I have spent perhaps 200 hours searching and researching the early mints and their records. Over 1000 feet of records exist for the mint activities before 1900 at the NARA locations throught the US. Mostly in Philadlphia. I found two references to lost shipments of coins but neither worked out for recovery. I did find 1000s of entries in their account books for coins delivered throughout the US but mostly in the original 13 states.

The records usually show date, name, city-state, amount, keg numbers. Pennies were exclusively minted in Philadelphia early on (large cents and half cents). Silver and gold coins were minted from bullion deposited by individuals or middle men who distributed the coins to their many customers.

The mint purchased copper for coining pennies and thus made a profit from it. Silver n gold were not usually purchased but were minted from bullion deposits already on hand. The refining costs were absorbed by the mint and not charged to the depositor. There are even references to people depositing spanish furniture as a source for silver or gold. It was a capital offense carrying the death penality in those days to doctor/dilute silver or gold before sending it to the mint for coins. The silver or gold was refined and assayed to determine its value then the appropriate number of coins were returned to the depositor.

Anyone else have experience with these records? Anyone have any ideas on how to use this info for caches? Anyone heard stores of caches of US coins discovered? Anyone don't know a dmaned thing about this and could care less? Joe.

• US Mint Records--Your admirable research! Megan Rose, Author 12:32:53 6/24/2001 (0)