Q.David Bowers
On April 11, 1922, Hesslein wrote to Garrett: I am sending you such coins as I have on your list, also two selected Grant pieces, and hope that they will please you. The time I sent out the gold dollar I did not notice that it was not absolutely perfect. Will you kindly make prompt returns on these coins as I have no duplicates of some of the pieces that I sent you.
On April 12, 1928, William Hesslein quoted a rare piece to Garrett:
I have in my possession an 1870-S Mint silver dollar. While it is not an extremely fine coin, nevertheless it is in Fine condition. At some time or another it has been abused in the field on the obverse, though this is hardly noticeable and the coin is good enough to grace any cabinet.
There are about two of these pieces known. The other is better and is held for a large amount, and as I understand it, $2,500 is asked for it. I am asking $1,300 for this coin, and I only get a small percentage for handling it. It is an excessively rare piece, and if it graces your collection you will have a piece that is worthwhile. The mint record does not show any coinage at this time whatsoever. If you are interested in this piece I will be pleased to send it to you on approval.
Nothing ever came of this transaction, probably because John Work Garrett was mainly interested 10 pieces of higher quality, irrespective of their rarity.
Correspondence with Burdette G. Johnson
Burdette G. Johnson, proprietor of the St. Louis Stamp & Coin Company, was the main agent for disposal of numismatic material from the estate of Virgil Brand. Brand, was a wealthy Chicago brewer who over a long period of years amassed an extensive holding of United States coins, including duplicates of many rarities. On May 23, 1934, B. G. Johnson wrote to John Work Garrett:
I enclose herewith a list of some of the Brand colonial silver coins. The copper Colonial coins which contain most of the rarities are now being worked into shape, and there are also a number of rare silver pieces which are not yet listed. The collection is so large and unwieldy that it is going to take a long time before everything is in order. If any of the enclosed interest you I will be glad to send them to you on approval and will also send you a later list of the Colonials as we get them in shape.
Enclosed was a list containing many items including nearly three dozen Massachusetts silver pieces; a gold Washington funeral medal (" He Is In Glory, The World In Tears") at $75; a 1723 Wood's farthing in silver, earlier from the Hall Collection, at $300; and a 1785 silver pattern of the Immune Columbia cent at $600. To this offering Garrett replied:
I have just received your letter of the 23rd and the enclosed list. As I am sailing tomorrow for Europe I shall not be able to consider this list until my return in September.
Johnson sent Garrett another listing on October 27, 1934: We are enclosing herewith a further list of Colonial coins from the Brand Collection, some of which may appeal to you. Some of the pieces are extreme rarities. We also list a few private gold patterns.
There is also in the Brand Collection a number of very rare Colonial coins not yet divided, among them being the unique Baltimore shilling in copper, from a different die from the common piece in silver.
Included was a listing giving detailed descriptions of several different coins -, Among the pieces offered were:
1694 New England halfpenny. Obverse .with elephant. Reverse GOD PRESERVE NEW ENGLAND 1694. Parmelee and Crosby specimen. Excessively rare if not unique. Very Good $750; an 1849 $5 Columbus Co. obverse with name and date. Reverse CALIFORNIA GOLD DOLS. 5 in center in circle. Bronze, Uncirculated. Unknown in gold. $250.
Garrett replied on November 1, 1934 with his reaction:
I am much interested in the list you sent me with your letter of October 27, of the coins that you have for sale from the Brand Collection, but many of the pieces seem very high. There are two pieces, nevertheless, that I should like to consider, and should be glad if you would send them to me on approval, at the same time seeing if you could not reduce the prices. They are: the 1694 "God Preserve New England" and the 1849 Columbus Co. pattern.
Johnson informed Garrett on November 8, 1934 that he had responded to his request: In accordance with your favor of recent date we are sending today by registered mail the two coins you wish to inspect at net prices per invoice. The New England halfpenny is the Parmelee specimen and is illustrated in that catalogue. Mr. Adams knew that the Columbus Co. pattern existed but at the time he wrote his book he did not know of its whereabouts. It is probably unique. I also note your remarks
about the prices of some of the other pieces and have forwarded your letter to Mr. Brand. None of these coins have so far been offered to anybody.
Garrett replied with his acceptance on November 15, 1934:
I have decided to keep the two coins sent with your letter of November 8 and I enclose my check in payment of them.
Johnson again wrote Garrett on September 30, 1938, telling him of a piece he thought would be of interest:
Several years ago I sold you a number of patterns of private gold coins from the Brand Collection. This week I came across a pattern of a private gold coin which, to the best of my knowledge, is entirely unpublished and issued by a company not hitherto known to have struck coins. The piece is: $2.50 silver coin with milled edge, of the Sierra Nevada Mining Company, dated 1853. Obverse with 13 stars, small Liberty head to right. Reverse with the name of the company. Eagle on olive branch, copied from the United States quarter eagle. Small star above the eagle's head, value beneath eagle.
The coin is obviously contemporary and apparently has seen considerable circulation, probably as a dime. Price $150, which I think is very moderate for a presumably unique pattern of a private gold coin.
John W. Garrett replied on October 14, 1938:
Thanks very much for your letter of September 30 in regard to a pattern of a private gold coin. I am interested in knowing about the piece but I do not wish to buy it.