The maker of die and bar stamps 0

[RWB]

Sets of steel letter stamps were mad for the US Mints by an outside contractor. This letter identifies the person doing the work in 1885.

May 6, 1885

Calvin J. Coles, Esq., Assayer in Charge

U.S. Assay Office

Charlotte, N.C.

Sir:

            In reply to your inquiry of April 30^th ulto., I beg to say state that Mr. F. J. Rentlinger, No. 57 North 7^th Street, Philadelphia, whose card I enclose, makes all the steel stamps for numbering and lettering bars for this Mint, the new Orleans Mint, and the Western Mints, and Assay Offices

            For sizes No. 1 to 6 inclusive, he charges fifty cents for each letter or figure. For Nos. 7 and 8, seventy-five cents each; and for No. 9, one dollar each. These are his regular prices, and his work is of the best.

Very respectfully,

A. Loudon Snowden, Superintendent

Edited November 7, 2022 by RWB