2258. DOLLAR, Grains of Silver in.—[continued].
Congress, in 1786, established
the Money Unit at 375.64 Troy grains
of pure silver. It is proposed to enlarge this
by about the third of a grain in weight, or a
mill in value; that it is to say, to establish
it at 376 (or, more exactly, 375.989343)
instead of 375.64 grains; because it will be
shown that this, as the unit of coin, will link
in system with the units of length, surface,
capacity, and weight, whenever it shall be
thought proper to extend the decimal ratio
through all these branches. It is to preserve the
possibility of doing this, that this very minute
alteration is proposed. * * * Let it be declared,
therefore, that the money unit or dollar
of the United States, shall contain 371.262
American grains of pure silver.—
Coinage, Weights and Measures Report. Washington ed. vii, 487.
(July. 1790)
