Heaton's suggestion for 1793 cent commemorative 0

[RWB]

Here is A.G.Heaton's (publisher of the Numismatist) letter suggesting commemorative medals for the first regular issue of United States cents in 1793.

Edited September 9, 2020 by RWB

[DWLange]

That would have been a worthy commemorative issue, whether as coins or medals. Not surprisingly, Congress let this occasion slip by, as it did again a century later. The closest the government came to honoring our first coinage was authorizing a silver proof set for the Mint's bicentennial in 1992. Then greed took over, and it became an annual obligation on the part of collectors, thus diluting the significance of the 1992 offering.

[Zebo]

6 hours ago, DWLange said:

That would have been a worthy commemorative issue, whether as coins or medals. Not surprisingly, Congress let this occasion slip by, as it did again a century later. The closest the government came to honoring our first coinage was authorizing a silver proof set for the Mint's bicentennial in 1992. Then greed took over, and it became an annual obligation on the part of collectors, thus diluting the significance of the 1992 offering.

Too bad - that would have been a great collectible and I would hope an interesting design.

[Coinbuf]

The beginning of so many missteps throughout the history of our congress and mint.

[Conder101]

Where he says that "many others besides collectors would be glad to purchase them", I think he was dreaming.

[RWB]

Medal collecting dominated coin collecting and had a much broader base in the 19th century. Medal sales records far outstrip proof and other coin sales. Although I agree he was likely "day dreaming."

Edited September 11, 2020 by RWB