Do you know what a Cartwheel is and what a Cartwheel Effect is? There is a difference! The first coins to be designated as Cartwheels are English (British) 1797 Pennies and Twopence. There are two reasons for this. 1) The sheer size of the coins. In the early years of the Penny it took 9.4500 grams of Copper (ACW 1.00 ounce) to create the flan (planchet). Three or four coins loaded down any change pouch. Here's a 1797 (George III) English Milled Cartwheel Penny (photo courtesy of coinarchives.com): http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=476136&AucID=352&Lot=403 Reason 2) Go back, enlarge the photo by clicking it and look at the coin's rim. Not edge, but rim. Doesn't it look like a cart wheel? As for the Twopence Cartwheel, its size (41mm) compared to the Penny, its overall appearance and its desirability as a great collectible, click on this coinarchives link (be sure you click on photo for an enlarged look): Author's aside: These Cartwheel Pennies and Twopence coins were the first British milled coins struck on "steam powered presses" at Matthew Boulton's Soho Mint under contract to the King. http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=476135&AucID=352&Lot=402 In the U. S. during the 1800s many coin collectors and non-collectors called the huge, heavy, wide-rimmed Morgan Silver Dollars Cartwheels. Out of this designation evolved a desirable effect: the Cartwheel Effect (called Cartwheel Luster by some collectors). You see, a few numismatic connoisseurs discovered that when you hold some coins by the edge and turn them clockwise or counter-clockwise under a light or in bright sunlight while tilting them up and down, a rainbow forms resembling spokes on a wheel which actively rotates over the surface of the coin. Both "Blazing White" and "Toned" coins may exhibit this Effect. These collectors seek out only Cartwheel Effect specimens for their collections. After browsing the following coinarchives.com photo links, imagine you owning a set of Morgan or Peace Dollars in uncirculated condition which exhibit the Cartwheel Effect. Note, not only uncirculated, but some AU coins also possess this attribute. Here's an 1895-O Morgan Silver Dollar graded AU-55 by PCGS which displays a lot of Cartwheel Luster: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=640299&AucID=468&Lot=2619 Another example shows up on this "Toned" 1878-S Morgan Dollar: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=640210&AucID=468&Lot=2530 Remember the "Redfield" Hoard of Morgan Dollars? Here's a photo of an 1889-S Morgan Dollar literally exploding with a radiating Cartwheel Effect: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=640269&AucID=468&Lot=2589 You ask, "What about Cartwheel Effect on early USA commemoratives?" Well take a good look at this specimen: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=640436&AucID=468&Lot=2756 No, I'm not leaving out America's Gold Coins which bear the Cartwheel Effect. Here's a photo: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=640621&AucID=468&Lot=2941 Following are personally selected coinarchives.com photos of the Cartwheel Effect existing on some world coins well worth your time and attention: From PARAGUAY feast your eyes on this 1889 Peso: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=532840&AucID=387&Lot=1149 From PERU hails this 1769 (Charles III) 8 Reales Pillar Dollar: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=532853&AucID=387&Lot=1162 Even "So Called Dollar" Collectors can find specimens with Cartwheel Effect as evidenced by this photo of a 1920 USA Adminstration Wilson Dollar commemorative of the Manilla Mint's reopening in the Philippines: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=505616&AucID=366&Lot=52043 And collectors of Great Britain's Crowns of the 17th Century would enjoy seeing this beautiful 1685 (William III) Silver Crown: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=390227&AucID=293&Lot=3259 And I'm sure you'll enjoy viewing this Italian 1936-R10 Lire: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=500803&AucID=364&Lot=52217 Since you've managed to make it this far here's a bonus selection. The earlier photos of the Morgan Dollars exhibit the Cartwheel Effect on Cartwheels. Take a good look at this original George III 1797 Copper Twopence Cartwheel that, in spite of its dark chocolate-brown color and its choice AU grade, also bears the Cartwheel Effect: http://www.coinarchives.com/w/lotviewer.php?LotID=474372&AucID=351&Lot=51267 Well, I believe you now understand the desireability of Cartwheel Effect coins... Hope you enjoyed. Do you have any Cartwheel Effect coins? Clinker
Clinker Can you shed any light on a campaign token called a cartwheel dollar in 1896. This is a coin/token that my spouse is interested in. Dave
To Digenes: I read your post and searched for more info, but all I found about Sunoco coins/tokens promotions related to those minted/struck by the Franklin Mint. Those were quarter-size aluminum pieces. Sorry I could,t help more...maybe someone else can. Clinker
He is taking about a piece of Bryan Money. I is a large disk of silver that has the image of a cartwheel on the reverse the same size as a silver dollar (Hence the "cartwheel") and the usual comment that this is the size of the current dollar and how the full size disk would be the size of a full value silver dollar on a bimetallic 16 to 1 standard. Bryan money is interesting but I really don't know much about it. I notice that one thing yo don't cover is what causes the cartwheel effect. The cartwheel "spokes" are always perpendicular to the direction of the incoming light. For example if the light is coming in from 3:00 the spokes will be from the center toward 12:00 and 6:00. They are created by the incoming light being reflected up into your eyes by the flowlines on the surface of the coin. The flowlines on the coin are created by the wear flowlines on the surface of the die. A brand new die has no flowlines and the surfaces of the coins struck from them are often mirror finished or prooflike. As the die starts to wear the first cartwheel begins to appear and the spokes are very tight or narrow. This is because only the lines that are almost exactly perpendicular to the light are able to reflect the light up into your eyes. s the die wear more and the flowlines become heaviler and deeper lines that are further off from the perpendicular are also able t catch and reflect the light and the spokes become broader. But as they become broader they also become less intense or less flashy. The problem is that slight wear to the coin can have the same effect of broadening and dulling the cartwheel as well because the slight wear on the microscopic flowlines broadens them and makes them more able to catch the light. After the die wears enough that the "spokes" approach 20% of the circumference of the coin the coin is taking on more of a satin appearance than a cartwheel "flash".
EF Morgan Dollars in excellent condition will typically show some remaining luster in protected areas. A lot of folks mistake them for AU's. In Europe, they'd probably grade gEF, here probably EF-45. This is a valuable thread with sound information for collectors, and folks who photograph lustrous examples, especially in sliver issues.. : )
FreakyGsMom Hi, again, and a big T H A N K S for nominating this trivia as Post of the Week!:hammer: Clinker
