Dec. 3, 1869.] ^OO [Du Uois. 



Stated Meeting, Dec. 3i7, 1839. 

 Present, fifteen members. 

 Dr. Wood, President, iu the Chair. 



Letters of acknowledgment and envo}^, and donations for the 

 Library, were received from the Swedish Bureau of Statistics, 

 Prussian Academy, Physical Society at Greneva, M. M. de 

 Mortillet and de Reffye, Captain Tojnibee, the Linnean Society, 

 Franklin Institute, Editors of "Nature," Mr. Isaac Lea, Mr. 

 Dubois, Prof. Haldeman, and Mr. Worthen, of Illinois. 



Mr. Du Bois exhibited to the Society, some specimens of silver coiin 

 "which have just been struck at tlie Mint, in illustration of the plan sug- 

 gested in a pamphlet vphich lies on the table. There are three pieces of 

 the same devices, of 50, 25, and 10 cents. There are also two pieces of 50 

 ceuts, of various devices, with a view to afford a choice, in case the plan 

 should be adopted and legalized. The head of Liberty on one of these, 

 wearing a ca^), is copied from the statue at the Capitol. 



The dies were designed and executed by the present engraver of the 

 Mint, Mr. William Barber ; with the aid of the Hill Engraving Machine. 



The main idea which lies at the root of the proposed plan, is, that gold 

 is, properly speaking, the only measure of market values ; while silvei' 

 should be used only as a subsidiary or fractional currency. It may, or it 

 may not, be of full weight, corresponding to the average comparison with 

 gold. If it is so, it is sure to be snatched away, exported, or buried, 

 whenever a suspension of specie piayment occurs. If it be of reduced 

 Aveight, it will still chculate and perform its functions, although the gold 

 be missing. But at such reduced weight, it should be legally limited, as 

 to amount of issue ; and there should also be a close limit of legal tender. 

 With these two safeguards, it would be equally current, whether gold 

 were at a premium, or at par, as compared with bank paper. 



The measure of weight last concluded upon, in striking these specimens, 

 is 154 grains for the half dollar ; the lesser pieces in proj)ortion. This is 

 four-fifths of the weight of the present silver coins. It also agrees (very 

 closely) with ten grammes of French metrology. Further, it would be 

 220 neio grains, if the proposed plan of decimalizing the avoirdupois 

 pound be accepted. And once more, it allows the Mint to buy silver for 

 this coinage, at any line of premium on gold under 30 per cent, as com- 

 pared with bank notes. 



It would therefore, if legally adopted, be current immediately. Further 

 details will be found in the pamphlet referred to. 



Mr. Du Bois also exhibited a onedal ^nst struck at the Mint, to celebrate 

 the union of the two oceans by Railway. On the obverse is the head of 

 President Grant, from an original design. It was deemed proper to indi- 

 cate under whose administration this great work was completed. On the 

 reverse is a scene representing a train of cars passing from ocean to ocean. 



