Q.David Bowers
Garrett was pleased at the success. When next Newlin wrote, in late July, it was to send ...... a few pieces which I have obtained from my friend Colonel O. C. Bosbyshell, who was chief coiner in the mint from 1877 until his resignation a few months ago.
While in the mint, neither myself nor any collector could obtain a pattern coin from him, but few were struck between 1877 and 1884. He promised me long ago that should he ever sell the pieces he had (he kept one of each in silver and one in copper) that I should have them. About a week ago he sent them to me. He assures me that he kept a most careful record in that the pieces are very rare. I did not know of the existence of several of them at all; they are not in the Mint Cabinet. I have shown them to no one and shall keep the copper pieces. Considering their rarity I myself bought them at a low price, and think I have put them to you at a very moderate figure. I am assured that neither Mr. Robert Davis nor Mr. Parmelee have them, nor do I think they have ever been offered at auction. The Colonel informs me that he has a few more patterns in silver of 1882 but he is unable to lay his hands on them. When he does they will be sent to me. He also has a $50 piece dated 1877, (the only die ever made at the United States Mint for that denomination). It is struck in copper,heavily gold plated, and is a beautiful piece. He tells me but two were struck in gold, one of which he melted up. The other he feels confident was also returned and melted. [This information later proved to be incorrect, for in 1909 John Haseltine and Stephen Nagy sold two 1877 $50 pieces, each struck in gold and each of a different variety. Either additional specimens were struck Bosbyshell was unaware of, something which seems improbable for Bosbyshell was the chief coiner and was quite interested in producing unusual rarities, or, he gave incorrect information to Newlin.] Should I get the piece from him, would you like to see it?
An additional rare pattern became available which Newlin offered in his letter of September 15, 1885:
I send you herewith a package of coins which you may like to add to your collection. The 1879 silver dollar [pattern] is extremely rare, for I never knew one to be offered. You will notice it has neither "E Pluribus Unum" nor "In God We Trust."
The former pieces were designed at the United States Mint, and I got them from the chief coiner who told me there were but a half dozen Proofs struck from the dies-the $10 gold, (or rather, gilt or gold plated) is also very rare. I value the lot, including also the gun money [Irish coinage], which is Fine, at $40 for the lot.
In regard to the price, I think it fair, but as the pieces have never been sold before, it is hard to determine their value. For instance, the 1879 silver dollar is much rarer than the 1836 Gobrecht in field dollar which brings $50 [a reference to the rare variety of the 1836 Gobrecht pattern silver dollar with the engraver's name in the field between the date and the base of Liberty.] I bought these with a lot of other pieces and therefore did not know what they cost me. If, therefore, you think the price too high you may reduce it to what you think proper and remit the check at your convenience.
The following letter was sent October 17th: I received your favor and in reply sent some pieces for your inspection. I have held them for you and had no duplicates except one each of the 1879 half dollars in copper [patterns] which I sent over to H. P. Smith to put in his next sale. The catalogue of this will be out in a few days. In regard to the patterns I can only reiterate what I before wrote, that I got them from Col. o. C. Bosbyshell of the United States Mint, who was chief coiner from 1877 to 1884. He is a gentleman of strict honesty and integrity and he struck the pieces he knows and has kept. He has kept a record of exactly the numbers coined. The pieces with hardly an exception are extremely rare and you need have no fear of purchasing on the grounds that many will appear, as the Colonel destroyed every die himself. In addition to this, I stand ready at any time to take back the pieces and refund the money to you cheerfully should they not turn out to be as represented in point of rarity. For the most part they have never been offered either at public or private sale, and I am quite positive they are not in the hands of collectors. Colonel Snowden may have them in his cabinet or possibly Mr. Barber, the engraver, but neither of these gentlemen would part with their specimens.
In addition to the patterns I send you a number of other pieces which possibly may improve your cabinet. There is another piece in my possession which I think you ought to have. It is an 1877 $50 piece in copper, heavily gold plated. Colonel Bosbyshell informs me that there is no known specimen in gold, and he knows of but five in copper, two of which are at the mint, and therefore cannot be sold. The third is probably in Colonel Snowden's collection, and the fourth I can probably obtain for you as I know the owner.
The piece is most interesting as it is the only $50 piece ever gotten up by the United States Mint. It is certainly far more rare than the 1804 dollar and it is more interesting. I cannot estimate its value, but I think it would produce a large price in a sale. If you will write what you are willing to give for it I will make the offer to the party and doubtless I can obtain it for you. I called upon Robert Davis who has the finest collection of pattern coins in this country, and he told me that he did not have the piece, but would like greatly to obtain one. The piece I refer to is in beautiful condition, and being heavily gold plated, looks precisely like a solid gold piece. As there is no piece struck in solid gold, this must take its place. If you would care to buy the piece, please advise me as soon as possible in order that I may secure it. In regard to the other pieces I hope you will use your convenience in inspecting them as I am not in a hurry for them.
Recognizing that these following pieces were missing in Garrett's collection he sent them on November 16, 1885, with this letter explaining:
I take pleasure in enclosing for your inspection two pieces which I think will about complete your goloid set. [Goloid was a mixture of gold and silver produced experimentally at the mint and used to produce several varieties of patterns. As goloid was silver-colored and was indistinguishable by the layman from pieces struck of silver, it was never used for regular coinage.] I also enclose a clipping from Haseltine's sale describing the two coins. No. 90 is one of two in copper, gold plated, the other specimen being in the mint. You will notice that the only specimen ever offered of the dollar is described as only being Fine.
Hoping that the pieces may please you and that you are making important additions to your cabinet. Regarding the Chapman Brothers sale, Newlin again volunteered to act as agent:
Doubtless you have received Chapman's catalogue. I expect to attend the sale [December 15, 1885] and would be glad to execute any bids you may care to send. In looking over the lots, I would call your attention to the following numbers ... I have kept a memorandum of these numbers, and if you want me to purchase for you at a reasonable price I am glad to do so and will bid as carefully as if the pieces were for me. I never have any transaction with the Chapmans as I do not admire them, but they have offered some rare pieces in their sale, and at public sale they will probably sell for half of what they would at a private sale, especially as I have learned they are short of money. Should you be too busy to write you may send a telegram to buy the lots mentioned in the letter and I will understand it.