Methods Of Issue of Currency / Note

1. REPRESENTATIVE PAPER CURRENCY :- This system is also called as full reserve system. Under this system, the currency note issued by the central bank are fully backed by the reserves of gold/silver. This is also called 100% reserve system of note issue. In other words, in this system notes are used as representative of gold. It means government instead of minting gold coins prints the currency note. Government gives the promise to return the equal value who demands it by returning the note to the government. Thus these currency notes were used as representatives to gold. This system is costly as it requires 100% gold reserves but at the same time it is simple to manage as it enjoys full of the people. This system is inelastic as government cannot print more notes if gold is not available.


Merits :-

(1)  Public Confidence :- This system has gained public confidence as it can convert currency notes into Gold 100%.

(2)   No Danger Of Inflation :- There is no chance of over issue, because paper notes is to be backed by 100% Gold reserve.

(3)  Convertibility :- This method ensures 100% convertibility of currency notes.

(4) Simple to Manage :- The method is very simple to mange because every note is backed by gold reserve.

Demerits :-

(1)  Costly :- This method is very costly because 100% gold backing is required.

(2) Inelastic :- It is inelastic because supply of currency cannot increase or decrease rapidly.

(3)  Inconvenient :- The system is very inconvenient at the time of emergency.

(4) Wastage Of Gold Reserve :- There is wastage of gold because large amount of gold lies in the reserve and can not be used.

2. FIXED FIDUCIARY SYSTEM :- Under this system the central bank of the country is permitted to issue a fixed amount of notes without any metallic reserve (gold reserve). This limit is called fiduciary issue and it is backed by government securities. But all notes issued above this amount must be covered by 100% metallic reserves. This system is safe and enjoys public trust or faith as there is a promise of convertibility given by the government. However, it is inelastic because if country need more money it will have to purchase the gold first which may be difficult. This system cannot work efficiently in countries like India where demands of currency vary from season to season. For this reason in 1927, it was replaced by a comparatively better system known as proportional reserve system.

Merits :-

a.Convertibility :- It ensures the convertibility of currency notes. It is because of, It is issued against Government securities and gold reserve.

b.Public Confidence :- This system of note issue attains public confidence since the government guarantees the convertibility of notes.

c. No Danger of Inflation :- There is less chance of over issue, because any excess issue of paper notes is to be backed by gold reserves.

d. Easy to Manage :- According to this system the central bank is permitted to issue fixed amount of paper currency against Govt. securities. If currency notes are exceed this limit, the stated limit should be covered by 100% metallic reserve. Thus, this system is very easy to manage.

e. Suitable for Developed Countries :- This system can work in countries where the use of cheques is sufficiently developed and where the demand of currency from time to time does not vary much.

f. No Over issue :- There is no risk of over issue of currency because of issue is made on the basis of gold reserve.

g. Safe Method:- According to this method, payment is assured. Thus, it is safe method.

i. Stability :- This system facilitates stability in price level.

Demerits :-

a. Less Elastic :- This system is less elastic since the issue of currency beyond a certain limit requires 100% gold backing which may not be available.

b. Costly :- This method is costly since 100% gold backing is required beyond a certain limit and thus it may prove to be expensive.

c. Inconvenient :- The system may be inconvenient  and it may fail in the times of crisis where large funds are required immediately.

d. Wastage Of Gold Reserves :- Under this system large amount of gold has to be kept as reserves which is kept idle with the government.

e. Unsuitable For Developing Countries :- This method is unsuitable for developing countries like India where the demand for currency varies from time to time.

f. Harmful For Business :- There should enough proportion of currency notes to perform business activities properly. But fixed fiduciary system reduces the same. Therefore, this system is harmful to perform business activity.

g. Leads to Deflation :- There is no scope to issue new currency. Therefore, it leads to deflation.

h. Outdated Method :- In modern era fixed fiduciary system is criticized on the ground that it is old and outdated method.

i. Useless Method :- This method is criticized on the ground that it is useless method. It is because of considerable part of gold remain idle.

3. PROPORTIONAL RESERVE SYSTEM :- Under this system, the notes issued by the central bank are not fully backed by gold/silver reserves, but are backed by certain proportional (say 40%) gold/silver and the rest by approved securities. In India this system was adopted in 1927 and continued till 1957.

Merits :-

a. Elasticity :- This system is elastic since gold backing is required only upto certain proportion of the total issue.

b. Economic :- This system is economical because 100% backing is not required.

c. Public Confidence :- This system has public confidence as it can be converted upto certain proportion.

d. Avoid Inflation :- According to this method only limited number of currency notes can be issued. Therefore, this method can be proved useful to avoid inflation.

e. Convertibility :- In Proportional reserve system the conversion of currency notes into gold become possible up to some extent. It is because of facility of conversion up to that extent.

f. Convenient :- Proportional reserve system is the most convenient method to issue currency notes. It is because of the proportion of currency notes and gold reserve can be changed as per need and requirement.

g. Easy to Manage :- Proportional reserve system is very easy to manage. It is because of the currency notes are issued in specific proportion of gold reserve.

h. Less Risk Of Over Issue :- There is a need of surplus gold for every new issue. Therefore, there is less risk of over issue.

i. Rapid Development :- In proportional reserve system it becomes possible to increase the number of currency notes by changing gold reserve. Thus, rapid development becomes possible.

Demerits :-

a. Conversion Not Possible :- This system is based on proportionate gold reserve. But in real practice conversion of currency notes into gold reserve is impossible.

b. Difficulties In Reduction :- It becomes very difficult to reduce the number of currency notes. It is because of to reduce currency notes the gold reserve should be reduced proportionately. But it becomes very difficult to reduce that proportion due to some technical problem.

c. Dangers Of Deflation :- If gold reserve is used some where for any purpose it reduces suddenly, it reduce the number of currency notes. thus, it creates deflation.

d. Less Credit Creation :- In proportional reserve system the supply of currency notes can not be increased as per need and requirement. Therefore, it reduces credit creation.

e. Hampers The Progress :- In Proportional reserve system the currency notes can not be increased after a specific limit. Therefore, the need of extra currency notes can be not be fulfilled. Thus, it hampers the progress.

f. Inconvenient :- According to this method, the specific reserve is maintained to issue currency notes. Therefore, this method is the most inconvenient for poor nation like India.

g. Uneconomic :- According to this system, gold reserve is needed compulsorily. Therefore, there is a need to increase gold reserve before every new issue. Thus, this method can be proved most uneconomic.

h. Useless During Emergency :- Additional currency notes are needed during emergency. But in absence of gold, printing of currency notes becomes impossible. Thus, proportional reserve system is useless during emergency.

i. Unsuitability :- In Proportional reserve system a compulsory percentage of gold is needed. But it is unsuitable for poor nations because of shortage of gold.

j. Wastage of Gold :- In this method a very large. Portion of gold reserve remains useless thus, there is wastage of gold.

4. MINIMUM RESERVE SYSTEM :- According to minimum reserve system only specific quantity of gold reserve is maintained to issue any number of currency notes. As nominal reserve is maintained; Therefore it also called minimum fiduciary system. This system of currency notes has developed to replace the various drawbacks of previous methods i.e. fixed fiduciary system and proportional reserve system. In fixed fiduciary system 100% gold reserve was maintained as a reserve after issue of specific limit. The issuing authority was allowed to issue the currency notes up to the value of gold reserve only. On the other hand, in case of proportional reserve system the currency notes can be issued in specific proportion of gold reserve. But the basic drawback of fixed fiduciary system or proportional reserve system is that it needs a lot of gold reserve. But it is not possible for every nation. To avoid this drawback the method of minimum reserve system is developed. According to this system, the Reserve Bank of India has to maintained and rest of the amount in the form of foreign currency. This method has its own advantages as well as limitations. Some of them are stated below.

Merits :-

a. Economical :- This system is economical because the entire note issue need not be backed by metallic reserve. Moreover only a minimum reserve is to be maintained.

b. Elasticity :- This method has great elasticity because after maintaining a minimum reserve the authority can issue any amount of currency it feels necessary. i.e. there is no upper fixed for the issue.

c. Avoids Deflation :- Under this method during crisis supply of money can be increased. Thus it helps to avoid deflation.

d. To face Emergencies :- This method is useful, because at times of emergencies the supply of money can be increased.

e. Ensures Full Employment And Economics Growth :- Sice this method provides sufficient elasticity in note issue and money circulation, sufficient funds can be generated for requirement.

f. Convenient :-Minimum reserve system is the most convenient method to issue currency notes. It is because of the currency notes can be issued in any number as per need and requirement.

g. Developing Economy :- Minimum Reserve System helps for developing econemy like India.

h. Development :- This method helps to issue any number of currency notes. Thus, it can be provided funds for development purposes.

i. Proper Use Of Gold :- According  to minimum reserve system only limited gold reserve is maintained. Therefore, precious metals like gold, silver etc. can be diverted towards other important purpose.

j. Popularity :- Limited gold reserve to issue currency notes as per minimum reserve system. Therefore, it becomes very popular in very short period. In modern era, this system is adopted by near about all the nations of the world.

k. Simplicity :- This system is very simple to operate. Once minimum reserve is created the issuing authority can issue any number of currency notes against it.

Demerits :-

a. Lacks Public Confidence :- This system does not provide convertibility of currency notes into gold and therefore it lacks public confidence.

b. Dangers Of Inflation :- Under this system no additional reserves are required for increasing the supply of currency. Thus there is a tendency towards over issue of currency and this may lead to inflation.

c. Unable To Work By Itself :- This systems requires government intervention and is not as simple as other methods of note issue.

d. Convertibility Not possible :- It is not possible to convert notes under this system, as their expansion is not accompanied by increase in bullion and foreign securities.

e. Exchange Instability :- Since under the methods link is not there between any metal, there of currency notes into gold, it lacks public confidence.

f. Misused by Govt :- In minimum reserve system there are higher chances of over issue of currency notes. Therefore, the Govt. may issue unnecessary notes. Thus, this system facilities misuse.

g. Rapid Increased In Prices :- There is no link between gold reserve and currency notes. It facilities over issue. Thus, it leads to inflation i.e. rapid increase in price level.

h. Unsafe :- Minimum reserve system is the most unsafe method to issue currency notes. It is because of absence of proper gold reserve.

i. Wastage Of Gold :- In minimum reserve system some portion of gold remain useless in the form of gold reserve. Thus, it facilitates wastage up to that extent.


Post by:- Akshay Shivankar

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