The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-06-18
Facts About Gold.

difused metal upon the surface OF our
globe. 1t occnrs in granite, the Oldest
rock known to US, and in all the rocks
derived from it ); it is also found in the
vein.stones which traverse other geolog-
ical formations, but has never been found
in any secondary formation. 1t IS, how
ever, much more common in alluvlal
grounds than among primitive and pyro-
genious rocks. It is found disseminated
under the form of spangles, in the silic-
ious, argillaceous, and ferruginous sands
of certain plains and rivers, especially IN
their junction, at the season of low water,
and after storms and temporary foods.
1t is the only metal of a yellow color; it
is readily crystalizable, and always as
sumes one or other of the symmetncal
shapes, such as the cube or regular octa-
hebron. It affords resp plendant polish,
and may be exposed to the atmosphere
for any length of time without suffering
change; it is remarkable for Its beauty !;
| it is nineteen times heavier than water,
ard, next to platinum, the heaviest known
substance; its maleability is such that
cubic inch will cover twenty-five hundred
square feet; its ductility is such that a
lump of the value Of four hundred dollars
could be drawn into wire which would
extend around the globe. 1t is first men
toned in Gen. IL, II. 1t was found in
the country of Havlllah, where the rivers
Euphrates and Tigris unite and discharge
their waters into the Persian Gulf.
From the commencement of the Christ
ian era to the discovery of America, the
amount of gold obtained from the surface
and bowels Of the earth is estimated to be
thirty-eight hundred millions of dollars.
From the date Of the latter event TO the
close of 1912, an addition of twenty-eight
hundred millions was obtained. The dis
cocery and extensive working of the Rus
sian mines added, to the close of 1852,
six hundred millions more. The double
discovery Of the California mines in lo48,
and the Australian in 1851, has added,
to the present time, two thousand MIL
lions making a grand total, to the pres
ent time, of ninety two hundred millions
of dollars. The average loss by wear and
tear of coin is estimated TO be tenth OF
one per cent. per annum and the loss by
consumption in the arts, and by IRE and
shipwreck, at from Que to three mlllons
per annum.
A cubic inch of gold is worth Cat e3
LIS, l04d., or SlS.69, per ounce one
hundred and forty-six dollars a cubic
foot, two hundred and ffty-two thousand
two hundred and eighty-eight dollars; a
cubic ward, six millions eight hundred
and eleven thousand seven hundred and
seventy.six dollars The amount OF gold
in existauce at the commencement of the
/ Christian era is estimated to be four hun
dred and twenty-seven millions OF dollars /;
at the period of the discovery of America
it had diminished to ffty-seven millions.
After the occurrence of that event it grad
ually increased, and in 1900 1t bad at
tanned to one hundred and FIVE millions
in 100, to three hundred and ffty-one
millions; in 1900, to eleven hundred and
! twenty-five millions; in l843, to two
thousand millions in 1858, to three
thousand millions and at the present
time the amount of gold in existence is
estimated to be forty-six hundred millions
of dollars which, welded in one mass,
could be contained in a cube OF twenty
seven feet. OF the amount now In exist
ence three thousand millions is estimated
to be in coin and bullion, and the remain
!, der in watches, jewelry, plate, &c., &c
Since 1892, to the close of 1860, the
gold coinage of the United States mint
has amounted to SIX hundred and ten
millions of dollars, of which FIVE hundred
and twenty-five millions have been Issued
since 1850. The gold coinage of the
French mint, since 1926, has amounted
to seventy-seven hundred millions OF
francs, of which forty-two hundred and
fifty millions have been Issued since 1850.
The gold coinage Of the British mint,
since 1903, has amounted to two hundred
and 6fty-nine millions of pounds sterling,
of which ffty-four millions have been Is
sued since 1850 The gold coinage OF
the Russian mint, since 1864 has amount
ed to four hundred and eighty-six mil,
lions Of rubles, of which two hundred and
twenty millions have been issued since
1850. The sovereign of England contains
one hundred and twelve grains of pure
, metal the new doubloon of. Spain, one
hundred and fifteen; the half eagle of the
United States, one hundred and sixteen
the gold lion of the Netherlands, and the
double ounce of Sicily, one hundred and
, seventeen grains each the ducat of Aus
tia, one hundred and six; the twenty.
franc piece of France, ninety; and the
half imperial of Russia, ninety-one grains
A commissioner has been despatched by
the United States government to England