Losing your Mint job for smoking Segars.
RogerB
Posts: 8,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
This is one of the more human-oriented documents in Mint archives.
Mint of the United States
Philadelphia
December 21, 1804
The director having found part of a Segar (sic: cigar), that had been used, laying in a very improper manner on one of the counters of the Mint, does expressly order, that no person in the Mint be permitted to use a Segar, and that the Officers of the Mint, on discovery of such practice by any of the Workmen, do immediately discharge them. Let a copy of this be put up at two or three public places in the Mint.
/s/ Elias Boudinot,
Director of the Mint
4
Comments
I had three oval office jokes all ready to go.... But I wasn't sure if I'd get bammed for 'em....
So much for "Smoke 'em if ya got 'em."
"If I say something in the woods and my wife isn't there to hear it.....am I still wrong?"
My Washington Quarter Registry set...in progress
Not unreasonable. The Mints at various times used sawdust to dry just-washed new planchets, and a lit cigar carelessly handled, as this one apparently was, could start a fire.
Yeah, good luck with that.
I wonder how improper the manner of use. Probably a cold stogie while a guy worked his brains out.
Interesting that the Director was well into his term of office, but this is the first mention of his noticing cigars sitting around the Mint.
Artificial toning, strictly forbidden from the outset !
Cigar smoke tarnish.... just a bit more refined than the previously popular 'spittoon' tarnish...
... Retrieving the coins from the spittoon was a nasty job.... 
Cheers, RickO
"Let a copy of this be put up at two or three public places in the Mint."
Pretty indecisive for such a lofty position!
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
Given that sprinkler systems and fire retardant materials were few and far between, a rule like this seems reasonable, especially when you consider the importance of the mint in regards to the U.S. economy.
From what I am seeing the term "Segar" was used either in place of or was synonymous to "Cigar" so perhaps it is not incorrectly used in that document.
There were several alternate spellings and pronunciations in the time of the letter.
I wonder how long until it's a felony for smoking in a non smoking area?
Why the nerve of these outlaws.
What surprises me is that the Director of the Mint was actually on the floor checking things out. Perhaps he was giving a dignitary a personal tour of the facility.
"Keep your malarkey filter in good operating order" -Walter Breen
Most of us remember when smoking was still permitted in some workplaces, cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. Now marijuana is being mainstreamed. I wonder if there was any stigma back in Colonial/federal times on refer smokers vs. other smoke products.
@RogerB posted, The director having found part of a Segar (sic: cigar), that had been used, laying in a very improper manner on one of the counters of the Mint, does expressly order, that no person in the Mint be permitted to use a Segar, and that the Officers of the Mint, on discovery of such practice by any of the Workmen, do immediately discharge them. Let a copy of this be put up at two or three public places in the Mint.
I does make you wonder a little if the smoking in the early U.S. Mint started the toning process on coins that were "lying around."
This may also beg the question, did the Mint employees blowing "smoke rings" while smoking in the Mint cause peripheral toning to appear for the first time on early silver coins???
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And some that were living out East in the 1860's may even remember this "Smoking" Token. This one ex. Stack's Dice & Hicks Sale, July 28, 2008:3460. It is struck in silver and one of my favorite tokens.
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W. David Perkins Numismatics - http://www.davidperkinsrarecoins.com/ - 25+ Years ANA, ANS, NLG, NBS, LM JRCS, LSCC, EAC, TAMS, LM CWTS, CSNS, FUN
Spelling was somewhat loose and more phonetic back then. Check out the Lewis and Clark journals if you need some proof. (And they were quite literate for the time.)
It wasn't until about a quarter century later that the language started to become what it is today...
That is interesting. I was not aware of any such prohibition at the Mint. I can't help but wonder, though, if there might not have been an exception for worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-antique-half-dime-cigar-box-1807063105 "Half Dime" brand cigars?
Mint employees were permitted to smoke during breaks. Nearly all used a pipe, since that could be used for a short time, then easily extinguished, but many smoked rolled cigars. I suspect the Director's objection was that the cigar had been left in public view in a prominent place, thus imperiling the dignity of the Mint....at least to visitors.
The original Philadelphia Mint was a collection of buildings and workshops, so the Director might not visit a working area frequently.