GOLD AND SILVER.	,173
	Rank of the States and Territories in 1882.—The relative production of gold and silver, and of both metals combined, in the several States and Territories is perhaps more clearly shown in the following state­ment, in which the order of the States and Territories according to their respective outputs is based on the figures given by Mr. Burchard for 1882:
	Production in first six months of 1883.—Mr. E. E. Preston, Acting Director of the Mint, in answer to a request for his estimate of the pro­duction during the first six months of the calendar year 1883, writes, under date of June 13, 1883 : " The production since January 1,1883, has continued at about the same rate as in 1882. In some States and Territories there has been a slight increase, and in others a trifling de­crease: but the average rate can be said to have been maintained." The opinion of the mint authorities may be accepted as being the most reliable guide in the absence of actual statistics for the first half of 1883, which of course have not yet been collected. The following statement shows the quantities as well as the values of the product of 1882, and also the correspondiug estimated amounts for the first half of 1883; the weights of metals being computed from the values quoted, on the Ameiican standard of $20.671834 per troy ounce gold, and $1.2929 per troy ounce silver: Quantities and values of the precious-metal product, 1882 and first six months of 1883.