Q. David Bowers
In 1837 the Liberty Seated design without obverse stars was used on half dimes and dimes, at the Philadelphia Mint (and in 1838 at the New Orleans Mint). The Panic of1837 saw the creation of a flood of cent-size copper tokens issued by private interests. In addition, Dr. Lewis Feuchtwanger, New York City inventor; pharmacist; and retailer, promoted his alloy of German silver, called Feuchtwanger's metal. Hundreds of thousands of unofficial small-diameter one-cent pieces were struck and placed into circulation by Feuchtwanger and others using his metal. A few three-cent pieces of the same alloy were also made. Feuchtwanger petitioned the Mint to use .his metal, and offered to be the supplier of unlimited quantities, but Mint tests showed that the alloy varied widely in proportions of elements.
On January 4, 1837, American gold coins of heavier weight, so-called "old tenor" pieces minted prior to August 1, 1834, traded in New York City at a 6 1/2% premium in terms of current (August 1, 1834 and later) gold. In terms of current American gold coins at par, British sovereigns traded for $4.84 to $4.86 each, Spanish silver dollars $1.04 to $1.05, Spanish dollars with Carolus (Charles) portrait $.1.05 to $1.06, Mexican dollars $1.00 to $1.01, French five-franc pieces 94¢ to 95¢ each, gold doubloons $16.50 to $16.75, gold "patriot" doubloons $15.75 to $16.00 each. By June 16, 1838, the premium on old U.S. gold coins increased to 7%. (Source: The Financial Register)
In 1838 the so-called Underground Railroad was in operation and provided a method for slaves in the South to escape to the North or to Canada. Clandestine way stations were set up in 14 Northern states, but activities were greatest in Ohio, which serviced a stream of slaves coming up from Kentucky. It is estimated that about 500 to 1,000 slaves escaped each year. The 'Anti-Slavery Society's 1838 token, AM 1 NOT A WOMAN Be A SISTER (known by numismatists today as Low- 54), was among the copper issues that achieved Wide Circulation. In Philadelphia on May 17 a crowd burned down Pennsylvania Hall in an attempt to stop anti-slavery meetings in the city. Pro-slavery advocates spread rumors that freed slaves would take jobs away from citizens.
In the government's continuing exploitation of Native Americans, more than 14,000 Cherokees were forced-by federal troops under the command of General Winfield Scott ("Old Fuss and Feathers;') to walk the "Trail of Tears" from their native territories in Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia to a resettlement area 800 miles distant in Indian Territory west of the Red River, About 4,000 Cherokee people died en route.
New York City adopted a new street numbering system, using Fifth Avenue as the dividing line between West and East addresses. The publishing house of. Appleton & Co. was founded and would go on to become the pre-eminent nineteenth century American publisher of encyclopedias. In England, Oliver Twist, by Charles, Dickens, first appeared. Popular songs of the year 1838 included Annie Laurie, Vive La Compagnie (published in Leipzig as a French drinking song), and Flow Gently Sweet Afton, the last having a melody by James E. Spilman of Philadelphia and lyrics from a Robert Burns poem on 792. In the same city the firm of Drexel & Company, bankers, was established.
The first ships to cross the ocean entirely 'under steam power completed the trip from England together on April 23, 1838; one, the S.S. Sirius, taking 19 days from London, and the other, S.S. Great Western, 15 days out of Bristol. Both were the design of English engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, who would later design the Great Eastern, better known as "The Great Iron Ship," and lay the Atlantic Cable (1858). In Northern Ireland, thousands of people died from a famine brought on by the failure of their potato crop.
The first United States government branch mints were opened in 1838 in New Orleans (for the coinage of gold and silver); Dahlonega, Georgia (gold only); and Charlotte, North Carolina (gold only). The Liberty Seated device appeared for the first time on quarter dollars. $10 gold coins resumed mintage for circulation for the first time since 1804, using a new design by Gobrecht.
Mint Director R.M. Patterson's report dated January 13, 1838, noted in part: "The increased efficiency of the Mint, and the possession of the government deposites [sic; the spelling used in government reports of the era], have enabled us, during the past year, for the first time, to avoid the delays to which we were formerly forced to subject depositors of bullion, and to make returns to them in coins as soon as the value of their deposites could be ascertained ....
"The machinery of the New Orleans branch mint was executed, and the steam engine set in action in May last; and there would have been no difficulty in putting the mint in full operation, but for the apprehensions from the climate. Two of the officers and all of the workmen were from the middle states, and unacclimated; and I was advised by the resident officers that they would incur great risk in going to New Orleans in the warm season .... They are now, however, all at their stations, and making every exertion to commence the operations of the mint at an early day.
"The machinery for the branch mint at Charlotte, North Carolina was shipped to Charleston in April; and, in the following month competent workmen were sent forward to put it into operation. Great delay and difficulty occurred, however, in transporting the heavy machinery to Charlotte, So that the steam engine was not set in action until the middle of August.
"The machinery for the branch mint at Dahlonega, in Georgia, was sent to Savannah in May, and difficulty and delay also occurred in its transportation thence by land. After the workmen employed at Charlotte had finished their task, they proceeded to Dahlonega, to erect the machinery there; and they completed this work early in November .... "