Frank H. Stewart is both the hero and the villain in this remarkable tale ripped from the headlines of early 20th century Philadelphia. He was a high school dropout who wrote the definitive history of our nation's first coin factory. He was no art connoisseur, and yet he commissioned unforgettable paintings of the first U.S. Mint, by famous artists. A poor boy made good, Stewart bought the old Mint, labored to preserve it, and failed in the most dramatic way possible. Could his later acts of commemoration redeem his failures in preservation? The Secret History of the First U.S. Mint tells, for the first time, the full story of the paradoxical Frank H. Stewart and his self-appointed life's mission to celebrate an irreplaceable slice of our nations heritage. It is a tour-de-force work of scholarship that sets straight long misunderstood Mint history. This groundbreaking new book by award winning authors Joel Orosz and Leonard Augsburger is filled with dozens of sketches, paintings, and photographs of the first Mint that have been preserved in archival collections for decades, and have not been seen by living

Generations of coin collectors have grown up with the Lincoln cent. Now, as the coin nears its 100th anniversary (and the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth), Q. David Bowers provides a detailed study of this great American classic. "Lincoln cents are among the most fascinating coins in the entire American series," writes Bowers. "Believe it or not, they also offer some of the greatest challenges." In this single volume you'll absorb the history of the coin's two classic reverse designs, take an inside look at the minting process, and learn how to grade your collection, including Proofs. Bowers shares tips on becoming a smarter buyer. He even gives a sneak preview of what the U.S. Mint has in store with a 2009 redesign. The book includes a thorough market analysis for each date and mintmark, and a special appendix on error coins. Read and enjoy, as you gain a better appreciation of America's most popular cent. Book jacket.