2<54. Effl'ifs of the Figure^ Indentation, Relief, i^e, of Metaltic Money. 



order that it may prefent a large furface j let its edges have the figure of a faw, and its face* 

 that of a file. Under thefe conditions we (hould fabricate one of the ■worft or Icaft durable 

 coins that could be chofen. For the angles would be eafily broken and worn, and the edges 

 and faces would mutually operate on each other, with a degree of rapidity which, it may b^ 

 concluded, would very foon take away all the (harp prominences, and greatly diminilh the 

 weight. On the other hatid, let us fuppofe the leafl polhble furface, and wc fhall obtain 

 the fpheiical figure *. AgainR this it appears to be an obje£\,ion, that if it be nearly per- 

 fect, the impreflions dillinclive of its purity and denomination mud be indented, and will 

 not herefore fufliciently limit its apparent magnitude ; and if they be prominent it will 

 no longer ibe a fphere, but a figure prefenting fharp angular parts with fmall bearings very 

 liable to deftruftion. — What then is the figure which fliall partake fo much of the plane, 

 as to prefent furfaces of broad contadt or bearing, and afford the leaft quantity nf angular 

 prominence ? It is evidently the cylinder: and this is the figure mod generally adopted for 

 money. The edge of tlse cylinder affords the fmallefl bearing. It mud therefore be veiy 

 fliort or fiat, in order that the weight of the piece may be difpofed to reft on the bafe, and 

 not on the edge. 



If the whole furface of a piece of metal were covered with figures or imprefflons, it 

 would be immediately feen whether any part had been abraded by accident or defign. If 

 the impreffions were concave, they might eafily be renewed by the punch or the graver ; 

 but if they were in relief, it would be almoft impolTible to reftore them when once worii 

 or obliterated. For this reafon, the preference in coinage has moftly been given to figures 

 in relief. 



It is however a very ferlous Inconvenience, that when the diftin£live marks are thus ren- 

 dered prominent, the face of the coin no longer fuftains the preflure and wear of the piece ; 

 but the marks themfelves are made to fupport the whole. Thus, in our gold money, par- 

 ticularly of the laft recoinage, the edge is a faw, and the numerous minute prominencies 

 on the face conftitutc a file, the operations of both which are feverely felt in the rapid 

 deftru^tlon of the piece \. 



Hence we may obferve, that neither kind of mark alone is fuited to a coin intended to 

 poflefs durability, and at the fame time to be difficult either to imitate or diminilh, A com , 



• The pagoda ancl fanam of India are the only coins I recolleft which approach towards this figure. 



f To place this in a more ftriking light, it may be obfcrved that the amount of gold coined between tl>e 

 years 1764 and 1772. both incluGve, v. as 8, ,203 1. 15s. 6 d. and between 1782 and 1792, boih inciufivc, was 

 19,675,6661. 14s. 6d, and between 1773 and 1777, both inclufive, was 10,1591,833 1. i s. During the middle 

 period laft mentioned the great recoinage of gold took place. I am aware that other caufcs may have cccafioned 

 a demand for coin bcfides the mere wear of the old pieces, and that the increafeof commerce and maniifaflures 

 has in faft produced luch a demand ; but as this laft event (diftinguifliable by its gradual progrefs) does not ajj- 

 pear, from the numbers in the account, to have influenced the coinage in any great proportion, I ihall difregard 

 it in the pfcfent rough ftateraent With this liberty, we may proceed to remark, ift. That as moft of the old 

 pieces ilifappeared during the middle term of time the number of nineteen, or fay twenty millions muft nearly re- 

 prefcnt the whole of our gold money. 2d. That the national lofs by wear in the firft period, when the gold was 

 ,.cld and fmooch, reckoned at ' per cent, on the fum recoined, was 3708 1. per annum ; and in the latter period 

 S943I. per annum: and 3d. That the whole national ftock of gold coin, under the regulations and figure of 

 the laft period, wests out and is recoined every eleven 'years. The account of coinage is to be found in the 

 Report (^,Ae fords' Ctmmittee-of Secrecy, primed April »8, 1797. 



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