Using primary sources and other relevant information, this presentation focuses on the intricate nature of numismatics during the American Gold Rush—a watershed moment in U.S. history, often overlooked by what came after miners arrived in 1850s California. The coins and currencies used during this westward journey will be discussed.

 

This talk uses image analysis of early U.S. copper coins to show how the engravers produced the large-cent dies. The U.S. Mint was an entirely new undertaking in 1792. Nobody who worked there during that time had any meaningful experience with coinage, and the technology they had was at least a century out of date in Europe. Nevertheless, by the spring of 1793, Chief Coiner Henry Voigt was creating hubs to produce the dies for circulating coinage. Robert Scot, first chief engraver, used hubs by Voigt and himself to produce new designs in the late 1700s. Scot’s techniques persisted through the second chief engravership of William Kneass. Both Voigt and Scot produced highly artistic designs, despite the fact that neither had any die-sinking experience prior to working at the Mint. In the early 1830s, Franklin Peale spent two years in Europe learning about the technologies in use there. The coins that Christian Gobrecht, third chief engraver, produced show how he applied several of these new methods to the creation of his dies. The coins tell us a great deal about how they were made; all we must do is listen to them.

 

Instructor: Bill Eckberg