Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1899 — UNCLE SAM’S FIRST MINT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

UNCLE SAM’S FIRST MINT.

Historic Building in Philadelphia Nearly Destroyed by Fire. A recent fire in Philadelphia nearly destroyed the first mint used by the Government of the United States. By hard work the historic building, situated at 87 and 39 North Seventh street, was saved, to remain a splendid object lesson of the growth of the republic. It seems almost incredible that so short a time ago this plain old structure represented the entire personal holdings and real estate of our national government The history of the first mint of the United States began with the passage by Congress of an act looking to the formation of such a necessary institution. The initial step to put this act In operation was naturally the appointment of the officers of the Institution who should have charge of the establishment For director of the mint Washington selected David Rittenhouse, the astronomer, who received his appointment and accepted the position on July 1,1792. Henry Voight a watchmaker, was appointed chief coiner, and Tristram Dalton was made treasurer. In the succeeding year Albion Cox was appointed chief assayer, and Robert Scott engraver. July 31, 1792, the corner stone of the new mint was laid by Washington, a distinguished gathering of the leading men of the day being present The foundation stone in place, work was commenced on the building at once. So rapidly for that period was the work pushed that the foundation was ready for the superstructure on Aug. 25. The framework was raised on the afternoon of that day. A few days later, on Sept 10, six pounds of old copper were bought for the mint by Ritenhouse, at the rate of 1 shilling 8 pence per pound, this metal being the

first ever purchased for the coinage of the United States. Three coinage presses Imported from England arrived on Sept 25, and were put in operation about Oct 1. In his message to Congress Nov. 6,

1792, President Washington made the gratifying statement that a small coinage of half dimes had been completed, the “want of small coins in circulation calling the first attention to them.” Before the end of the first year after the opening of the mint not only half dimes but also dimes and coppers in a sufficient quantity to meet the pressing needs of the country had been coined. In 1794 the first silver dollars and half dollars were coined, and in the next year the first gold eagles and half eagles were produced. Up to the year 1816 the work of coining at the mint was done by hand or horse power, but in the later years steam was introduced for operating the presses. For forty years the old building on Seventh street was .used for the purpose of the mint, the marvelous growth of the country then rendering better quarters necessary.