The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-26
COMING SOUVENIR PIECES.
Ho W the Work of Making Colum bian
Half Dollars Was Done.
From the NeD YORK Herald

N'OHb TIC A'GW AOIH hGSubA
PHILADELPHIA, PA, Nov. 1e. The most
valuable half dollar ever made in this coun-
try, and probably the most valuable coin in
existence, the first of the new worlds fair
souvenir was turned out at the United
States mint here to-day and delivered TO
James w. Ellsworth, chairman of the COM
miItee on liberal arts of the worlds Colum-
bian exposition.
In addition to this valuable piece of
money, for which bid of $1,000 has been
made, there were als) coined and delivered
to Mr. Ellsworth the 400th, !, 1921 and ,S92d
the new half dollars.
Over 1000 of the souvenirs were struck
to-day aid the work will continue until all of
the 100000 donated by congress are COM
pleted. With the exception of the four
valuable coins already specified the remain
der will be held at the mint until orders for
their disposal are received from the treasury
department.
The work OF coming the souvenirs will,
from time to time, be interrupted ty the
other work OF the mint, and the last of them
will not be finished much before the open
ipg of the exposition May next.
The preparation for to-day's event had
been a subject Of great anxiety and interest
to Supt. Bosbyshel rand his assist
ants for some time past, and this morning
at 10 o'clock found all arrangements fully
completed in ccordance with carefully pre-
pared plans.
When the hour arrived Supt shy
she'll was summoned 10 the press room
by Chief Coiner William s. Steele, while
Engraver Charles Barber, who designed
the famous coin, Chief Clerk H. H. Cobb
and others assembled as witnesses.
They gathered around the coming press.
Two dies. one bearing the impression to be
stamped upon the diverse face and the other
the reverse, were already in place. Beside
the press stood receptacle containing
hundreds of shining planchets-blank silver
pieces polished and milled ready for stamp
ing.
Unfortunately the first attempt was a
failure. Just a little flaw in the planchet or
perhaps a little speck of dirt OF grease
smeared upon it's face caused the coins re-
lection. 70 an ordinary observer 1t might
have appeared perfect, but the coiner and
designer examined it under glass. A fat al
flaw was revealed. a hammer was at hand
and what might have been the most famous
coin in history was battered into COMPARE
lively worthless metal
The next attempt was made more care
fully. The planchet before being accepted
was examined under the microscope and
found without blemish. For the second
time the workmen turned the press by hand,
while the spectators waited in suspense.
Again the coin was lifted from the face of
the steel die aud critically examined by
Coiner Steele, Enyraver Barber and Supt
Bosbyshell. Every line was sharp
ly defined.
Cardboard boxes had been prepared for
the reception Of the coins very much like
those ia which pills are sold. No finger
touched the first of tine souvenirs, but the
pliers gently clutchsd it by the rim and
conveyed the $40, 600 lump to the box which
was Immediately sealed and handed to the
worlds fair commissioner.
A certificate accompanied the coin to the
effect that the coin was the first piece struck
from the dies.
After the delivery of the first coin the
foreman aud his assistant continued COIN
ing by hand until they bad struck 100 proof
pieces. occupying about an hour in the task.
Power was then applied, and the actual
work of making 5000 600 half dollars went
rapidly ahead. Before noon the first , 900
were finished and the money making ceased
while the workmen ate their midday meal