"It is not anything new. The Chinese adopted the plan years ago, and Belgium is a country which has followed the idea. It has been found[p. 77] very convenient for shoppers, as they can string them on vertical pieces of wire, and in that way they are always kept in columns before them, and can be readily taken off in making change."
In making the molds, the molten brass was first poured around the paris plaster disk, so that the metal was level with the top of the disk, and, after it was thoroughly cooled, an additional amount of metal was poured over this, so that the two parts would separate. The disk was then taken out, and two holes made on opposite sides through the top. The copper was then poured in one hole until it appeared at the other hole. In this way the print formed by the disk was cast in the coin.
Harry made a half dozen of these molds, and the mint was ready for operation. Tom and one of the natives set to work making the coins, and the first day cast two hundred of them. Within a week they became quite expert at the business, and when they took stock at the end of the week over twenty-five hundred of the coins were in the treasury.
A large-sized coin was turned out, which is also shown, the smaller being for one cent, and the larger five cents. The stock of coins within ten days amounted to fifty dollars in value, but it was a good beginning.
During the evening the coins were shown around and admired, and John said: "We have plenty of silver, when the time comes, which can be worked up in the same way."
This idea had not occurred to the boys. "But how," asked Will, "shall we use these? The natives won't give anything for them?"
"That is what we are trying to teach them. They are of no value except as a medium of exchange. Money is of no value, except as it enables us to buy something with it. When you have a five-cent piece and a taro root before you, and are hungry, which will you take?"