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US Mints cleaning coins

I read in an old coin mag that around the turn of the century, the mint(s)? had a coin cleaning program in place for circulated coinage because of the fear then of bacteria on them spreading diease. The mag just touched on it briefly and was wondering if really true? and if anyone here knowledgable on this could share some info.image
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Comments

  • ms70ms70 Posts: 13,954 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Maybe they used steam back then?

    Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.

  • cladkingcladking Posts: 28,630 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have some doubt that the mint ever cleaned circulated coin but it's hardly impossible.

    There were several hotels in that era that cleaned coins with detergent and small steel shot.
    Many women wore white gloves and would notice if the coins were dirty. There was at least
    talk of the fed or mint cleaning them at one time but I never heard of such a program actually
    being instituted.
    Tempus fugit.
  • islemanguislemangu Posts: 1,378 ✭✭✭
    I found the old story. It mentioned that in the 1890s the "washing" of coins was an established practice and that by 1917 the mint was using coin washing machines specially designed to clean, dry and count specifically for silver denominations. It also said that the mint director FJH von Engelken invented the machines and that their purpose was to address the country's concerns then on germs being spread by dirty coins.

    Maybe the next time your barber is body bagged for cleaning you can appeal that its "Mint" state.image
    YCCTidewater.com
  • 1917...a response to the influenza? is that the right time period?

    billy
  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 33,919 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 29, 2024 1:04PM

    @JCH22 said:
    Mint did have a program for cleaning circulated coinage in the 1880's. It experimented with using potash, nitric acid, and other methods. Can post additional docs if anyone may want--didn't want to clutter thread if not.

    You are worried about cluttering a 20 year old thread? Don't worry, I think they were finished talking about it. 😉

  • JCH22JCH22 Posts: 160 ✭✭✭

    oof.... did a search before I posted. Was researching the laundry at the mint and didn't want to post dup thread. Misread date of old thread as 2024. Should be a demerit button ! :)

    Extent of cleaning was not insignificant, but as you please, will not post further about it.

  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,084 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I read that the Treasury Department at one time used to wash US paper money. Banks would return currency that was no longer suitable for circulation to the Treasury for replacement with new bills. Many of these bills were heavily soiled but otherwise suitable for use in commerce so the Treasury would launder them using laundry soap and then return them to circulation. Perhaps one of the paper money collectors here can add some more details.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • SapyxSapyx Posts: 2,204 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @JCH22 said:
    oof.... did a search before I posted. Was researching the laundry at the mint and didn't want to post dup thread. Misread date of old thread as 2024. Should be a demerit button ! :)

    Extent of cleaning was not insignificant, but as you please, will not post further about it.

    It's too late. It's been bumped, so you may as well run with it. It's your thread now. ;)

    Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.
    Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, "Meditations"

    Apparently I have been awarded one DPOTD. B)
  • Namvet69Namvet69 Posts: 8,948 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Many years ago I saw the coin cleaning operation at the Francis Drake Hotel in SF.

    BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8

  • SmudgeSmudge Posts: 9,497 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have heard stories about people being concerned about Indian HE’s and QE’s due to germs growing in the incuse designs.

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 33,919 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @JCH22 said:
    oof.... did a search before I posted. Was researching the laundry at the mint and didn't want to post dup thread. Misread date of old thread as 2024. Should be a demerit button ! :)

    Extent of cleaning was not insignificant, but as you please, will not post further about it.

    No one told you not to post. I told you that you don't need to worry about hijacking a zombie thread.

  • JCH22JCH22 Posts: 160 ✭✭✭

    Idea originated from Treasury Secretary Jordan ....

    Treasury of the United States,
    Washington,
    June 4, 1885

    Sir:

    This office is frequently in receipt of communications complaining of the dirty and tarnished condition of our fractional silver coins, and in this connection it has occurred to me that a great improvement might be effected, either by washing, or by some other method, at no great risk or expense, and that quite a large portion of the opposition or dislike to handle silver coins might be obviated, and a considerable increase of the 50¢ and 25 coins put into circulation, if the same were bright and clean.

    I shall be pleased, therefore, if you can suggest some practicable method for cleaning and brightening the coin and advise me at your convenience.

    Very respectfully,
    C.N. Jordan Treasurer U.S.

    A. Loudon Snowden, Esq.
    Superintendent Mint
    U.S. Philadelphia, Pa.

    Mint experiment with various methods of cleaning on thousands of coins in the late 1880s. Quite a few documents on that.

    Included nikels, and also "pickling" of cents.
    Receipe in case you might like to make your own pickled cents :) :

    Practice was current as of 1894 , at least for type 3 Indian cents:

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 33,919 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @JCH22 said:
    Idea originated from Treasury Secretary Jordan ....

    Treasury of the United States,
    Washington,
    June 4, 1885

    Sir:

    This office is frequently in receipt of communications complaining of the dirty and tarnished condition of our fractional silver coins, and in this connection it has occurred to me that a great improvement might be effected, either by washing, or by some other method, at no great risk or expense, and that quite a large portion of the opposition or dislike to handle silver coins might be obviated, and a considerable increase of the 50¢ and 25 coins put into circulation, if the same were bright and clean.

    I shall be pleased, therefore, if you can suggest some practicable method for cleaning and brightening the coin and advise me at your convenience.

    Very respectfully,
    C.N. Jordan Treasurer U.S.

    A. Loudon Snowden, Esq.
    Superintendent Mint
    U.S. Philadelphia, Pa.

    Mint experiment with various methods of cleaning on thousands of coins in the late 1880s. Quite a few documents on that.

    Included nikels, and also "pickling" of cents.
    Receipe in case you might like to make your own pickled cents :) :

    Practice was current as of 1894 , at least for type 3 Indian cents:

    Stop me if I'm wrong, but those documents are referring to cleaning new coins coming out of the Mint. They still wash blanks before coining. The Minting facility is a dirty, greasy place.

  • Mr_SpudMr_Spud Posts: 5,274 ✭✭✭✭✭

    So maybe some of those “washing machine” and “dryer” coins that all the newbies keep posting thinking they are rare mint errors really are mint made 🧐😉

    Mr_Spud

  • JCH22JCH22 Posts: 160 ✭✭✭

    @jmlanzaf said:

    Stop me if I'm wrong, but those documents are referring to cleaning new coins coming out of the Mint. They still wash blanks before coining. The Minting facility is a dirty, greasy place.

    Blanks were routinely cleaned- correct. Documents mostly read--I think--nitric acid for that.

    Docs I posted relate to cleaning of circulated coinage. Mint was experimenting with various methods in 1885 at the behest of Secretary Jordan. -Treasury ultimately got an appropriation for the transport back of circulated coinage the following year. Partial transcription of first doc I posted:

    Treasury Department,
    Bureau of the Mint,
    Washington, D.C.,
    August 7, 1886

    Sir:
    The Sundry Civil Appropriation Bill contains an item of five thousand dollars ($5000) for
    the transportation of minor coins.

    I am informed that it is the intention of the Treasurer to transfer from time to time to you
    amounts of these coins to be cleaned and re-issued, upon orders received by you for the same in
    sums of twenty dollars ($20) and multiples thereof as heretofore........
    Very respectfully,
    R.E. Preston
    Acting Director of the Mint

  • Glen2022Glen2022 Posts: 921 ✭✭✭✭

    IS THIS WHAT YOU CALL MONEY LAUNDERING?

  • jmlanzafjmlanzaf Posts: 33,919 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 30, 2024 3:38AM

    @JCH22 said:

    @jmlanzaf said:

    Stop me if I'm wrong, but those documents are referring to cleaning new coins coming out of the Mint. They still wash blanks before coining. The Minting facility is a dirty, greasy place.

    Blanks were routinely cleaned- correct. Documents mostly read--I think--nitric acid for that.

    Docs I posted relate to cleaning of circulated coinage. Mint was experimenting with various methods in 1885 at the behest of Secretary Jordan. -Treasury ultimately got an appropriation for the transport back of circulated coinage the following year. Partial transcription of first doc I posted:

    Treasury Department,
    Bureau of the Mint,
    Washington, D.C.,
    August 7, 1886

    Sir:
    The Sundry Civil Appropriation Bill contains an item of five thousand dollars ($5000) for
    the transportation of minor coins.

    I am informed that it is the intention of the Treasurer to transfer from time to time to you
    amounts of these coins to be cleaned and re-issued, upon orders received by you for the same in
    sums of twenty dollars ($20) and multiples thereof as heretofore........
    Very respectfully,
    R.E. Preston
    Acting Director of the Mint

    I'm referring to the second two letters.
    The top letter refers to coins "put into circulation" not pulled from circulation. And the second letter also doesn't indicate coins pulled from circulation, it is an internal menu between Treasury and the Mint about cleaning coins for "release". It's not 100% clear to me that these are circulated coins. They may be.

    It is interesting.

  • 291fifth291fifth Posts: 24,323 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Many Shield Nickels were cleaned by the mint in the 1880s. Their heavy use in taverns probably contributed to their filthy appearance and there were a lot of taverns in that era. The temperance movement that eventually resulted in prohibition was fueled by a very serious drinking problem that existed during the 19th century.

    All glory is fleeting.
  • BStrauss3BStrauss3 Posts: 3,402 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @PerryHall said:
    I read that the Treasury Department at one time used to wash US paper money. Banks would return currency that was no longer suitable for circulation to the Treasury for replacement with new bills. Many of these bills were heavily soiled but otherwise suitable for use in commerce so the Treasury would launder them using laundry soap and then return them to circulation. Perhaps one of the paper money collectors here can add some more details.

    Back when I was pushing for the Where's George comma club, I used to occasionally get really ratty straps of $1 from BofA.

    I would wash them on delicate with a few drops of detergent, then iron them dry.

    I occasionally get hits on those bills 10, 12 even 15 years later.

    -----Burton
    ANA 50 year/Life Member (now "Emeritus")
  • DocBenjaminDocBenjamin Posts: 1,249 ✭✭✭✭✭

    It is almost Halloween.

    Post a song with "slab" in it.

    https://youtu.be/u8uvLHnrqdU

  • CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 32,093 ✭✭✭✭✭

    FWIW, in doing my research for my book on the 1922 cents I read a lot of the Denver Mint correspondence files from the early 1920's. Though Denver did receive large quantities of used coins when the Sub-Treasuries closed in 1920 and 1921, including over ten million used cents, there is no mention anywhere that any of the used coins were cleaned before being returned to circulation over the next few years.

    Numismatist. 50 year member ANA. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner numerous NLG Literary Awards.

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