The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 50, December 9, 2007, Article 12

REVIEW: THE RENAISSANCE OF AMERICAN COINAGE 1909-1915

Regarding my review of Jeff Reichenberger's pamphlet on William
Ashbrook, Dave Lange writes: "Some of these Ashbrook nuggets
are included in Roger Burdette's third and final volume in his
books. I posted a review of the new book on Amazon.com, and I'm
attaching it here. I don't believe Amazon copyrights such
reviews, so I imagine you can reproduce it."

[Jeff does mention Roger's book in his pamphlet. -Editor]

This third and final volume in Roger W. Burdette's trilogy
titled Renaissance of American Coinage is every bit as satisfying
as the other two volumes. Covering the years 1909-15, it includes
complete developmental histories of two favorite coin types,
the Lincoln Cent and the Buffalo Nickel. Also included are the
several commemorative coins that were issued for the Panama-Pacific
International Exposition in 1915. All of this is thoroughly
documented with correspondence between U. S. Mint officers,
the sculptors commissioned to create the coins and various
other public and private individuals who made their
not-always-welcome contributions to these coins' histories.

The book also features a look into some little known tales
regarding the U. S. Mint's own coin collection, which is now
held by the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of American History.
These include a profile of the important curator, T. Louis
Comparette, as well as some insider correspondence revealing
that the Mint retained numerous old coins that it used for
trading purposes and for soliciting favor with public
officials. Sidebar stories on the infamous 1913 Liberty
Head Nickel, as well as profiles of some important yet
little known Mint personnel complete this important reference.

As always with Roger's books, every statement and document
is fully cited, not only as to its general source but as to
its specific folder within the vast National Archives and
Records Administration bureaucracy. As someone who has done
a fair amount of research and writing myself on this period
of Mint history, I can attest to just how tedious yet
important this kind of documentation is to future research.

While pointing out its thorough citations may give readers
of this review the impression that this book is a dry and
ponderous exercise, such an idea is vastly removed from the
truth. Roger's writing skills and style are both eminently
relaxed and enjoyable, and this book will satisfy students
of U. S. Mint history and coinage at any level of
sophistication. The numerous, sharp photographs are alone
worth the price of the book.

Whether enjoyed as a thoroughly researched history or
simply as a beautiful coffee-table book, the 1909-15 volume
of Roger's Renaissance of American Coinage is a delight.
Package deals are being offered by at least one seller of
this title, so anyone not having the other books covering
1905-08 and 1916-21 should take advantage of such offers
by buying all three at once.

 REVIEW: THE WILLIAM A. ASHBROOK DIARIES 1905-1920 BY JEFF REICHENBERGER
 esylum_v10n49a04.html

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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