ASSAYERS
Albion Cox
1st Mint Assayer
1793 - 1795
Albion Cox (17?? - 1795) Cox was involved with coining the state coppers of New Jersey in 1786. Due to being sued by his companions in that venture however, he was condemned to debtor's prison, but escaped to England. Ironically in 1793, he was offered the position of Assayer with the United States Mint, although he was not anxious to return to America. Cox was provisionally engaged with the Mint on March 8th, 1793, and purchased assaying equipment to bring back to America. Both he and the equipment arrived on May 2nd, 1793, aboard the ship “Pigou”.
Both Henry Voigt (Coiner) and Albion Cox (Assayer), were unable to post the bonds required by law so that they could handle the silver and gold bullion, preventing coinage in those metals. Only after the bonds were lowered by an act of Congress on March 3rd, 1794, was Cox officially commissioned as Mint Assayer on April 4th, 1794. Early in 1795, when Congress was investigating the Mint and ideas were being put forth to end the establishment, Cox recommended John Harper as a person to perhaps contract the coinage with. In July, in coming Mint Director DeSaussure wrote the President stating that Cox most likely would not remain with the Mint and was preparing to go into business on his own account. However, for reasons unknown, he remained with the Mint until after DeSaussure had resigned and was replaced by Elias Boudinot in October, 1795.
On Friday November 27th, 1795, Cox died from a sudden apoplectic fit. Mint Director Boudinot wrote in a report a week later " ...the sudden & unexpected death of the Assayer Mr. Albion Cox, on Friday last by an apoplectic fit, deprived the Mint of an intelligent officer, essentially necessary, to the future progress in the coinage of the precious metals...Until this officer is replaced, the business at the Mint must be confined to striking cents only."
Both Henry Voigt (Coiner) and Albion Cox (Assayer), were unable to post the bonds required by law so that they could handle the silver and gold bullion, preventing coinage in those metals. Only after the bonds were lowered by an act of Congress on March 3rd, 1794, was Cox officially commissioned as Mint Assayer on April 4th, 1794. Early in 1795, when Congress was investigating the Mint and ideas were being put forth to end the establishment, Cox recommended John Harper as a person to perhaps contract the coinage with. In July, in coming Mint Director DeSaussure wrote the President stating that Cox most likely would not remain with the Mint and was preparing to go into business on his own account. However, for reasons unknown, he remained with the Mint until after DeSaussure had resigned and was replaced by Elias Boudinot in October, 1795.
On Friday November 27th, 1795, Cox died from a sudden apoplectic fit. Mint Director Boudinot wrote in a report a week later " ...the sudden & unexpected death of the Assayer Mr. Albion Cox, on Friday last by an apoplectic fit, deprived the Mint of an intelligent officer, essentially necessary, to the future progress in the coinage of the precious metals...Until this officer is replaced, the business at the Mint must be confined to striking cents only."
Joseph Richardson Jr.
2nd Mint Assayer
1795 - 1831
2nd Mint Assayer
1795 - 1831
Joseph Richardson Jr. (1752 - 1831), was born in Philadelphia on December 4th, 1752. Richardson was a Philadelphia silversmith and son of silversmith Joseph Richardson Sr. His father was the engraver of medals for the Quaker Society, the 1757 Indian Peace medals and possibly also executed the Colonel Armstrong Kittaning medal. The younger Richardson designed and engraved the oval shaped Indian Peace medals used during Washington’s Presidency, especially those used for the Treaty of Greenville in 1795. Richardson worked in both gold and silver and was in partnership with his brother, Nathaniel Richardson, from 1785 to 1791 in the firm of Joseph and Nathaniel Richardson. Later, he was in partnership with James Howell under the name of Richardson & Co. Richardson was also a well known Philadelphian Quaker.
After the death of Albion Cox, Charles Gilchrist, who provided the security for Cox, applied for the position of Mint Assayer. However, Richardson was appointed by President Washington on December 12th, 1795. He served faithfully in the position for the next 35 years and passed away while still in office, on March 11th, 1831.
After the death of Albion Cox, Charles Gilchrist, who provided the security for Cox, applied for the position of Mint Assayer. However, Richardson was appointed by President Washington on December 12th, 1795. He served faithfully in the position for the next 35 years and passed away while still in office, on March 11th, 1831.
John Richardson
3rd Mint Assayer
1831 - 1832
3rd Mint Assayer
1831 - 1832
John Richardson (1790 - 1866), was born on May 13th, 1790. The son of Joseph Richardson Jr., John was engaged as the assistant assayer at the Mint for ten years prior to his father's death and was highly skilled in that regard, according to Mint Director Samuel Moore.
John was appointed as the Mint Assayer upon his father's death on March 31st. 1831. However, he resigned a year later in April of 1832, due to finding the employment uncongenial to his tastes. Even though he decided the work was not for him, he was still considered a good man and was highly esteemed. Later he became a book dealer, and passed away on October 1st, 1866.
John was appointed as the Mint Assayer upon his father's death on March 31st. 1831. However, he resigned a year later in April of 1832, due to finding the employment uncongenial to his tastes. Even though he decided the work was not for him, he was still considered a good man and was highly esteemed. Later he became a book dealer, and passed away on October 1st, 1866.
Jacob R. Eckfeldt
4th Mint Assayer
1832 - 1872
4th Mint Assayer
1832 - 1872
Jacob R. Eckfeldt (1803 - 1872), was born in Philadelphia in March of 1803. Jacob was the eldest son of Chief Coiner Adam and Margaretta Eckfeldt and was educated at the classical academy of a Dr. Wylie and Mr. Engles. Early on, he was employed as a subordinate manager at a cotton mill in Trenton for several years until that business faltered. He began employment at the Mint in the parting room under Joseph Cloud, the then current Melter and Refiner.
On April 30th, 1832 he was appointed as the Mint Assayer to replace the resigning John Richardson. During 1834, he and his foreman were stricken with small pox, but both soon recovered. On October 19th, 1835, he married Emily M. Levering of Philadelphia. To this union was born a son, Jacob Bausch Eckfeldt, who eventually went to work in the Mint under his father in 1865.
Together with his good friend and Brother-in-law William E. DuBois, Eckfeldt authored a book in 1842, titled “A Manual of Gold and Silver Coins of All Nations, Struck Within The Past Century”. They would again collaborate in 1850 on the book, “New Varieties of Gold and Silver Coins, Counterfeit Coins and Bullion, with Mint Values”.
After forty years in the position of Mint Assayer, he passed away on August 9th, 1872. William E. DuBois was appointed in his place and his son Jacob B. was appointed as assistant Assayer at the same time.
On April 30th, 1832 he was appointed as the Mint Assayer to replace the resigning John Richardson. During 1834, he and his foreman were stricken with small pox, but both soon recovered. On October 19th, 1835, he married Emily M. Levering of Philadelphia. To this union was born a son, Jacob Bausch Eckfeldt, who eventually went to work in the Mint under his father in 1865.
Together with his good friend and Brother-in-law William E. DuBois, Eckfeldt authored a book in 1842, titled “A Manual of Gold and Silver Coins of All Nations, Struck Within The Past Century”. They would again collaborate in 1850 on the book, “New Varieties of Gold and Silver Coins, Counterfeit Coins and Bullion, with Mint Values”.
After forty years in the position of Mint Assayer, he passed away on August 9th, 1872. William E. DuBois was appointed in his place and his son Jacob B. was appointed as assistant Assayer at the same time.