[Illustration]
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY
OF THE
UNITED STATES MINT
WITH A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF
AMERICAN COINAGE,
From the earliest period to the present time. The
Process of Melting, Refining, Assaying, and
Coining Gold and Silver fully described:
WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF
Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Robert Morris, Benjamin Rush,
John Jay Knox, James P. Kimball, Daniel M. Fox, and the Mint
Officers from its foundation to the present time.
TO WHICH ARE ADDED
A GLOSSARY OF MINT TERMS
AND THE
LATEST OFFICIAL TABLES
OF THE
Annual Products of Gold and Silver in the different
States, and Foreign Countries, with Monetary
Statistics of all Nations.
ILLUSTRATED with PHOTOTYPES, STEEL PLATE PORTRAITS and WOOD
ENGRAVINGS, with NUMEROUS PLATES of Photographic Reproductions
of RARE AMERICAN COINS, and Price List of their numismatic
value.
_New Revised Edition, Edited by the Publisher._
PHILADELPHIA:
GEORGE G. EVANS, PUBLISHER.
1888.
Copyrighted by
GEORGE G. EVANS.
1885.
Recopyrighted, 1888.
DUNLAP & CLARKE,
PRINTERS AND BOOK BINDERS.
819-21 FILBERT STREET,
PHILADELPHIA.
INDEX.
Adjusting room, 32
American coinage, history of from 1792 to 1888
gold coins, 142
silver coins, 142
Amount coined in fiscal year, 136, 141
of coin in the United States, 142
Ancient coining, 2
Greek coins, 44
Persian coins, 45
Roman coins, 46
Annealing furnaces, 29
Architecture indebted to coins, 5
Assay, process of, 23
Assayers of Mint, list of, 118
Assaying gold, 24
silver, 25
rooms, 24
Barber, Charles E., Mint Engraver, 127
William, ”, 126
Bars manufactured at Mints during fiscal year, 136, 141
Bland dollar, history of, 62
Bond of indemnity signed by employees of first Mint, 1799, 17
Booth, James C., Melter and Refiner, 123
Boudinot, Elias, 102
Bosbyshell, Col. O. C., Coiner, 116
Boyd, N. B., Assistant Melter and Refiner, 124
Brazilian coins, 58
Bullion deposit and purchase of, 132
for the silver dollar coinage, 1887, 132
on hand at the Mints, 142
Brief explanation of terms commonly used in treating of bullion, Mint
coinage and money (see glossary), 149
Cabinet of coins and relics, 41
Cashiers of the Mint, 128, 129
Childs, George H., Coiner, 116
Chinese coins, 51
Circulation of gold and silver in the United States, 138, 142
of silver dollars, 138
Cloud, Joseph, 123
Cobb, Mark H., Cashier, 128
Coinage Act of 1873, 99, 100
and milling rooms, 35
fiscal year 1887, 131
of first silver dollar, 15
Coiners of Mint, 114-118
Coins, classification of, 48-68
English, of the Commonwealth and Cromwell, 56, 57
issued at the Philadelphia Mint from its establishment in 1792 to
1888, 81-89
of Athens, 47
of China, 51
of Egypt, 45
of Ferdinand and Isabella, 67
of Siam, 50
prices current, 154-160
of Switzerland, 55
of Syria, 46
Colonial coins, 59
paper money, 133
pine tree money, 59
Comparison of expressing the fineness of Gold in thousandths and in
carats, 148
Confederate coins (C. S. A.), 63
Copy of paper laid in corner stone of the Mint, 18
old pay roll, 12
Costumes on coins, 5
Cox, Albion, 128
Curator of the Mint, 129
Curiosities and minerals, 43
Deposit melting room, 23
weighing room, 21
DeSaussure, Henry William, Director, 101
Directors and Superintendents of Mints, 101-111
Dollar of 1804, history of, 64
standard, history of, 62
trade, history of, 61
Donations of old coins, 69
Double eagle of 1849, history of, 66
Du Bois, William E., Assayer, 121-123
Earnings of Mint and Assay Offices, 144
Eckfeldt, Adam, Coiner, 115
George N., M. D., Director, 103
Jacob B., Assayer, 118-120
English coins, 55, 56
silver tokens, 57
Engravers and die-sinkers at the Mint, 124-128
Engraving dies, 34
Egyptian coins, 54
Establishment of the Mint, 13
Estimated value of foreign coins (official table of), 146
Extract from Constitution of the United States relating to coining,
131
from expenditures of the Mint, fiscal year, 1887, 135
from resolution of Congress relating to Mint, 19
Family coins (Grecian), 47
First silver dollar coined, 14
First U. S. money coined, 15
Foreign coins, value of in United States money (table of), 146
Fox, Hon. Daniel M., Superintendent, 105-109
French coins, Marie Antoinette, etc., 54
German coins, 55
Glossary of Mint terms, 149
Gobrecht, Christian, 126
Gold and silver productions of the world, 137
coins of Oliver Cromwell, 57
and silver coins manufactured at the Philadelphia Mint since its
establishment in 1792, 81-89
Gold Medallic ducat, head of Luther, 55
Golden daric, of Persia, 45
Grecian coins, 44
Greek Republic, 46
Gun money of James II, 57
Horatio C. Burchard, second director, extracts from the director’s
last report, (Transcriber’s Note: No number was printed here,
and it’s not at all clear what this refers to. Possibly the
entry should have been edited out.)
Hamilton, Alexander, 92
Head of Jupiter Ammon (a specimen of), 47
of Minerva, with Greek helmet, 55
Heraldic emblems, 5
Historical sketch of first U. S. Mint, 7-10
History of coinage, ancient and modern, 1-6
of present U. S. Mint, 17
Humor pictured in medals and coins, 5
Incidents of history on coins, 4
Introduction, 1, 2
Japanese coins, 53
Jefferson, Thomas, 90, 91
“Joe” and half “Joe”, 58
Kimball, James Putnam, 93, 94
Key, William H., Assistant Engraver, 116
Kneass, William, Engraver, 114
Knox, John Jay, 95-98
Language upon coins and medals, 6
Linderman, Henry Richard, M. D., 104-107
Longacre, James B., Engraver, 115
McClure, R. A., Curator, 129
McCullough, Richard S., 123
Medals and Cabinet Coins, 153
partial list of, for sale at the Mint, 150-152
Melter and refiner’s office, 23
Melters and refiners of the Mint, 123, 124
Melting rooms, 26
Metallic money in Colonial times, 60
Mexican coins, 58
Money of Great Britain, 55
of the Chinese Empire, 51
French ”, 54
German ”, 55
Grecian ”, 46
past and present, 1
Roman Empire, 46
time of Moses, 46
Turkish Empire, 54
United States, 61
Moore, Samuel, M. D., Director, 102
Morgan, George T., Assistant Engraver, 127
Morris, Robert, diary of, 7
National medals, 150-152
New York doubloon, 61
Note to visitors of the Philadelphia Mint, 161
Notes on the early history of the Mint, 7-10
Oak tree money, 60
Oliver Cromwell, cast of, 42
Oriental coins, 50, 67
Pacific coast coins, 62
Paper money, aggregate issue in war times, 148
Parting and refining, 26
Patterson, Robert, LL. D., Director, 102
Robert M., Director, 102
Pay roll of first Mint, 12
Peale, Franklin, Coiner and Assayer, 115
Penny of William the Conqueror, 56
Persian coins, 45
“Peter,” the Eagle (Mint bird), 43
Pettit, Thomas M., Director, 103
Pine tree money, 59
Pollock, James, A. M., LL. D., Director, 103
Portraiture upon coins, 3
Portuguese and Spanish coins, 58
Pound sterling, Charles First, 56
Presidential medals, 151
Profits on silver coinage, 134
Progress in coining, 33
Rare coins, price list (approximate value), 154-160
Refining by acids, fiscal year 1887, 148
Relics, 42
Resolution of Congress establishing the Mint, 11
Richardson, John, Assayer, 129
Joseph, ”, 129
Rittenhouse, David, First Director, 101
Rolling gold and silver, 29
Rolling room, 28
Roman coins, imperial, 46
Rules and regulations of first Mint, 15-16
Rush, Benjamin, Treasurer, 116
Russian coins, 55
double rouble, head of Peter the Great, 55
Ryal or royal, of Queen Elizabeth, 56
Scot, Robert, Engraver, 125
Scotch groat, of Robert Bruce, 57
pennies, 57
Selections of rare coins, 66, 67
Separating room, 26
Silver bullion purchased and coined (see table), 132
Siamese coins, 50
Silver coins of the United States (see table), 132
Silver, first American, 14
Snowden, Col. A. Loudon, Coiner, Superintendent, 104
James Ross, LL.D., Superintendent, 103
Sovereign of Oliver Cromwell, 57
Specie and paper circulation of the United States (table of), 143
of the World (see table), 142
Standard weights, 129-131
Steel, William S., Coiner, 18, 116
Subsidiary coinage, 134, 150
Table of circulation of gold and silver, 142
Table showing where the precious metals in the U. S. come from, 139
“The temple sweepers,” Grecian coin, 49
Trade dollar, history of, 62
Trade dollars coined, exported, imported, melted and redeemed, Act of
March 3, 1887, 134
Twenty dollar gold piece of 1849, 63
Turkish coins, 54
United States, coins, 61
Mint first established, 7
Mint test for gold and silver, 149
Valuable and rare coins, price-list of, 154-160
Value, in United States money, of one ounce Troy of gold, at
different degrees of fineness, 160
Value of gold and silver received at the Mints and Assay Offices, 132
Value of foreign gold coins deposited at the New York Assay Office in
1887, 135
Value of foreign gold and silver coins in United States money, 146
Visiting the Mint, 20
Voigt, Henry, Coiner, 114
Washington coins and medals, 150
“Widow’s mite,” history of, 68
World’s coinage (table of), 143
Wright, Joseph, Engraver, 125
INTRODUCTION.
MONEY OF THE PAST AND PRESENT.
The need of a circulating medium of exchange has been acknowledged
since the earliest ages of man. In the primeval days, bartering was the
foundation of commercial intercourse between the various races; but this
gave way in time, as exchanges increased. In the different ages many
commodities have been made to serve as money,—tin was used in ancient
Syracuse and Britain; iron, in Sparta; cattle, in Rome and Germany;
platinum, in Russia; lead, in Burmah; nails, in Scotland; silk, in China;
cubes of pressed tea, in Tartary; salt, in Abyssinia; slaves, amongst
the Anglo Saxons; tobacco, in the earliest settlements of Virginia;
codfish, in New Foundland; bullets and wampum, in Massachusetts;
logwood, in Campeachy; sugar, in the West Indies; and soap, in Mexico.
Money of leather and wood was in circulation in the early days of Rome;
and the natives of Siam, Bengal, and some parts of Africa used the
brilliantly-colored cowry shell to represent value, and some travelers
allege that it is still in use in the remote portions of the last-named
country. But the moneys of all civilized nations have been, for the
greater part, made of gold, silver, copper, and bronze. Shekels of
silver are mentioned in the Bible as having existed in the days of
Abraham, but the metals are believed to have been in bars, from which
proportionate weights were chipped to suit convenience. The necessity
for some convenient medium having an intrinsic value of its own led to
coinage, but the exact date of its introduction is a question history has
not yet determined. It is supposed the Lydians stamped metal to be used
as money twelve hundred years before Christ, but the oldest coins extant
were made 800 B. C., though it is alleged that the Chinese circulated a
square bronze coin as early as 1120 B. C. All of these coins were rude
and shapeless, and generally engraved with representations of animals,
deities, nymphs, and the like; but the Greeks issued coins, about 300
B. C., which were fine specimens of workmanship, and which are not even
surpassed in boldness and beauty of design by the products of the coiners
of these modern times. Even while these coins were in circulation spits
and skewers were accepted by the Greeks in exchange for products, just
as wooden and metal coins were circulated simultaneously in Rome, 700
B. C., and leather and metal coins in France, as late as 1360 A. D. The
earliest coins bearing portraits are believed to have been issued about
480 B. C., and these were profiles. In the third century, coins stamped
with Gothic front faces were issued, and after that date a profusion of
coins were brought into the world, as every self-governing city issued
money of its own. The earliest money of America was coined of brass, in
1612, and the earliest colonial coins were stamped in Massachusetts,
forty years later.
Ancient and extensive as the use of money has been in all its numerous
forms and varied materials, it merely represented a property value which
had been created by manual labor and preserved by the organic action of
society. In a primitive state, herds of cattle and crops of grain were
almost the only forms of wealth; the natural tendency and disposition of
men to accumulate riches led them to fix a special value upon the metals,
as a durable and always available kind of property. When their value in
this way was generally recognized, the taxes and other revenues, created
by kings and other potentates, was collected in part or wholly in that
form of money. The government, to facilitate public business, stamped
the various pieces of metal with their weight and quality, as they were
received at the Treasury; and according to these stamps and marks, the
same pieces were paid out of the Treasury, and circulated among the
people at an authorized and fixed value. The next step was to reduce
current prices of metal to a uniform size, shape, and quality, value and
denomination, and make them, by special enactment, a legal tender for the
payment of all taxes or public dues.
Thus, a legalized currency of coined money was created, and the
exchangeable value of the various metals used for that purpose fully
established, to the great convenience of the world at large.
ANCIENT COINING.
The die for the obverse of the piece to be struck having been engraved,
so as to properly present the religious or national symbol used for a
device and whatever else was to be impressed upon the coin, was fixed
immovably in an anvil or pedestal, face upwards. The lumps or balls
of metal to be coined, having been made of a fixed and uniform weight
and nearly of an oblate sphere in form, were grasped in a peculiarly
constructed pair of tongs and laid upon the upturned die. A second
operative then placed a punch squarely upon the ball of metal; heavy
blows from a large hammer forced the punch down until the metal beneath
it had been forced into every part of the die, and a good impress
secured. In the meantime the punch would be imbedded in the lump of
metal, and on being withdrawn the reverse of the coin would show a rough
depression corresponding to the shape given the end of the punch, thereby
making an uneven surface and disfiguring the piece; punch marks gradually
developed into forms, and these forms combined with figures wrought into
artistic design, until, by degrees, the punch itself became a die, making
the reverse of each piece upon which it was used equal in every respect
to the obverse of which it was the opposite. This perfection of the
reverse was, however, secured at the expense of the effectiveness of the
punch for its original purpose.
The striking of coin between two dies, which were required to accurately
oppose each other, was an operation requiring great dexterity, and the
results were not at all certain. The artisans at this stage of the
work, hit upon the expedient of using both the obverse and reverse die
in a ring of such a size and depth, as to be a guide to each of them.
The balls or disks of metal being struck inside the ring, between the
dies, were forced to assume an even thickness, and a circular form
corresponding with the inside of the ring. After the ring had been used
in this way for some time, it was engraved upon the inside, and the
coins produced were not only circular in shape, but stamped upon their
edges. Thus was produced the perfect coin, and through the introduction
of machinery has secured uniformity in the result and saved an immense
amount of labor in striking vast sums of money; the artistic beauty of
some of the antique specimens has not been surpassed in modern times.
PORTRAITURE UPON COINS.
It is said that no human head was ever stamped upon coins until after
the death of Alexander the Great; he being regarded as somewhat of a
divinity, his effigy was impressed upon money, like that of other gods.
The knowledge of coins and medals, through the inscriptions and devices
thereon, is, to an extent, a history of the world from that date in which
metals were applied to such uses. Events engraven upon these, remain
hidden in tombs or buried in the bosom of the earth, deposited there in
ages long past, by careful and miserly hands, only awaiting the research
of the patient investigator to tell the story of their origin. Numismatic
treasures are scanned as evidence of facts to substantiate statements
upon papyrus or stone, and dates are often supplied to define the border
line between asserted tradition and positive history. Gibbon remarks: “If
there were no other record of Hadrian, his career would be found written
upon the coins of his reign.”
The rudeness or perfection of coins and medals furnish testimony of the
character and culture of the periods of their production. This is equally
true of that rarest specimen of antiquity, the Syracusan silver medal—the
oldest known to collectors—and the latest triumph of the graver’s art in
gold, the Metis medal.
It is not generally known that the rarest portraits of famous heroes
are found upon coins and medals. The historian, especially the historic
artist, is indebted to this source alone for the portraits of Alexander,
Ptolemy, Cleopatra, Mark Antony, Cæsar, and many other celebrities.
Perhaps the valuation of a rare coin or medal may be estimated by
reference to one piece in the Philadelphia Mint. It is an Egyptian coin
as large as a half-eagle, and has on the obverse the head of the wife of
Ptolemy—Arsinoe—the only portrait of her yet discovered.
INCIDENTS OF HISTORY
Are not alone recorded; and as an example of a very different nature
may be cited the medals commemorating the destruction of Jerusalem, and
the whole series marking that episode, especially those classed “Judæa
capta.” They tell sadly of a people’s humiliation: the tied or chained
captive; the mocking goddess of victory, all made more real by reason
of the introduction, on the reverse of each piece, of a Jewess weeping
bitterly, and though she sits under a palm-tree, the national lament of
another captivity is forcibly recalled.
An interesting specimen of the series above mentioned was recently found
in the south of France called, “Judæa Navillas,” valuable particularly
because it strengthens Josephus’s assertion which had provoked some
comment, viz.: the fact of the escape of a large number of Jews from the
Romans, by means of ships, at Joppa.
Coins and medals mark the introduction of laws; for example, an old
Porcian coin gives the date of the “law of appeal,” under which, two
centuries and a half later, Paul appealed to Cæsar. Another relic dates
the introduction of the ballot-box; and a fact interesting to the
agriculturist is established by an old silver coin of Ptolemy, upon which
a man is represented cutting millet (a variety of Indian corn) with a
scythe. Religions have been promulgated by coins. Islamism says upon a
gold coin, “No God but God. Mohammed is the Prophet and God’s chosen
apostle.”
Persian coins, in mystic characters, symbolize the dreadful sacrifices
of the Fire-Worshippers. Henry VIII, with characteristic egotism, upon
a medal announces in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin: “Henry Eighth, King of
England, France, and Ireland; Defender of the Faith, and in the land of
England and Ireland, under Christ, the Supreme Head of the Church.”
COSTUMES ON COINS.
We also find stamped upon coins and medals the costumes of all ages, from
the golden net confining the soft tresses of the “sorceress of the Nile,”
and the gemmed robe of Queen Irene, to the broidered stomacher of Queen
Anne, and the stately ruff of Elizabeth of England.
In this connection may be mentioned the “bonnet piece” of Scotland,
a coin of the reign of James VI., which is extremely rare, one of
them having been sold for £41. The coin received its name from a
representation of the king upon it, with a curiously plaited hat or
bonnet which this monarch wore, a fashion that gave occasion for the
ballad, “Blue Bonnets over the Border.”
HERALDIC EMBLEMS
Are faithfully preserved through this medium; in truth, medalic honors
may be claimed as the very foundation of heraldic art. We discover
medals perpetuating revolutions, sieges, plots, and murders, etc. We
prefer directing attention to the fact that coins and medals are not
only the land-marks of history, but a favorite medium of the poetry of
all nations. Epics are thus preserved by the graver’s art in exceedingly
small space. Poets turn with confidence to old coins for symbol as well
as fact.
One of the most graceful historical allusions is conveyed in the great
seal of Queen Anne, after the union of Scotland with England. A rose
and a thistle are growing on one stem, while, from above, the crown of
England sheds effulgence upon the tender young plant.
HUMOR PICTURED ON MEDALS.
The medal of George I., on the reverse, boastfully presents “the horse
of Brunswick” flying over the northwest of Europe, symbolizing the
Hanoverian succession. The overthrow of the “Invincible Armada” was the
occasion of a Dutch medal, showing the Hollanders richer in faith than
in art culture, for the obverse of this medal presents the church upon
a rock, in mid-ocean, while the reverse suggests the thought that the
luckless Spanish mariner was driving against the walls of the actual
building.
ARCHITECTURE INDEBTED TO COINS.
Architecture is largely indebted to coins, medals, and seals for accuracy
and data. We learn from the medal of Septimus Severus the faultless
beauty of the triumphal arch erected to celebrate his victory over
Arabs and Parthians. This medal was produced two centuries before the
Christian era, and is a marvel of art, for its perspective is wrought
in bas-relief—an achievement which was not again attained before the
execution of the celebrated Bronze Gates by Ghiberti, for the Baptistery
at Florence, A. D. 1425. This exhumed arch was excavated long after its
form and structure were familiar to men of letters through the medals.
LANGUAGE UPON COINS AND MEDALS.
The effect of coin on language is direct, and many words may be found
whose origin was a coin, such as Daric, a pure gold coin; Talent,
mental ability; Sterling, genuine, pure; while Guinea represents the
aristocratic element, and, though out of circulation long ago, “no one
who pretends to gentility in England would think of subscribing to any
charity or fashionable object by contributing the vulgar _pound_. An
extra shilling added to the _pound_ makes the _guinea_, and lifts the
subscriber at once into the aristocratic world.”
Copper is much preferred to gold for medals. Its firm, unchanging surface
accepts and retains finer lines than have yet been produced upon gold and
silver, and it offers no temptation to be thrown into the crucible.[1]
In the preparation of this work, I am much indebted to several gentlemen
connected with the United States Mint; also, to Messrs. R. Coulton Davis,
Ph.G., and E. Locke Mason, who are acknowledged authority on the subject
of numismatics.
If it shall be found useful to the public, and especially to visitors of
the Mint, it will be a source of satisfaction, and more than repay the
labor bestowed in its preparation.
G. G. E.
_Philadelphia, March 1, 1888._
THE UNITED STATES MINT.
The subject of a National Mint for the United States was first introduced
by Robert Morris,[2] the patriot and financier of the revolution; as
head of the Finance Department, Mr. Morris was instructed by Congress
to prepare a report on the foreign coins, then in circulation in the
United States. On the 15th of January, 1782, he laid before Congress an
exposition of the whole subject. Accompanying this report was a plan for
American coinage. But it was mainly through his efforts, in connection
with Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, that a mint was established
in the early history of the Union of the States. On the 15th of April,
1790, Congress instructed the Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander
Hamilton, to prepare and report a proper plan for the establishment of a
National Mint, and Mr. Hamilton presented his report at the next session.
An act was framed establishing the mint, which finally passed both Houses
and received President Washington’s approval April 2, 1792.[3]
NOTES ON THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE MINT.
FROM ROBERT MORRIS’S DIARY.
1781. July 16th. Wrote to Mr. Dudley at Boston inviting him
hither in consequence of the Continental Agent Mr. Bradford’s
Letter respecting him referred to me by Congress.
July 17th. Wrote Mr. Bradford respecting Mr. Dudley.
Nov. 10th. Ordered some money on application of Mr. Dudley to
pay his expences.
Nov. 12th. Sent for Mr Dudley to consult him respecting the
quantity of Alloy Silver will bear without being discoloured,
he says he can put 6 drops into an ounce. Desired him to assay
some Spanish Dollars and French Crowns, in order to know the
quantity of pure Silver in each.
Nov. 16th. Mr. Dudley assayed a number of Crowns and dollars
for our information respecting the Mint.
1782. Jan. 2d. Mr. Benjamin Dudley applied for money to pay
his Board which I directed to be paid by Mr. Swanwick, this
gentleman is detained at the public expence as a person
absolutely necessary in the Mint, which I hope soon to see
established. My propositions on that subject are to be
submitted to Congress so soon as I can get the proper assays
made on Silver coins &c.
Jan. 7th. Mr. Dudley applies about getting his wife from
England. I promised him every assistance in my power.[4]
Jan. 18th. I went to Mr. Gouvr. Morris’s Lodging to examine the
plan we had agreed on, and which we had drawn up respecting
the Establishment of a Mint, we made some alterations and
amendments to my satisfaction and from a belief that this is a
necessary and salutary measure. I have ordered it copied to be
sent into Congress.
Jan. 26th. Mr. Dudley applied for money to pay his Lodgings
&c. I ordered Mr. Swanwick to supply him with fifty dollars,
informed him that the Plan of a Mint is before Congress, and
when passed, that he shall be directly employed, if not agreed
to by Congress, I shall compensate him for his time &c.
Feb. 26th. Mr. Benjamin Dudley brought me the rough drafts or
plan for the rooms of a Mint &c. I desired him to go to Mr.
Whitehead Humphreys to consult him about Screws, Smithwork
&c. that will be wanted for the Mint, and to bring me a list
thereof with an estimate of the Cost.
Feb 28th. Mr. Dudley informs me that a Mr. Wheeler, a Smith in
the Country, can make the Screws, Rollers &c. for the Mint. Mr.
Dudley proposes the Dutch Church, that which is now unoccupied,
as a place suitable for the Mint, I sent him to view it, & he
returns satisfied that it will answer, wherefore I must enquire
about it.
March 22d. Mr. Dudley and Mr. Wheeler came and brought with
them some Models of the Screws and Rollers necessary for the
Mint. I found Mr. Wheeler entertained some doubts respecting
one of these Machines which Mr. Dudley insists will answer
the purposes and says he will be responsible for it. I agreed
with Mr. Wheeler that he should perform the work; and, as
neither he or I could judge of the value that ought to be paid
for it, he is to perform the same agreeable to Mr. Dudley’s
directions, and when finished, we are to have it valued by some
Honest Man, judges of such work, he mentioned Philip Syng,
Edwd. Duffield, William Rush and —— all of whom I believe are
good judges and very honest men, therefore I readily agreed
to this proposition. And I desired Mr. Dudley to consult Mr.
Rittenhouse and Francis Hopkinson Esquire, as to the Machine or
Wheel in dispute, and let me have their opinion.
March 23d. Mr. Dudley called to inform me that Mr. Rittenhouse
& Mr. Hopkinson agree to his plan of the Machine &c.
April 12th. Mr. Dudley wants a horse to go up to Mr. Wheelers
&c.
May 20th. Mr. Dudley wrote me a Letter this day and wanted
money. I directed Mr. Swanwick to supply him, and then disired
him to view the Mason’s Lodge to see if it would Answer for a
Mint, which he thinks it will, I desired him to go up to Mr.
Wheelers to see how he goes on with the Rollers &c.
June 17th. Mr. Dudley applied for money to pay his Bill. I
directed Mr. Swanwick to supply him.
June 18th. Issued a warrant in favor of B. Dudley £7.11.6.
July 15th. Mr. B. Dudley applied for money, he is very uneasy
for want of employment, and the Mint in which he is to be
employed and for which I have engaged him, goes on so slowly
that I am also uneasy at having this gentleman on pay and
no work for him. He offered to go and assist Mr. Byers to
establish the Brass Cannon Foundry at Springfield. I advised to
make that proposal to Genl. Lincoln and inform me the result
to-morrow.[5]
July 16th. Mr. B. Dudley to whom I gave an order on Mr.
Swanwick for fifty dollars, and desired him to seek after Mr.
Wheeler to know whether the Rollers &c. are ready for him to go
to work on rolling the copper for the Mint.
August 22d. Mr. Saml. Wheeler who made the Rollers for the
Mint, applies for money. I had a good deal of conversation with
this ingenious gentleman.
August 26th. Mr. Dudley called and pressed very much to be set
at work.
Sept 3d. Mr. B. Dudley applied for a passage for his Friend Mr.
Sprague, pr. the Washington to France & for Mrs. Dudley back.
Mr. Wheeler applied for money which I promised in a short time.
Sept. 4th. Mr. Wheeler for money. I desired him to leave his
claim with Mr. McCall Secretary in this office, and I will
enable the discharge of his notes in the Bank when due.
Novr. 8th. Mr. Dudley applies for the amount of his Bill for
Lodgings and Diet &c. and I directed Mr. Swanwick to pay him,
but am very uneasy that the Mint is not going on.
Dec. 23d. Mr. Dudley and Mr. Wilcox brought the subsistance
paper, and I desired Mr. Dudley to deliver 4000 sheets to Hall
and Sellers.[6]
Decr. 26th. Mr. Hall the printer brought 100 Sheets of the
subsistence notes this day, and desired that more paper might
be sent to his Printing Office, accordingly I sent for Mr.
Dudley and desired him to deliver the same from time to time,
until the whole shall amount to 4000 Sheets.
1783. April 2d. I sent for Mr. Dudley who delivered me a piece
of Silver Coin, being the first that has been struck as an
American Coin.
April 16th. Sent for Mr. Dudley and urged him to produce the
Coins to lay before Congress to establish a Mint.
April 17th. Sent for Mr. Dudley to urge the preparing of Coins
&c. for Establishing a Mint.
April 22d. Mr. Dudley sent in several Pieces of Money as
patterns of the intended American Coins.
May 6th. Sent for Mr. Dudley and desired him to go down to Mr.
Mark Wilcox’s, to see 15,000 Sheets of paper made fit to print
my Notes on.
May 7th. This day delivered Mr. Dudley the paper Mold for
making paper, mark’d United States, and dispatched him to Mr.
Wilcok’s, but was obliged to advance him 20 dollars.
May 27th. I sent for Mr. Dudley to know if he has compleated
the paper at Mr. Wilcock’s paper mill for the Certificates
intended for the pay of the Army. He says it is made, but not
yet sufficiently dry for the printers use. I desired him to
repair down to the Mill and bring it up as soon as possible.
May 28th. Mr. Whitehead Humphreys to offer his lot and
buildings for erecting a Mint.
July 5th. Mr. Benjn. Dudley gave notice that he has received
back from Messrs. Hall and Sellers the Printers, three thousand
sheets of the last paper made by Mr. Wilcocks. I desired him
to bring it to this office. He also informs of a Minting Press
being in New York for sale, and urges me to purchase it for the
use of the American Mint.
July 7th. Mr. Dudley respecting the Minting Press, but I had
not time to see him.
August 19th. I sent for Mr. Benjamin Dudley, and informed him
of my doubts about the establishment of a Mint, and desired him
to think of some employment in private service, in which I am
willing to assist him all in my power. I told him to make out
an account for the services he had performed for the public,
and submit at the Treasury office for inspection and settlement.
August 30th. Mr. Dudley brought the dies for Coining in the
American Mint.
Sept. 3d. Mr. Dudley applies for money for his expenses which I
agree to supply, but urge his going into private business.
Sept. 4th. Mr. Dudley for money, which is granted. Directed him
to make three models for constructing Dry——
Nov. 21st. Mr. Dudley applies for money. He says he was at half
a guinea a week and his expenses borne when he left Boston to
come about the Mint, and he thinks the public ought to make
that good to him. I desired him to write me and I will state
his claims to Congress.
Nov. 26th. Mr. Dudley for money, which was granted.
Dec. 17th. Mr. Dudley with his account for final settlement. I
referred him to Mr. Milligan.
1784. Jan. 5th. Mr. Dudley applies for a Certificate of the
Time which he was detained in the public service. I granted him
one accordingly.
Jan. 7th. Mr. Dudley after the settlement of his account, which
I compleated by signing a warrant.
[Illustration: [Fac simile of original, photo-engraved by Levytype
Company.]
Congress of the United States:
AT THE THIRD SESSION,
Begun and held at the City of Philadelphia, on
Monday the sixth of December, one thousand
seven hundred and ninety.
_RESOLVED by the SENATE and HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES of the United States
of America in Congress assembled_, That a mint shall be established under
such regulations as shall be directed by law.
_Resolved_, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby
authorized to cause to be engaged, such principal artists as shall
be necessary to carry the preceeding resolution into effect, and to
stipulate the terms and conditions of their service, and also to cause to
be procured such apparatus as shall be requisite for the same purpose.
FREDERICK AUGUSTUS MUHLENBERG,
_Speaker of the House of Representatives_.
JOHN ADAMS, _Vice-President of the United States,
and President of the Senate_.
APPROVED, March the third, 1791.
GEORGE WASHINGTON, _President of the United States_.
DEPOSITED among the ROLLS in the OFFICE of the SECRETARY of STATE.
_Th. Jefferson Secretary of State._]
_The following is a copy of an old pay roll, framed and hanging upon the
wall of the Cabinet._
NAMES AND SALARIES OF THE OFFICERS, CLERKS, AND WORKMEN EMPLOYED AT THE
MINT THE 10TH OCTOBER, 1795.
Henry Wm. DeSaussure, Director @ 2,000 Drs. per Ann.
Nicholas Way, Treasurer 1,200 ” ”
Henry Voigt, Chief Coiner 1,500 ” ”
Albion Cox, Assayer 1,500 ” ”
Robert Scott, Engraver 1,200 ” ”
David Ott, Melter and Refiner pro tem. 1,200 ” ”
Nathaniel Thomas, Clerk to the Treasurer 700 ” ”
Isaac Hough, ditto to Director and Assayer 500 ” ”
Lodewyk Sharp, ditto to Chief Coiner 500 ” ”
John S. Gardiner, Assistant Engraver 936 ” ”
Adam Eckfeldt, Die Forger and Turner 500 ” ”
_Workmen Employed in Chief Coiner’s Department._
Wages per day. Doll. Cts.
John Schreiner, Chief Pressman 1 80
John Cope, Chief Adjuster 1 60
William Hayley, Roller 1 40
Nicholas Sinderling, Annealer 1 40
John Ward, Miller 1 20
Joseph Germon, Drawer 1 20
Lewis Laurenger, Brusher 1 20
Henry Voigt, Junr, Adjuster 88
Sarah Waldrake, ditto 50
Rachael Summers, ditto 50
Lewis Bitting, ditto 1 20
Lawrence Ford, ditto 1 20
Christopher Baum, Pressman 1
John Keyser, ditto 1
Frederick Bauck, ditto 1
Barney Miers, Cleaner 1
Martin Summers, Doorkeeper 1
Adam Seyfert, Hostler 1
John Bay, Boy. 66
_Workmen Employed at the Furnace of the Mint._
Peter LaChase, Melter 1 60
George Myers, ditto 1 50
Eberhart Klumback, ditto 1 40
Patrick Ryan, Filer 1 25
Valentine Flegler, Labourer 1 25
Andrew Brunet, ditto 1
William Ryan, ditto 1
Endorsed in two places, “Names and Salaries of the Officers, Clerks and
Workmen employed in the Mint the 10th Oct. 1795.”
THE PHILADELPHIA MINT.
[Illustration: THE FIRST MINT IN THE UNITED STATES, ERECTED IN 1792.]
The popular estimation in which the Mint is held in the United States,
is, for obvious reasons, more distinctively marked than that entertained
for other public institutions. Its position, in a financial point
of view, is so important, its use so apparent, and its integrity of
management so generally conceded, that it enjoys a pre-eminence and
dignity beyond that accorded to general governmental departments. Party
mutations usually effect changes in its directorship, with but slight
interference, however, with the other officials, as those of attainments,
skill, and long experience in the professional branches, required to
intelligently perform the various duties assigned, are few in all
countries. Those occupying positions are chosen for their proficiency in
the various departments, their characters being always above question.
The confidence reposed in the officials of the United States Mint has
never been violated, as, for nearly a century of its operations, no
shadow of suspicion has marred the fair name of any identified with its
history.
The need of a mint in the Colonies was keenly felt to be a serious
grievance against England for years before the Revolution, and as soon as
practicable after the establishment of Independence, the _United States
Mint_ was authorized by an Act of Congress—April 2, 1792.
A lot of ground was purchased on Seventh Street near Arch, and
appropriations were made for erecting the requisite buildings. An old
still-house, which stood on the lot, had first to be removed. In an
account book of that time we find an entry on the 31st of July, 1792, of
the sale of some old materials of the still-house for seven shillings and
sixpence, which “Mr. Rittenhouse directed _should be laid out for punch_
in laying the foundation stone.”[7]
The first building erected in the United States for public use, under
the authority of the Federal Government, was a structure for the United
States Mint. This was a plain brick edifice, on the east side of
Seventh street, near Arch, the corner-stone of which was laid by David
Rittenhouse, Director of the Mint, on July 31, 1792. In the following
October operations of coining commenced. It was occupied for about forty
years. On the 19th of May, 1829, an Act was passed by Congress locating
the United States Mint on its present site.
The first coinage of the United States, was silver half-dimes in October,
1792, of which Washington makes mention in his address to Congress, on
November 6, 1792, as follows; “There has been a small beginning in the
coinage of half-dimes; the want of small coins in circulation, calling
the first attention to them.” The first metal purchased for coinage was
six pounds of old copper at one shilling and three pence per pound, which
was coined and delivered to the Treasurer, in 1793. The first deposit
of silver bullion was made on July 18, 1794, by the Bank of Maryland.
It consisted of “coins of France,” amounting to $80,715.73½. The first
returns of silver coins to the Treasurer, was made on October 15, 1794.
The first deposit of gold bullion for coinage, was made by Moses Brown,
merchant, of Boston, on February 12, 1795; it was of gold ingots, worth
$2,276.72, which was paid for in silver coins.
The first return of gold coinage, was on July 31, 1795, and consisted of
744 half eagles. The first delivery of eagles was in September 22, same
year, and consisted of four hundred pieces.
Previous to the coinage of silver dollars, at the Philadelphia Mint, in
1794, the following amusing incidents occurred in Congress, while the
emblems and devices proposed for the reverse field of that coin were
being discussed.
A member of the House from the South bitterly opposed the choice of
the eagle, on the ground of its being the “king of birds,” and hence
neither proper nor suitable to represent a nation whose institutions and
interests were wholly inimical to monarchical forms of government. Judge
Thatcher playfully, in reply, suggested that perhaps a goose might suit
the gentleman, as it was a rather humble and republican bird, and would
also be serviceable in other respects, as the goslings would answer to
place upon the dimes. This answer created considerable merriment, and the
irate Southerner, conceiving the humorous rejoinder as an insult, sent
a challenge to the Judge, who promptly declined it. The bearer, rather
astonished, asked, “Will you be branded as a coward?” “Certainly, if he
pleases,” replied Thatcher; “I always was one and he knew it, or he would
never have risked a challenge.” The affair occasioned much mirth, and,
in due time, former existing cordial relations were restored between the
parties; the irritable Southerner concluding there was nothing to be
gained in fighting with one who fired nothing but jokes.
EXTRACT FROM THE RULES AND REGULATIONS ADOPTED FOR THE MINT, JANUARY 1,
1825.
The operations of the Mint throughout the year, are to commence
at 5 o’clock in the morning, under the superintendence of
an officer, and continue until 4 o’clock in the afternoon,
except on Saturdays, when the business of the day will close
at 2 o’clock, unless on special occasions it may be otherwise
directed by an officer. Extra work will be paid for in
proportion, on a statement being made of it through the proper
officer, at the end of each month. A strict account is to be
kept by one of the officers, as they may agree of the absentees
from duty, if the absence be voluntary, the full wages for the
time will be deducted, if it arise from sickness a deduction
will be made at the discretion of the proper officer. A
statement of these deductions will be rendered at the end of
the month, and the several accounts made out accordingly.
The allowance under the name of _drink money_ is hereafter
to be discontinued, and in place of it _three dollars extra
wages_ per month will be allowed for the three summer months
to those workmen who continue in the Mint through that season.
No workman can be permitted to bring spirituous liquors into
the Mint. Any workman who shall be found intoxicated within the
Mint must be reported to the Director, in order that he may be
discharged. No profane or indecent language can be tolerated
in the Mint. Smoking within the Mint is inadmissible. The
practice is of dangerous tendency; experience proves that this
indulgence in public institutions, ends at last in disaster.
Visitors may be admitted by permission of an officer, to
see the various operations of the Mint on all working days
except Saturdays and rainy days; they are to be attended by an
officer, or some person designated by him. The new coins must
not be given in exchange for others to accommodate visitors,
without the consent of the Chief Coiner. Christmas day and the
Fourth of July, and no other days, are established holidays at
the Mint. The pressmen will carefully lock the several coining
presses when the work for the day is finished, and leave the
keys in such places as the Chief Coiner shall designate. When
light is necessary to be carried from one part of the Mint
to the other, the watchman will use a dark lanthorn but not
an open candle. He will keep in a proper arm chest securely
locked, a musket and bayonet, two pistols and a sword. The
arms are to be kept in perfect order and to be inspected by an
officer once a month, when the arms are to be discharged and
charged anew.
The watchman of the Mint must attend from 6 o’clock in the
evening to 5 o’clock in the morning, and until relieved by
the permission of an officer, or until the arrival of the
door-keeper. He will ring the yard bell precisely every hour
by the Mint clock, from 10 o’clock until relieved by the
door-keeper, or an officer, or the workmen on working days,
and will send the watch dog through the yard immediately after
ringing the bell. He will particularly examine the departments
of the engine and all the rooms where fire has been on the
preceding day, conformably to his secret instructions. For this
purpose he will have keys of access to such rooms as he cannot
examine without entering them.
If an attempt be made on the Mint he will act conformably
to his secret instructions on that subject. In case of fire
occurring in or near the Mint, he will ring the Alarm Bell if
one has been provided, or sound the alarm with his rattle,
and thus as soon as possible bring some one to him who can be
dispatched to call an officer, and in other particulars will
follow his secret instructions. The secret instructions given
him from time to time he must be careful not to disclose. The
delicate trust reposed in all persons employed in the Mint,
presupposes that their character is free from all suspicion,
but the director feels it his duty nevertheless, in order
that none may plead ignorance on the subject, to warn them
of the danger of violating so high a trust. Such a crime as
the embezzlement of any of the coins struck at the Mint, or
of any of the metals brought to the Mint for coinage, would
be punished under the laws of Pennsylvania, by a fine and
penitentiary imprisonment at hard labor. The punishment annexed
to this crime by the laws of the United States, enacted for the
special protection of deposits made at the Mint, is DEATH. The
19th Section of the Act of Congress, establishing the Mint,
passed April 12, 1792, is in the following words: Section 19,
_and_ be it further enacted, That if any of the gold or silver
coins, which shall be struck or coined at the said Mint, shall
be debased or made worse as to the proportion of fine gold or
fine silver, therein contained, or shall be of less weight or
value than the same ought to be, pursuant to the directions of
this act, through the default or with the connivance of any of
the officers or persons who shall be employed at said Mint, for
the purpose of profit or gain, or otherwise, with a fraudulent
intent, and if any of the said officers or persons shall
embezzle any of the metal which shall at any time be committed
to their charge, for the purpose of being coined, or any of
the coins which shall be struck or coined at the said Mint,
every such officer or person who shall commit any or either of
the said offences, shall be deemed guilty of Felony, and shall
suffer death. Printed copies of the Rules here recited are to
be kept in convenient places for the inspection of the workmen,
but as all may not be capable of reading them, it shall be the
duty of the proper officer of the several departments, or such
person as he may appoint, to read them in the hearing of the
workmen, at least once a year, and especially to read them to
every person newly employed in the Mint.
SAMUEL MOORE,
_Director_.
Up to 1836 the work at the Mint was done entirely by hand or horse power.
In that year steam was introduced. At different periods during the
years 1797, 1798, 1799, 1802, and 1803, the operations of the Mint were
suspended on account of the prevalence of yellow fever.
“BOND OF INDEMNITY OR AGREEMENT of Operatives to return to the
service of the Mint.” Dated August, 1799.
“We, the subscribers, do hereby promise and engage to return
to the service of the Mint as soon as the same shall be again
opened, after the prevailing fever is over, on the penalty of
twenty pounds.”
“As witness our hands this 31st day of August, 1799.
“GEORGE WATT’N,
JOHN COPE,
LEWIS BITTING,
GEO. BOEMING,
JAMES ANDERSON,
JOHN SCHREINER,
JOHN BIRNBAUM,
GEORGE MYERS,
CHARLES BENJ. K——,
GEORGE BAILY,
JOHN MANN,
(In German) JOHANNES ——,
SAML. THOMPSON,
MARTIN SUMMERS.”
The above are the signatures of the parties agreeing, written on old
hand-made unruled foolscap paper.
This is part of the Mint records, which has been framed for convenience
and protection. It hangs in the Cabinet.
THE MINT ESTABLISHED.