The E-Sylum:  Volume 9, Number 40, October 1, 2006, Article 19

REPRODUCING THE FORD SILVER NOVA CONSTELLATIO SET

David Gladfelter writes: "A window of opportunity exists, while the
Ford Nova Constellatio (Constellatio Nova?) pattern set remains intact,
to create accurate and authentic reproductions of this set, the way
museums do of famous sculptures. To me it's particularly important
that this be done because the patterns are unique and historic, and
if lost, stolen or destroyed (as has already happened to the Templeton
Reid California $25.00 piece), no metallic example would remain.

The technology exists to produce such repros. Robert Bashlow and the
firm of Aug. C. Frank Co. used it to produce copies of the Confederate
cent and half dollar, which are popularly collected today.

If the idea has merit, then one needs to consider under whose auspices
it will be undertaken, the number of sets to be made, and how they will
be distributed. I would personally favor a museum such as the Smithsonian
or ANS undertaking this project, with a large mintage because of the
historic importance of the patterns. If there is concern about the
repros being offered as the genuine, they could be issued "one-sided"
with a suitable design on the other side, as was done with Bashlow's
half dollar restrikes; thus, a complete set would consist of 10 pieces,
five obverse coins and five reverse. Another control could be issuance
of the repros in different metals such as brass.

Please let me know your thoughts. Understand, I am just floating an
idea, I'm not interested in actually undertaking any restriking myself."

[Cheapo repros of some of these pieces do exist, but I would agree
that there could be a market and purpose for quality reproductions.
I wouldn't undertake such a project either, but would encourage and
support it.  Dave's point about the Templeton Reid $25 meshes well
with Alan Leudeking's comments in the last E-Sylum about counterfeits
sometimes being the only records of the existence of a coin.  This
holds for collector reproductions as well.   The E-Sylum has inspired
numismatic projects before, so it's possible someone might take up
the cause.  Thoughts, readers?  -Editor]

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization 
promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor 
at this address: whomren@coinlibrary.com

To subscribe go to: https://my.binhost.com/lists/listinfo/esylum