"Dear Miss Adams, I need a new coin press..."
PhillyJoe
Posts: 2,705 ✭✭✭✭
Miss Eva Adams
Director of the Mint
Treasury Department
Washington, D.C. 20220
December 28, 1964
Dear Miss Adams:
Permission is requested to advertise for bids for furnishing a 50 ton hydraulic press for broaching the reeds on $.10, $.25, $.50 and $1.00 collars. The increased coinage production has made this acquisition of a new press imperative. The Phila. Mint is at the present time, doing this with an old 200 ton hand operated press confiscated from a counterfeiter. In addition to being hand operated, this press is in need of extensive repairs. Rather than spend $2,000. to motorize and repair this press we recommend that a modern press be purchased at a cost of $6600. which will take care of our needs for some time to come. This press will return the difference in cost over a period of three years, based on saving 2 to 3 hours time daily which will amount to $1500. a year.
Enclosed is a quote on the repair to the existing press, with two sample quotes for proposed replacements, together wth specifications for the proposed equipment.
Sincerely,
Michael H. Sura
Superintendent, Philadelphia Mint
[One of my all time favorite tidbits from the Mint's archives. It gives several glimpses on operating policy all in one letter during a very hectic time. A classic that some have seen; but wanted to share with all.]
-Joe
Director of the Mint
Treasury Department
Washington, D.C. 20220
December 28, 1964
Dear Miss Adams:
Permission is requested to advertise for bids for furnishing a 50 ton hydraulic press for broaching the reeds on $.10, $.25, $.50 and $1.00 collars. The increased coinage production has made this acquisition of a new press imperative. The Phila. Mint is at the present time, doing this with an old 200 ton hand operated press confiscated from a counterfeiter. In addition to being hand operated, this press is in need of extensive repairs. Rather than spend $2,000. to motorize and repair this press we recommend that a modern press be purchased at a cost of $6600. which will take care of our needs for some time to come. This press will return the difference in cost over a period of three years, based on saving 2 to 3 hours time daily which will amount to $1500. a year.
Enclosed is a quote on the repair to the existing press, with two sample quotes for proposed replacements, together wth specifications for the proposed equipment.
Sincerely,
Michael H. Sura
Superintendent, Philadelphia Mint
[One of my all time favorite tidbits from the Mint's archives. It gives several glimpses on operating policy all in one letter during a very hectic time. A classic that some have seen; but wanted to share with all.]
-Joe
The Philadelphia Mint: making coins since 1792. We make money by making money. Now in our 225th year thanks to no competition. 
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I find it interesting they were using presses confiscated from counterfeitors.
"Bongo hurtles along the rain soaked highway of life on underinflated bald retread tires."
~Wayne
<< <i>a 50 ton hydraulic press for broaching the reeds on $.10, $.25, $.50 and $1.00 collars
That was the first thing I noticed too.
Great transactions with oih82w8, JasonGaming, Moose1913.
Broaching is one of the processes to cut rifling in a gun barrel. So I imagine it would have been to push reeding dies through collars.