Q.David Bowers
In his letter dated October 16, 1922. Mehl offered the second chance within a month for Garrett to add a pair of desirable rarities to his collection:
I am pleased to be able to send to you today by prepaid express the excessively rare set of Clark, Gruber & Co. $20 gold pieces and trust they will reach you without delay. In securing these two coins it was necessary for me to also secure the balance of the coins constituting the set, but as I am sure that you have the others I did not send them.
The 1860 Pikes Peak $20 is the second specimen that has ever passed through my hands. The only other specimen I have ever offered was in my sale of the Cowell Collection in 1911. At that time the coin brought $900.
The 1861 Pikes Peak $20, while not as rare as the 1860, has a record of about $350. But the 1860 $20, in my opinion, is far more rare than is generally known. I doubt if more than six specimens are known, and considering the number that have appeared in the market in the past 20 years or so, I consider the coin as rare as many of the pioneer gold pieces which have sold at double and triple the amount of this rarity. I feel confident that after you will kindly consider the great rarity of this coin and its past record, you will readily recognize my price a very fair one for this set.
The pair of Clark, Gruber & Co. double eagles was invoiced at $1,250 on October 16th. Garrett examined the coins but delayed payment. On October 30, 1922, Mehl wrote further on the subject:
Received your letter and read it very carefully. Am wiring the owner of the two coins and will let you hear from me in the next day or two. I believe I can have him shade the price a bit for you. With regard to the state of preservation of 1861 $20, I believe if you will kindly compare it with the description of those that have been offered in the past, you will find that it compares most favorably, as these pieces were not struck up very sharply and most of them, and in fact, all of them, have a copper alloy, far more so than the specimen of 1860, that gave them a rather dark appearance.
Will also endeavor to secure for you the souvenir Panama Pacific Exposition gold pieces you mention.
As your last two letters came to me from New York, I am uncertain as to whether you want me to address you to your New York or Baltimore address, so I thought it best to send this letter to your New York address and a copy of it to Baltimore. [During the 1920s, John Work Garrett was active in the diplomatic service and maintained an address in New York City in addition to his Baltimore home. Occasionally correspondence was sent to a Washington address as well.]
You will hear from me within the next day or two.
Mehl's letter written the next day, the 31st, reports success:
After a little dickering back and forth I finally obtained what I consider, and which I believe you will recognize a genuine "bargain price" for the two rare Colorado $20 gold pieces I have with you. The price I secured is only $1,075 for the pair. This brings them down to lower than their auction records. I cannot help but feel that you will recognize this as a most advantageous purchase.
Was a little dubious about getting a reduction, but am rather elated to be able to do this for you, and feel confident that you will readily recognize them as acceptable after you have considered the great rarity of the pieces.
The price was indeed acceptable, and Garrett's check for $1,075 was acknowledged by Mehl on November 8.
Upon release of the 1923-S Monroe commemorative half dollars B. Max Mehl sent his customers, John Wark Garrett included, a letter which read in part:
Did you know of or hear about the 1923 issue of the Monroe Doctrine United States half dollar, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Monroe Doctrine? These historically interesting coins are "just out." The obverse bears the conjoined portrait of Adams and Monroe . . . on the reverse is a view of the Western Hemisphere . . .
Have just received today an Uncirculated supply of them. Of course you want one or more. My price is $1.50 each. It's an unusually attractive coin and a worthy companion to our series of commemorative coins. Have just received today an Uncirculated supply of them. Of course you want one or more. My price is $1.50 each. Let me have your order for what you want now. You don't have to write a letter; just sign your name and address on the back of this note, pin your remittance for the number of coins you want and mail it to me now in the addressed envelope which I have enclosed for your convenience. And, the coins will come to you as the Spanish say "Pronto"".::"dam [sic] quick.
Garrett penned a brief note asking Mehl to "send one, check enclosed." Mehl's next offer, addressed to "My dear Mr. Garrett," was another opportunity, this time for the:
. . . very rare United States Assay Office $20 gold piece, 1853; the variety with 884 THOUS.
As you expressed interest in this coin some time ago, I thought it best to give you first opportunity at its purchase, as I am able to offer it at what I consider to be a very fair price. That is only $100. As you know, its latest record is $138.
Shall be pleased to send it on approval without the slightest obligation On your part. Will you kindly advise me promptly whether or not I may send it on approval?
The permission was forthcoming, and on June 11, 1923 Mehl wrote: Very pleased to herewith send you on approval a rare United States Assay Office $20 gold piece which I trust will prove satisfactory.
Also herewith enclosed the best specimen of the Monroe Doctrine half dollar I have. I personally selected this for you and trust it will prove just what you wanted.
The Assay Office piece proved satisfactory, as Mehl had hoped, and John Work Garrett sent a revised want list:
I have received your letter of June 5th and the two coins, for which I am very much obliged. I will keep the United States Assay Office $20 gold piece and enclose my check for it, There are a few more territorial pieces that I might like to buy from time to time for my collection, and the following is a revised list of them:
Humbert $50 (Adams variety 11), Humbert $50 (Adams 12), U. S. Assay Office $50 (Adams 20), U.S. Assay Office $10, 1853 (884 THOUS, Adams 25), 1852 Wass Molitor $10 (Adams 47), 1852 Wass Molitor $10 (Adams 48), 1855 Kellogg $20 (Adams 56).
Patterns: Model $1, 50 cents and 25 cents (Adams 101, 102, 103), Moran $10 (Adams 67), U.S. Assay $50 (Adams 83), Kellogg $50 (Adams 93), Pikes Peak obverse, Clark $20 1860.