The Norweb Collection - An American Legacy

Taking a swipe at the still unchanged Morgan motif on the dollar, an article on the subject concluded by stating: "whether or not these latest developments of the effort to improve the artistic character of our coinage justified the hope that in due time we shall reap if we faint not, at least the days of peace and slumber, are fled; Our people will never again be satisfied with types like those on the silver dollar of 1878."

The Pratt coinage released at the end of 1908 did not receive the open-minded and cordial welcome given to the Saint Gaudens $10 and $20 pieces months earlier. Criticisms of the innovative Pratt $2.50 and $5 were printed in the American Journal of Numismatics, including the following: "the mode of incusing legends detracts greatly from the effect and the from the legibility" "the flat surface gives the coins a crude and unfinished appearance;' and, "the incused lines about the figures will serve as safe depositories for those bacterial enemies against which our scientists are constantly warning us" and, in conclusion, "we have yet to see any words of commendation of the new pieces from a recognized authority."

The Chicago Numismatic Society, under the presidency of Virgil M. Brand, cast its hat in the ring and drafted a resolution commending President Theodore Roosevelt for helping to create the Saint-Gaudens $10 and $20 pieces. At the time, Virgil M. Brand was busily accumulating what would prove to be the largest gathering of numismatically significant coins ever assembled by a numismatist, a vast holding which upon his death in 1926 amounted to approximately 350,000 pieces, including duplicates of great rarities. Brand, a bachelor, maintained his home and office in a building in his Chicago brewery facility. He literally lived coins, spending his personal time on little else. At the same time he was gaining specimens, he was gaining knowledge as well, and, indeed, at its December 1907 meeting the Chicago Numismatic Society awarded him a silver Proof coin "as a prize for test of memory in regard to the United States standard dollar" On other occasions, he was consulted by such scholars as Edgar H. Adams in matters involving attribution and authenticity.

After Brand's passing, the coins went to his two brothers, Armin and Horace. From the late 1920s until relatively recent times, distribution was accomplished by Virgil Brand's descendants, through direct sale and auction. Many of Virgil Brand's foremost prizes were acquired in later years by the Norwebs.

Elsewhere on the coinage production scene, in San Francisco one-cent pieces were produced for the first time. The 1908-S Indian cent made its debut with little notice, but it was significant as the first United States minor coin to bear a mintmark. At the time, cents were not a popular denomination in the American West, and there was relatively little call for them. Westerners preferred silver and gold coins, and it was not until 1912 that nickel five-cent pieces were produced there. The Indian cent motif then in use had been employed since 1859. The following year, 1909, it was discontinued in favor of the Lincoln cent.

In 1908 the Liberty Head motif was in use on the nickel five-cent denomination, a style conceived by Charles E. Barber, and which made its initial appearance in circulation in 1883. Unlike the higher-denomination coins, the Indian cent and Liberty nickel were not targets of popular criticism. Not so with the dime, quarter, and half dollar, the Liberty Head motif, later called the "Barber" style by collectors, designed by Charles E. Barber and first placed into circulation in 1892. Many, including President Theodore Roosevelt, considered these to be mere "tokens" rather than pieces worthy of our nation's stature. Even less in favor was the silver dollar motif, the style produced by George T. Morgan and placed into circulation beginning 1878. Morgan dollars were minted continuously from that point until 1904, after which coinage was suspended. In 1908 no dollars were produced. Among gold coins, the previously-noted denominations of $2.50, $5, $10, $20 were being made with the Saint-Gaudens $10 and $20 being favorably received, on balance, by collectors, and with the Pratt $2.50 and $5 receiving much criticism, as noted.

Among dealers engaging in a retail trade, among the most active were Henry and S.H. Chapman of Philadelphia. Partners for many years until they split in 1906, the Chapman brothers carried on an extensive trade with numismatists in all parts of the world. Henry Chapman in particular was reponsive to collectors want lists and participated in many memorable transactions.

Among the up and comers was B. Max Mehl, who started his numismatic trade five years earlier, and who did business from Box 826 in Fort Worth, Texas. "My next sale to take place in February will contain some nice stuff" he noted in an advertisement in the January 1908 issue of The Numismatist. At the same time he was launching Mehl's Numismatic Monthly, a periodical which combined a mix of articles, editorial material, and items for sale and which during the next decade achieved a wide circulation. In later years, Mehl became one of the brightest stars in the numismatic firmament and offered for sale for mail bidding many prominent collections, including Ten Eyck, Slack, Dunham, Atwater, and Neil.