Q: Why did the San Francisco Mint ever bother to strike a mere 24 dimes in 1894? A: The reason isn't know with certainty. A 1905 explanation, attributed to the Mint, maintains that they were struck at the end of the fiscal year when it was discovered that $2.40 in struck coins was needed to balance the books of the branch mint. Another opinion holds that the 24 dimes were struck arbitrarily by the Mint superintendent to give to his friends. Does anyone really know?
Well according to Hallie Daggett the daughter of the superintendent of the S mint at the time. Her father was entertaining 7 guest that were bankers and had the 24 dimes minted to give 3 to each of them including young Hallie. Apparently Hallie used one on ice cream and then sold the other 2 in the 50's. The idea that they were struck to balance the books can be put to rest by the simple fact that the dies were specially prepared and the coins were well struck. One would assume that if they were just trying to balance the books they wouldn't have taken the time to make proof like examples.
That makes alot of sence. Are these coins illegal to own? I ask because what right does a mint superintendent have to just mint coins that havn't been approved and just pass them out...
They certainly don't have any right and know that somewhere down the road the coins they have minted are gonna be worth a mint but it certainly makes ya wonder especially in this specific example...
They sure as heck should be illegal to own. By not doing so, gives government employees the ability to produce a rarity for themselves and family/friends, guaranteeing they'll never have to work again. If I could ever afford one of these "rarities", I wouldn't legitimize them by purchasing one.
Im not familiar with the process of minting coins but I know its perfectly legal to own these coins and MINT workers would never get away with this today. you gotta understand this was 1894 and word was that San Francisco was confident that there was going to be a larger order for coins than just the 24 giving away. This could have happend for years at that mint and nobody ever got wind of it because they were pumping out millions of dimes a year to cover up the superintendents acts of hospitality. Who knows?
Several years back there was a boo published on the 189-S dime that explained the how and why of the creation of the piece. I'm not sure but I think it was written by David Lange. It contains much new research on the matter. I don't believe there would have been any problem back in 1894 if the Director had requested 24 dimes as long as he paid for them. the quest could probably have been made through any bank as well and would have been honored as long as there were no older dimes on hand. it might have even been possible for private citizens to have done so through the Mints Cash window although they would have had to wait for the coins to be struck. (Back then th mint was much more accommodating to such requests. They were unlikely to have occured at the San Francisco mint though as most collectors of the day would have preferred to order a proof coin from the Philadelphia Mint rather than have a mere Unc coin from the local one. You must remember that at the time no one really cared about mintmarks and an 1894-S dime would not have been considered to be any better than an 1894 P. Only the most extremely fanatic collector tried to collect the mintmarked coins as well. Most collectors didn't even know what date and mint combinations even existed. Had the author wrong, it was Kevin Flynn, the title was The 1894-S Dime A Mystery Unraveled. There are six copies available on ebay right now for $23 and one on Amazon for $30. (I have no connection to the sellers of these books, public service announcement only. Frankly I don't own a copy and I am seriously considering one.)
Conder, if you snag one of those books let us no of important info. If I were a serious dime collector I would want a copy of that book...
