Q.David Bowers
The last recorded transaction with Wayte Raymond was the purchase of a copy of the Standard Catalogue of United States Coins at $2.50 plus 11c delivery charge on December 5, 1940.
Correspondence with Elmer S. Sears
A brief exchange of correspondence took place between Elmer S. Sears and John Work Garrett in 1925. On April 23, 1925, Elmer Sears wrote:
You may remember meeting me personally and being introduced by Mr. Wayte Raymond at Mr. Raymond's office a year or so ago. I am taking the liberty of writing to offer you a great rarity in the Colonial series. It is very unusual that I am enabled to offer you anything which I think would interest [you] other than what your very large and extensive collection already contains ... but I have at this time a coin which I believe is most desirable and a rarity which I am sure that you will appreciate. The coin is no more or less than a half doubloon struck by Ephraim Brasher in 1787.
The coin is the exact die of the doubloon but differs materially in its weight. The weight of the specimen which I have is 196.7 grains against 406-407 grains for the doubloon. The die used in striking it was the exact die used in striking the doubloon but of course was struck on a thinner planchet to make the desired weight. it was not unusual in those days to do this as the weight and fineness governed the value of the coin. The piece which I am offering is practically Uncirculated and I am asking $7,500 for the coin. If you feel upon receiving this that you are at all interested and will advise me I shall be glad to submit the coin for your approval, otherwise I will ask your indulgence for bothering you with this letter and trust that you will pardon the same.
John Work Garrett replied with appreciation on May 4, 1925: I am much obliged to you for writing me about the Brasher half Doubloon. I have never heard of this piece before and naturally find your statement about it exceedingly interesting, but I am not adding to my collection of American coins at present and do not desire to take this piece. Thank you very much.
Correspondence with the U. S. Mint
Robert Garrett, keeping up with the precedent set by his father, To Harrison Garrett, ordered coins from the Philadelphia Mint at the time of issue. On January 15; 1903, he sent a remittance for $41.08 for a set of the current year gold, silver, and copper Proof coins, He placed his order after receiving United States Mint Service form No. 417 which stated policies at the time:
INFORMATION RELATING TO COINS AND MEDALS
All correspondence with the Mint should be addressed: "Superintendent of the Mint of the United States, Philadelphia." Articles which ate expected to be returned by mail must be accompanied by eight Cents for return registry fee.
The Mint does not buy old coins or paper money; except Some rate Colonial coins in fine condition, which are desired for the Mint Cabinet. Mutilated or uncurrent United States gold and silver coins ate purchased as bullion, the gold at the rate of $18.60 per ounce troy, and the silver (in amounts of not less than $3) at the rate of [not filled in] cents per ounce troy.
The Mint has no pattern pieces for sale.
The Government pays no premium for the return of any of its coins or paper money. New coins can not be struck until authorized by an Act of Congress. The Mint supplies United States coins only, and not of any past date. The fifty-dollar gold piece and the half-dollar and quarter dollar pieces in gold [?] were struck by private parties and not by the United States Government.
The coinage of the following ceased in the years named: Half and one cent, copper, in 1857; one cent, nickel, 1864; half dime and three cents silver, and two cents bronze, 1873; twenty cents silver, 1878; trade dollar, 1883; one dollar and three dollars gold and three cents nickel, 1889. The Columbian half dollar was coined in 1892 and 1893 and the Isabella Quarter in 1893. The Lafayette dollar was struck in 1899, the date on the coin (1900) being that of the unveiling of the memorial.
Mint Marks. Coins struck at the Philadelphia Mint have no mint mark, those struck at all other mints of the United States are distinguished by a small letter on the reverse near the bottom; these letters are: "C" for Charlotte, N.C., discontinued in 1861; "CC" for Carson City, Nev., discontinued in 1893; "D" for Dahlonega, Ga., discontinued in 1861; "0" for New Orleans, La.; and "S" for San Francisco, Cal. The coin dealers are the proper persons to apply to for the value of old coins. It is very unsatisfactory and usually impossible to give the value of an old coin without seeing it, so much depends upon the variety and condition of preservation of the coin.
The Mint does not publish and can not supply any book or list giving the prices of old coins.
The coins of the United States now authorized by law are:
GOLD: Double Eagle, Eagle, Half Eagle, Quarter Eagle;
SILVER: Dollar, Half Dollar, Quarter Dollar, Dime;
MINOR:Five cents nickel, One cent, bronze. The five-cent and one-cent pieces are known as "minor" coins.
A "proof coin" is one struck by hand on a hydraulic press from a specially polished die; using a polished blank. They are made at the Philadelphia Mint only.
The price of the set of gold proof coins is $38.50; the proof set of silver and minor coins, $2.50; the proof set of minor coins, 8 cents. Single gold pieces, in proof, may be had for 25 cents each above their face value, but the other sets will not be separated. Proof coins of the present year can be had from about January 15 to December 31, unless, as is sometimes the case, the stock is exhausted a day or so before December 31. Dies wear with use, therefore coins struck late in the year may riot be as perfect as those struck earlier. The Mint has no coins or sets of coins of other than the present dates for sale.
Private-medal dies can not, under the law, be prepared at the Mint, but when the regular business of the Mint will permit, medals may be struck from dies furnished by individuals, public institutions, and incorporated societies, at a charge sufficient to cover the cost of the operation and the value of the metal. A list of medals, which can be supplied on order, with the prices thereof, will be found on the other side.
The remittance should accompany the order and should be in cash or money order. Make money orders payable to the "Superintendent of the Mint of the United States, Philadelphia."
Small packages of proof coins or medals can be sent by registered mail, if eight cents are enclosed for a registry fee, otherwise they will be forwarded by express, "charges collect.''' .
Approved; George E. Roberts, Director of the Mint; John H. Landis, Superintendent.