Eckfeldt Family Archives Chronicle the Mint’s First Century
This is a historical post from 2014.
BALTIMORE—They’ve been called “The First Family of the U.S. Mint,” for their 137 years of service to that institution, spanning 31 different Presidential administrations. Now their remarkable Eckfeldt Family Archives are coming to Baltimore, to headline the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Expo at the Baltimore Convention Center, October 30 through November 2, 2014.
From John Jacob Eckfeldt’s die-making for coinage minted under the Articles of Confederation to John M. Eckfeldt, Chief Coiner at the San Francisco Mint more than a century later, the history of the early Mint is chronicled extensively in this unique family archive. It includes coins, medals, signed Presidential appointments and other rare documents. Its Expo appearance is made possible by Tangible Investments, to whom it is consigned.
In addition to the opportunity to buy, sell and trade with more than 1,000 top coin, currency and collectibles dealers from around the globe, the FREE Expo also includes:
- The Official Auction by Stack’s Bowers Galleries, featuring the full scope of numismatics, including world and ancient coins, world banknotes, U.S. coins, U.S. banknotes, medals, tokens and related items. The world and ancient sessions will provide a strong and interesting selection of coins from important collections, individual rarities, and old time holdings. Visit Expo.Whitman.com for schedule and StacksBowers.com for additional details and online lot viewing (Lot viewing Room 307, Auction in 308)
- Kolbe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers LLC make their first-ever Baltimore Expo appearance with a live auction. (3pm Saturday, Nov 1, Room 306)
- The Smithsonian Institution will update coin collectors on its final design concept for the new Gallery of Numismatics, on Friday, October 31 near the entrance.
- “A Whirlwind Tour of Coins and Tokens Used in Early America,” with Will Nipper. (10am Saturday, Nov 1, Room 304)
- “Spanish American Coinage and its Importance to Our Colonial and Federal Economy,” a special educational presentation by Ray Williams. (11am Friday, Oct 31, Room 304)
- “The Cornell Hoard: A Colonial Speculator’s Stash,” with Erik Goldstein. (2pm Friday, Oct 31, Room 304)
- Kids’ Korner Activities beginning at 11am Friday and Saturday. (on the Bourse Floor)
- The U.S. Mint will demonstrate their new shopping website, allowing Expo attendees to shop the site from the Expo floor.
- A range of collecting club meetings: Fellowship of Christian Coin Dealers; Barber Coins Collectors’ Society; The John Reich Collectors’ Society; Maryland State Numismatic Association; Early American Copers Club; and the Colonial Coin Collectors Club Board and Business meetings. (See Expo.Whitman.com for a complete schedule)
General Manager Lori Kraft said the Expo is pleased to present such an historically important collection as the Eckfeldt Family Archive.
“We are excited to have this remarkable exhibit at the Whitman Expo. The Eckfeldt family is unsurpassed with regard to their contributions to the U.S. Mint and to our nation’s coinage. We are grateful to Tangible Investments for sharing this remarkable collection with the numismatic community through the Expo,” Ms. Kraft said.
Among the many highlights at the Stack’s Bowers Official Auction:
- A 1796 Draped Bust Half Dollar. Small Eagle. O-102. Rarity-6. This boldly defined, highly appealing example of its type is certain to appeal to advanced collectors. (Lot #105. Current bid: $80,011)
- An 1803 Draped Bust Silver Dollar. BB-252. B-5. Rarity-2. This exceptional Draped Bust dollar is among the finest of the Small 3 variety dollars extant. (Lot #149. Current bid: $85,000)
- An 1839 Gobrecht Silver Dollar. Name Removed. Judd-105. In any grade the 1839 Gobrecht dollar is a rarity. In beautiful Gem grade, and also the finest certified by PCGS, the present piece offers an extraordinary opportunity. (Lot #152. Current Bid: $145,000)
The Whitman Baltimore Expo is open FREE of admission charge during these hours: Thursday: Noon-6pm; Friday-Saturday: 10am-6pm; Sunday: 10am-3pm. It is sold out with regard to exhibit space. Whitman is the leading producer of coin and collectible expos in North America. For more information, including a complete schedule, visit Expo.Whitman.com.
#