We must not underestimate the role of change in trade circulation, because that is the foundation of invigorating the market. For the time being, the silver finney coins in circulation in Germany are actually equivalent to 50 yuan bills, which are very unfavorable for the circulation of small commodities.

In Germany at present, silver coins are generally used only for transactions that reach a certain level. As for the ordinary small commodity trading of the people, money is often not used, and only barter. However, in the case of barter, the value cannot be determined, which often leads to irregular transactions. At the same time, it has also greatly affected the circulation of goods.

Therefore, at present, the circulation of small commodities in the German region is not very smooth. If there is enough change, the circulation of high-quality products in the market will be more prosperous.

Spain's introduction of a small copper coin like the Malawi is well adapted to the needs of the market. Therefore, for the time being, the market economy in Spain is much more prosperous than in Germany.

Another example is France, which is close to copper coins, despite the fact that the silver content of French silver coins is very low. However, it is precisely because of the low silver content of French silver coins that the value of the currency itself is low. But this only contributed to the boom in trade. Because low-value silver coins are more suitable for micropayments, thus making the economy more prosperous.

As for the Ming Empire, that's even more to say. In the Ming Dynasty, a thousand copper coins were worth one or two pieces of silver. It can be said that the copper coins of the Ming Dynasty were "zero" enough, which also stimulated the circulation of goods. Generally speaking, in the Ming Dynasty, many children could also have a few copper coins in their hands to buy snacks.

But in Germany, because there is no change, most people only have a few small silver finneys in their hands. In many cases, due to the lack of change, it is necessary to adopt a very primitive "barter" trading method. This has greatly hindered the circulation of commodities and social and economic development.

……

Therefore, smaller denominations are necessary. It's just that, according to the current silver-copper price, a silver coin with a silver content of 50% is only equivalent to 8 copper coins of equal weight. A silver coin with a silver content of only 25% is equivalent to 4.5 copper coins. According to the calculation that a silver finney coin is equivalent to 50 yuan in later generations, a small copper coin of equal weight is equivalent to 6.25 yuan in later generations......

"That's not right!" Marin suddenly screamed.

He suddenly discovered that perhaps the copper coin worth 6.25 yuan could indeed not replace the small coins of 1 cent, 5 cent, and 1 yuan in later generations. However, it's close to 5 yuan. At the very least, he was much smaller than the equivalent of a 50 dollar silver finney.

In other words, it is at least much more convenient to use copper coins than not to use them. After all, 8 copper coins are equivalent to 1 silver finney coin. At that time, instead of receiving 2 silver finneys, the workers will receive 16 copper coins a day. In this way, it is much easier for them to spend money.

As for the depreciation of copper prices in the future...... Whatever, he won't lose ...... anyway

Marin finally decided to harden his heart and promote the use of copper coins in the people......

But at the same time, he would also exchange copper coins for silver and gold from the people. In other words, copper coins are only put in the private sector for commercial circulation by the common people. And the state reserves are still gold and silver.

In this way, even if the price of copper falls sharply in the future, the official loss will not be large......

Although this is a bit immoral, it is not unsolvable. Because, Marin, who is about to send troops to Japan, will control the channels for Japan's cheap copper exports. At that time, if the price of copper falls, it is a big deal that the official will exchange some new copper coins for the people. After all, copper coins are also chronological. As long as the old copper coins in the hands of the common people are exchanged for more new copper coins. Well, the loss of the common people is not large.

However, those copper coins that are exchanged for other countries will not be refunded. As for the gold and silver exchanged for those copper coins, it was naturally blackened......

What the? You're going to get me in trouble? Why? I exchanged copper coins for gold and silver coins, but they came at market price. As for the sharp drop in copper prices, what does it matter to me? As for me exchanging more new copper coins for the people of the North Sea Country? They are my people, do you have an opinion? You can also take your country to join the Beihai Kingdom, there are a lot of benefits......

Still not convinced? Hit me! I'm just waiting for you to strike first. That way, it just swallowed you up......

……

In addition, Marin intended to use brass coinage. Brass is a golden-yellow copper alloy that looks very good, a bit like gold. And the coins minted in brass are also golden, much like gold coins. For those merchants who are keen on gold coins, brass coins will definitely blind their dogs' eyes.

The reason why brass is used is that Marin also has the meaning of consuming the zinc ingots in his hand. After all, after getting the nickel, Marlin didn't need to wrap the bottom of the boat with white iron sheets. In this way, the only function of zinc is to pretend to be tin and make white iron sheets.

However, the use of white iron sheet is not widespread, and Marlin is not willing to promote the application of zinc in order to maintain secrecy. Therefore, the zinc in Marin's hand is actually a large backlog.

The Buckens lead-zinc mine on the island of Newfoundland is still producing lead and zinc. Well, the zinc can't be wasted. And made of brass, used to mint coins, is a good choice.

Moreover, the cost of mining and smelting those zinc is not high. Mixing zinc and copper can not only improve the appearance of copper coins, but also save copper and reduce the cost of coinage.

If it weren't for the unwritten understanding in Europe that gold coins are not adulterated, so that a bite of a gold coin can be felt, it would not be impossible to counterfeit inferior gold coins with brass.

It's just that in this era, whether it is a Ducatt or a Gulden and other gold coins, the gold content is very high, and you can feel soft when you bite into it. So, to mint fake gold coins from brass, one can only think about it. Then there is the fact that the density of gold is too high. Even mixing lead into brass is useless. Because lead itself is not as dense as gold......

……

Having made up his mind, Marin came to the metallurgical plant and asked them to smelt brass. But to Marin's dismay, mixing zinc and copper is not a simple task. Because, the melting point of copper is as high as 1083 degrees. But his meow's zinc vaporized at 907 degrees Celsius and ascended to heaven......

Although it can be collected with a top condenser tube, it is really difficult to melt and mix pure zinc ingots with copper.

In desperation, Marin had no choice but to use another method - first oxidizing the zinc, and then reducing it with the copper ore, and finally obtained brass. But the problem is that in the future, copper cannot be used directly for smelting brass, and you have to find enough refined copper ore......

As for zinc, zinc ore cannot be used directly. Because, there is also lead in zinc ore. Therefore, zinc ingots must be used for oxidation and then reduction. But the oxidation of zinc is not easy, Marin thought for a long time, let people grind zinc into powder, then add water to heat, and keep stirring, so that it oxidizes, it is very troublesome to deal with.

But fortunately, Marin finally got the golden brass. He then took the brass to the mint, where he had the mints press a batch of small 1.5-gram copper coins the size and appearance of the silver finney coins, using the same techniques and molds used to make the silver finneys.

Then, with the golden brass coins, he approached Jeffrey and discussed the possibility of promoting copper coins in the North Sea Country......

But unexpectedly, Jeffrey's first sentence was:

"Grand Duke, do you still have a mint?"

Marin suddenly realized - Nima, forgot that he didn't tell the prime minister the truth because he minted counterfeit money......

But he couldn't tell Geoffrey that he was minting counterfeit silver coins on a large scale, so he could only say vaguely that he had recruited a few craftsmen who could make coins and had them try out a few copper coins......

Jeffrey took the copper coin with the same appearance as the silver Finney coin and looked at it for a long time, and then said:

"Then give it a try, anyway, copper itself is a high-priced metal, and it is used as a currency, no problem. In addition, it is said that southern European countries such as Spain already use copper coins. Let's issue a batch of copper coins first, put them into the people, and try everyone's reaction. Also, you'll need to send someone to design a look for a Copper Coin that can't look like a Silver Finney......"

Marin nodded, agreeing with Jeffrey's words. He then arranged for the mint's craftsmen to design the appearance of the new copper coins......