Q.David Bowers
The next communication is dated October 22, 1883:
I received your favor of October 20th this morning and in reply would say that I have sent you my 1829 half eagle for inspection. I do not offer this for sale at present, for I am rather undecided whether I shall part with the few half eagles I have in addition. I will say however that in the event of my selling them I shall give you the first opportunity of inspecting them at the view to purchase.
The eagle of 1838 I obtained from Mr. William S. Jenks, an old collector of this city. I saw him today and asked him about its rarity. He says that he considers it rarer even than the 1804 eagle and that he waited three years before he got this one. I bought it from him in a set of eagles, therefore I cannot tell what it cost me. I value it at $25. I think it brought about $38 in the McCoy sale. I value the 1847 eagle at $15. Will you kindly let me hear from you at your convenience.
P.S. In looking at the McCoy catalogue I find I am mistaken in stating that the 1838 eagle brought $38. There was no 1838 eagle in the McCoy sale, but I certainly have the mention of its sale in some old catalogue for about that price.
On October 24, 1883 the following short note was sent: I enclose with the gold an 1801 half dime. As you are collecting curiosities and varieties I send it for your inspection. I have never seen or heard of another like it. Should you desire the half dime you can retain it, price $5.
Apparently, as suggested by Carl Carlson in his 1976 articles in The Numismatist, Newlan inadvertantly wrote the date wrong. It should have been 1800 (not 1801), as the piece almost certainly was the atypical uniface strike in copper, Judd Appendix A, having Liberty's bust in unusually high relief .
Regarding the sale of the eagles Newlin responded with:
In reply to your note received this morning I would say that the eagles are for sale at the prices stated in my note, but I have not yet decided to sell the half eagles. When I do I shall advise you. In the event of my selling them would you want both or only one, and which one? [This is in reference to the pair of 1829 half eagles, large date and small date.]
There is a space of nearly a year before the next letter is encountered, dated October 21, 1884 in which Newlin offers his rare half eagles:
I wrote you some weeks ago but find that I have misdirected my letter. I promised you that should I ever conclude to sell my 1829 half eagle, new type, I would give you first chance. I now think of selling my gold at private sale and offer you the 1829 Uncirculated for $100 net. It is very desirable showing the change of type and width. With the exception of one in the United States Mint this is the only one I have ever seen or heard of. It is therefore rarer than the 1815 or 1822, or which three each are known.
October 24, 1884, the following letter was sent by Newlin with the half eagle "for your inspection":
... You asked me what other gold I have. I have a complete set of gold eagles in very fine condition up through and inclusive of 1838. [The notation "very fine" in this instance apparently refers to the quality of the coins in a generic way, rather than being a specific description of individual coin grades.] Of half eagles I have 1795 large and small eagles, 1796, 1797 large and small eagles and nearly all dates to 1834 new [referring to the new reverse design adopted this year] including, I believe, the finest 1815 and 1824 half eagles known, both strictly Uncirculated.
Quarter eagles-nearly complete to 1834 new, including 1796 without stars, strictly Uncirculated, 1796 with stars, 1797 Proof, and 1826 Proof.
I have also an 1864 Proof set struck in pure copper. I have only seen two sets-one owned in N. Y. by a dealer at one time, and mine. If you are collecting mints, I have the 1873, S mint. I have two varieties of both Carolina gold $2 1/2, one large, the other small. Both about Uncirculated.
Gold Proof sets 1864 and 1865 and a complete set of gold dollars nearly all Proof. Should you care to see any of the above I should be happy to send them to you for your inspection.
P.S. Dr. Robert Davis, of Philadelphia, was in Boston and called to see W. E. Woodward, who had both 1815 half eagles, yours and mine. Dr. Davis said that one was infinitely better than the other. I am inclined to think mine is the best one. If you are collecting coins in their most perfect condition I would be willing to trade half eagles with you providing mine is the finest and providing we agree upon their respective values, which I believe we can do. I bought my piece from Woodward privately and am assured it is the finest of the three known. If you want to see mine, send yours. I will then compare them and send both back to you so that you may compare them.
Newlin penned this extensive letter on October 29, 1884:
Your favor received and this day I send you some gold for inspection. I have included a few coins that you did not ask to see, only because I thought you might like to compare them with your specimens and perhaps would desire to trade. I have made it a point in my collecting always to buy the very finest pieces for they are the most satisfactory and becoming more difficult to obtain every year.
I send you eagles, 1798 four stars facing, Uncirculated, with file marks on the planchet before striking. 1798 six stars facing, Extremely Fine. This is the finest pair of eagles of this date that I have ever seen. For the pair $70, your choice $37.50.
Half eagles 1796 and 1797 [no price stated], 1802 half eagle $8. 1804, pair for $18, your choice $10. 1809 half eagle $10. 1818, (not fine enough for you so did not send). 1822, I have none. 1815 half eagle finest known. Mr. Woodward refused an offer of $400 cash for this piece before I bought it. The offer was made by a Philadelphia collector named Bruce.
1796 without stars, quarter eagle, the only Uncirculated one I have ever seen or heard of. In this condition I consider it one of the rarest of the gold coins, $60-1 will trade for your 1796 with the difference to be determined when I see your piece.
This also applies to the 1815 half eagle and the 1824 half eagle. 1 believe it to be the finest known. 1797 quarter eagle. Proof. Formerly Mickley's. 1808 quarter eagle. Not fine enough to send (weakly struck).
1854 gold dollar brilliant Proof, $10. 1861 gold dollar, brilliant Proof $4.50. From 1849 to 1859 I have no Proofs but my pieces are in the most beautiful condition. 1 got one from old Mr. McAllister of Philadelphia who got them at the Mint each year. I value them almost as highly as Proofs but I will not send them until hear from you.