EXHIBIT 23.1





              CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 33-51631) and
related Prospectus of Reynolds Metals Company for the registration of its
convertible preferred stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of
our report dated February 19, 1993, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements and schedules of Reynolds Metals Company included in its
Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 1992, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.



                                        Ernst & Young



Richmond, Virginia
January 11, 1994