The legal deviation from the standard weight on the coinage of the gold dollar being one-quarter of a grain, it will continue current until reduced in weight below 25 grains. WEIGHT OF DIFFERENT SUMS OF UNITED STATES GOLD COIN (EXCLUDING THE DOLLAR), IN TROY OUNCES, AND DECIMALS OF THE OUNCE. In weighing coins in bulk at the mints, the ounce troy and decimals thereof is used. The same system will no doubt be followed at the various Treasury offices, but in other places it may be more convenient to use pennyweights and grains, instead of decimals of the ounce troy. A statement of the standard weight, legal limit of abrasion, and least current weight, in ources, pennyweights, and grains, is also given. WEIGHTS OF DIFFERENT SUMS OF UNITED STATES GOLD COIN (EXCLUDING THE DOLLAR), IN OUNCES (TROY), PENNYWEIGHTS AND GRAINS. The gold dollar continuing current until the deviation from standard weight in manufacture is exceeded, 5,000 pieces will be current if not weighing less than 266, ounces troy. For the information of the public it may be stated that all double eagles or 20-dollar pieces which have not been artificially reduced in weight will be found within the limit of natural abrasion allowed by law. The same rule will apply generally to eagles or 10-dollar pieces coined since 1845; half-eagles or 5-dollar pieces coined since 1855; quarter-eagles or 2 dollar pieces coined since 1860. The double eagle or 20-dollar piece should continue current for 50 years from date of coinage; the eagle or 10-dollar piece for 35 years; the half-eagle or 5-dollar piece for 20 years; the 3-dollar piece and the quarter-eagle, or two 24-dollar piece, each 15 years. The deviation from standard weight, one quarter of a grain, allowed by law in the coinage of the gold dollar, exceeds the legal limit of wear by nearly the eighth of a grain. All pieces of this denomination coined since 1860 will be found within the legal tolerance, if not fraudulently reduced in weight. These periods are estimated for coins when they constitute a part of the circulating medium, or are frequently transferred in Treasury and Customs transactions. It would save time, and otherwise facilitate the transaction of business, if persons having payments to make at the Treasury or Custom-houses would offer coins of one denomination only, and so far as practicable 20-dollar pieces. |