Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-10


is interesting but that interest is greatly enhapc.
ed by the scientific and instructive manner which
the subject is treated by the distinguished writer
The letter. it may be proper to mention, was ell
cited by the following circumstance. Several
years ago, the gentleman referred to, had the
pleasure Of passing day with Mr.. ADAMS, in
Massachusetts, during which, some turn in the
conversation led the latter to speak Of the pro
pertics of platiua, and the advantages which thai
metal possessed for the purposes Of coin SC. The
appearance few days ago of an article in \
York paper, mentioning the recent coinage Of
this metal BY the Russian Government. remind
ed the gentleman Of the observations of Mr.
ADAMS, he sent him the paper. and the followu,
letter was the consequence. We have not a CO.
py of the article referred to, or we would inser,
that also, for the better understanding Of The
subject. Int.
WAsHINeToN, February 7, 1851.
DEAR SIR: Accept my thanks for the kind
transmission of the Evening Post, containing The
very interesting article upon the new Russian
Patina Coin: and also for reminding me ons
of the most pleasant days that | remember ia
have passed, although the conversation respect.
ing the use of Platlna for coinage had escaped
nv recollection. The project of coming pIati
ma was, if not originally conceived, most eager.
~ pursued by the late very ingenious DR.. Er,k
Bohlman. In the year 1915, he presented NJ.
moir upon this subject to several of the Govern.
ments of Europe-to France, Great Britain. and
| Austria as | think he himself informed me-
The specific gravity and intense suIidity of PA.
tina, render it in some degree unmanaseable for
coming. The usual instruments employed At
! ~. G.. Il IL -, II
power to stamp distinct impression on the me.
| tai. DIR. Bohlman had invented an instrument
adequate to that purpose; and at the Mint in Pa
ris had caused to be struck impressions Of seyc.
raj of the medals Of Napoleon, some of which he
exhibited to me. The peculiar advantages 10
the general commerce of the world which mlsh
he derived from the introduction Of Platina in
coinage, appear to me to be so great, that have
been surprized that the proposals of DIR. BOhlman
had not been successful in his applications to e
enlightened governments of those great and CON.
mercial nations to which they were addressed:
and it is with great satisfaction that | have learn,
that the Imperial Government of Russia has at
length carried this idea into execution.
There are two points in view III which it ap
pears to me that the coinage of fatina must be
eminentv useful. lst. As an intermediate cola =
of proportional value between gold and oliver
Without pretending to precise accuracy, We NAV
assume the proportional value of gold and silver
10 be of 16 to /. The value of Platina as an AZ
ticN of merchandise is as nearly as possible
geomctrical mean proportion between these TIVE
quantties-that is to say. one pound troy weight
of Platina is worth in the market about tour
pounds of pure silver, and one quarter OF pound
of pure gold. The advantages of such an inter
mediate coin between the two precious metals
heretofore used for circulating medium, that
need not expatiatc upon them. Cd. The sPed
fic gravity of PlatIna secures TO It an advantage
for the purposes Of coinage not even possessed
by gold and silver. 1t cannot be counterfeIa
In the article in the Evening Post, it is mention
ed that the SIX rouble piece is about the SIZE OF
cent. Its specific gravity is not mentioned S'
it must be nearly about the weight of dollar
and if so, you may readily conceive how lmp@
sible it would be to find metal upon Which 10
counterfeit coin which would impress IT'S prF
upon the hand of the receiver merely by
weight. Another property which renders ,h'
metal peculiarly fit for coinage. Is the duaoIH!
of its.impression. Guild and silver are liable
lose their stamps and much of their subsaIc
by circulation; from the impenetrabllny orr
tina. it is much less susceptible OF beng n'
worn out and wasted by passing from hand
hand.
Under its highest polish, it is difficult tod
Germ from the color alone the difference bet"e
Patina and silver. The standard measure
length and of weight of the modern French
TEN, the metre and the killogrammc. are Of
tina exact fac SMILES of them are deposited
our Department of State: and it would req1
the eye of practised SilversmlIh to ds'lns'
them at once from silver; but no person can
them into the hand for all instant without
ceiving that they are a far different metal
specific gravity Of PIatina being nearly O0'
that of silver.
There is an error in the article OF the Even
Post with regard to the value of the Russian
roublc, which, by the weight Of pure silver uI
contains, is worth small fraction less hin
venty-iive cents. The six roubIe piece there"
instead of 4 dollars and 62 cents, is worm a.
ton less than 4 dollars and half The pre-
silver coinage of Russia is regulated by 40 :"
of the Emperor Alexander, of the year l'%
the silver roubes have stamped upon them
only their specific weight, but the exact qu..l
of pure silver which they contain. hs NV
presumed, that the inscription upon the 80
coin, mentioned in the Evening Post s@
liar character. The value Of one gram,
weight, pure gold, is about cents-!nn"