US Coin Glass was issued in 1892 by Central Glass Company, in East Wheeling, to commemorate the founding of the US Mint. Exact replicas of the US silver dollar, half dollar, quarter, and other coins were designed into the molds. The images were so perfect that the US government ordered the company to stop producing the items. As a result, the items immediately became collector pieces.
Why do you think the government was so insistent that the molds be destroyed and production cease?
What US Government agency was created to deal with the problem of counterfeiting just a few years before this glass was produced???
Who would have thought that this agency could trace its creation back to counterfeiting?
Hint: http://voices.yahoo.com/a-brief-history-counterfeiting-money-america-267787.htm
Great post Tanya. Enjoyed the pictures, interesting story about glass coins, and the questions to get students thinking.
ReplyDeleteGreat teaching opportunity with Central Glass. Thank you for updating.
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