Bimetalism

/baɪˈmɛtəlɪzəm/ noun

Definition

An economic system where a country uses two metals (usually gold and silver) as the monetary standard, with a fixed exchange rate between them.

Etymology

From 'bimetal' plus '-ism.' The term emerged in the 19th century during heated debates about monetary policy in the United States and Europe.

Kelly Says

Bimetalism versus the gold standard was THE political fight of the 1890s—William Jennings Bryan gave his famous 'Cross of Gold' speech arguing that the common person needed silver money, not just gold for the rich.

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