On display in the Philadelphia Mint is an old screw press which is supposedly the first screw coining press. According to an old family tale, Adam Eckfeldt and his father Jacob made the press atJohn Harper's factory and subsequently used it to strike the 1792 dismes and half dismes. Some may recall that this press was on display at several American Numismatic Association conventions inthe 1980s and 1990s.

Using historical records, including the Mint's own account books and a 1797 letter from the Eckfeldt Estate recently purchased by Rob Rodriguez for his Resolute Americana Collection, Idocument the origin of this tale and then systematically debunk both its provenance and its attribution as the "first press." As noted in the article, I sent a copy to the Mint'scurator, Dr. Robert Gohler, who kindly provided measurements of the press for use in the article. I am currently awaiting a response.