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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 30

The Detestable Two-Shilling-Piece

The Detestable Two-Shilling-Piece.

Sir,—Will you allow me to appeal through your valuable publication against this stupid two-shillings-stuck-together coin, that deceives us in its all but imitation of the useful half-crown. What's the good of it? Nothing! What's the evil of it? It is so nearly like half-a-crown that you never receive either coin without looking to see which it is. Think of the universal irritation in such a fact. As for change, it is the embodiment of folly. What are you to do with an eighteen-penny fare without a half-crown or a sixpence? As to its being the little end of the wedge in decimals, the Decimalists are really all dividing the unit into a 100 and not 10. Look at your bill for a one-and-ninepenny breakfast in Paris, 1 franc 75 cents. In England we save a number, and it is easier to add up. I will not take more of your space, the coin is such a fool, and is no good until changed, and is the abhorrence of the Christmas-box receiver; but it is the twenty per cent, cheat of the tradesman, and the assumiation of it if he is not a cheat.

Customer: "It was half-a-crown I gave you."

Tradesman: "Pardon me, sir, it was a two-shillings; here it is."

Customer: "Oh, I thought it was."

But Why coin this Coin of Discord?

Yours respectfully

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