{"product_id":"when-coins-were-king-the-coins-power-struggles-and-personalities-that-defined-a-nation-hardcover","title":"When Coins Were King: The Coins, Power Struggles, and Personalities That Defined a Nation - Hardcover","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eMichael F. Moran\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eJeff Garrett\u003c\/b\u003e (Foreword by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhen Coins Were King: The Coins, Power Struggles, and Personalities That Defined a Nation\u003c\/em\u003e by Michael F. Moran is a scholarly and captivating exploration of America's rich monetary history, brought to life with hundreds of vivid images and a compelling narrative. Moran masterfully unveils the untold stories behind the nation's coinage in the late 1800s and early 1900s, a time when the coins that jingled in American pockets had real value in silver and gold. The story starts with the great Comstock Lode--a discovery of gold and silver that outshined the California Gold Rush--and fueled a rebound in our nation's shaky paper-driven economy after the Civil War. It gives the inside story of the outsized personalities that fought life-and-death struggles for economic control and political power at the time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAgainst this backdrop, Moran details the political shenanigans, widespread corruption at the San Francisco Mint, and an unlikely cast of characters: the young, idealistic President Theodore Roosevelt...the nation's most-famous sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens...the energetic, populist leader William Jennings Bryan...the sage Senator John Sherman...and many others who influenced our nation's coinage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFull of rich storytelling and free from overwhelming statistics that tend to obscure the human element of defining moments, \u003cem\u003eWhen Coins Were King\u003c\/em\u003e offers a fresh perspective on the economic and political struggles that still echo today. A must-read for history buffs, numismatists, and anyone fascinated by the power of money.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRelated titles: \u003cem\u003e1849: The Philadelphia Mint Strikes Gold\u003c\/em\u003e by Michael Moran and Jeff Garrett, and \u003cem\u003eStriking Change\u003c\/em\u003e by Michael Moran.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eBack Jacket\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the Comstock Lode to Teddy Roosevelt's bold reforms, \u003cem\u003eWhen Coins Were King\u003c\/em\u003e brings to life the battles, corruption, and colorful characters behind America's most iconic coins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Moran has transformed economic history from charts and theories into a gripping narrative about power, personalities, and the gold and silver coins that drove it all.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e--Dr. Michael Patrick Cullinane Walton Chair of Theodore Roosevelt Studies Dickinson State University\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Few know the inner workings of Augustus Saint-Gaudens as well as Moran. In\u003c\/em\u003e When Coins Were King, \u003cem\u003eMoran marshals all the fascinating details that led up to the design of America's greatest coin while putting this effort within the context of its times.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e--Todd Imhof Partner and Executive Vice President Heritage Auctions\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMichael F. Moran\u003c\/strong\u003e has been a numismatist since childhood, when his grandfather got him started collecting Indian Head pennies. He fell in love with the art of Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1960, and spent the summer's lawn-mowing income on one of the artist's $20 gold pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMoran holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a master's in industrial administration from Purdue University. He has spent a business career in corporate mergers and acquisitions in the energy fields and now serves as a managing partner in several diverse businesses.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSince leaving his corporate life, Moran has embarked on a numismatic writing career. His accolades include the American Numismatic Association's Heath Literary Award for an article on the San Francisco earthquake, the Professional Numismatists Guild's Robert Friedberg Award for \u003cem\u003eStriking Change\u003c\/em\u003e, and the Numismatic Literary Guild Award for best U.S. coin book for \u003cem\u003e1849: Philadelphia Strikes Gold\u003c\/em\u003e. Moran is currently serving his fourth term on the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee at the United States Mint, reviewing and critiquing the designs for all the Mint's coins and medals. In addition, he partnered with Tom Uram to spearhead the drive for Congressional authorization to allow the Mint to again strike Morgan and Peace silver dollars in 2021.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBesides his numismatic pursuits, Moran is active in the Congressionally chartered Theodore Roosevelt Association. He presently serves on the executive committee and is the association's treasurer. He also chairs the investment committee and the development committee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 416\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.2 x 8.6 x 5.9 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e December 15, 2025\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53343627379053,"sku":"9780794851002","price":41.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1001\/0823\/9213\/files\/bjp-Hr6qYN9780794851002.webp?v=1779069261","url":"https:\/\/cleanfreaklab.myshopify.com\/products\/when-coins-were-king-the-coins-power-struggles-and-personalities-that-defined-a-nation-hardcover","provider":"Clean Freak Lab","version":"1.0","type":"link"}