Q.David Bowers
This letter from the Chapman brothers, on April 21, 1883, was devoted to one single coin:
... 1815 half eagle, in Uncirculated condition, with perhaps what might be termed the slightest touch of cabinet friction. A strong, sharp, beautiful piece. $480.
But four specimens of this date are known to exist, which cannot, we think, be said of any other date of the United States coins; it is of greater rarity than the dollar of 1804, and in a few years when the collecting of gold develops it will no doubt command a very large figure ... The United States Mint Collection does not contain a specimen. One of the four mentioned above is in the collection of the Swedish Mint.
On June 11, 1883, the Chapman brothers wrote to T. Harrison Garrett:
We have in stock and desire to offer you a 1793 cent, Liberty pole and cap. Extremely Fine, almost Uncirculated. Very even impression, with broad margin outside of beads which are sharp and even on both obverse and reverse. Light olive color. One of the finest specimens we have seen. A collector of cents who has seen this and the one sold in Frossard's sale of the 2nd for $107 pronounces ours the finest. Price $85. Will send on approval if you wish.
Garrett ordered the coin on approval, and it was sent on June 15th, only to be returned by Garrett on the 21st. When the coin arrived back at the Chapman brothers store they wrote on June 22nd:
Your letter and package containing the 1793 Liberty cap cent received.
The cent is good value for the money; the 1793 Liberty caps in the Crosby collection [referring to Sylvester S. Crosby, a dealer and researcher who wrote a monograph on 1793 coinage] are no comparison to this, and the one in the Jenks sale is only Fine. We sold it to Mr. Jenks for $13.
We have taken the liberty to send a selection of fine pieces on approval, $189.45 by express today, all charges prepaid. The prices are low and reasonable and the coins desirable. We hope you will find some to suit you. Please examine and return those not wanted at your earliest convenience...
We will attend the sales next week and will be pleased to execute any bids you may send. You can rely on our buying as low as possible!
Another letter concerning some particularly desirable large cents in stock, was sent from the Chapmans on August 14th:
We have in stock some Very Fine and Uncirculated cents of the following dates. 1793 chain Extremely Fine $35, and a Fine Liberty Cap $22. Sold the one we offered you to the next gentlemen to whom we offered it at $85. 1794, two Uncirculated, $30 and $25, which are the most beautiful of any we have seen. Extremely Fine $8 and $9, and Fine $2.50. 1797 Uncirculated $12. 1798 small date. Extremely Fine $3.50, others nearly as fine $2.50 and $3. 1800 over 1799 Uncirculated, partly red, $25. Others Extremely Fine up to $9. 1801 the finest for impression and in every way that we have seen $20, others Extremely Fine $8 and $10 ...
A large approval shipment, on October 5, 1883, included a 1793 Chain cent, perhaps the one quoted earlier:
1793 Chain. AMERICA. Large date and "Liberty." Extremely Fine, sharp impression showing all the minute lines in the hair. Extremely rare in such condition. $35.
We imported this coin from Europe at a cost of $30 cash and sold it to a collector for $40, again purchased it when he disposed of his cabinet.
During the 1880s, many letters went forth from the Philadelphia offices of Chapmans to T. Harrison Garrett in Baltimore. Typically, approval invoices would contain dozens of items in all series from American issues and related items such as medals, to ancient and foreign coins. Garrett had his own ideas, and he would often purchase items mentioned briefly by Chapman while at the same time ignoring some other items which the Chapman Brothers described at great length. With an eye for quality, he nearly always selected the finer grade pieces.
Garrett's tastes were far ranging. Thus he was attracted on October 5, 1883, to a "Confederate Volunteers Badge. Confederate seal in center 50c," and a couple of years later, on March 11, 1885, he responded to a Chapman offering which noted that: We take the liberty of sending a few coins and some remarkably beautiful medals on approval to a total value of $94 and hope you will retain many or all of them. We would call your attention to the Brown medal which is we believe the only one in the United States in silver and is cheap at the price.
The invoice described the Brown medal in detail:
John Brown, by Wurden. Splendid portrait, and excessively rare. Only one (that in bronze) ever sold in the United States sold for $20 at the Warner sale in 1884. Silver, beautiful Proof $25. Unobtainable in Europe. We wrote to the largest dealers and several collectors in' England and Europe and they all replied "cannot be had." This came from a fine private collection and is a gem. The only fine medal of Brown.
Correspondence with Edward D. and George W. Cogan
Edward D. Cogan was the first full-time professional numismatist in America. Born in Great Britain, he sailed to America in 1853 at the age of 50, accompanied by his wife and six children. In 1855 he opened a store to deal in curios. Within three years, his business was devoted exclusively to rare coins.
He moved to Brooklyn, New York, in 1865 where he continued as a professional numismatist until his retirement in 1880. His youngest son, George W., continued the business. Edward D. Cogan died in 1884.
On March 15, 1879, Edward Cogan wrote to T. Harrison Garrett:
In reply to your letter of the 12th I beg to tell you I have only in stock at present in fine condition a Proof dollar of 1839, price $43, and a Fine half dollar of 1850, New Orleans mint, $1.50.
In the sale I shall have in April and of which I shall send you a catalogue in a few days are the following pieces that you asked for. I send the price I guess they will bring. To whatever they will bring will be added the regular commission of 5%. 1836 dollar about $5. You will see by the catalogue the condition of each piece. 1838 and 1839 $1 Proof $35 and $45, more or less. 1851 fine Proof $30 to $40. 1852 not Proof $25 to $35. 1854, 1855$8 to $10, 1856 $6 to $9. 1858 Proof set $40 to $50, a single dollar a little worn brought $31. Half dollars, all New Orleans Mint, 1849, $1.25, 1851 $1.12, [sic] 1852 $1 or $2. Quarter dollar 1796 about 75c. Three-cent piece of 1871 30c.