Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-02
FACTS ABOUT MONEY.
A Short History of the Silver Coin
Minted by Uncle Sam.
ALL OF THEM COUNTERFElTED.
A Budget of Stock and Grain Gossip From
New York and Chicago.
NEW THINGS In HOUSES AND REALTY

The weight of the standard silver dollar is
4121S grains, 900 fine, first coined in 1894.
A number of the old dollars were counter
feited, the composition generally being OF
German silver and brass, and heavily
plated; milling and reeding poor. The
Bland, or standard dollar, was first coined
in 1878; fneness, 300; weight in grains,
412H. All dates of this coin have been e1-
tensively counterfeited, the composition
generally used being lead, pewter, type
metal ard iron. They are made in mold,
and over 100 grains lighter than the genuine
coin, and can be readily detected, owing to
their slippery feeling. A number of very
dangerous counterfeits of this coin have
been seen recently, which were nearly full
weight. averaging from $50 to 4l0 grains.
This class of counterIeits are composed OF
antimony and lead, the former metal pre-
dominating, and are heavily silver-plated.
They are made in mold, have fine general
appearance, and are almost perfect imita-
tion of the genuine coin. The dates of this
coin range from 1878 to the presnt time. When
observed beneath the plating The ring is a
trif1e imperfect.
The weight of the genuine half dollar is 1929
grains; fineness. 9OO of the present issue. The
weight prior to 1887 was 20S grains; from 1887 to
1873 was 20G.25 grains, and is a legal tender for
$40. The old issues were extensively counter
feited; the composition generally used was
German silver and brass, heavily plated, and
had fair appearance OF the late issue the
country has been flooded with counterfeits of
various dates. The most dangerous of these
have the following dates: lS4l, 1872, 1S43, 1915,
lS49 1857 1859 1850 1872, 1875, 1876, 1877. These
coins are struck from die and made from a
mold. The metals used are brass, lead. pewter
and type-metal. Most of these coins are lighter
than the genuine, and have a sharp, keen ring,
as If containing glass: lS4l, 1872 1872 1876 1877
are nearly full weight and size, the last men,
toned being trife thicker than the genuine.
and composed largely of brass. These coins
have very fine appearance, but can be readily
detected by the milling and reeding, and defec-
tive lettering of the word Liberty on shield of
Goddess of Liberty.
The weight OF the genuine quarter dollar is
9645 grains; fineness 800, of the present issue
The weight prior to 1887 was l04 grains; from
1887 to 1853 was 163l l25 grains, and is legal ten
der for SIC. This coin has been very extensive
ly counterfeited of various dates, the most
dangerous of which are 1858, 1854 1855 1857
1855, 1860, 1861. The metals generally used are
brass, tin, pewter and lead. in the manufacture
of these coins. They are made In mold, are
well plated, and calculated to deceive. The
reeding and milling are usually poor, and the
diverse and the reverse are not perfect.
Counterteits Of this denomination of later
date are very inferior, having greasy and
slippery feeling, and are easily detected by any
person accustomed to handling money.
The weight of the genuine 20cent piece is
7l6; ineness 900. and was first coiued in 1875;
coinage ceased 1878, and is a legal tender for S.
A few counterfelts OF this piece have been put
in circulation; they are very poor and easily
detected.
The weight of the genuine dime is 3S5S
grains; fineness 300. The weight prior to 1887
was ALI grains; from 1887 to 1858 was 4l.25
grains and is a legal tender TOR $40 Counter
feits this coin are very numerous. The
metals used are brass, pewter and lead. The
general appearance of the counterfeit dimes is
very poor.
The weight of the genuine half dime is 1929
grains; fineness 800; weight prior to 1897 was
20.s grains; from 1887 TO 1858 20e25 grains,
and is legal tender for S. A few counter
feits of these old dates have been seen; they
are exceedingly poor and readily detected.
Points for the Spectators.
The New York stock market opened strong
yesterday as reported by Cohn & Co. to w. W.
Vensel, lis Fourth avenue. During the morn
ing good demand developed, which, although
it was TO some extent from the bears still
showed considerable buying of the strongest
kind. This especially satisfactory. in view
of the fact that the London market did not
buy in New York yesterday and that the feel
ing there was hesitating one. One of the
features was a sharp advance in silver certif-
Gates. which was said to be due to purchases by
a strong pool, who advanced tho price in order
to influence the Government purchases. which
begin to-day, for the month of October. There
Is no doubt that this advance in silver consider
ably helped the better feeling which made
itself evident in yesterdays transactions There
was no hurrah of any kind, and evidently no
desire to tempt the shorts to cover. Prices ad- |
vanced gradually and without any desire to
force them. Signs all point to higher market. |
Money will be easier towards the end of the
week after the heavy disbursements of inter- |
est. One of the strong features was Sugar |
Trust which advanced to above so on talk in |
connection with the reorganization plan.
At Chicago wheat opened firm. but after the |
buying orders had been filed. prices hung for
1 while. then sagged and finally gave way.
closing at the lowest point of the day, with |
ongs unloading Minneapolis reported large |
sales of flour and New York good outside buy |
ing. Corn and oats opened strong and closed |
week. There was very little grain delivered. |
Provisions were steady, the principal feature |
being that the liberal carrying charges at |
.racted carriers, and although deliveries were |
heavy break was prevented.
Business News and Gossip.
Home-seekers are pouring into Versailles |
township at a lively rate, causing lively |
movement in real estate. Cheap lots find |
ready purchasers.
Samuel w. Black and Company adjourned |
,he sale of 157 Sheffield street, Allegheny. on a |
bid Of S9,675 It will be offered again on Mon |
lay next
of 40 mortgages on the Recorders file yester- |
lay Is, or nearly one-haIf, were for purchase
money The largest was for $4,000
the route of the Duquesne Traction Com
oany is matter of much speculation 1t seems
Howe street to Emerson, thence to Walnut, |
lown Walnut to College, and back 10 Howe |
Itreet, thus forming loop.
A 140-room hotel is being built at Goshen,
Va. the center of the iron trade OF that region
Pittsburg capital is being invested
here.
Robert Sproul is building a residence for
himself on Atlantic avenue, near Liberty
treet. at a cost of $4,000 1t will be finished
his season.
Frank Speer's handsome residence on Col
ege avenue, near Alder street. is ready for the
oof.
MIR. ]. Kevan, the sewing machine dealer,
las purchased q $4,000 residence on Negley |
ha vii