18 July - The Half Disme

Our band had been waiting to hear back from the assayer regarding our half disme at the Bank of America.  Indeed, it was a lengthy stay, even after the assayer had arrived.  Quite a bit of individuals entering and leaving the office in which they examined our half disme.  Personally, I did not imagine so many people would take so long just to convert our American currency into banknotes of the Spanish Territory.

Finally the bank manager, Warren, and the assayer brought us into the office.  Sacagawea stayed in the waiting area so Little Pomp could continue occupying himself with the puzzles there.

The manager inquired where we might have acquired the half disme which they repeatedly referred to as a "dime."  I just assumed the term was the Spanish tongue for half disme.  Jean Baptise told the gentlemen we had obtained the coin before we departed Missouri.  The assayer was amazed at the pristine nature of the coin.  Warren asked us if we were willing to exchange the coin, and any others we possessed, for a bank account.  Clark immediately objected.  We needed banknotes to finish our travel through the Spanish Territory.  An account would do us no good.  Warren insisted our band would earn a considerable amount of banknotes for the coin.  The bank branch currently did not possess all the currency the coin would warrant, which also alarmed Clark.  What was explained to us was the account would contain the total we had earned, and would be accessible at our leisure by "checks."  We understood this was a form of a promissory note.  Warren insisted there were many Banks of America across the region, so we should expect no problem obtaining funds from our account.  Clark inquired how many banknotes our currency was worth.  The assayer told us the half disme was worth four thousand dollars due to its condition.  Any other coins of similar type would be worth a similar total.  Jean Baptise offered our other half disme and seven cents.  Warren then told us we could have a bank account of 78,500 dollars.  The three of us were left speechless.  This was far more money than we could ever have imagined.  Clark shook on it and Warren lead us through the process of establishing our "check" account.

Sacagawea was amazed when we told her the news.  How could this be possible?  But, indeed, it was true.

Our band then headed back to the impound place to retrieve Jeep.

Until Later, My Friends.