First Seamless Gold Ingot

Date
March 28, 2024

In 1969 the 275th Anniversary Committee designed a commemorative coin to celebrate one of Attleboro’s contributions to the jewelry making trade. These coins were minted in 3 materials, Bronze (un-numbered), Silver and Gold (numbered series stamped on edge). The booklets are rarely seen, in 40+ years of collecting Attleboro items I have only seen them 3 times. The Silver and Gold editions are also quite rare. I suspect that many were melted down as the value of the raw materials rose, exceeding most peoples sentimental or historic reverence.

The complete text of the booklet is exactly as follows (including what appear to be typos and errors):

City of

Attleboro, Massachusetts

275th

Anniversary

Commemorative Coin

1694 – 1969

Attleboro, Massachusetts, formerly Attleborough, after Attleborough, Norfolk, England, was settled officially on October 19th, 1694 by an act “granting a township within the County of Bristol to be called Attleborough”. Its creation began thirty years earlier with the purchase of a tract of land in what was then North Rehoboth. The Deed of 1661, bearing the signature of Captain Wamsitto Alias Alexander, the original purchaser, included the present communities of Attleboro, North Attleboro, and Cumberland, Rhode Island.

Attleboro was originally famous for its iron works, cotton mills, nail factories, gristmills and button factories, most of which now belong to history. Because of the towns topographical location, conditions presented the ideal basis upon which these industries thrived. Subsequently came the foundation of the great Jewelry Industry for which Attleboro is so well known. Jewelry manufactured in Attleboro is sold throughout the world.

The OBVERSE side of the coin depicts the city symbol as taken from a sketch by Mr. George Nerney, one of Attleboro’s devoted historians. The Lion represents Attleborough, England. The marks above it are the Indian signature that appeared on the original deed. The crest is surrounded by jewelry chain, symbolic of Attleboro’s jewelry fame.

The REVERSE side shows Joseph Lyman Sweeet, an original partner in the R.F.Simmons Company, as he worked on the first process for producing seamless gold filled ingots. Joseph’s son, Harold, was Attleboro’s first Mayor. His devotion and civicmindedness led to much of the Town’s early progress. This scene, recalling the early beginnings of jewelry manufacturing in Attleboro, was taken from a painting by Attleboro’s famous artist, Percy Ball.

The 275th Anniversary Coin was designed by The 275th Anniversary Committee of Attleboro It was struck by

THE ROBBINS COMPANY

During the 275th Anniversary Parade , there was an entire float dedicated to the minting of these coins.

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