solid silver tableware as in Great Britain, the market for silver would be greatly stimulated and a better price be obtained. According to the American National Retail Jewelers Association, 85 per cent of the volume of silverware sold in this country is plated silverware. This requires a comparatively small volume of this basic metal. POSSIBILITIES OF INCREASING USE OF SILVER ALLOYS. One of the best possibilities of increasing the use of silver to a large extent would be through the development of new alloys which would have desirable properties for certain uses. It is well known that a very small proportion, frequently only a fraction of 1 per cent, of one metal alloyed with another changes the properties to a very great extent. Everyone is familiar with what a decided change in appearance is caused in copper by the addition of a small percentage of nickel, as, for instance, that alloy from which our 5-cent pieces are made. Everyone is also familiar with the decided change in properties of steel caused by the addition of very small percentages of nonferrous metals. It is entirely possible that a systematic investigation would develop alloys of silver which would have very desirable properties for use industrially or commercially. LESS-TARNISHING ALLOYS OF SILVER. One of the chief drawbacks to the use of silver for household articles is the fact that it tarnishes very readily. If this could be materially decreased or overcome by means of the development of an alloy, which alloy would not be excessively expensive, it would, very likely, result in a great increase in the use of silver articles, which would in turn result in a large increase in the amount of silver consumed. Much work has been done in the attempt to develop silver alloys of sterling quality which would be considerably less tarnishing than the present coppersilver standard sterling. Jewelry manufacturers have been especially interested in this problem and have made up over 200 experimental alloys. There are on the market at least two less-tarnishing alloys of silver, but so far no one has developed a really nontarnishing alloy as being of the same ratio as stainless steel. The silverware manufacturers held a meeting in Bridgeport, Conn., in October, 1923, in which the whole question was taken up and exhibits of ware fabricated from less-tarnishing alloys were made. It was the consensus of opinion of the manufacturers that the alloys were not good enough as regards nontarnishability. The Bureau of Standards is conducting tests on special alloys of silver made up by manufacturers for their nontarnishability. There are several fields along which work should be done toward the development of a nontarnishing alloy. Three of the most promising lines of investigation which have been proposed are described below: (1) Alloy silver with magnesium. The magnesium will probably harden the alloy too much, and therefore with the magnesium should be used zinc or cadmium for softening, using the maximum amount of magnesium that can be gotten in and still give a workable alloy. Some experiments conducted in cooperation with the Bureau of Mines by one of the leading manufacturers who melts about 85 per cent of the sterling silver for the industry show that alloys containing up to 4 per cent magnesium and 32 per cent zinc, the remainder being silver, can be rolled. An alloy containing 6 parts magnesium, 1 part zine, and 921⁄2 parts silver, is said to have rolled fairly well, and, as regards their tests for nontarnishability, was about the same as their best one. The remainder of this hypothesis is that silver is alloyed with a metal which is oxidizable, giving a white oxide, hoping to coat the silver lattice with this oxidizable metal and thereby protect the silver from sulphidization by the coating of exide formed. The best one so far made by this manufacturer contains aluminum as the alloving element, which gives a white sulphide. (2) Alloy silver with some metal, such as chromium, if possible, which is nontarnishing, with the hope that the silver lattice will be coated with this nontarnishing metal and thus protected from sulphidization. It is doubted whether enough chromium would alloy with silver to coat the lattice, but it might be possible to pull the chromium in by means of some other metal. Doubtless it could be pulled in with copper, but it would be an advantage to avoid copper if possible, because copper gives a black oxide and sulphide. Probably the reason that standard sterling was made up with copper as the alloying element was mainly a matter of chance, due to the fact that copper was one of the few well-known metals at the time standard sterling was developed. (3) Alloy silver_with_tellurium, if this can be done without producing brittle alloys, using with the tellurium some metal which will soften silver, such as zinc or cadmium.-Zinc, of course, always has the advantage over cadmium on account of its cheapness, and also due to the fact that it gives a white sulphide instead of a yellow one. If tellurium can be alloyed with silver to a sufficient extent, it might act in two ways (a) coat the lattice with a nontarn's ing substane and thus protect it according to hypothesis No. 2, and thereby satisfy silve.'s affinity for sulphurlike materials. The following is a fourth hypothesis that might be tried: Alloy silver to a small extent with some of the rarer metals. In th's "ase the metal that seems most feasible to use is germanium, because whi'e german'um is at present worth about $10 a gram, there are considerable supplies of it in South Africa and probably enough in the complex zinc ores of this country which, if there was an outlet for it, could be put on the market at probably around $2 a gram. It is said that germanium forms white sulphides and white oxides, which would be an advantage. Also, the sulphide is almost insoluble even in concentrated acids. The possibility of using germanium should be investigated. Besides germanium it might be possible to use scandium or indium, although the supplies of these are reported to be not nearly as large as the supply of germanium. Due to the fact that most of the efforts to develop nontarnishing silver alloys have been hit and miss, and much of the work done by men without a large amount of scientific training, very likely by attacking the problem systematically it will be possible to solve it. The development of a relatively nontarnishing silver alloy, one which in the hands of the housewife will only have to be polished once in six months or once a year, against the present practice of once a month, will. as previously stated, materially increase the consumption of silver. The investigation should not be confined entirely to the investigation of alloys of sterling quality, but rather try to develop a relatively nontarnishing silver alloy which should contain a minimum of 50 per cent silver and then from that as a basis try to work back, if possible, to alloys of the highest silver content. SILVER IN RADIO. If silver could be put even to a small extent in certain pieces of equipment in the telephone system and radio, this would result in a large increase in the use of silver. Silver has high conductivity for direct currents, it being the best conductor of all metals, and its surface, because it is a soft metal, can be made very smooth; further, silver on tarnishing goes to a sulphide, which, while it is not a good conductor, is a relative conductor rather than being an insulator like the tarnishing on most metals. Investigation should be taken up to determine (1) fundamental data as to the high frequency conduction of silver as compared with other metals; (2) investigations as to the use of silver for condenser plates; (3) the use of silver as compared with other metals for electrical contacts. Several men versed in radio express the belief that the idea is sound. The radio experts of the Bureau of Mines, who are trying to develop underground systems for use in mine rescue work, believe that it is worthy of investigation. Experts of the Westinghouse Electric Co. and the General Electric Co. believe that it should be done and has promise of success. It is believed that these problems-(1) The use of silver in high frequency conductor, (2) the use of silver for condenser plates, and (3) the use of silver for contacts should be thoroughly investigated. SILVER IN STEEL. Michael Faraday, in some of his researches, found that a small amount of silver added to steel greatly decreased its rate of corrosion. There have been a few other people who have worked on this problem since, but so far as known nothing definite has come of it. It has been reported that silver and iron will not alloy, but it would probably be possible to get a small amount of silver into iron by means of another alloying element, such as copper. Copper would probably be a very good metal to use, as copper-steel is less subject to corrosion than other steel is, and it is entirely within reason that silver would further decrease the corrodibility. This problem should be carried along as a minor problem, together with the nontarnishing silver alloy problem. CHEAP SILVER ALLOYS FOR PLATING MACHINE PARTS. There is further the possibility of developing relatively cheap alloys in which only a small proportion of silver will be used which, due to the large consumption of such alloys, would result in a large increase in the amount of silver consumed. It is reported in the literature as a result of more or less "cut and try" methods that an alloy of 95 per cent aluminum and 5 per cent silver gives an alloy which is more elastic and harder but just as malleable as aluminum. It is said that such an alloy may be die-cast, spun, and worked by practically all of the methods of metal working. If this is true it would be possible at least partially to replace nickel-plated articles with articles made from this alloy. A certain specific use where such an alloy might fit in readily is for trimming on automobiles. Such an alloy being relatively nontarnishable and solid throughout would have decided advantages over the present nickel-plated trim. It would also result in the substitution of silver and aluminum for nickel, with the consequent benefit to Americs instead of foreign industry, due to the fact that no nickel is produced in the United States. The investigation of the possibility of producing such an alloy is worthy of consideration. SILVER IN PHOTOGRAPHY. The use of silver in photography has had the advantage of research, and it is doubtful if any research along lines of attempting to develop new uses for the metal in the photographic industry would result in increasing its use to any large extent. SILVER IN CHEMISTRY. It is possible that a thorough investigation might reveal the possibility of using silver as a catalyst in certain chemical operations. However, such use, if developed, probably would not result in a large increase in consumption. ALLOYS WITH RARE METALS. No work has yet been done, as stated before, in connection with alloys of silver with the rarer metals. These metals very often when alloyed with the commoner metals, even in small amounts, produce alloys which have decidedly different and very desirable properties. Research on such alloys is deemed worth while, not only for nontarnishibility but to learn whether alloys with other desirable qualities could be developed. SILVER IN DETONATORS. It is well known that silver fulminate and silver azide, as well as several other silver salts, are explosive and might be suitable for use in detonators, but the salts of commoner metals are used for this purpose. Research would be necessary to determine this point. The amount of silver that such research might put into use would be relatively small. LEAD-SILVER ALLOYS IMPRACTICABLE. It is known that lead will readily alloy in all proportions with silver, but that even a small amount of lead greatly diminishes the malleability and ductility of the silver and liquation always takes place, which shows the undesirability of using lead as an alloying element with silver. SILVER BIBLIOGRAPHY. The literature has been searched thoroughly and there has been gathered a large number of references on silver alloys, their composition, properties, uses. methods of melting, etc. Publication of this bibliography would be helpful for the guidance of future investigators, which will serve as a very necessary and helpful basis for the bureau's future laboratory work. PART VIII. NEW COINAGES. 1. NOTES ON NEW METALLIC CURRENCIES, BY H. N. LAWRIE, ASSISTANT TO COMMISSION. AUSTRIA. THE AUSTRIAN MINT. [Consul Robert W. Heingartner, Vienna, March 4, 1924.] For the first time in many years the Austrian Mint is again working at full capacity. Austrian coins of 100 and 200 crowns are ready for circulation, but it is not yet known when the new Austrian silver "schillings" will be ready for mintage. Moreover, the mint is working for Bulgaria and also for Poland, but what is most favorable is the increase in Levantine orders. The Marie Theresia or Levantine "thaler" is again much in demand and great quantities are being exported to Italy. Some Austrian banks have also ordered "Levantine thalers" for their branch offices in the Levant. REINTRODUCTION OF SILVER COINS IN AUSTRIA. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, DIRECTOR BUREAU OF FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC COmmerce. (Attention James A. Stader, Chief Mineral Section, Iron and Steel Division.) DEAR MR. STADER: In reply to the bureau's letter of February 1, received February 26: The Austrian federal law of December 21, 1923, again provides for the minting and circulation of metallic currency after a lapse of almost 10 years. At the beginning of the World War the Austro-Hungarian Government withdrew most of its silver coins from circulation chiefly for the purpose of making Government and army payments; large amounts were also hoarded. Ever since paper currency has been the circulating medium, and the Austrian Republic still continued to use paper money even after the dismemberment of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. The economic and social improvement of Austria and the stabilization of the Austrian monetary unit at approximately 70,000 crowns to the dollar, ever since September, 1922, has been brought about by the reconstruction program under the guidance and surveillance of the League of Nations. With such conditions either stabilized or improving, it has been possible to decide upon a new monetary silver unit of value known as the "schilling," which is equivalent in value to 10,000 paper crowns. According to the law of December 21, 1923, appearing in the "Bundesgesetzblatt fuer die Republik Oesterreich" of December 29, 1923 (copy of which we have already forwarded to the bureau by pouch), the Government has the right to mint silver coins to the extent of 60,000 crowns per capita to replace the present 5,000 and 10,000 paper crown notes in circulation. Three denominations will be placed in circulation, namely, the 5,000crown, 10,000-crown, and 20,000-crown, known as the half schilling, schilling, and double schilling, respectively. The metal content will be 800/1,000 silver and 200/1,000 copper, and the gross weight of the schilling will be 7 grams, of which 5.6 grams will be fine silver. For further details concerning the circulation of these silver coins it is suggested that the copy of the inclosed law be consulted. Considering the fact that the population of present Austria is about 61⁄2 millions, the law in question permits the use of about 220,000 kilograms of silver to be used in striking off coins. Ministerialrat Dr. Rizzi, of the Finance Ministry, informs us that the Government is going ahead with its program of minting and circulating silver coins, and the first silver coins will be placed in circulation during the summer months of this year. The amount of silver which the Government has on hands for this purpose is about one-third of the sum required and was largely acquired by the Government by remelting old coins obtained in various exchange transactions. The remainder, about 150,000 kg., will in all probability not be purchased m the latter part of this year or in 1925, in order to avoid interest charges. Austria is not a producer of silver. It is thought that bullion will have to be purchased on the open silver market, which is usually more expensive than remelting coins received in exchange transactions, as it is said that Germany expects to introduce fractional silver currency. Sincerely yours, E. M. ZWICKEL, Assistant Trade Commissioner, in absence of Commercial Attaché. EXTRACT FROM A REPORT OF CONSUL ROBERT W. HEINGARTNER, VIENNA, DATED APRIL 9, 1924. A considerable part of the new Austrian coins have been minted, especially of the coins of 100, 200, and 1,000 crowns. It was originally planned to circulate these smaller coins at the beginning of this year, but it was decided to delay their emission until the silver schillings were ready for circulation. This will be early in the summer, but the exact date is not known because the coinage of the schillings has not yet been started. A final decision concerning the model to be used has been reached, the Finance Ministry having accepted the sketch of the metal engraver Zita. The silver schilling, of which for the present six million pieces are to be coined, will show the House of Parliament on the obverse side and below it the date of 1924 with the words, "Republik Oesterreich" (Republic of Austria). On the reverse side the word "schilling" in capital letters is surrounded by a crescent of oak leaves. The diameter of the schilling is 27 millimeters. COSTA RICA. RESTAMPING OF SILVER CURRENCY. [By Roderick W. Unckles, American vice consul, San Jose, Costa Rica. Date of preparation. January 22, 1924. Date of mailing, January 26, 1924. Approved: Henry S. Waterman, American consul} In further reference to the report from this office entitled "Silver currency in Costa Rica," prepared July 14, 1923, in reply to the department's instruction of December 22, 1922, file No. 800–515/42, a translation of a decree appearing in La Gaceta of January 22, 1924, on this same subject is as follows: Considering: 1. That law No. 93 of July 10, 1923, provides that the Banco Internacional de Costa Rica shall restamp and place in circulation at double their face values the silver coins of the country which were delivered to it by the administration principal de rentas (fiscal agents), in virtue of decree No. 4 of May 7, 1922. 2. That although the restamping of the coins of a value of twenty-five and fifty centimos is being accomplished without serious difficulties, the same would not occur with the coins of a value of five and ten centimos, as the flimsy condition of all of them and the worn state of the greater part of them would make this operation difficult and costly; and that there are, also, a quantity of coins of a value of twenty-five and fifty centimos which have become greatly worn through circulation, and because there exist various silver discs without restamping. 3. That the legislative decree, given at the initiative of the executive power, which provided for the restamping could not foresee the material difficulties which would present themselves upon placing in practice this law, the intent of which was that the silver coins should be placed in circulation at double their original value in order that they might retain a value relation with the bills, which would make their retirement from circulation difficult, without entering into details regarding the manner in which the restamping should be accomplished. 4. That a silver coin 650/1000 fine (650 mms.) weighing 3-450/1000 grams (3 grams and 450 mgrs.) would be equal to one-half of the value of a coin which now circulates with a value of fifty centimos, and that, therefore, the minting of such a coin would respond to the end pursued by the mentioned decree No. 93, and would be the most convenient form of obviating the difficulties in complying with the law that are presenting themselves, and at the same time would result in providing a public commodity. |