If privatization the future for coin production?
stonej
Mike Marotta
> http://www.numismaster.com/ta/numis/Article.jsp?ad=article&ArticleId=...
From that article:
"... former Mint director Jay Johnson to respond directly to proposals
floating inside the Bush Administration.
Johnson at the time said, "Privatization of the U.S. Mint would
reflect exactly the opposite intent of our Founding Fathers and a
great disservice to the American people. The U.S. Mint was established
by the U.S. Constitution, formally created in 1792 and the Mint
building was the first federal building established by the new
government. I believe it would demean the very sovereignty of the
United States to have its coinage made by private companies. The
minting of U.S. coinage is, at it's very essence, a function of the
government." "
Well, yes, the Mint director would say that the Mint is important.
However, it is _not_ in the Constitution. (See below.) The
provisions in the Constitution give Congress the _power_ but do not
specify how that is to be enacted. By comparision, Congress has the
power to establish post offices and post roads. Who builds the roads
or carries the mail is a different topic entirely. Today, while we do
see those uniformed couriers on our streets, much of the mail is
carried under contract. In fact, much is SORTED under contract, which
is why the work gets done across federal holidays when the USPS
employees are absent.
So, too, with the Mint. One or more contractors could make coins to
government specifications.
In fact, if you look at your paper money, the FW refers to a contract
printer in Fort Worth. The old BPE also quit making postage stamps.
Those are contracted out.
---------------------
Art I. Section 8
To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and
fix the standard of weights and measures;
To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and
current coin of the United States;
Art I. Section 10.
No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or confederation;
grant letters of marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of
credit; make anything but gold and silver coin a tender in payment of
debts;
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Nothing in there about a Mint.
Mike M.
Michael E. Marotta
"strict constructionist"