Seldom does one get to handle a piece of American history as important as a document written by one of our Founding Fathers. But to have both a document written by Alexander Hamilton requesting $10,000 for copper to bestruck as the first coinage in the United States, as well as several of the coins minted under this request in the same auction series is simply serendipitous.

Both the letter and the coins will be offered for sale at Rago Auctions on June 9. The letter, penned and signed by Alexander Hamilton, reads as follows:

Treasury Department
December 18. 1793.

Gentlemen

For the purpose of obtaining a final settlement at the Treasury of the bills drawn on Amsterdam, I have this day issued a warrant on you in favor of the Treasurer of the United States for ten thousand dollars, beingthe amount of the bills furnished by you to the Director of the Mint. I have therefore to request that until an appropriation be made for the purpose (a circumstance which will shortly take place) you will be pleased toconsider the said 10,000 dollars as an advance on account of the Mint. I have [illegible] a warrant to cover all your advances heretofore to that establishment [illegible] of two June for the purchase of copper which mustalso want an appropriation.

                                                                                 I have the honor to be,
                                                                                 With great respect, Gentlemen
                                                                                 Your Obed' Servant.
                                                                                 Alex Hamilton

The President and Director
Of the Bank of the US.

The Bank of the United States was created to assume the Revolutionary War debts of several states; pay off the war debts accumulated through the Revolution by the United States Government; raise money to operate the newgovernment; and create a common currency. This correspondence from Alexander Hamilton to the President of the Bank of the United States was an effort to fulfill the last of these aims, the creation of a common currency. Thedeposit requested in this letter was provided to the Treasury Department of the United States for the purchase of copper on behalf of the United States Mint. The mint struck the first official coinage in March 3, 1793.

Printed catalogues will be available for $20 each by calling 609.397.9374 or e-mailing a request to info@ragoarts.com.

Bill Eckberg writes:

View a complete online catalogue with color images at www.ragoarts.com and www.bidsquare.com, online on May 21.