Informer: Fort Knox vaults hold $6.2B in gold bullion
Last Modified: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 5:53 PM
By Andrew Perzo / American Press
Is it politically correct to ask how much gold is in Fort Knox? And if so, how much gold is in Fort Knox?
The U.S. Bullion Depository at Fort Knox, Ky., contains 147.3 million ounces — or 9.2 million pounds — of gold, which is worth $6.2 billion, according to the U.S. Mint. The vaults received their first stocks of gold in January 1937.
“A government ‘gold train,’ loaded with an estimated $200,000,000 worth of glittering bricks of bullion, sped here today with the first treasure for a new bomb-proof depository,” reads a national dispatch filed from Kentucky on Jan. 13, 1937, and printed the following day in the American Press.
“Soldiers, secret service men, postal inspectors and mint guards kept an alert watch over the precious cargo as it rumbled across the country from Philadelphia last night. ... The new super-safe vault is protected by every device known to treasury experts. Because it is inland it is safe from any invading army.”
Other facts about the depository, according to the U.S. Mint’s website:
The most the vaults have ever held was 649.6 million ounces, at the end of 1941.
A standard gold bar measures 7 inches by 3 5/8 inches by 1 3/4 inches and weighs about 28 pounds.
The depository was built using “16,000 cubic feet of granite, 4,200 cubic yards of concrete, 750 tons of reinforcing steel, and 670 tons of structural steel.”
“No visitors are permitted, and no exceptions are made,” reads the site.
Online: www.usmint.gov.
Crimson Tide rallied to defeat Sooners
What was the final score in the Women’s College World Series? The American Press never gave the results.
The University of Alabama defeated Oklahoma University, 5-4 — seizing the championship in the best-of-three series — thanks to a four-run fourth inning.
The newspaper didn’t carry the score because it went to press before the end of the game, whose start was held up by rain for nearly three hours and whose fourth inning was interrupted by rain for 13 minutes.
Online: www.ncaa.com.
Replacement paper will cost $345
It was in Alexandria where I got my citizenship papers, and I cannot find them — I’m in a nursing home now and just cannot find them. Could you help me and give me the number?
The number for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services help line is 800-375-5283.
To replace citizenship or naturalization papers, you must file Form N-565, “Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document.”
The form, along with instructions on completing it, is available on the agency’s website — using the drop-down menus on the left side, beneath “Find it Fast,” or the Web address at the answer’s end. You can also order it by calling 800-870-3676.
The filing fee is $345, which can be paid by check or money order, made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”
The completed form, along with the fee, should be mailed to DHS/USCIS, Texas Service Center, P.O. Box 851182, Mesquite, TX 75185-1182.
For more information, including the subsequent steps you must take, call the help line.
Online: www.uscis.gov/n-565.
The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098, press 5 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com
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