Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-03-05
STORY Or SILVER DOLLAR.
N.r YORK sun.

New York sun.
When the year 1905 ended without the
coming Of a single silver dollar by the
United States Mint il was the first time
since 1899 that such a thing had hap
pened. This thoroughly American coin
replaced the old Spanish piece Of eight
or eight reals which had a general cir
culation IN the Colonies before tue open
ing OF the mint in 1892. From 1899
il appeared each year as regularly as the
cent until last year.
Not a single pattern piece OF this de-
nomination bearing the date 1908 was
struck in any kind Of metal at the mint.
Coin collectors requested the Director OF
the Mint at least to issue proof pieces,
50 that their series OF coins would not
be broken, but all such requests met
with a fiat refusal.
The coinage Of silver dollars began in
1874, and they we're issued each year
continuously up to and including 1904,
when they were discontinued. In 1899
their coinage was resumed, and they ap-
peared each year afterward up to 1905
The 1894 dollar, the first made, which
is one of the rarest of the series, now
brings premium of S24O when in fine
condition and $50 was paid for an un-
circulated specimen. IL bore the design
of Liberty head with flowing hair, re-
semblng closely the design borne by the
copper cents OF that period.
Above the head was the word" Liberty, y
surrounding which we're 10 stars. On
the reverse was an eagle with raised
wings, encircled by branches of laurel
crossed. Around the rim was Omitted
States Of America while on the edge
was Hundred Cents One Dollar or Unit y
There is no way of telling how many
/ 1894 dollars were coined, as the mint
records combine also the output Of dol
lars for 1875, the total number for the
two years being 20479l. In the early
part of 1895 the same design as that Of
1894 was used on the dollars, but in the
latter part OF the year the pattern was
changed TO bust of Liberty on the OBJ
verse with the hair bound by a ribbon,
shoulders draped, and with 5 stars.
On the reverse an eagle with wings
extended stood upon clouds, within a
wreath Of palm and laurel, which was
crossed and tied Around the rim were
the words "United States Of America. -
A specimen Of this date in uncirculated
condition has brought S53.
This same design, with few variations,
was adopted in 1896 and 1897, in which
years the records show 1920 and 7,776
dollars 10 have been coined, respectively.
In l79S a radical change was made in
the design Of the reverse, the diverse re-
naming the same as that OF the preceding
year On this eagle with raised wings,
bears United States shield upon its
breast
! L., 81. t,.I. = . -.-.U ......slnl tfTl
| Pluribus Unum." In the right talon is
a bundle Of arrows, an olive branch being
held in the left. Above the eagle are
clouds and l3 stars and the words UNITED
States of America
Il is shown that 327 ,536 dollars were
coined this year. An uncirculated dollar
Of 1897 has brought $40, while one OF
| 1898, in the same condition, has been
sold for SIC.
The mint records show that in 1919
there were coined 423,5l5 dollars, the
busiest year at that institution for the
coinage of dollars during this period.
while 1900 produced 22O,92O; 1901, Al Asa
1902, Al $50; 1903, 66O64. In 1904,
although this is disputed, il is said that
more than 10000 dollars were minted.
In the last year was issued perhaps the
most famous dollar Of ALL One Of the
reasons assigned for the scarcity of the
1904 dollars is that silver dollars were used
in those days TO pay off the men in the
navy, and nearly all the coins made by
the Mint that year were sent TO Gripoli
TO pay the soldiers and sailors engaged
in the Tnpolitan war IL is the theory
that only a few Of the coins found their
way back to this country.
This explanation is hardly satisfactory.
as it is reasonable TO suppose that some
of the coins would still be in existence
on the Continent. This is not the case.
The stock Of every coin dealer on the
other side has been ransacked time and
again by American collectors in eager
search of rarities and without finding
any dollars of 1904.
The design of the 1904 dollar is the
same as that of l79S with the single ex-
ception of the date. One of the coins
sold not long ago for 81 LOO, and yet il
il is said that there are fully p in ex-
istence. Great difference Of opinion exists
among coin authorities as to the genuine
ness of the 1904 dollar and no satisfactory
conclusion has ever been reached.
In 1886 and 1888 two different dollars
were issued by the United States Mint in
silver, which are now of high rarity. the
one of the latter year being especially
rare. These two pieces were designed
by c. Gobrecht Of the Mint.
The one OF 1896 shows Liberty seated
holding in the left hand a spear sur.
mounted by a liberty cap. The right
hand supports a shield across which is a
band inscribed Liberty" Underneath
is 1886
At the base Of the figure is the name in
small letters &C. Gobrecht, i. On the
reverse is United States of America. " in
the centre being large flying eagle. sur.
rounded by 26 stars. The edge Is plain
This coin is now valued at SIS.
In 1888 the same designer issued anothI
pattern dollar. The figure of Liberty on
this coin is surrounded by l3 stars. while
the name at the base is omitted. On
the reverse is a flying eagle similar to the
one of 1886. but the stars are omitted
and the edge is miled. This coin re.
Gently sold for SlS2.50.
In 1889 another pattern was issued by
Gobecht similar TO that OF 1898. but the
edge was rceded A specimen OF thi,
variety has brought $50.
The edge on the pattern dollars of thes,
three years and also the nying eagle cent,
Of the latter part of the sos is a portrait
OF the hne eagle that used TO make the
Philadelphia Mint his headquarters. Thi,
bird, it is said, lived at the Mint for Sin
years, flew all about the city, but i'm.
variably returned at nightfall. He wa,
named Peter and was known 10 Phila.
delphians as the "Mint bird " He met
an untimely end by being caught in the
machinery.
In lS40 the coinage of dollars was re-.
sumed, the design on the diverse show
ing Liberty seated upon a rock. support.
ing with her right hand the United States
/ chlold afroac trkfsh H.otn . .-.u