§ MR. C. E. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)I bog to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the frequent loss inflicted on shopkeepers and others by the similarity betwixt half-sovereigns and farthings, especially in gas light; and whether he would take into consideration some alteration in the design of the farthing in future coining, so as to make error and consequent loss avoidable?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir MICHAEL HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.No recent case has been brought to the knowledge of the Mint such as that described in the Question. As I pointed out in my reply to a Question put to me on February 25th last on this subject, there is an obvious difference between the farthing and the half-sovereign—[a laugh]—the former having a smooth, plain edge, and the latter a milled one. The reverse has an entirely different design—St. George and the Dragon in the case of the half-sovereign, Britannia in the case of the farthing. In addition the latter coin has the word "Farthing" engraved in conspicuous letters upon it. It appears, therefore, that error and consequent loss can be easily avoided by the use of ordinary care. I have considered some suggestions for a change, but have not been satisfied with any of them.
§ MR. SCHWANNsaid that it was within his knowledge that the mistake had been made three times in the course of business by one person. Did not the right hon. Gentleman think that by treating the metal with sulphur before issue the colour might be changed and the error prevented?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI went into that matter some little time ago.