The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-01-10 00:00:00

FLORINS AND HALF-CROWNS.

The °nolo,* 1 fircnier has been addressed to Der Mors by
direction ot the Muter of the Mint :
Royal Mint, 31st December, 1873.
- - - - •

Gentlemen,--I am directed by the Master of the
Mint to call your attention to the present position of
the silver currency in reference to the circulation of
half-crowns an 1 florins. The florin, as you are aware,
was first issued in 1849, and since 1851 no half-
crowns here been etru:k ; but, as no steps were
taken until the year 1871 for the systematic withdrawal
of worn half crowns from circulstion, the value of those
coins in circulation on the 30th ult, still exceeded
that of the florins, the amounts bring arsproxi-
mately—lialf-crowne, £4,600,000; florins, £4,150.000.
The approximate number of pieces of each denomina-
tion shown by the a'sive figures to be now in circula-
tion, however, is— Florins, 41,500000; half-crowns,
36,800,000. It appears, therefore, that • point has
been reached at which the number of florins in circula-
tion has become larger than that of half-crowns ;
and it is evident that if both the issue of the former
and the withdrawarof the latter coins are continued,
the difference in their relative numbers will be rapidly
increased. The object of the former circulars issued
to bankers by this department, in the years 1854
and 1861 was to ascertain whether a general
preference existed for the half-crown or the florin. The
state of the respective issues is now, and has been for
some time, such that the public have had ample and
pretty equal experience of both; and the bankers are
probably in a condition to judge more perfectly
than on former occasions what Is the effect of
their joint circulation, and what the prevailing pre-
ference for either. The time appears, therefore, to
have arrived for a definite consideration of the
course to be hereafter pursued in regard to them.
The Master of the Mint would, therefore, now ask
the favour of your weighing and replying to the
following queetion : Will it be moat conducive to the
public convenience that the present arrangements
should continue. under which florins are only coined, and
half-crowns gradually withdrawn from circulation • or
do you consider experience to have shown that half.
crowns only should be coined and issued, with a view
to the eventual withdrawal of the florM ; or, finally,
felt to be assumed that both the Milt-crown and the
florin now hold established places in the circulation,
and would it be desirable therefore, that, concurrently
with the issue of fl rise, Mint should coin such a
further number of half-crowns as may from time to
time be required -I am, gentlemen, your obedient
' servant, C. W. FIILLMAISILL, Deputy-Master of the
Mint.

In connection with the foregoing, " A. C. S." writer to
The Tintet
I learn from your columns that the Deputy-Master
of the Mint invites Information AR to the respective
merits of florMs and half crowns.
As an employer disbursing every day a very con-
siderable amount of wages, Em ret earnestly deprecate
the withdrawal from circulation of the half crown.
If this useful coin be withdrawn I shall require for
the daily payment of wages a far larger number of',
sixpenny bits than I am now ever able to obtain.
But even if the number of sixpenny bits in circulation
were increased to the fullest extent. I oh mid still inti
lately prefer the use, wherever practicable, of the half-
crown, 2%3 bring more rapidly counted in bulk, and
more readily handled by the chilly fingers of pay clerks
and the horny hands of labourers than corresponding
amounts in florins and sixpenny pieces.
In fact, for every half -crown withdrawn from circu-
lation public convenience will necessitate the issue of a
sixpenny bit, and the question therefore appears to be
not between the 'nail crown and the florM no much as
between the sixpenny bit and the half crown.
Southwark, Jan. 3.

Reterring to this *abject the fafl Ma!! Gazette also
writes :
We trust that he right answer may be given to the
question put by the Master of the Mint in the circular
recert'y addressed by him to the London bankers.
With reference to the case of half-crowns yenta florins,
the Master of the Mint asks, " Will It be most con.
ducive to; he public cmvenience (1) that the prevent
arrangement should continue under which florMs only
are coined and half-crowns gradually withdrawn
1 from circulation ; (2) do you consider experience to
' have shown that half crowns only should be coined
and issued with a view to the eventual withdrawal of
the florin ; or, finally, is it to be assumed that both
the half crown and florin now hold established places
In the c'rculstion, and would it be desirable, therefore,
that, concurrently with the issue of florins, the Mint
should coin such a further number of half-crowns as
may from time t time be required ? " We believe that
the public generally will not hesitate to reply to (1), at
least, with a most emphatic '' No;" and for our own
parts we should be inclined to say " Yea " to (2), and
to ask for the withdrawal of the florin from circulation
altogether. Whether, however, the coinage of florins
be continued or not, one thing we have no doubt what-
ever is universally desired, and that is that the number
of half-crowns may be speedily and largely increased.
The "experiment" of the Mint has, in fact, caused the
very greatest inconvenience to the public, and the defi-
ciency of half-crowns, especially when accompanied as
It has been by a considerable scarcity of sixpences, has '
thrown the most irritating difficulties in the way of the
smaller transactions of life. The superior c .nvenience of
the half-crown over the florin is a fact almost too ob-
vious to require stating. It is higher in value with-
out being appreciably larger or heavier ; it stands for
, three coins instead of two; and the third coin which
• it contains—the sixpence—is one whickit is most con-
venient to be able to dispense with. Finally, English
customs have fixed on the half.crown or its multiples
as the customary charge or payment in a variety of
cases, and customs cannot be changed at will by the
authorities of a Mint. Let the mint pour in many
, more half-crowns, and then, if they like to continue
also producing a coin which is not particularly pretty
and very particularly useless, the public will be able to
avoid using it instead of being, as at present, com-
pelled to do so.

disgrace with his family, and was disowned by them.
Being a younger son, and having no expectations, he
enlisted as a moldier, and died in the service. Hie son,
James Foniton, served in the navy, and the SOO Of the
latter, Th mom button, who was the father of the
petitioner, again become a soldier. The preser t
claimant, true to the traditional instincts of the
family, also adopted a military career, and was pry-
eent with die Light Brigade in their memorable char-go
on the heights of Balaclava. Since he left the army
he has resided in Edinburgh, and occupied himself
in getting up evidence in support of his case. He says
that hie great grandmother had documentary evidence
in her possession which would have proved him the
heir to the title and estates. These documento were,
however, obtitned from her by Robert, 6th Baron of
Skelmorlie, whose son Hugh became the 12th Earl of
Eglinton, under a promise that he would look after the
interests of her son, who was then a minor. At).
porently, however, he used the papers to obtain posses.
mon of the estates for his own family. At any rate,
his son married the daughter of the 11th Earl, who had
no heirs male, and from him the present Earl of
Eglinton is lineally descended.
Mr. Menzies said the case came before the Court on
an application for a commission and diligence to exa-
mine certain title•deeds. lie had already lodged oral
pgoof which showed the petitioner's descent up to the
man who was a full brother of Archibald, the 11th Earl
of Eglinton. The title-deeds in question would show
that this Archibald bore the name of Foulton, but hay•
lag succeeded to the family title he adopted the name of
Montgomery. Mr. Blair said there was no such deed in
existence. Mr. Menzies said he found there was such a
deed by date and designation in a Crown Charter in the
Register-house, and if such deed were not now in exist-
ence it must have been at one time, lie would take his
chance of recovering it after diligence. Mr. Blair said
that before such diligence was granted, the question of
prescriptive title to exclude should be argued. The
Sheriff said the only way that could be done VW by
lodging answers to the petition. Mr. Blair said he
would take an order to lodge answers in three weeks.
The Sheriff said he would order answers to be lodged
In ten days. Mr. Blair wished for longer time. Mr.
Menzies : We shell give you a month if you find the
deed. The Sheriff ordered answers to be lodged in 14
days.