Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1901-03-07
MUT1LATED COINS.
story of Good Joke Played
ON NOncOnfidinE
Wife.

~ Ike
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 1 will tel you of good joke
a husband played upon his wife, who,
it is unnecessary to add, was not
Washington woman, as I believe they
have more sense" said a treasury of
fetal TO Star reporter.
Last Christmas in another city a
man presented on Christmas 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 parLor, when up to 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
was we'll off and well disposed enough
to give her even a ham sandwich, she
gave it a pitchers whirl into the fire
in the CRATE.
Then she felt sorry, for it was only
then that her adoring husband in
formed her that neatly wedged in
the bread between the slices of ham
were five fve-dollar gold pieces, which
he had intended for a pleasant sur
prise presented in an unique form. It
is an even money bet that she was
the first on her knees with 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
1t 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 UNCONVENTIONAL value
of $4,000, paying about $1,000 for it.
The treasurer's Office receives about
$500 and $500 month of this kind of
coin. Much of the coin received for re-
demption shows evidences of the fire,
proving the care1essness of it's own
ers in putting it into the stove OF
in such places where it 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
OdhhSS 1d11IO1OS anu JULIET Dig money!
handling concerns. Elevated railroad
ticket sellers used to place pluggeds
dime, for instance, in the center of a
little pile of nine dimes and a nickel
in change for dollar bill, and the
passenger would be on the train be-
fore he'd discover the cheat. Some
street car conductors will attempt
this now, and coin should always be
examined for defective pieces.
''While punched or clipped coin will
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, will be redeemed or ex-
changed into lawful money if pre-
sented at the trasury or any of the
subtreasuries,
"The government purchases at it's
minis in Philadelphia, San Francisco
and New Orleans mutilated or incur
rent silver coins in sums of three dol
lars and upward, at silver value
hGed by the director. of the mint. In
this way the public may dispose of
its holdings if 1t chooses. The gov
ernment will also buy it's own mu-
tilated Or uncurrent gold coins at its
minis and assay offices at the rate of
$20,67 per ounce fine or $3.50 per
ounce standard, or 800 fine. The lady
will be thus paid for her go.d-lined
sandwich.
Counterfeit coins are often trans
united under the supposition that
they are genuine, or the remitterS
may think they will slip by the treas
ury experts. Vain thought. They are
detected at once and Cancelled and
sent to the secret service office. The
same course is pursued with counter.
felt notes.
'FThe public should make it an in-
variable rule to refuse mutt ated coins
no matter how sl-i'lfully the plugging
may be done. A rigid general OBJ.
servance of this-ru'e vii. tend to their
finding their way into the melting pot
for wantiof circulation
Lack of Exercise
is one of the chief causes of headache