Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-07-11
MUTILATED C0IES.
Story of Good Joke Played
on a NonconGdiHg
Wife.

. Wife.
Within the past few years mutilated
coins have been slowly but surely re-
tired from circulation, as compared
with ten years ago, and in this con-
nection | viii tell You of a good joke
a husband played upon his wife, who,
it is unnecessary 10 add, was not a
Washington woman, as l believe they
have more sense. said a treasury Of
fetal 10 star reporter
Last Christmas in another city a
man presented on Chri . eve a
nicely prepared ham sandwich to his
better half. She was evidently of a
fiery disposition, which partook Of the
nature Of the glowing Goals in the
crate Of the parior, which up 10 that
moment had probably been peaceful
in atmosphere. for, instead Of insert
ing her pearly teeth into the whole
some bread and pungent ham and
thanking her stars that her husband
Twas wen off and well disposed enough
70 give her even a ham sandwich, she
gave it pitchers wbirl into the fire
in the CRATE.
Then she felt sorry, for ii was only
then that her adoring husband in
formed her that neatly wedged in
| the bread between the slices of ham
were five fve-dolar gold pieces, which
he had intended for a pleasant sur
prise presented in an unique form. 1t
is an even money bet that she was
the first on her knees with a poker to
rake out of the Goals what was left of
the gold, and when we get through |
with our examination of the lump Of
melted metal, for her husband sent
II to the treasury for redemption,
she'll know how much she lost.
The government buys mutilated |
coin at its bullion value only, and last |
year bought a denominational value |
of $1,000, paying about $1,000 for IL. |
The treasurer's office receives about 1
$500 and $500 a month Of this kind Of
coin. Much Of the coin received for re.
demption shows evidences Of the fire,
proving the carelessness of its own
ers in putting IL into the stove OF
in such places where il may be melted
by the flames.
"The retirement Of melted coin so
completely has been brought about
by the people themselves. who refused
TO accept It, following the rule Of the
banks, railroads and other big money
handling concerns. Elevated railroad
ticket sellers used TO place a plugged
dime, for instance. in the center Of a
little pile of nine dimes and a nickel
in change for a dollar bill. and the
passenger would be en- the train be.
fore he'd discover the cheat. Some
street car conductors win attempt
this now, and coin should always be
examined for defective pieces.
While punched or clipped coin viii
not be redeemed by the government.
pieces that are stamped. bent or
twisted out of shape or otherwise i'm.
perfect, but showing no material loss
Of metal win be redeemed or ex-
into lawful money II pre-
sented at the trasury or any OF the
subtreasuries.
The government purchases al its
mints in Philadelphia. San Francisco
and New Orleans mutilated or incur
rent silver coins in sums Of three dol
lars and upward at silver value
fixed by the director Of the mint In
this way the public may dispose OF
lis holdings II IL chooses. The gov
eminent viii also buy its own mu-
tilated or uncurrent gold coins at its
mints and assay offices at the rate OF
S2067 per ounce fine or $500 per
ounce standard, or 500 fine. The lady
viii be thus paid for her gold-lined
sandwich
Counterfeit coins are often trans
mitted under the supposition that
they are genuine. or the remitters
may think they viii Slip by the treas
lry experts. Vain thought. They are
detected at once and Cancelled and
sent 10 the secret service office. The
same course is pursued with counter
felt notes
''The public should make II an in
rule 10 refuse mutilated coins
no matter how skillfully the plugging
may be done a rigid general OBJ
Of this rule viii tend to their
finding their way into the melting pot
Tor want of circulation"