MINT ENGRAVER EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Público Deposited
The E-Sylum: Volume 7, Number 11, March 14, 2004, Article 11
MINT ENGRAVER EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
George Kolbe writes: "A lot in the June 1, 2004 Ford Library
auction sheds light on mint engravers and their activities. It is a
February 2, 1945 letter from Adam Pietz, Assistant Engraver
at the Mint from 1927 to 1946, to Wayte Raymond. The early
text responds to Wayte Raymond's inquiries concerning "dies
made in 44," and "the metal all the recent issues were struck in."
Pietz also expresses dissatisfaction with conditions there:
"Strange as it may seem to you, under this present gang, we
are not allowed to have a strike of any coin, we engrave or
design, so I will look up my records to give you the various
metals." Pietz thanks Raymond for a referral, and asks him to
"please tell Dr. Driggs not to have a competition, as then some
favorite will surely take the award. As my time for retirement
has been extended to 6 mo. after the war, I am naturally getting
ready to conduct my own business again. During Nov & Dec.
I received a great many calls to engrave coats of arms on signet
rings, book plates etc. and it just about makes one break even.
The disgraceful salary at the Mint would not keep me. Art and
years of experience does not mean a thing here."- 2004-03-14
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