“everything smooth, regular and comparatively noiseless” — Seated Liberty Dime Coin

Today, the Seated Liberty Dime Coin remembers when the new branch mint at Carson City, Nevada invited people to witness a trial run of their machinery on November 1, 1869.

From the Carson Daily Appeal newspaper of Carson City, Nevada November 2, 1869:

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The Mint Machinery in Motion.

By Superintendent Curry’s invitation we yesterday went to witness the working of the Carson Branch Mint machinery which, in the afternoon, had been set in motion four “a trial trip.”

Brand new as it all is, it worked like the “works” of a watch—everything smooth, regular and comparatively noiseless.

The engine is a model of nice construction and the milling, coining, cutting and other machines attest the accuracy of their make and adjustment by a delicacy of movement which is surprising to behold.

Great praise is due to Col. Curry and his able assistants, particularly to Mr. Staley, the engineer in charge.

In this connection it is proper to state that the Mint is in complete readiness for the business of refining, assaying and coining — or could be rendered so in a few hours at the furthest.

It would be in operation now, coining money were it not for some vexatious delays which are, in a measure chargeable to “the powers that be” at Washington.

The hitch which is the most difficult to overcome is in consequence of the delay in forwarding the commission of the Melter and Refiner, Mr. T. M. Luther of White Pine County.

Had that instrument been sent it is doubtful if Mr. Luther would qualify inasmuch as he would be requiredto abandon his lucrative assaying business and attend to the duties of his office in person.

But if the commission were placed in Mr. Luther’s hands the Superintendent could then have the means of soon determining as to whether he meant to accept the situation, and be enabled, if that gentleman did not do so, to apprise the authorities at Washington, thus opening a way for the appointment of a melter and refiner who would take the place.

We are in hopes, however, that Luther’s commission will reach him before much further delay and that he will conclude to accept it.

The croakers against the Carson Mint may as well subside; for it is an inevitable fact that it is not only completed and ready for business, but that it will prove to be a live and thoroughly practicable institution, beneficial alike to the government and the people.

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The Seated Liberty Dime Coin shows with an image of Carson City, Nevada, circa 1860.

Seated Liberty Dime Coin