§ 14. Mr. KINGasked whether the coins now being issued from the Royal Mint are tested by the sclerescope for hardness and durability; and whether the coinage of the present period may be expected to preserve all the marks of impression longer than previous issues?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt would not be possible to test each individual coin of a large issue, but the results obtained by laboratory experiments with a sclerescope are used as a guide in manufacture. The answer to the second part of the hon. Member's question depends upon the particular designs chosen for comparison, but I understand that, speaking generally, the durability of the present coinage is as great as that of former coinages.