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 Replies: 33 / Views: 5,236 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
We can laugh now. Back then, it was probably a sad shake of the head; "So we have a new nation, and this is the best we can do for our national coins?"
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
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i was surprised to get it for that Well fortunately I was short on funds and I had my eye on a couple other items. I did have that fugio on my watch list too. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8904 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2077 Posts |
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We can laugh now. Back then, it was probably a sad shake of the head; "So we have a new nation, and this is the best we can do for our national coins?" Good point. That's something I've always wondered about. If you look at say French coins from the late 1700s they are works of art. Our early coins look like they were engraved by school children riding in the back of a stage coach. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
Don't forget the real motto of the Fugio production: "Close enough for government work!" James Jarvis and Co. coined them as a private firm under contract from Congress. There was no US Mint, but the establishment of one five years later was only possible because the Fugios went wrong on so many levels. Just think, perhaps a Congressman was mulling over his vote at a Philadelphia tavern, thinking, "They're crazy! We can't afford a mint! Look at all this Revolution debt. No shame in farming the business out to the lowest bidder..." Then, reaching into his pocket to pay for his ale, he pulls out... this coin.
"Oh, for God's sake..."
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Good point. Would we have even had a mint if Jarvis had been able to produce coins of the quality of the Conder token producers in England? Or would we have just stuck with contract coinage? (We probably would, but we might have taken Boulton up on his offer and purchased a steam powered mint from him.)
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
Jarvis himself probably didn't think he was up to it. Before the ink on his contract was dry, he left his father-in-law to start cranking out some Fugios, and went straight to England, to try to get someone to do his job for him, on credit. And guess who he sat down with? Matthew Boulton.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3345 Posts |
That's flipping awesome!! I love that coin! Probably the coolest coin I have seen in a couple months. Anything double struck is pretty sweet, but colonial copper worn and double struck? VERY cool.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
I knew he met with Boulton and I know he tried to buy copper and/or planchets from him on credit (He only had 30 tons from the Federal government and he needed to come up with another 270 tons to fulfill his coinage contract), but I couldn't remember if he had tried to contract for the actual coining.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3253 Posts |
From Newman's text: Quote:
Once abroad, over the winter of 1787-88, Jarvis negotiated with Matthew Boulton of Birmingham for delivery of 300 tons of finished coppers, that is, struck coins -- the number involved certainly suggests that Jarvis had made no head start before his November 1787 departure... Despite Jarvis' protestations that he represented the United States, Boulton knew Jarvis was merely a private individual who was hired as a subcontractor... According to Dr. Richard Doty's research in the Boulton papers, Boulton counter offered in March 1788, suggesting instead that the Soho Mint coin 150 tons of coppers and supply 150 tons of blanks, together with dies and a press upon which to strike them. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Thanks, I was operating off of memory and couldn't remember all the details. Still could you imagine if he had been able to come to terms with Boulton. Jarvis & Co only produced 300,000 pieces, a little over three tons with crude equipment. Boulton could have struck over 26 million of them with his steam powered presses and there would probably be some gorgeous pieces around today at affordable prices.
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Valued Member
United States
324 Posts |
Back in those days I can see a drunk at the saloon arguing it should be worth Two Cents. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
That is one cool piece of history. The dealer I know that handles Fugio cents is John Kraljevich. You can find his site at http://www.jkamericana.com His blog always has interesting items picked from history. You could probably ask him he would be the guy that knows! He was the researcher for Q. David Bowers for several years as well as Stacks and other top numismatic firms, John really knows his early americana history. I met John many years ago when he was attending an ANA Summer Seminar, his Mom was the YN coordinator at the time if I recall correctly, super guy and his Mom is also a super lady. "Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Moderator
 United States
16679 Posts |
I had a chance about 8 years ago to buy a double struck St. Patrick Farthing for $50 at a dealers table. I to this day don't know why I didn't just pull out the money and buy it..argg!
Came back 5 minutes later and it was sold. Told me it's been in his inventory for years..wasn't meant to be :(
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Valued Member
United States
360 Posts |
Nice profit from this coin Stringboogie! Not bad at all.
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Replies: 33 / Views: 5,236 |
First Page
Posted 06/23/2013 04:36 am
