"SILVER" COINS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 16, 19 January 1924, Page 16

"SILVER" COINS

BRITAIN'S NEW ISSUE

. The silver coins of 1923 certainly present a more pleasing appearance..-than those struck two or three years ago. It, is more apparent than real, says a writer in the "Daily Mail." In 1920 the Government reduced the percentage of pure silver in our t . o , ns from 92.5 , ]cr cent, to 50,.per cent.,;, leaving the Joint' to produce coius as saUsiactuvv as tae ne\* conditions would allow. The new money rapidily discoloured, sometimes even before it was put into circulation, and' the green and yellow effects provoked a biorm of criticism. ' it is true that the Miut-chcnijst in his next report. solemnly announced that the stains were either oxide of copper winch could easily be removed with sulphuric acid, O r verdigris, which could be washed,off with soap and water.-But this explanation did not afford much satisfaction- to the public, or even to the Mint authorities themselves, for, in the laboratories on Tower Hill, a great (leal of experimental work was continued with alternative alloys. ■•■■■ In the earlier issues of the new coinage a certain proportion of nickel was nsed, but this is not the case in the more recent ; issues, the alloy lof. which consists of copper and silver! in equal parts. When neW 1923 coins are issued they are bright and' shinin.-, looking every- bit as/good as their prewar brethcren: • : J This apparent improvement is due to an ingenious device on the part of the Mint. Before the coins are actually struck, the metal blanks are "pickled" 111 acid. This has the effect- of eating away the copper; on tho outside of the alloy, leaving a" coating of almost pure silver. But this pure silver is only a covering film ; the coins themselves'i are still composed of the old brassy-yellow alloy In the course of time, probably within a year, the coating of silver wiil wear away and the familiar'russet and god effects will be-seen once more. Experiments with various' alloys'are still proceeding, but. so faY none' has .furnished, any improvement on the one now in use. The substitution of aluminium for copper was tried, but the resultant coins proved to be very much below statutory weight..Wore this alloy used, our coins would' have to lie either I double their present ihickr.ess or much |. greater in. diamocr, unless, of course, an Act.-iyeru passed-.decreci tig a rcclucI tion mi weight.