The E-Sylum:  Volume 9, Number 32, August 6, 2006, Article 10

AMERICAN BANKNOTE PLATE HOARD ARTICLE

The Associated Press published a good article July 30 about the
upcoming sale of the American Bank Note Company plate archive.
Douglas Mudd of the American Numismatic Association and Dave Bowers
of American Numismatic Rarities were quoted.

"When the federal government started printing money in quantity in
the 1860s, ornate currency produced by banks around the country
became obsolete virtually overnight. So did the intricate printing
plates used to make it.

Now, thousands of the hand-engraved metal plates, many under wraps
for more than 150 years, are going on the auction block. First, they
are being examined and catalogued by a New Hampshire firm that
specializes in rare currency and coins."

"The 200 tons of plates are from the archives of the American Bank
Note Co., formed in New York in 1858 by the consolidation of seven
major engraving and printing firms. The company inherited plates
its predecessors had been accumulating for decades, including ones
used to print advertisements, letterhead stationery and stock
certificates that helped fuel the country's economic and westward
expansion during the 1800s."

"The whole collection comprises about 900 plates for printing money
and 10,000 to 20,000 smaller collectible engravings. Some are smaller
than a playing card. Others are nearly a foot wide and a foot tall."

To read the complete article, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

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