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ratio

比価　—　Measuring

The rate of exchange between two metals, such as gold and silver.

Noble of Edward III Noble of Edward III1344– Guinea GuineaAD 1663–1814 Draped Bust dollar Draped Bust dollarDated 1796
A photograph of what this word names.

Even in the same period, the bimetallic ratio differed from country to country. When it differed, people would appear who bought in the cheaper market and sold in the dearer one, and one of the metals would flow out of the country. This is usually how bimetallism collapses.