The article “Growing Pains” by Nancy Oliver and Richard Kelly, published in the May 2025 issue of The Numismatist (pages 52-53), offers a detailed look at the early challenges faced by the Charlotte Mint in North Carolina from 1838 to 1861. Drawing from National Archives records, the authors outline equipment failures, such as a leaking zinc roof and broken rollers, and personnel issues, including conflicts between Superintendent John Hill Wheeler and Assayer John H. Gibbon. A notable discovery is the discrepancy in the 1838 Charlotte half eagle mintage, reported as 12,886 coins by the mint but listed as 17,179 in the Red Book, suggesting this coin is rarer than previously thought. The article also highlights operational delays, such as sulfuric acid breakage and inadequate water supply, which hindered coining. This engaging account of the Charlotte Mint’s early struggles and its eventual success in producing gold coins will captivate Southern Gold Society members interested in regional numismatic history.
Reference: Oliver, Nancy, and Richard Kelly. “Growing Pains.” The Numismatist, May 2025, 52-53.