The Unsung First Day Issues
I defined a new type of historic numismatic specimens as the Unsung First Day Issues and are not readily known by the numismatic nor collector communities. My quick research (less than a week) was instigated by NGC's recent grading of a bag of 1964-D Kennedy half dollars. I agree with their assignment of a "First Day Issue" (FDI) designation. But now it leaves the door open for the Unsung First Day Issues.
What are the Unsung First Day Issues?
These are historic numismatic specimens with the proper documentation indicating it's a true first day of issue from a U.S. Government official (with a direct connection to the U.S. Mint) and gifted to another U.S. Government official.
Item 1. Image of the July 29, 1971 documentation of the FDI 1971 Proof Eisenhower dollar from the Director of the Mint (Mary Brooks) to the Special Assistant to the President Eisenhower (General Robert L. Schulz).
Item 2. Image of the August 6, 1971 documentation of the FDI 1971-S uncirculated Eisenhower dollar (blue pack) from President of the United States (Richard M. Nixon) to a Congressman (Honorable Paul G. Rogers).
Item 3. Image of the November 3, 1965 documentation of the FDI 1965 uncirculated clad Washington quarter dollar from the President of the United States (Lyndon B. Johnson) to a Congressman (Honorable Seymour Halpern).
Item 4. Image of the March 24, 1964 documentation of the FDI 1964-P uncirculated Kennedy half dollar from the President of the United States (Lyndon B. Johnson) to a Congressman (Honorable Robert G. Stephans, Jr.)
All are historic numismatic specimens and are part of the now known Unsung First Day Issues.
Does anyone else have an additional Unsung First Day Issues to share?
Comments
Kepi
Level 6
Very cool! You have an amazing collection ; )
C.D. Harrell
Level 4
Amazing , great research!
user_7180
Level 5
Interesting perspective. Great supporting information and photos.
Long Beard
Level 5
What a great perspective on a popular marketing tool used by the third party graders. Since this goes back to quite possibly 1792, many have been gifted before releasing into general circulation, shouldn't the graders restate them as "First Day Public Release"? Or something to that effect?
Golfer
Level 5
Amazing letters and documentation on the coins. Should be in a museum exhibit on numismatic material. Any type of material like this awesome. Would love to come across something like this myself. Thanks for sharing.
Mike
Level 7
I bet the General passed away and he sent someone to the estate sale. Allot of collecctors go to these. They have no living relative the lawyer sends out letters.i have been to many i got a beautiful piano for nothing. Needed 200.00 work. No one bid the lawer said take it. You get coins from famous people anything they owned.. Nice letter .
Well worn Copper
Level 5
Doctor D always has something interesting to share. Thanks, doc!
Numinerd9
Level 5
Very cool stuff; thank you for sharing these with all of us, DrDarryl! And unless something like these items went up for auction, how else could anyone accurately "value" them in the marketplace - or does it even matter? Such great numismatic ties to American History. (But I have to admit, the first thing I always jump to is, "I wonder if these show any doubling - die variety collecting is a curse and a blessing!) -Sam Gelberd, ANA Numismatic Educator.
Longstrider
Level 6
Variety collecting is just another way to say we are sick.
Longstrider
Level 6
Nicely done Doc. Can't beat that documentation. Great job on a new project.