Q. David Bowers
The H.O. Granberg Collection sold by B. Max Mehl July 16, 1919, included an outstanding collection of early silver dollars, many of which were in higher grades. Particularly notable is a complete set of 1801-2-3 Proof novo del "restrikes."
1794 Weakly struck on left hand side, as usual. Good to VG. $41.00.
1795 EF, nearly Unc., sharp with mint lustre. $7.35.
1795 Beautiful semi-proof, almost equal to a brilliant Proof. $16.00.
1795 Slightest touch of circulation, sharp with mint lustre. $5.00.
1795 EF, considerable mint lustre. $7.00.
1795 Proof. A pinpoint nick on reverse edge. $21.00.
1795 Fillet Head. Unc., sharp, with brilliant mint bloom, slight purple surface. A magnificent coin. $16.00.
1795 VG. (Total: 2 pieces) $2.60 each.
1796 VF, considerable mint lustre. $4.25.
1797 AU, with bright mint lustre. $4.65.
1798 Unc., bright mint lustre. $8.40.
1798 Unc., mint lustre. $8.40.
1798 Beautiful sharp Unc, specimen. $9.25.
1798 EF, nearly Unc., mint lustre. $3.60.
1798 VF, sharp. $3.60.
1799/8 VF, sharp. $4.20.
1799 EF, sharp, with considerable mint lustre. $11.50.
1799 Unc., broad milled borders on reverse. $10.25.
1799 Unc, Sharp with brilliant mint lustre. $10.25.
1800 Unc., perfectly centered. Sharp. Bright mint lustre. $8.40.
1800 EF, nearly Unc. with bright mint lustre. $4.00.
1800 EF, a trifle off center on obverse. $3.60.
1801 Practically Unc., sharp. Fine, hardly noticeable pin-point nicks on obverse. $5.00.
1801 Restrike. Perfect brilliant Proof. $42.00.
1802/1 EF, bold impression. Considerable mint lustre. $4.35.
1802 Unc., frosty mint surface, perfectly centered. $6.25.
1802 Restrike. Beautiful brilliant Proof. $42.00.
1803 Small 3 in date. AU, some mint lustre, fine impression. $4.00.
1803 EF, sharp, stars on left just a trifle flat. $3.75.
B. Max Mehl's sale of the Hon. James H. Manning Collection, May 17, 1921, included many coins, the most famous of which was the 1804 silver dollar described below. In general, all 1804 dollars auctioned during the twentieth century were accompanied by lengthy catalogue descriptions, most of which are abbreviated in the present book.
This particular 1804 dollar consigned by the widow of Judge Manning later got Mehl in trouble with the United States Post Office. In his nationwide advertising he showed a sketch of a movie theatre teller in a ticket booth, with a caption stating that he had paid Mrs. Manning an enormous sum of money for a rare dollar, with the implication that she had found it in change! This the Post Office considered to be misleading advertising, and for good reason.
Despite Mehl's hopes, neither this nor the Ten Eyck 1804 dollar he sold in the following year brought prices up to expectations. America was in the midst of an economic downturn, and the prices of rarities felt the effect.
1804 King of American coins .... The condition of this specimen is VG to About Fine. There are few light nicks as are usually found on coins having been in circulation. This is the only genuine 1804 dollar that shows evidence of having actually been in circulation. Weight 410-1/4 grains. I absolutely guarantee it to be genuine and original.
The history and record of the previous owners of this specimen is as follows:
The first owner of record of this dollar was Colonel M.I. Cohen of Baltimore, Md .... In October 1875, Colonel Cohen sold his collection at auction through the famous dealer, Edward Cogan, who catalogued this dollar as follows:
"1804 This extremely rare dollar was procured from Richmond, Virginia, where it was known to Colonel Cohen to exist for many years before it came into his possession. It has been more circulated than either of the two previously sold at auction, and has every appearance of having been struck in the year of its date, and is guaranteed to be original."
It was purchased at this sale by Mr. H.S. Adams, whose collection was sold at auction in New York in October of the following year, 1876. In the catalogue of that sale the dollar was described as follows:
The purchaser this time was Mr. Parmelee, the famous collector of Boston.
Two years later, in 1878, Mr. Parmelee sold the specimen at private sale to Major W.B. Wetmore, who retained the coin for 28 years-till 1906, when, in June of that year his collection was sold at auction by S.H. & H. Chapman, and this dollar was bought in by the cataloguers. The present owner, Mr. James H. Manning, obtained it soon after.
After obtaining this famous coin, Mr. Manning wrote direct to its immediate former owner, Major Wetmore, for additional information regarding the history, etc., of this dollar. Major Wetmore replied with the following most interesting letter:
Allenhurst, N.Y., Aug. 9, 1906.
Mr. James H. Manning, Albany, N.Y.
Dear Sir:
memorandums and catalog to make up theirs and have only just received them back. You state that you have every reason to believe that your 1804 dollar "is one of the original six." I believe it is the only original and the others are restrikes. Of course the persons who have restrikes like to think they all are; to let no one have any advantage.