The E-Sylum:  Volume 11, Number 3, January 20, 2008, Article 11

HERITAGE PLATINUM NIGHT HIGHLIGHTS

Speaking of Heritage's Platinum night, here are a few lots
I thought worth highlighting:

1818 1/2RL New Spain (Texas) Jola Half Real:  "The Texas
jolas were made by José Antonio de la Garza of San Fernando
de Bexar. While that locale may not ring a bell, its current
name surely will: San Antonio.  San Fernando de Bexar was
the capital of Texas (then a province of New Spain) during
the 1810-1821 War of Independence. Apparently, community
leaders prevailed upon the governor of the province, Lt.
Col. Manuel Prado, to authorize Manuel Barrera to coin 8,000
copper coins to facilitate commerce in March 1817.

"In 1959, a group of approximately 60 specimens was
discovered during excavation work along the San Antonio
River. The area of the find was once a 19th century
campground used by cowboys. A few others have been
discovered since, virtually all of which have been dug.
Apparently they did not circulate long, so most are not
greatly worn but, having been buried, most do show corrosion."
Full Story

1865 Seven-Piece Silver and Nickel Proof Set With Original
Box: "Just five months after the surrender of General Lee
and the Army of North Virginia and the subsequent cessation
of hostilities of the Civil War, Mr. and Mrs. G.R. Oat
celebrated their silver wedding anniversary. An event that
would otherwise be lost to history is commemorated by this
proof set of seven silver and nickel coins, its custom-made
holder, and presentation card.

"The case does not appear to be from the Mint, but was
probably made by a local jeweler. The dark brown leather
case is in remarkably fine condition with only slight
rubbing on the corners and next to the clasps. And the
hook-shaped clasps are still fully functional. An ornate
gold stamp is centered on the top and reads: Oat. /
September 8, 1865. Inside, a blue velvet board held the
coins with raised protective rims around each hole. The
presentation card is pinned to the blue silk inner liner
of the lid. It is written on a calling card with the name
Mrs. Henry C. Howell below a handwritten note that reads:
Presented to Mr. & Mrs. G.R. Oat / at their silver wedding
/ Sept 8th 1865
Full Story

1792 1C Washington Getz Pattern Cent: "Robert Morris
wanted examples of the proposed coinage to help passage
of his bill, and apparently conscripted silversmith Peter
Getz of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Morris was earlier
responsible for the production of the extremely rare 1783
quints and marks, from a prior attempt at a national coinage.
For the 1792 pieces, Getz based his design on John Gregory
Hancock's Baker-16 1791 Small Eagle cent, since the devices
matched the bill's specification of a head of Washington
and an eagle. Baker-16 was made to secure a Federal coinage
contract, and it was ironic that Getz would copy the design
in his own attempt at securing Mint employment.

"All efforts by Morris and Getz were for naught, because
the House of Representatives (and President Washington)
opposed presidential portraits on coinage on the grounds
they were too monarchial. Congress instead eventually
enacted legislation on April 2, 1792, designating "an
impression emblematic of liberty" as the obverse device."
Full Story

To read the complete press release on the sale, see:
Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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