THE MAY 2022 PAN CIVIL WAR SHOWCASE

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V25 2022 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 25, Number 23, June 5, 2022, Article 10

Rebecca Rush and Rick Lank provided these photos from their recent Civil War Showcase at the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists show in Monroeville, PA. Thanks! Great event. -Editor

Everyone knows about the military exploits of General Sherman (Uncle Billy) and his notorious March to the Sea. But very few people realize that he set aside his military career in the brand-new State of California to pursue his fortune in San Francisco as a speculator and a banker. He had dealings with the private assayers who produced the gold ingots that were routinely shipped to New York through Panama to bolster the Wall Street economy; these shipments went aboard massive paddle-wheelers, such as the S.S. Central America.

Sherman also had dealings with the newly opened San Francisco Branch Mint, which produced its first gold coins in 1854. During the California bank panic in 1855, Sherman collected on a construction loan and toted $40,000 in freshly minted gold double- eagles (equal to 1 million dollars today) from the Mint and hauled the money in his saddle-bags solo – through bustling San Francisco. That move helped the bank (Lucas, Turner & Co.) survive a run on its deposits. But the western branch of Lucas folded and Sherman was re-located to New York… where the sinking of the S.S. Central America ended Lucas & Co. and Sherman's banking career.

The Saga of the S.S. Central America – She sinks on September 12, 1857 and scuttles Sherman's career in banking – $50 million (in today's money) goes to the bottom of the Atlantic – Ship of Gold found in 1988.

Above is an artist's vision of the SS Central America foundering in a hurricane that took her down in 1857. Above (right) are dozens of double-eagles from the San Francisco mint, neatly stacked and packed in boxes each holding $3,000. The wooden boxes have long ago disintegrated, leaving the coins undisturbed at the bottom of the sea.

Bob Evans – lead researcher and curator – presented two sides of the SS Central America story, joined by Rick Lank for the Uncle Billy was a Banker portions of the story.

Rick (at left) leads discussion with Uncle Billy and Bob Evans talking about Sherman's life in pre-War San Francisco. At the Civil War Showcase on Saturday the 21st of May.

On Saturday the 21st, Bob Evans spoke extensively about the human side of the Central America tragedy – and how dozens of small coin spills and other relics revealed how the ship was a time capsule. In a discussion dubbed 9,000 dimes and bags of Gold Dust, Bob revealed the contents of the Purser's Safe and other findings, such as the 9,000 Liberty Seated dimes used for petty cash and the remains of Money Vests that contained San Francisco-minted coins.

Rick (Of No Small Change and author of Uncle Billy was a Banker) discusses how Sherman – by pure chance – met the Captain of the Swedish Bark who saved some 50 survivors of the Central America, while in a hotel lobby in New York. The story is that the captain was harassed by a frigate bird – and as a result, he changed the course by 1 degree east. This premonition sent his Bark directly into the wreckage of the Central America and 50 or so people were saved who otherwise didn't have a chance.

$Uncle Billy Sherman-Grant 15 cent fractional currency$ After the War – Sherman (and Grant) were supposed to be on a 15 Cent Fractional Note – to celebrate their Victory for the Union. However, due to a law passed by the US Congress that same year(1866) – which outlawed the likeness of any living person – this fractional note was not issued.

"President Lincoln and General Sherman bringing Ben Franklin up to speed on the war he missed. Ben, I was gratified to learn from these fine men that our Republic was preserved. Keeping it, at times through history, has proven to be as difficult as it was to create it.

General William T. Sherman, President Abe Lincoln and Founding Father Ben Franklin share a rare moment together in the "President's Office" at the Civil War Showcase at the PAN Coin Show, May 2022. "PAN Coin Show Brings History To Life" photo. General William T Sherman (Kris Gulvansen), President Lincoln (Dennis Boggs) and Ben Franklin (Patrick McBride) May 21, 2022.

EXHIBIT/showcase by Terry Carver which is part of his collection of badges & ribbons from Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) Reunion events and a badge & ribbon from a Woman's Relief Corp (WRC) Event.

Photo of Terry Carver being interviewed by Rebecca Rush (No Small Change Programs) discussing parts of his Civil War Memorabilia Collection of GAR/WRC Medals and Ribbons. GAR poster in back.

According to Dennis Boggs portraying President Lincoln, "I have been to many coin shows but I've never previously seen such as impressive collection of GAR and WRC badges."

Photo of the four of us chatting about which Coins, Confederate and US currency, sutler tokens, 1860 Election Token, Dog Tags and fractional notes were possibly in each of their " saddlebags" & "pockets"!

Here are a few shots from the greater PAN show submitted Pat McBride. Thanks! The next show will be held October 20-22, 2022. Make your plans today! -Editor