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Philadelphia Mint - number of presses and capacity, 1896

RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,963 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

This table shows the coining capacity of the Philadelphia Mint in 1896 and the number of presses available for each denomination. It is unlikely that all 12 presses could be used simultaneously due to normal repair and maintenance.

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    CaptHenwayCaptHenway Posts: 34,311 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I am shocked there were so few.

    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
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    kbbpllkbbpll Posts: 542 ✭✭✭✭

    They could have banged out the 1896 dime mintage in 7 days, the quarters in 21.5 days, and the halves in 5.3 days. Interesting stuff as always.

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    HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Was there a limitation due to available power source? Steam?

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    RogerBRogerB Posts: 8,963 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited May 8, 2019 4:47AM

    At that time the Philadelphia Mint was using power belts driven by a central steam engine for toggle presses. The hydraulic press was electrically driven. The change to electric motors occurred when the new building was opened for production.

    The Annual Report for 1896 is one of the more interesting editions. It's available free to download at the NNP site.

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    HemisphericalHemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @RogerB said:
    At that time the Philadelphia Mint was using power belts driven by a central steam engine for toggle presses. The hydraulic press was electrically driven. The change to electric motors occurred when the new building was opened for production.

    The Annual Report for 1896 is one of the more interesting editions. It's available free to download at the NNP site.

    Thanks @RogerB!

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    rickoricko Posts: 98,721 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks Roger.... Good information.... and certainly machines would have to undergo maintenance and/or repair... So very likely two or three would be offline at any given time. Cheers, RickO

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