The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-11-15

- ECENT discovery OF a number
- OF copper Dlanchets like those
used in the early United States
coinage On the site of the old
Mint buildings 70 and - North Sew
enth street and 6l Hilbert street,
which now belong TO the Frank II.
stewart Electric Company, has created
a great deal OF interest among numis-
matists.
TWO or the plancheIs are such as
were used in the manufacture of the
excessively rG "a silver center cents.
which when in fine condition now
bring several hundred doll rs each at
auction. UntG the discove y of these
two planchets which are now Ia the
possession of Frank H. Stewart. who
has d large collection of rare Ameri-
can coins, il was generally supposed
that they were coined privately for
pattern pieces as samples OF work
manship TO be one.eI TO the Mint
officials
1te silver center cent was designed
by l-ter Goetz. a blacksmith OF Ian
caster Pa, who was personally con-
piimented by Washington on his skill.
CircUmstantial evidence now plainly
indicate that such a cent was at least
struck of in the Old Mint during the
first year OF its experimental opera
ton, iH ll92 The famous collection at
Tie present MInJ does n0J contain
SPECIMEN OF tins rare coin.
One Of the pIancnets found has an
imperfecuy United cage and Jne Otuer
d pam ease. bo,n have mole m the
center a t4He ia.7 ser THAN a Hin mead
Air. stewart Jniuns yney ale .COntem-
paraneous win the siiher uaiI DIMES
reIe.Ted 10 by N asHlusJen in ms id
dress 20 Congress Oh go, -iuDer @. f.s2
"a asuin5 Juu Is cTvuitvd N,t.u iUfnIsil-
ing d quanuty OF household SILVER l0r
lie coinage of these nTsI UniteU
states SILVER coins. and Is reputed 10
have taken great interest In the opera
lions oil tie Mint, 10 The extent OF
being frequent visitor, undoubtedly
due 20 the fact that the acts Of Con
gless dated March 3. 1891. and April
=, I.g2. authorized him TO secure Az
lists, appalar5>, and buildings Tor the
purpose Of the mint
The early reports of the various Of
n-ials of the mint and United States
Treasury. as WI as the messages OF
Il C first Presidents, disclose many in
teresting facts in connection with tae
nrs5 mint. Complaints and criticisms
were met oy excuses and apologies,
and al oa, time there was "a strong
EFFORT made to abolish The mint because
OF its great expense. which at that
time did not cost the Government
more. than $4,000 per year
At one time coinage of gold and sill
yer vas not carried on because au ma
pcrtaut emplo-e of the mint could not
furnish security I'm the sum of S1o.60o,
and later, when he did. the coinage
vas again confined to copper until his
stlt lessor could be employed Such
hap. cuipes seem ridiculous now.
So late as 1925 the Waterman at the
mint was required To ring the yard
hell every ltour after 10 p. IA. until re-
Beved in the morning by the door
ks.per or w0rkmen. lie was also re-
auirei 90 send the watch dog through
the mint yard after every ringing OF
the bell
The win al John l. Hates, a former
owner or lie mint building. states that
tic cornerstone WAS laid 10y Washing
Ton ana required the cornerstone when
found To be delivered 20 the Historical
society of pennsylvania. In contradic-
ton OF This it has been asserted that