Rensselaer Union, Volume 11, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1879 — A Silver Plant. [ARTICLE]

A Silver Plant.

A few days ago, the express brought to this city a large quantity of silver coin, supposed to be $20,000. It was consigned to the Fourth National Bank, corner of Third and Walnut streets. There would have been nothing strange about this incident if it had not been known that the eo ! n was of an extraordinary kind, and was enveloped in a mysterious historv. It was oi the halfdollar denomination, and every piece bore the date of the American Mint, showing that it was coinad prior to 1834. The strangest feature of all remains, however, to be recited. Not one of the coin has ever been in circulation, and are as bright and. rough as when they dropped from the mint, nearly half a century ago. Where has this money been all these years? It is well known that the $20,000 received in Cincinnati is only part of the whole amount of $75,000 of this coin which has been shipped from Pittsburgh to various points of the country. One theory is that it is a thief s “plant,” just discovered and dug up by some lucky fellow. Another theory puts the matter in a speculatory light. It is known that, shortly after the date of this money’s coinage, under Gen. Jackson’s Administration, sßvef was debased.- Mightit_ not not be, then, that some one invested largely in the debased coin and hoarded it away on a speculation? Whatever the history of the strange money be, it is a curious one. It becomes almost of National importance to know that $75,000 of this ancient silver is being poured into the current of trade.- Cincinnati Enquirer.