NOW Articles Written By Members

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My 2023 ANA Summer Seminar Adventure

An Icon Goes On

In defense of the American Women's Quarters

A look back in numismatic history – the Hicksville Silver Dollar Hoard

The proofs so few of us collect: Jefferson Nickels

A look back in numismatic history – a story too good to be true

Kilroy promotes war bond sales

Just passing through a short-lived bank

Influence of our Inductors

NOW Convention Medals

What’s in a Name?

The Kewaunee Line Encased Coin Folder

Walhalla

Aug. Ziesemer - Maverick

Lyman C. Draper: Collector, Historian, Genealogist

Troubled Journey

The WWII Philippine Silver Dump

A Sextet Of Scientists From Wisconsin

Wisconsin Territorials: Come Josephine, In My Wayback Machine

New Milwaukee Buck: A Kha$h Middleton Note

Not Your Typical Olympic Sports

Rahr Brewing Of Wisconsin... and beyond

 

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PROLOGUE: In the 1790’s, Yellow Fever spread rampantly and regularly in Philadelphia, creating panic, work stoppage, and isolation. Seemingly concentrated near the rivers and waterways, citizens left the city in great numbers, moved inland and stayed away until the weather turned colder when the fever subsided. Year after year into the 1800’s, this pattern played out. Yellow Fever (so-called because the skin, as well as the whites of the infected person’s eyes, turned yellow) was thought to be highly contagious, understandably frightening the population.

One of the institutions affected by the yellow fever pandemic was the United States Mint, which was located within a mile of the outbreak epicenter. The Mint shut down operations periodically as a precautionary measure. Several Mint employees are known to have died from the fever including Engraver Joseph Wright, and Mint Treasurer Nicholas Way. Major outbreaks occurred in Philadelphia in 1793 – the first year of federally mandated coinage production – and again in 1797, 1798, 1799, and 1803 causing the mint to close for a period in each of these years. Nevertheless, as we know, the U.S. Mint still produced noteworthy coinage during this time.

1793 Chain Cent	1797 Draped Bust Half Dollar

Yellow Fever persisted in the United States in varying degrees of outbreak into the 1900’s. Typically in the summer and fall months, always near waterways. New Orleans and Memphis were particularly devastated in the 1870’s.

In 1881, a Cuban physician named Carlos Finlay first postulated that Yellow Fever was spread by mosquitos. In 1901, the United States assembled an international Yellow Fever Commission to research the disease, headed by Major Walter Reed.

Read on to learn more from author Juan Riera – and take note that there are several collectible philatelic and numismatic items associated with the Yellow Fever Commission. - Editor

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