The E-Sylum:  Volume 5, Number 41, October 13, 2002, Article 4

WATSON U.S. MINT HISTORY BOOK

  Is anyone familiar with the 1926 book by Jesse P. Watson
  titled "The Bureau of the Mint: Its History, Activities and
  Organization" (The Johns Hopkins Press, Baltimore, MD)?

  It's a recent acquisition for my library, and I'm curious as
  to why I haven't come across a copy until recently.  The
  book isn't listed in Charles Davis' "American Numismatic
  Literature".   The book is part of a series of "Service
  Monographs of the United States Government"  published
  by an organization called The Institute for Government
  Research (Washington, D.C.).  The Mint book is No. 37
  in the series, covering branches from The Geological Survey
  to the Tariff Commission, Patent Service, and the Bureau
  of Lighthouses.

  Since the book was written and published outside of
  numismatic circles, perhaps it's not unusual that it doesn't
  appear in any of the usual places.  I actually have two
  copies now, and both are library discards.  Was the
  book ever actively marketed to the general public, or did
  it go straight to libraries and government offices?

  The History section is brief, but to me the more interesting
  sections are on the Activities and Organization of the mint
  in the 1920's.  The Outline of Organization chapter lists
  every single position at the mint as of July 1, 1925, along
  with the salary rate for the position.  The Director was
  paid $5,600 annually;  a Machinist made $6.96 per diem;
  Foreman of Coin Counters, $6.56 per diem;  there were
  eight "Sewing Women" who earned $4.40 per diem.  At
  the San Francisco mint, the "Foreman, Whitening Room"
  made $6.77 per diem.

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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