The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1896-04-04
UNCLE SANS BONDS.
HOW THE VALUABLE PIECES OF PA
PER ARE MADE.

HOW THE VALUABLE PIECES OF pa
PER ARE MADE.
ne New Issue WIN He . Duplicato Of the
Inss Of Last Year-A Real Artist - Ds-
slg~er-varioas stsps In the Prooessss
II rurning Them Out
| The way in which United States
bonds are designed. engraved and made
ready to be turned over to the investor
in return for his gold coin or its equiva-
lent 10 one Of the most interesting parts
Of the workings Of the treasury depart
ment branch Of the national government.
| The coming bond issue will not be what
IL technically known as a new issue,
but will be duplication Of the issue Of
February, 1898.
The designer Of the plates is we'll
known New York artist who enjoys high
reputation as magazine and book illus
traitor. This ia Mr.. Will H. Low, and
for the past year he has been the star
man Of the corps Of artists attached to
the treasury department. In addition to
the work Of drafting the design for the
bonds he has designed several schemes
for currency.
After the announcement Of a bond is
sue the secretary calls in the chief Of the
department Of engraving and printing
and tells him the denominations to be
issued. These may be in coupon bonds
Of $50. 800, $500 and 81, 900. The
same denominations may be issued in
registered bonds. with the addition of
others Of higher face value. The ad
ditional ones are for, Is, 900, SO. 900,
$40, 900 and $50, 900. The issues Of the
two latter denominations have been very
small
After the chief has received his in
structions he turns the matter over to
the artist. who at once designs the plate.
1t is an erroneous impression that for
every issue new series Of plates is ell
graved. The artist may use any one OF
| Z number OF vignette likenesses of his
toric Americans, and he mortises it into
the drawing.
When completed, it is submitted to
the chief for his approval and then to
the secretary Of the treasury. II the de-
sign is all right, it is turned over to the
| engravera
This usually requires from month to
six weeks. The engraving is done on g
thin sheet of soft steel Of thickness OF
an eighth Of an inch. By secret process
the metal 10 hardened when finished.
and q proof is taken, which is submit.
ted to the chief Of the bureau. This
proof then must be approved.
The plate then goes to the printer and
the work Ut turning of the bonds be-
gins The bonds are printed ON the same
kind Of paper as that used for currency
and each impression is carefully watch,
ed II any imperfection renders a COPY
worthless. it is destroyed by the officials
after being returned from the press
rooms. But for each sheet Of bond pape,
taken out there must be returned SINH
lar number Of copies, either perfect OF
otherwise. After the work Of PRINTING
is done the securities are counted and
checked OF and are then made ready 10,
delivery to the purchaser. When theil
final destination is determined upon. an
employee Of the department. accompa
MED by an escort, takes charge Of tn.
bonds and delivers them 10 the pur
chasers. In the last issue Mr.. Logan
Carlisle. son Of the secretary. had charge
Of the deliverance Of the securities.
| The difference between the two classe.
Of bonds-coupon and registered-i.
great. The former are like currency
payable to the bearer, and no record OF
their transfer il ever made. The ipteres,
coupons may be collected by any one
who presents them at q national bank
or subtreasury.
| The registered bonds are safer in case
Of . burglary, as they are absolutely
manageable except by the signature
Of the holder as evidenced BY the book,
Of the treasury department at Washing
ton. When registered bonds are sold, the
name Of the purchaser il placed in a
book kept for the purpose, There are M
ter q check is mailed from Wasbinptor
| hI ., "o' ''
Il