Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-06-04
FACTS ABOUT GOLD.

Gold, next, to iron, is the most widely diff
fused metal upon the surface of our globe. II
occurs in granite, the oldest rock known tC
us, and in all the rocks derived from it ; il is
also found in the vein stones which traverse
other geological formations but has never
been found in any secondary formation. II
is, however, much more common in alluva
grounds than among primitive and pyroge-
nous rocks. 1t is found disseminated under
the forms of spangles, in the silicious, argyll
laceous, and terruginUns sands of certain
plains and rivers, especially in their junction,
at the season of low water, and after storms
and temporary floods. 1t is the only metal
OF yellow color; it is readily crystalzabe,
and always assumes one or other of the sym
metrical shapes. such as the cube or regular
octahedron. 1t affords a reSplendent polish,
and may be exposed to the atmosphere for
any length of time without suffering change
ii is remarkable for its beauty; it is nineteen
times heavier that water, and, next to plati-
mum, the heviest known substance its malea-
bility is such that a cubic inch will cover
twenty five hundred square feet its ductility
is such that a lump of the value of four hun
dred dollars could be drawn into wire which
would extend around the globe. 1t is first
mentioned in Gen. IL, IL. 1t was found in
the country of Havllah where the rivers Eu-
phi ates and Tigris unite and discharge their
waters into the Persian Cult
rom the COmtnSncGmSDL oil the C0TlSlldI
era to the discovery of America, the amount
of gold obtained from the surface and bowels
of the earth is estimated to be thirty e ght
hundred millions of dollars. From the date
OF the latter event TO the close of 1912, an ad-
dition of twenty eight hundred millions was
obtained. The discovery and extensive work
ing of the Russian mines added, to the close
of 1852, six hundred millions more. The
double discovery of the California mines in
lS4S. and the Australian N 12It has aH1t.1
to the present time, two thousand millions
making grand total TO the present time, of
ninety two hundred millions of dollars. The
average loss by wear and tear of coin is esti-
mated 10 be tenth of one per cent. per an
mum and the loss by consumption in the arts,
and by fire and shlpwreck, at from one to
three millions per anuum.
cubic inch of gold is worth (at f3 lis,
l0ad., or SlS.69, per ounce) one hundred and
forty six dollars; a cubic foot, two hundred
and fifty y-two thousand two hundred and
eighty eight dollars; a cubic yard, six
millions eight hundred and eleven thousand
seven hundred and seventy six dollars. The
amount of gold in existence at the commence
ment of The Christian era is estimated TO be
tour hundred and twenty seven millions of
dollars; at the period of the discovery of A
merica it had diminished to fifty seven mil
lions. After the occurrence of that event it
gradually increased, and 1900 it attained to
one hundred and five millions in 100, TO
three hundred and fifty one millions; in 1900,
to eleven hundred and twenty five millions !;
In 1S43, to two thousand millions in 1858. to
three thousand millions; and at the present
time the amount of gold in existence is esti-
mated TO be forty-sx hundred millions of
dollars; which, welded in one mass, could be
contained in cube of twenty y-seven feet.
OF the amount now in existence three thou
sand millions is estimated to be in coin and
bullion, and the remainder in watches, Jewell
ry, plate, &c, &c.
Since 1892, to the close of 1860, the gold
coinage of the United States mint has amount
ed to six hundred and ten millions of dollars,
of which five hundred and twenty five millions
have been issued since 1850. The gold coin
age of the French mint, since 1926, has a.
mounted to seventy-seven hundred millions
OF francs, OF which forty-wo hundred and fifty
millions have been issued since 1850. The
gold coinage of the British mint, since 1903,
has amounted to two hundred and fifty nine
millions of pounds sterling, of which fifty -four
millions have been issued since 1850. The
The gold coinage of the Russian mint, since
1864, has amounted to four hundred and
eighty y-six millions of rabies, OF which two
hundred and twenty millions have been issued
since 1850. The sovereign of England con-
tains one hundred and twelve grains of pure
metal; the new doubloon of Spain, one hum
dred and fifteen; the half eagle of the United
States, one hundred and sixteen; the gold
hon of the therlands, and the double ounce
pf Sicily, one hundred and seventeen grains
each; the dGcat of Austria, one hundred and
SIX the twenty-iranc piece of France, ninety /;
and the half imperial of Russia, ninety -one
grains. A commissioner has been despatch
ed by the United States government to Eng
land, France, and other countries OF Europe,
to confer with their respective governments,
upon the expediency of a uniform system of
coinage throughout the world, so that the
coins of one country may circulate in any
other without the expense of coinage-a
consumation most devontly to be wished.