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- 43 -III.NOTES ON IRISH MONEY WEIGHTS AND FOREIGN COIN CURRENT IN IRELANDBy M. S. DUDLEY WESTROPPPLATE V.Read January 10. Published March 16, 1916.As at a comparatively early period coins were thin, irregular in shape, and liable to be broken and clipped, the necessity for ascertaining their true weight arose, hence the employment of money weights. Later on, the introduction of foreign coin as legal currency made their use still more necessary. In England various proclamations relating to money weights occur from early in the thirteenth century. A proclamation of the year 1421 directed that Bartholomew Goldbeter, John Paddeslie, and John Brerner, of London, goldsmiths, and John Derlyngton, campsor and assayer of the Mint in the Tower of London, and Gilbright Vanbranburgh, engraver in the same, should be authorized to make weights for the noble, half-noble, and farthing of gold sufficient for the several cities and boroughs, and to form ten puncheons for each weight, five of them with as impression of a crown, and the other five with a fleur-de-lis. And in the year 1422-3 John Bernes, of London, goldsmith, was appointed by the King to make the money weights for the noble, half-noble, and quarter-noble, and to stamp them according to the statute of the year 1421. Similar proclamations were issued during the sixteenth and sevententh centuries. One of October 12th, 1587, ordered that no counterfeit pieces of current gold coin be received, or any piece lacking the just weight. And in order to enable all persons to ascertain the lawful weight, the Warden of the Mint was ordered to prepare upright balances and true weights of every piece of gold lawfully current in the realm, to be struck with an ‘E’ crowned. With regard to Ireland, references to weights for weighting the coin do
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- 44 -not carry us back beyond the seventeenth century, though it is very probable, from earlier proclamations and Acts of Parliament relating to coin and to foreign coin current in Ireland, that money weights were used as early as the fifteenth century. During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries there are several Irish Statutes, relating to the clipping of coin and to the currency of foreign coins in Ireland ; but I have not been able to trace any definite reference to the use of money weights at this period. The following Irish Acts refer to the currency of foreign coin in Ireland, that of 1460 being apparently the earliest on that subject :— 38 Henry VI, c. 40 (1460). That, whereas in this land foreign coins had not been usually received, to the great hurt of the said land : It is ordained by authority of the said Parliament that the Rider of lawful weight be received at and of the value of four shillings ; the Ducat of full weight at and of the value of four shillings and twopence ; the Lion of lawful weight at and of the value of four shillings and twopence; the Burgundy Noble at and of the value of six shillings and eightpence ; the Crown at and of the value of three shillings and fourpence ; and the Salute of lawful weight at and of the value of four shillings and twopence. And if any of the said gold coins or the English noble, half-noble and quadrant of gold be not of the full weight to be abated accordingly to the rate, and so to be received. 16 Edward IV. clause 43 (1476) Whereas divers gold coins of divers lands had come into this land with divers foreign merchants, which gold is not valued or set at any suitable value in this land, to the great impoverishment of the merchants and inhabitants of the same. It it ordained by authority of said Parliament that the Rider fine and good be received and passed as current in this land of Ireland of and for the value of five shillings of the money of Ireland ; the Ducat fine and good of and for the value of five shillings ; the Lion fine and good of and for the value of five shillings ; the Crown fine and good of and at the value of five shillings; the Crusado fine and good of and at the value of five shillings ; the Burgundy Noble of and at the value of ten shillings ; and the demi-Noble and quarter of the same according to the same rate ; the Salute fine and good according to the rate of five shillings. And if any of the said gold coins want any part of the weight of the right standard of the same, it shall abate so much as is wanting in the payment. 28 Elizabeth, c. vi (1586). An Act against counterfeiting or forging such kind of gold or silver of other realms as is not the proper coin of this realm, nor current in payment within this realm. In the year 1618 a proclamation was issued authorising, in the case of England and Wales, the Master of the Mint, and in the case of Scotland,
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- 45 -Charles Dickinson, sinker of the irons in the Mint at Edinburgh, to make weights for the coins then current. No mention was made of any maker of weights for Ireland. The earliest reference to the making of money weights for use in Ireland I have been able to find belongs to the year 1632. On December 20th of that year a proclamation was issued appointing Sir Thomas Aylesbury maker of money weights for England, Ireland, and Wales, Aylesbury’s patent bears date October 20th, 1632; and by it he was appointed maker of money weights for life at a yearly rent of twenty shillings. The weights were to be ready by January 26th following, and no other kinds were to be issued after that date. (Rymer’s Foedera.) Money weights occur bearing on the obverse the number of pennyweights and grains, and on the reverse the Spanish arms. One I possess bears the name of Philip IV of Spain (1621-1665). These were probably used in Ireland at this period, the weights agreeing with those of the silver dollar or piece of eight and its subdivisions. (See Plate V, No 1.) The following Acts of Parliament, proclamations, notices, etc., referring to money weights and to foreign coin current in Ireland, are set out chronologically ;- July 10th, 1641. The Lords Justices and Council to Secretary Vane. In order to remedy the absence of coin in the Kingdom, we have, after consultation with foreign merchants here and with goldsmiths, thought of issuing the enclosed proclamation enhancing the value of foreign coins. We desire the King's advice on the matter. A valuation of foreign coins, gold and silver, to pass for current in the Kingdom of Ireland at the following rates and weights :—
The golden Rider or Horseman of the Netherlands, weighing
6dwt. l2grs. with 3grs. allowance, £1 2 0
Half ditto with 2grs. allowance
The golden Rider or Horseman of Scotland, weighing
3dwt 6grs. with 2grs. allowance £0 11 0
The half ditto with 1gr. allowance.
The golden Albertus of Brabant, weighing 3dwt. l4grs. with allowance of 2grs., 11s. 0d. The half ditto with allowance of lgr. The golden Pistolet of Spain, weighing 4dwt. 10grs., 15s. 0d., with allowance of 6grs. for double Pistolet and 2grs. for half ditto. The silver Cardescu or quarter-Crown of France, weighing 6dwt., 1s. 8d. The half ditto accordingly. The Testoon of Portugal, weighing 6dwt., 1s. 4d. The half ditto accordingly. None of the above shall pass in Ireland unless they weigh as above mentioned.
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- 46 -The true value and present value of the foregoing coins;-
True-Value. Present-Value.
£ s d £ s d
Rider, 1 1 8 1 2 0
Horseman, 0 10 10 0 11 0
Albertus, 0 l0 7¾ 0 11 0
Pistolet, 0 14 9 0 15 0
Cardescu, 0 1 6 0 1 8
Testoon, 0 1 3 0 1 4
(Calendar of State Papers, Ireland)
August 16th, 1642. Ordered that a committee of this House shall repair to the Lords Justices and make known to their Lordships the great loss received by all sorts of His Majesty’s subjects in this kingdom by the making of Spanish Ryals of eight, current here for fourteen groats, whereas the same are of much less value in England, and in many places not current there : and, therefore, to move their lordships to make these Ryals current only for thirteen groats, if they have the power to do so, otherwise they will think of some way of making the same known to His Majesty, to the end that the same may be current for thirteen groats only after Michaelmas next. (Irish House of Lords Journals.) November 5th, 1652. Kilkenny. Whereas there has been a custom of late years in this country of passing current clipped English money and likewise all Spanish money called Ryals or pieces of eight, with many other sorts of foreign coin, at a far-higher rate than true ; ordered and declared that it may he lawful for all persons to refuse clipped English money unless tendered according to the true value by weight. That no sort of Spanish money called Ryals or pieces of eight nor Rix, Flemish or crosse dollars, nor any other of that kind that have usually passed at the rate of five shillings, be henceforth enforced in payment for any more than at the rate of four shillings and sixpence, and the half- and quarter-pieces proportionately. Likewise, that no Philip’s money called Ducatoons, usually received for six shillings, be enforced in payment for more than five shillings and sixpence and the half Ducatoons proportionately. That no French money called Quardeques shall he enforced in payment for or above the value of four shillings and sixpence, and no other foreign coin to be enforced in payment. (Public Record Office, Dublin.) In the year 1652 the Irish Council made several representations to England with reference to the great quantities of counterfeit and clipped English money and base Peru pieces which were brought into Ireland.
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- 47 -The Peru pieces which were current for four shillings and sixpence were upon assay found to be not worth more than two shillings and fourpence. January 29th, 1660-1. A proclamation by the Lords Justices and Council. By the King’s authorization, and for removing the evils which ensue to the country by reason of the scarcity of coin in the kingdom, we declare that the following gold and silver coins now in or to be brought into the Kingdom shall be allowed and shall pass in all payments to and from His Majesty as current money, and as if they were sterling money, at the following rates:— 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 8 3 4 0
The Spanish or French double Pistole, 8 16 1 12 0
The Spanish or French single Pistole, 4 8 0 16 0
The Spanish or French half Pistole, 2 4 0 8 0
The Double Ducat, 4 12 0 18 0
The Single Ducat, 2 6 0 9 0
The Spanish Suffrain, 7 2 1 8 6
The half Spanish Suffrain, 3 13 0 14 3
SILVER.The Mexico or Sevile Piece of Eight,} The Rix Dollar or Cross Dollar, } 17 0 0 4 9 The half do. do. 8 12 0 2 4½ The quarter do. do. 4 6 0 1 2¼ The half quarter do. do. 2 3 0 0 7¾ The Portugal Royal, 14 0 0 3 8 The half-Royal, 7 0 0 1 10 The quarter-Royal, 3 12 0 0 11 The Ducatoon, 20 16 0 5 9 The half-Ducatoon, 10 8 0 2 10½ The quarter-Ducatoon, 5 4 0 1 5¼ The old Peru Piece and French Lewis, 17 0 0 4 6 The half do. do. 8 12 0 2 3 The quarter do. do. 4 8 0 1 1½ The piece commonly called the Cardescu to pass as it now does. In case any of the pieces of gold or silver made current, as above, shall want the weight therein laid down, there shall be allowance given of two
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- 48 -pence for each grain in the gold coin, and three pence for each dwt. in the silver coin. When the defects are so made up, they shall pass as if they were sterling and current in England. Unless the above coins are of the above weight, or unless such defects be made good, nobody shall be compelled to accept them in payment. Mayors, Sheriffs, Portreeves, Bailiffs, Officers of Corporations, and Justices of the Peace shall decide any difference arising according to the foregoing rule. (Calendar of State Papers, Ireland.) 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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- 49 -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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- 50 -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.) 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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- 51 -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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- 52 -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 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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- 53 -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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- 54 -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. 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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- 55 -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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- 56 -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. 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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- 57 -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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- 58 -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 :— 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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- 59 -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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- 60 -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
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
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- 61 -with the Chief Baron of His Majesty’s Court of Exchequer, 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
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- 62 -Majesty has been graciously pleased by his said order in Council 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
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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- 63 -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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- 64 -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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- 65 -all money-weights for weighing gold coin current in this kingdom, in the room of Henry Archdall. James Warren has now a quantity of these weights ready for sale at his shop at the sign of St. Dunstan in Skinner Row, Dublin, and to prevent any person or persons counterfeiting the same, I have put I W 1 on one side thereof, affixed the date of the present year 1760 thereon, and marked my grains in like manner. The said weights and grains are sold nowhere else in this kingdom.” Also in “Sleater’s Public Gazetteer” of September 24th to 27th, 1768, another advertisement appears :— “James Warren, goldsmith and jeweller and maker of the money-weights for weighing all gold coin current in this kingdom, by authority of the Government, takes the liberty to inform his friends and the public that he has removed from Skinner Row to the sign of St. Dunstan, on Cork Hill, within two doors of Copper Alley, where the public may be supplied with money-weights and all sorts of the best money-scales. He also sells goldsmith and apothecary weights.” James Warren’s name appears in Dublin Directories as maker of the money-weights until 1782. The year 1760 appears to have been the last in which a dated set of Irish money-weights was issued. The other years which have come under my notice, in which sets were issued are 1670, 1680, 1683, 1697, 1698, 1709, 1714, 1718, 1737, 1738 and 1751. The weights were invariably made of brass. A proclamation by the King, June 24th, 1774, ordered that all gold coins as set out by the Commissioners of the Treasury, July 21st, 1773, were to be broken and cut if more deficient in weight than the following :—
Dwt.grs.
Guineas coined since December 31st, 1771, 5 8
Half Guineas coined since December 31st, 1771, 2 16
Guineas coined during reign of George III and before Jan. 1st, 1772, 5 6
Half-guineas coined during reign of George III and before
Jan. 1st, 1772, 2 14
Quarter-guineas coined, during the reign of George III and before
Jan. 1st, 1772, 1 7
Guineas coined before the reign of George III, 5 3
Half-guineas coined before the reign of George III, 2 13
All gold coin more deficient in weight than aforesaid shall not pass current in Great Britain. (“London Gazette,” June 21 to 25, 1774.) 1The I and the W appear on either side of the shield of arms on the reverse of the weights.
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- 66 -An Act of Parliament (14 George III, chap. 92) ordered that one guinea weight and one shilling weight and also other weights, being parts and multiples of the said guinea and shilling weights, were to be made. Duplicates of the same were also to be made, and all weights were to be regulated by the duplicates, and after having been compared and found to be just and true should be marked with a stamp or mark to be approved by the Master of the Mint. Notice was given in the “London Gazette” of December 13th, 17th, and 24th, 1774, that John Whitehurst was appointed to stamp or mark all weights for weighing gold or silver coin. The mark or stamp to be an imperial crown. Money weights dating from after 1774 occur struck with various stamps, such as a coffee-pot, a lion passant, an anchor, &c., but I have not been able to find any reference to the use of these marks. Joseph Sage was appointed stamper of weights in 1788, and perhaps a change of marks took place then. From this time onward it seems that any person could make the money weights, provided that, on being found true, they were struck with the official stamp. The names of two Dublin goldsmiths appear on guinea weights — “John Locker, 1775,” and “William Moore, 1 Capel Street.” Moore worked in No. 1 Capel Street, from 1774 to 1781. Also in the “Limerick Chronicle” of July 13th, 1786, an advertisement appears of Charles Harrison, watchmaker, who states he makes gold scales and weights. The following is a list of the makers of money weights for use in Ireland, as far as can at present be ascertained :— Sir Thomas Aylesbury, 1632 James Warren, Dublin, 1760—1782 Richard Lord, Dublin, 1670-1683 John Locker, Dublin, 1775 John Cuthbert and Henry Paris, William Moore, Dublin, 1775 Dublin, 1683—1698 Samuel Gatchell, Dublin, 1800 Vincent Kidder, Dublin, 1698-1736 Richard Smart, Cork, 1679 William Archdall, Dublin, 1736—1751 Charles Harrison, Limerick, 1786 Henry Archdall, Dublin, 1751—1760 The following notices appear in Faulkner’s “Dublin Journal,” April 6 to 8, 1775 :— “Tower money weights, under patent of the Great Seal of England, landed this day, and to be had at Craig’s in Parliament Street, on which the public may rely with the utmost safety. Scales and beams constructed on an entirely new construction.” April 27 to 29, 1775 :— “Micheal Cormick, goldsmith, sells tower stamped weights. By royal authority:”
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- 67 -It was stated that large quantities of coins in imitation of those of Portugal were made in Birmingham, and an order was issued to stop all such coins, dated Dublin, March 8th, 1775. (Faulkner’s “Dublin Journal,” March 16 to 18, 1775.) A proclamation by the Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland, dated March 18th, 1775, for stopping the currency of all foreign coin in this kingdom. Recites the proclamations of 1712, 1714, and 1751. “And whereas His Majesty has been graciously pleased to signify his royal pleasure by his order in Council, bearing date at his Court at St. James, the 10th day of March instant, transmitting to us and for that purpose that a proclamation do issue to recall and revoke all proclamations heretofore published in this kingdom so far forth as they do give currency to any foreign coin whatsoever, and to direct that no coin be accepted after a day to be named in such proclamation, in any payment whatsoever, save only His Majesty’s coin current in Great Britain. “Now we the Lord Lieutenant and Council, in obedience to His Majesty’s said order, do by this our proclamation recall and revoke the said several in part recited proclamations of the 30th day of July, 1712, and of the 14th day of July, 1714, and every part thereof not revoked by the said in part recited proclamation of the 8th day of July, 1751. And we do hereby 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 take in any payment or payments any coin save only his Majesty’s Coin current in Great Britain ; anything in any former proclamation to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding.” (“Dublin Gazette.”) Proclamation by the Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland dated May 8th, 1775. “Harcourt. Now we the Lord Lieutenant and Council in pursuance of His Majesty’s order do hereby publish and declare that from and after the 24th of June next all weights to be made use of in this kingdom for weighing the gold coin current therein shall be ascertained by the duplicates of His Majesty’s weights of Great Britain lodged in the custody of His Majesty’s proper officer appointed by His Majesty for that purpose, and shall be stamped and marked with the stamp or mark provided by the said officer, and that no collector or officer of His Majesty’s revenue or other person or persons whatsoever in this kingdom shall after the 24th day of June refuse to take in payment or payments any gold coin current in this kingdom at the rates mentioned and declared by His Majesty’s proclamation bearing date the 24th day of June, 1774, to be ascertained by the said weights and no others ; and that any person receiving money shall choose which side
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- 68 -of the scale he pleases if he uses those of the payer, and if he uses his own, then he is to receive by what side the payer think fit to direct.” (“Dublin Gazette.”) A proclamation by the King given at the Court of St. James, dated April 12th, 1776, was issued from Dublin Castle, April 17th, 1776. The proclamation declares that “from May 8th no guineas, half and quarter guineas more deficient in weight than the following rates, viz. :—
Dwt.grs.
Guineas coined before January 1st, 1772, 5 8
Half-guineas coined before January 1st, 1772, 2 16
Quarter-guineas coined before January 1st, 1772, 1 8
be allowed to pass as current within the kingdom of Ireland except in payments to he made at the receipt of our exchequer or to collectors or receivers of our revenue there, or to such person or persons appointed by His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland ; and we do require and command our Vice-Treasurer and Receiver-General and Paymaster-General of our revenues within our kingdom of Ireland from the 8th of May to the 26th of August to take and receive in payment of our revenue and taxes such of the said deficient gold coin of our realm, so as the deficiency do not exceed the following rates :—
Dwt.grs.
Guineas coined before January 1st, 1772, 5 6
Half-guineas coined before January 1st, 1772, 2 14
Quarter-guineas coined before January 1st, 1772, 1 7
“After August 26th guineas, half-guineas and quarter-guineas as in the first table are not to pass current unless we see fit to allow fourteen days to the collector of our revenue in Ireland for the purpose of remitting and paying such of the said deficient coin. And we do require and enjoin our Vice-Treasurer and Receiver-General in Ireland during such fourteen days and no longer, to receive said deficient coin not below the weights in the second table.” (“Dublin Gazette,” April 16 to 18, 1776.) By the proclamation of March 18, 1775, the currency of foreign coin in Ireland was stopped ; but in the year 1797 Spanish dollars were made current coin, and appear to have been in use in different forms until 1819. A proclamation by the Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland dated September 7, 1797. “Whereas silver Spanish dollars stamped at His Majesty’s
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- 69 -mint of Great Britain have been issued at the Bank of England and made current therein at the rate of four shillings and ninepence British per dollar ; and whereas it is expedient that such dollars so stamped should receive a like currency in this kingdom ; and whereas His Majesty’s authority for the purpose has been signified, we the Lord Lieutenant and Council of Ireland do hereby publish and declare that the said Spanish dollars so stamped at His Majesty’s mint in Great Britain do pass as current money in this kingdom at the rate of 5s. 1¾d. each dollar, and be taken in all payments to and from His Majesty in this kingdom. “Counterfeiters of said dollars to suffer the penalties of the Act of the 8th year of Queen Anne (Ireland), an Act to prevent the counterfeiting the current coin in this kingdom.” (“Dublin Gazette.”) A proclamation by the Lord Lieutenant and Council dated October 19th, 1798. “Ordered that the Spanish dollars as current by the proclamation of September 7th, 1797, be called in and not pass as current money in Ireland. All dollars to be brought to the Bank of Ireland at the rate of 5s. 1¾d. during twenty-one days from the date of the proclamation, and such dollars as are not brought in said time, will after expiration thereof pass current and be received in payment at the rate of 4s. l0d. per each dollar.” This first issue of Spanish dollars of Charles III and IV was stamped with the bust of George III. The stamp was oval, similar to that struck on sterling silver, and was stamped on the neck of the bust of the Spanish King on the coins. In 1804, as it was found that these dollars were largely counterfeited, the counterstamp was enlarged, and the bust of George III was placed in an octagonal stamp. An Act of Parliament (44 George III, chap. 71) was passed to prevent the counterfeiting of the Bank of England dollar tokens. These, together with the counterstruck dollars, were largely counterfeited in various ways. Some were forged by taking two genuine dollars, filing them down to about the thickness of brown paper, then soldering the obverse and reverse to a copper disc, and plating the edge; others were made of a disc of Sheffield plate stamped out in a disc, while others again were base metal plated and stamped. The counterfeiting appears to have been done chiefly in Birmingham. See “Numismatic Circular” (Spink), September-October, 1915. As the Spanish dollars were still largely counterfeited, they were restruck in 1804, and were slightly larger than the original dollars. Dies were prepared by Mathew Bolton of Birmingham, the obverse with the head of
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- 70 -George III, and the reverse with “five shillings dollar” in an oval enclosing Britannia seated. The following notice appears in Faulkner’s “Dublin Journal” of July 17th, 1804 :— “Bank of Ireland. Notice is hereby given that the dollars stamped into silver tokens at Mr. Boulton’s manufactory which the Bank of Ireland is now issuing for six shillings each will be received in payment again at the Bank at the same rate, provided they shall not be defaced or mutilated or any way rendered lighter except from the operation of common wear. “By order, “N.B.—The Bank reserves the power to call them in at any time upon giving three months’ notice.” These dollar tokens had on the obverse the bust of George III similar to that on the English ones, and on the reverse Hibernia seated and “Bank of Ireland Token, six shillings, 1804.” Dollar tokens appear to have been in use until April 5th, 1819 (58 George III, chap. 14), the first five-shilling pieces of George III being issued in 1818. With the withdrawal of the Spanish dollars the currency of foreign coin in Ireland ceased. A proclamation was issued on July 1st, 1817, for regulating the weights for the gold coin. Those more deficient in weight than the following were not to pass as current :—
Dwt.grs. Dwt.grs.
Guineas, 5 8 Seven-shilling pieces, 1 18
Half-guineas, 2 16 Sovereigns, 5 2¾
Quarter-guineas, 1 8
The half-sovereign, made current by proclamation, October 10th, 1817, was to weigh 2 dwt. 13½ grs. Money weights for guineas, half-guineas, sovereigns, and half-sovereigns continued to be used, some being made in Dublin during the first half of the nineteenth century by Samuel Gatchell. The latest weights that have come under my notice are sovereign and half-sovereign weights of the Royal mint of 1843.
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- 71 -EXPLANATION OF PLATE V.Obverse and Reverse of each Weight, slightly reduced. 1. 17dwt., c. 1660, for the Mexico or Seville Piece of Eight, the Rix and Cross Dollars. 2. 8dwt. 12grs., 1670-80, for the Half Peru Piece of Eight. By Richard Lord. 3. 4dwt. 6grs. 1670, for the Quarter Peru Piece of Eight. By Richard Lord. 4. 19dwt. 14grs. 8m., 1714, for the French Silver Louis. By Vincent Kidder. 5. 2dwt. 1683. One of the three extra weights issued. 6. 17dwt., 1697, for the Peru Piece of Eight. By John Cuthbert and Henry Paris. 7. 10dwt. 8grs., 1698, for the Half Ducatoon. By Vincent Kidder. 8. 6dwt. 22grs., l709, for the Moidore of Portugal. By Vincent Kidder. 9. 8dwt. 12grs., 1683, for the Half Peru Piece of Eight. By John Cuthbert and Henry Paris. 10. l7dwt., 1679, Cork. For the Mexico or Seville Piece of Eight, the Rix and Cross Dollars. By Richard Smart. 11. 18dwt. l0½grs., 1737, for the piece of New Gold of Portugal. By William Archdall. 12. 17dwt. 8grs., 1718, for the Spanish Quadruple Pistole or Double Doubloon. By Vincent Kidder. 13. 1dwt., 1697 or 1698. One of the three extra weights issued. By Vincent Kidder. 14. l7dwt. 8grs. 1718 for the Spanish Quadruple Pistole or Double Doubloon. By Vincent Kidder. 15. 9dwt. 5¼grs., 1751, for the Half piece of the New Gold of Portugal. By Henry Archdall. 16. 2dwt 14½grs., 1760, for the Half French Louis d'Or. By James Warren. 17. 5dwt 3grs., 1751. Henry Archdall's initials. For guineas before the reign of George III. 18. 5dwt. 3grs., 1760. James Warren’s initials. For guineas before the reign of George III. 19. 5dwt., 1775. By John Locker, Dublin, 20. 5dwt. 8grs., c. 1800 By Samuel Gatchell, Dublin. For the guinea.
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