Question on 1906-S coinage???

dizzyfoxx

The answer may an obvious one, but is it safe to say that most if not all of the coinage minted at the San Fransisco Mint in 1906 was minted before the Great Earthquake? Or was the Mint in operation after the quake. My specific interest is in the 1906-S Barber 50c Half Dollar? ....any info would be greatly appreciated.

oldhobo

I don't know the answer to your question, but I recently watched a documentary about the 1906 SF earthquake. The Mint wasn't damaged badly by the quake but the fires threatened the building (buildings all around it burned). Mint employees stayed in the building to fight the fires and saved the Mint from burning. Quite interesting.

lordmarcovan

I don't know the answer, either, but many's the time I've held a 1906-S Barber coin and wondered about that.

Of course the Mint survived the 'quake and the fire, so they could have kept right on crankin' 'em out while the city burned. I don't know what affect the disasters had on production, if any.

LanLord

The well toned ones were there for the great fire that the quake caused. The pristine white ones were after the quake.

Nomex suit on, flame away!

dizzyfoxx

<< <i>The well toned ones were there for the great fire that the quake caused. The pristine white ones were after the quake.

Nomex suit on, flame away! >>



Good one!

adamlaneus

As I understand it, the Mint lost their power source, so they had to stop for a bit. But they started up 'shortly' once that power source was restored.

And, since the vaults did not burn, the hard cash helped alot with financing a quick rebuild of the city.

I would bet that Mr. D. Winter knows.

But, as to actual dates, the 'internets' isn't a good resource for research.

lordmarcovan

Wow, cool old photo. Shows just how close the destruction got to the ol' "Granite Lady"!

JedPlanchet

Based on this link, the Mint had resumed normal production by May 15th 1906. Remarkable considering that this was within a month of the earthquake.

DieClash

<< <i>As I understand it, the Mint lost their power source, so they had to stop for a bit. But they started up 'shortly' once that power source was restored.

And, since the vaults did not burn, the hard cash helped alot with financing a quick rebuild of the city.

I would bet that Mr. D. Winter knows.

But, as to actual dates, the 'internets' isn't a good resource for research.

>>






U.S. Mint Link


The second link is the story of how the Mint was saved in Mint Director Frank Leach's own words

DaveG

Well, as long as we're doing links, here's the 1906 Mint Report.

The section on the SF Mint's activities starts on page 260 and the discussion of the Earthquake starts on page 263.