Simple Rules for Determining the Exact Ratios Between a Gold and a Silver Dollar - Simple Rules

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Miles

Simple Rules for Determining the Exact Ratios Between a Gold and a Silver Dollar explains what the “16 to 1” ratio means in U.S. coinage, compares it with the more precise weight ratio of 1 to 15.9884, and shows how grain weights of gold and silver translate into equivalent dollar values. It discusses the difference between ratios based on coinage versus bullion intrinsic value, outlines calculations to confirm equivalence, and evaluates the practical question of maintaining silver at parity with gold through legislation amid changing market and production conditions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Restrictions on Use

Technical Microform Data

What is meant by the ratio of 16 to 1?

Ratio based on weight versus value

Illustration and verification of equivalence

Determining the ratio between gold and silver bullion

Actual value and market comparison

97-84239-22Carothers,J.M.B. 16 to 1 [Bethlehem,Pa.?] [18--] # COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIESPRESERVATION DIVISIONBIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARGET ORIGINAL MATERIAL AS FILMED-EXISTING BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD OCLC: 37818135Rec stat:nEntered:19971021Replaced:19971021Used:19971021Type:aELvl: KSrce:dAudn:Ctrl:Lang: engBLvl: mForm:aConf:0Biog:MRec:Ctry: pauCont:GPub:Fict:0Indx: 0Desc: aIlls:Fest: 0DtSt:uDates:18uu,1(040PR1 vc PR1艹2007h vbd vd a ve f vf a---vg b vh a vi cvj p艹3007h b d vd a re f vf a---vg b vh a vi a vj p4007h bd vd a ve f vf a---vg b vh a vibvj p5090b6049PR1A71001Carothers,J.M.B.82451016 to 1 h[microform]:b simple rules for determining theextactratiosbetween a goid and a silver dollar./vc by J.M.B.Carothers.92504th ed. 」J L 10260[Bethlehem,Pa.?:b J.M.B.Carothers?vc 18--]“11300[4]p.;rc 16 cm.\#12500Caption title.廿」『 ## RESTRICTIONS ON USE: Reproductions may not be made without permission from Columbia UniversityLbraries. # TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA FILM SIZIE: 35mmREDUCTION RATIO: 9:1 MAGE PLACEMENT:IA IB IIB INITIALS: PB II-10-97_ DATE FILMED: TRACKING\#: 29301 FILMED BY PRESERVATION RESOURCES,BETHLEHEM,PA. Ql6 1043500000 16 to 1. Simple Rules for Determining the Exact RatiosBetween a Gold and a Silver Dollar of UnitedStates Coinage and Gold and Silver Bullion,and the Actual Value of our Standard SilverDollar.BY J.M.B.CAROTHERS. As there appears to be a grent diversity of opin-ion as to what 16 to 1 neans,and also as to theratio between the intrinsie value of an ounce ofpure gold and the market value of an ounee ofpure silver in bullion,I wisli to subnit the follow-ing statement as to what is inennt by the ratio of16 to 1,and also to furnish simple rules for determining the value between a gold and a silver dol-lar of United States coinage and gold and silverbullion and the aetual value of our standard sil-ver dollar. What is meant by the ratio of 16 to1?The ratioin coinage of 16 toi means that 16 ounces of puresilver coined shall have the saine value as an ounceof pure gold eoined,namely,S20.67.And yet 16ounces of pure silver will coina little more than anounce of pure goll,and henee,since the passage ofthe act of January 18,1837,all standard silver dol-lars coined by the mints of the United States havebeen coined at tle rate of 1 to 15,9884.The ratiobetween a silver and a gold dollar is determinedin this way: The silver dollar contains 371.25 grains of puresilver and a gold dollar 23.22 grains of pure gold.If you divide,371.25 by 23.22 it will give you theratio of weight—not of value,beca11se silyer doesnot have an intrinsie value in bullion as does gold—between a gold dollar and a silver dollar,whichis 15.9884. This difference in the generally called ratio of1 to 16 and the aceurate ratio of 1 to 15.9884 ismade clear by the following illustration:Anounce,or 480 grains of pure gold will coinas nany dollars as 23.22 grains are eontained times in480grains,which is S20.67.And 16 ounces,or 7680grains,of pure silver will coin as many dollars as371.25 grains,are contained times in7680 grains,that isS20.686 which is 1喜cents,or 1.16 in excessof the coined value of an ounce of pure gold,which is the exact difference between the ratio ofI to 16 and 1 to 15.9884.But since the exact ratioin coinage between gold and silver is one ounce ofgold to 15.9884 ounces of silver the reader willreadily see that 15.9884 ounces of silver will coinexactly the same amount of money as one ounceof gold.This is proved by multiplying 15.9884ounces by 480,the number of grains in an ounceof silver,and dividing the product by 371.25,thenunber of grains in a silver dollar,which gives820.67. Now,since silver has no intrinsic value in itsuncoined state,as has gold,for 23.22 grains ofpure gold are worth 100 cents in all the moneycenters of the worl

FAQs

What does the “16 to 1” ratio mean in U.S. coinage?

It means 16 ounces of pure silver coined are assigned the same value as 1 ounce of pure gold coined, with a stated relationship based on coinage rules.

Why does the document distinguish between the ratio of 1 to 16 and 1 to 15.9884?

It explains that the “generally called” ratio differs from the accurate weight ratio derived from the grain content of a gold and a silver dollar.

How does the document propose determining the bullion gold-silver ratio?

It instructs dividing the intrinsic value of 1 ounce of gold bullion by the ruling market value of 1 ounce of silver, producing an exact bullion ratio based on current market prices.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Miles