Draft regulations on hallmarking and provision for regular trials by the Mint's assay master, with notes on past legislation

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Silver Plate [including the soder] shall not be less in fineness then          ounces            penny weights of fine silver in the pound wt Troy.

The Assayer shall report every halfpenny weight of betterness or worsness upon pain of

Plate brought to be touched if less in fineness or abounding with more soder then is necessary shall be defaced by the Assayer, if an half penny weight wors it shall be forfeited to the Wardens & Company, if a penny wt worse the maker shall be

Plate melted down wth the soder if three halfpenny weight wors shall be forfeited to ye Wardens & Company, if two penny wt worse the maker shall be

The Assayer or Toucher upon discovering any plate to be faulty, shall try ye same again in the presence of the owner or his Assigne & of two or more competent witnesses, & if {illeg}it be again found faulty as before he shall deface it as before or seize it as above

All plate sold or exposed to sale, if unmarked or worse then sterling shall be forfeited to him that shall seize or sue for the same, & the value thereof shall be forfeited also to the Queen. If marked or& worse the li{illeg}ke forfeitures shall be made also by the Wardens & Company. If a penny wt wors where there is no soder or two penny wt wors{illeg}e wn melted down wth ye soder, the To{illeg}ucher & his Assayer & the maker shall be

The touch Warden in every city taking with him two or more Assistants may search & deface all plate abounding wth more soder then is necessary & seize all unmarked plate exposed to sale.

The Diet shall be tried at certain times (suppose annually infor the city of London & quadr{illeg}eanially for others citi{illeg}es) by the Queens Assaymaster in the presence of                                                              & the Company shall pay the deficiency to the crown, & be allowed the excess upon account.

In all suits at law the fineness of plate shall be decided by a triall with the indented Trial piece.