228-9)

Author: Isaac Newton

Source: MINT 19/1/252, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK

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- Revision History
  - 1 January 2001
    - Catalogue information compiled by Rob Iliffe, Peter Spargo & John Young
  - 29 September 2011
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  - 24 January 2017
    - Transcribed by Will Scott
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Related Texts
- This document is a version of:
  'Directions about the Triall of the monies of Gold & Silver in the Pix' [MINT 19/1/228-9]

<252r>

An ingot of Gold is assayed by refining a small part of it with two water after the same manner that Refiners refine Gold in great quantities, & observing the decrease or increase of its weight by the operation. I

If there by no increase or decrease of weight the Ingot is reported 24 carats fine, it being of the same fineness with the piece refined by the Assay. And this is fine gold in the sense of the law of England & of all nations who practise this way of Assaying. But if there be a decrease of weight, the decrease is observed & the Ingot is reported so much coarser then fine gold as the decrease of weight amounts unto.

The Refiner makes fine gold by refining it after the same manner is a great quantity as the Assayer refines it in a small quantity. The gold must be mixed with silver in the same proportion in both cases & Tested with the same proportion of Lead & in the same degree of heat in both cases & laminated to the same thinness in both cases & watered twice & but twice with waters of the same strength in the same proportion & heat & length of operation that the waters may work alike in both cases, & bring the gold to the same degree of finenes in both cases, without roasting it

But it the operations be not alike the gold may become finer or less fine by the Refiners art then by the Assayers, that is finer or less fine then 24 carats.

Refiners seldome re at the pains & charges of making gold so fine as it is made by the Assay, & therefore the Iury who makes the standard Trial assays the Refiners fine gold & if it be not 24 carats fine they roast it to bring it to a due degree of fineness. And when the trial piece is made they assay it several times to see if it be standard.

It's possible for a Refiner to make gold finer then by the Assay. & a Chymist by Antimony may make it still finer And therefore the Iury should take care that the fine gold be not too fine. And that it be neither too fine nor too course they should assay it several times.

In the stature of 12 Hen 6. C. 12, the Kings Assayer is called a person indifferent between the Master of the Mint & the Merchant, & it is there ordeined that he be present when Bullion of silver is brought into the Mint that he may rightfully set the value upon the same according to law in case of variance between the Master & the merchant. And therefore I humbly pray that her Majesty may be put in mind of ordeining an Assaymaster before her departure to Windsor, And since M^r Charles Brattel is approved by both parties as a fit Arbitrator, between them & hath carried on the business of the Mint eavenly for some months without any variance arising between them, & hath been freely entrusted from time to time by the Merchants with great quantities of Bullion without any miscarriage, or complaint, & if any variance or miscariage should happen it would tend to the discouragement of the coinage I humbly recommend the said M^r C. Brattel as a person well qualified for the said Office, in point of skill, diligence, credit, & probity.

<252v>

Brief Observations concerning the Triall of the monies in the Pix

1. An order of her Majesty & Council to appoint a day for tryall of the Pix at the usual place neare the star chamber

2. The Lord Chancellour sends his Letter directed to the Wardens & Company of Goldsmiths to return him the names of an able Iury.

3. The Lord Chancellour after the return of the names sends his Warrant by his Sergeant at Arms or his Deputy to warn the Iury to meet at the time & place

4. The Lords at the starr-chamber do meet & take their places

5. The Pix-Box is set on the Table the Officers of the Mint & Iury attending together with the Exchequer Officers.

6 The Lord Chancellour calls to his Sergeant at Arms for his Warrant for summoning the Iury & appoints the same to be delivered to the Remembrancers Deputy, who attends there with the copy of the Oath.

7 The Pix Box is opened by the Officers of the Mint, & the Gold & Silver therein poured upon the Table.

8 The Lords being sat the Lord Chancellour causes the said Oath to be administred to the Iury.

9 The Lord Treasurer appoints the standard Troy weights & the Indented Tryal pieces of her Majesties crown gold moneys & standard silver moneys kept in the Treasury to be delivered for the use of the Iury.

10. The Lord Chancellour recommends unto the Iury the Making of the Tryalls of the moneys in the Pix by fire, by water, by touch or by weight or by all or by any of them & particulars by the said standards of Her Majestys Treasury as well in weight as in fineness & in the most just manner that can be.

11 The Lord Chancellour appoints the Iury when they have agreed on their Veredict where & what time to attend his Lordship with the same & so departs with the rest of the Lords.

12 When the Iury present their Veredict to the Lord Chancellour, the Remembrancer's Deputy attends to read it, & after it is read to receive it.