assay office

American  

noun

1. a local testing station for assaying ore, as gold or silver, especially a government station maintained in connection with the registration of mineral claims, purchases of gold, or the like.

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Etymology

Origin of assay office

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

assay office

He sent the pebbles to an assay office.

From New York Times ● Dec. 5, 2022

Not one to surrender easily, McHugh decided on his own motivational tactic: He flew to Delaware, walked into a U.S. government assay office, and asked for $25,000 worth of gold.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 10, 2017

On this date in 1881, James Finely brought a sample of ore to the assay office of the Hermosa Mining Co. at Harshaw which assayed at 823.77 ounces of silver to the ton.

From Washington Times ● Jun. 2, 2017

With its famous anchor mark stamped on its grand facade, the nearby Birmingham assay office, where new jewellery and other finery is brought to be hallmarked, is having a lean time.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 26, 2011

There is little left here, though the assay office, built up against a massive square rock still stands.

From The Lake of the Sky Lake Tahoe in the High Sierras of California and Nevada, its History, Indians, Discovery by Frémont, Legendary Lore, Various Namings, Physical Characteristics, Glacial Phenomena, Geology, Single Outlet, Automobile Routes, Historic Towns, Early Mining Excitements, Steamer Ride, Mineral Springs, Mountain and Lake Resorts, Trail and Camping Out Trips, Summer Residences, Fishing, Hunting, Flowers, Birds, Animals, Trees, and Chaparral, with a Full Account of the Tahoe National Forest, the Public Use of the Water of Lake Tahoe and Much Other Interesting Matter by George Wharton James