Biographical dictionary of medallists: coin, gem, and seal-engravers, mint-masters, &c., ancient and modern, with references to their works B. C. 500-A. D. 1900; compiled by L. Forrer ...

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" From a careful examination, it is certain that the whole coin
design was entirely fabricated outside of any authorized Spanish
mint, and the stamp of BRASHER N-Y. must have appeared in the
original die, although the counterstamp EB was added after the
piece had been struck, and seems to be exactly like the stamps ot
this assayer which have been examined on the vaiious Brasher
doubloons and other gold coins, usually of Spanish or Portuguese
origin, which have appeared from time to time.
" One of the first questions raised by the discovery of this coin
is, did Ephraim Brasher, the famous coiner of the New York doubloon, operate a private mint in New York, at which he struck
golden doubloons from dies made at his establishment?
"We are all very well acquainted with the famous New York
doubloon, which is of entirely original design, and which relates
only to New York. In the past it has been thought by some that
the weight of this latter piece, which ranges from 406 1 to 411
and a fraction grains, was reason enough to entitle it to be called a
doubloon. Others have thought, as it was well known that Brasher
had petitioned the New York legislature in 1787 for the privilege
of coining New York cents, the design of the so-called doubloon
had really been intended for this proposed cent, and that the
striking of these pieces in gold had no special significance, although
the same design has never been discovered in copper or other base
metal.
" Now, the discovery of this piece above described would seem
to bear out the argument of those who have called the New York
piece a doubloon, and that the weight was not a coincidence, but
rather was created by design.
"So far no information has come to our attention that Brasher
ever manufactured doubloons of any kind on his own account, or
that he had a private mint, but the existence of the. piece just come
to light would point to that conclusion.
" It is an undoubted fact that private persons, during the latter
part of the nineteenth century did operate private mints in Baltimore
and elsewhere. We have as authority for this statement the following extract from a letter written by Henry William De Saussure,
Director of the United States Mint, dated Oct. 27, I795: 'I understand that none of the laws of Congress have provided any penalties
for the various offences which may be committed against the
coinage. In most countries strict laws are enacted, prohibiting the
interference of individuals in this attribute of the sovereignty; and,
in some, the very possession of dies or presses, or other implements
essential in the coinage is made criminal. In this country mints
are said to be boldly erected at Baltimore and elsewhere, professedly to imitate the coins of foreign countries and to furnish a