The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-07-26
Mutilnted Coin.

The resumption Of specie payment by
the government is again followed by the
mutilation OF coins, and the ingenious and
fraudulent practice, which prevails III all
countries, Of punching, filing and ''swcat-
ing coins. A number Of silver coins, with
holes therein have attracted the attention of
ollcers VI the government, and there IS a
lurking suspicion that many of these coins
have been punched for purposes of gain by
persons engaged in that sort of small,
fraudulent business. On the other hand,
many of the circulation so dcfaced, are of
old date, and have probably been kept as
pocket pieces, and perforated so as to run a
string through The pubic should adopt
the remedy OF refusing to take punched or
dcfaccd CONS, and this would soon stop
the practice of those engaged in violating
the law.
The most dangerous Of all practices,
which Is confined to Il stilful few, is the
ancient one of "swcatlng" gold coins. This
was done by dipping coins in a strong So
luton Of acid, which will dissolve tho
copper on the face, AMI leave the fine gold in
a honey -combed condition very susceptible
OF abrasion. In this State the coins arc
placed in flannel bug, and shaken violent
~ together. The small particle Of fine gold
Is detached from the Coin aud adheres to
the flannel bug. The rubbing of tho coiu
together, III measure, restores the natural
appearance OF the piece. The bag is then
carefully washed out, To be again used, or
burned, and The ashes carefully preserved
and separated from the gold, TO an ex.
pert the process is apparent by look at the
coin; but the only mode the general public
has OF testing the question is by weighing
the piece. All coins falling below two or
three grains or thcrca6ou.s should be re-
fused, and this refusal whould throw the
loss upon the holder, who would have to
deposit them At the mint for rccoinngc. Ii
care OF this kind is taken but little danger
need be apprchendcd from scratched coin.
The great preventive against .'swealing'
pieces Is that tho man who deals with lhcm
has to operate on large number Of Gins.
10 carry on profitable business he would
have TO exchange large amount of Noes
for coiD, AMI exchange abraded coin for
paper money. These operations would
arouse suspicion, and ultimately lead to
arrest and conviction. Silver change is
the most natural and proper currency TO be
used among the people, and no piece should
be received which it is manifest on its
face has been tampered with Gold coin
is but little used IN general circulation, and
1t should never be accepted by trades peo.
pie and others, if from It's rubbed and in
distinct impression it is evident il has been
subjected to unlawful practices. If this
course is taken generally by the public, in a
short time there will br but little punched
and defnced silver and no Ii .sht weight gold
III circulation. The greatest danger to be
apprchcnded in either paper or metallic
currency is not from abrasurc, 'swcaling''
and other unlawful practices, but from tho
| paper currency, there is no protection cx
! ccpt in the education of The eye, while IN
metallic currency there is the eye, touch,
| weight, thickness, acid tests and sound of
piece u assist the judgment.