At last a new Mint director to be appointed?

How do we get a new Mint director and an old one at the same time?

President Donald Trump has found the answer by expressing his intention to fill the chair at the Mint that has been vacant since early 2011.

David J. Ryder’s name is to be nominated and sent to the U.S. Senate.

This is good news.

While I cannot say he is a friend of mine, I can say I have met him.

I have talked to him. I like him. My impressions are from his first time as Mint director in 1992-1993.

It will be gratifying for him to be back, I am sure.

He was forward looking and energetic.

But his term was a short one because the 1992 election changed the party in power.

The Mint directorship is one of those political patronage appointments.

It is not Civil Service as is the case at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

A new President means a new Mint director – usually.

In this case, we can say a new President means an old Mint director will return.

Historically, this is unusual, but not unknown.

However, Ryder will be coming back to a job after nearly a quarter century.

Such a gap in time is unprecedented.

Looking back at others who served twice, we can see on the list Mint Director James Pollock, 1861-1866 and 1869-1873.

Henry Richard Linderman’s terms were 1867-1869 and 1873-1878.

George Roberts served 1898-1907 and 1910-1914.

So you could say a three-year gap is standard.

Twenty-four years will be interesting.

Ryder has other government experience, but he is no stranger to the private sector.

In the White House intent to nominate statement, it was noted that Ryder served as manager and managing director of currency for Honeywell Authentication Technologies and also as CEO of Secure Products Corporation, which was acquired by Honeywell in 2007.

Ryder also was Deputy Treasurer of the United States, Assistant to the Vice President and Deputy Chief of Staff to Vice President Daniel Quayle.

Let’s hope the Senate acts on this nomination quickly.

There is a lot of work to do at the Mint.

Buzz blogger Dave Harper won the Numismatic Literary Guild Award for Best Blog for the third time in 2017 . He is editor of the weekly newspaper "Numismatic News."

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