WATSON U.S. MINT HISTORY BOOK Público Deposited
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.- 2002-10-13
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