'Considerations about the Coynage of Copper Moneys' Isaac Newton c. 630 words The Newton Project Oxford 2016 Newton Project, University of Oxford

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 c. 1713-1714, c. 630 words.

[Note on dating: obviously before Queen Anne's death in 1714 and possibly related to (in the event unrealised) plans for copper coinage in 1713: see NC, 5: 416, n. 1, and Craig, NATM, 96-8.]

Printed in NC, 5: 415-6.

18-point memorandum (but point 17 is left blank). 700 tons of copper coin at most is enough for England, of which there is already over three quarters in circulation. Recommendations on quantity to be coined, type of metal used and denominations released. Coinage should be undertaken exclusively by the Mint, and should cover its own costs, with any surplus profit to be disposed of at the Queen's pleasure.

 MINT 19/2/352, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK UKSurreyKew, RichmondNational Archives MINT 19/2/352 c. 1713-1714 England English Holograph Unknown Hand Unknown Hand (1) MintCopper Coinage Catalogue information compiled by Rob Iliffe, Peter Spargo & John Young Catalogue exported to teiHeader by Michael Hawkins Transcribed by Will Scott Will Scott finished transcription

Considerations about the Coynage of Copper Moneys

1. That six or at most seven hundred Tunns of Copper moneys are sufficient for all England, & I am of opinion that there is above three quarters of that quantity now in the nation.

2. That whenever there shall be a coinage of such moneys, the coynage do not exceed 20 or 30 or at most 40 Tunns per an. For this money should have time to spread eavenly without making a clamour any where before the nation be sufficiently stockt.

3. That it be in the power of the Queen or Lord Treasurer to diminish or stop the coinage at pleasure for preventing clamours if there should be occasion.

4. That the moneys be coined in the Mint, it being unsafe to have coining Tools & coinage abroad.

5. That yethe moneys be well coined & a pound weight cut into no more then twenty pence, least the ill form or lightness of the money be an encouragement to counterfeiters.

6.That about one seventh part of yethe moneys be in farthings. The first 20 or 30 Tunns may be all in farthings because they are wanted.

8. That yethe Master & Worker for the time being be charged & discharged by his Note as in the coinage of gold & silver.

9.That all the charge of copper, coinage, coining tools, wages & incidents be paid out of the profits of the coinage

10. That the copper be paid for out of yethe produce of the coinage within two three or four months after delivery

11. That if the copper upon the assay be not good the Master have power to refuse it.

117. That one or more persons be appointed to buy & import the copper by weight & receive it back yethe new copper in money by weight & tale & put the same away

123. Theat yethe Master for the time being be allowed 5d per pound weight for coinage by casting the blanks, or per pound weight for coinage by casting milling & sizing of barrs & cutting out the blanks, as is done in the coinage of gold & silver

134. That yethe surveyor of the meltings be paid by the number of melting days & the Tellers by tale

12 That yethe copper be coined without any mixture wchwhich may diminish its price in the market if hereafter the moneys should be called in & melted down. For the price of the metal in the market is the intrinsick value of yethe money. And that not above three or four ounces of Tynn be added to an hundred weight of copper in fusion to make it run close.

15 That the Importer above mentioned be paid by the Tunn for all trouble & charge in buying & importing the copper & for coinage & porters & barrels & baggs & paper & packthread & for putting away the copper money & making up the account, & that he bring in no particular account for any of these things.

352 327 16.

16. Or if the Master be the Cashier & makes up the account, that he be allowed for his trouble & hazzard therein

18. If her MatyMajesty should think fit by Patent to grant away the profit of the coinage above all charges, there will be no need of an Accountant or Teller or other Importer then the Patentee. But it was thought fit in the reigns of K.King Charles & K.King IJames that yethe coinage should be upon account. And the copper will& coinage will be the better if paid for by her MatyMajesty. And the profits above yethe account may be given to whom her MatyMajesty pleases if it be thought fit.

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