All 1855 coinage delivered before July 21.
RogerB
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Per the following letter, all 1855-dated coinage was produced and delivered before July 21. The last half of the year the coining department was closed for repairs. Thought it might be of passing interest to some.
"Mint of the United States
Chief Coiner’s Office
Philadelphia
January 31, 1856
J. Ross Snowden, Esq.
Director of the U.S. Mint
Dear Sir:
I beg leave to report that,** on the 20th of July 1855, all coining operations were closed, and the last delivery of coin made.** At that time was commenced the removal of the machinery, and storing it, while occupied from the above date to 1st of August. The portion of the building under my control was delivered into the charge of Capt. Talcot, Chief Engineer of Repairs, during the months of August, September, October and November. Every attention was paid to the keeping and improving of the machinery, so as to have it ready for service immediately upon the completion of the rooms, then being repaired for its reception.
On the 17th of November last, by your special order, I commenced moving and adjusting the Rolling Mills, Cutting Presses, Draw Benches, and other machinery connected with the department, in their proper station, and finished doing so before the room was completed, or ready to receive them; there being no roof on that part of the building at the time.
On the 8th inst. (January) I began placing the Coining and Milling Presses in the Coining Room, and ended by the 18th. On the 19th inst. the first delivery of gold coin to the Treasurer was made, a period of six months having elapsed since operations had been suspended.
I avail myself of the opportunity to commend the men in the various departments to your special notice, for their strict attention and industry in removing and replacing the numerous pieces of machinery in their respective positions, also the Chief Engineer and his assistants for continuing labor whilst the connected water pipes were frozen during the present month of cold weather.
I would respectfully suggest the immediate filling of the vacancy in the Whitening and Cleaning Room occasioned by the decease of William Gilcrest; the work there is heavy and laborious and requires another workman.
I would also recommend an additional Fireman in the Engine Room, to attend to the first during the night, as the heaters draw all the spare steam off that was formerly reserved for use early in the morning. This causes much delay in commencing operations in the several departments.
Respectfully submitted by
George K. Childes,
Chief Coiner U.S. Mint"
Comments
Fascinating. I had never heard of this massive rebuilding of the 20-year-old mint. No roof? I wonder what all they did, and why?
Thanks. Fun read.
And yet the Mint was a busy place in 1855! Another coin alas no longer mine, I sold it to Rick aka @EagleEye.
Kind regards,
George
The letter does not mention other departments, including the not-quite "medal dept" where patterns would have been prepared. It's presently unclear if the medal press was in the coining room or elsewhere.
A check of 1855 letters shows that medals continued to be manufactured in the last half of 1855.
I could only guess the roof wasn't properly constructed and rotted?
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
Always interesting to read of the travails encountered during our early minting history. I wonder if such issues are now electronically maintained.... email history I would presume....Cheers, RickO
This little letter helps reinforce the scope of information that might be lurking in our archives. The "received wisdom" of numismatics has dominated our thinking for so long that we assume it is "all there is" rather than it being "only the beginning."
NNP is helping with this. But collectors have to become accustomed to reading and learning from newly revealed documents.