QUERY: CHORMANN PATTERN INFORMATION SOUGHT

Saul Teichman writes:

The following is supplied courtesy of John Pack with some additions by Saul Teichman.

The following 6 designs were produced by Philadelphia engraver and die sinker, E.G. Chormann. These pieces were produced in 1861 for the United States Government as part of ongoing experiments into how to prevent “abrasion, counterfeiting, and deterioration of the coins of the United States,” in the words of the commissioners appointed to examine the proposal on behalf of the United States. The genesis of this program of experimentation was a joint resolution of Congress, February 26, 1857, “to prevent the counterfeiting of the coins of the United States,” which authorized the formal investigation of the proposals given by one Dr. J.T. Barclay. Appointed as commissioners were Professors Henry Vethake and R.E. Rogers, who reported to Vice President John C. Breckinridge, as President of the Senate. E.G. Chormann was hired as the engraver, while a veteran mechanic of the U.S. Mint at Philadelphia, David Gilbert, was hired as the machinist for the project.

Mr. Chormann writes to Mr. James F. Hieskell, May 19, 1860:

These items will appear in a future edition of Judd in appendix C.

JC1861-1

The following cent sized pattern shows a scallop design on both sides with the date 1861 in the center on one side.

So far, it is only confirmed in copper and/or brass with 4 examples sold in Heritage 8/06 sale.

Photo courtesy of Heritage.

JC1861-4

This is the first of 3 quarter sized pieces. It shows an Indian head similar to that on the regular cent and a shield inside a scallop with engine turning in it.

Examples of this are known as follows:

Silver JC1861-4 with an example, ex Ford, sold in StacksBowers 8/13 sale.

White Metal or Lead JC1861-5 with an example sold in Heritage 8/06 sale.

Photo courtesy of StacksBowers.

JC1861-9

This is the 2nd of 3 quarter sized designs. It shares the same obverse as JC1861-4 combined with a different reverse. This reverse is similar to the other but the inner shield which has F in the center of the shield surrounded by Chormann and Phila instead of lines.

So far it is only confirmed in white metal and/or lead with an example, ex Ford, sold in the StacksBowers 8/13 sales and another in Heritage 8/06 sale.

Note: We are saving JC1861-8 for a silver example should it exist.

Photo courtesy of StacksBowers

JC1861-12

The following is the third known quarter sized piece. It is a muling of the 2 reverses used on JC1861-4 and JC1861-9 and is known only in silver. The illustrated piece is the former Ford, StacksBowers 8/13 example.

JC1861-13 has been saved for a white metal and/or lead example, should it exist.

Photo courtesy of StacksBowers.

JC1861-17

The following is the first of 2 known half dollar sized designs. This one employees a seated Liberty design similar to the regular circulation piece inside a scallop design with a reverse showing an eagle, again similar to the regular design inside a scallop design with Chormann F below the eagle.

So far this is only known in white metal and/or lead with at least 2 known, one ex Ford, StacksBowers 8/13 sale and another ex Heritage 8/06 sale.

We have saved JC1861-16 should a silver example ever turn up.

Photo courtesy of StacksBowers.

JC1861-21

The following is the second of 2 known half dollar sized designs. This one employees the same seated Liberty design similar as on JC1861-17 but with a reverse showing the eagle in a cartouche.

So far this is only known in white metal and/or lead with at least 2 known, both ex Ford, StacksBowers 8/13.

We have saved JC1861-20 for a silver example should it ever turn up.

Photo courtesy of StacksBowers.

To read the complete article, see:
Chormann Patterns (http://uspatterns.stores.yahoo.net/chpa.html)

Wayne Homren, Editor

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web