The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-01
Proposed New Coins.

We have examined specimens of coins lately
struck at the mint, TO illustrate the bill presented
in the United States Senate, by Mr. Dickinson, for
the coinage of one cent and three cent pieces.
The cent piece is designed a substitute for the
present copper coin, and contains the proportion OF
acknowledgement in its legend. The ef-
feet of this infusion Of precious metal sall il is
besides tightening the color perceptibly, is TO re-
duce greatly the bulk Of the coin Of that denomina
ton, and TO make il much more convenient and
portable. lts weight is twenty-five grains, while
that OF the present cent Ia one hundred and sixty
eight. II is annulated-that is il has a large round
hole in the centre, which lie novel feature, and has
been introduced for the sake Of the following ad-
vanages il extends the diameter of the piece TO a
proper measurement, being the as that Of the
dime, which Is small could be desired for such
coin; 1t affords distinctive mark, by which the
piece may be recognised and safely paid out even
by the touch; il affords facility retailers 10 put
the pieces up in parcels, say Of hundred or thou
sand, by sfTinging them, or putting them up
right stake or file; and lastly, the completely Of
manufacture will throw some impediments in the
way Of contributing, If that is 10 be apprehended
Should the bill pass, dies for this piece will, we
learn, be got up with more care, and more show of
art, than IN this specimen, which Is only tempo
rary illustration for the use Of Congress.
The three cent piece is alloy Of three fourths
silver and one fourth "copper" lite weight twelve and
three eighth grains; its diameter just midway be-
tween the gold dollar and the halfdime The bill
different from those of the other silver coins" and
consequently we have a radiated liberty cap on one
side, and a wreath enclosing the Roman numerals
iii on the IL IL also distinguished from the
half-dime by a smooth border. II has the white
appearance Of pure silver. This coin IL proposed
as convenient adaptation TO the prices Of many
things, and 10 making change; but there is also a
special object contemplated IN relation TO it, The
country is weary of the WORKOUT Spanish money
the "hps, levies and quarters which, for the last
century nearly, have had 80 prominent place in
is currency, and which are i'll adapted TO our deci-
NAL system. At the same time, every plan for
forcing them to the crucibe, long as people hold
them at their nominal value, Of even slight frac-
ton under IL, IL sure TO fail. The only resource
left is 10 them to the mint. by exchanging
them at the nominal value for national coin. This
however, could not be DONE with justice 10 the pub
lie treasury, without issuing, many countries
do, minor coin, with legal valuation somewhat
higher than the intrnsic the present cent is and
the new cent will also be.
As matter bearing upon this proposition, the
Director of the Mint, during the last winter, adj
dressed circular letters 10 respectable dealers and
others in various parts of the Union inquring into
the frequency of the appearance Of the Spanish
small coins in our currency, relatively TO our own
small coins. There other way Of basing an
estimate OF their actual amount, and this il was be-
lieved, would give an approximation. The an
swers were tolcrably accordant-at least AZ 10 the
eastern, middle, and western Statcs-and left the
conviction that the Spanish quarters afioat rather
exceed in value our own quarters; while the cghths
and sxtccnths will count ut least half ms much az
our dimes and half dimes. In all the period Of our
mintage, 10 the end of lS49 there have been issued
here and at New Orleans,
In quarter dollars. ............. S3,7l3,075
In dimes. ........s.........s.. 5,5ll,IlO
In halfdimes. l,696,9T5