Holograph draft of <ref target="/catalogue/record/MINT00294">MINT00294</ref> (Mint 19/3/447), with a deleted suggestion that if the mark could be 'made in the Body of the Paper' [rather than glued on top: the idea seems to be something akin to a watermark] it might be very useful Isaac Newton c. 221 words The Newton Project Oxford 2017 Newton Project, University of Oxford

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 8 May 1704, c. 221 words. MINT 19/3/448, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK UKSurreyKew, RichmondNational Archives MINT 19/3/448 8 May 1704 England English Holograph MintEconomic Theory and Legislation Catalogue information compiled by Rob Iliffe, Peter Spargo & John Young Catalogue exported to teiHeader by Michael Hawkins Transcribed by Will Scott, with retrofitting of normalized MINT00294
448484

To the RtRight HonbleHonourable the Lord High Treasurer of England.

May it please yoryour Lordship

According to yoryour LordpsLordships Order, Mr White has been with me several times to make out his Proposal for preventing the counterfeiting of stampt paper, but without convincing me of its fitness to be used.

For whereas he proposes to past or glue a Mill-mark upon the paper, this mark thus becomes a faint one, not well to be seen unless by holding the paper between the eye & the light; & it is also unornamental appearing on the paper like a patch. And for these reasons it will not please the people.

It may be counterfeited in several ways, & by the Paper-makers it may be counterfeited more exactly then the stamps can be by Gravers

And it doth not appear to me that the dammage sustained by counterfeiting the stamps, equals the charge wchwhich the Government would be at in making & glueing on the Mill-mark.

Yet if this mark might be made in the body of the Paper, as is done in Bank Noties, it would be free from most of the above-mentioned Objections, & be a very good additional security to the stamps.

All which is most humbly submitted to

YorYour Lordships great wisdome.

Mint Office 8th May 1704.

Is. Newton