Posted on Mar 16, 2019
Is it true that Marines were paid in gold during the Spanish-American War era?
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I am doing research on a Boxer Rebellion Marine veteran and had once read that Marines were paid in gold coin.
Spanish American War
Military History
Marines
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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CPT Mike McMunn Cpt,while i can find no resource to verify that claim.It seems very possible,since $5 and $10 gold coins were commonly used during that period.
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CPT Mike McMunn
Thanks for the response. I, too, am having trouble with actual verification that I can use in a footnote.
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The denomination sounds right as the average Grunt was pulling in $7/month ($215 today). Problem like anything else, breaking a $5 into smaller stuff can be a problem. Paymasters tend to dole out in units that are usable lest other problems occur. Buying something for a nickel was a big deal.
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At one time the nation was on the "Gold" Standard and gold coins were common. When they changed in the early 1920's? Gold coins were withdrawn from circulation.
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