Watch List notes:

United States Government. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TRANSMITTING A REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE MINT, SHOWING THE OPERATIONS OF THAT INSTITUTION DURING THE YEAR 1838. 25th Congress, 3d Session / Ho. of Reps. Executive Doc. No. 97. (Washington; Thomas Allen, printer), January 19, 1839. 8vo, self-covered. 6, (2) pages. Removed from previous binding. Very good. A rare Mint Report, prepared by R.M Patterson and transmitted by President Martin Van Buren to the United States Congress. This particular report is interesting for its discussion of the new southern mints. Patterson writes, "The Branch Mint at New Orleans received its first deposits of bullion on the 8th of March, and commenced operations immediately afterwards. The demand for silver change led the officers to confine the coinage to dimes; of which 367,434 were struck before the end of July, when the work was interrupted... The Branch Mint at Charlotte commenced its operations in December, 1837, and has received deposits of gold to the value of $130,600. The amount of coinage has been $84,165, composed of 12,886 half-eagles, and 7,894 quarter-eagles. The Branch Mint at Dahlonega commenced its operations in February, and has received deposits of gold to the value of $141,800. The amount of its coinage has been $102,915, composed of 20,583 half-eagles. The difficulties naturally incident to any new undertaking have been fully presented at the branch mints, and it would, therefore, not be just to form conclusions as to their importance and efficiency from the operations of the past year. They are now, however, in good condition, and the officers and men have acquired the necessary experience. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the labors at the branch mints, during the present year, will be such as to satisfy the expectations which led to their establishment." The Mint Reports of the 1830s are rarely encountered: we have not handled a copy of the 1838 report since at least the 1980s.