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

March 6, 1884 letter from John W. Haseltine to T. Harrison Garrett advising the latter that a 1792 pattern cent has been forwarded on approval.

Sylvester S. Crosby's personal collection went on the auction block in 1883 under the auspices of Capt. J. W. Haseltine, his 60th sale. Containing many rare colonials, the sale attracted wide attention. Some of the most elusive pieces were purchased by Lorin G. Parmelee.

In July of the same year Charles Steigerwalt's Coin Journal reported the sale of one of America's most famous coins to a leading Baltimore collector:

The Berg 1804 dollar sold with the Berg Collection at Bangs and Co., New York, May 24th, brought $740. It was purchased by Mr. H. Garrett, of Baltimore, Maryland. This gentleman also purchased at the Newlin Sale the 1802 half dime for $400; at a private sale and on private terms the Brasher New York doubloon, bought by Frossard at the Bushnell sale for E. F. Kuthan, of Burlington, Iowa, for $505. Mr. Garrett's collection was already very fine, but these late additions to it add considerably to its value, and bring it to the front ranks.

The size, quality, and reputation of the Garrett Collection grew, and by 1885 it was ranked second only to the holdings of Lorin G. Parmelee in its scope.