The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 38, September 23, 2007, Article 20

QUIZ ANSWER: THREE U.S. COINS WITH DESIGNER'S NAME

Last week John Dannreuther offered the following numismatic
trivia question: "What are the three U.S. coins that have the
designer's name on them?

"Hints: One of them is an early pattern (considered a regular
issue by some), one is a regular issue (considered a pattern
by some), and the last one is a pattern (no controversy for
this one, but it was issued to honor a recently departed Chief
Engraver)."

No one gave this one a try - what gives?  Last week's issue
was delivered late, but I know it hit the streets.  I guess
everyone thought someone else would send something in.

John's answer: "The first is the Birch cent, which is a pattern
to some and regular issue to others.  The second is, of course,
the easy one - the Gobrecht dollar (1836 only), but it's a regular
issue once considered a pattern.

"The third is the 1870 Longacre 'tribute' pattern dollar (Judd-1008-1019).
A true pattern! This was issued after Longacre died in 1869 and one
wonders if it was a tribute to the long-serving Chief Engraver
(1844-1869). Only Charles Barber (1879-1917) served longer. The
Longacre punches, including the one used on this pattern, are in
the Smithsonian. The "L" was used for gold dollars, the JBL was
used on the double eagles, and LONGACRE was used on the pattern.
The "L" on the Indian is raised, so was punched into the die,
while these are used to punch into hubs, then transferred to
the dies.

"Actually, some will call the Longacre pattern two coins or more,
really, as there are metal composition varieties. (J-1008-1013 is
the Longacre Indian Princess with the Standard silver dollar
reverse, while J-1014-1019 is the same obverse combined with
the regular Liberty Seated reverse)."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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