EXHIBIT 23

       CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the:

1.   Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-13822) pertaining
     to the Reynolds Metals Company 1987 Nonqualified Stock
     Option Plan;

2.   Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-44400) pertaining
     to the Reynolds Metals Company 1992 Nonqualified Stock
     Option Plan;

3.   Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-20498) pertaining
     to the Reynolds Metals Company Savings and Investment
     Plan for Salaried Employees;

4.   Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 33-43443) pertaining
     to the shelf registration of debt securities of Reynolds
     Metals Company;

5.   Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-66032) pertaining
     to the Reynolds Metals Company Savings Plan for Hourly
     Employees;

6.   Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 33-51153) pertaining
     to the offer and resale of shares of Reynolds Metals
     Company Common Stock by the Trustee of the Reynolds
     Metals Company Pension Plans Master Trust;

7.   Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-53847) pertaining
     to the Employees Savings Plan;

8.   Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-53851) pertaining
     to the Reynolds Metals Company Restricted Stock Plan for
     Outside Directors;

9.   Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 33-59168) pertaining
     to the registration of debt securities of Reynolds
     Aluminum Company of Canada, Ltd. (formerly known as
     Canadian Reynolds Metals Company Limited);

10.  Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-00929)
     pertaining to the Reynolds Metals Company Performance
     Incentive Plan;

11.  Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-03947)
     pertaining to the Reynolds Metals Company 1996
     Nonqualified Stock Option Plan;


and in the related prospectuses of our report dated February 19,
1999, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of
Reynolds Metals Company included in this Annual Report (Form 10-
K) for the year ended December 31, 1998.


                                  /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


Richmond, Virginia
March 24, 1999