Julius Patton facts for kids

Julius Madeville Patton (born February 8, 1818 – died April 26, 1887) was an important American official. He was the fifth superintendent of the Dahlonega Mint, a place where gold coins were made. He held this important job from 1853 until 1860.

Julius Patton: Mint Superintendent

Early Life and Role at the Mint

Julius Madeville Patton was born in 1818. He became the superintendent of the Dahlonega Mint in 1853. This was a very important role, as he was in charge of making gold coins for the United States. He worked there for seven years.

The Dahlonega Mint Fire

In 1857, a fire broke out at the Dahlonega Mint. Because of the fire, the mint had to close for the rest of the year. Julius Patton, who was from New York, returned home after the fire.

The San Francisco Mint Steps In

With the Dahlonega Mint closed, another mint had to take over its coin-making tasks. The San Francisco Mint was chosen because it was ahead of its own schedule. It successfully finished the extra work on time.

The Mystery of the Gold Box

After the coins were made in San Francisco, they were loaded onto a ship. During this time, a special iron box belonging to Julius Patton was accidentally opened. This box held about 20 valuable coins. One of these was a very rare "Specimen Strike" coin that Julius himself had made at Dahlonega.

When people realized these coins belonged to Julius, they were quickly gathered. The coins were put back into his iron box, which was then locked again.

The S.S. Central America: A Ship of Gold

The ship carrying the gold coins from San Francisco was named the S.S. Central America. It was nicknamed the "Ship of Gold" because it carried over 4 tons of American gold coins and bars. This ship was headed for New York.

However, early in its journey, the S.S. Central America sailed into a powerful hurricane. The winds were incredibly strong, reaching over 105 miles per hour. The ship was badly damaged and sank on September 11, 1857. It was officially declared lost the next day. The sinking of this ship caused a financial panic in 1857.

Julius Patton's Lasting Impact

Julius Patton's story, especially with his special box of coins, became part of a larger tale. The S.S. Central America and its treasure were lost for many years.

The Search for the Shipwreck

In the late 1980s, a treasure hunter named Tommy Thompson found the shipwreck. It is said that he hid Julius Patton's iron box during the first recovery of items from the ship. Years later, his actions related to the shipwreck led to his capture.

The Future of the Story

The exciting story of Tommy Thompson, Julius Patton's iron box, the rare coins, and the S.S. Central America is being made into a movie. This film is expected to be released in the near future. It will tell the tale of the lost gold and the events that followed its discovery.