Deputy Master Royal Mint to Crown Agents.
Gentlemen,
Ref 12 JUN #7
8th June 1897.
85
607.
I have to acknowledge the receipt of Mr Blake's
letter of the 29th ultimo, enclosing a copy of a letter from
the Colonial Secretary of Hong Kong with four coins the
genuineness of which was doubted.
In reply I have to state that the coins in question have been examined in this Department and that, although closely approximating to the legal standard in regard
to weight, assays show them to be considerably below standard.
The weights and assays of the coins were found to be
as follows:-
Coin Weight Assay 20-cent, 1890 81.95 grs. 754.5 20-cent, 1890 82.62 grs. 747.3 20-cent, 1891 63.95 grs. 771.2 10-cent, 1886 21.06 grs. 524.0The legal weight of the larger coin is 83.91 grains
and that of the smaller 20.95 grains, while the millesimal
standard of all is 800.
The four coins are therefore, undoubtedly counterfeits.
I am,
Gentlemen,
Horace Seymour.
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