242-3)

Author: Isaac Newton

Source: MINT 19/2/239-40, 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
  - 30 October 2016
    - Transcribed by Will Scott
  - 13 January 2017
    - Checked by Will Scott
  - 12 March 2017
    - Will Scott separated 239 from 237-8 (MINT00505), with the former merged with 240 here.
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<239r>

And upon comparing the said Representation with the said late Order of Council & printed Proclamation I humbly represent, That if the standard weights of the forreign coins established by the said Proclamation & the value of those coynes as they are now current in Ireland by the said Proclamation are to remain, then considering that the weight of the single Pistole & Lewis d'or is in the said Proclamation put four penny weight eight grains (for this is their ordinary weight one with another as they come fresh out of the mints) the weight of the double Pistole & Lewis d'or ought, put in a new Proclamation eight penny weight & sixteen grains, & that of a quadruple Pistole seventeen penny weight & eight grains. And the Moyder (which as the merchant bring them hither a little worn weigh one with another 6^{dw^t} 21 $\frac{3}{4}$ ^gr, & beput in weight 6^{dw^t} 22^grains in the same Proclamation. For those of this weight are in Ireland worth 29^s. 11 $\frac{1}{2}$ ^d recconing an english shilling there at 13^d & gold 22 carrats fine at 3^li 19^s 8^d $\frac{3}{4}$ per ounce, which is the standard value. But if gold 22 carrats fine be recconed at 4^li per ounce as is commonly done, a Moyder weighing 6^{dw^t} 22^gr will be wroth 30^s 0^d $\frac{3}{4}$ . And therefore taking the nearest round number it may be valued at 30^s without any error worth noting the weight being 6^dwt 22^gr. And at this rate all Moyders weighing above 6^{dw^t} 21^gr will be current without allowing any thing for wearing

But if the weight & value of the coins in the said printed Proclamation are to be reconsidered, then the following observations may be made upon them. The Pistole & Lewis d'or as they are commonly current weigh one with another 4^{dw^t} 7^gr being lightned about a grain by wearing, & those of this weight are worth 18^s 6^d in Ireland where an English shilling goes for 13^d.

The Ducatoon of Flanders before wearing weighs (one piece with another) 20^{dw^t} 22^gr. That it may be worth 6^s in Ireland, as its valued, in the Proclamation, its weight ought to be 21^{dw^t}. In the printed Proclamation its weight is put 20^{dw^t} 16^gr without allowing any thing for the eight grains wanting, & nothing is allowed for wearing till it want 12^grains more in weight.

The pieces of eight of Mexico & Sevil & the Pillar pieces & French Lewises before wearing weigh one with another 17^{dw^t} 12^gr. That they may be worth 4^s 9^d in Ireland they ought to weight 17^{dw^t} 8^gr. In the printed Proclamation their weight is put 17^{dw^t} without allowing any thing for the 8^gr wanting in weight.

The Cross Dollar before wearing weights (at a medium) 18^dwt 1^gr. That it may be worth 4^s 9^d it ought to weigh 18^dwt. In the printed Proclamation its weight is put 17^{dw^t} wihtout allowing any thing for the penny weight wanting which amounts to 3^d.

Rix Dollars are of several sorts & before wearing weigh about 18^{dw^t} & 8 or 10^gr. That they may be worth 4^s 9^d in Ireland they ought to weigh 17^{dw^t} & 18 or 20^gr. In the printed Proclamation their weight is put 17^{dw^t} without allowing any thing for the want of 18 or 20^gr in weight.

The old Peru piece of eight that it may be worth 4 6^d in Ireland should weight 17^{dw^t} & is put at that weight in the printed Proclamation.

The Crusado of Portugal before wearing weights 11^{dw^t} 4^gr. That it may be worth 3^s 2^d it ought to weigh 11^{dw^t} 10^gr. In the printed Proclamation its weight is put 10^{dw^t} 20^gr without allowing any thing for the want of 14^gr in weight.

In the end of the printed Proclamation the weights used in Ireland by vertue of a Proclamation dated 21 Feb 1697 are established to continue in use for weighing the coins therein mentioned. If those weights were in ounces penny weights & grains they may serve for all the coins: if in single pieces for single coins, (for I remember the send of such < insertion from f 239v > weights from hence) those that are wanting made by speedily made here (if it be thought fit) & sent with the new Order of Council or as soon after as may be, that they may be ratified by the new Proclamation.

The allowance of 2^d per grain for the wearing of gold coins & three half pence per halfpenny weight for the wearing of silver coins is as neare to the truth as can be put in round numbers.

< text from f 239r resumes > <240v>

May it please your Lordship

In obedience to your Lordships order of Reference signified to me by M^r Taylors letter of Iune 16^th Instant, I have perused the Representation from the Lords of the Privy (in Ireland touching a late order of Council for giving currency in that kingdom by Proclamation to some forreign coins which were omitted in a former Proclamation a printed copy of which they ahve sent desiring a clause to be added to the said Order for making allowance for light pieces as was done in the said Proclamation & that the Order may be compre{h}end also the forreign coins mentioned in that Proclamation, because the original of that Proclamation under the broad seal was destroyed in the late fire which happened there at the Council chamber: so that the Clerk of the Council cannot now certify that the printed copy agrees verbatim with the original as the late Act of Parliament requires for the conviction of the Counterfeiters of those coins. Concerning all which I humbly represent that the coins mentioned in the said Proclamation & Order ought to be of the weight mentioned in the following Table that they may be in Ireland of the value mentioned therein, supposing gold & silver to be raised a penny in the shilling in Ireland above what it is in England.

			dwt	gr	s	d




3 Old piece of 8 of Peru, Cross Dollars, Legg Dollars, Rix Dollars		}	17.	0.	4.	6
4 Ducatoon of Flanders & Holland		}	21.	0.	6.	0	recting	20.	16.	...	5.	11.
5	Crusado		10.	20.	3.	0

And the quadruple double halfs & quarters in proportion.

Concerning all which I humbly observe, make the following observations In the printed Proclamation the weight of the Pistole & Lewidor was put 4^{dw^t} 8^gr after which rate the quadruple Pistole should weigh 17^{dw^t} 8^g that is 416^gr & the double Pistole should weigh 8^dwt 16^gr that is 208^gr But in the Memorial upon which the late Order of Council was grounded <240r> {the} quadruple Pistole was put only 408^gr & the double Pistole & Lewidor 204^gr. I am humbly of opinion that in the new Proclamation the quadruple & double Pistoles should be put in proportion to the single ones.

The double Lewidor & Pistole new out of the Mint weight 8^{dw^t} 16^gr & the single one 4^{dw^t} 8^gr, but as they come out hither a little worn the Pistoles & Lewidors are a grain lighter one with another & this weight answers to their value in Ireland where a shilling goes for thirteen pence & all other money should be valued in proportion. I humbly propose therefore that in the new Proclamation the French & Spanish gold moneys be put as follows

The piece commonly called the quadruple Spanish Pistole of Gold weighing seventeen penny weight four grains to pass at three pounds & fourteen shillings.

The piece commonly called the double Spanish or French Pistole of Gold or double Lewidor weighing eight penny weight & fourteen grains to pass at one pound & seventeen shillings.

The piece commonly called the Spanish or French Pistole of gold weighing four penny weight & seven grains to pass at eighteen shillings & six pence

The piece commonly called the Spanish or French half Pistole weighing two penny weight & three grains & an half to pass at nine shillings & three pence.

The piece commonly called the Spanish or French quarter Pistole weighing one penny weight one grain & three quarters to pass at 4 shillings & 7 $\frac{1}{2}$ pence.

But if the weight of the single Pistole & half Pistole be put as in the late Proclamation, then the weight of the quadruple Pistole should in proportion be put 17^dwt 8^gr & that of the double one 8^{dw^t} 16^gr.

The Moyders of Portugal as they are brought over by the Merchant weighs one with another 6^{dw^t} 21 $\frac{3}{4}$ ^gr & in Ireland at that weight recconing standard gold at 2^d a grain in England But is the standard Gold be recconed at 3^li 19^s 8 $\frac{1}{2}$ per ounce, (which is the standard value a Moyder of that weight will be worth 29 10 $\frac{3}{4}$ , are worth 30^s 0^d & fresh out of the Mint they may weight 6^d 22^gr or 6^{dw^t} 22 $\frac{1}{4}$ one with another & so be worth about 30^s. If for avoiding fractions their weight be put 6^dwt 22^gr & their value 30^s, all those pieces that weigh above 6^{dw^t} 21^gr will be current without allowing any thing for lightness. And then the Portugal money may stand in the Proclamation as follows

The Portugal piece of Gold commonly called a Moyder weighing 6^{dw^t} 22^gr to pass at thirty shillings

The piece commonly called the quarter Moyder weighing one penny weight seventeen grains & an half to pass at seven shillings & six pence.

The Ducatoon of Flanders that it my be worth 6^s in Ireland ought to weight 21^{dw^t}. Its usual weight before wearing (taking one piece with another) is 20^d 22^gr. Its weight in the Proclamation is put 20^{dw^t}. 16^gr & nothing is allowed for the want of 8^gr.

The pieces of eight of Mexico & Sevil & the Pillar pieces of eight & French Lewisses that they may be worth four shillings & nine pence in Ireland ought to weight 17^{dw^t} 8^gr They weigh one with another before wearing 17^{dw^t} 12^gr. In the Proclamation their weight is put only 17^{dw^t} {0}^gr nothing is allowed for the want of 8^gr.

The Cross Dollar that it may be worth 4^s. 9^d in Ireland ought to weigh 18^{dw^t}, & this is its usual weight before wearing. In the Proclamation its weight is put 17^{dw^t}. & nothing is allowed for the deficiency of a penny weight which amounts to 3^d.

Rix Dollars that they may be worth 4^s 9^d in Ireland ought to weigh 17^dwt & 18 or 20 grains. Their usual weight before wearing

<239v>

{is} 18^{dw^t} 9^gr. Their weight in the Proclamation 17^dwt, & no allowance made for the want of 18 or 20 grains.

The old Peru piece of eight that it may be worth 4^s 6^d in Ireland ought to weigh 17^{dw^t}. Its put at that weight in the Proclamation.

The Crusado of Portugal that it may be worth 3^s 2^d ought to weigh 11 deadweight 12^gr. Its usual weight before wearing is 11^{dw^t} 4^gr Its weight in the Proclamation 10^{dw^t} 20^gr, & no allowance for the want of 16^gr. I am humbly of opinion that these peices should be valued only at 3^s, this being the value of those that weigh 10^{dw^t} 20^gr.

If all the pieces of silver money were put at their just weight in proportion to the value at which they are to be current, it would help to preserve them from clipping; especially if that weight be nea{r} the original weight of the pieces. And the currency of good money will not be hindred thereby because there is an allowance of twel{ve} grains for wearing before the pieces can be refused in payment & after that they are still current upon abating three half pence in the value

In the end of the printed Proclamation there is mention made of weights used in Ireland by vertue of a Proclamation dated 21 Feb 1697 for weighing the several sorts of coins made current in that Kingdom. I remember the making of those weights by the standard weights in the Mint. And if any new weights shall be wanting they may be speedily made that their use may be established by the Proclamation now to be issued

A Ducatoon weighs before wearing 20^{dw^t} 22^gr & is worth in Ireland 5. 11 $\frac{3}{4}$ . In the printed Proclamation its weight is put 20^{dw^t}. 16^gr & it valu 6^s. To be of that value it should weight 21^{dw{^t}}.

A piece of 8 & Lewis weighs before wearing 17^{dw^t} 12^gr & is worth in Ireland 4^s 10^d $\frac{1}{2}$ In the Proclamation its weight it put 17^{dw^t} & its value 4 9. To be of that value it should weigh 17^{dw^t} 8^gr.

The Cross Dollar weighs before wearing 18^{dw^t} & in Ireland is worth 4^s. 9. In the Proclamation its weight is put 17^{dw^t} & its value 4^s. 9^d. Either a penny weight should add to its weight or 3^d deducted from its value.

Rix Dollars are of various sorts & before wearing weight about 18^{dw^t} & 8 or 9 grains & are worth 4. 10 $\frac{1}{2}$ . In the Proclamation their weight is 17^dwt & their value 4. 9. To be worth 4. 9 their weight should be about 17^{dw^t} 18^gr.

The old Peru piece weighing 17^{dw^t} is worth 4^s 6^d as in the Proclamation.

The Crusado of Portugal weighs before wearing 11^dwt 4^gr & is worth 3^s 1 $\frac{1}{4}$ ^d. In the Proclamation its weight is put 10^dwt 20^gr it value 3^s 2^g. That it may be of that value it ought to weigh 11^{dw^t} 10^gr.