EARLY COINS OF AMERICA
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The One Hundred Greatest Items Of United States Numismatic Literature Rank: Number 2
Clain-Stefanelli 12115*, Davis 291, Grierson page 218, Sigler 603
If Breen is one bookend of American numismatics, Crosby is surely the other. In 1875, Crosby had not even the use of a telephone to aid his research. On the other hand, he had access to the great collectors and collections of yore, among them Bushnell, Stickney, Parmelee, Appleton, Maris and others, all giants on the 19th century American numismatic scene. Crosby’s dive into the primary source documentation surrounding colonial issues is beyond remarkable, particularly in light of the lack of modern bibliographic resources. Coupled with his observant technical eye and capable cataloguing, this work is properly described by Davis as “the masterpiece of nineteenth century numismatic literature.” [1]
1875 Original Edition
Photo courtesy of Kolbe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers.
CROSBY, Sylvester Sage. THE EARLY COINS OF AMERICA; AND THE LAWS GOVERNING THEIR ISSUE. COMPRISING ALSO DESCRIPTIONS OF THE WASHINGTON PIECES, THE ANGLO- AMERICAN TOKENS, MANY PIECES OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN, OF THE SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES, AND THE FIRST PATTERNS OF THE UNITED STATES MINT.
Boston, MA: The Author, 1875
381pp, 10 Heliotype plates, 2 folding manuscript plates, 110 wood engravings
Quarto: 30 x 24cm
Originally, Early Coins of America was published as 12 parts, issued in 11 by subscription.[2] Binding of the individual parts was left to each subscriber. This accounts for the myriad of bindings seen for this edtion.
A supplemental 1876 plate of New Jersey coppers (the Maris Woodburytype plate) is found in some copies.
An estimated 350 copies issued, of which approximately 100 are thought to have survived.
1875 Nova Constellatio Edition
Photo courtesy of George Frederick Kolbe - Fine Numismatic Books.
CROSBY, Sylvester Sage. THE EARLY COINS OF AMERICA; AND THE LAWS GOVERNING THEIR ISSUE. COMPRISING ALSO DESCRIPTIONS OF THE WASHINGTON PIECES, THE ANGLO- AMERICAN TOKENS, MANY PIECES OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN, OF THE SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES, AND THE FIRST PATTERNS OF THE UNITED STATES MINT.
Boston, MA: The Author, 1875
381pp, 10 Heliotype plates, 2 folding manuscript plates, 110 wood engravings
Quarto: 31 x 25 cm
Hardbound: Black half morocco, lettered in gilt. Gilt Nova Constellatio 'Mark' on cover.
The actual number of these bound in this manner by Crosby is unknown and is thought to be limited to only a few copies.
1875 Lyman Low Binding
Photo courtesy of Kolbe & Fanning Numismatic Booksellers.
CROSBY, Sylvester Sage. THE EARLY COINS OF AMERICA; AND THE LAWS GOVERNING THEIR ISSUE. COMPRISING ALSO DESCRIPTIONS OF THE WASHINGTON PIECES, THE ANGLO- AMERICAN TOKENS, MANY PIECES OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN, OF THE SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES, AND THE FIRST PATTERNS OF THE UNITED STATES MINT.
Boston, MA: The Author, 1875
381pp, 10 Heliotype plates, 2 folding manuscript plates, 110 wood engravings
Quarto: 30 x 24 cm
Hardbound: Blue embossed cloth.
Lyman Low purchased all unbound sheets and had them uniformly bound circa 1886. It is thought that approximately 100 were issued in this format but these appear so infrequently that the quantity thought to be issued is questionable.
1878 Edition
CROSBY, Sylvester Sage. THE EARLY COINS OF AMERICA; AND THE LAWS GOVERNING THEIR ISSUE. COMPRISING ALSO DESCRIPTIONS OF THE WASHINGTON PIECES, THE ANGLO- AMERICAN TOKENS, MANY PIECES OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN, OF THE SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH CENTURIES, AND THE FIRST PATTERNS OF THE UNITED STATES MINT.
Boston, MA: Estes & Lauriat, 1878
381pp, 10 Heliotype plates, 2 folding manuscript plates, 110 wood engravings
Quarto: 30 x 24 cm
Hardbound: Dark brown half morocco
A small number of original 1875 printings were sold to Estes & Lauriat in Boston. Estes & Lauriat created a new title page listing themselves as publisher and the date was changed to 1878.
It is thought that about 35 copies of this edition were bound in this manner.
1945 Reprint
Photo courtesy of Charles Davis Numismatic Literature.
Chicago, IL: Ruth Green, 1945
381pp, 10 Heliotype plates, Maris Woodburytype plate, 2 folding manuscript plates, 110 wood engravings
Quarto
Hardbound: Green cloth, lettered in gilt
Limited to 500 copies.
1965 Reprint
Photo courtesy of Thomas Wetter Numismatic Library.
Ann Arbor, MI: Token and Medal Society, 1965
381pp, 10 halftone plates.
Quarto
Hardbound: Brown cloth
1970 Reprint
Photo courtesy of Mike Paradis Numismatic Library.
New York, NY: Burt Franklin, 1970
381pp, 12 halftone plates
Quarto
Hardbound: Green cloth, lettered in gilt
1974 Reprint
Photo courtesy of Mike Paradis Numismatic Library.
Lawrence, MA: Quarterman Publications. 1974
378pp, 13 plates (including the Maris Woodburytype plate)
Quarto
Hardbound: Blue cloth, lettered in gilt, dust jacket
1983 Durst Reprint
Photo courtesy of Alaska Coin Exchange.
Long Island City, NY: Sanford Durst, 1983
378pp, halftone plates
Quarto: 11.25" x 8.75"
Hardbound: Brown leatherette
Plates are of low quality.
1983 Quarterman Reprint
Photo courtesy of Steve Shupe Numismatic Library.
Lawrence, MA: Quarterman Publications. 1983
378pp, 13 plates (including the Maris Woodburytype plate)
Quarto
Hardbound: Blue cloth, dust jacket
A new Bibliographical Foreword and Illustrated Bibliographical Appendix by Eric P. Newman has been added.
Photo courtesy of Wayne K. Homren Numismatic Library.
1990 Reprint
Rockville Centre, NY: Sanford J. Durst, 1990
378 pp, halftone plates
Quarto: 11" x 8.5"
Hardbound: Brown leatherette
Plates are of low quality.
References
- ↑ DAVIS, Charles. AMERICAN NUMISMATIC LITERATURE. AN ANNOTATED SURVEY OF AUCTION SALES, Quarterman, 1992.
- ↑ WILSON, Cal. WILSON'S NUMISMATIC REPOSITORY, Volume 1, Number 6, The Author, September 1983.