GroovyCoins

In May of 1800, a struggling engraver named Johann Matthaus Reich (John Reich) sailed as an indentured person from Hamburg to the U.S. aboard the Ship Anna. Indenture meant that, when the ship docked, the captain would hold the passengers on board until someone paid for their voyage.

The Anna docked in Philadelphia on August 19, 1800. Eight days later, Reich "bound himself servant to John Brown of the city of Philadelphia, Silverplater, to serve him two years to have one dollar every week during his servitude..." according to the register of Redemptions, 1785-1804.

In 1802, this ad ran in the General Advertiser of Philadelphia: "J. Reich, Seal and die engraver respectfully informs the public that he intends to follow that business and all its branches - from his experience in that line, he flatters himself that he will be able to give full satisfaction to those that may favor him with their commands. Drawings or likenesses that may be wanted he will execute himself, or take copies with the greatest accuracy, (etc.)"

On April 1, 1807, Reich started work at the Philadelphia Mint. He was paid $600 a year and never received a raise before quitting ten years later in 1817. As Assistant Engraver (under Chief Engraver Robert Scot), Reich's first projects were the 1807 50c and $5 gold, then in 1808, the large 1c and the $2.50 gold. In 1809, he designed the 1/2c and the dime.

And we'll stop there - as GroovyCoins is concerned with the Capped Bust dimes of 1809 - 1837. The lovely 1833 JR-1 pictured above is one of 123 die marriages, all named JR-n for John Reich, spanning the 20 dates in the series. (The series is dated 1809 - 1837, but no dimes were dated 1810, 1812-13, 1815-19, nor 1826). There are two major Types: Type 1, "large dentils" with an open collar from 1809-1828, and Type 2, "small dentils" with a closed collar design. Myriad sub-varieties or distinctions are discussed; some are more practical than others. They include overdates, large/medium/small date, small/medium/large/extra large 10c, curled/flat base 2, STATESOFAMERICA, small/large Es, small/large 4, 2 pale gules/3 pale gules in the shield. And then the cracks, clashes, and cuds as the dies deteriorate!

* Thanks to Stewart P. Witham, whose bio "Johann Matthaus Reich Also known as John Reich" provided the factoids above.