Copy of letter concerning the values of French and Scottish moneys Isaac Newton c. 386 words The Newton Project Oxford 2017 Newton Project, University of Oxford

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 20 Jan 1700/1, c. 386 words. MINT 1/7/25, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK UKSurreyKew, RichmondNational Archives MINT 1/7/25 20 Jan 1700/1 England English Clerical Hand Mint Analyses of Foreign Coin and Exchange Rates Correspondence Transcribed by Will Scott Catalogued by Will Scott
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To the Right Honble:Honourable the Lords CommrsCommissioners of His Mats:Majestys TrearyTreasury

May it Please Your Lordships

The great Value put upon French and Spanish pistoles in England has made French Pistoles them of late flow plentifully hither above all other sorts of Gold especially the French Pistoles which are better sized and Coined and less liable to be Counterfeited and by Consequence of more Credit than the Spanish For pistoles pass among us for 17s. 6d apeicea piece whereas one with another they are worth but about 17s. 1d at the rate that Guineas of due weight & Allay are worth 21s. 6. In France by an Edict of May last a pistole (marked or not marked) passes for 13 Livres or 3 1417 Ecus that is for 17s: 2d 317, reckoning an Ecu worth 4s: 6d according to the reputed par of Exchange. And so much may Pistoles be worth here if allowance be made for the lightness of our Money by wearing.

About four years ago by the English putting too great a Value upon Scotch Money the Northern Borders of England were filled with that Money and Scotland with ours, the Scots makeing about Eight or nine per Cent profit by the Exchange until Your Lordships were pleased to put a Stop to the mischief. The Case being now the same (but of much greater Consequence) in the Course of Exchange betugween English Money & Pistoles by the overvaluing of Pistoles to the Nations Loss. We thought it our Duty to represent it to Your Lordships in order to such a Remedy as Your Lordships shall think fitt. Wee presume also to lay before Your Lordships that the great Demand of Silver for Exportation in Trade has raised the Price of Bullion above that of silver monies 3d or 4d and Sometimes 6d. or 7d ꝑper ounce whereas monies ought to be of as great or greater value then Bullion by reason of the Workmanship & certainty of the Standard And this high Price of Bullion has not only put an End to the Coinage of Silver but is a great Occasion of melting down and Exporting what has been already Coined All which is most humbly submitted to Your Lordships great Wisdom I: Stanley Is: Newton Mint Office IJanuary 20: 170001.