Account of the indentures of the Master and Workers of the Mint in 1732
This Indenture made the three & twentieth day of August in the Sixth Year of the reign of Our Sovereign Lord George the second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France & Ireland King Defender of the faith &c. And in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred Thirty & two Between Our said Sovereign Lord the Kings most Excellent Majesty of the one part and Iohn Conduitt Esqr: of the other part. Witnesseth that whereas Our said sovereign Lord the King by his Letters Patents under the Great seal of Great Britain bearing date at Westminster the twelfth day of August in the first Year of his reign for the considerations therein mention'd did Give & Grant unto the said Iohn Conduitt the Office of Master & Worker of all his Maty's Monies both of Gold & Silver within his Matys Mint in the Tower of London & elsewhere in that part of his said Matys Kingdom of Great Britain call'd England together with the yearly fee or pension of Five Hundred pounds to be paid quarterly to him as therein is mention'd with all Edifices Buildings Gardens & other fees allowances profits priviledges franchises & immunities belonging to the said office To have and to hold the said Office of Master & Worker unto the said Iohn Conduitt to be executed by himself or <2> his sufficient Deputy or Deputies for whom he wou'd answer And also the said yearly Fee or Pension of five Hundred pounds with the said Houses Edifices Buildings & other Fees Allowances Profits Advantages Priviledges Franchises Liberties & Immunities for and during his said Maty's pleasure in as full & ample manner as Sir Isaac Newton Kt: deced or any other person or persons heretofore holding the said office have had held or enjoyed the same.
And Whereas it is provided by his said Majesty's Letters Patents that the said Iohn Conduitt after he shou'd be in possession of the said Office should make & execute on his part such & the like Indenture & Agreements for & concerning the making of the several sorts of Money of Gold & Silver and for payment of the several Officers of the Mint & for other matters & things relating thereunto and to the execution of the said Office as were formerly made with Alterations and Additions if any should be thought fit & directed by His Maty for the better management & carrying on of that Service.
Now this Indenture Witnesseth that for & in consideration of the covenants & Agreements hereinafter contain'd on the part of the said Iohn Conduitt Our said Sovereign Lord the King of his especial Grace certain knowledge & meer motion hath Given Granted Ratify'd & Confirm'd and <3> doth by these presents Give Grant Ratify & Conprin unto the said Iohn Conduitt the said Office of Master & Worker of all His Maty's Monies both of Gold & Silver within his Maty's Mint within his Tower of London & elsewhere in that part of his said Maty's Kingdom of Great Britain call'd England together with the aforesaid Fee or yearly Pension of Five hundred pounds Sterling to be paid by Quarterly payments that is to say at or upon the five & twentieth day of March the four & twentieth day of Iune the nine & twentieth day of September & the five & twentieth day of December Yearly by even & equal portions out of such Monies as in and by an Act of Parliament made in the Eighteenth Year of the Reign of his late Majesty King Charles the Second and contin{illeg}u'd by an Act made in the first Year of his late Maty King Iames the second's reign and again by another Act made in the fourth Year of the Reign of their late Maties King William & Queen Mary & after {illeg} by an Act made in the twelfth Year of the Reign of the said late King William which said several Acts were reviv'd & continu'd by another Act made in the seventh year of the Reign of her late Maty Queen Anne and are further continu'd by an Act made in the first Year of the Reign of his late Maty King George the first and by another act made <4> in the Ninth year of his said late Matys Reign & are further continu'd by another Act made in the fourth Year of His present Matys Reign or in & by any of the said Acts are allow'd to be issu'd Yearly out of his said Maty's Exchequer for the fees or salaries of the Officers of the Mint or Mints and towards the providing maintaining & repairing of the Houses Offices and Buildings & other necessaries for assaying melting down and Coyning during so long time as the said Acts of Parliament shall be & continue in force, And after the said Acts of Parliament shall cease & be void then the said Fee or yearly Pension to be paid out of such other Monies & in such other manner as shall by any act or Acts of Parliament hereafter to be made be appointed or allow'd to be issu'd out for the Fees or Salaries of the Officers of the Mint or Mints And in default of any such allowance or Appointment to be hereafter made by Parliament & during such time & times as there shall hereafter happen to be no such Allowance or Appointment made by Authority of Parliament the said Fee or yearly Pension of Five Hundred Pounds sterling to be paid unto the said Iohn Conduitt out of his Maty's Seigniorage or Allowance for Coynage of Gold & Silver Monies or other His Maty's profits of the Mint or such other part of his Maty's Revenues as his Majesty shall direct.
And Our Sovereign Lord the King for the considerations aforesaid hath also Given Granted & Confirm'd And by these presents doth Give Grant & Confirm unto the said Iohn Conduitt all Edifices Buildings Gardens & other profits proviledges Franchises and Immunities belonging to the aforesaid Office To have hold and enjoy the said Office of Master & Worker unto the said Iohn Conduitt & to execute the same by himself or his sufficient Deputy or Deputies for whom he will answer and also to hold & enjoy the said Fee or Yearly Pension or Sum of Five hundred pounds Sterling together with the said Houses Edifices Buildings Gardens Profits Advantages Priviledges Franchises Liberties & Immunities for & during his said Majty's pleasure in as full & ample manner to all intents & purposes as the said Sr Isaac Newton or any other person or persons did or at any time heretofore might or ought to hold and enjoy the same
And Whereas by the aforesaid Acts of Parliament it is amongst other things provided that no Monies levyable or payable by the same shall be apply'd or converted to any use or uses whatsoever other than to the defraying the Charge or expence of the Mint or Mints in Great Britain and of the Assaying Melting down waste & Coynage of Gold & Silver & the encouragement of the bringing in of Gold & Silver into the said Mint or Mints there to be Coin'd into the <6> current Coins of this Kingdom, nor shou'd any of the said monies be issu'd out of the Exchequer but by Order or Warrant of the Lord Treasurer and under Treasurer or Commissrs of the Treasury for the time being to the Master & Worker or Masters & Workers of his Maty's Mint or Mints within that said part of His Maty's Kingdom of Great Britain called England for the time being & mentioning that they are for the use & service aforesaid to be kept in his Matys Office of Receipt in the said Mint or Mints under the usual Keys of the Warden Master & worker & Comptroller for the time being and issu'd out thence from time to time according to the manner & course of the said Mint or Mints respectively as by the same Acts more plainly appeareth excepting only such sums not exceeding Four Hundred pounds in any one year as shall be apply'd to the prosecuting of those who counterfeit or diminish the current Coins
And in regard the Payments & disbursments of the said Mint or Mints formerly paid out of the Seigniorage or allowance for Coinage are by the aforesaid Acts of Parliament appointed to be paid out of the Monies ariseing by the same acts of Parliament Wherefore Our said Sovereign Lord the King doth by these presents Ordain & appoint that the said master & Worker shall Receive out of his Maty's Exchequer from time to <7> time all such Monies as are appointed to be paid unto him by the said Acts of Parliament for defraying the Charges & Expences of the Mint or Mints and of the Assaying Melting down Waste & Coinage of Gold & Silver & the encouragement of bringing in of Gold & Silver into the said Mint or Mints there to be coin'd into the current Coins of this Kingdom And that the said Master & Worker shall upon his account yearly to be made of his Receipts Payments Charges & Disbursements before the Auditor of the Mint or Mints for the time being have full allowance defalcation & discharge of and for all such Sum & Sums of Money as he shall duly pay and disburse according to the true intent & meaning of the above recited Letters Patents and according to the directions hereafter in these presents express'd and according to the course of the said Mint or Mints respectively as by the same Acts of Parliament is directed and appointed.
And the said Iohn Conduitt doth by these presents Covenant Undertake & agree to & with Our said Sovereign Lord the King to make his Maty's Monies in manner & form following That is to say to make five sorts of Money of Crown Gold one piece which shall be call'd the Quarter Guinea or Five Shillings & Three Pence piece running for Five Shillings & three Pence Sterling & there shall be One hundred Seventy & Eight of these in <8> the pound weight troy Nevertheless his Matys Will & pleasure is and his Maty doth by these presents declare & grant that the said Iohn Conduitt shall not be under an obligation to coin any such Quarter Guineas (except when he shall be his Maty's Treasury for the time being be order'd & directed to coin the same) One other piece which shall be call'd the Half Guinea or Ten Shillings & Six Pence Piece running for Ten Shillings & Six Pence Sterling & there shall be Eighty & Nine of them in the Pound weight Troy One other Piece which shall be call'd the Guinea or Twenty One Shillings Piece running for Twenty & one shillings Sterling & there shall be Forty & four of those & one, Ten Shillings & Six pence Piece or the weight of One Ten Shillings & Six pence Piece in the pound weight Troy. One other Piece which shall be call'd the double Guinea or Forty two Shillings Piece running for Forty & two Shillings Sterling & there shall be Twenty & two of those & one Ten Shillings & Six Pence piece or the weight of One Ten Shillings & Six pence Piece in the pound weight Troy. And one other Piece which shall be call'd the Five Guinea {illeg} or Five Pounds & Five shillings Piece running for Five Pounds & Five shillings sterling and there shall be Nine of those wanting one Ten shillings & Six Pence Piece or the weight of One Ten shillings & Six Pence Piece in the Pound weight Troy. And that <9> every Pound weight Troy of all the Monies of Gold aforesaid shall be in value Forty & Six Pounds fourteen Shillings & Six Pence & shall be in fineness at the Tryal of the same Twenty two Carrats of fine Gold & two Carrats of Allay in every pound weight Troy. The which Standard aforesaid of Twenty two Carrats of fine Gold & two Carrats of Allay in every Pound weight Troy Our sovereign Lord the King doth Will Ordain & Establish by these presents to be the right Standard of his Majesty's Monies of Crown Gold.
And the said Iohn Conduitt shall have and receive the sum of Six Shillings & Six Pence for the Coinage of every Pound weight Troy of Gold Monies to be by him detain'd & kept for the paying bearing & sustaining all manner of Wasts Provisions Necessaries & Charges coming arising & growing in & about the Coinage of his Maty's said Gold Monies by the Mill & Press out of the Monies to be paid & payable to him as is hereafter express'd.
And the said Master shall out of the six shills & six Pence allow'd unto h im & to be receiv'd by him as aforesaid for every pound weight of the monies of Gold from time to time pay unto the Moneyers the Sum of Three Shillings for their labour wast & Charges in the Coining of every pound weight Troy of the said Gold Monies by the Mill & press according to the undertakings & agreements of the Monyers with the said Master & Worker.
<10>But because the said Monies of Gold may not continually be made in all things according to the right Standard but peradventure in default of the said Master & Worker it shall be found sometimes too strong or too feeble by too much or too little in weight in fineness or in both Our Sovereign Lord the King doth Will & Command that when the said Monies of Gold shall be found at the Assay before the deliverance too strong or too feeble all only in Weight or all only in fineness or in both the Sixth part of a Carrat in the Pound weight of Gold & no more the which sixth part in that one or the sixth part in that other or the Sixth part in them both shall be call'd Remedy for the said Master that then that Money shall be delivered for good
But if default be found in the same money in weight or in fineness or in both over the sixth part of a Carrat which is call'd Remedy as aforesaid then the deliverance shall cease & that Mony shall be challeng'd & adjudg'd less than good and to be new molten & recoin'd at the cost of the said master till it be put to point as money deliverable Excepting only the Quarter Guineas for in regard those pieces cannot be Siz'd with the same exactness as the large Pieces of Gold Monies may be there shall be added to the said Remedy in weight one half Grain for ev'ry four Quarter Guineas in the said Pound weight Troy of the monies <11> Try'd so always that such respective defaults happen by Casualty otherwise not And the Gold to be brought into his Maty's Mint to be coin'd shall be coin'd into such Pieces as his Maty by his Royal sign manual shall direct in case he shall be pleas'd to give direction or directions touching the same.
And also the said master hath undertaken & by these presents doth agree & undertake to & with Our Sovereign Lord the King to make Eight manner of Monies of Silver (that is to say) One Piece which shall be call'd the Crown running for Five Shillings Sterling, & there shall be twelve of those & two Shillings in the Pound weight Troy. One other Piece which shall be call'd the Half Crown running for two Shillings Six Pence sterling & there shall be Twenty & four of those & two Shillings in the Pound weight Troy. One other Piece which shall be call'd the Shilling running for Twelve Pence sterling & there shall be Sixty & two of those in the Pound weight Troy One other Piece which shall be call'd the half Shilling running for sixPence sterling & there shall be One hundred Twenty & four of those in the Pound weight Troy – One other Piece which shall be call'd the Groat running for Four Pence Sterling & there shall be One hundred Eighty & Six of those in the Pound weight Troy – One other Piece which shall be call'd the half Sixpence running for three Pence sterling & there shall be Two Hundred Forty and <12> Eight of those in the Pound weight Troy. One other Piece which shall be call'd the half Groat running for Two Pence Sterling & there shall be Three Hundred Seventy & two of those in the Pound weight Troy. And one other Piece which shall be call'd the Penny running for One penny Sterling & there shall be Seven hundred Forty & four of those in the Pound weight Troy, and every Pound weight of the Monies of silver aforesaid shall be & hold in Number as aforesaid & be in value Three Pounds & two Shillings Sterling And shall be in fineness at the Tryal of the same Eleven Ounces & two Penny weight of fine silver & Eighteen Penny weight of Allay, Which Eleven Ounces & two Penny weight of fine silver & Eighteen Penny weight of Allay in the Pound weight Troy aforesaid is the old right standard of the Moneys of Silver of England
And be the said Master bound to make all the Monies of Crown Gold aforesaid agreable in fineness to the respective indented Tryal Pieces made by the direction of the late King Iames the second in the fourth Year of his Reign. And all the Monies of Standard Silver aforesaid agreable in fineness to the respective indented Tryal Pieces made by the direction of Our said sovereign Lord the King in the first Year of his reign, which said indented Tryal Pieces do now remain or shall be & remain in the several Places hereafter mention'd (That is to say) One Indented Piece of Crown Gold <13> and one Indented Piece of Standard Silver in his Maty's Treasury within that said part of the Kingdom of Great Britain call'd England to try the Monies of Gold & Silver from time to time coin'd by the said Master & Worker of his {illeg} Matys monies for the time being in fineness thereby the like with the warden of the mint within the Tower of London for the time being to try the monies of Gold & silver from time to time coin'd in his Matys Mint in finess thereby {illeg}As also to try the Gold & Silver Bullion brought thither if any difference shall happen to arise between the said Master & Worker & the bringers in of the same. The like, with the said Master & Worker to make the said monies in fineness thereby. The like with the wardens of the Company of Goldsmiths within the City of London in Goldsmiths Hall for the Tryal of their Plate & other works as well of Gold as of Silver in fineness thereby. The like in his Matys Exchequer of Scotland to charge the Officers of his Matys Monies for the time being within Scotland thereby for the true making of the Monies there And the like with the General & other Officers of the Mint within Scotland to make the Money in Scotland in fineness thereby
And the said Iohn Conduitt shall have & receive the sum of One shilling & Four Pence half Penny to be by him taken for the Coynage of every Pound weight Troy of Silver Monies for the paying <14> bearing & sustaining of all manner of Wasts provisions Necessaries & Charges coming arising & growing in and about the Coining of his Maty's Crowns half Crowns Shillings & Six Pences of Silver Money by the Mill & Press out of the Monies to be paid & payable unto him as is herein after express'd.
And the said Master shall out of the said One Shilling & Four pence half penny allow'd to him as aforesaid & receiv'd by him for every pound weight Troy of the Monies of Silver pay from time to time unto the Moneyers the sum of Eight Pence for the making of every pound weight Troy of the said Silver Monies by the Mill & Press according to the undertaking & agreement of the said Monyers with the said Master & Worker
And Our Sovereign Lord the King doth by these presents Order & Appoint that the said Master & Worker out of the monies to be paid him as aforesaid shall pay or cause to be paid yearly unto the Warden or Wardens of his said Majesties Mint or Mints in England for the time being by Quarterly payments the yearly sum of One Thousand Four Hundred & Seventy pounds for the Fees & Salaries of the Several & respective Officers of the Mint payable by the said Warden according to the distribution and appointment mention'd in a Schedule hereunto annex'd.
<15>But because the said Monies of Silver cannot continually be made in all things according to the right Standard in as much as sometimes in default of the said Master & Worker it may be made too strong or too feeble by too much or too little in weight or in fineness or in both Our Sovereign Lord the King doth will that when the said Monies of Silver upon the Assay before the Delivery be found too strong or too feeble all only in weight or all only in fineness or in both by two Pennyweight in the Pound weight Troy aforesaid after the old Computation of Twenty Pennyweight in the Ounce & no more The which two penny Weight in that one or two Penny weight in that other or two Penny weight in them both shall be called Remedy for the Master that then such Monies to be deliver'd for good so always the same default do happen by casualty or otherwise not But if default be found in the said Two Pennyweight in the Poundweight Troy aforesaid then ceaseth the deliverance of the Money & the same to be challeng'd less than good & at the cost of the Master to be new molten & recoyn'd till it be put to point as Monies deliverable as aforesaid.
And Our said Sovereign Lord the King Willeth Agreeth & Granteth by this Indre that the said Master & Worker for the time being do & shall receive as well his Matys own Bullion of Gold & Silver as the Bullion <16> of any other Person or Persons whatsoever repairing to his Mint with any Bullion of Gold & Silver aforesaid to be coin'd into the Monies before mention'd by weight delivering to the Parties bringing in the same Bullion Bills testifying the Weight Fineness & Value thereof together with the day & order of its delivery into the said Mint or Mints & within as convenient time as may be deliver the same again to Our Sovereign Lord the King for his Bullion & to the other Parties or their Attornies delivering the same Bills by the same Weight according to the value of the said Bullion at such time & in such manner & form as in this present Indre is limited & appointed.
And Our Sovereign Lord the King doth Will & Command by this Indre that the said Warden and Wardens & the Controller & Comptrollers of his Maty's said Mint as also his Maty's Chief Clerk & Clerk of the Papers for the time being shall enter & Record in several Leidger Books all such Bullion of Gold & Silver as from time to time shall be brought into the said Mint Which Entry shall comprehend the weight Fineness and Value of the said Bullion the Parties names that brought it & what Day. And after the said Bullion of Gold & Silver shall be receiv'd & the Assays thereof made Reported & Entred into the said Leidger Books the same Bullion shall be forthwith put into a Chest or Room & the Chest or Room shall be lock'd with three Keys whereof One Key shall <17> remain with the said Warden or Wardens or one of them and one other of the Keys shall remain with the said Master for the time being & the other Key shall remain with the said Comptroller or Comptrollers for the time being & there shall continue until such time as the same be deliver'd to the making of Monies.
And the Warden or one of them & the Comptrollers & likewise his Matys Clerk shall also Keep several Books of Melting declaring in the same the quantity & fineness of all manner of Gold & Silver & Allay put into the melting with the Report of every Assay call'd the Pot Assay and the same Books shall remain in their several Custodies to charge the Master withall. And the said Books shall be Monthly subscrib'd & sign'd by the said wardens or one of them & the Master & Comptroller; And the said assay-Master of Our Sovereign Lord the King shall keep One Book of all such Bullion of Gold & Silver as shall be brought into the said Mint whereby the quantity & fineness may appear with the Report also of the Assay of every several Pot commonly called the Pot assay which Pot assay shall be made of some Ingot of the said Bullion to be taken by the said Warden or Wardens Comptrollers & Assay Master or any two of them after the Pot is cast out
And if any Person or Persons happen to bring into the said Mint any manner of Gold or Silver nigh to the Standard aforesaid then the Master shall receive <18> it for the value accordingly so as the charge to make it agreable in fineness to the several Standards aforesaid be born & sustain'd out of the Revenue arising to his Maty by virtue of the aforesaid Acts of Parliament
And Our said Sovereign Lord the King doth by these presents give full power & Authority unto the said Master & Worker from time to time to put such privy mark or marks upon the Edges or flat sides of the said Gold and Silver Mony so to be coin'd as aforesaid as he the said Master shall judge most safe & convenient for the said Monies & from time to time to alter & Change such privy Mark or Marks according as he shall judge the same most convenient & necessary so that the said Master and Worker may from time to time know & discover which of Gold & Silver amongst other be made by him & which not
And the said Warden or Wardens & Comptroller or their Deputy or Deputies shall oversee & survey the said Assaying Melting Sizing & making of the said monies of Gold & Silver at all times & in all places & shall endeavour & procure that the said Monies & every of them to be made & perfected according to the true intent of this Indrre and the Charge committed to them And they shall also see & procure that the Ballances & Weights be always amended & put to point from time to time when they shall need so that no default be found in them to the hurt of His Majesty or his people.
<19>And the Surveyor of the Meltings shall take care of his duty in surveying the Meltings aforesaid and shall keep a Book containing the weight of such Gold & Silver as shall be molten from time to time with the Allays put into the same. And when the said Monies be coin'd & compleat the said Warden or wardens Master & Comptroller or Comptrollers shall put them into a Chest or Room lock'd with three Keys whereof one shall remain with the said Warden or Wardens one with the said Master & the Third with the Comptroller until such time as proof {illeg}& Tryal be had of the said Mony & payment be made to the bringers in of such Bullion accordingly which proof shall be had & made in the presence of the said warden or wardens Master & Comptroller or Comptrollers by his Maty's Assay Master for the time being the same Assay to be taken as well of the fineness as of the weight by such quantity and after such sort as shall be agreed on by the said warden or Wardens Comptrollers & Assaymaster And after the said Monies of Gold and Silver be assay'd & prov'd for good as is aforesaid before any deliverance be of the whole Sum a portion of the said Monies shall be taken & put into a Box by the said Warden or Wardens or by their Deputy or Deputies in the presence of the said Master or his Deputy & the Comptrollers or their Deputy whereof the Assay shall be made before Our Sovereign Lord the King from time to time or such of <20> His Council as have been accustom'd or shall be appointed by his Maty at Westminster or elsewhere it shall please his Maty or his said Council to appoint (that is to say) for every Iourney weight of Gold not exceeding Fifteen Pounds weight Two Pieces, whereof the one to be for the pix & the other to be for the Assay And out of every Iourney of Silver Monies containing Sixty pounds weight Two pieces at least the one Moiety thereof to be for the pix & the other for the Assay And they shall be enseal'd with the seals of the said warden or wardens Master & Comptroller or Comptrollers And the said Box shall be shut with three Keys whereof one Key shall abide with the said Warden or Wardens, & one with the master & the third with the Comptroller or Comptrollers which Pix shall remain in a Chest or Room as is aforesaid And upon reasonable warning thereof given it shall be open'd from time to time before Our Sovereign Lord the King or such of his Council as shall be by his Majesty appointed at Westminster or elsewhere it shall please his Maty or his said Council to appoint And in presence of the said Warden or Wardens Master & Comptroller there shall be Assays made as well of the fineness as of the weight of the said Monies of Gold & Silver in the said PiBox after the most just manner as can be thought of to be made by Fire by Water by Touch or by Weight or by all or by any of them To the end that if the said Monies of Gold & Silver be found & prove <21> good & covenable after the Covenants Orders & Agreements aforesaid the said Master to be quit excus'd & discharg'd against his said Maty and all his People unto that day And then the said Master at his will to have Letters patents of Our sovereign Lord the King under the Great Seal of Great Britain to be made for his Acquittance specifying the said Assays to be made & found as is aforesaid in such sort as in ancient times has been accustom'd without fee therefore paying for the making which Letters Patents these presents shall be a sufficient Warrant & discharge to the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper or Lords Commissioners for the Custody of the Great Seal of Great Britain for the time being without any further or special Warrant to be su'd out for the same. And if it shall be found {illeg} by the Assays that the Pound weight throughly try'd answereth not the full Standard in Fineness as aforesaid but shall be worse & yet within the Remedies aforesaid the lack thereof shall be enter'd on Record by the said Warden or Wardens & Comptroller or such as they shall thereunto appoint & a true account thereof shall be made to his Maty & the same fully & wholly to be answer'd to his Maty without any profit or Commodity to grow unto any other Person or Persons for the same Saving allways that in case by the said Assay it shall be found that the same Monies of Gold & Silver do pass at any time the said Standards or any of them so as the same be better in <22> Fineness or in Weight or in both than is appointed by the Standards & yet within Remedies Then so much thereof to be entred of Record & hold place to the said Master in the Charge which he shall have when any lack shall be found by the said Assays under the standards aforesaid.
And if it shall happen in the said Monies of Gold & Silver or either of them upon either of the just Assays as shall be made of the abovesaid Boxes in manner aforesaid be it in Weight or in Fineness any default be found without the said Remedies ordain'd for the said Master as is aforesaid or any of them the said Master shall make fine & Ransom to his said Maty at his Will. Also the said Warden Master & Worker & Comptroller or any of them as often as need shall require shall & may take up as many Gravers to Grave Irons at his Maty's price And also as many Smiths Workmen & Labourers & other necessaries to & for the making of the said Irons & Monies aforesaid and the doing of all manner of business within the Mint as to the said Warden & Master & Comptroller shall seem needful to have In which taking of such Gravers Smiths Workmen & Labourers & other Necessaries Our Sovereign Lord the King doth will & Command by this Indre all Mayors Sheriffs Bayliffs & all other Officers that they to the said warden or wardens Master & Comptroller aforesaid & to his & their Deputy & <23> Deputies therein be assisting Aiding helping & fortifying as to right doth belong.
And Our Sovereign Lord the King doth will & Grant by these presents that it shall be lawful for the said Warden or Wardens Master & or Comptroller of his Matys Mint at all times such & so many of the said Engravers Smiths Workmen & Labourers as by their discretions be not of good bearing in their Offices & Labours to punish putout avoid & amove like as to the Warden or Wardens Master & Comptroller shall seem meet according to right & for his Matys Weal
And be the said Master bound & holden to receive all manner of Gold & Silver brought to the Tower after the very value (that is to say) every parcel in its degree one to the more the other to the less after the quantity it shall appear by the Assay to be better or worse than the Standard And if the said Master & the Merchant that bringeth in the said Gold & Silver may not accord between them of the true value His Maty's Assay Master to that deputed in the presence of the said Warden or Wardens Master & Comptroller ought & shall try the truth in that part And the said Master shall thereupon receive the same & stand thereafter charg'd in manner as it belongeth
And Our said sovereign Lord the King doth Will & straitly Charge by this Indenture all the Officers of the Tower aforesaid that the Officers aforesaid & all other Officers of the Mint & their Servants And also all manner of <24> Persons bringing Gold & Silver to the Tower shall have free Ingress Egress & Issue by the Gates & thrô the said Tower & franchises thereof inward & outward at all times without any arresting disturbance letting or gainsaying of the chief Governor Constable or Lieutenant or the Porter or any other Officer or Person whatsoever he be for any manner of Debt matter or Cause whatsoever it be and without anything given to them or to any other to have such Entry or Issue. And be the said Warden or Wardens Master & Comptroller held & bound to give their attendance at the said Mint every Wednesday in the Week & such other days as shall be by them appointed & agreed upon for the receipt of all such Bullion as shall be brought into the said Mint & for the delivery out of the said coin'd Monies. And the said Master to pay the Sum of Fifty & two Pounds by the Year towards the Charges of the dyet of oOne hundred & four Pounds heretofore allow'd by his Maty's Royal Predecessors to the Officers of the said Mint the sum of Fifty two pounds to be paid by the said Master so long as his Maty shall continue his part of the Dyet hereafter in these presents express'd & allow'd and of the same & of every of them to discharge & acquit our sovereign Lord the King from time to time & so long as he shall continue Master & worker of the said Monies.
And his Maty doth grant by these presents to bear & allow the other Sum of Fifty two Pounds parcell of One hundred & four for the dyet of the Officers aforesaid which his Matys Will & pleasure is shall from time to time <25> be paid by the said Warden or Wardens and doth grant that thereof he shall have allowance on his Account. The said Dyet to continue till his Maty shall order otherwise under his sign manual
And that the said Warden or Wardens shall make his or their accounts Yearly as well of all & every his or their Receipts as of his or their Payments & other Charges before the Auditors of the Mint for the time being unless it shall please his Maty otherwise to appoint the same. In which Accot the said Auditor or others to be appointed by his said Maty to take the said Accounts shall make unto the said Warde or Wardens full allowance defalcation & discharge as well of all such Sum & Sums of Mony as he or they shall duly prove to have been paid or disburs'd for Officers Fees & ChWarges {sic} & Diet of the said Officers as for any other necessary Charges to be imploy'd in & about the making of the said monies or repairing of the said Offices & Houses necessary to be imploy'd in the said Service under the avouchment of the said Master & Comptroller & Assaymaster or any two of them whereof the said Master to be one. And the said accounts so to be made by the said Auditors or by any other of his Matys special appointment for the same being stated & His debt determin'd & his said accounts fully answer'd to his Maty the said Warden or Wardens upon his or their suit to the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal or Commissioners of the Great Seal shall have Letters Patents of his said Maty under <26> the Great Seal to be made for his or their Acquittance without Fee therefore paying for the making of which said Letters Patents these presents shall be a sufficient warrant & Discharge to the said Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper or Lords Commissioners for the Custody of the Great seal for the time being without any further or special warrant to be sued out for the same.
And his said Maty doth Grant & Confirm by these presents that the Officers of the Mint shall at all times have hold & peaceably enjoy all places Houses & Grounds as well builded as unbuilded within the said Mint which heretofore have been call'd reputed or taken for the Mint without meddling let or disturbance by the Chief Governor Constable or Lieutenant or any other Officers or Ministers of the Tower
And his said Maty doth Grant & Confirm by this Indre to the aforesaid Officers & to all other Officers and Ministers of the Mint the Charters & Franchises to them before this time granted after the effect & purport of the same Charters.
And also Our Sovereign Lord the King doth will that the said moniers workmen & all other Ministers of the Mint shall be ready to do their work at all times without denial when they shall be warn'd by the said Warden or Wardens Master or Comptroller upon pain of losing their Franchises & Bodies to Prison
<27>Also that all the Gold & Silver that the master shall deliver to the moniers to be Coin'd as aforesaid shall be in clean plates & deliver'd by weight & the said Monyers to make & Coin the same into monies & then deliver the same again to the Master in clean Pieces proportionably to by the same weight And if any thing lack of the same weight at any time of deliverance they to content & pay unto the said Master for the same at every deliverance at the Ballance & so done the master to pay them the Wages that belong to them
And for the Covenants Agreements Grants & Premises abovesaid well & truly to be holden & perform'd on the part of the said Master and that he shall bear himself towards his Maty & his people in the said office well & covenable & that he shall make gree to his Maty the Master hath made bodily Oath before his Majesty in Chancery & bindeth himself his heirs & Executors to his Maty by these presents.
And for more surety to make gree to the King & to the Merchants of that belongeth to them of the Gold and Silver which he shall receive by & in manner as is aforesaid while he shall be in the said Office the aforesaid Master hath found Burrows & Sureties before Our sovereign Lord the King in theHis Exchequer in the Sum of Twenty Thousand Pounds & that upon pain thereof he shall make gree to the King's Maty & to the Merchants in manner & form as is aforesaid.
And the said Master doth Covenant Promise & Grant to & with his said Maty from time to time to bring into the said Mint convenient & sufficient supplies of Gold & Silver & make full Payments & deliverance of all manner of Monies with all convenient speed according to the said Acts of Parliament for the profit of his Maty his heirs & Successors & the ease of the People
And the said Master doth Covenant Promise & Grant to & with Our Sovereign Lord the King to pay bear & sustain all manner of Wast Provisions Necessaries & Charges coming arising & growing in and about the Coining of his Matys Gold & Silver Monies respectively by the mill & Press according to the allowance in that behalf made by his Maty by this present Indre
And Our said sovereign Lord the King doth will & Command that the Warden or Wardens of the Mint for the time being shall content & pay to the officers and Ministers aforesaid such Stipends & Wages & such dyet as in Schedule is limited & appointed in manner & form & during such terms as is in the same express'd And that thereof he & they have due allowance and defalcation upon his or their Account
And the said MAster shall be holden and bound to bring or cause to be brought all the Gold and Silver that he shall receive by coulour of his Office into the Mint to be molten & made into Monies for <29> help & encrease of the monies for his Matys profit & ease of his people without Sale aliening or putting it to any other use Excepting all such healing pieces Seals and Medals of Gold & Silver as shall be made for his Matys use or by his Matys Commands.
And further Our sovereign Lord the King doth will & Command by these presents the Warden or WArdens of his Maty's Mint that he or they when occasion shall require do make or cause to be made two Piles of English Weights in the most perfect & exact manner that by their endeavours can be done to be equal to those lawfully us'd in his Matys Mint in that said part of the Kingdom of Great Britain call'd England And after the said two Piles shall be made as aforesd they shall be brought to the Tower of London & there shall be examin'd & printed with a Rose Crown'd & Thistle Crown'd in the presence of the Officers of his Maty's Mint within the said Tower, & after the same be so examin'd & printed as is aforesaid the Warden or Wardens shall at the Tower deliver one of the said Piles to the General of his Matys Mint within that part of his Matys Kingdom of G: Gritain, call'd Scotland by Bill indented under the hands of the said Warden & General to be carry'd into that part of his Maty's Kingdom of Great Britain call'd Scotland by the said General & to remain with his Maty's <30> Officers within his said Matys Mint within that part of his Matys said Kingdom of Great Britain call'd Scotland And the other of the said Piles shall remain with the said Warden or Wardens for the time being within the said Tower of London And the said Master & Worker shall account yearly before the Auditor of the Mint or such other as his Maty shall appoint. And the said Account so to be made & taken by the said Auditors or by any other specially appointed by his Maty for the same beinge Stated & his Debt determin'd & his said Account fully answer'd to his Maty the said Master & Worker upon Suit to the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper or Comissionrs for the custody of the Great Seal of Great Britain for the time being shall have Letters Patents of his said Maty under the Great seal of Great Britain for his Acquittance without Fee therefore paying for the making of which said Letters Patents these Presents or the Inrollment thereof shall be a sufficient Warrant and Discharge to the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper or Commissioners for the custody of the Great seal of Great Britain for the time being without any further or more special Warrant to be sued out for the same
And the said Master & Worker is hereby authoriz'd & appointed from time to time to pay unto the Warden of the Mint for the time being out of the Monies receiv'd by the said Master & Worker out of the <31> Exchequer aforesaid such Sum & Sums of mony as from time to time shall be due & payable by the said Warden & Wardens unto the Officers of the Mint for their Fees & Salaries & for Repairs & such other Expences of the said Mint as have been heretofore usually paid & disburs'd by the Warden or Wardens of the Mint for the time being
And the said Master & Worker is hereby likewise appointed & authoriz'd out of the monies receiv'd or to be receiv'd by him upon or by virtue of the said Act for encouraging of Coinage aforesaid to retain & keep in his own hands Yearly the Sum of One Thousand two hundred & Fifty five Pounds as well for the Fees & Salaries due to Himself as also for paying & discharging of the several and respective Fees & salaries of the several & respective Officers of the Mint & Clerks in the said Schedule mention'd to be payable by the said Master & worker according to the distribution & appointment mention'd in the said Schedule
And Our Sovereign Lord the King doth hereby Order & appoint that the Warden Master & worker and Comptroller of his Maty's Mint or& Mints that hereafter shall be & their respective Deputies shall & do before his their or any of their being admitted into the Knowledge of the Invention of Rounding of his Majesty's Monies & marking of the Edges of them with Letters or Grainings or either of them take an Oath before the Lord High Treasurer or Commissioners of the Treasury for the time being who are <32> hereby respectively authoriz'd to give the same Not to reveal or discover to any Person or Persons whatsoever the said new Invention of Rounding the Monies or marking the Edges of them with Letters or Grainings or either of them directly or indirectly unless his Maty his heirs or Successors shall otherwise Command & direct the same
And his Maty doth hereby Order & appoint that all such workmen that shall be trusted or Imploy'd in the making or using of the said Instruments for Rounding the Monies & marking the Moneys upon the Edges as aforesaid shall likewise take an Oath before the Warden of the Mint for the time being who is hereby Authoriz'd to administer the same accordingly Not to reveal or discover to any person or persons whatsoever the said New Invention of rounding the Monies & marking the Edges of them with Letters or Grainings as aforesaid or either of them directly or indirectly in part or in whole
It is hereby likewise strictly commanded & enjoin'd by his said Maty that neither the Provost nor any of the Moneyers of the said mint their Apprentices or Servants do or shall at any time after the date hereof presume to vend pay or distribute any Piece or Pieces of his Matys Coin'd Monies either of Gold or Silver until the same shall be deliver'd by them according to the Course of the Mint unto his Maty's Office of Receipt there and duly assay'd & Pix'd upon pain of <33> forfeiting their Franchises & Bodies to Prison
And further that no Person or Persons do live or& inhabit within his Matys Mint in the Tower of London without the knowledge or Approbation of the Warden MAster worker & Comptroller of the Mint for the time being except such Officers Workmen Moneyers & Ministers of the said Mint & such other Persons as have a right thereunto
And his said Maty doth by these presents also Will & Ordain that the Comptroller of the Mint for the time being shall deliver upon oath taken before One of the Barons of the Exchequer a Roll which shall be call'd the Comptroller's Roll containing an Account of all the Gold & Silver Bullion & Allay Molten And of all the Gold & Silver Moneys Coin'd monthly in the said mint And the said Master or his Deputy shall pay unto such Officers or Workmen that shall be imp{illeg}loy'd in making of several Gold & Silver Pieces round before they are siz'd & for marking the Edges of them with Letters or Grainings & for the keeping in repair all the Rollers & Instruments to cut flatten make round & Size the Pieces & mark the Edges of the Monies with Letters & Grainings & all other Tools Engines & Instruments such allowances from time to time as shall be directed by the High Treasurer or Commissioners of the Treasury for the time being not exceeding the Sum of Six <34> Pence for every Pound weight Troy of Gold Monies & the Sum of Three Half Pence for every Pound weight Troy of the said Silver Monies as also for the making labour & expences therein
And furthermore because the Provost & Company of Moneyers & Workers of the Monies may be encourag'd to do their duties well in the making sizing blanching & Coyning of the Gold & Silver monies As also upon the making upon every Hundred Pounds weight of Silver Monies hereafter to be Coin'd One pound weight & an half or Eighteen Ounces in the Quantities or species following (viz:) in Pence half an Ounce in Two Pences three Ounces in Three Pences Six Ounces & in Groats Eight Ounces & an half. Our Sovereign Lord the King for the considerations aforesaid is Graciously pleas'd & hereby contented And by these presents doth give power & authority to the master & Worker of the mint for the time being that so long as the Warden of the mint & the said Master & Comptroller or any two of them (whereof the said Warden to be one) shall perceive the aforesaid Monies to be well siz'd Blanch'd & Coin'd with the performance of the said service in small Monies the said Master shall pay to the aforesaid Provost & Company of Monyers One Penny by Tale of Every Pound Weight of all the Silver Monies to be made & Coin'd by force of this Indenture over & above the <35> Ordinary Piece of Eight Pence allow'd them whereof the said Master shall have allowance upon account by virtue of these presents at all times hereafter without any other or more special Warrant. provided also that the Moneyers having the Gold & Silver deliver'd unto them in clean Ingots fit to be Wrought shall make & deliver Seven Twelfth parts of the same in Money so that there be but five parts in Twelve Scissell
And Our sovereign Lord the King doth hereby Will & Command that the Clerk of the Irons for the time being do keep a true account of all the Blank dies for the Coining of the Gold & Silver Monies which shall from time to time be deliver'd to the chief Engraver or Engravers of his Matys Mint for the time being and also of all the Blank dyes which shall be sunk or stamp'd by the said Graver or Gravers & of all the Dyes which after Sinking shall be made fit for use & hardned
And the said Graver & Gravers is & are hereby likewise enjoyn'd monthly to return unto the said Clerk of the Irons all Dyes as shall from time to time be faulty & worn by using in the said Mint or otherwise to be defac'd in the presence of the Warden Master and Comptroller of the said Mint & not otherwise
And the said Clerk of the Irons is hereby farther enjoyn'd to give an account to the said Warden Master & Comptroller as he shall be thereunto requir'd <36> by them of what blank Dyes have been deliver'd unto the said Graver or Gravers or sunk by them or hardned by the Smith Or & what faulty & worn Dyes have been return'd by them to be defac'd as also what others are remaining in their hands that a just account may be kept of the same
And that the said Gravers shall not work or make or Grave any Puncheons Matrices Dyes or Stamps for the making or Coining of any Money Gold & Silver but only in such Houses or places in his Maty's Mint within the Tower of London as shall be thereunto assign'd by the aforesaid Warden Master & Comptroller And for the more exact sizing of Gold & Silver Coins to be made by the Mill & Press & the reducing of them to a greater exactness & equality in Weight It is hereby Comanded & appointed by his Maty that the Counterpoise of the several & respective Gold & Silver Coins herein mention'd be made lighter than their just weight according to the proportions following (that is to say) That two Grains be taken from the Counterpoise of the Crown One Grain from the Half Crown half a Grain from the Shilling & a quarter of a Grain to be taken from the Counterpoise of the six Pence of Silver monies And that Two Grains be taken from the Counterpoise of the Five Pound & Five Shilling Piece One Grain from the Forty & two Shillings Piece Half a Grain from the Twenty & One shillings Piece & a Quarter of a Grain from the <37> Counterpoise of the Ten Shillings & Six Pence Piece & Half a Quarter of a Grain from the Counterpoise of the Quarter Guinea or Five shillings & Three Pence Piece of Gold monies
And Our Sovereign Lord the King doth hereby Command & Enjoyn the Provost & the rest of the moneyers of the Mint with their respective Apprentices duly to attend His Matys service in the present way of Coining as need shall require both Morning & afternoon & to work in such Tasks & so many hours every day (Sundays only excepted) as shall be thought fit & appointed by the said Master according to the labour of their respective Tasks & the length of the days. And in case the said Provost & Fellows or any of their Apprentices shall wilfully neglect or refuse to attend & do their duties accordingly then the Warden Master & Comptroller of the Mint for the time being are hereby requir'd & authoriz'd to proceed against every the said Persons offending & to expell remove or otherwise punish them & every of them as in reason & justice they shall think fit for his Matys service according to the Antient powers & authorities of right belonging to them And his said Maty doth hereby further declare his pleasure to be that these presents & the agreements therein contain'd shall be of force & have continuance only during his Matys pleasure any thing herein contain'd to the contrary Notwithstanding.
In witness whereof to One part of these present Indentures remaining with the said <38> Iohn Conduitt Her Majesty hath caus'd the Great Seal of Great Britain to be affixed And to the other part thereof remaining with his said Majesty the said Iohn Conduitt hath set his hand & Seal the day & year first above written
| A Schedule or Table of the Fees & Salaries of the Officers of His Maty's Mint within the Tower of London payable to & by the Warden. viz: | ||||
| £ | s | d | ||
| To the Warden for Himself | 400 | .. | .. | |
| To him for a Clerk | 50 | – | – | |
| To the Comptroller | 300 | . | . | |
| To him for a Clerk | 50 | . | . | |
| To his Maty's Assay Master | 200 | . | . | |
| To him for a Clerk | 25 | . | . | |
| To the Weigher & Teller | 130 | . | . | |
| To Him for a Clerk | 12 | 10 | . | |
| To the Surveyor of the Meltings | 80 | – | – | |
| To him for a Clerk | 12 | 10 | – | |
| To the Clerk of the Irons | 40 | – | – | |
| To the Auditor of the Mint | 40 | – | – | |
| To His Maty's Chief Clerk | 60 | ~ | ||
| To the Porter of the Mint | 25 | – | – | |
| To the Clerk of the Papers | 40 | – | – | |
| To the Minister | 4 | ~ | ~ | |
| To the Sexton | 1 | |||
| £ | 1,470 | – | – | |
A Schedule or Table of the Fees and Salaries of the Officers of His Maty's Mint within the Tower of London payable to & by the Master & Worker viz.
| L | s | d | ||
| To the Master & Worker for Himself | 500 | ~ | ~ | |
| To Him for 3 Clerks | 150 | . | . | |
| To Him for an Assayer | 60 | – | – | |
| To him for a Purveyor | 25 | – | ||
| To the Provost of the Monyrs exercising the Office of Engineer & keeping all the Iron Tools & Utensills in repair | 100 | ~ | ~ | |
| To the Chief Engraver | 200 | .. | .. | |
| To the 2d Engraver | 80 | .. | .. | |
| To the Master & Worker for the Smith Assistant to ye Gravers. | 40 | .. | .. | |
| To another Clerk to the Warden | 100 | ~ | ~ | |
| 1255 | ~ | ~ | ||
Source
MINT 4/58, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UKc. 23 August 1732, c. 10,080 words.