New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-02-12
COUNTERFEIT FTVE-CENT PIECES.

BAD MONEY IN CIRCuLATION-THE RESULTS OF
AN ASSAY.
For some months past the Sub Treasury in
this city has been redeemng the nickel BveceDt coin at
the several hundred dollars per day. Mr.. John
o. Johnson OF the Treasury Department observed few
days ago. that considerable number OF suspicious pieces
daily offered for redemption. A further examina-
ton convinced him that they counterfeit and he
decided accordingly though the dies SO well
cuted and the metal shnlly alleged to deceive
the oldest aud most experienced coin experts when
submitted to them for critical examination. From 20 10
f. nominal value of this offered daily at he Treas
ury for redemption, from various Only two
three days ago Mr. johnson rejected ten Of these pieces
in bag OF so from the Atlantic Bank, Brooklyn and
they found IN larger proportion than this. many
Of them and much improved on former issues
There is evidently nuch Of IL circulation. and the
public would do well tO scrutinze the carefully.
Al the suggestion OF the Assistant Treasurer, the Hon
Chas FOger Mr. johnson sent four OF the counterfeit
pieces together with four geuune to the United States
Mint at Philadelphia for examination. The following
answer received from the Director. noosng copy
the report of the Assayer II viii be seen that he ia
fully sustained in his Of the dangerous character Of
the counterfeit:
MET or THE UNITED STATES,
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 7, 1870
SIR: Your letter OF the 3lst ultlmO. incosing
requesting Information to their genuineness has been
received After personal examination, submitted the
to Assayer for definite assay ana report
herewith ncose the report of Mr. Eckicdt the Assayer
which confirms the Judgment had formed 81 the CONS
-Four are genuine aud four are counterfeit III add
ton to what Mr. Eckfedt has said. may say az further
test yOu VIII find the motto I'm God We trust, good
deal LJge in the counterfeit than III the genuine. The
yellow of the counterfeit will also afford some test
&c This appearance caused by the presence OF zne
which II not III the genuine.
j have retained of the cOnnterfcits The other
coins are returned herewith Yours truly,
JAMES POLLOCK, Director.
John O. johnson, esq, u. 3. Treasury, NewlOrk.
lCopyl
MINT or TnE UNITED STATES.
PnU.ApELPHIA. Feb. 8, 1870
Jyo. J,MEs pOII Director, de-, CEDAR SIR: The
ycrrut pieces sent by Mr. johnson Of the
H. g. Treasury at New.YOrk have given occasion TO an
interesting and important eNaInatonthe 1rSt of the
kind that have been called on To make. hitherto the
couuterfes of this coin have usually been cass but we
There were eight pieces At first sight. the general
appearance engraving and color led TO the belief
that four genuine and four counterfeit winch,
further trial. proved to be the fact Our most ready test
can seldom bring right. The trne weight Is II l6
grains Three OF the pieces grossly IN error being
under 20 grains fourth suspected piece happened To
he lust right. THIS last piece was subjected
10 assay and proved To contain IL per cent nickel,
Instead Of % per cent the lawful proportion. IL also
contained large proportion oi zno making III TACT te
usual German silver" The dies were the in
the other three except the date 1869 the others being
6s and 20. All OF these four pieces nave yellowish
tint and ~ false and but not sum
GENTLY 40 be detected by hasty inspection On tile
whole it a dangerous and proves that Win more
skill IN engraving and aloying great frauds could De
practced. >,
this respect have always found admirable confOr
nifty Of vecent pieces. often a. we have had oc
9s, light be called 900 or the bad pieces s12
which in the hands Of a careful weiger would be sure
and test The pieces, except the one assayed,
wv J. r. EcEPEIDr. Assayer