The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1908-07-09
MONEY A NEW YORKER MADE.
At Premium Now Though Uncle
Sam Rejected 1t.


have passed as money. or these no
series is more interesting or has
left more metallic reminders than
the coin struck in the metal known
as "Feuchtwanger composition.
In 1887 DR.. Lewis Feuchtwanger,
New York druggist and chemist,
invented white metal, very much
of the color of silver, from COM
pound of copper, zinc, nickel and
iron. He struck number of coins
of the denomination of one and
three cents, the latter being the first
coin of this value ever issued in the
United States.
Specimens of these coins he for
warded to Congress with a petition
that his metal be adopted for Unit
ed States subsidiary coins instead of
copper. II. NJ. Patterson, Director
OF the Mint, reported adversely on
the petition, and the metal was re-
jected by the Government
DR.. Feuchtwanger continued to
strike coins of the repudiated met
al, and many o. the tradesmen
tokens of the period were ais made
of the so-called American silver"
soiie of which are now of consider
abe rarity and value.
The rarest OF the regular Feucht-
wanger coins from the standpoint OF
value Is a three-cent piece dated
1897 which shows an eagle on the
diverse. On the reverse is a laurel
wreath. between the two ends OF
which is the Arabic figure "3." The
wreath encloses the words Three
Cents" while around the border is
inscribed "Feuchtwanger's Compo-
sition." The edge of the coin is
reeded, and a specimen in uncircu-
lated condition has brought $40.
A similar variety Of the three cent
piece shows an eagle standing on
rocks, with the date 1897 beneath.
On the reverse there Is wreath,
but the figure 3 Is omitted from be-
tween the ends OF the wreath. This
variety when in fine condition is
worth $40.
The next piece in point OF value
Is what evidently was struck as
tradesmen's token for use in this
city. In seven lines. on the diverse,
the inscription reads: "Feuchtwan-
ger American Silver Composition 2
verse in six lines Is inscribed House
and Household Furniture, Instru-
ments. Beer Pumps, Pillars, Crates.
Spoons, Forks and Dining Sets"
This piece. which is about the SIZE
Of half dollar, has brought SIG.
Another tradesmen's token OF
rare variety, somewhat similar to
the reverse Of the foregoing piece,
shows the inscription on the OBJ
verse, DIR. Feuchtwanger's Ameri-
can Silver Composition, 377 Broad
way, New York.
One variety of the three cent
piece, while not rare. is of interest
to New Workers. for it Is New
York three cent piece. show
Ing on the diverse the arms OF New
York with the word Excelsior" and
the date 1897 underneath.
wanger pieces are those of the de-
nomination of one cent, the princi-
pie design Of which SHOWS an eagle
grasping snake.
The scarcest of the Feuchtwanger
pieces, not considering premium, Is
a three cent piece of the 1897 issue
struck in copper, of which only one
specimen has been mentioned.
The record price paid for a coin
struck In Feuchtwanger metal is
$3.50, which was paid for a speci-
men of the philadelphia shilling
at the Morris sale, held in Philadel-
phia in 1905. The piece shows the
arms of the city of Philadelphia on
one side, while the other bears the
inscription around the edge, Cor
poration Of Philadelphia" In the
centre being stamped the words,
"One Shilling Token"
second variety bearing the
arms Of Philadelphia, like the fore
going, showed on the reverse a
wreath in the centre of which are
the letters. "'F. s." (Which are sup
posed to stand for "Feuchtwanger
Silver") and 80 Gents" This va
riety also Is very rare. and a fine
specimen sold for s47.50 at the
same sale as its companion coin.
In 1887 a New York firm struck
from the Fauchtwanger metal coin
representing the denomination of
12A cents. On the diverse was an
e-gle holding in its talons a snake,
with the date 1887" On the re-
verse was the inscription. r.. e.
Russell, 1. o. U. 12hc." 1t was a
little larger than the old time cop
per cent. At recent sale fine
specimen brought $14.-New York