Making early Morgan proof coins

[RogerB]

This will be a quick and painless vaccination against numismatic bologna.

The Philadelphia Mint had a large screw-type (“lever”) press used to strike medals and proof coins. “We use a screw press which strikes medals from 10/16-inch to 4-inch in diameter, which has 3 threads with a pitch of 1-5/16-inch; 6-1/2 inch diameter of screw, and length of lever 15 feet with 300 lb balls on each end [1886].” No other mint had screw presses and no branch mint had ever had them. This press was used to make Master coins and proofs from the 1840s to 1893.

The press took three men to operate. One placed the planchet on the lower (fixed) die and the other two swung the 15-foot lever, attempting to use the same strength each time. Striking pressure was varied by reducing the weights, or positioning them further toward the central screw, or adding/removing a spacer below the lower die to change the distance the upper die moved.

After each strike, the operator who placed the planchet removed the coin and added it to a flat tray lined with paper or sometimes cotton-lined paper. This was periodically collected by the Medal Clerk or an assistant, for inspection and sorting.

Coins which were deficient in polish or included minor blemishes were put aside and later mixed with normal toggle press pieces. Defective coins, i.e., ones that would be rejected during normal circulation coinage, were delivered back to the M&R. Good proofs were placed on trays and packaged just before delivery. Packaging was similar to medals: cotton-lined envelopes, when available.

Most proofs were sold at the Philadelphia Mint by the Treasurer or later the Cashier, who received them from the Chief Coiner or Medal Clerk.

Finis.

[HawkeEye]

Interesting as always

[shortnock]

Thanks for your dedication to the studies.

[Tekkie1]

Nice Read, thanks.

[blh74]

Thanks Roger for your research.

[RogerB]

I hope this will give collectors a practical perspective of proof coin production beyond the usual superficial comments about "polishing dies."

There is a two-part article scheduled for The Numismatist NEXT January-February describing the different ways Master and proof coins were made in the US. This breaks down the processes by coinage era, methodology and technology. The article will help collectors and dealers use the correct names for coins of various eras and better comprehend what was intended at the time they were produced -- not by today's very different standards.

[SilverToken]

I wonder how much the 3 men were paid per hour, to make a dollar, not to mention there had to be a trained grader!

[RogerB]

During the latter 19th century pay for unskilled workmen was $2.25 to $3.25 per day but most were on the low end. Six work days in a week, but Saturday afternoon was called a "holiday," and the workers paid for a full day. The female employees were paid $1.75 even when they did identical work as men, such as counting. Here's a sample page from the 1879 Register of the United States.

Pages from 1879 Mint Employees Register.jpg (254.78 KiB) Viewed 884 times

[RogerB]

Here's an example of a hiring notice from December 29, 1880. Notice the pay of $1.90 per diem.

Pages from 18801229 P Transfers and pay changes.jpg (144.26 KiB) Viewed 865 times

[PacificWR]

Good info.

[PickNGrin]

Interesting Details.