Customer Reviews

Renaissance of American Coinage 1909-1915

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This third and final volume in Roger W. Burdette's trilogy titled Renaissance of American Coinage is every bit as satisfying as the other two volumes. Covering the years 1909-15, it includes complete developmental histories of two favorite coin types, the Lincoln Cent and the Buffalo Nickel. Also included are the several commemorative coins that were issued for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915. All of this is thoroughly documented with correspondence between U. S. Mint officers, the sculptors commissioned to create the coins and various other public and private individuals who made their not-always-welcome contributions to these coins' histories.

The book also features a look into some little known tales regarding the U. S. Mint's own coin collection, which is now held by the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of American History. These include a profile of the important curator, T. Louis Comparette, as well as some insider correspondence revealing that the Mint retained numerous old coins that it used for trading purposes and for soliciting favor with public officials. Sidebar stories on the infamous 1913 Liberty Head Nickel, as well as profiles of some important yet little known Mint personnel complete this important reference.

As always with Roger's books, every statement and document is fully cited, not only as to its general source but as to its specific folder within the vast National Archives and Records Administration bureaucracy. As someone who has done a fair amount of research and writing myself on this period of Mint history, I can attest to just how tedious yet important this kind of documentation is to future research.

While pointing out its thorough citations may give readers of this review the impression that this book is a dry and ponderous exercise, such an idea is vastly removed from the truth. Roger's writing skills and style are both eminently relaxed and enjoyable, and this book will satisfy students of U. S. Mint history and coinage at any level of sophistication. The numerous, sharp photographs are alone worth the price of the book.

Whether enjoyed as a thoroughly researched history or simply as a beautiful coffee-table book, the 1909-15 volume of Roger's Renaissance of American Coinage is a delight. Package deals are being offered by at least one seller of this title, so anyone not having the other books covering 1905-08 and 1916-21 should take advantage of such offers by buying all three at once.