Litchfield enquirer., 1861-01-10

as early as 1860, and in 1797 the beautiful cent and half cent with the Indian and bow, made their appearance. New York, New Jersey, the Carolnas, Vermont. Kentucky and Connecticut, all adopted various coppers, which bore upon their faces sentiments of freedom and virtue Many of these coins are extremely rare, and from three to six specimens only are known to be in existence, of quite number Since the estab- lIshment of the mint the coinage has been con- stantly improving until we have reached almost as high standard as the leading European na- tlons. The collectors have received encourage ment from the officers of the mint, and proof set of the coinage of each year is now within the reach of all who choose to avail themselves of the privilege of obtaining it. There are many fine cabinets in Philadelphia and New ork, and that of the Mint is being constantly improved. One eminent collector resident of the former city. whose hair is silvered with the frosts of age, has nearly complete series of all the valu- able American coins from the start. In our own State there are two cabinets of note, one located in New Haven and the other in Hartford. The great quantities of the old large cents which are being constantly returned to the Mint, make a complete set of those a valuable possession.- Many of the dates of silver are obtained with great difficulty. With regard to the prices of coins, those of the English series would perhaps astonish some of your readers who regard the present quotation of American coins as high As long ago as Tattle's sale in 1882, what is known as the trial piece produced by Simon, coined in the reign of King Charles H., sold for e225, or about Sl 250 for a single silver piece.
 Nearly all the early dates of the English Kings and Queens, which were struck off in very large quantities, are in demand at exorbiant prl- csS.
 The general impression is that nearly all the entire series of our own coinage is developed, and it numbers several thousand varieties. Of Washington pieces alone it is estimated there are about 300 varieties.
 The specimens which were recently sold in this city at such high rates were what are known as proof or perfect specimens, and of all but re- cent dates, cannot readily be obtained at all for money. The only time they are in market is when some collector who years ago, long before the present excitement existed quietly laid them away, year by year, and now being anxious to re- aliZe, just turns them into gold. The newspa- pers all over the country have given an account of their figures, and many of our enterpraing friends who reside in the country have labored under the impression that all the different dates mentioned are yalned at just the price quoted. They accordingly hasten home, and after close examination of some thousands of coppers, se- lect hat full or expecting to realize at once. They take them to the nearest collector, expect ing soon after to drop into the Savings Bank i; but after some delay return home with the prop erty still in their possession. Visitors of this kind are confined to no particular class or sex, and are rather numerous at present. With re- gard to the manufacture of coins, we would say the experiment has been tried again and again, without success. Copies of the rare coins are appreciated among collectors about as much as copies after Eandyke are valued by connoiseurs of paintings as compared with the originals CT as ordinary stereoscopic views are valued when placed beside those of the French academy Like old books and pictures, coins have certain appearance to the experienced eye, as quickly noticed, as a counterfeit signature by shrewd broker. Certain it is that many of those coins connected with our own country will always have permanent and increasing value.-Cou,a,at