The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-04-24
WEIGHING COINS.
How Light Weights Are Detected at the
Bank Of England.

--buC WClgHiuS OIlCC-dIC SCCn III
machines for detecting light coir
These machines are marvels of inge1
ious mechanism. Three or fonr hun
dred ~sovereigns are laid in a Ion,
BRASS scoop or semi-tube, of such a di
ameter as to admit them comfortably
and self-regulating to such an inclin
that the coins gradually slide down b,
their W weight on to one plate of
little balance placed at its lower ex
tremity. Across the face of this plat,
two little bolts make alternate thrusts
one to the right, one to the left, bu
at slightly different levels. If the coli
be of full weight, the balance is helc
in equipose, and the right-hand bolt
making its thrust, pushes it off the
plate and down an adjacent tube into
the receptacle for full-weight coin. If,
on the other hand, the coin is ever sc
little eight" the balance naturally
rises with it. The right-haud bolt
makes its thrust as before, but this
time passes harmlessly beneath the
coin. Then comes the thrust of the
left-hand bolt, which, as we have said,
is fixed at a fractionally higher level,
and pushes the coin down a tube on
the opposite side, through which it
falls into the light-coin receptacle.
The coins thus condemned are after
ward dropped into another machine,
which defaces them by Il cut half way
across their diameter, 1t the rate of
200 a minute. The weighing machines,
of which there are sixteen, arc actuated
by a small atmospheric engine in one
corner OF the room, the only manual
assistance required being to keep them
supplied with coins. 1t is said that
60, 700 sovereigns and half-sovereigns
can be weighed here in a single day.
The weighing-machine in question is
the invention of Mr.. Cotton, a former
governor of the bank, and among
scientific men is regarded as one OF
the most striking achievements Of
practical mechanics.
In the bullion department we find
another weighing machine of Il differ
ent character, but in its way equally
1t is the first of its kind.
been designed specially for the
bank by Mr.. James Murdoch Napier,
by whom it has been patented. 1t is
used for the purpose of weighing bull
lion, which is purchased in this de-
oartment. Gold is brought in bars of
about 8 inches long, 3 wide and l inch
.hick. A bar of gold of these dimen-
ions will weigh about 200 ounces, and
s worth, if pure, about $500. Each
when brought in is accompanied
" a memorandum of its weight. The
of quality is determined by
he process of assaying; the weight is
ihecked by e of the weighing
machine we have referred TO-. This
axes the form of an extremely a
i've PAIR Of scales, working on a beam
f immense strength and solidity, and
based, so as to be absolutely rigid,
n a solid bed of concrete. The whole
lands about 6 feet high by 8 wide,
is inclosed in an alright plate
case, a sash in which is raised
hen it is desired to use the machine.
he two sides of the scales are each
ept permanently loaded, the one
18th a single weight of $50 ounces, tho
with a number of weights of va
GUS sizes to the same amount. When
is desired to test the weight of a bar
gold, weights to the amount stated
the corresponding memorandum,
IS half an ounce are removed from
e latter scale, and the bare f gold
Ibstituted 10 their place. Up to this
'int the beam of the scale is kept
horizontal, being maintained
that position by q mechanical brake;
1t now a stud is pressed, and by
cans of delicate machinery, actuated
water-power. the beam Is released. ,
the weight of the bar has been cor !
stated in the memorandum, the !
ale which holds it should be exactly +.
If an ounce in excess. This or any .
IS excess of weight over the $50 !
noes in the opposite scale is instant. '
registered by the machine, a pointer .
lveling round a dial until it indicates I
proper amount. The function of Z
3 machine, however, is limited to !
half an ounce only. If tho !.
between the two scales '
loaded is greater than this, or if, I
the other hand, the bar of gold is :
re than halt an ounce less than the 7
stated in the memorandum, =
electric bell rings by way of warm ?
:, the pointer travels right round ,,
dial, and returns to zero. So deli *
Q is the adjustment that the weight q
half a penny postage stamp-some- 7,
at less than half a grain-will set -
hand in motion and be recorded &c
the dial. u
The stock of gold in the bullion ~
lit varies from FL, 900. 900 to f3, 00O.- y,
/. The bars are laid side by side -
small Hat trucks or barrows carry -
100 bars each. In a glass case in
vault is seen a portion of the war
paid by King Coffee, of H..
consisting of gold orna- II
nts, a little short of standard fine 81
S. ChanlberS's J~ourna'. at
The Piute Girls Debut. m