Rip Van Winkle: Treasury of American Folklore

May 24, 2025  •  Leave a Comment

The Hamilton Mint manufactured a limited-edition series of 24 ingots in .999 fine silver titled the Treasury of American Folklore. The ingots were offered for sale in 1975 and originally sold for $13.75 per ingot. The 24 ingots were issued at a rate of two per month for 12 months. Each ingot measured 1 1/4 inch by 1 3/4 inch in size.

 

The Hamilton Mint advertised that only 10,000 first edition sets in proof finish silver would be minted. They also advertised that once the edition limits were reached, the dies for the ingots would be destroyed, “thus establishing forever the rarity and integrity of this fine collection.”

 

Rip Van Winkle, Treasury of American Folklore series by the Hamilton MintRip Van Winkle, Treasury of American Folklore series by the Hamilton MintCollectible Rip Van Winkle silver ingot as manufactured by the Hamilton Mint as part of the Treasury of American Folklore series.

 

There was also a special collection of the same silver ingots but made with a plating of 24 kt. gold. This edition was limited to 5,000 sets. Each gold-plated ingot originally cost $18.75.

 

With your subscription for the series, the Hamilton Mint included your own unique matching serial number on each ingot and provided a signed “Certificate of Authenticity,” “attesting to the limited-edition status and precious metal content of your collection.” Each subscriber to the series received “a specially designed presentation case that combines the luxurious appearance of finely crafted wood with lucite. Sturdy construction permits you to displays as well as protect your valuable collection.”

 

Rip Van Winkle, Treasury of American Folklore series by the Hamilton MintRip Van Winkle, Treasury of American Folklore series by the Hamilton MintCollectible Rip Van Winkle silver ingot as manufactured by the Hamilton Mint as part of the Treasury of American Folklore series.

 

The Hamilton Mint was a popular producer of silver and gold-plated collectibles during the 1970s. The company was founded in 1972 at Arlington Heights, Chicago “because people like to collect things.” The Hamilton Mint was part of an industry that grew rapidly after the surprising success of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Mint. By the mid-1970s, advertisements noted that the Hamilton Mint was the “world’s second largest private mint.” In 1976, they employed approximately 150 people and had sales of over $10 million dollars a year.

 

Hamilton Mint was founded as a subsidiary of Joys, Ltd., a mail order marketer of porcelain, crystal and metal plates. Late in 1972, Joys and Hamilton were acquired by Downe Communications, a publishing and broadcasting firm. In 1975, the Charter Company, a diversified Florida-based holding company with interests in oil refining and marketing, acquired a 43 per cent interest in Downe; and in 1977, Charter acquired Downe’s remaining shares to bring its ownership to 100 per cent. James P. Smith, Jr., an executive with the Charter oil business, was appointed president of the Hamilton Mint. Prior company presidents included Myron Cooper, a former sales manager at the Franklin Mint, and Paul A. McShane, who succeeded Cooper.

 

The Hamilton Mint, like other companies in the collectibles industry, was susceptible to tough competition, changing and volatile raw material prices and ever-changing consumer tastes. By October 1978, after only six years in existence, the Chicago Tribune published an advertisement noting that “due to sale & relocation of certain production to Metal Arts Co. Inc. of N. Y.” an auction would be held at the Hamilton Mint location in Arlington Heights, Illinois to sell off all its possessions, including coining and embossing presses, toolroom, plating, factory equipment and office equipment.

 

Much of what was produced by the Hamilton Mint was offered in the form of sets of bars or rounds, many with American themes. Their products were sold nationally by both mail and wholesale.

 

Example sets included Wonders of America, America the Beautiful, America’s Greatest Events, Our Greatest Americans, The American Revolution Old Glory Ingot Collection, Sprit of America, Profiles of the West, American Presidents, American Indian Collection, Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal Collection, World of Flight, America’s 50 States, Bicentennial Set, Birds of America, American Wildlife, The Great Classic Cars, several different Norman Rockwell sets (Portraits of America, Four Seasons, Four Freedoms, Best Loved Post Covers 1916-1960) and many more.

 

The Treasury of American Folklore series featured some of the most well-known characters, both real and fictional, from American history.

 

In addition to Rip Van Winkle, other folklore subjects of the series included Wild Bill Hickok, Judge Roy Bean, Sweet Betsy from Pike, Buffalo Bill Cody, Big Foot Wallace, Brer Rabbit, Doc Holliday, Sam Bass, Uncle Davy Lane, Mike Fink, Billy the Kid, Jesse James, John Henry, Headless Horseman, Joe Magarac, Johnny Appleseed, Butch Cassidy, Davy Crockett, Wyatt Earp, John Brown, Paul Bunyon, Casey Jones and Pecos Bill.

 

The Rip Van Winkle ingot depicts our beloved Rip lying on the ground at the foot of a tree with his trusty gun by his side. While still wearing his hat, Rip’s beard has grown to considerable length. Rip would sleep for 20 years. The scene, as described in the original story, is below.

 

“By degrees Rip’s awe and apprehension subsided. He even ventured, when no eye was fixed upon him, to taste the beverage, which he found had much of the flavor of excellent Hollands. He was naturally a thirsty soul, and was soon tempted to repeat the draught. One taste provoked another; and he reiterated his visits to the flagon so often that at length his senses were overpowered, his eyes swam in his head, his head gradually declined, and he fell into a deep sleep.”

 


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