Holograph preparatory notes, followed by draft letter, in response to a petition from the engravers

Diplomatic TextCatalogue Entry

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That good graving is the best security of the money & is best acquired by graving of Medals

That the Gravers being servants to the Master & Worker for coyning the money a Warrant be directed to him empowering him to give leave to the Gravers to make & sell such Medals of fine gold or fine silver as do not relate to state affairs.

And also to make such medals of fine gold or fine silver with plane historical inscriptions in memory of great actions, as shall be approved by the Warden Master & Comptroller & to sell them at such a price as shall be allowed by them

And also to make such medals as shall be desired by the Lord High Treasurer or Commissioners of the Treasury for the time being, for rewarding persons for services done in the Treasury & by the Lord High Admiralty or Commissioners of the Admiralty for rewarding persons for services done at sea & by the Lord High Chambers for the service of his Office.



According to your Lordships Order of Reference of         we have considered the Petition of the Gravers of the Mint hereunto annexed & are humbly of opinion that good graving is the best security of the coin & is best acquired by graving of Medals & that without exercise in such graving the Gravers may in time lose the skill which they have already acquired. And considering that it is the Master & Workers duty to coyn the money well & that the Gravers of the Mint are his servants for that purpose: we are therefore humbly of opinion that a Warrant be directed to the Master & Worker empowering him to give leave to the said Gravers or any of them to make & sell such Medals of fine gold or fine silver as do not relate to state affairs & upon the remit of such Medals as are made for rewarding any person or persons by her Majesty for their good services, to inscribe the words DONVM REGINÆ with the Date. And we are further of opinion that in the same Warrant the said Master & worker be impowered to direct & require the said Gravers & every of them to make such other Medals of fine gold fine silver & good copper with plain historical designes & inscriptions in memory of great actions as shall be approved by the Warden Master & Comptroller of the said Mint or by any other persons skilful in medals whom your Lordship shall please to appoint & also such Medals as her Majesty or any other person or persons impowered by her shall direct him the Master to make or cause to be made & also to make Puncheons & Dyes & other instruments requisite for coining the same & to work in such tasks for making the same as he the said Master shall appoint, & to sell the said Medals at such prizes as the said Warden Master & comptroller shall judge reasonable