274)

Author: Isaac Newton

Source: MINT 19/1/273, 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
  - 23 January 2017
    - Transcribed by Will Scott
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Related Texts
- This document is a version of:
  Holograph queries about standards of trial plates [MINT 19/1/274]

<273r>

The fineness of gold & silver is generally estimated by the assay & bought & sold by this estimate, & gold which is 24 carats fine & silver which upon the assay is 12 ounces fine is reputed by Assaymasters Goldsmiths & Merchants fully fine. And indented standard triall pieces are by law to be made of 22 cararats of fine gold & two carats of allay, & of 11 ounces 2^{dw^t} of fine silver & 18^{dw^t} of allay. But yet some Refiners have of late found out way{s} of refining gold & silver to a higher degree then 24 carrats & twelve ounces fine, & may find out ways of making them still finer.

Quære 1. Whether there should be one common standard fineness of fine gold & one of fine silver in all great Britain for setting a value upon all gold & silver in buying & selling, in coining of money, & in making of plate? And what is that standard fineness according to law? Or may it be setled by her Majesty in Council{?}

Quære 2. Whether her Majesty may appoint standard trial pieces to be made of such fine gold as proves just 24 carats fine upon the assay & of such fine silver as proves just 12 ounces fine upon the assay, notwithstanding that gold & silver may by any new art be refined to an higher degree?

Quære 3. Whether for keeping constantly to a standard, her Majesty may direct that a piece of the fine gold of which the next standard trial pieces shall be duly made be kept in the Exchequer for determining with more exactness the fineness of the fine gold & fine silver of which all trial pieces shall be made for the future.