Partial holograph draft of MINT00503 (Mint 19/2/242-3)
And upon comparing the said Representation wth 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 are & the value of ye 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 4four penny weight eight grains (for this is their ordinary weight one wth another before wearing the as they {illeg}come fresh out of the mints) the qua doubl weight of the double Pistole & Lewis d'or ought, {illeg} put in a new Proclamation {illeg} eight penny weight & sixteen grains, & that of a quadruple Pistole {illeg} seventeen penny weight & eight grains. And the Moyder (wch as the merchants bring them hither a little worn weigh one wth another 6dwt 21gr, & beput in weight 6dwt 22grains in the same Proclamation. For those of this weight at a mediumin Ireland are worth are in Ireland worth 30s in Ireland recconing athree shilling at thirteen pence{illeg}29s. {illeg}11d recconing an {illeg} english shilling there at {illeg} 13d & standar gold 22 carrats fine at {illeg} 3li 19s 8d per ounce, But wch is the standard value. But if gold 22 carrats fine be recconed at 4li per ounce as is commonly done, a Moyder weighing 6dwt 22gr will be wroth 30s 0d. And therefore taking the nearest round number it may be valued at 30s without any error worth noting. the weight being 6dwt 22gr. And by this reat this rate all Moyders weighing above 6dwt 21gr 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 I{illeg} {illeg} the following observations may be made upon them. If The Spanish& T{illeg} Pistole & Lewis d'or {illeg}as they are commonly current weigh one wth another 4dwt 7gr being{illeg} lightned about a grain by wearing, & those of this weight are worth 18s 6d in Ireland {illeg} where an English shilling is wroth 13d goes for 13d.
{illeg} The Ducatoon of Flanders before wearing weighs (one piece wth another) 20dwt 22gr. That it may be worth {illeg}6s in Ireland, its weight is as its valued, in the Proclamation, its weight ought to be 21dwt. In the printed Proclamation its weight is put 20dwt {illeg}16gr without allowing any thing for the eight grains wanting, {illeg} & nothing is allowed for wearing till it want 12grains more in weight.
The pieces of eight of Mexico & Sevil & the Pillar pieces & French Lewises before wearing weigh one wth another 17dwt 12gr. That they may be worth 4s 9d in Ireland they ought to weight 17dwt 8gr. In the printed Proclamation their weight is put 17dwt without allowing any thing for the 8gr wanting in weight.
The Cross Dollar, that it before wearing weights (at a medium) 18dwt 1gr. & That it may be worth 4s 9d it ought to weigh 18dwt. In the printed Proclamation its weight is put 17dwt & wihtout allowing any thing for the penny weight wanting wch amounts to 3d.
TRix Dollars are of several sorts & before wearing weigh about 18dwt & 8 or 10gr. That they may be worth 4s 9d in Ireland they ought to weigh 17dwt & 18 or 20gr. In the printed Proclamation their weight is put 17dwt without allowing any thing for the want of 18 or 20gr in weight.
The old Peru piece of eight is va that it may be worth 4 6d in Ireland should weight 17dwt & is put at that weight in the printed Proclamation.
The Crusado of Portugal before wearing weights 11dwt 4gr. That it may be worth 3s 2d it ought to weigh 11dwt 120gr. In the printed Proclamation its weight is put 10dwt 20gr without allowing any thing for the want{illeg}14gring of 14gr 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 any such we those weights weights {sic} were in ounces penny wts & grains they may serve for all the coins: if in single pieces for single coins, they (for I remember the send of such < insertion from f 239v > wts from hence) there may be some wanting those that are wanting made by made speedily made here (if it be thought fit) & sent wth the new Order of Council that or as soon after as may be, that they may be ratified by the new Proclamation.
The allowance of {illeg} 2d per grain for the wearing of gold coins & three half pence per halfpenny weight for the wearing of silver coins is the nearest thatnearestas nearest to the truth as can be put in round numbers.
May it please yor Lordp
In obedience to yor Lordps order of Reference signified to me by Mr Taylors letter of Iune 16th Instant, I have perused the late order of Council the Representation from the Lords of the Privy (in Ireland desiringtouching some alteration to be made in athe addition of a clause to the a late order of Council in order rency {sic} to be for a Proclamation to be made relating for a Pro to be giving curto some for giving currency new forreign coins in that kingdom by Proclamation: In wch Representation being desireby Proclamation in that kingdom by Proclamation to some forreign coins which were omitted in a former Procla a printed copy of wch they ahve sent desiring a clause to be added to the said Order for making allowance for light pieces as was done in a formerthe said Propclamation a printed copy of wch whereof they have sent a printed copy, desiring also thatfor giving currency to {sic} & that the Order may be extendedbe comprehend also {illeg} the {illeg}forreign coins mentioned in that Proclamation, because the original of that Proclamation was f{illeg} under the broad seal was lost in destroyed in the late fire {illeg} wch happened there {illeg}at the Council chamber: so that the Clerk of the Council cannot now certify that the printed copy agrees verbatim wth the original as the {illeg} late Act of Parliamt resquires for the conviction of coyners In order therefore to insert all the forreign {sic} said forreign include all thecoins in one newthe Counterfeiters of those coins. Concerning all wch I humbly represent that the coins mentioned in the said Proclamation & Order outght to be of the several weights mentioned in the following Table that they may be of the in Ireland of the value {illeg} mentioned therein, supposing gold & silver to be raised a penny in the shilling in Ireland above what it is in England.
And the quadruple double halfs & quarters in proportion.
Concerning all wch I humb humbly observe, that the Moydermake the following observations [if money be raised in In the after the rate Ireland so as to pass there {illeg} at a higher rate then the standard of England by a penny in the shilling, the Moyder ought to weigh 6dwt 22gr that it may be there worth 30s, & a spanish Pistole & French Lewidor {illeg} ought to weigh 4dwt 7gr that it may be there worth 18{illeg}s. 6d. In the late Order a grain was abated of this weight to give a currency to the lighter pieces, & the same abatement will be now made by the allowance for lighter pieces now desired.to be inserted into the new Proclamation But Moyders one with another {illeg}as they come from Portugal weigh{illeg} 6dwt 21gr.]lateprinted Proclamation the weight of the Pistole & Lewidor was put {illeg}4dwt 8gr after wch rate the quadruple Pistole & Lewidor should weigh {illeg}dwt 17dwt {illeg}8g that is {illeg} 416gr & the double Lew Pistole & Lewidorshould weigh 8dwt 16gr that is 208gr But in the Memorial upon wch the late Order of Council was grounded <240r> the double Pis quadruple Pistole was put only {illeg}408gr & the double Pistole & Lewidor 204gr. which is o. {sic} I am too lighterer by two grains in these Pistole & Lewis then in the printed copy of plate Proclamatihumbly humbly of opinion that in the new Proclamation the quadruple & double Pistoles beshould be put in proportion to the single ones. [& therefore humbly propose that the weight & value of the gold moneys be put asin the new Proclamation in the following proportions. New out of the mint the quadrupledouble Spanish Pistoles & {illeg} weigh {illeg} 8dwt 16gr & the single ones 4dwt 8gr but they are lighter by about a grain as they come over to us]
The Spanish Quadruple Pistole
The piece commonly called the
The double Lewidor & Pistole new out of the Mint weight 8dwt 16gr & the single one 4dwt 8gr, but as they come out hither after a little worn they single {illeg} Lewises Pistoles & Lewidors are a grain lighter one wth another & this weight answers to this {illeg} their value in Ireland where a money is valued a penny in the shilling higher then in England, & a Pistole & Lewidor goes for 18 6gshilling goes for thirteen pence & all other money should be wastedraisedvalued in proportion. I humbly propose therefore that the Spani in the new Proclamation the Frech & Span. {illeg}gold moneys be put as follows
The piece commonly called the doublequadruple Spanish Pistole of Gold weighing 17dw seventeen penny weight four gr{illeg}ains at to pass at three pounds & fourteen shillings.
The piece commonly called the double Spanish or French Pistole to pass at one poundof 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 Sp. or Fr. quarter Pistole weighing one penny wt one gr. & three qts to pass at 4 s & 7 pence.
But if the weight of the single Pistole & half Pistole be put as in the late Proclamation, then four grains must be added to the weight of the quadruple Pistole must should in proportion be put 17dwt 8gr & that of the double one 8dwt 16gr.
The Moyders of Portugal as they {illeg}are brought over by the Merchant weighs one wth another six pe 6dwt 21gr & are in Ireland at that weight recconing standard gold at 2d a grain in England {illeg}But is the sta Gold be recconed at 3li 19s 8 pr ounce, (wch is ye standard value a Moyder of that weight will be worth {illeg}29{illeg} 10, are worth 2930s {illeg}0d & fresh out of the Mint they may weight 6d 22gr or 6dwt 22 one wth another & so be worth about 30s. {illeg} If for avoiding fractions their weight be put 6dwt 22gr & their value 30s, all those pieces that are {illeg} weigh above 6dwt 21gr will be current without allowing any thing for lightness. And then the Portugal money may be stand in the Proclamation as follows
The Portugal {illeg} piece of Gold commonly called a Moyd{illeg}er weighing 6dwt 22gr to pass at thirty shillings a piece
The piece commonly called the quarter Moyder weighing one penny wt seventeen grains & an half to pass at seven shillings & six pence.
But if the Moyder be put a grain lighter, {illeg}it must be valued only at 2{illeg}9s. 10d.
The Ducatoon of Flanders that it my be worth 6s in Ireland ought to weight 21dwt. Its usual weight before wearing (taking one piece wth another) is 20d 2{illeg}2gr. Its weight in ye Procl. is put 20dwt. 16gr & nothing is allowed for wearing till it be twelve grains lighter, & then allowance is made only for those twelve grains.the want of 8gr.
The pieces of eight of Mexico & Sevil & the Pillar pieces of eight & French Lewisses weigh on that they may be worth four shillings & nine pence in Ireland wei ought to weight 17dwt {illeg}8gr They weigh one with another before wearing 17dwt 12gr. In the Procl. their weight is put 20 1gr only 17dwt 0gr nothing is allowed for wearing till they be the want of 8gr.{illeg} 12gr lighter & then allowance is made only for ye 12gr
The Cross Dollar th that it may be worth 4s. 9d in Ireland ought to weigh 18dwt, & this is its usual weight before wearing. In the Proclamation its weight is put 17dwt. & nothing is allowed for the deficiency of a penny wt wch amounts to 3d.
The Rix Dollars & other Dollars of the {illeg} that they may be worth 4s 9d in Ireland are ought to weigh 17dwt & {illeg} & 18 or 20 grains. Their usuaor{illeg}l weight before wearing
is 18dwt 9gr. Their wight {sic} in the Proclamation 17dwt, & no allowance made for wearing in those that are above 1the want of 18 or 20 gr.{illeg}6dwt 12gr
The old Peru piece of eight that it may be worth 4s 6d in Ireland ought to weigh 17dwt. Its put at that weight in the Proclamation.
The Crusaddo of Portugal that it may be worth 3s 2d ought to weigh 11d wt 12gr. Its usual weight before wearing is 11dwt 4gr Its weight in the Proclamation 10dwt 20gr, & no allowance for wearing in those that weight about 10dwt 8grthe want of 16gr. I am humbly of opinion that these peices should be valued only at 3s, this being the value of those that weigh 10dwt 20gr.
I am humbly of opinion
If all the pieces of silver {illeg}money were put at their just wt in proportion to the value at wch they are to be current, it would help to preserve them from clipping; especially if that weight be near the original weight of the pieces. And the currency of good money will not be hindred thereby because there is an allowance of twelve grains for wearing before the pieces can be refused in payment & then they are after that they are still current upon abating three half pence for every twelve grains wanting in weig 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 mentioned in the said Pr made current in that Kingdom. I rem{illeg}ember 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 they may be speedily made that {sic} their use may be established by the Proclamation now to be issued
A Ducatoon weighs before wearing 20dwt 22gr & is worth in Ireland 5. 11. {sic}. In the printed Proclamation it {sic} weight is put 20dwt. 16gr & it valu {illeg} 6s. To be of that value it should weight 21dwt.
A piece of 8 & Lewis weighs before wearing 17dwt 12gr & is worth in Ireland 4s 10d In ye Procl. its weight it put 17dwt & its value 4 9. To be of that value it should weigh 17dwt 8gr.
AThe Cross Dollar weighs before wearing 18dwt & in Ireland is worth 4s. 9. In the Proclamation its weight is put 17dwt & its value 4s. 9d. Either a penny weight should added to its weight or 3d deducted from its value.
TheRix Dollars are of various sorts & before wearing weight about 18dwt & 8 or 109 grains & are worth 4. 10. In the Proclamation they are their weight is 17dwt & their value 4. 9. To be worth 4. 9 their weight should be about 17dwt 18gr.
The old Peru piece weighing 17dwt is worth 4s 6d as in ye Proclamation.
The Crusado of Portugal weighs before wearing 11dwt 4gr & is worth 3s 1d. In the Proclamation it {sic} weight is put 110dwt {illeg}20gr it value 3s 2{illeg}g. That it may be worth of that value it ought to weigh 3s {illeg} 11dwt 10gr.
Source
MINT 19/2/239-40, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UKJune 1712, c. 2,812 words.