1853/02/21

       Whig (nationalist) President Filmore signs the Coinage Act of 1853, decreasing the silver content of half-dime, dime, quarter-Dollar, half-Dollar and Dollar Coins by seven percent, in an effort prevent them from being melted and removed from the money supply.

       NOTE: The only just basis for an honest, commodity-based, money system is to have a “parallel standard,” in which consumers, retailers, wholesalers, and producers are free to accept payment in any lawful tender they mutually agree upon, but if their contracts are in Dollars only, they can expect the cheapest currency.  It is highly unlikely that one would agree to accept payment for a 40-acre tract of land in pennies.

       [added 9/22/2026]