Copy of letter suggesting standards for the Mint in Scotland and in the Tower

Author: Isaac Newton

Source: MINT 1/8/143, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK

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  - 10 January 2017
    - Transcribed byWill Scott
  - 11 January 2017
    - Catalogued by Will Scott
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<143>

To the R^t: Hon^ble. the Earle of Godolphin Lord High Treasurer

May it please yo^r: Lordsp:

In obedience to yo^r. Lordsps Order on Saturday Last that we should lay before yo^r: Lordsp what we think proper to be done for setting on foot w^th all convenient speed the Coynage in y^e Mint at Edinburgh & for trying y^e Pix of that Mint before Her Maj^tes. Council of Scotland: We humbly represent that in Conformity to y^e Act of Vnion We conceive there should be made by a jury of Goldsmiths seven Indented Trial-pieces of Crown Gold & seven of standard silver; two of Each metal to be kept in y^e two Treasurys to try y^e pieces of y^e two Mints. two of each for y^e Wardens of y^e two Mints to try y^e Moneys before delivery & to decide Questions between y^e Master & Importer about y^e fineness of Bullion; two of each for y^e Masters of y^e two Mints to make y^e Moneys by & one of each for y^e Wardens & Company of Goldsmiths to try theire Plate & other manufactures of Gold & Silver & also that a pile of standard Troy Weights be made by y^e Deputy Chamberlaines of y^e Exchequer for y^e Treasury of Scotland & two other Piles by y^e Warden of this Mint in y^e p^rsence of y^e other Officers thereof in such manner that y^e smaller weights be in a proportion to y^e greater as y^e Indenture of y^e Mint directs; & that all these Piles be printed like y^e Weights sent to y^e Corporations, & one of y^e two Piles be delivered to yo^r. Lordsps order for y^e Mint in Scotland.

And We are further humbly of Opinion that untill an Indenture can be drawn up between Her Maj^ti & y^e Master of y^e Mint at Edinburgh p^rscribing y^e Duty of every Officer in ꝑticular, the Coynage may be there set on fot by Her Maj^tis Warrant directed to y^e Gen^ll & other Officers of that Mint, w^th a Copy of y^e present Indenture of y^e Mint in y^e Tower annexed to it authoriseing & requiring them to Act under y^e rules there set down w^ch rotate to theire severall Officer|s|s & ꝑticularly. That the Master Coyn all y^e Moneys of y^e Weight & Fineness & within y^e Remedys there appointed & take care that y^e several pieces be not lighter then theire Counterpoise & that y^e Warden & Counter Warden survey & charge y^e proceedings of all y^e other Officers & minuters, & see that y^e Moneys be well & duly Coyned in all respects & an exact account kept of y^e Dyes & Puncheons

And We humbly conceive another Warrant if Her Maj^tie pleases may be directed to y^e Master of that Mint nameing y^e species to be Coyned by him & requireing him to Coyn one tenth part of y^e silver into sixpences & four tenths into shillings & 3 tenths into half Crowns & y^e rest into Crown pieces as was done in y^e Late recoynage in England & authoriseing him to comand the Graver to make puncheons & Dyes for Coyning y^e said Moneys of y^e very same form{e} w^th. the Money{.} Coyned in y^e Tower of London & to use such Master Puncheons as shall be sent him from y^e Tower for makeing y^e Moneys of both Mints perfectly alike untill y^e Puncheons made by himself shall be approved by y^e Officers of that Mint, & to sett y^e Letter E (the first Letter of y^e name of y^e City of Edinburgh) under Her Maj^ties. Effigies as in y^e Specimens of Dyes w^ch. will be sent him from y^e Tower that y^e Moneys of the two Mint{s} may be thereby distinguished.

All w^ch is most humbly submitted to yo^r. Lordsps great wisdom

Mint Office
Iune y^e 2^d: 1707