How did writers get such good drawings in their US Mint books?
RogerB
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Sometimes we have to wonder at the quality of engraved illustrations found in 19th century coin books - particularly ones about the US Mints. Several techniques were used prior to about 1850, but the most common after then required making a photo of the scene - no matter how awful the image - then having an artist convert it into a copper plate engraving for publication. Many professional painters did this sort of work (sometimes under a false name) to earn cash to buy paint, canvas, and pay models.
Here's an example I made for another post, but I though the technique might be of interest to a wider audience.
Here's an example using photos made by Francis Johnston at the Philadelphia Mint in 1888. The magazine engravings were made by W. H. Hyatt using Johnston's photos as guides. Letters referring to Johnston's access to the Mint are part of archival correspondence and her photos at in the Library of Congress, Print and Photograph Division, Washington, DC. Have fun! 
Extract from Demorists's Family Magazine:
Below are two of the original photos taken by Johnston. Notice the numerous changes and cropping done by the plate engraver.
Men to the left in the die canceling photo are the Superintendent (Daniel Fox) and other officers who are there to witness the event. A second Blacksmith's Assistant is at back center (in shadow) ready to cancel another die. This was a staged photo - normally the Superintendent would not attend in person, but would send a representative.
Comments
Prior to the use of halftone photos the use of engravings of that type was common. Commercial artists would supply their drawings to the engraving departments of the publications. Highly skilled craftsmen would them reproduce the drawings. The workers would be full-time employees of the various publications.
Curiously, the exterior of the Mint is shown in a half-tone image, not an engraving in the printed article.
The use of halftones was adopted over quite a long period by the various publications. It was not unusual to see both types of illustrations used. I seem to recall that halftones were introduced in the 1880s. Many publications did not start using them for many years after that. As an example, the CHICAGO TRIBUNE didn't start using them until April 15, 1912. The first one used was a small photo of the Captain of the Titanic in a story about the sinking.