No $1, $3 gold or 3-cent nickel coins for 1889. 0

[RWB]

Interesting decision by Mint Director Kimball.  His purpose was to avoid striking any denomination not needed for circulation, and to issue proofs only for those same denominations. This was eventually countermanded, but for a while things looked bleak for Chapman, Brown, Gies and ordinary coin collectors.

Edited February 20, 2020 by RWB

[DWLange]

I touched on that topic in one of my columns last year:

https://www.ngccoin.com/news/article/7289/quarter-eagle

[RWB]

Very nice article. I wish that all collectors would read Mr. Lang's articles and other publications. They are packed with solid information, clearly written and readily accessible.

On the letter, above, Kimball relents when Chapman and some others complained. Kimball then ordered proofs made in sufficient quantity to avoid speculation and profiteering. This was also why "small" circulation runs of other coins were made.

Kimball's role seems to have been to "clean up shop" after Linderman, Burchard and Snowden. He changed many record keeping practices and demanded full explanation for anything that seemed irregular. He also went after Linderman's pattern pieces in his Estate auction sale, but the Solicitor General told Kimball he was "off-base."