FEUCHTWANGER THREE CENT PIECE ORIGINS

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V26 2023 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 26, Number 13, March 26, 2023, Article 19

Researcher Roger Burdette submitted some interesting background information on the origin of Feuchtwanger's Three Cent Piece. Thank you! -Editor

"I came across some interesting information regarding Feuchtwanger's Composition 3-cent tokens while researching other subjects in the Massachusetts Historical Society's John Quincy Adams Diary, volume 33: September 12, 1837. Ref. 12. IV:30. Tuesday.

"Adams had already served as President, and in 1837 was a member of the House of Representatives."

Here is the lot description from Heritage's 2023 May 22 Certified American Tokens & Medals US Coins Showcase Auction #60320,

1837 Feuchtwanger Three Cent, Mint State Eagle on Rock, HT-263. Challenging Guide Book Variety.

1837 3C Feuchtwanger Three Cent -- Cleaned -- NGC Details. Unc. Low-118, HT-263, W-NY-480-65j RE, R.4. German silver, reeded edge. The 1837 Feuchtwanger three cent featuring an eagle on a rock is a valuable Guide Book variety, listed on page 427 of the 2023 edition. Two dies pairs are known, though HT-265 and HT-265A are so rare as to be noncollectible. Most examples of HT-263 are circulated, but the present lot is an attractive Mint State example. Nicely struck and unblemished with ample straw-gold luster. Hints of gray color correspond with minor alloy imperfections. From The Nassau Collection.

Here is additional information I located that might be of interest to your readers.

John Quincy Adams recorded a meeting with Feuchtwanger on Sept 12, 1837 in his personal diary. This points to the 3-cent variety being produced sometime after September 12, and at the direct suggestion of Adams.

Dr. Feuchtwanger, brought me a Letter of introduction from Col. Abert.— He has a project for contracting to coin cents from a composition of zinc, copper and nickel, called German silver— He has coined counters with his name, and one cent stamped upon them, of which he shewed me several— They are clean, and about the size of a ten cent piece— He makes table furniture and all Articles usually plated of the same composition, costing about one fourth as much, and looking nearly as well as silver— He had a memorial which he wished me to present, but I advised him to make some alterations in it— And I suggested to him the expediency, of having a coinage of 2 and 3 cent pieces of his composition, instead of throwing the copper coinage of cents out of circulation.

[In the last sentence, Adams means that Feuchtwanger should propose his alloy for 2 or 3-cent coins and not for cents because that would keep the copper pieces in circulation. RWB]

Source: Massachusetts Historical Society. John Quincy Adams Diary, volume 33: September 12, 1837. Ref. 12. IV:30. Tuesday.

To read the complete lot description, see:
1837 3C Feuchtwanger Three Cent -- Cleaned -- NGC Details.... (https://coins.ha.com/itm/hard-times-tokens/tokens-and-medals/1837-3c-feuchtwanger-three-cent-cleaned-ngc-details-unc-low-118-ht-263-w-ny-480-65j-re-r4-pcgs-/p/60320-11081.s)