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| 1836 J-MT-21,AE 27mm
FIRST STEAM COINAGE
"The Very First"
ex. Robert M. Patterson |
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27mm 1836 J-MT-21 AE FIRST STEAM COINAGE ex. Robert M. Patterson
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NGC MS 65 BN
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Chief Coiner Franklin Peale returned to the USA in 1835 following his two years of studying the mints of Europe. Among the improvements he introduced to the U. S. Mint was the French-designed steam powered coining press. The debut of this press was scheduled for February 22, 1836, the anniversary of President Washington’s birth, and Second Engraver Christian Gobrecht prepared dies for a medal to commemorate this momentous occasion. A mechanical glitch, however, delayed the first steam striking until March 23 (careful inspection of this medal’s inscription reveals the date “MAR. 23.” punched over the earlier intended date). Copper strikes were made at that time using cent planchets imported from England. The specimen presented here is the first impression taken of these dies with the new steam press, a fact recorded with the inscription “The very first” at 12 o’clock on its edge. As Director Patterson had overseen these developments, it was only fitting that this first strike be presented to him. It survives accompanied by its original envelope similarly labeled and dated March 23.
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| 1836 J-MT-21 27mm
FIRST STEAM COINAGE, GILT
MARCH 23RD, ORIGINAL
ex. Robert M. Patterson
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27mm 1836 J-MT-21 FIRST STEAM COINAGE GILT ex. Robert M. Patterson
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NGC MS 64 PL
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Given the significance of this occasion to the United States Mint and to the nation as a whole, it’s not surprising that at least this one copper example was gilded. Unlisted in R. W. Julian’s reference book on U. S. Mint medals, this specimen is likewise pedigreed to Director Robert M. Patterson, and it comes with a charming wooden presentation case. In all other respects it is similar to the regular copper impressions from the same dies. Note Christian Gobrecht’s use of the same date punches and roundel stops as seen on his landmark silver dollars of 1836. Justifiably proud of the Mint’s achievement, Director Patterson wrote to Treasury Secretary Levi Woodbury: “I also send, by this mail, some copper pieces struck at the mint today on our new press by steam. They are the first ever struck by this power in America. We must consider this day, therefore, as marking an epoch in our coinage.”
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View Coin
| 1851 J-MT-2,AE 65mm
ROBERT M. PATTERSON
DIRECTOR OF THE U.S. MINT
ex. Robert M. Patterson |
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65mm 1851 J-MT-2 AE ROBERT M. PATTERSON ex. Robert M. Patterson
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NGC MS 62 BN
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Also from the estate of Robert M. Patterson is this splendid United States Mint Medal honoring his term of service. The portrait of Patterson was executed by famed engraver Charles Cushing Wright and signed by him below the truncation. Not an official issue of the U. S. Mint as authorized by Congress, instead it was created by Chief Coiner Franklin Peale as a testimonial to Patterson for his outstanding leadership and his support of Peale’s activities. Such an honor had been given to just one Mint official previously, when longtime Chief Coiner Adam Eckfeldt had received a similar medal in 1839.
The olive branch and snake device seen on the reverse of this medal was borrowed from an earlier Mint medal (Julian MI-20), and Julian speculates that the accompanying inscription may have been punched by Peale himself. Its words indicate that Peale was not alone among the Mint’s officers and personnel in his respect for the retiring Director. The Latin legend MONEX MONETAE and the date 1837 both refer to Patterson’s signal achievement in office, his drafting of important reforms to the Mint’s standards and procedures which became law on January 18 of that year. It is presumed that Patterson was also presented with a gold impression from these dies, but this piece, if it did exist, has never surfaced.
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