OLDEST COIN COLLECTION RECORDED IN THE U.S.?

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V3 2000 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 3, Number 46, November 5, 2000, Article 8

On p18 of his current literature price list, Karl Moulton describes an article from the January, 1907 issue of The Numismatist: "One of the more interesting passages in this particular issue is titled, "Oldest Coin Collection Recorded in the U.S." It outlines extracts from the diary of Reverend William Bentley who, it would appear, was the very first coin dealer in this country. His main customer was Judge James Winthrop. He sold Judge Winthrop Swedish Plate Money on August 26th, 1787. Later, on October 23, 1795, he created the earliest catalogue of coins of Mr. Samuel Curwin's collection for Mr. Winthrop. This catalogue far outdistances the 1828 Watkin's broadside listed by Attinelli. As numismatic bibliophiles, we should endeavor to obtain a copy of this significant milestone publication."

[Editor's note: Bentley's diary is quoted in Bowers' "American Numismatics before the Civil War". A web search turned up one reference to Curwin - his unabridged journals. If this is the same Curwin, perhaps a reading of his journals will yield further clues about his coin collection.

Oliver, Andrew (ed.). The Journal of Samuel Curwin, Loyalist. Cambridge; published by the Harvard University Press for the Essex Institute:1972. The unabridged journals of the Salem merchant who fled America after being harassed for his Loyalist activities. 2 volumes. 6.5"x9.5", 1083 pages, b&w illustrations]

Wayne Homren, Editor

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