The Placer herald., 1862-01-11
Our Mint, its Rules, Charges, and Opera
tiOns.


In the columns of a contemporary we
observe some exceedingly interesting statis-
tics of mint matters for many years past,
from which we CLEAN the facts that the legal
limit Of wastage was S2O7,767 90 for the
three years ending April, 1857, while the
actual loss was $2G6,3l2 sc, exceeding the
limit some sixty thousand dollars. During
the four years of Mr.. IIempsteads Superin-
tendency, the legal limit was 1926, 1856 SO;
while the actual loss was only 81 520 35,
being some $3.50 900 less than the limit, and,
in fact, little under two per cent. of the
amount allowed by law to be wasted. The
wastngs of the Philadelphia mint is twenty
two per cent, against two per cent, wasted
bv our branch mint. The total expenditures
for three years under Messrs, Brdsall ~
Lott, amounted to the large sum Of 81 1919
275 80 Under Mr.. Hampstead, the total
expenditures for four years were but ST.,
l5O,GlS Ii; while the difference between
the last year of Judge Lott and ;he last
year Of Mr.. Hampstead was upwards of
100000 in favor of the latter. On retiring
from the Supcrintendency, Mr.. Hampstead
left an unoXpendod balance of appropriation
due tie mint of upwards of $4,000. This
certainly is capital showing for our mint,
and speaks well for Mr. llempstoads Super
intenlency. Under Mr. Stevens, the present
Superintendent we have no doubt everything
will work in an equally satisfactory manner
We will now present our readers with
the rules and charges for work at the mint,
knowing how valuable such information must
prove to the mining community of the State
at large. The charges are as follows:
For parting silver from gold when gold
is below 300 l000ths iine ........ Bets per oz
from 3O0-l000ths to $50 l000hs Tets &" "
100 l000ths. to $50 -l000ths l1cts :" "
DEposIrs SILVER BULLIoN-PURCuAsEs
$l21 per standard ounce | 2 per cent, on
gross value of all gold contained for coin
age.
Refining charges (only when gold is con
taineJ) proportion of gold l to 800, Bets.
per o. gross weight; 30l to 500, Tets. per
oz gross weight.
DErosrs FOR FINE BARS.
III l6-4-llths cents per standard ounce,
l-2 per cent gross paiue of sitrer for making
bars; also when gold is contained l2 per
cent. on gross value of gold for coming
Refining charges as in purchases.
BARS SOLD FROM REFINERY
l 2lcts. per standard oz. 10 per Ct gross
value to be added for making bars.
DEPOSITED For DOLLARS.
81 lG-4-l this. per standard OF. ID per
ct. gros+ value for coinage, when gold is con-
tained, refining charge the Same rs in pur-
chases.
DEposITEn FOR IMPORTED BARS.
81 lG-4-llths. cents per standard OF. 10
per cent. gross value of deposit for maging
bars.
In regard to the deposits of WasAoe silper
the rule will hereafter be, that the value of
gold contained in the same will be paid in
gold coin, and the value of silver in silver
coin. The value Of the silver will be calcu
lated at 81 2 per standard ounce, and is
exempted from the coinage charge, unless
deposited for silver dollars, in which case a
charge Of 10 per cent. will be made addi
tional. Bullion of the above denomination
will be entered on the gold and silver regis
ter, as most congruous with the physical
aspects of the material, but in the warrant
it must be marked that SO much is to be
paid ia gold and 50 much in silver, accord
inc to the contents reported by the assayer.
The above rules and charges were promul'
gated on July 10th, by the Superintendent
Robert j. Stevens.
u. S. BRANou MINT, Nov. 9Th, 1861.
On and after the 18th inst, charge vary
inc in accordance with the character OF the
deposit, from half cent to three cents per
ounce, gross, in addition 70 the general rates,
and be imposed on all bullion deposited for
conane or manufacture which will require
touehening or extra refining to render it
suitable for mint murposes.
Il. J. STEVENSON, Superintendent.
Scientific Press.