Assay office


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.
Historical Examples

There is little left here, though the assay office, built up against a massive square rock still stands.
The Lake of the Sky George Wharton James

I’ve seen him like this before—the night he shot our own men in the assay office.
The La Chance Mine Mystery Susan Carleton Jones

He was partner with a man named Hogan in an assay office and knew a good many mine managers and superintendents.
The Lilac Girl Ralph Henry Barbour

The duty is paid at the assay office at the time the goods are sent to be marked.
The Silversmith’s Handbook George E. Gee

All the places I had to search for her were the stable and the assay office.
The La Chance Mine Mystery Susan Carleton Jones

“I have had it stamped at the assay office, father,” she replied.
Jack and the Check Book John Kendrick Bangs

The house in which he was born was a large yellow mansion, standing on the spot on which the assay office has since been built.
A Discourse on the Life, Character and Writings of Gulian Crommelin Verplanck William Cullen Bryant

“That’s the assay office estimate,” said the miller, with a smile.
Jack and the Check Book John Kendrick Bangs

They had for the former purpose an assay office more than 500 years ago, which is mentioned in their books.
Old and New London Walter Thornbury

The maker put his stamp on the piece prior to sending it to the assay office.
Chats on Old Sheffield Plate Arthur Hayden

Read Also:

  • Assay ton

    a unit of weight used in assaying ore, equivalent to 29.167 grams. Historical Examples Even if half an assay ton has been taken the only calculation needed is multiplying the milligrams by two. A Textbook of Assaying: For the Use of Those Connected with Mines. Cornelius Beringer and John Jacob Beringer See note 27, p. […]

  • Assayer

    to examine or analyze: to assay a situation; to assay an event. Metallurgy. to analyze (an ore, alloy, etc.) in order to determine the quantity of gold, silver, or other metal in it. Pharmacology. to subject (a drug) to an analysis for the determination of its potency or composition. to judge the quality of; assess; […]

  • Assayers

    to examine or analyze: to assay a situation; to assay an event. Metallurgy. to analyze (an ore, alloy, etc.) in order to determine the quantity of gold, silver, or other metal in it. Pharmacology. to subject (a drug) to an analysis for the determination of its potency or composition. to judge the quality of; assess; […]

  • Assaying

    to examine or analyze: to assay a situation; to assay an event. Metallurgy. to analyze (an ore, alloy, etc.) in order to determine the quantity of gold, silver, or other metal in it. Pharmacology. to subject (a drug) to an analysis for the determination of its potency or composition. to judge the quality of; assess; […]

  • Assegai

    the slender javelin or spear of the Bantu-speaking people of southern Africa. a southern African tree, Curtisia dentata, of the dogwood family, from whose wood such spears are made. to pierce with an assegai. Historical Examples These presently formed into one dense brown mass, with their assegai blades glinting sharply in the rays of the […]


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