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The Mint on Carson Street
AWARD-WINNING BOOK ON CARSON CITY MINT
AND ITS COINS SURE TO INSPIRE READERS
Never before has a book been written on the Carson City Mint that not only provides the history of the venerable institution, but also includes a study of all the coins minted there, with profiles of the many collectors who have come to adore these coins during the past century or more. Rusty Goe, the author, set as his goal when writing The Mint on Carson Street to bring the legacy of the celebrated Nevada coinage facility to life by interweaving stories of everyone and everything even closely related to it.
This goal has been achieved, in living color. Whether readers are curious about the activities leading up to the establishment of the Carson City Mint, or the provocation of its closing, they will not be disappointed. Collectors wishing to hear about $1,000,000 "CC" dimes, or how many of any of the 111 dates and denominations produced at Carson City are estimated to survive, will have well-documented statistics at their fingertips. History buffs will be intrigued by the well-chosen events discussed in each chapter, detailing the background of Nevada's emergence as a state to be reckoned with, as well as what was happening on a national level during the era the Carson City Mint was in operation. Even introductory coverage of the battle over monetary standards during the late 19th century blends into the narrative. How and why the Carson City Mint's survival hinged on the outcome of whose monetary policies were adopted at the time are explained in the context of the central theme of the book. Silverites in Nevada and other mineral-rich states were leading the charge to get the nation back on a silver standard, which would have been advantageous for the mint located in the "Silver State." The drama of this battle spanned the entire lifetime of the Carson Mint's years of operation.
Readers will be drawn to the biographical sketches portrayed in this massive 537-page volume. Familiar names such as Mark Twain and President Grover Cleveland are joined by so many other fascinating ones. Briefly, this list includes Carson City's founder Abraham Curry, Nevada Senators John Percival Jones and William M. Stewart, Carson Mint superintendents James Crawford, H. F. Rice and Annie Martin, Nevada Judge Clark J. Guild, collectors Dr. S. L. Lee, Harold M. Budd, and E. A. Carson, and distinguished Nevada developer Norman Biltz. Dozens of other interesting people who were in some way connected to the epic saga of the Carson City Mint, or were of notable reputation during its years of operation are profiled as well. Just reading about some of these individuals will surely inspire further exploration.
Coins, of course, are central to the story, and well-researched data and thought-provoking information are provided on them. From the most common dates to the rarest, readers will come to appreciate the significance of coins with the "CC" mintmark within the broader spectrum of numismatics as a whole. Two chapters, one "The Silver Coins," and the other, "The Gold Coins," list every date and denomination manufactured at Carson City, providing mintages, survival and pricing analysis, as well as the author's personal reflections on each one. Charts, tables, reports and lists offer current population data, "Top 25" breakdowns, and 70-year price histories. Dozens of wonderful pictures of the coins highlight the text. All and all it is a virtual smorgasbord of collecting treasures.
For those interested in beginning a collection of "CC" coins, or adding to sets already in progress, a wonderful and enlightening chapter entitled, "Collecting Opportunities" is found at the end of the book. This chapter provides numerous alternatives to collecting "CC" coins, which will inspire readers to enjoy making their selections. Scarcity levels for each set are provided, as well as checklists to measure progress.
If the subject of the Carson City Mint and "CC" coins piques your interest, this book is for you. When you first lay hands on it you will be awed by the size of this four-pound piece of literature. Immediately, you will probably be caught up with the artwork, both on the front cover and the pages inside. This might prompt you to simply thumb through it in the beginning as you see the breadth of this work in pictures. Then, you may desire to begin reading it cover to cover, or skip to the chapters or appendices that immediately grab your attention. Regardless of how you proceed, you will most assuredly come away from your experience with this incredible book enriched and entertained. Rarely will a volume on the subject of coins bring as much pleasure to readers as The Mint on Carson Street.
U.S. Coin Values Advisor Reviews
Content Rating: FIVE STARS
This praiseworthy publication is an examination of Carson City and its famous Mint, with more than ample emphasis on the coins produced there.
The first five chapters (200+ pages) describes in wonderful, but not overwhelming, detail the early days of Carson City, the origin of the Mint, historical events of national significance, the years of operation, and final closure and disposition of the Mint building.
A wide selection of facts, statistics, political influences, and character profiles are concisely interwoven to spin a captivating yarn.
Heavily footnoted and referenced. Readers understand from where information is derived, and can conduct further research, if desired.
Every single silver and gold coin date bearing the "CC" mintmark is documented, smartly packed into one or two pages per coin. Very specific knowledge, obtained only through years of experience, is provided. Fact based opinions on future resale potential is offered. Estimates on survivability rates and total number of certifications by PCGS and NGC (as of July 2003) are registered.
The author, Rusty Goe, is one on the world's renowned experts on the Carson City Mint, and prescribes some collecting opportunities for the rare coins. Tips are put out on the table for collectors of "CC" coins, as well as a discussion of investment potential.
Speaking of Rusty Goe, when he's not book writing, he doubles as a coin dealer in Reno. The man has a passion for the Carson City Mint, as proven by this remarkable publication. A real passion. In July 2004, he purchased the only known 1873-CC dime (no arrows) for an astounding $891,250.
I have a Carson City Mint web page I'm proud of, but it falls flatter than a pancake when stacked up against The Mint on Carson Street.
SPR Rating: FIVE STARS
Entertaining writing style. Anecdotes and human interest stories bundle many facts together to effectively maintain the reader's interest.
The history of the Mint and its surroundings follow a strict chronological timeline. Not all historical reporting adopts this common sense approach, so I want to thank the author for thinking of us readers.
Profusely illustrated. A round of applause to author Rusty Goe for grasping the importance of well-captioned, highly pertinent, visual imagery. These illustrations are superb and must have been a labor of love to assemble. All black and white (well, they didn't have many color cameras around during the Mint's years of active service).
The only drawback, as far as I'm concerned, is the smallness of the coin photos. True, the photos are actual size, but doggone it, those dimes are hard to see! While we're forming a "Wish List" here, how about some color photos of the coins in the updated edition to come?
See this review on the U.S. Coin Values Advisor website.
Amazon.com Reviews
A book that demands your attention., August 19, 2004
Rusty Goe's new book describing the history of The Carson City Mint and its coinage is a MUST read for collectors of these coins. Rusty tells how to build valuable sets of CC coins and gives a history of their price appreciation. Rarity and pedigree information are included. Great READ!
Great Read and Great History, May 12, 2004
By "contessa14" (Wake Forest, NC USA)
I received this book as a gift and was only expecting it to be a synopsis of Carson City coins. I was not expecting all of the wonderful history! It is a fascinating read as well as being so informative. I really enjoyed reading about so many of the people who influenced not only Carson City and Nevada history, but United States history, as well. In the back is a complete guide to all of the coins minted in Carson City.
The book itself is quite beautiful, inside and out. It contains many pictures of historical people and places. The cover is so nice, you will not want to stash it in your bookcase, but place it on the coffee table for others to enjoy (and envy!)
Thanks again, Mom and Dad, for the beautiful book!
Treasure in a Time Capsule, March 6, 2004
James A Flower (Chewelah, Washington United States)
The Carson City coins that intrigue us today serve to memorialize the prominent--and not so well known--deeds which occurred between the Civil War and the turn of the century. During this era of giant personalities, the growing pains of the nation created both hardship and jubilant excess in a brand new Nevada (Halloween, 1864).
This phenomenon of the old west is lovingly presented by Rusty Goe in THE MINT ON CARSON STREET. Though little-known outside numismatic circles Rusty has delved into every cranny of the period, all the while becoming one of the supremely knowledgeable and formidable operatives in U.S. coins. His colleagues and trading competitors will attest to his skill and high integrity.
The book (tome, really), Rusty's memorial to an incomparable time and place, is not merely to read, but to dive into and swim around. Some of its delights: recapturing an obscure but haunting part of our exuberant national adolescence, demystifying many of the intricacies in the rare coin market, and serving as a permanent and valuable resource reference. The manner of presentation is that of a veteran of many adventures and well-fought battles lovingly sharing his most prized experiences with those who are disposed to value and appreciate the accounts.
THE MINT ON CARSON STREET has pride of place in my book collection.
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