The Norweb Collection - An American Legacy

The letter was received by Q David Bowers, apparently after having been misaddressed. Bowers made the offer to sell the coin for $6,000, to which the following reply was received:

February 4, 1958
My Dear Mr. Bowers:
Apparently my letter of January 14th was not sent to your business address.
Before making a commitment on the basis of your offer I would like to know if it would be agreeable to make a payment of one third at the outset, with the balance over the next five months. This is because our budget is geared to our numismatic fiscal year which begins July 1st-a habit we acquired during so many years with the federal government.
Yes, I well remember our half cent transaction in Philadelphia.
Very sincerely,
R. Henry Norweb

An agreement was consummated on the basis proposed by R. Henry Norweb. The coin was sent early in March 1958, and receipt was acknowledged by the following telegram from R. Henry Norweb: "SHIPMENT HAS ARRIVED SAFELY IN GOOD CONDITION. MANY THANKS."

A few months later, Q David Bowers, who by that time was associated with James E Ruddy in the newly-formed Empire Coin Company, Inc., Johnson City, New York, offered for sale an example of the rare 1786 New Jersey copper variety with date under the plow beam. The offering price is not recorded, but apparently the Norwebs felt it to be higher than hoped for, for the following letter was sent:
June 9, 1958 Dear Mr. Bowers:
Your coin came in on Saturday and we like it. After checking we feel that $1,750 is nearer a fair price.
Mrs. Norweb hopes you will give this offer favorable consideration. At the same time it will be interesting to know something of the coin's pedigree.
Very sincerely yours,
R. Henry Norweb, Jr.

Correspondence continued on the piece:

June 16, 1958 Dear Sir:
While looking through old issues of The Numismatist the other day, I came across an item which should be of interest to you. On the back page of the enclosed August 1916 issue you will find an interesting reference in Henry Chapman's advertisement concerning a 1786 New Jersey cent.
I do not have the Lewis Sale catalogue to which you refer, so I cannot give you particulars concerning it.
Best regards,
Q David Bowers

Further correspondence was carried on between Q David Bowers and R. Henry Norweb, with the following letter from Bowers being typical:

July 14, 1958 Dear Sir:
Thank you for your kind note of July 8 [which expressed appreciation for receipt of the 1916 issue of The Numismatist and told of a desire to acquire patterns in the Washington series].
I'm glad you liked the 1786 date under plow beam New Jersey cent. As you probably know by this time, we handle some of America's finest coins. In the past several months we have handled practically every silver and copper coin listed in the Guide Book. Most of these we have sold privately to collectors like yourself and Mrs. Norweb.
If you have a Want List available, I would appreciate receiving it. Such a list should include colonial coins and patterns as well as the regular United States series, and the conditions desired. Best personal regards,
Q David Bowers

Another letter:
August 6, 1958 Dear Sir:
Thank you for calling me this morning about the patterns. I enjoyed our conversation. The seven Washington Head patterns are enclosed. They are: AW-405 $75, AW-541 $65, AW-544 $70, AW-548 $62, AW-549 $75, AW-551 $65, and AW-554 $75. These coins total $485 my cost, plus $24.25 commission added to this, totaling $509.25. If you decide not to keep all of the coins, just add 5% to the coins you retain.

I will be leaving for California on Monday the 11th. If you visit the American Numismatic Association Convention on Saturday, as you said you might, be sure to stop and see me. If you would like me to handle any bids for you at the auction, I will be glad to do so, no charge of course. The Maris reprint [detailing varieties of New Jersey copper coins 1786-1788] has been forwarded under separate cover.
Best personal regards,
Q David Bowers