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63 Ky. 351

Broms v. Commonwealth

Court of Appeals of Kentucky

Decided February 28, 1865

Court of Appeals of Kentucky · decided 1865-02-28

<p>A defendant indicted for stealing a bank note of greater nominal value than $4, has a right to prove on the trial the value of the note in gold or silver coin, and if of less value than $4 in such coin, he is punishable for petit larceny only.</p>

Decided 1865-02-28

JUDGE WILLIAMS

¶1delivered the opinion of the court:

¶2In the case of Griswold vs. Hepburn (2 Duvall), the majority of this court held that gold and silver coin alone was a constitutional currency and legal tender, and this must be regarded as the law of this State until reversed by competent authority.

¶3The defendant had the right to show the value of the bank bill alleged to have been stolen in this legal currency,- and if its value was less than four dollars, to be punished for the lesser offense of petit larceny, as prescribed by the statute.

¶4The court below erred in refusing such evidence, and for this the judgment must be reversed, with directions to the court below to set aside'the judgment, grant a new trial, and for further proceedings in accordance to this opinion.

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