[ Thomas Spring Rice, Lord Monteagle, Whig politician. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Monteagle.') to the anonyumous author of a book on decimal coinage, discussing the question and that of 'a common system of international coinage'.

3pp., 4to. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly-aged, with traces of grey paper mount adhering to blank reverse of second leaf. Thirty-seven lines of text. The letter is written to the anonymous author of 'Decimal coinage. The plan of the mathematicians rejected by commercial and practical men' (London: Ridgway, 1858), who has sent his work to Monteagle. He begins by complaining that 'a mass of important public business has been cast upon [him] by the House of Commons Select Committee', but regarding the publication, he writes: 'I can assure you that I fully appreciate the opinions of one who like yourself has devoted your abilities to the consideration of the question of our coinage'. He freely admits 'the great advantage that would flow from adopting a common system of international coinage [...] As between two countries like <?> & France, or France & Belgium, or between British N. America & the United States, those difficulties may be overcome the disturbing forces being few & simple, but it is different as between England & all the Continent of Europe our Colonial provinces'. He is sure that 'the adoption of the Daniel Scale in any shape is the best & surest step towards this great desideratum. So long as we cling to our confused system of £. s. d. there cannot be any approximation whatever.' He touches briefly on the Italian lira and French franc, before referring him to the 'replies of Sir J Herschel, Professor Airey, the Dean of Ely & de Morgan',