The Numismatic Bibliomania Society Logo

PREV ARTICLE       NEXT ARTICLE       FULL ISSUE       PREV FULL ISSUE      

V3 2000 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 3, Number 53, December 24, 2000, Article 4

JACOB PERKINS' COINING PRESS

Dave Bowers writes:

"I read with great interest (as always) the latest "issue" of The E-Sylum. Concerning Jacob Perkins, one might stop to consider if Perkins, who had extensive ties to England and at one later time lived there, might have had some sort of high–speed coining press from Boulton & Watt (Soho Manufactory, Birmingham, England). As has been published, by the 1790s B&W had high-speed steam-driven coining presses that could be operated by a boy. These presses produced high-quality coins, tokens, etc., including lettering or engrailing the edge.

Before discounting Perkins' claim as exaggeration, this possibility might be explored. Moreover, as Newburyport was a rather interactive community –– that is, most of the merchants knew each other, news was shared, etc. -- if Perkins, who seems to have been highly esteemed in the town, made such a claim, it could be checked out easily by anyone visiting his premises.

I wonder if anyone has visited Newburyport and used a numismatic eye to look through old papers, etc.? It is a nice town about an hour and a half drive from here -- and every time I drive through I think of Perkins (also of Lord Timothy Dexter, memorialized by John P. Marquand; Dexter's mansion is still prominent on High Street). I am not a candidate to do this research, but I imagine that with the great interest in history in the town and also the comprehensive archives of the Mass. Historical Society and the American Antiquarian Association in the same state, a few interesting things could be found."

Wayne Homren, Editor

Google NBS (coinbooks.org) Web

Content presented in The E-Sylum is not necessarily researched or independently fact-checked, and views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society.

This is a static archive page documenting the originally published content. Links were active at the time of publication but may no longer work. Check subsequent issues for corrections and commentary.

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature.   For more information please see our web site at http://www.coinbooks.org/ There is a membership application available on the web site.  To join, print the application and return it with your check to the address printed on the application.  Visit the Membership page. Those wishing to become new E-Sylum subscribers (or wishing to Unsubscribe) can go to the following web page link.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: E-Sylum Editor

Copyright © 1998 - 2020 The Numismatic Bibliomania Society (NBS)
All Rights Reserved.

NBS Home Page
Contact the NBS Webmaster
Privacy Policy