Remarks on the production of the precious metals: and on the demonetization of gold in several countries in EuropeFaucher, Léon
History
Remarks on the production of the precious metals: and on the demonetization of gold in several countries in Europe
Faucher, Léon
Bimetallism; Precious metals; Precious metals -- Europe
Austria has just made, partly in London, and partly in Frankfort, a
loan of £3,500,000, intended principally to restore the credit of her
paper money. This will be the first step towards the restoration
of metallic money, which had disappeared to such an extent, that
the smaller notes were often divided into four, to use for change.
Prussia, Poland, Russia, and Turkey, have experienced, in different
degrees, the like embarrassment. Before these various markets are
all superabundantly supplied with gold and silver, the treasures of
Siberia, Australia, and the two Americas, may be diffused for many
years over the continent of Europe.
The scarcity of gold had restricted its use; in France, for example,
the smallest gold coin was [194]20 francs. Since it has become more
common, the Mint have coined pieces of [195]10 francs, which are much
liked, and are convenient for use. These smaller coins appear likely
to take the place of a portion of our silver, which is needlessly
cumbersome. It is supposed that the use of Bank-notes of [196]200 and
100 francs has economised the use of several hundreds of millions of
the precious metals. The 10-franc pieces, when more generally used in
circulation, will take the place of, and drive out a portion of silver
coin. The demand for silver then will diminish, whilst that for gold
is increasing. Silver will be used as change for gold--as gold is for
bank-notes. This is the case to such an extent in England, where the
silver circulation is small, that the Mint in London, which coined
£1,492,000 sterling in gold, in 1850, only coined £130,000 sterling
in silver in the same year, whilst, in the same year, [197]86,000,000
francs in silver were coined at the Mint in Paris. It must not be
forgotten that the use of the precious metals is not confined to the
limits of Christian civilization. The Chinese import Peruvian and
Mexican dollars in exchange for their silks and teas; they attract
by their trade the gold produced in the neighbouring Islands, and in
the Straits of Sunda. This industrious nation has sent its contingent
of labourers and traders both to California and Australia. A portion
of Californian gold has already gone to China, but Australia appears
better situated for the purpose of supplying the eastern regions and
the southern portions of Asia with the precious metals. The Australian
gold, however, sent there will be as so much lost treasure; for whilst
the precious metals which are thrown into circulation in Europe
continue in use as coin for a long time, that which is sent to China,
or India, or Africa, altogether disappears; it is not required for
circulation, but seems to be consumed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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