108 



give any facility in purchases or exchange, and too liable to error in 

 use. One or other will be abandoned, probably the latter, for the rea- 

 sons above stated; that is, the gold unit being the eagle, doubled by 

 the twenty dollar piece, and divided by the half and quarter eagle, 

 proportionate arrangements amply sufficient for all practical pur- 

 poses. 



With regard to the quantity and proportions of gold coin, it is un- 

 necessary to speculate. There is, probably, an abundant supply. If 

 not, it is easy to coin any amount that may be necessary with the 

 means at our command. 



Silver coin appears to present some need of elucidation ; with this 

 object the following views are presented. 



The silver dollar remains at its weight as enacted by the older 

 mint laws, for reasons that do not affect the condition of the silver 

 currency. It is sufficient to say that, under present circumstances, 

 it will not circulate or affect the currency in any material manner. 



The half dollar may be considered the largest silver piece or unit, 

 for present purposes. 



The following Table, giving the names, number of pieces of differ- 

 ent denominations, in one thousand dollars value, and ratio per cent., 

 is first presented. 



Names. No. of pieces. Value. Ratio per cent. 



Half dollar, $.50 2,000 $1000 16f 



Quarter dollar, .25 4,000 1000 16f 



Dime, .10 10,000 1000 16| 



Half dime, .05 20,000 1000 16| 



Three cent, .03 33,333^ 1000 16f 



Cent, .01 100,000 1000 IGf 



The general principle which appears to be applicable to this mat- 

 ter is, that two quarters are equivalent to one half dollar, and two 

 dimes and one half dime to one quarter dollar, the whole view is pre- 

 sented in the following table: 



Half dollar, 1 



Quarter dollar. Two to one half dollar, . . 12 

 Dime. Two and one half dime to one quarter doll. 1 2h 5 

 Half dime. Two to one dime, and one to one quar- 

 ter dollar, 1 2 5 10 



Three cents. One to one half dime and two cents, 1 1| 3^8^ 16f 

 Cent. Three to one tlirec cent piece and two to one 



half dime, 3 6 10 25 60 



