Petitions for a licence to coin £180,000 in copper and criticises Newton's specimen copper coins as being made of inferior copper and given a high artificial gloss which will soon wear off

<385r>

4th: Mar: 171$\frac{\mathrm{3}}{\mathrm{4}}$

My Lord

When I was last with your Lordship, after the Officers of the mint were heard your stay was so short, that I had not an opportunity of mentioning some observations I then made on what passed. I observed your Lordship did not expect or any one offer to cut a pound of copper into less than 21d of half pence & farthings, or to make them of better metal than fine malleable copper, nor yet to do it on those terms unless the Publick would be at the charge of the wear & tear of Tools, which charge by my proposalls will be sav'd; so taht I think nothing hath been offerd hitherto so advantageous to the Publick. As to the impression, or stamp, I have propos'd it shall be such as your Lordship shall approve of; Therefore if you have no objection to the weight nor standard of the metal, your Lordship is sure to have a good impression, because I am not to proceed in coining 'till I have produc'd such a Die as shall be approv'd by yourself. I beg leave to observe that the specimens produc'd by Sir I: Newton are not fine malleable copper, & have an artificial Gloss which will soo wear off, & then will look like those coyn'd in King Williams Reign.

Mr: Peyton produced one of piece which he call'd fine plate Copper & said that could not be coin'd at less than 23d per pound I am contented his specimen shall be my standard, and do not desire a greater profit than will acrue from 21d a pound, but i your Lordship thinks fir to allow 23d, the difference which is 2d. in the quantity propos'd, will be between 18, and 20,000li, which your Lordship may dispose of as you shall think fit. I have some objections <386r> to putting the Queens arms on the reverse as in other coin which I think unanswerable, & shall be glad to communicate to your Lordship whenever you will give me leave to wait on you.

Had I heard any proposalls more advantageous to the publick than mine, I should have forborn giving your Lordship any farther trouble, but since none are yet made of equall advantage, I hope your Lordship will interceed with Her Majesty in favour of him who has always been

Your Lordships

Most Obedient Servant

Ia: Bertie

<386v>

<text in Unknown Hand (2) begins>Copper {illeg}

Mr Bertie:

By mare: 4: 17$\frac{\mathrm{13}}{\mathrm{14}}$

{illeg}

<text in Unknown Hand (1) begins>10 Mar 17$\frac{\mathrm{13}}{\mathrm{14}}$
To Officers of the Mint