Gilpin observer. (Central City, Colo.) 1897-1921, 1900-02-22
MINT CHARGES FOR REFINING
Change of Rates Leads TO a Mlsconceptior
of the Facts.


Change of Rates Leads TO a Misconception
of the Facts.
One of the Denver papers recently
stated that the minis of tine country
were now buying ore containing
much larger percentage of silver than
ever before. The Mining and Scientific
Press of San Francisco says, regard
ing this:
The statement is misleading. as ii
implies, practically, the free coinage of
silver without an act of Congress to
authorize it. The matter was referred
to Mr.. Charles G. Yale, the statistician
of the United States mint at San
Francisco. who shows that the minis
and assay offices have always received
bullion of 500 fine and over and have
paid the depositor for his silver at the
rate fixed by the authorities in Wash
ington. which is at present rs cents
|)er ounce, and for the gold at its full
value. They also receive and part
bullion of 300 fine. but do not receive
and purchase it. For the silver in these
low-grade, deposits the depositor is
given fine silver bars for the amount of
fine silver' in his deposit, but the gov
eminent does not purchase the silver
or give coin for it. as it does in the
'dSS VI DullloU Oh me OIllN
change made has been in the charges.
The item referred to was based prob
ably on a misunderstanding of the re-
Gently revised charges for melting. re-
lining, etc. at United States mints and
assay offices as fixed by the director
of the mint and approved by the sec
rotary of the treasury last month
The rates under this new schedule
show large reduction in the charges.
and it will naturally he Il matter of in
terest to mining and mill men to know
exactly what these are.
AS 10 the melting charge. a charge of
81 is imposed for each melt of bullion
except in the case of uncurrent United
States coin and fine mint bars.
For parting and refining bullion. the
rate per ounce gross is rs follows:
On silver bullion containing less than
300 thousandths of gold. three-fOurths
of l cent per ounce heretofore this
has been cents per ounce: on bullion
containing from 300 10 800 thousandths
OF gold, cents per ounce: on bullion
containing over 800 thousandths of
gold, cents per ounce. Silver allowed
the deposition is calculated on the basis
of refining the gold TO 800 thousandths
When bullion contains less than three
tenths of n thousandth of gold it is not
reported for the benefit of the depos-
itor. Base bullion containing less than
300 parts of gold per thousand pays II
charge of or = cents per ounce. or
such material may he declined, at the
discretion of the chief officer If the
Z alloy be all good copper when but one
of the precious metals is present. the
charge may he y cent per ounce.
For refining silver the rate per ounce
gross is as follows: a refining charge
of three-tenthS of II cent per ounce is
imposed upon silver bullion free from
gold, assayinG from 99S 10 90Sl5. and
Il charge of four-tenths of cent upon
such bullion assaying from $50 to 9911s
\, Bullion below $50 is subjected 10 the
parting or refining charge of three
fourths OF cent per ounce.
The ''toughening" charge is made to
cover the cost of fitting brittle fine
bars for coinage operations, and is not
imposed upon impaired bars except in
special cases. where it is necessary to
tougher an impaired bar returned to
the deposition, or when the bullion con
iains iridosmine. etc. This charge is
on gold bullion Il cent 10 cents per
ounce gross and silver bullion Il cent
to y cent per ounce gross.
The bar charges on bullion deposited
for fine bars not required TO he parted
or refined. and for standard or unpart-
ed bars, are as follows:
Bars of fine gold per 800 value. 40.
Bars of fine silver per ounce. Il cent
Bars of standard gold per 500 value.
10 cents.
Bars of standard silver per ounce
gross. y cent.
Bars Of impaired bullion per ounce
gross. 4 cent.
Small DnlI hDrS 1nsS lhlnl
cents per 500.
Small silver bars dcss than 125
ouncesl. u cent per ounce.
The copper alloy" charge is > cents
per ounce for the copper required.