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Show The latest proposition in regard to a congressional con-gressional appropriation In aid ot the World's fair is that the sum of $5,000,000 be coined into Columbian sourenir half-dollar pieces. These coins would be of silTer, of uitable design, and of equal value with the ordinary half-dollsx. The demand for 50-cent 50-cent pieces is not near so great as some might suppose. During the year 1891 the number of half-dollars Btruck off was 165,-875, 165,-875, while of quarter-dollars there were ",-804,475 ",-804,475 coined, as against 17,614,621 dimes. This indicates the relative demand for the three subsidiary coins in the ordinary-course ordinary-course of business. It is claimed, how-rer, how-rer, that the fair will create an extraordinary ex-traordinary demand for half-dollars since 50 cents will be the amount ; of the entrance charge. It Is thought desirable de-sirable to add this proposed number of half-dollars half-dollars to the circulation, independent of the souvenir idea, as they would be freely taken by those intendiug to visit the fair, if judiciously distributed with that end in lew. ''It is none the less true," says the Inter-Ocean, "that it would be a piece of inexcusable in-excusable stupidity on the part of the government gov-ernment to let the great Columbian celebra tion go by without striking off a souveuir eoin. The Victorian jubilee, in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of the reign of the present queen of Great Britain, gave rise to several new coins. In our case the Columbian coin in commemoration of the four-hundredth anniversary of the discovery of America should be so distinctive in design that it could not be mistaken for any other piece of money and would be treasured by the people in remembrance of the great celebration. cel-ebration. It would soon command a premium." pre-mium." This plan has been suggested by the committee from the directory at Washington, Wash-ington, and has been favorably received in many quarters. The promoters of the World's fair are getting a little anxious on the matter of government assistance, and they will not be particular as to the shape in which the donation reaches them. Those who are favorable to a larger use of silver as money will probably not object to putting an additional $5,000,000 in a coin which will not only circulate readily among the peoplr, but comBsa4vpsmiuin on accom s 5fc Wl'-J. 4 |