripes in relief) and white or argent (stripes incuse), which stand for the red and white of the flag and symbolize its heraldry or high rank among nations. The horizontal stripes of the top portion of the shield represent blue or azure, indicating a clear, azure sky, the unclouded vault of heaven. Across the great shield is scrolled LIBERTY, which in the antiquity of U.S. coinage is the “parent of science and industry” (industry being the that of the industrious person and personage of the nation). Liberty holds in her left hand the pole and pileus or Phrygian cap (while Britannia held the trident of Neptune), which represents freedom from servitude and independence of all members of a nation, as well as the nation at large. The pileus, like Liberty’s chiton, have roots in ancient Greek symbolism. Last, but not least, Liberty herself is at ease, with stretched out legs that are slightly crossed, yet ready, as indicated by her slight bend forward and a look of vigilance over her shoulder. Her eye is large, as she is the watcher and keeper of a vigilant nation. Simultaneously, Liberty’s face is slightly raised, as if to the azure blue.
If we look back to the roots of Liberty or Britannia, then we find ourselves in the firmament of Roman and Greek symbolism. Indeed, a look through Ancient Greek and Roman Coins, by Zander H. Klawans, K.E. Bressett, Ed., reveals that the Romans had many of their allegorical effigies stamped into seated figures on coins. Among these, I found Chastity/Modesty, Justice, Piety/Dutifulness, Patience/Endurance, Fortune, Indulgence/Mercy, Corn Harvest (Plenty), Peace, and Security/Confidence. What a line-up of virtues! And leaping back even further into similar symbols of the Greeks, one can find the three goddesses – thought in Patterson’s time to be the Fates – seated atop their stone thrones in the east pediment of the Parthenon, circa 432-438 B.C. These, of course, were symbolic of the destiny of the nation and its people. In a deep sense, therefore, the virtue of Liberty is passed to us in a classic form, the seated Liberty, and harkens the destiny of our nation.
Please enjoy this set, as it has so very much to offer a collector and one interested in the history of our coinage. You will note that some slots are filled with dates outside of the date range for the set. This is simply due to the necessity of collecting affordable pieces that are exemplary of what belongs here. I will attempt to add notes to each of the denominations as I find them along the collecting paths –I have a long way to go (and may never finish)! Hoot (Mark Hooten), September 30, 2005.
Owner:
Hoot
Views:
795
Signature Set Details:
| USA - 1C 1837 MDS N-3 | - 1C 1839 PETITE BN HEAD N-8 | USA - 5C 1840 EDS |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| Enlarge | Enlarge | Enlarge | Enlarge | Enlarge | Enlarge |
| Owner's Description: The example I have provided is an 1837 “plain cord” cent, which is the Head of 1836 Modified Matron Head subtype. The coin is a very nicely preserved middle grade, N-3 variety that is an early middle die state (MDS), as it does not prominently exhibit the die crack circling the reverse legend, typical of the variety. Very lovely, dark chocolate brown surfaces that are fundamentally problem-free. An A+ example. | Owner's Description: The current piece is among the finest that I’ve had the pleasure of seeing the course of collecting. Surfaces of the coin have verily no circulation evidence, save for the mildest hint of rub on the high points of the reverse, which may have resulted from cabinet friction. The patina is a rich red-brown and a great deal of Mint luster remains. Overall a superb specimen, and one that I’d add repeatedly to my collection if these were readily available as such. | Owner's Description: The current piece is a stunning example of this subtype. Originally obtained raw, this is one of the thick-skinned survivors that dodged years of cleaning and dipping to keep it “white.” I am most grateful for that and the fact that the denomination is so diminutive that these little pieces were likely ignored for “cleaning” when the larger denominations were polished up “perrty.” With only the slightest hints of rub, this piece boasts fabulous luster, and thick, colorful bands of concentric ... |
| View Coin Details | View Coin Details | View Coin Details |
|
| - 10C 1838 O No Drapery | USA - 25C 1838 No Drapery | USA - 50C 1836 EDS O-102 |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| Enlarge | Enlarge | Enlarge | Enlarge | Enlarge | Enlarge |
| Owner's Description: The originality of this piece simply leaps up and screams at the onlooker. This piece saw a great deal of circulation, obviously, but the depth of its usage is manifest in its “circulated charm.” Only the hit on Liberty’s cheek is of distraction, and in-hand, even that does not cause the eye to focus, as the rest of the coin is graced with an undeniable beauty. A magnificent piece of history. | Owner's Description: My eyes bugged out upon seeing this coin for the first time. It came to me raw, which is how I’d have preferred it to remain in my collection, but my concerns for its long-term survival and my desire to include it in this set compelled me to submit it for grading. Such an original piece is vastly under-valued among collectors, and I feel lucky to have obtained it for the going AU price! Crusty, colorful, and stunningly original is how I’d typically describe this rare beauty. It grades XF onl... | Owner's Description: The present piece is a wonderfully toned and completely original lettered edge bust half of Kneass’s “modified matron head” transitional variety. I laid my eyes on this in my early renaissance of coin collecting and instantly purchased the coin (raw) without knowing a thing about the series! This turned out to be quite the right reaction, and I held the coin for some time before submitting it to NGC for grading and attribution. The Overton 102 variety for 1836 is quite common (considered an R... |
| View Coin Details | View Coin Details | View Coin Details |
|
| USA - 50C 1838 MDS | USA - 50C 1839 EDS No Drapery | - 50C 1840 MDS WB-102 |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| Enlarge | Enlarge | Enlarge | Enlarge | Enlarge | Enlarge |
| Owner's Description: Laying one’s hands on attractive XF and AU bust half dollar pieces from the years 1838-1839 is tough. Most look recently scrubbed or dipped, or simply never recovered from the ills of coin polishing in years gone by. When I encountered the present piece I have chosen for this set, I hesitated at first to purchase it, as it was raw and had evidently suffered a historical dipping. What stood out for me, however, was that the coin had been dipped few enough times to retain a significant amount o... | Owner's Description: This particular coin is nothing short of stunning to hold in-hand. The remaining Mint luster is quite evident and subtends the obviously thick and original patina that bathes the coin in blue and shades of mauve, with hints of gold and green. When I came across this AU55 example for less than half of what the next grade (AU58) sells for, I LEAPED on it! The high points of the eagle have very dark, inky black patination, which is what likely limits the grade. The coin is otherwise merely rubb... | |
| View Coin Details | View Coin Details | View Coin Details |
|
| - S$1 1840 | - $2.5 1840 | - $5 1838 EMDS |
 |  |  |  |  |  |
| Enlarge | Enlarge | Enlarge | Enlarge | Enlarge | Enlarge |
| Owner's Description: This particular example of the 1840 dollar is, bar none, the prettiest and most original piece I’ve ever seen. Only that of Tradedollarnut’s excellent uncirculated set beats this piece for beauty, in my opinion, and never have I seen another circulated example that came close. The patina is thick and original and the wear is even and honest. I can’t imagine a more carefully preserved circulated piece. | | |
| View Coin Details | View Coin Details | View Coin Details |
|
|
|