The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-03-15
MUT1LATED COINS.
story of Good Joke Played
ON a NOncOnfiding
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 will tell you of good joke
a husband played upon his wife, who,
it is unnecessary to add, was not q
Washington woman, as l 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, which 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 well off and well disposed enough
to give her even 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 five-dollar 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
it to the treasury for redemption,
she'll know how much she lost.
''The government buys mutilated
coin at it's bullion value only, and last
year bought 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 carelessness of its own
ers in putting it into the stove or
in such places where it may be melted
by the flames.
1.-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 dollar bill, and the
passenger would be on the train be-
fore he'd discover the cheat Some
street car conductors viii 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 OF
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
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
its holdings if it chooses. The gov.
eminent will also buy it's own mu.
tilated or uncurrent gold coins at it's
minis and assay offices at the rate OF
$20,67 per ounce fine or $3.50 per
ounce standard, or 900 fine. The lady
will 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 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.
'1The public should make it an in.
variable rule to refuse mutilated coins
no matter how skillfully the plugging
may be done. A rigid general OBJ
servance of this rule will tend to their
finding their way into the melting pot
for want of circulation"