Bimetallism

is the term used to denote a double Monetary Standard of Value. Bimetallists say that it is a Free Trade movement. They wish to re-open the mints of the leading nations of the world to the unrestricted coinage of gold and silver, as the unsatisfactory state of commerce generally is due to the appreciation of gold, and the uncertainty of exchange between gold standard and silver standard countries. There is a Bimetallic League, and the Gold Standard Defence A ociation, the one in favour, the other in disfavour of bimetallism on a broad international basis at a common ratio. The question rests largely upon the fundamental difference between standard coin qnd token coin, for the quantity of standard money, other things remaining the same, determines the general standard of prices; but the quantity of token money i ued is determined by the general standard of prices.