October 6, 2010

USA, 1863: 3 Rouble Coin?




Among the cheapest coins in this 1863 catalogue, the Quarter Eagle ($2.50) was officially $20.69/oz by gold weight; here, $34.10/oz. as a numismatic collectible over the Gold Rate.  

Final sale price are unknown, but at these Gold rates (x 1.52) in Greenbacks, the total premium was at least 150% over face-value.


This Platinum coin, presumably a Three-Rouble, was effectively rated as scrap at $3.10/oz troy.  Another later source recalls the period scrap rate for Platinum (early 1860s) was USD$ 3. or less.


1863: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (UK: Intrinsic)  ~ $ 5.89/ USD$ 10. (£ 1.21)
1863: 1 Ozt. Platinum (France: Mfg, Bulk Retail) = $9.; USD$ 15.30 (Fr 46.66)


1863: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Rouble coin; intrinsic value)  = $ 3.10
1863: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Scrap, Estimate)  = $ 3.00/ USD$ 4.25
1863: 1 Ozt. Platinum (Manufactured, Whols.)  = $ 6.25/ USD$ 9.08


Bangs, Merwin & Co. auction 5/1/1863




Citation: Bulletin of photography: the weekly magazine for ..., Vol. 10; Vol.230-255 p.861
 

Counterfeit Eagles:

Where 2 Eagles should weigh 1.075 Ozt (£ 4.10), it was assumed the counterfeiter keeps  0.8248 Ozt Fine Au, extraordinarily high yield.
 
 
Citation: Scientific American, Vol. 9 (July 4, 1863) p.21



Taking the $10 Eagle at 0.5373 Ozt valued at £ 2.05, the counterfeit Eagle (reduced $4.66 = USD$ 6.75: ~0.25 Ozt) was worth ~$5.34/ USD 7.75 (0.25.86 Ozt, Fine Au); the platina filling (~0.25 Ozt) was estimated worth $ 1.00.  It's not clear if the "platina" were the 66% Pt/ 34% Ag alloy; if so, Specific Gravity of the Coin should be lower: 16.61 instead of 17.32.

c.1863: 1 Ozt. platina (Whols.) = USD$ 4.

Counterfeit Platinum Eagles, 1862:





April, 1863: 1 Troy Ounce Silver-Platinum Alloy (Dental Trade) ~ $ 7. ; USD$ 

April/May, 1863:
Citation: Dental News, Vol, 2, No.2 (June, 1863) p.




1862/3:







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