Notes on the value of French pistoles

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^{The value of French Pistoles stated.}

Pistoles one with another weigh 4^dwt 7$\frac{1}{4}$ grains as I find by weighing them. Whence if they were standard a Pistole would be worth 17^s. 1^d$\frac{4}{5}$ in o^er money of due weight & fineness. But they |h|ar|v|e |been found by the \former/ assays of old Pistoles $\frac{1}{4}$ of a grain worse \then sta/ & by those of Pistoles now coyned we find them usually $\frac{3}{4}$ of a grain worse. And these last assays bring down the value of Pistoles to 17^s.| about $\frac{1}{3}$ of a grain worse then standard & this abates of their value so as to make a Pistole worth 17.^s 1|0|^d$\frac{1}{51}$.

Double Pistoles being less worn then single ones are one with another about one grain heavier then two single ones, & so may be valued at 34.^s 3|1|^d a piece. But the number of these is inconsiderable.

There are some single Pistoles three or four grains lighter then the rest or above. These I considered not in the recconing above mentioned. If they be included they will bring down the value of Pistoles to less then 16|6|^s. {illeg}^d$\frac{3}{4}$ a Piece.

If Pistoles be metled into In{illeg}|g|ots the Ingots usually prove half a grain wors then standard & sometimes three quarters of a grain worse. Bu|Th|is is suspected to happen by the mixture of counterfeit Pistoles. And this loss they must sustein who buy Pistoles to melt, there being some Pistoles so well counterfeited as to escape the discovery of the best Tellers.

Mint Office Jan. 31. 170$\frac{0}{1}$.