The Planchet
A Publication of theIndianapolis Coin ClubFebruary 2008 Issue 490

The next meeting will be Monday, Feb 25th2008
The Meetings of the Indianapolis Coin Club are held
the fourth Monday of each month at theNorthside Knights of Columbus
2100 E. 71st Street in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Meetings consist of a business session, an intermission, educational program,and a numismatic auction. Doors open at 6:00pm, meeting will begin at 7:00pm.

Letter From the Editor
I just wanted to thank those of you that made comments (lets call it constructive criticism) about myattempt at the newsletter. I realize that we had a few hiccups with pages turning out funny when printed andfiles being sent wrong in the E Mails. This first newsletter taught me a lot about the program I’m using to write
it. I’ll try to make sure that as I get the hang of this new program to provide you with a better quality newsletter. I would also like to take this opportunity to appeal to any aspiring writers in our midst. I would love to use
your articles in our newsletter. If you have an article that you would like to contribute to the newsletter please e
mail me at matt@ldrcoins.com or talk to me at the club meeting.
Respectfully,
Matt Dinger
Editor

ICC Meeting Dates:
January – 28thFebruary – 25th
March – 24thApril – 28th
May – 19thJune – 23rd
July – 28 thAugust – 25th
September – 22nd
October – 27 th
November – 24 th$$$$ “ALWAYS BUYING” $$$$

VINTON G. DOVE

PAYING TOP PRICES FOR ALL U.S.
COINS

Certified Public Accountant
Collecting U.S. Coins Since 1952

DON’T SELL WITHOUT GETTING OUR OFFER!!!

LARRY HYLTONBROWNSBURG, IN

ANA, ISNA-LM, CSNS-LM 443 Wellington Road(317) 852-8458

Indianapolis, IN 46260(317) 257-1906
Fax( 317) 257-2220

Jim Fuson
Retired Teacher & Coach

R.O.M.A. COIN
Specializing in U.S. RARE COINS

Collector of old U.S. Coins
And old Sports Cards
Also have some coins and cards for sale5795 E. Co. Rd. 350 S., Plainfield, IN 46168
ICC & ANA (317) 839-5178

APPRAISALSBUY AND SELLORVA (ORV) DETRICK
Professional Numismatist
PO Box 267
Donnelsville, Ohio
45319-0267
Phone: 937-882-6730
Cell #: 937-284-0412
E-mail: Romacoin@aol.com
Buy/Sell Bullion: Gold & Silver

PHONE
Advertise in the Indianapolis Coin
(317) 753-7967 Club Newsletter! The cost is only

DOUBLE D. KOINSDONALD D. KING SR.
Member

$35.00 for a business card size
ad for 12 issues!
The Monthly Planchet is the official publication of the Indianapolis
Coin Club. It is published monthly in Indianapolis, Indiana. All
inquiries should be sent to ICC, P.O. Box 2897, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46206.

Table Of Contents
The 2007 Indianapolis Coin ClubOfficers and Board Members
Letter From the President

President
Vice-PresidentSecretaryTreasurer
EditorPast President
Sgt-at-Arms
Board Member 2007-2008
Board Member 2007-2008
Board Member 2007-2008
Board Member 2008-2009
Board Member 2008-2009
Board Member 2008-2009

Mark Eberhardt
Jim Roehrdanz
Vinton Dove
Karl Kreck
Matt Dinger
Vinton Dove
Jim Warden
Dave Reid
Bob Bettcher
James Held
Jim Fuson
Charles Alber
Don King

Advertisers
Draped Bust Dollar 1795 - 1803
Treasurer's Report
Secretarys Report

Page 1Page 2
Page 3
Page 5
Page 6

THE GOBRECHT DOLLAR 1836 – 1839
byMichael Schmidt
In 1803, because the dollar coins were simply being exported, Thomas Jefferson ended thecoinage of silver dollars by Presidential Order. From then until 1830 the silver dollar was not an official
part of our coinage system. During the Jackson administration legislation was passed that permitted thecoinage of silver dollars to be resumed, but no action was taken at that time.
In 1836 the Mint added an assistant engraver to aid the aging William Kneass who had recently
had a stroke. To fill the post Christian Gobrecht was appointed by President Jackson. One of the firstthings Jackson, a hard money advocate, requested was for Gobrecht to create a new design for the silver
dollar. Gobrecht adapted a seated Liberty design based on a sketch by Titian Peale. Reminiscent of theBritish Britannia designs, Liberty faces right seated on a rock and looking back over her right shoulder.
Her right hand rests on a shield bearing the coat of arms of the USA with the word LIBERTY on a banner
diagonally across it. Her left hand is upraised supporting a pole topped by a Liberty cap.
The reverse shows a majestic flying eagle. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is above the eagle
and the denomination, separated from the previous inscription by large dots, is below it. In thebackground field surrounding the eagle are 26 stars in a random “starry sky” pattern with 13 of the stars
being larger to represent the original thirteen colonies and the other thirteen representing the remaining
states being smaller in size.
Traditionally the story goes that the first version of this dollar had Gobrecht’s name, in small
letters, in the field below the base of the rock and above the date. Supposedly this resulted in a great
public outcry over his conceit and a demand the name be removed. Thus leading to the second variety
with the name placed on the base of the rock. This story is complete hokum. There are only eighteen
specimens of the name below rock design. Hardly enough coins to circulate through Philadelphia andcreate widespread public criticism in just a few days. Also later research has determined that all eighteenof the “name below rock” pieces are actually restrikes struck at a later date Most likely the “name onbase of rock” coins came first and disapproval of this led to the eventual removal of the name.
On the final day of 1836 two deliveries of silver dollars were made to the Bank of the UnitedStates. One delivery of 400 coins, and one of 600 coins. All of these were struck to a standard of .892
fine and weighed 416 grains. They were also all proof coins.
The next coinage was not until March 1 st 1837. In the meantime the Coinage Act of Jan 18th 1837
had been passed revising the standards at which the coins of the US were struck. So these new silver
dollars, even though struck using the old 1836 dies, were coined at the new standard of 412.5 grains ofweight and 900 fine silver. This slight weight change is about the only way to tell the 300 proof coinsdelivered in 1837 from the 1000 coins delivered the year before.
No coins for circulation were struck in 1838, but 25 proof patterns were struck on July 5 th. These
patterns had had the Gobrecht name ground off of the hub used to sink the die, and thirteen stars were
now punched into the die around the figure of Liberty. (On the previous two years Liberty had been set ina plain unadorned field.) Another change made was the removal of the “starry sky” field around the eagleon the reverse.
Finally, for the first time the edges of the coins were given the standard reeded edge.
The final official coinage came on the last day of 1839 when a final 300 proof coins of the same
design as 1838 were delivered to the Bank of the United States. A four year total coinage of 1,600 coins
spanning three different types.

January 28, 2008 Minutes of the Indianapolis Coin Club Meeting.
Open - The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by President Mark Eberhardt. 35 people signed the attendance book.
Visitors - One visitors was introduced, Jose Vazquez.
The Treasurer’s report and the Secretary’s report were read and accepted.
Old Business – Mark reported that the Club had operated “in the black” for 2007. That was the first time ina few years.
Mark also reported that the Club’s Christmas Banquet was held at the MCL Cafeteria in Castleton, and thatthose in attendance had a great time. Entertainment was by a music student from the University of Indianapolis who played the piano. There was also a gift exchange which was a big hit.
New Business – Mark reported that a budget had not been presented to the Board, yet.
He congratulated the Club’s new Editor, Matt Dinger, who had just produced his first issue in January.
Coin Week will be the next major project of the Club. Mark will appoint a committee prior to the next meeting, and he asked the members to think of potential sponsors to cover the cost of the project. The Club needs
money to purchase coins to give away and to spend in the Indianapolis area. These coins will attract interest
to coin collecting, and the Club plans to have radio advertisement to attract those who are curious to theClub’s meetings.
The Club is also looking for speakers to present educational programs at our meetings. Each Board member ischarged with presenting a program or providing a speaker, but help from the members is always wanted, tolighten the load on the Board members.
Mark noted the passing of long-time Club member, Roland Kontac. Roland was the owner of Premier Stampand Coin shop for many years in Indianapolis, and had been a Club member since the late 1960’s or early
1970’s. John Sundt and Vinton Dove both spoke of their many pleasant experiences with Roland. We will
miss him.
The Educational Program for the evening was presented by Club member, Donn Wray. His presentation
was titled “Money of the Great Depression.” There were many changes in the US currency and coinage after
President Franklin Roosevelt outlawed the possession of gold by US citizens in early 1933. Donn had a large
display of US currency from that era and he explained how each of the different types of bills came into beingand reasons for each. He also went into the rarity of each. Of particular interest was the issue of Hawaii andNorth Africa “overprints.” These were US bills which were stamped or overprinted with “Hawaii” or otherwords to denote their use in sensitive areas of the world which were in some jeopardy of being captured byour enemies during World War II. The idea was that if Hawaii, for instance, were captured by the Japanese,the currency with the overprint could be declared void and worthless. This would help prevent the enemies of
the US from destabilizing our monetary system. Donn gave a most interesting pogram which was given insuch a manner that even the Secretary was able to understand!
There was a short break, after which Tom Ferverda and Kurt Miller ran the 50/50 Drawing. The winner wasKurt Miller.
Special Presentation – Mark Eberhardt, President, Vinton Dove, Secretary, and Dave Reid, Life Member,then made the formal presentation of a Life Member Card to Charles Alber. Charles was elected a few months
ago, but difficulty obtaining a Life Member Card delayed the presentation to him. Congrats, Charles!!
Auction. Mark then ran an excellent auction. Joe Boling, Karl Kreck and Vinton Dove assisted. Most of thelots sold.
The club adjourned at 9:00 PM.

Vinton Dove, SecretaryIndianapolis Coin Club
Treasurer's Report January 2008

Income:50/50
Donation to Auction
32 Members renewal
1 Jr. Member renewal$ 50.00$ 28.00$ 384.00$ 5.00Total$ 467.00

Expenses:
Knights of Columbus Chck # 1408
11 month room rental for 2008

December Checkbook Balance
January Checkbook Balance
I.C.C. CD Balance $ 18,029.00 as of June 1, 2007

Respectfully submitted,Karl Kreck

Total$ 1,998.85$ 2,245.85$ 220.00