The History of United States Coinage As Illustrated by the Garrett Collection

Sincerely then, and caught by my own experience which led me to pay $2.75 for an 1846 half dime I might have bought for $1, I advise you to buy copies of all the rare coins you need now. Don't buy them of me if you think I write this to induce you to do so, but I will give you my experience with that 1846 half dime. I bid for it 50 cents. It sold for $1.

Then I told my agent to buy it, he would have got it for $1.10. At the next sale Ibid 75 cents; that coin went for $1. I increased my bid 25 cents each sale, and yet they kept from me, until getting vexed, and being tired of such work, I told a friend who was to attend the sale to buy me one. He did, paying as I said $2.75. That coin has since been sold for $4, and could I get it today, I could get $5 for it.

Experience has told me to buy a coin I need when it first comes up for sale. It never grows any cheaper. I foolishly let a chance to buy 1796 and 1797 half dollars at $20 each go by me. I would give $50 each for those same coins now.

If you desire any of these coins I will give you the memoranda I use in such cases. My first man for cheapness is H. G. Sampson, corner of Fulton Street and Broadway, New York.My next W. P. Brown, 145 Nassau Street, New York, and next J. Colvin Randall, of Philadelphia. Mr. Randall will be more apt to have the coins than either of the others, and I have always found his prices reasonable. You can see by this that I have no desire to inflict my prices upon you, but simply a collector's friendly wish that you may be able to fill your sets.

Correspondence with B. H. Collins

B. H. Collins, a rare coin dealer, was an employee of the Internal Revenue, Treasury Department, Washington, D.C.

On September 23, 1884, B. H. Collin, wrote to Robert (sic) Garrett concerning pattern coins. Apparently he had heard that one of the Garretts was a coin collector but did not know which one:

I am the possessor of one of the rare sets (Barber & Morgan designs for the Mint) pattern $10 and $5 gold pieces of 1878 of great rarity and almost unique. From the most reliable information obtainable but five sets were struck. One is in the collection of Hon. S.J. Randall. One Mr. Snowden, Superintendent of the Mint. One in another Philadelphia collection. One recently acquired by Mr. L. G. Parmelee of Boston at $200, and the one I own.

The pieces, two gold eagles and two half eagles are Brilliant Proof in perfect preservation, and very beautiful, the one design was adopted for the silver dollar and to be appreciated should be seen.

A Dr. Massamore of Baltimore wanted me to leave them with him to dispose of to you. See his postal enclosed.

I visit him at times and if you will write me when it would be convenient for you to see me and inspect the pieces I will call, and if you want them will give you a bargain as I have no use for them. Several dealers, notably H. P. Smith of New York City, want them.

P .S. See Lot 428 of Frossard' s coming October 2/84 sale for silver 1878 dollar. One of my eagles and half eagles same in gold, and of much greater rarity.

On October 9, 1884, Collins wrote to T. Harrison Garrett:

About two weeks ago I addressed this want of proper information in a letter to Robert Garrett, care of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, upon the subject of four remarkable and rare gold pattern eagles and half eagles of 1878, Barber & Morgan's design.

Mr. Parmelee of Boston recently acquired a set of $200. But five sets were struck. One is in the possession of Mr. Parmelee. One Mr. Snowden of the Mint. One Hon. S. J. Randall and one in another private collection not for sale, and this is mine that is for sale as I am not a gold collector. Dr. Massamore has seen them and wanted me to let him dispose of them to Mr. Garrett and I see I erred in supposing it to be Robert Garrett.

I would be pleased to let you inspect them if you will inform me when you could spare me 10 minutes. I frequently visit Baltimore and will call when and where you say. These pieces are brilliant Proofs and of the most beautiful design in perfect condition and almost unique, and I will be very modest in my figures though it is the only set left in the market. H. P. Smith, a dealer in New York, wanted them badly as his letters and telegrams in my possession will demonstrate.