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An allowance of two pence for each grain, one penny for half a grain, and one
halfpenny for quarter of a grain deficient in any of the aforesaid coins to be given.
And it is declared that the weights now in use in this kingdom, and which are
agreeable to the standard remaining with the Clerk of the Council, the Chief
Baron of His Majesty’s Court of Exchequer and the Receiver-General of this
kingdom, and no other, except as hereinafter is mentioned, shall continue to
be used for weighing the several sorts of coin above mentioned, as formerly.
And for the better ascertaining the weight of the said coins, we have
directed one weight of half a grain and one weight of a quarter of a grain to
be exactly made by William Archdall, of the city of Dublin, assaymaster, and
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that the standards of such weights, where the standards of the other
weights now in use are kept, there to remain to the end, that all differences
that shall happen about the said weights may be either determined or prevented.
And in case any person or persons shall either pay or receive any of
the said coins by any other weights than such as shall be agreeable to the said
standard, they are to be proceeded against, according to law, as keepers and
users of false and unlawful weights.
And we do hereby strictly charge and command that no person except the
said William Archdall do presume to make, adjust, or sell any of the said
money weights to be used in this kingdom for the future, upon pain of being
proceeded against with the utmost severity. (“Dublin Gazette.”)
In the “Dublin Gazette” of October 20 to 23, 1750, a list of foreign gold
coins current in Ireland is given. This list agrees with that given in the
proclamation of 1737, with the exception of the values of the Spanish
quadruple pistole and its subdivisions, which are as follows :—
Dwt.grs. £ s. d.
The Spanish quadruple Pistole, 17 8 3 11 4
The Spanish double Pistole, 8 16 1 15 8
The Spanish Pistole, 4 8 0 17 10
The half-Pistole, 2 4 0 8 11
The quarter-Pistole, 1 2 0 4 5½
The Barbary chiquin to pass in Dublin at the same rate as the Spanish
half-pistole.
A proclamation by the Lords Justices and Council, July 8, 1751.
Whereas, by a proclamation bearing date July 13, 1712, the Lords Justices
and Council did publish and declare that the several sorts and species of
foreign gold and silver coins therein mentioned should pass and be accepted
in all receipts and payments as current money within this kingdom at the
several rates therein specified, and none other, and amongst others that the
Spanish quadruple pistole of gold or double doubloon weighing l7dwt. 8grs.
should pass at £3 14s. ; the Spanish double pistole of gold or doubloon
weighing 8dwt. l6grs. at £1 17s. ; the Spanish pistols of gold weighing
4dwt. 8grs. at 18s. 6d. ; the Spanish half-pistole weighing 2dwt. 4grs. at 9s. 3d. ;
and the Spanish quarter-pistole weighing 1dwt. 2grs. at 4s. 7½d., which values
were after reduced by subsequent proclamations.
And whereas it is found necessary for His Majesty’s service and the
good of his subjects of this kingdom, to put an immediate stop to the
currency of the said Spanish quadruple pistole, or double doubloon, and the
several sub-denominations, we the Lords Justices and Council do therefore,
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pursuant to authority from His Majesty signified to us by His Grace the
Lord Lieutenant of this kingdom, recall and revoke the said several
proclamations so far forth as the same give currency to the said Spanish
quadruple pistoles or doubloons of gold and the several sub-denominations
thereof, and do by this our proclamation publish and declare that no
collector or officer of His Majesty’s revenue or other person or persons
whatsoever shall from and after the date hereof be obliged to receive in any
payment or payments the said species of coins called the Spanish quadruple
pistole of gold or double doubloon, the Spanish double pistole of gold or
doubloon, the Spanish pistole of gold, and the half and quarter pistole, or any
of them, anything in any former proclamation or proclamations contained to
the contrary therein notwithstanding.
William Archdall, maker of the money weights, died September 6th, 1751,
and in the “Dublin Gazette” of September 21st to 24th the following notice
appears :—
“Yesterday His Grace the Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland were
pleased to appoint Mr. Henry Archdall to be maker of the money-weights in
the room of his father William Archdall, deceased.”
The following advertisements appear in Dublin newspapers :—
“By authority. Weights for the several species of gold coin current
in this kingdom are sold only by Henry Archdall in Darby Square,
Werburgh Street, who sells the best kind of money-scales and gives the
highest price for all manner of gold.” (“Pue’s Occurrences,” September 24th to
28th, 1751.)
“Henry Archdall, Darby Square, will give £3 9s. 4d. per quadruple
for any quantity of gold coin over £10 ; £4 2s. 0d. per oz. for light guineas.
He sells the best kind of money-scales, and is the only person authorized to
make or sell any weights for weighing the gold coin now current in this
kingdom.” (“Pue’s Occurrences,” December 7th to 10th, 1751.)
Henry Archdall appears to have been discharged from the position of
maker of the money-weights, for in 1760 the following notice appears in the
“Dublin Gazette,” of July 22nd to 26th, 1760 :— “Dublin Castle, July 25th,
1760. Their Excellencies the Lords Justices and Council have been pleased
to appoint Mr. James Warren, goldsmith, to make, adjust, and sell the
several and respective weights for coins made current in this kingdom, in the
room of Mr. Henry Archdall.”
In the “Dublin Gazette” of September 9th to 16th, 1760, this advertisement
is to be found :—
“Whereas the Lords Justices and Privy Council have been pleased to
appoint James Warren, goldsmith, of Skinner Row, to make, adjust, and sell
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A proclamation, September 19th, 1662. Recites the proclamation of
January 29th, 1660, and states that although the Mexico plate-pieces,
commonly known by the name of Pillar pieces, be of equal finess and greater
weight than the rest of the Mexico or Civil pieces, yet many of the inhabitants
of the kingdoms do refuse to accept the same in payment of money
according to their respective values, we do, therefore, hereby publish and
declare that the said pieces, commonly known by the name of Pillar pieces,
and the half-pieces, quarter-pieces, and half-quarter-pieces thereof were
included within the intent of the late proclamation, and were thereby made
current at several rates answerable and proportionable to any other of the
said Mexico or Civil pieces, Rix dollars or cross dollars, mentioned in the said
proclamation, according to the respective quantities thereof. The proclamation
further states that all the several kinds of the Mexico pieces shall pass
as current money in Ireland at such weights and rates, respectively, as the
said Mexico or Civil pieces, Rix dollars or cross dollars, are by the late
proclamations respectively to pass. Also that no persons shall be enforced to
receive any of the Mexico pieces in payment unless the whole pieces shall
weigh seventeen pennyweights, and the lesser pieces in proportion.
Among the manuscript letters of the Earl of Essex, Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland, is one to Mr. Secretary Coventry, dated February 20, 16745,
enclosing a proclamation for the King’s approval, to raise the value of the
Portugal Crusados, weighing fourteen pennyweights, from three shillings
and eight pence, to three shillings and ten pence; and the half Portugal
Crusado, weighing seven pennyweights, to one shilling and eleven pence.
(Simon, Essay on Irish Coins.)
A proclamation. April 9th, 1677. Whereas we are informed that divers
merchants, strangers, and others have lately brought into this kingdom
several pieces of Dutch coin commonly known by the name of New Lyon
dollars, stamped with a lyon rampant on the one side, and a man with an
escutcheon covering his lower parts, and a lyon charged in it on the other
side, and coined in the years 1674, 1675, or 1676, with the motto, “Confidens
Domino non movetur,” and that they have dispersed and uttered the same in
payments at the rate of four shillings and ninepence. And whereas we have
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caused some of the said pieces to be tried and assayed by the assay master of
this city, and do find that the said pieces are worse than His Majesty’s
standard of England by two ounces five pennyweighs in the pound weight,
and that those new dollars are intrinsically worth no more that three
shillings and fourpence farthing and (in proportion to the Spanish money
commonly current here) worth three shillings and nine pence ; and whereas
none of the said pieces have been allowed to pass as current money in this
kingdom, we the Lord Lieutenant and Council declare that no person or
persons shall be required to take or receive any of the said pieces in any payment
or payments whatsoever.
1680. A proclamation by the Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin.
Whereas by Act of State made and set forth herein the Kingdom of Ireland
bearing the date January 29th, 1660, the piece of eight of Mexico or Sevil,
the Rix dollar and the cross dollar weighing seventeen pennyweights is to
pass current payment for four shillings and nine pence, the half piece weighing
eight pennyweights twelve grains to pass at two shillings and four pence halfpenny,
and the quarter piece weighing four pennyweights six grains to pass
at one shilling and two pence farthing ; and whereas by like Act of State
bearing date February 3D, 16678 1, the piece of eight commonly called the
French Lewis weighing seventeen pennyweights is likewise to pass at four
shillings and nine pence the half and quarter piece rateably as in the former
to pass in like manner as in the aforementioned as by the said Act of State,
relation being thereunto had, doth and may more at large appear. And
whereas yet, notwithstanding the plain and positive proclamation or Act of
State, through diversity of weights used by many persons for the said coins
in this city, the franchises and liberties thereof, great disturbance, trouble, and
loss doth arise to His Majesty’s good people, and for that it is notorious that
most weights used for the said coins do exceed the standard by several grains.
These are therefore to give notice to all persons within this city, the
franchises and liberties thereof, that do keep and use any weights for the foresaid
occasions, that I have anthorized and appointed Richard Lord of Copper
Alley, in the city of Dublin aforesaid, goldsmith and sworn assaymaster, to
make and have in readiness for all such persons as will try the same, exact
weighs for the several coins according to the said Acts of State ; hereby
requiring the said Richard Lord that he suffer none of the said weights to pass
out of his hands without first bringing them and every of them to the exact
standard according to the said Acts of State, and do seal and impress them
with the arms of the city of Dublin and mottoes like unto those he has already
1This proclamation has not been found.
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left with me,1 which shall remain in the New Hall of the said city, to
compare all others his weights by ; hereby requiring the said Richard Lord
to demand for each set of weights he shall expose to sale but one shilling
sterling and no more. And I do hereby in His Majesty’s name strictly
charge and require all manner of persons whatsoever within this city, the
franchise and liberties thereof, that have or shall have occasion to use or
employ weights for the aforesaid coins, that they and every one of them use
no weights in paying or receiving of the said moneys but what shall be tried
and examined by the standard and sealed and impressed as aforesaid, as they
will answer the same at their peril.
And I do hereby also further authorize and require all and every of the
aldermen, deputy aldermen, grand juries, and constables of this city within
their wards or franchises of this city to make due inspection from time to
time in the said affair ; and the rather because many complaints have been
made of the deceit and fraud used by weighing of money otherwise than by
the said Act of State, and the weights (with the arms and above mottoes are
required) ; and that if they or any of them shall find any or other weights
in the hands of any person for receiving or paying of such or the like money
within their respective wards or liberties of this city not marked and mottoed
as aforesaid, to take up and secure the said weights which are to be brought
before me to be tried and examined by the said standard ; as also to bring
before me the person or persons using the same, to the end there may not
contrary weights be used in this city, and for so doing this shall be to them
and every of them a sufficient warrant. LUKE LOWTHER. (Calendar of
Ancient Records of Dublin. Vol V.)
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GOLD.
Dwt.grs. £ s. d.
The Spanish quadruple Pistole or double }
Doubloon, } 17 8 3 14 0
The Spanish or French double Pistole, } 8 16 1 17 0
Doubloon, and double Lewis d’or, }
The Spanish or French Pistole, 4 8 0 18 6
The Spanish or French half-Pistole, 2 4 0 9 3
The Spanish or French quarter-Pistole, 1 2 0 4 7½
The Moidore of Portugal, 6 22 1 10 0
The half Moidore of Portugal, 3 11 0 15 0
The quarter-Moidore of Portugal, 1 17½ 0 7 6
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SILVER.
Dwt.grs. £ s. d.
The Ducatoon, 20 16 0 6 0
The half-Ducatoon, 10 8 0 3 0
The quarter-Ducatoon, 5 4 0 1 6
The Piece of Eight of Mexico or Seville, the }
Mexico Pillar Dollar, and French Lewis d'or, } 17 0 0 4 9
the Rix, Cross, and other Dollars, }
The halves do. do. 8 12 0 2 4½
The quarters do. do. 4 6 0 1 2¼
The old Peru Piece of Eight, 17 0 0 4 6
The half old Peru Piece of Eight, 8 12 0 2 3
The quarter old Peru Piece of Eight, 4 6 0 1 1½
The Crusado of Portugal, 10 20 0 3 0
The half Crusado of Portugal, 5 10 0 1 6
The usual allowances were to be given.
A proclamation by the Lords Justices and Council, July 24th, 1714.
We, the Lords Justices and Council, in obedience to Her Majesty’s commands,
do publish and declare by this our proclamation that the several new
species of French coins hereinafter mentioned be from henceforth current in
this kingdom, and that the same shall for the future pass and be accepted in
all payments and receipts as current money within this kingdom, at and
under the respective rates hereafter mentioned, and none other, that is to
say :—
GOLD.
Dwt.grs. £ s. d.
The French Lewis d’or of the new species, 5 5 1 2 0
The half French Lewis d’or of the new species, 2 14½ 0 11 0
The quarter French Lewis d’or of the new species, 1 7¼ 0 5 6
SILVER.
The French silver Lewis of the new species, 19 15 0 5 6
The half French silver Lewis of the new species, 9 18½ 0 2 9
The quarter French silver Lewis of the new species, 4 21¼ 0 1 4½
The usual allowances for any deficiency in weight to be given.
A proclamation by the Lords Justices and Council, May 5th, 1718.
Recites the proclamations of July 30th, 1712, and July 24th, 1714, with the
lists of foreign coins to be current, and gives the usual allowance for any
deficiency in weight ; also orders that Vincent Kidder and no other to make
money weights which were to be for gold and silver coins as in the proclamations
of 1712 and 1714, the weights not to exceed fifteen pence in price for
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all gold and silver coins made current by the proclamation of July 30th,
1712, and fifteen pence for all gold and silver coins made current by the
proclamation of July 24th, 1714. The weights to be made up in different sets.
(Public Record Office, Dublin.)
A proclamation by the Lord Lieutenant and Council, January 22nd,
1725. We, the Lord Lieutenant and Council, in obedience to His Majesty’s
commands, do publish and declare by this our proclamation that the several
new pieces of gold coin of Portugal hereinafter mentioned be from henceforth
current in this kingdom, and that the same shall for the future pass and be
accepted in all payments and receipts as current money within this kingdom,
at and under the respective rates hereafter mentioned, that is to say :—
Dwt.grs. £ s. d.
The new gold coin of Portugal, 18 9 4 0 0
The half new gold coin of Portugal, 9 5 2 0 0
The quarter new gold coin of Portugal, 4 15 1 0 0
The half-quarter new gold coin of Portugal, 2 8 0 10 0
The sixteenth new gold coin of Portugal, 1 3 0 5 0
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cities and corporations of this kingdom, by whom the same are to be left in
succession with the next succeeding sheriffs, mayors, and other magistrates
to the end that all differences that shall happen about any weights for money
may thereby be either determined or prevented. And in case any person or
persons shall either pay or receive any money by any other weight than such
as shall be agreeable to the weights so to be left in the said sheriffs, mayors,
and other chief magistrates’ hands, they are to be proceeded against and
published according to the law as keepers and users of false and unlawful
weights.
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The eight weights mentioned in this proclamation and also in that of
1698, viz. —
Dwt.grs.
20 16 for the ducatoon.
10 8 " " half ducatoon.
17 0 " " Peru piece.
8 12 " " half do.
4 6 " " quarter do.
and the 2dwt., 1dwt., and ½dwt. were stated to be for the silver coins, no
special weights being provided for the gold. How these and the other silver
coins mentioned were to be accurately weighed is not quite clear, no separate
grains being included in the set.
A proclamation was issued on January 16th, 1687, reciting that published
in 1683, and declaring that all the foreign gold and silver coins therein
mentioned should pass within this kingdom according to the weights and
rates therein specified.
A proclamation by the king, March 25th, 1689. Whereas we have thought
fit, by the advice of our privy council, to raise the coin of this our kingdom
to a higher value; we do hereby publish and declare, by the advice aforesaid,
that all sorts of coin now current in this our kingdom, whether foreign or
sterling, shall pass amongst all our subjects, within this our realm, and in all
payments to be made either to us or from us, according to the rates following,
that is to say :—
GOLD.
Dwt.grs. £ s. d.
The Golden Rider, 6 12 1 4 0
The half Golden Rider, 3 6 0 12 0
The Spanish or French quardruple Pistole, 17 4 3 16 0
The Spanish or French double Pistole, 8 14 1 18 0
The Spanish or French single Pistole, 4 7 0 19 0
The Spanish or French half Pistole, 2 3½ 0 9 6
The double Ducat, 4 12 1 0 0
The single Ducat, 2 6 0 10 0
The Spanish Suffrance, 7 2 1 11 0
The half Spanish Suffrance, 3 13 0 15 6
The Guinea, 1 4 0
The half-Guinea, 0 12 0
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SILVER.
Dwt.grs £ s. d.
The Ducatoon, 20 16 0 6 3
The half-Ducatoon, 10 8 0 2 1½
The quarter-Ducatoon, 5 4 0 1 7
The Mexico, Sevil, or Pillar Piece of Eight, the }
Rix Dollar, Cross Dollar, or French Lewis, } 17 0 0 5 0
The halves do. do. do. 8 12 0 2 6
The quarters do. do. do. 4 6 0 1 3
The half-quarters do. do. do. 2 3 0 0 7½
The twelfth part of the French Lewis, 1 12 0 0 5
The old Peru Piece of Eight, 17 4 0 4 9
The half old Peru Piece of Eight, 8 12 0 2 4½
The quarter old Peru Piece of Eight, 4 6 0 1 2¼
The half-quarter old Peru Piece of Eight, 2 3 0 0 7
The Portugal Royal, 14 0 0 3 10
The half Portugal Royal, 7 0 0 1 11
The quarter Portugal Royal, 3 12 0 1 0
The English Crown, 0 5 5
The English Halfcrown, 0 2 8½
The English Shilling, 0 1 1
The English Sixpence, 0 0 6½
The proclamation then states that the allowance of two pence for every
grain wanting in the gold coin, and three pence for every pennyweight
wanting in the silver coin, is to be given, and that the same methods be
observed in the said weights as is directed by the proclamation of June
5th, 1683.
A proclamation by the king, dated May 4th, 1689, states that there is in
this kingdom small pieces of silver called the French three pence halfpenny
or the three and a half sous, which was omitted from the last proclamation,
and declares that every such piece of silver is to pass current for three
pence halfpenny.
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