HERITAGE OFFERS JOHN JAY KNOX COLLECTION

About The John Jay Knox Crime of 1873 Collection of US Coins

John Jay Knox (1828-1892) was an American banker, author, and politician who served as president of the National Bank of the Republic and helped prepare the Coinage Act of 1873 that officially dropped the silver dollar from U.S. coinage. Knox was appointed Deputy Comptroller of the Currency in 1867 and promoted to Comptroller by President Ulysses S. Grant on April 24, 1872. While in this position, Knox played an important role in the drafting of the Coinage Act of 1873, which eliminated the silver dollar and made the gold dollar the national measure of value. All the pieces in this collection are from John J. Knox, and have remained in the possession of his descendants since his death in 1892. From the invoices and correspondence that accompany the patterns in this collection, it is apparent he had a close relationship with Philadelphia Mint Superintendent Archibald Loudon Snowden.

The consignor purchased all the items in this auction through a mutual friend of Knox's great-great-granddaughter, a direct descendant of Knox. The sterling silver pieces belonged to Caroline E. Knox (Todd), the wife of John Jay Knox. It is her initials that are engraved on these pieces. Caroline Knox was also a concert pianist.

The John Jay Knox collection is widely varied in scope, but is strongest in Patterns and Medals, including a beautiful 1867 assay medal, kept by his descendants since his death in 1892. The U.S. Assay Commission originally tested coinage to ensure proper weight and fineness; this is an example of a medal recognizing their work, and remains in the original case of issue! James Barton Longacre designed this medal, struck in silver, showing delightful toning in shades of rich ocean-blue, sun-gold, rose-red, and powder-blue. Our Cass Christenson made this his "Cool Coin of the Week" for its wonderful pedigree and originality, scarcity, and impressive eye appeal.

 
1873 Trade Dollar Judd-1293

Some of the other fascinating lots from this collection include:

• 1866 5C Rays PR66+ Cameo NGC
• 1850 Three Cent Silver Struck in Silver, Judd-125 Original, R.4, PR63 NGC
• 1869 One Cent Struck in Nickel, Judd-666, R.5, PR67 Cameo NGC
• 1873 Trade Dollar Struck in Silver, Judd-1293, R.4, PR60 NGC
• 1862-Dated Indian Peace Medal, Abraham Lincoln, Second Reverse, King-520, Julian IP-38, Cunningham-22-020Bz, Uncertified. Bronze, 76 mm. By Salathiel Ellis and Joseph Willson.
• 1869 U.S. Assay Commission Medal, JK-AC-6a, R.6, Uncertified. Silver, 33 mm. By William Barber.
• 1881 Rutherford B. Hayes, U.S. Assay Commission Medal, JK-AC-24Aa, R.5, Uncertified. Silver, 33 mm. By George T. Morgan and Charles Barber.
• Two Handwritten Letters to John Jay Knox From Philadelphia Mint Superintendent A. Louden Snowden, dated March 1885.

 
1869 U.S. Assay Commission Medal

 
Two Letters to Knox from Mint Director Snowden

For more information, see:
2023 September 25 The John Jay Knox Crime of 1873 Collection US Coins Showcase Auction #63244 (https://coins.ha.com/c/auction-home.zx?saleNo=63244&ic=breadcrumb-coins-121913-interior)
https://coins.ha.com/c/search-results.zx?N=3183+793+794+791+1577+792+2088+4294935641&ic=hero-usCoins-viewLots-63244-082223

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