Magnetic Characters of Metals ^ ^'c. 87 



47. In addition to the facts enumerated in the first section of 

 this memoir, further investigations have led to the discovery 

 of others of a no less interesting character. By extending 

 the examination of British silver coins, I find that the vv^hole 

 of them are more or less magnetic. The half-crowns of the 

 present reign that have come under my observation are cer- 

 tainly all magnetic, and some of them display considerably 

 high magnetic powers, more especially those of the years 

 1842, 1844, and 1845 ; and a Victoria shilling, coined in the 

 year 1842, is still more magnetic than any of the half- 

 crowns. 



48. The half-crowns of George the Fourth are, in general, 

 highly magnetic, though but very few of them display such 

 high magnetic powers as some of those of William the Fourth, 

 There is something remarkable in the following fact : — I have 

 not met with any of the half-crowns of George the Third 

 that are so powerfully magnetic as those of subsequent coin- 

 age. 



49. With respect to silver ornaments, silver medallions, and 

 silver articles for domestic purposes, they differ materially 

 in their magnetic characters ; but, generally, they are more 

 highly magnetic than the British silver coins (30). 



50. The large silver medal of the Society of Arts for the 

 year 1825, weighs nearly two and a half ounces ; yet it does 

 not display even the slightest degree of magnetic action, by the 

 most severe test to which I have subjected it ; whilst a small 

 silver medallion of the Commonwealth, representing Lord 

 Essex on one side, and the tvvo houses of parliament on the 

 other, was found to be more highly magnetic than any of the 

 previously named coins. A small silver medallion of Charles 

 the Second, exhibited a slight degree of magnetic action. 

 An Indian rupee that I examined, shewed no magnetic action 

 whatever.* 



51. The present gold coinage of this country is, in general. 



* For the use of these medallions and the Indian Coin, I am indebted to my 

 friend G. Waring Ormerod, Esq. 



