My grandfather's math book from 1899...

I was looking through my grandfather's math book which was published in 1899. I came across a few interesting numismatic-related items I thought I would share with you:



Oh, and these were the days, my friend:




I wonder how many of those people back in 1899 bought up as many Double-eagles, etc. and $500 & $1000 bills as they could afford? Probably not many because even the cent had honest purchasing power back then.

It's strange to think that these folks back then probably didn't give a passing thought that they were using gold and silver in their coinage. They probably thought that's the way it would always be! And certainly they probably never considered that CLAD coinage would take over one day much less credit cards or paying for something electronically through the INTERNET!!!

I wonder what they would think of our world today? Just the process of me scanning my grandfather's old math book in order to post pictures of it on this forum would probably completely boggle his mind.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

"It's strange to think that these folks back then probably didn't give a passing thought that they were using gold and silver in their coinage. They probably thought that's the way it would always be! And certainly they probably never considered that CLAD coinage would take over one day much less credit cards or paying for something electronically through the INTERNET!!!"

The constitution explicitly said that only gold and silver were legal tender for debts, public and private.
That was before the Fed monster came to be.

 

thats a cool piece of history! very nice

 

It's amazing how people in the US just let that slide right by, yet some get quite worked up over their "right to bear arms".

 

That's a really cool find. Thanks for sharing.

 

Hey man, If I want to get a tan, I should be able too

BTW, the pics are not showing up for me.

<nevermind, apparantly my work has blocked the hosting website>

 

Haha that is cool. I wish math was that easy. :bigeyes: lol

 

Did you ever see that Family Guy episode where the founding fathers are going over the constitution and question weither the "right to bear arms" line is clear enough? "Everyone has the right to hang bear arms (as in grizzly bear) in their livingroom... what's so confusing about that?"

 

very neat!! I would like to compare the surface area of 1899 to current day, I bet it has changed quite abit due to eroision, and environmental cahnges over time.

Kool post!!


RickieB

 

WRONG on both counts!

Article I, Section 10, Clause 1, provides in part that: “No State shall . . .make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts. . .”

Section 8 of that same Article, gives Congress the power: “To. . .borrow money on the credit of the United States. . .” The Supreme Court construed that language as authorizing Congress to issue paper currency, and make it legal tender in satisfaction of debts, 42 years before the Fed was created.

 

I sense a Constitutional battle brewing right here on CT.

 

And others have pointed out that if the Constitution gave the government the power to print paper money, why would they need the power to borrow money? The answer lies in the ratification debates. The clear intent of the founders was to open the Mint to the unlimited coinage of gold and silver as money so that the people, not the government, controlled the money supply. If the government needed money, they could tax or borrow but not print. The colonies had just emerged from hyperinflation and weren't anxious for a rerun.

 

Correct on both counts. The problem as I see it is the Section 8 gave CONGRESS the power to borrow money and therefore the right to create paper money, and the CONGRESS was give the power to create money and to regulate its value. The Congress gave these powers over to the Fed. I suppose that could be construed as delegating their authority though.

 

Thats a very cool piece of history.

 

I don't think Congress has the authority to delegate Constitutional powers [even if they got away with it], since they were given those enumerated powers by the states to execute on behalf of the states and the people. Could they delegate the power to declare war? It's tragic how they manage not to do what they are Consitutionally required to do, and to do what they are Constitutionally prohibited from doing.:headbang:

 

I'm sure you said that in jest but many people confuse the words 'bear' and 'bare'. 'Bear' and 'bare' are homonymns (words that are pronounced the same but have different meanings).

bear - to hold or carry (as with a weapon)

bare - to leave exposed

 

Oh, a lively debate has ensued regarding the states' power to coin money vs. the Congress! All this because of an old math book... my grandfather would have loved it!!

 

My wife passively collects old school books, we have been through antique book stores a few times - but the best find was an English primer from the mid 1880's with rubbings of 1870's era nickels in it. Some kid then had a nickel and made rubbings of it in the book.

 

Oh wow! PRICELESS! That's some real history right there too..

Any chance you could snag a pic?

 

Yes - a picture please. These old books are kewl. I have access to some books in the lat 1840's early 1850's, but nothing coin related. Or at least that I can tell since they are in german.