Edgefield Advertiser

Counterfeit Gold Coin. The last Dahlonega Times contains the following letter, to which we invite the attention of the public.

To The Editor of the Dahlonega Times.

Sir:—Permit me through the columns of your paper, to caution the public against Counterfeit Quarter Eagles.—A counterfeit quarter eagle was brought to the Mint to-day, in order to compare it with the genuine coin, and test its weight and the quality of the metal. This piece purported to be struck at the Mint in this place in 1843; the date was evidently made twice on the die; the first being too much to the right, was defaced and the second punched in on the erasure, which gave an indistinctness to the figures; the impression on both sides had the appearance of being rounded, as though the dies had been made by casting, or by some other process from a correct coin; the beaded and blank borders were equal to the coin struck at the Mint; the milling on the edge was defective and appeared as though the lines were nearly filled up. Each quarter eagle issued from the Mint contains sixty-four and a half grains, but this piece was found to weigh only forty and a half grains; on cutting the edge with a knife and applying acid, it was shown to be composed of brass, (a composition of zinc and copper,) and gilt either by the electro galvanic process, or by the ordinary modes of gilding, as the acid would not affect any part but where the surface was removed; the appearance as to color was tolerably good, sufficiently so to pass readily along with the genuine coin that are a little worn.

Persons dealing in gold coin would do well to pay attention to the weight, as there is but little danger of receiving counterfeits where this point is attended to. Respectfully,

D. H. MASON, Coiner.

DAHLONEGA, June 10, 1844.