Draft of MINT00305 (Mint 19/2/205)
By the weight & assay of several pieces of forreign coins heretofore made in the mint, Mexico pieces of were (one with another) found worth 4s 6d a piece, & Sevil pieces of (old plate ) were found of the same intrinsic value. And after this rate I valued them in an estimate of the intrinsic value of several foreign coins which I formerly made for the use of the Plantations in the West Indies. See stat. 30 An 6. Annæ R.
Now according to this rate 200000li starling are worth (888889 pieces of of either Mexico or Sevil: wanting six pence according to the intrinsic value.
Is. Newton
To the Right Honourable the Earl of Oxford & Earl Mortimer Lord High Treasurer of great Britain.
May it please your Lordship
By the weight & assay of forreign coins formerly taken in the Mint, Mexico pieces of one with another are worth 4s 6d sterling in intrinsic value & Sevil pieces of (old plate) are of the same intrinsic value with those of Mexico. And according to this value eight hundred eighty eight thousand eight hundred & eighty nine pieces of eight of either Mexico or Sevil (old plate) are worth two hundred thousand pounds & six pence sterling.
All which &c
Is. Newton
Exchangers reccon a piece of worth 4s 3d without distinguishing between the several sorts of pieces of . Mexico & Sevli pieces new coined are worth 4. 6. Pillar pieces are worth 4s 6d. Peru pieces are more uncertain in their value Refiners reccon them not worth 4s 3d a piece one with another.
English Pieces of Eight are more worn & diminished then the english milled money & in this recconing I have made no allowance for the excess of wearing. Exchangers reccon a piece of eight at a par with 4s 3d without distinguishing between the several sorts of pieces of eight: for pieces of eight of Peru are coarse & Refiners reccon them scarce worth 4s 3d.
Source
MINT 19/2/191, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UKJune 1711, c. 415 words.