by: Johnny Kicklighter

After a recent trip to Dahlonega, Georgia, I'm became obsessed with

wanting to know more about the U.S. Mint that had been there and its

history. To say that "The Neighborhood Mint: Dahlonega in the Age of

Jackson" by Sylvia Head, Elizabeth W. Etheridge, gave me all the

information I ever wanted to know would be an understatement. Their

200-page book is packed with facts, figures, stories, and bits of

history that sometimes were overwhelming. At times you get the feeling

the authors are "beating a dead horse", but I was never left with

mysteries or unanswered questions.

Being a student of US coins, I was fascinated as to the role politics

played in the coinage of our money, establishment of mints, and whom

the mints employed. The authors drill down deep into the personalities

and motives of the individual players. Additionally, I was fascinated

to learn that Dahlonega was the site of the first American gold rush,

not California. The Dahlonega mint never did produce the coinage

anticipated by its developers for numerous reasons, which is also

explained. I wouldn't recommend this book to the fainthearted. If you

are history buff, coin collector, or a student of politics, this is a

good read. If you are not, stay away.