On the value of Mexican, Peruvian and Seville coins

Author: Isaac Newton

Source: MINT 19/2/205, 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
    - Catalogue exported to teiHeader by Michael Hawkins
  - 25 August 2016
    - Transcribed by Will Scott
  - 23 September 2016
    - Will Scott finished transcription
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<205r>

To the Right Honourable the Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer, Lord High Treasurer of great Britain.

May it please your Lordship

By the weight & assay of forreign coins formerly taken in the Mint, Mexico pieces of eight unworn one with another are worth 4^s 6^d sterling in intrinsic value, & Sevil pieces of eight (old plate) are of the same intrinsic value with those of Mexico. And according to this value eight hundred eighty eight thousand eight hundred & eighty nine pieces of eight of either Mexico or Sevill are worth two hundred thousand pounds & six pence.

In this recconing I have made no allowance for the wearing of the money. Exchangers reccon pieces of eight at a par with 4^s 3^d $\frac{51}{95}$ without distinguishing between the several sorts of them. For the pieces of Peru are coarse & Refiners reccon them scarce worth 4^s 3^d a piece one with another. If pieces of eight be taken promiscuously at a par with 4^s 3^d $\frac{51}{95}$ , nine hundre{d} thirty one thousand three hundred seventy & two pieces of eight will be worth two hundred thousand pounds.

All which &c

Is. Newton

Mint office,
June 10 1711