XML | Preceding document | Next document | Cite this document

Public Offices document
Peel, Frederick to Rogers, Frederic 24 July 1862, CO 60:14, no. 7316, 274.

Abstract
Public Offices document. Minutes (1), Other documents (1).
Peel writes Rogers to inform Newcastle that the Treasury approves the sample coins provided by Douglas but recommends that the twenty dollar coin be made thinner to prevent tampering.
Peel to Rogers (Permanent Under-Secretary)
Treasury Chambers
24 July 1862
With reference to Mr Elliot's letter of 4th Instant on the subject of Coinage for British Columbia.
I am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to acquaint you, for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, that My Lords see no objection to the device (according to the specimens in Silver forwarded) for the pieces to be issued from the Government Assay Office; but They think that it may be advisable, with reference to the proposed issue of the 20 Dollar pieces, that the Governor should be informed of a fraud that has been discovered in this Country in the case of the United States DoubleEagleManuscript image Eagle. On melting some of these Coins at the Bank of England, it was found that by an ingenious contrivance the Coin had been cut in half horizontally, and rejoined, after the removal of Gold from the inside and the substitution of platinum, so as to restore the Weight and substance of the Coin.
It is obvious that a fraud of this nature could not be readily perpetrated with a thinner coin; and it renders questionable the policy of issuing Gold pieces of the size proposed.
The specimens in Silver are herewith returned.
I am
Sir,
Your obedient Servant
F. Peel
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
Mr Elliot
Communicate this approval to the Governor, & recommend a thinner 20 dollar piece, for the reason assigned.
ABd 24 July
TFE 24 July
CF 25
N 26
Other documents included in the file
Manuscript image
Draft reply, Newcastle to Douglas, No. 136, 1 August 1862, advising of the Treasury's approval of the sample coins provided by Douglas and recommending that the twenty dollar coin be made thinner to prevent tampering.