History of the 1930s gold melt.

Mesquite

An article by David Ganz. Gold coin mint and melt numbers.

WoodenJefferson

No disrespect, but I'm going to wait for RWB's investigation about this era of US Coins.

123cents

Nice read!

RWB

Interesting and generally accurate article. I'm still trying to figure out the table at the bottom, though.

A couple of minor corrections:

Management of these gold coins was undertaken by the Office of Domestic Gold and Silver Operations of the Treasury Department. Dr. Leland Howard was the first director; Thomas Wolfe was the last to hold the title as the activities of the department were phased out in the early 1980s.

The coins were handled by the mints and Assay offices. Howard didn't join the Office of Domestic Gold & Silver Operations until about 1962 (I think....??)

The program of gold confiscation became one of gold melting; the coins were melted into bricks that ultimately found their way to Fort Knox. (Although the Mint had a program from the mid 1860s until about 1950 to melt or re-coin copper, silver and gold coinage, the majority of gold coins were taken in and destroyed in a seven-year period (1933-1939).

The recoinage program was aimed at maintaining the value of domestic gold coin. It was extensive and operated through 1933. Exported gold was not included. Recoinage was reported annually, and on the Cashier’s Daily Statements of each mint.

Gold coins melted were reported annually in the Director’s Report. The only breakdown was by denomination, and even that was omitted in some instances.

Quantities melted by date/mint will be available in the future book (1929-1946), as far as can be accurately determined.

CaptHenway

According to the ever-useful Coin World Almanac, the Office of Domestic Gold and Silver Operations was not created until late 1961. Leland Howard was its first director.
TD

ricko

Always interesting as history is reconstructed. Good thread. Cheers, RickO