Assay members may have saved 1876-CC

The story I heard is that the 1876-CC 20-cent coins that have survived in uncirculated grade were souvenirs saved by the members of the 1876 Assay Commission. Is this true?

The story I heard is that the 1876-CC 20-cent coins that have survived in uncirculated grade were souvenirs saved by the members of the 1876 Assay Commission. Is this true?

Possibly true, but there is no written evidence to support the belief, which I have seen quoted. You might say, ?A likely story.?

Was that really a 1794 dollar you pictured in your March 11 column?

No, it wasn?t. Sharp-eyed reader David pointed out that instead it was a photo of a half dollar. Thanks for catching the goof.

How do I tell whether my Buffalo nickel is a ?full? or ?1/4? horn? Is this some kind of grade like ?full steps??

It is not a grade but a visual check of the condition of the coin, or a key area to check for wear. To determine the amount of horn remaining, you either need an uncirculated coin or a good picture of one to compare the amount of horn detail or outline remaining. An uncirculated, fully struck coin will have a ?full? horn, with the entire outline showing. As the coin wears, the right portion of the horn is the first to disappear, until only the tip is left on a well-worn coin.


What ever happened to the Chase Manhattan Bank coin collection?

The money collection of more than 24,000 pieces, exhibited by the bank beginning in 1929, was donated to the Smithsonian Institution in 1978, except for pieces that had earlier been given to the American Numismatic Society. The Chase Manhattan Money Museum was a popular tourist attraction in New York City. It was operated by the Chase Manhattan Bank and centered around the collection of Farran Zerbe, who was the first curator. The museum was in operation from 1929 to 1973. Gene Hessler was the curator when the exhibit closed.

Is it true that there have been times when Canadian banks refused to accept U.S. coins?

This happened several times between the U.S. Civil War and World War I. So many U.S. silver coins were shipped to Canada during the Civil War that the banks refused them because the Canadian dollar at the time was worth more than the U.S. dollar.

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