Someone told me some years ago that while Mary Brooks was Director of the US Mint, she ordered the Mint's archives destroyed. My understanding is that the older records were sent elsewhere before her time (the National Archives?). What she destroyed were the records for the late 1800's up into the 20th century. Can someone confirm this and tell me what years have been lost?

I don't want to see Mary Brooks slandered needlessly, as it was Stella Hackel who ordered the destruction of old records as part of President Carter's program to reduce government waste. Mary Brooks was a friend to numismatics who oversaw the restoration of the Old San Francisco Mint and its opening as a museum in 1973.

In 2009 the Bureau of the Mint in Washington, DC is hoarding records dating back to the 19th century that should have been turned over to the National Archives. They are COMPLETELY CLOSED to researchers. My hope is that the new administration in Washington will have a more enlightened and numismatically friendly attitude.

Here's a tip for numismatic researchers: The Denver mint has tons of records from all the U. S. mints. I know this from two people who were fortunate enough to take a gander at them. This is probably where the records were moved. I would love to see someone get in there and shed all kinds of new light on the U. S. Mint.