The Osceola times., 1880-07-31
OLD COINS.
The Craze of the Numiasmatics Reviving


Philadelphia Record.
The coin collectors are among the indi-
viduals who realize the impulse of inn
proved times. They report that the
"craze for coins has revived to n Won
derful extent Old numismatics are
taking more interest in their hobbies
new ones are in the field, and as result
coins are growing scarce and prices daily
tending upward. Among the coins for
which there is now great demand are
the dimes, quarter and half dollars of
1879. Only $4,000 of these coins were
issued from the mint, whereas the aver
age issue of previous years have been
larger. Collectors are n)w paying 20
cents for the half dollar, IS cents for the
quarters and % cents for the dimes of
1879. while the figures obtained by the
dealers from their private customers
are nearly 25 per cent in advance of
buying prices.
The articles relative To old and rare
coins, published in the Record over u
year ago, have had the effect of unearth-
ing a couple Of extremely rare specimens
which are now in the possession of y.
Mason Jr., numismatist of this city.
One of these is Washington silver dol
lar of 1876, which is believed to he the
only one in the country, and to which a
history is attached.
When Washington was in the height
of his popularity it was proposed to
place his bust upon the coinage. This
was done in some silver and copper is
sues of l79l-92; but Washington objected
so vigorously that the coins were with
drawn from circulation. Again in 1896
il was proposed to place his head upon
the dollars, but once more he objected,
and the idea was not persisted in. Two
or three coins were, however, struck off
and the one Just now turned up is of the
number. Where the others went to no.
body knows, but this one has been in
the possession of Schuylkill county
farmer for over sixty years. The OBJ
verse has a military bust of Washington
facing left, surrounded by the legend
washington. President" and the date
1896. The head is surrounded with a
laurel wreath. On the reverse is a
spread eagle, surrounded by fifteen stars.
A broad milling extends around the
margin. The diverse has the name
Birch in very small letters beneath
the head. This is the designer, who was
WV icth'i Va thN YiNN'lI' VI
that name.
The other coin is also new TO the nu-
mismatic world. which has been gener-
ally ignorant of its existence, although
it was stated in Boston recently that
such a coin was extant IL is Confed-
crate gold piece the size and weight of
$3.50 gold coin, for which il was proba-
bly, intended The diverse has a naked
bust of Jeii. Davis, with the name in
circle. On the reverse is a laurel wreath
with the date 1861. Around this is the
legend: &c. $. A. First President" This
piece has Just been brought TO light by
resident of Richmond, Va, who values
it at 800. Whether it was struck as
sample coin or intended as a medal is
question which the numsmatists will
now attempt to solve.
The United States government has
ordered that twelve girls and twelve
boys of the Cherokee Indians, residing
in the more western counties of North
Carolina. be educated at the expense of
the government at the Asheville Female
and the Weaverville Colleges, the girls
10 be taught at Ashevllle and the bows at
Weaverville, for tile purpose of enabling
them to instruct their own people,