Seventeen Talks on the Banking Question: Between Uncle Sam and Mr. Farmer, Mr. Banker, Mr. Lawyer, Mr. Laboringman, Mr. Merchant, Mr. Manufacturer — John Shaqi
Seventeen Talks on the Banking Question: Between Uncle Sam and Mr. Farmer, Mr. Banker, Mr. Lawyer, Mr. Laboringman, Mr. Merchant, Mr. ManufacturerFowler, Charles N. (Charles Newell)
History
Seventeen Talks on the Banking Question: Between Uncle Sam and Mr. Farmer, Mr. Banker, Mr. Lawyer, Mr. Laboringman, Mr. Merchant, Mr. Manufacturer
Fowler, Charles N. (Charles Newell)
Banks and banking -- United States; Currency question -- United States
MR. LAWYER: Mr. Banker, what are subsidiary coins?
MR. BANKER: All these token coins are properly called subsidiary coins.
Let me read to you what Horace White says on that point:
"The word 'subsidiary' is usually applied to coins which constitute the
small change of a country, and which are legal tender only for limited
amounts. In the United States the silver dollar must be classed as
subsidiary also; for, although it is full legal tender, the Government
does not coin it for private individuals as it coins gold. It is
subsidiary or subordinate to gold coin."
MR. LABORINGMAN: Uncle Sam, why do you make these token or subsidiary
coins?
UNCLE SAM: I make token or subsidiary coins out of silver, nickel, and
copper just as a matter of convenience to the people, and as a result
of custom also.
MR. LAWYER: I think what Horace White says upon that point is
particularly good, and answers your question, Mr. Laboringman,
completely. White says:
"If subsidiary silver coins circulate at a value which is largely
imaginary, the question may be asked, why not make them of some other
metal, or even of paper? There are no reasons except custom and
convenience. A coin, not heavier than a half dollar, is more convenient
than a piece of paper; it is cleaner, and in the long run is probably
cheaper, as it does not require frequent renewal. A cheaper coin might
be made out of some other metal, but it is generally best to conform
to the habits of the people. Having been always accustomed to a silver
subsidiary coinage no good reason is apparent why we should depart from
it."
MR. MERCHANT: Of course, you must use something besides gold to make
the 50, 25, 10 and 1 cent pieces out of, because even a gold dollar
would be found to be impracticable on account of its size. It would
take a microscope to find a piece of gold worth only 5 cents.
MR. LABORINGMAN: And it would take a telescope to find a piece of gold
worth only 1 cent.
MR. BANKER: Mr. White has this to say also about the silver dollar:
"The silver dollar is a larger kind of subsidiary coin, and should be
treated by the Government exactly as the smaller ones are treated. The
Government has received the value of a gold dollar for every silver
one emitted, and is therefore bound in equity to redeem the dollars
as it redeems the halves, quarters and dimes.... There are additional
reasons, however, for direct redemption of the silver dollar. One is
that such coins are unlimited legal tender between individuals. Another
is that there is a certain amount of public apprehension and lack of
confidence touching any coin which passes for more than its metallic
value."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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