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The National Museum and the Royal Irish Academy possess a few weights
bearing the name of Richard Lord, but most of them are dated 1670. From
this it is apparent that Lord was making the money weights before the Lord
Mayor’s proclamation of 1680.
Money weights dated 1679 made in Cork, and bearing the Cork city arms,
the number of pennyweights and grains and the name of Richard Smart of
Cork, goldsmith, are also in the collection of the Royal Irish Academy. I
have not been able to find any proclamation with reference to these. See
Plate V, No. 10.
A proclamation, June 6th, 1683. Whereas many and great inconveniences
have happened to His Majesty’s subjects of this kingdom by the difference of
weights that have been of late made use of for weighing of such foreign coin
as hath been current here by proclamation, as also by the bringing over into
1The motto on one of 1670 is NE ADDIS NEC DEMAS. See Plate V, No. 3.
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this kingdom great quantities of Peru pieces of eight which for some time
did commonly pass without any regard to their weights, for four shillings and
sixpence a-piece, which was more than their real value, and of late many
of them have been refused to be taken for more than three shillings
or three shillings and sixpence a-piece, which is less than their real value,
whereby many of His Majesty’s subjects have been at great loss ; and we,
being desirous to remedy a mischief that may prove so prejudicial to
the trade and traffic of this kingdom by such uncertainty in the coin
now current here ; have thought fit by this our proclamation to declare at
what rates all sorts of foreign coin, by the several proclamations now in
force, are to pass amongst His Majesty’s subjects in this kingdom, which
are as followeth :—
GOLD.
Dwt.grs. £ s. d.
The Golden Rider, 6 12 1 2 6
The half Golden Rider, 3 6 0 11 3
The Spanish or French quadruple Pistole, 17 4 3 10 0
The Spanish or French double Pistole, 8 14 1 15 0
The Spanish or French single Pistole, 4 7 0 17 6
The Spanish or Peru half Pistole, 2 3½ 0 8 9
The double Ducat, 4 12 0 18 0
The single Ducat, 2 6 0 9 0
The Spanish Suffrance, 7 2 1 8 6
The half Spanish Suffrance, 3 13 0 14 3
SILVER.
The Ducatoon, 20 16 0 6 0
The half-Ducatoon, 10 8 0 3 0
The quarter-Ducatoon, 5 4 0 1 6
The Mexico, Sevil, or Pillar piece of Eight, the }
Rix Dollar, Cross Dollar, or French Lewis, } 17 0 0 4 9
The halves do. do. do. 8 12 0 2 4½
The quarters do. do. do. 4 6 0 1 2¼
The half-quarters do. do do. 2 3 0 0 71/8
The twelfth part of the French Lewis, 1 12 0 0 4¾
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 half-quarter old Peru Piece of Eight, 2 3 0 0 6¾
The Portugal Royal, 14 0 0 3 8
The half Portugal Royal, 7 0 0 1 10
The quarter Portugal Royal, 3 12 0 0 11
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And in case any of the aforesaid pieces of gold or silver shall want of the
weight herein laid down on the said pieces respectively, then allowance is to
be given of two pence per each grain so wanting in any piece of the kinds of
gold coin, and three pence for each pennyweight so wanting in any piece
of the kinds of silver coin, and so proportionately for greater or lesser wants
of weight in the said pieces. And we do hereby declare that all the aforesaid
sorts of foreign coin being standing weight are to pass and are to be paid
and received at the rates above mentioned, and any such coins not weighing
down the scales in the weighing thereof, is not to be any cause for the refusal
thereof at the rates herein above mentioned. As also that every person
receiving any money shall receive by what side of the scales he pleases, if he
uses those of the payer, and if he uses his own, then he is to receive by which
side the payer shall think proper to direct. And to the end that there may
be no uncertainty in the weights of money, we do hereby further declare
that we have directed all the weights that are necessary for the said silver
coin to be exactly made by Henry Paris and John Cuthbeard of the city of
Dublin, the stamps to be flat and the circle to be smooth and polished, that
no dust may gather in, and each weight to be stamped with the number of
pennyweights it bears on one side and the crown and harp on the other side,
where the same may be had at reasonable rates, not exceeding twelve pence
for all the weights being eight in number, viz. : for the ducatoon, half ducatoon
for the whole plate and Peru pieces and half and quarter pieces thereof, a
two-penny weight, a penny weight and a halfpenny weight, which are all
that will be necessary for weighing the several sorts of silver coin that do
now commonly pass in this kingdom. And we have ordered a standard of
all sorts of the said weights for silver coin to be left in the hands of the
respective sheriffs of the several counties of this kingdom, and also in the
hands of the respective mayors and other chief magistrates of the several
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The usual allowances for any deficiency in weight to be given. (Public
Record Office, Dublin.)
In Watson’s Dublin Almanac for 1732 a list of the following coins, with
their values, is given :—
£ s. d.
The Guinea, 1 3 0
The Pistole, 0 18 6
The Crown, 0 5 5
The Ducatoon, 0 6 0
The forty penny Piece, 0 3 4
— together with the weights and values of the quadruple pistole, moidore, and
Portugal piece, and their subdivisions as set out in the proclamations of 1718
and 1725.
A proclamation by the Lords Justices and Council, September 13th, 1736.
Whereas several proclamations have issued from this Board for regulating
and adjusting the several weights for weighing all foreign gold coin current
in this kingdom, and we being well satisfied in the ability of William Archdall,
of the city of Dublin, goldsmith and assay master, have thought fit to
constitute, nominate, and appoint him, the said William Archdall, to make,
adjust, and sell the several and respective money weights for weighing the
several and respective coins made current by and according unto the said
several proclamations according to the standard of weights formerly lodged
with the Chief Baron of His Majesty's Court of Exchequer,
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during our will
and pleasure, hereby strictly commanding that no other person whatsoever do
presume to make, adjust, or sell any of the said money weights to be used in
this kingdom, upon pain of being proceeded against as makers and publishers
of false weights. Of which all persons are required to take due notice.
(“Dublin Gazette,” September 18th to 21st, 1736.)
This proclamation was issued on account of the death of Vincent Kidder,
the following notice appearing in the “Dublin Gazette” of August 17 to 21,
1736 :— “Vincent Kidder, goldsmith and regulator of our money weights and
grains, was yesterday interred in St. Werburgh’s Church.”
A proclamation by the Lords Justices and Council for regulating the value
of gold coins current in this kingdom, dated August 29, 1737. Whereas His
Majesty has been pleased to signify his royal pleasure that a proclamation
should issue for regulating the gold coins current in this kingdom, and for
that purpose His Majesty’s order in Council, bearing date at his Court at
Hampton Court the 21st day of July, 1737, has been transmitted to us, setting
forth that whereas the Lord Lieutenant and Council of this kingdom have represented
to His Majesty that there is at present a great scarcity of silver coin
in this kingdom, occasioned by persons being tempted to carry it out of this
kingdom to make an advantage thereof, and that the greatest part of the gold
coins current here is in the two larger pieces of Portugal gold, one of which
passing for four pounds and the other for forty shillings, great inconveniences
and difficulties daily arise in the obtaining change for the same ; and there
being a disproportion between the value of the said pieces and the lesser
pieces of foreign gold coin, to the advantage of the larger, the same has
occasioned likewise a scarcity of the lesser pieces of gold coin, by means
whereof great distress has been brought upon the trade, and particularly the
linen manufacture of this kingdom ; and also upon His Majesty’s forces here ;
and therefore humbly prayed that the gold coin, both English and foreign,
current here might be rated at the quantity of English silver they usually
pass for in England, with an allowance of some small advantage to the lesser
pieces. And whereas the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty’s Treasury (to
whom His Majesty thought fit to refer the consideration of the said
representation) have reported to His Majesty in Council that they had taken the
opinion of the late master-worker and the rest of the principal officers of His
Majesty’s mint thereon, who proposed that a reduction should be made in the
value of the gold coins current in this kingdom, at least as low as they are in
Great Britain ; and that the disproportion between the larger and lesser pieces
should be rectified, which said proposal being agreed to by the Lords
Commissioners of the Treasury and approved of by His Majesty in Council, His
Majesty has been graciously pleased by his said order in Council
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to order that
the following pieces of gold coin current in this kingdom do pass in payment
within this kingdom at the rates hereafter respectively specified, and that a
proclamation should be issued to that effect. We therefore, the Lords Justices
and Council, in obedience to His Majesty’s said order, do by this our proclamation
publish and declare that the several pieces of gold coin hereinafter
mentioned shall, from and after the 10th day September next, pass and be
accepted in all receipts and payments as current money within this kingdom
at the several rates hereinafter specified, and none other, that is to say :—
Dwt.grs. £ s. d.
The Guinea at 1 2 9
and all other pieces of the same species in
proportion.
The Moidore, 6 22 1 9 3
The half-Moidore, 3 11 0 14 8
The quarter-Moidore, 1 17½ 0 7 4
The quadruple Pistole or double Doubloon, 17 8 3 13 0
The Spanish or French double Pistole or
Doubloon, or double Louis d’or, 8 16 1 16 6
The Spanish or French Pistole, 4 8 0 18 3
The half Spanish or French Pistole, 2 4 0 9 2
The quarter Spanish or French Pistole, 1 2 0 4 7
The French Louis d’or of the new species, 5 5 1 2 0
The half French Louis d’or of the new species, 2 14½ 0 11 0
The quarter French Louis d’or of the new species, 1 7¼ 0 5 6
The piece of new gold of Portugal, 18 10½ 3 17 8
The half piece of new gold of Portugal, 9 5¼ 1 18 10
The quarter piece of new gold of Portugal, 4 14½ 0 19 6
The half-quarter piece of new gold of Portugal, 2 7¼ 0 9 10
The sixteenth piece of new gold of Portugal, 1 3½ 0 4 11
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A proclamation by the Lord Deputy and Council, May 29th, 1695.
Whereas the coins current in this kingdom both of gold and silver have
of late, by reason of the great rise of the value thereof in other parts, been
carried away in so very great quantities that it is manifest unless some speedy
remedy be provided, this kingdom will be soon drained of them. And
whereas the raising the value of the foreign coin of the gold and silver current
in this kingdom will be the most effectual means to prevent the aforesaid
mischief ; we do publish and declare by this our proclamation that the
several sorts of foreign coins hereafter mentioned, now current in this
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kingdom, shall from hereafter pass and be accepted, in all payments and
receipts, as current money within this kingdom at and after the respective
rates hereafter mentioned, viz. :—
GOLD.
Dwt.grs. £ s. d.
The Spanish or French Pistole, 4 8 1 1 0
The Spanish or French half Pistole, 2 4 0 10 6
SILVER.
The Ducatoon, 20 16 0 6 8
The half-Ducatoon, 10 8 0 3 4
The quarter-Ducatoon, 5 4 0 1 8
The Mexico, Sevil, or Pillar Piece of Eight, }
the Rix Dollar, Cross Dollar, and all other } 17 0 0 5 4
Dollars, and the French Lewis, }
The halves do. do. do. 8 12 0 2 8
The quarters do. do. do. 4 6 0 1 4
The old Peru Piece of Eight, 17 0 0 4 10
The half old Peru Piece of Eight, 8 12 0 2 5
The quarter old Peru Piece of Eight, 4 6 0 1 2½
The Crusado of Portugal, 10 20 0 3 6
The half-Crusado of Portugal, 5 10 0 1 9
The proclamation then goes on to state that the allowances and the
weights to be used, are to be those authorized by the proclamation of June
6th, 1683.
A proclamation by the Lords Justices and Council, February 21st, 16978.
Whereas many and great inconveniences have happened to His Majesty’s
subjects of this kingdom by the differences of weights that have been of late
made use of for the weighing of such foreign coin as is current here, and that
several weights for the weighing of such coin as aforesaid have been
unskilfully made, sold, and uttered by John Cuthbert of the city of Dublin
(who was formerly appointed one of the persons to make them), to the great
prejudice of His Majesty’s good subjects ; and we being desirous to remedy
a mischief so prejudicial to the trade and traffic of this kingdom, have thought
fit by this our proclamation ; and we do hereby declare that we have removed
and discharged the said John Cuthbert and Henry Paris from making,
adjusting, or selling any money weights, and have directed all the money
weights that are necessary for the said coin to be exactly made by Vincent
Kidder of Dublin, goldsmith, according to the standard lately made in His
Majesty’s Mint in the Tower of London, each weight to be stamped with the
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number of pennyweights it bears, on one side, and the King’s arms on the
other side, where the same are to be had at reasonable rates, not exceeding
fifteen pence for all the weights, being eight in number, viz. :— for the
ducatoon, half-ducatoon, for the whole plate and Peru pieces, the half and
quarter thereof, a twopenny weight, a penny weight, and a halfpenny weight,
which are all that will be necessary for weighing the several sorts of the said
coin that do now commonly pass in this kingdom. A set of the said weights
to be lodged with the clerk of the council, another with the Chief Baron of
His Majesty’s Court of Exchequer, and a third with the Receiver-General of
His Majesty’s revenue in this kingdom. Any persons using any other
weights are to be proceeded against and punished as keepers and users of
false and unlawful weights. No person except the said Vincent Kidder is
to presume to make, adjust, or sell any of the money weights to be used in
this kingdom for the future, upon pain of being proceeded against with the
utmost severity. All the aforesaid coins being standing weight are to pass,
and that any such coin not weighing down the scale in the weighing thereof
is not to be any cause for refusal thereof.
The Royal arms mentioned above varied somewhat on the different sets of
money weights issued from time to time, as will be seen on reference to the
plate.
The following entries are to be found in the Irish House of Commons
Journal under the specified dates :—
August 17th, 1697.— Sir Francis Brewster reported from the committee
for trade that they had resolved that it is the opinion of this committee, that
upon a trial had before them of the several money weights made and sold by
Mr. Henry Paris and Mr. John Cuthbert, there was a great neglect and miscarriage
in them by making the weights unequal, and differing one from the
other, contrary to the trust reposed in them by the Government. Ordered
that John Cuthbert and Henry Paris be taken into the custody of the
serjeant-at-arms for their great deceit in making, selling, and uttering false
money weights.
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Ordered that Mr. Attorney-General do prosecute the said John Cuthbert
and Henry Paris for the said misdemeanour, and that the Lords Justices be
acquainted that it is the desire of this House that the said John Cuthbert
and Henry Paris be discharged from making any more money weights.
September 15th, l697.— Ordered that the Lords Justices be acquainted
that it is the desire of this House that their Lordships will give order that
Mr. John Cuthbert be prohibited from casting, selling, or uttering any more
money weights. A complaint being made that John Cuthbert had since the
resolutions of this House uttered and sold false and deceitful money weights,
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in breach and violation of the orders of this House and great fraud of
His Majesty’s subjects. Ordered nemine contradicente that the said John
Cuthbert be taken into the custody of the serjeant-at-arms for his said
notorious violation and contempt of the orders of this House.
September 16th, 1697.— Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer reported that
Their Excellencies the Lords Justices had been acquainted with the desire of
this House with reference to John Cuthbert and Henry Paris, and that their
Lordships were pleased to say they would give order that the same should
be done accordingly.
September 20th, 1697. John Cuthbert petitioned, setting forth that
through the weakness and ignorance of his wife she was prevailed upon in
his absence to sell weights, and begging that he may not be punished for the
mistakes of another. Ordered that the said John Cuthbert be discharged
from the custody of the serjeant-at-arms, paying his fees.
Proclamation by the Lords Justices and Council, June 2nd, 1701. We,
the Lords Justices and Council, in obedience to His Majesty’s commands to
reduce the several species of foreign coin hereinafter mentioned to the rates
hereinafter set forth, do publish and declare by this our proclamation that
the several sorts of foreign coins hereafter mentioned now current in this
kingdom, shall from and after Friday, the sixth day of the present month of
June, 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 or Spanish Pistole, 4 8 0 18 6
The French or Spanish half Pistole, 2 4 0 9 3
SILVER.
The Ducatoon, 20 16 0 6 0
The half-Ducatoon, 10 8 0 3 0
The quarter Ducatoon, 5 4 0 1 6
The Mexico, Sevil, or Pillar Piece of Eight, }
Cross Dollar and other Dollars, and the } 17 0 0 4 9
French Lewis, }
The halves do. do. do. 8 12 0 2 4½
The quarters do. 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 3
The half-Crusado of Portugal, 5 10 0 1 7
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An allowance of two pence for each grain wanting in any piece of the
kinds of the gold coin, and three halfpence for each halfpenny weight
wanting in any piece of the silver coin aforesaid.
A proclamation by the Lords Justices and Council was issued on
August 19th, 1708, for the more effectual enforcing the several proclamations
formerly issued in this kingdom, and to regulate the weight and currency of
foreign coins now current therein. They, therefore, declare that the allowance
of two pence for each grain in gold coins and three halfpence for each half-penny
weight in silver coins is to be given ; that all foreign coins of gold or
silver now current by proclamations now in force in this kingdom, being
standing weight, are to pass, and are to be received and paid at the rates
laid down in such proclamations ; and that any such coins not weighing down
the scales is not to be any cause for the refusal thereof.
An Irish Act of Parliament (8 Anne, chap. vi) was issued in 1709 for
the better preventing the counterfeiting the current coin of this kingdom.
Among the provisoes is one that the foreign coin that is current or may be
current in this kingdom is not to be counterfeited.
A proclamation by the Lords Justices and Council, July 30th, 1712. We,
the Lords Justices and Council, in obedience to Her Majesty’s Order, do
publish and declare by this our proclamation, that the several sorts and
species of foreign gold and silver coins hereinafter mentioned, shall from and
after the twelfth day of August next, pass and be accepted in all receipts
and payments as current money within this kingdom at the several rates
herein respectively specified and none other, that is to say :—
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