Mint Edition
The Story of the Liberty Seated Design IN THIS ISSUE: 1. Liberty Seated Design by Myron Freedman, Museum Director Baltimore, then later as an engraver of 2. Message From the Director Coin Press No. 1 again takes center stage on banknotes for a Philadelphia company. He was 3. Mint Employees Started Baseball in CC August 1st, when we release our half dollar also an inventor and invented a tool to 4. Frances Humphrey Lecture Series replica coin in honor of the Mint’s reproduce relief on a plain surface, 5. Moon Landing 50th Anniversary sesquicentennial. The new 1870 something all engravers would CC Liberty Seated Half have found useful. There is 6. Thank You Friends! Dollar, sculpted by retired evidence that Gobrecht 7. Welcome New Members U.S. Mint engraver, Tom did some work for the 8. Contact the Museum Rogers, will be a limited U.S. Mint as early as 1823 edition minted with after the death of the Nevada silver thanks to first chief engraver support from the Coeur Robert Scot, though it
Rochester mining was William Kneass who company. The story of the became the second chief CC half dollar, first minted engraver, a position Gobrecht on Coin Press No. 1 in April of sought. Gobrecht was performing 1870, is fascinating. work for the Mint when Kneass suffered The original design was created by Christian a debilitating stroke in 1835, and was then made “Second” engraver. He would have Gobrecht, third Chief Engraver of the United created the Liberty Seated design during this States Mint. Born in 1785 in Hanover, PA, Above: An early scene of downtown Carson City. Gobrecht’s ancestors on his mother’s side went period. Kneass died in 1840 and Gobrecht was appointed chief engraver of the U.S. Mint by Left: 1870 Liberty Seated Half Dollar (obverse), back to the Plymouth Colony in 1642. He from the Nevada State Museum collection. apprenticed as a clockmaker and first worked as President Van Buren on December 21, 1840 - a an engraver for a clockworks company in position he held until his death in 1844. The basic Liberty Seated obverse design was used $70,000, with one collector paying $172,500 at a Message on many coin denominations from 1839 to 1891 2011 auction. Interestingly, many coins even in from the (125 dates and varieties) and consisted of the good condition show low relief in some of the figure of Liberty clad in a flowing dress and details, such as the drapery of Liberty’s dress. Director seated upon a rock. Gobrecht based his design on Apparently, the dies were worn and received a lot sketches from the American painters, Thomas of polishing, causing weak strikes to begin with. by Myron Freedman Sully and Titian Peale. Peale’s father was Charles Our replica is one way to experience the beauty The planets really aligned to create this Wilson Peale, who constructed the first museum of Gobrecht’s original design, and to connect exciting season of commemorations. Last year in the Western Hemisphere, yet another historical with the phenomenal heritage marriage of the and this year it has been all about Coin Press connection that enriches the meaning attached to Carson City Mint and Coin Press No. 1. No. 1, the Mint, and the Transcontinental this replica produced by this mint-museum. In Coin Press No. 1 begins producing CC half Railroad. But just around the corner are her left hand, Liberty holds a pole topped by a sesquicentennials for the completion of the dollars again on August 1st at a museum “Release Phrygian cap. This was a popular Neo-classical V&T and the Capitol building. And speaking Party,” where the first 200 of the replica series of planets, let’s not also forget this summer, symbol that depicts a cap given to freed Roman will be minted. To receive an invitation, call when the museum will have programs to slaves and represents the pursuit of freedom. Her Nicolette Johnston at extension 224, or email: remember the historic worldwide right hand rests on a Union shield inscribed with [email protected]. phenomenon of the Apollo 11 moon landing the word “Liberty.” The shield has 13 stripes for
fifty years ago! These “ennial” time markers the original colonies and represents Freedom’s rally everyone’s passion for history and great defense. Though the figure of Liberty did not Historic Coin stories, and memories! Where were you when Press No.1 change, there were many design variations on men landed on the moon? Glued to the TV, like I was with my family? Did you come to both the obverse and reverse of the half Carson City, like we did, to see the space dollar. The 1870 CC half-dollar was the capsule that brought the astronauts back as it fourth and last of these types and known as, toured the nation? And remember Walter “Motto Above Eagle,” for the added Cronkite? He was the face and voice of the banner above the eagle containing the unfolding lunar story. Like a great tour guide phrase, “In God We Trust.” he seemed to make sure we appreciated the unique times we were witnessing. The coin was 90% silver and 10% copper, a common alloy at the time that made a mint- Of course no one was here to witness the first coins minted by Coin Press No. 1, but being able yet sturdy metal. It was minted from able to watch it make the same Liberty Seated 1870 to 1878, but the smallest coinage was half dollar this summer as it did almost 150 the first in 1870 at 54,617 coins. This low years ago, and with stories brought to life by number increases its value for collectors. our own great tour guides, will be history in Today, coins of average condition can be action. Such alignment of machine and mint found for under a $1,000. The very few existing can only be found on one planet, ours, and at mint condition coins can fetch upwards of 2 one museum…this one. Enjoy. Mint Employees Started Baseball in Carson City
by Robert Nylen, Curator of History ‘catching’ and butterfingers are at a discount.” organized a club under the rules of the National The first and most popular organized sport in Association of Baseball Players, drafted a During the summer of 1869, two Mint the United States was baseball. It was first constitution and by-laws to govern the club, and employees – Henry Washburn Berthrong (1844- formalized in 1845 when a group of business finally adopted the name Carson Baseball Club 1928) and Zoeth Skinner Eldredge (1846-1915) and professional men in New York organized of Carson. The name was later changed to the – came from back East to take jobs at the the Knickerbocker Club. By the 1860s, pickup Carson Silver Stars Baseball Club. Carson City U.S. Mint. They played an games were played on vacant city lots and open In September 1869, the Carson team was ready important role in helping to introduce the sport rural fields across the nation. In Carson, the to challenge a team from Virginia City to play a of baseball to Carson City. Their Plaza, a ten acre empty plot in the center of match. It was decided that the first game would demonstrations of pitching, batting, and hitting town, was a level piece of ground to practice be played on the Carson home field. The game on the Plaza (future site of the Capitol Building), and play games. was played on the Plaza which had been excited the interest of many of the young men in enclosed to keep the cattle off the field. At 1:00 town. The two young Mint employees were hired by Abe Curry, the first superintendent of the p.m., a large crowd attended the game, and the Nevadans were soon caught up in the baseball Carson City U.S. Mint, in preparation of Carson Club won easily 81 to 31. A return craze that was sweeping the country. The opening the Mint for operation in 1869. match was played up at Virginia City on Carson Daily Appeal described the local players’ Eldredge, Curry’s nephew, worked as a weighing October 9th on their field near the gas works. enthusiasm: “The rage for ball playing is very clerk, and Berthrong was a calculating clerk. The score, which was kept by Z. S. Eldredge, apparent…old fellows whose hair and teeth are was again in favor of the Carson Club, 54 to 18. going and gone and young ones who have just They were both proficient in the rules of the The Carson Silver Stars had won the first state got their first breeches and boots on are game of baseball and both were excellent players baseball championship. – especially Berthrong who, after he left the knocking and tossing and catching balls on the Berthrong and Eldredge remained at the Mint Plaza and the streets from daybreak to dark. Mint, played for a team in the first professional baseball league in 1871. for a short time before leaving to follow other The disease is contagious as career opportunities. Eldredge moved into After demonstrating how to play the game on banking in California and became an amateur the Plaza, they invited the young men in historian of California history. He self-published the community to come to their two books on the local history of San Francisco. rooms over the New York restaurant to discuss the Henry W. Berthrong was an incredible athlete organization of a and artist. He left Carson City and returned to baseball club in Washington D.C. to play for the Washington Carson City. On Olympics of the National Association of June 15, 1869, Professional Base Ball Players in 1871. He hit the young men 233 in 73 at-bats and played outfield.
The earliest known photograph of the Carson City U.S. Branch Mint, ca. 1869. To learn stories like this one about the history of the mint and its employees come to the monthly Mint 150 programs on the 3rd Saturday of every month through February of 2020. 3 Visit mint150.com for more information. September 26, 2019 Frances Humphrey Lecture Series 100 Years Later: The 1919 Transcontinental Join us on the fourth Thursday of each month from 6:30 – 8:00 pm Military Motor Convoy by James Bonar Doors open at 6:00 pm; $8 for adults; free for museum members & ages 17 & under In 1919, after World War I, the U.S. Army needed Reserve a seat for each lecture 30 days in advance on our website events page: to find out if they had the ability to move troops nvculture.org/nevadastatemuseumcarsoncity/events. For more info: (775) 687-4810 ext. 243. and equipment from the fortified east coast to the west. Japan now was growing in military power, July 25, 2019 August 22, 2019 and all were concerned. Trucks were just in their 1969 Apollo 11 Mission General Aviation in Nevada and the infancy, and had been used in Europe during the war to move troops and equipment. The question: Nevada Airport Update by Kurt Haukohl by Michael Thomas “Were our roads up to the needs of the Army Join Mike Thomas as he talks about the epic Nevada has a long history in aviation. From early Transportation Corps?” Find out if they were and story of the 1969 Apollo 11 Mission, which exhibition flying in Carson City and Reno to compare the highways of 1919 to today's landed Astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin on WWII Army Air Corp pilot training all over the highways. The talk will the Moon. The presentation includes many state to the present day Reno Air Races. Today in include a 30-minute video NASA photographs. Nevada there is a wide variety of aviation of the trip. This is film Michael Thomas is a well- happening every day. Our skies are full of footage that was taken 100 known lecturer whose commercial, military, general, and glider aviation. years ago, these short clips research is both thorough Kurt Haukohl, NDOT State Aviation Manger, will are all that is left of the and broad based. Mike share the history of general aviation in Nevada and more than three hours that gives 15 to 20 lectures a the Nevada Airport Update. were filmed. month at a variety of Kurt Haukohl has been a Jim is a locally retired High venues; including pilot for 50 years and has School teacher, ending his seminars, conventions, and community over 9,900-hours of flight teaching career as a Math groups. He and his wife Eleanor travel time. He has been working teacher at Sparks high school. He became extensively overseas, giving him the in the aviation industry since interested in roads as a young child in Green opportunity to bring an insightful richness to he was 19 years of age. He River Wyoming while watching the traffic passing his lectures. He has compiled a resource list has degrees from Florida Institute of Technology on Highway 30 through town. Jim is Director, of over 150 History and Science in Air Commerce and Flight Technology. In and past president of the Nevada Chapter of the presentations. Mike is the past President of addition to working as a pilot, flight instructor, and Lincoln Highway Association. This encouraged the Western Nevada Astronomical Society, aerobatic competitor he has also worked for the him to study and research many western events. and lectures year round at the Jack C. Davis FAA, California Department of Transportation, He is a member of many of our local and state Observatory at Western Nevada College. He and as a private consultant. Kurt is on the Board historical societies, so in his retirement activities is a resident of Reno, Nevada, and grew up at of the National Association of State Aviation he began giving presentations of Western Lake Tahoe. He retired after a long career in Officials (NASAO) and is currently the Director of historical events and roads and presents many law enforcement, and has been on the lecture the Western Pacific Region. presentations to local groups. 4 circuit for the past 17 years. The Eagle Has Landed: Apollo Week Lectures and.. Tuesday, July 23rd at 2:00pm “The Lunar 50 Years of Exploration and Innovation Quarantine Program – Why? How? Results?” by Dr. Richard Simmonds by Mina Stafford, Curator of Education Apollo 17. These were gifts from President Nixon Thursday, July 25th at 2:00pm “Underwater 50 years ago on July 20th, the whole world waited to all of the states in the union and many Virtual Reality for Space Walk Training” by together to hear the words, “Houston, Tranquility countries in the world. Each one consists of a Paul MacNeilage, Ph.D. Base, The Eagle has landed.” This one plaque holding a small moon rock sample (or transmission was the culmination of many years samples) and the state flag that was flown to the Thursday, July 25th at 6:30pm Frances of work and the contributions of thousands of moon. These were sent as a diplomatic gesture to Humphrey Lecture Series: “1969 Apollo people. However, it was only the beginning of humanity for working together for space Mission” by Michael Thomas. manned exploration of the Moon. As we look exploration and peace on Earth. Friday, July 26th at 2:00pm “Robots Working back on these historic During the last full week with Humans to Explore Space” by David events we marvel at in July we will have a Feil-Seifer, Ph.D. the achievements that series of afternoon Bonus! Friday, July 26th at 10:00am - 4:00pm were accomplished lectures on a variety of The Reno Coin Club will be displaying space with 1960s and 1970s topics related to past exploration related coins in the Dema Guinn technology. Today space exploration and Concourse. NASA is applying future space exploration. modern technology in an effort to return to If you are not the lecture the Moon by 2024 and type there are other use what they learned activities planned that Wednesday, from that achievement you might like. On July 24th Activities to send humans to Wednesday, July 24th 10:00am-3:00pm. Outside we will have solar Mars next. the museum will partner with the Western telescopes and an impact crater activity from Here at the Nevada Nevada College Jack C. WNC Jack C. Davis Observatory; an State Museum we are Photo: NASA Davis Observatory, the augmented reality activity focused on planets, celebrating this Carson City Library, and asteroids, and the moon from Carson City amazing anniversary by displaying artifacts that the Carson City Classic Cinema Club to provide a Library; a screening of the 2019 documentary are not usually on display; sharing the results of variety of activities from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. All Apollo 11 from the Carson City Classic past exploration and the new space research that are welcome at this event and outdoor activities Cinema Club; and seltzer rockets and balloon- is being done today; and encouraging children to are free. See text to the right for details. powered rocket cars provided by the Nevada learn about the Sun, the Moon, and the forces State Museum. All are welcome at this event used to reach space. During the week of July 23rd Come join us while we remember the past, learn and outdoor activities are all free. – July 26th we will be holding special lectures, about the present, and inspire the future of 8:00pm WNC Jack C. Davis Observatory Star sharing hands on family activities, and showing manned space travel here at the Nevada State Party. 2699 Van Patten Avenue, Carson City. off the Nevada Goodwill Moon Rocks. Museum. Please direct any questions about these programs to Mina Stafford, Curator of Education The event is free and will include tours of the Starting early July we will install a new case in the at (775)687-4810 ext. 243 or facility and the planetary walk and star gazing Our Nevada Stories gallery featuring the Nevada 5 [email protected]. on the upper deck after dark until 11:00pm. Goodwill Moon Rocks from Apollo 11 and Laurel Weil
Thank You to Friends of the Nevada State If you’d like to learn Museum more about Friends of the Nevada State Many thanks from NSM staff to the Museum, contact Laurel Weil started as NSM’s new Friends of the Nevada State Museum Dave Pierson, Chair Exhibits Preparator on April 15. Laurel at [email protected]. for hosting a wonderful staff has an eclectic set of skills and a work appreciation picnic at the park! history to match, all focused on creative construction of exhibits, There was tasty food prepared and costumes, and props as well as mold served by B.S.A. Troop 341, cool making and casting. She is also trained door prizes thanks to the generosity in 3D modeling, computer animation, of our community partners, and great and video editing. In her spare time fun courtesy of all in attendance! Laurel enjoys hiking, fencing, gardening, and beekeeping. Laurel is excited to join the Nevada State Museum Exhibits team and looks forward to working on new and exciting projects.
6 Photos: George Baumgardner Photo: Jeanette McGregor Welcome to Our Newest Members of NSM Nicolette Johnston Basic Carol Pitts Charles & Candace Crist Wayne Penman Doug Lofftus & Lee Ann John & Maralyn Abrott Scott Phillips Sacchi Susan Antipa Marilyn Pope Kerry & Maureen Johnson Lee Barford Philip & Christine Ritger The McMindes-Chapman Penny Bassett Roderick D. Sage MD Family Anne Bowen Maureen Shanahan Rebecca & Mary Lim & Harry &Nikki Butz Steven & Elaine Shively Joanne Yau Jeremy Carroll Doug & Cindy Southerland Jeffrey & Marletta Paul Dennis & Carol Cartier Jim Spain Tina & James Pedersen Michael Cory Jeanie Stodghill James Sanders Mark & Peggy Daigle Norman & Susan Silas B. Savoy George & Stella Deeble Vandersmith Debbie & Keith Stein Candy Duncan Judy White Phillip Thow Dale Durant Laurel Zicker-Martin Ronald & Ellen Waicul Aletha Eyre Ann Taylor Jill Fletcher Stephen R. Teed Sustaining Michael Hall Tom Young – Great Basin Barbara Helsley Brewery Judy Cornelius Lisa T. Jayne John S. & Nedra K. Hill Konrad Kotrady Assemblywoman Lisa Krasner Jim & Sherry Little Family Lillian Tallman Benedicto Macaraig David & Elinor Bugli John & Catherine Orfield Rosie Marones Cynthia Block Mary McCunniff Anne Bowen Contributing J.C. McKendrick Thomas & Tamara Burke Guenther Noder & Linda David & Amy Carder Assemblywoman Shea Backus Haering Michael & Suzanne Clouser Marc McDermont
Thank You for enhancing your Nicolette Johnston started as NSM’s Did you know that new Membership Manager on March support of the museum by 18. Nicolette is excited to be at the some of the benefits museum. She has a love for history, upgrading your membership level of your membership research, and writing that she often Basic Family are invitations to puts to use in the publication of her two special events and Nancy McGee June Yamamoto & John S. magazines, Bed & Breakfast Magazine Ron Moe Adams exhibit openings at and Chateaux & Castles. Vernon Waligora Contributing the Nevada State 7 Joyce B Smith Museum, Carson City? Photo: Jeanette McGregor
Carson NevadaCity, 89701 North 600 Carson Street BA2940
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The Nevada State Museum The Friends of the Museum members in Carson City is an agency Nevada State Museum, receive the Mint Edition CONTACT the MUSEUM... the CONTACT of the Division of Museums a 501(c)(3) private as a benefit of and History within the nonprofit organization, membership if they Nevada Department of supports the museum provide an email Tourism & Cultural Affairs. through volunteer address. The museum engages assistance, fundraising, diverse audiences in and advocacy. For Newsletter staff: understanding and information contact Mina Stafford, celebrating Nevada’s Dave Pierson, Chair at Editor natural and cultural [email protected]. Jeanette McGregor, heritage. Design
State of Nevada The Nevada State Steve Sisolak Museum publishes the Please address all Governor Mint Edition newsletter newsletter for the purpose of communications to: Nevada Department of highlighting museum Tourism & Cultural Affairs exhibits, education Mina Stafford Brenda Nebesky programs, special Nevada State Museum Interim Director events, and collection 600 North Carson Street
activities. Carson City, Nevada Division of Museums and 89701-4004 History The publication is 775/687-4810 ext. 243 8 Peter Barton available online at Fax 775-687-4168 Division Administrator www.nvculture.org. [email protected]