Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1896-09-11
BIMETALLISM IN HOLY WRIT
EDITOR STANDARD:

EDITOR Standard:
1t is a remarkable fact that for two
thousand years prior to the Christian
, era, the comparative value OF gold and
silver has maintained a standard diff
fering only by Il small fraction from
what it is to-day among all civilized
and enlightened nations throughout
the world. Some authorities quote
this ratio as low as II to /, but that
this is an egregious error is manifest
from the fact that talent among ihe
Israelities even before the captivity,
comprised three thousand shekels, or
/ 800 ounces avoirdupoise, equal to 93
pounds II ounces. Thus, talent OF
gold was worth $4,000 and q talent
of silver 81 500. But the ratio be-
tween $4,000 and 1900 is "a 1G2 to
one.
A similar parity obtained among
the Greeks and Romans, as well as
among all the nations of antiquity
wherever the precious metals were
either coined or weighed as symbols
of value in business transactions.
Thus, all along down the devious
trend of the ages do we observe sys.
tenn OF bimetallism regulated by a
ratio differing from our own in the
estimation only of an insignificant
fraction. There are several hundred
passages in the Bible involving the
mention OF gold and silver, sometimes
as mere metallic products of the
earth; at other times as the means
used for various ornamental devices,
and also as the represe natives of in
trinsic value.
The first mention OF these metals
in financial way is in Genesis XIII
where Abram is said to llave been
Every rich in cattle, in silver and in
gold" 1t is worthy of remark that
in sixty-three of the seventy-fve pas
sages where the two metals are Jointly
referred to, silver precedes gold in
order OF mention; plainly implying
that the white metal then as now,
was the money of the people; the
yellow metal being made a sort of
addendum, representing great value,
indeed. but regarded more especially
as typical of nobility and royalty.
This fact explains why in the great
majority of cases. gold came from the
die of the operator only as medals
struck 10y order OF governmental de-
cree to commemorate great national
events; while silver and copper or
bronze were coined to be used by the
people as money circulating medi-
UNI. In contradistinction to this
we look in vain for coins of gold pass
ing from hand TO hand among the
common people of Bible times.
Thus, the two mites which the
widow cast into the treasury, the
penny which paid for days work,
and the thirty pieces of silver re.
ceived by Judas for betraying his
Lord were all coins of definite value
the first being made of bronze and
worth about one-tifth of a cent; the
two last were OF unalloyed silver,
worth very nearly II and IS cents
respectively.
In Genesis XIII.2-2O, we are told
that when Abraham would seek bur-
ial place for Sarah, his wife, he pur-
chased for cash the field and cave of
Machpelah from Ephron the Hittite.
The details of this most primitive real
estate transfer is thus quantity re.
corded, land Ephron answered
Abraham, saying unto him, My Lord,
hearken unto me: The land is worth
four hundred shekels of silver. And
Abraham hearkened unto Ephron;
and Abraham weighed to Ephron the
silver, which he had named in the
audience of the sons of Heth, four
hundred shekels OF silver, current
money with the merchant"
Now in the time of Abraham, about
four thousand years ago, a skeckel of
silver was worth fifty-fve cents or
thereabouts. in our money; thus
placing the consideration" in Abra.
hams warranty deed at about 1920.
And the faithful narrator adds by
way OF an emphatic reminder that
this silver was "current money with
the merchants" sound money; hon.
est money; the peoples money.
Every merchant in those days was
a broker and banker; carrying about
in his girdle money pouch, a pair OF
scales, and writing materials; pre-
pared at any moment in his buying
and selling transactions to ascertain
the weight and market value OF gold
and silver bullion and the various
precious stones then in vogue. The
"money changers" whom Jesus
Christ forcibly elected from the Tenn
pie, were men of similar calling
merchants, brokers, bankers, money
loaners, etc. Indeed, all these terms
were interchangeable if not quite
synonymous. The bankers, brokers
and money changers of the present
day, unlike their ancient brethren, are
mOnprel denanarato rnna .an.I;oA