We are to have a new coin, and a clumsy
coin it will be. By a proclamation dated May 13th, it is ordered that a silver double- florin, or fifth of a pound, shall be issued from the Mint, and shall be received as lawful money. The object, we presume, is to increase the facilities for withdrawing the half-sovereign, thus increasing the demand for silver, and rendering it easier to pay for the complete renovation of the gold coinage which must ultimately be accomplished. The double•florin, or " dollar," as it is sure to be called, will, however, be inconveniently thick and heavy, and we do not see its superiority to the old crown-piece. What is wished for is a token (water- sovereign which would not be of gold, but would replace the light and convenient half-sovereign. The same proclamation announces various changes in the designs on the coinage, and it is understood, though not mentioned, that after the Jubilee, the Queen's image on all money will be more or lees like her,— a great improvement. The present design, taken from the Win- terhalter picture, is too inconsistent with the facts. We would recommend as a basis for the new one, the Dublin photograph now selling everywhere. It retains, as no other photograph does, a certain look of dignity in the face, which is really there.
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