Coin Edge - Part II 0

[RWB]

In an earlier post member Insider presented several coin edge photos to illustrate using this to help identify counterfeit coins. The only genuine coin in the group was an Eagle with a very strange looking edge - one which appeared to this writer to be altered, and thus not gradable. Recently a letter from the Assistant Treasurer in Boston to the Philadelphia Mint seems to reinforce the edge alteration hypothesis. He sent 3 double eagles that had been "reduced and remilled." Each DE had lost about $1.10 in value by the alteration -- and these passed the sharp eyes of Treasury clerks in Boston!

(BTW - this is the time period in 1894 when Columbian halves were being sold by the Mint Bureau for face value, which explains the Redemption Clerk's reference to the coins.)

Edited September 20, 2020 by RWB

[RWB]

I wonder how common remilling was?

[Coinbuf]

Seems like a lot of work, but then again $1.10 was a few days wages back then.

[RWB]

Seems like basic machine tools with a stepping escapement could do this all day on DEs. "Just a little off the edge, please," as one might say to his barber.

A clever machinist (or watch maker) could use the original reeds to trigger the mechanism. Five percent on every DE; maybe 20 per day with accomplices to pass the coins....

Edited September 20, 2020 by RWB

[Moxie15]

A mill worker in 1894 averaged $1.50 per day for a 10 hour day. So for an hour or so of work he could reap most of a day's pay. Problem was to have 45 day's pay on hand to get a $20 coin.