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LAW AFFECTING CURRENCY.
1. Order in Council of 9th January, 1863, published in Government Gazette of 2nd May, 1863, declares that Mexican Dollars or other Silver Dollars of equivalent value duly authorised by the Governor of Hongkong shall be the only legal tender, and provides that Silver Coins representing some multiple of the cent or one- hundredth part of the said Dollars shall be a legal tender for any sum not exceeding Two Dollars, and that Copper or Bronze Coins representing the cont or one-hundredth part, or the mil or cash representing one-thousandth part of the Dollar shall be a legal tender for any sum not exceeding One Dollar. Providos also as to the preparation and dovices of such Coins to be issued from the mint. Soo preamble to Local Ordinanco 1 of 1864.
2. Ordinance No. 1 of 1864 recites the above Order in Council, and provides that British Sterling is to be converted into Dollars at 4s. 2d. per Dollar, when the Governor proclaims it.
3. Proclamation under Ordinance 1 of 1864. Soc Gnzette, 23rd January, 1864. By this Proclamation Ordinance 1 of 1864 is to take effect from 16th February, 1864.
4. Ordinance 2 of 1864.—This Ordinanco provides for the establishing of a Mint in the Colony (which was established and worked, but has been removed for some years).
5. Governor's Proclamation in Gazotto of 14th September, 1866.-This Proclamation recites Order in Council of 1863, and proclaims tho Ilongkong Dollar and Half-Dollar legal tonder.
6. Treasury Regulations of 20th October, 1866, published in Gazotte, 12th January, 1867.—These are regulations for Dollar, IIalf-Dollar, and Subsidiary Coinago made in pursuance of Ordinanco 2 of 1864 (the Hongkong Mint Ordinanco, 800. 2 of which ompowors the Governor to frame rogulations under which the Mint shall recoivo Silvor Bullion, and coin the sainc.)
7. Ordinance G of 1865, soctions 13, 20.—This Ordiuanco relatos to the offence of forging Bank Notes.
8. Ordinance 10 of 1865.—Offences angainst Coiungo, but sections 4, 3, 16, 17, 26, 27 not in force by Proclamation in Gazetto of 21st Octobor, 1865, under the Ordinance.
9. Proclamation under Ordinance 10 of 1865. Soo Gazotto 21st Octolier.-N.B-This is important, as it permits the Chinese custom in South China of chopping Dollars,
Order in Council, 27th Novembor, 1875,-Rate for issue of Silver Dollar to Hor Majesty's troops reduced from 43. 3d, to 48. 1ď.
The abovo Carroncy consists of the following Coins, viz.:-
1. The silvor Dollar of Mexico.
2. The Hongkong Dolle" and Half-Dollar issued from Her Majesty's Mint.
3. Silver Coins issued from Ilor Majesty's Mint, roprosenting:-
(1.) One-fifth part of the said Dollar, commonly callod Twenty Cont Pieco;- (2.) Ono-tenth part of the said Dollar, commonly called Ton Cont Pioco; and (3.) Ono twontioth part of the said Dollar, commonly called Five Cent Piece, 4. Copper or Bronze Coins, also issued from Hor Majesty's Mint, representing:—
(1.) One-hundredth part of the maid Dollar, and commonly called One Cent; and (2.) One-Thousandth part of the said Dollar, and commonly callod Mil or Cash.
AMOUNT OF COIN IN CIRCULATION.
Approximate amount of Hongkong Dollars and Half-Dollars struck at the Hongkong Mint, ...$1,421,487.00 Approximate amount of Hongkong Silver and Copper Subsidiary Coins (20, 10 and 5 Cent $355,981.00 plocoe;" and 1 Cont and Mil plecos) put into circulation up to 31st December, 1873, ...................................................
Hongkong Silver Subsidiary Coins obtained from England in the your 1874, and sabse # 48,000.00 quently issued, ........................................
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$
$608,700.00
Hongkong Silver and Copper Subsidiary Coins obtained from England in the youn 1875- 1883, and subsequently issued, deducting the amount in the Treamery on the 31st December, 1883,
It la impossible to state how many of the above Coins and of Coins of other denominations aru in circulation, but the probability is that of the Hongkong Silver Coins there is not 10 per cent, of
time within the Colony.
total kame at the