Cross of Gold speech
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The Cross of Gold speech was delivered by William Jennings Bryan, a former United States Representative from Nebraska, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on July 9, 1896. In his address,
William Jennings Bryan being carried on the shoulders of delegates after giving the speech
Representative Richard P. Bland
The Chicago Coliseum
Former Iowa Governor Horace Boies was a major contender for the Democratic nomination for president in 1896.
Bimetallism
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Bimetallism, also known as the bimetallic standard, is a monetary standard in which the value of the monetary unit is defined as equivalent to certain quantities of two metals, creating a fixed rate o
Cross of Gold speech
…Representative from Nebraska, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on July 9, 1896. In his address, Bryan supported "free silver" (i.e. bimetallism), which he believed would bring the nation prosperity. He decried the gold standard, famously concluding the speech, "you shall not crucify mankind…
Gold Croeseid, minted by King Croesus c. 561–546 BCE. (10.76 grams, Sardis mint)
Silver Croeseid, minted by King Croesus c. 560–546 BCE. (10.59 grams, Sardis mint)
Croeseid bimetallic equivalence: 1 gold Croeseid of 8.1 grams was equivalent in value to 10 silver Croeseids of 10.8 grams.
Achaemenid bimetallic equivalence: 1 gold Daric was equivalent in value to 20 silver Sigloi. Under the Achaemenids the exchange rate in weight between gold and silver was 1 to 13.