The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-01-27
An. international Coin-PossibIeE olu.
ton or the Problem.

From the Baltimore Gazette, 26thJ
The principal difficulty in the way, and
one that has always met our Government,
when similar propositions were made, is to
obtain coin having relation of value TO
the present coins Of other nations wfthou!
changing their UNCONVENTIONAL value aud pre-.
sent designs. Every country naturally de.
sires to retain its own device. For instance,
England would not be willing to give up her
head of the reigniug sovereign any more than
we would be willing to blotoutour proud. bird
of freedom or the goddess of liberty from the
face of our coin. Mr. Dona Bickford, New
York, has hit upon an ingenious plan which
will, 1t is thought, obviate this difficulty and
give the world an international coin which
will pass current in every country entering
into the arrangement, and at the same time
satisfy the national pride or vanity of each
one of them. While travelling in Europe
some time ago bis attention was forcibly
called to the inconvenience to which travel
lers are subjected, and he determined, if
possible, to remedy them. Being a gentleman
OF large inventive capacity he has devised az
international coin, which, if adopted, will be
not only great saving to the treasures of
all nations, but great advantage to the
| public.
The United States and foreign Govern.
menls have endeavored for years and spent
thousands Of dollars to perfect a system of
international coinage" but have been IN.
able to get coin that would prove accepta-
BILE 10 the principal nations, as each one has
a peculiar design for its coin, which it is un.
willing to change entirely. With Mr.. Bick.
| (ord's coin this difficulty is removed, as each
! Government can fully display its design and
value on one side, and on the other show the
| value at home Of coin 10 the currencies of the
different nations, also the ineness of the
metal and number OF grammes, without
altering their values, and but slightly chang
| ing their designs.
For instance, $40 gold coin will have on
one side "U. S. Of America-twenty dol
lars with the usual device ard on the
other side, which is to be divided into seven
sections, will be Inscribed For Germany,
20.70 gulden : in France, 51.Sl francs; in
Sweden, 1871 kronen; in other countries,
the true value in their own language, Sc.
!, The standard for gold coin is to be niue
parts pure metal aud one pirt alloy, and the
monetary unit OF the two countries is to be
the gold dollar. The United States is to re-
duce the value Of the present gold dollar
about two and five-eighlhs per cent. woich
will make five dollars the exact equivalent OF
| the present sovereign or pound sterling. The
gold coins Of the two countries are to be
| legal tender in both countries.
If adopted by the different countries it is
obvious that the proposed coin will be very
great advantage. DR.. Lindtrmap, the director
of the United States Mint, approves OF tie
| idea, and the subject will be brought before
the Committee on Coinage, Weights, and
| Measures at very early day, when the whole
subject will be considered in all its bearings.
It is not generally known that the annual
expense to our Government for recoinage
and waste on coin entering this country from
abroad is half million dollars, and the same
waste and expense is incurred by foreign Go.
Gernments. This great eX peDse can be saved
by adopting Dir. Bickforu'S plan, atthe same
time giving us a coin that will PASS current
in nearly all countries, as there is every
reason to suppose that foreign governments
will also adopt it. If so, their money would
circulate with US the same as our Own, as
each piece will show its value in our currency.
Mr.. Birkford's plan will also greatly aid our
Government in increasing the outlet for its
surplus silver, as to place his design on the
"director's trade.dolar" and its fractional
parts will largely Increase its circulation in
China and japan. By the advice of the di-
rector, and of many senators aud members
Of the last Congress, and other prominent
citizens throughout the country who have
examined the coin, Mr.. Bickford is about to
submit his coin to Congress for its adoption.
Petitions are being signed by governors,
mayors, bank officers, boards of trade and
commerce, merchants, and Others, urging
its immediate adoption, that the coin
my be ready by the time the Centennial ex-
inhibition opens, as foreign visitors will find
it easier and more satisfactory to make pur-
chases and payments in coin representing
their countries value than with our present
currency, the value of which many visitors
will be entirely ignorant OF, thus putting in
circulation an mount of coin that will prove
step toward specie-payment. AS its adop.
ton will save our Government annually so
large an amount Of money without any in
creased expense in coinage, it should as a
matter of economy and convenience be at
once adopted. Being a matter in which
every citizen is interested it is 10 be hoped
that all will joIn.in the petition to Congress.
TIE CENTENNIAL YEAR AND ROANOKE COL
LEGE.-Retrospectng the catalogue history
Of the institution from the first session
r53-'54, we find that then the college had