§ MR. CAUSTONI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the value is marked upon some silver coins and not on others; whether his attention has been drawn to the great inconvenience caused to the public through the similarity of the new four shilling pieces to the five-shilling pieces; and what is the objection to putting the value on all silver coins?
§ MR. GOSCHENOn none of the coins of the new designs issued in 1887 was there any indication of their value except, on the threepence. In former reigns none of the gold or silver coins except the threepence bore any indication of their value, and it was proposed in 1887 to revert to this practice; but representations were made as to the similarity of the reverse design of the sixpence to that of the hall-sovereign, and in November, 1887, the former design, with the words "Sixpence," was resumed. There can hardly be said to be any similarity between the double florin and the crown. ["Oh!"] Well, I think most people know the difference, as the former has for a reverse design four shields arranged crosswise, like the florin, and the latter the St. George and dragon.
§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)I Why is not the old custom followed of marking the shilling with the words "One Shilling?"
§ MR. GOSCHENThe change was made under the Act of 1887.