SHORTAGE OF COINS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 84, 3 January 1920, Page 2

SHORTAGE OF COINS

SOI'VENIK HABIT TO BLAME. Dispatches from Pni'is indicate that tho shortage of silver coins has passed iiiul the monetary \litlieulties which have confronted the French capital since tho homeward movement of American troops is viewed in this country with particular interest: bccausi; of the part overseas soldiers played in the situation. Tho main cause of t lie condition is attributed not only to tho present high price of silver, which makes the coin more valuable as bullion than as money, but also to tho fact that the American soldier lias had a hand in tho matter. According to competent exchange author lies during the activities of United troops in France it is estimated tii»i u-.Hiro.\iinalely live million oiio and t!~- ,:»m: pieces were either mnnufneinto silver hand ri iifrs and other s.imvenirs or destroyed 'by the men during tho experimental stages of manufacturing souvenirs. Although army orders were' issued prohibiting tho destruction of French coins at the request of the French Government when the destruction became noticeable, it is rati mated that an average of two coins for each man \vert> either made into souvenirs, 'destroyed in tho attempt, or brought back to this country in their natural form never to go into circulation again, tho latter despite tho fact that an order from General Headquarters was issued to nil (loops departing from Franco prohibiting them from taking silver coins from the country.