AC dBooks

[27]
Double eagle Half-eagle
Eagle Quarter-eagle
SILVER COINS.
Standard dollar Quarter-dollar
Half-dollar Dime
MINOR COINS.
Five-cent (nickel) One-cent (bronze)

The silver coins less in value than one dollar are called _subsidiary_
coins.
[Footnote 27: No gold one-dollar pieces have been coined since 1890.]

The Ratio of Gold and Silver Coins.--The law fixes the weight
of pure metal in a silver dollar at 371.25 grains, troy weight, and
that of the pure metal in a gold dollar at 23.22 grains. The _ratio
_ of these weights is 15.988+: 1, or nearly 16:1. This indicates
the origin of the famous expression, "sixteen to one."
Free Coinage.--By _free coinage _is meant a policy
established by law, under which any person may bring bullion to the
mint in any amount and have it coined; that is, the amount which
the government will coin is _unlimited_ by law.


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