The E-Sylum:  Volume 7, Number 8, February 22, 2004, Article 22

BARBER IN VIOLATION OF HIS POSITION?

  Adrián González of  Monterrey, N.L. México writes:
  Maybe this item could be interesting to The E-Sylum
  readers..."   Attached was a link to an online auction
  of a letter from Mint Engraver Charles Barber.  From
  the lot description:

  CHARLES BARBER American engraver, his principal
  work was as an engraver of coin dies, including the Barber
  Half, Barber dimes, Liberty head nickel, and many other
  coins and medals. Good content A.L.S. "Chas. E. [Barber],
  on Mint of the United States letterhead, Philadelphia, Nov.
  24, 1891 to H. H. Zearing. In part: "...I suppose you know
  there is no machine that will give a finished work, the reduction
  in [?] case statuette or die requiring considerable labor to
  finish. I therefore take it for granted you wish me to furnish the
  die finished, reduced from your mold. The cost of a pair of dies
  such as you desire will be about $200.00....[I] would prefer
  having the model if you have it, say three or four inches larger
  than medal required..."

  The cataloger adds: "Particularly interesting is the fact that it
  appears Barber has undertaken work beyond his official duties
  at the Mint, likely in violation of his position."

  [Moonlighting among mint engravers is nothing new, is it?
  Has there ever been a ban on mint employees performing
  outside work?  -Editor]

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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