The merchants map of commerce wherein the universal manner and matter relating to trade and merchandize are fully treated of, the standard and current coins of most princes and republicks observ'd, the real and imaginary coins of accounts and exchanges express'd, the natural products and artificial commodities and manufactures for transportation declar'd, the weights and measures of all eminent cities and towns of traffick in the universe, collected one into another, and all reduc'd to the meridian of commerce practis'd in the famous city of London / by Lewis Roberts, merchant.

CHAP. V. Of the Monies and Coins of sundry Countries, used in general in the Traffick of Merchandize.

* 1.1AMongst all the diversity of Metals which GOD the Creator hath shut up in the closet and concavity of the Earth, none is accounted more singular and excellent than Silver and Gold, of which the Communication and Commerce of Mankind have framed and invented the use of Money and Coin, which Money and Coin may be properly termed to be the Univer∣sal Measure of all things in the World; and though that thus naturally and originally they be but Metals, and so to be in themselves accounted, yet in value and estimation, Moneys and Coins made thereof are to us (as all things,) for they are to us (converted once to th•• use) as Meat, Cloth, House, Horse, and generally what other thing soever Man hath else need of; and thereby it is evident and manifested that all things are obedient and in subjection to Moneys; and that by this device, a mean was found out and invented, whereby one thing should be to Mer∣chants as all, and therefore men thrust forward by natural inclination and worldly judgment, chose to this end and use at first, the thing that was found most durable, proper, and maniable, which they only observed best to be Metal; * 1.2and amongst all Metals gave Silver and Gold the preheminence in the invention of Moneys, which of their own nature was thus observed to be most durable and incorruptible, and of which we find, as well in these our times, as in times past, most Princes of the World, to make their current Coins of, between man and man in Trade of Merchandize. * 1.3I deny not but in the innocency of those golden times of old, when neither Silver nor Gold was put to this use, there was yet a Traffick found, and a Commerce practis'd amongst Mankind, which may be imagined did not then extend it self to buying and selling in that same nature, as now it is in use since the invention of Moneys, but only to a Trucking, Exchanging, and Bartering, and that only for things necessary to back and belly to feed and cloath, and so to preserve life; but these times worn out by a more acute age, and men laying to themselves a foundation of Sovereignty and Greatness, the stronger still depriving the weaker, and riches thereby becoming desirable, this Mystery crept up, and was admitted; and therefore from these two Minerals was found out a Body, which once authorized by power of the Magistrate, had a predominancy over all earthly things, and by which was squared out and levell'd (as by an indifferent measure) all things appertaining to Mankind, the abundance thereof brought with it the abundance of honour, attendants, necessaries, and superfluities, so that he that had most in his possession, was accounted of, as being the most eminent and greatest personage in the eye, rule and esteem of the World.

But to come to the present Times, though in general throughout all Europe, it is now found that Coins and Moneys, of Silver and Gold, (as is afore observed) is only in use, and that all Commerce and Traffick is principally drawn and maintained thereby; yet it is noted in this MAP, that all Nations have not yet submitted their judgment to the Prerogative of these two

Minerals, but retain still in use some other things serving in their stead and place; * 1.4for first, in the Islands of Porto Riccio, Saint Dominico, and in many places of America, they have in use small pieces of Leather, current for Coins amongst them, not that they want Silver and Gold, for they enjoy it in greatest abundance, but want the use and invention thereof; as of late days it is found to be established there by the Spaniards as with us in Europe. Neither was this only the custom of these parts alone; for it is observable, that in Peru, and elsewhere, where the greatest plenty of Silver and Gold was found out and digged, it was never put to this use by the Inhabitants themselves.

Divers yet in this kind, to this day, is the custom of Coins and Moneys that are used and goeth current throughout the World; for beside the aforesaid use whereto these Metals have been put, as to be thus imployed, the common Standard to rule all Trade and Commerce, and the Estates as well of the Prince as Subject in Europe, and many other parts of the World: those Nations that have been defective in this point, and that have not valued these Metals as the Europeans do, have yet found out some particular thing or matter, whereto they have by a National and unanimous consent, (as it were,) attributed this power to have a main stroak in their Negociation and Traffick, and wherein their wealth is found principally to consist.

* 1.5In sundry parts of Africa, they use for their small Coins a kind of Shells as current amongst them, though their greatest payments be made either in Sand of Gold, which they term Ti∣burin, or an Ingot. The same is the use this day also in the Kingdom of Tombuto, and other adjoining Countries.

* 1.6In other places of that Continent they use Iron for their Coin, their smallest pieces being an ounce weight; and this is seen practised in Massa, and other Kingdoms also there∣about.

* 1.7In the Kingdom of Congo is taken up along the Sea-shore, great store of Shell fishes, differing from the former used in Tombuto, called Lumaches, which they distinguish male and female, the shell whereof is there accounted a Coin, and wherewith they use to buy both Silver and Gold, but with Silver or Gold either in Mass or Coin, can they not buy any other thing needful what∣soever.

* 1.8In Melinda, they have little Balls of Glass, in manner of our red Beads, which come to them from Cambaia and other places, and these are their Coins and Moneys; and with them Gold is neither found to be of account nor esteem.

* 1.9In some places of Cathay, their Money is a kind of Paper stamped, and in some other Salt baked into small Cakes, for the excellent use and scarcity thereof, passeth current as Coins amongst them.

* 1.10In Pegu their Money is called Ganza, and is made of Copper and Lead, which every man may at his pleasure both coin and stamp that is able; for Gold and Silver is accounted as a Merchan∣dize amongst them.

* 1.11In Bengala, their small Money is a fruit resembling the Almond, which passeth current from man to man in Traffick. * 1.12And in the Island Sumatra it hath been observed, that the skulls of their slain Enemies was accounted their greatest treasure, with which they buy and barter; and he is the richest man that hath the greatest number thereof in his house. * 1.13And lastly, in many places of India they use Pepper and Cocos-nuts in lieu of Money, and the same passeth current for Coin in many places of India: and to conclude, it may be observed throughout this MAP of COMMERCE, that though Silver and Gold is not the Metal generally in use for the coining and stamping of Money throughout all the World; yet these other things specified, carry with them in matter of Commerce in these places the like efficacy and power.

* 1.14To proceed then, Budelius, Varro, and sundry Authors writing upon the original of Moneys, and upon the excellency of this predominant point of Traffick, affirm, That all Coins in the general have been nominated by their several and distinct Names. 1. Moneta, 2. Nummus, 3. Pecunia; the reasons given thereof are these: * 1.15First, Moneta is said to have taken that name, and is derived à Monendo, which is to admonish and warn the people of the name of the Prince, vel Nummi nota, and of such a sign or mark impressed thereupon, thereby alluding to the faying of CHRIST, Matth. 22. Where the Pharisees brought him a penny, he thereupon demanding whose image and superscription that was? and they answered, Caesar's; then said he unto them, Give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto GOD the things that are GOD's.

* 1.16Secondly, Nummus is said to take its name, as some will have it, à Numerando vel Numi∣ne, of the name of the Prince stamped upon it, as a Ducate is said from Ducatus, or as some say, from Numa Pompilius the Roman King, who is said to be the first that 1900 years past commanded Moneys to be made, whereof ever since after his name every piece of Money is called Nummus; or again, as some hold, it is derived from Nomos, which signifieth a Law, and

implieth as much as such a Prince or such a Common-wealth hath ordained Money, from whom it hath taken a certain price and value.

* 1.17Thirdly, Pecunia is derived à Pecude, of Cattle, Sheep, and Oxen; wherein was said to con∣sist the wealth of the Ancients, and whereon the figure thereof was stamped, and is constiued to be all manner of living Creatures, wanting the form of Man: and some hold that the name of Money signifieth, not only Money numbred or told, but also all things that are contained in the World; as well moveable as immoveable, liquid as solid; and in general, all things what∣soever Men have upon Earth.

From these three names and kinds grew first amongst the Romans a particular distinction, and nomination of the quality of the species, as they were current in worth and esteem amongst them: for they had then in use certain Moneys of Copper, as well as the others of Silver and Gold: * 1.18and because every piece of the Silver was in value ten pieces of the Copper, it was called Denarius; and because every piece of Gold was worth ten pieces of Silver, the same was also called Denari∣us; and thus for distinction sake, other Nations in their Coins in after-ages followed their exam∣ple; * 1.19and our English Moneys came to have the appellation of Sterling, and to be distinguished in∣to pounds, shillings, and pence, as some say from the Easterlins that were in times past the Masters of our Mint, and the Refiners of our Coins, which yet holdeth this name, and by which the same is known throughout all Europe. But to conclude this Chapter, however Coins and Mo∣neys came to have their original and names, and however the same came to be distinguished, and of what Metal soever the same is in these days found to be made of and framed; yet when once the same is allowed by the publick Authority of the Prince and Sovereign Magistrate, * 1.20it is held a capital Crime in all Countreys, either to deface, mend, alter, or any ways to debase the same; and therefore most justly (the circumstances considered) do the Coins of Princes current in all their Countries challenge a principal part and interest in the Universal Commerce of the World.

A Table shewing the fineness (compared with the Tower-Stan∣dard) the value as Bullion, and the Intrinsick value of several Coins of forein Nations, both Silver and Gold; as they were Essayed in the Tower of London, June 1651.

The fineness compared with the Tower-Standard.	The Names of the Coins of Silver.	The Weight by the Pound Troy.	The Value as Bullion.	The Value In∣trinsick.
	oz.	dw.		oz.	dw.	gr.	s.	d.	s.	d.
Worse	0	10	Holland Rix Dollars	0	18	15	4	5••	4	7⅛
Worse	2	3	Lions Dollar	0	17	18½	3	7	3	8••
Better	0	4½	Ducate of Flanders	1	0	22	5	4	5	6
Worse		7••	Rix Dollar of the Emper.	0	18	15	4	6	4	7••
Standard.	Mexico Ryals of Eight	0	17	12	4	4½	4	6¼
Better	0	1	Sevil Ryals of Eight	0	17	12	4	4¾	4	6½
Worse	0	1	Old Cardecus	0	6	3½	1	6⅜	1	7
0	0½	French Lewes of sixty Soll	0	17	11	4	4¼	4	6••
0	1	Old Milre of Portugal	0	14	4	3	6¾	3	8
0	1½	St. Mark of Venice	0	10	4	2	7½	2	8½
4	6	Double Stiver	0	1	0	0	1••	0	1••
0	12	Cross Dollar	0	18	0	4	3	4	4¾
2	0	Zealand Dollar	0	13	0	2	8	2	9
0	1	Single Milre of Portugal	0	7	4	1	9½	1	10¼
1	0	Old Phil. Dollar	1	2	0	5	0	5	2
0	1	Portugal Testoon	0	5	0	1	2••	1	3••
0	12½	Far. Dollar 1623.	0	18	6	1	3¾	4	5½
0	10½	Prince Orange Dollar 1623.	0	18	6	4	4¼	4	6
0	9½	Leopold Dollar of 1624.	0	18	2	4	4	4	5¼
0	10	Rodolph. Dollar of 1607.	0	18	7	4	4½	4	6¼
0	4	Max, Emp. Dollor 1616.	0	18	2	4	5¼	4	7
0	13	Danish Dollar 1620.	0	13	0	3	0••	3	1••
0	0½	Half a new French Crown	0	8	18	2	2••	2	3••
0	0½	A new quart Card.	0	4	9	1	1••	1	1••
0	0½	The ⅓ of a new Card.	0	1	11	0	4½	0	4½

The fineness compared with the Tower-Standard.	The Names of the Coins of Gold.	The Weight by Troy.	The Value as Bullion.	The Value In∣trinsick.
	Car.	gr.		dw.	gr.	l.	s.	d.	l.	s.	d.
Worse	0	0¼	French Lewes	8	14	1	8	7••	1	9	2
Worse	0	0¼	Holland Rider	6	10½	1	1	6¼	1	1	11
Better	1	2	Hungary Ducket	2	6	0	8	0½	0	8	2¼
Worse	0	0½	Pistolet of Spain	4	8	0	14	5¼	0	14	8½
2	0	Flemish Alber	3	8	0	10	11	0	11	1½
3	1	Flemish half Alber	1	20
0	0¼	Double Sow of Flanders	7	3½	1	3	10¾	1	4	3½
0	1¾	Italian Pistolet	4	6	0	13	11½	0	14	2¼
4	2½	The Gilder of	2	3	0	5	7	0	5	8
3	1¾	Gild Matth. Emperor	2	3	0	6	0	0	6	1½
3	2¾	Gild of Norimberg	2	3	0	5	11¼	0	6	0¾
0	0••	Milre of Portu	7	12	1	5	0••	1	5	6
Better	1	3½	Venice Chequeen	2	5	0	8	0¼	0	8	2

A Table of the Gold and Silver weights of several Nations, taken from the Standards, and compa∣red with the Denarius or Pound Troy English, consisting of 5760 Grains.

• SUch parts, or grains, of the English Standard for Gold, and Silver (or of the Troy weight) as the Denarius Consularis containeth 62, according to the weight of the best Coins, or ac∣cording to the weight of the Congius of Vespasian 62⅘ Grains.
• The ancient and modern Roman ounce containeth 438 grains.
• The ancient and modern Roman pound, consisting of twelve ounces, containeth 5256 grains.
• The Troy pound, or English Standard of Gold and Silver, consisting of twelve ounces, con∣taineth 5760 grains.
• The Troy or English ounce (to which five shillings two pence of our Money in these times are equal) containeth 480 gr.
• The Paris pound, or Standard for Gold and Silver of 16 ounces 7560 gr.
• The Paris ounce 472½ gr.
• The Spanish Pound or Standard for Gold and Silver of 16 ounces, taken by me at Gibral∣ter, 7090 gr.
• Another weighed by me at Gibralter, 7085 gr.
• The Spanish Pound in Vilalpondus is (I know not by what error) but 7035 gr.
• The Spanish ounce at Gibralter, the Pound consisting of 7090 grains English 443½ gr.
• The Venetian Pound, or Standard for Gold and Silver, of 12 ounces 5528 gr.
• The Venetian ounce 460⅔ gr.
• The Neapolitan Pound or Standard for Gold and Silver of 12 ounces 4950 gr.
• The Neapolitan ounce 412½ gr.
• The Pound or Standard for Gold and Silver of twelve ounces at Florence, Pisa, and Legorn, 5286 gr.
• The ounce at Florence, Pisa, and Legorn, 440•• gr.
• The Pound or Standard at Siena for Gold and Silver of twelve ounces 5178 gr.
• The ounce at Siena 431½ gr.
• The ounce at Genoa for Gold and Silver 405½ gr.
• The Turkish Oketh or Oke, at Constantinople, consisting of four hundred silver drams, 19128 grains.
• The Silver Dram generally used in the great Turks Dominions, as also in Persia, and in the Moguls Countreys, if I be not mis-informed, 47 41/50 gr.
• The Turkish Sultani, or Egyptian Xeriff, being a Gold-coyn, with which the Barbary and Ve∣netian Chequeen, and Norimberg Ducat, within a grain more or less, agree 53½ gr.
• The Ratel, or Rotulo, for Gold and Silver of 144 drams at Cairo, 6886•• dr.
• The Ratel, or Rotulo, for Silk of 720 drams at Damascus, with which I suppose they there formerly weighed their Gold and Silver; because most Countreys use the same weights for Silks, Gold, and Silver) 34430⅖ gr.

The Standard for Gold, An. 1577. was 23 Carots, 3 grains and ½ of fine Gold, and ½ grain of Silver or Copper.

• 12 oz. of Gold of the said fineness is valued at 36 l.
• 1 oz. of the same 3 l.
• 1 Kes of the same 1 l. 10.
• 1 Kes. grain 7 s. 6.
• 1 Peny weight 3 s.
• 1 Small grain 1 d. ½ ob.
• 1 Carot upon the ounce is in value 2 s. 6 d.
• 1 Carot is in value 7 d. ½ ob.
• 1 Small grain 1 d. ½ ob.
• 12 oz. of Angels of Gold hath in them half a Carot grain of Allay, which is 30 small, and 5730 small grains of fine Gold, which maketh together 5760 grains, being 24 Carots or 12 oz. Troy.

The Standard of Crown Gold is 22 Carots of fine Gold, and 2 Carots of Allay, which 24 Carots or 11 oz. fine Gold, and 102 of Allay makes the Pound Troy, by which reckoning

• 12 oz. of Crown Gold is in Money 33 l.
• 1 oz. of the said Gold is 2 l. 15 s.
• 1 Carot of the said Gold is 1 l. 7 s. 6.

It is to be noted, That all Gold is in value by the Ounce according as it is in fineness, that is to say,

		l.	s.	d.
The ounce of	fine Gold is in value	3	0	0
23 Kes. fine	2	17	6
22 Kes.	2	15	0
21 Kes.	2	12	6
20 Kes.	2	10	0

And so losing its value 2 s. 6. d. per ounce, as it wants a Carot in fineness in 24. or Pound Troy.

King James by Proclamation, dated at Westminster, 16 Nov. 2d year of his Reign, appointed several Coins of Gold and Silver of one Standard, with their weights according to the Account of the Mint∣men of both Nations, which is exprest in this following Table. Note, that the Pound Troy is greater than the Pound Scotch by 4 peny weight and 9 gr.

	English Weight.
	s.	d.	Peny wt. 20.	Grains 24.	Mites 20.	Droit 24.	Perots 20.	Blanks 24.
Pieces of Gold.	20		6	10	16	18	10
10		3	5	8	9	5
5		1	14	14	4	12	12
4		1	6	19	8	10
2	6	0	19	7	2	6	6
Pieces of Silver.	5		19	8	10	8
2	6	9	16	5	4
	12	3	20	18	1	10
	6	1	22	9	0	15
	2	0	15	9	16	5
	1	0	7	14	20	2	12
	½	0	3	17	10	1	6

	Scotch Weight.
	Denies.	Grains 24.	Primes 24.	Seconds 24.	Thirds 24.	Fourths 24.
Pieces of Gold.	7	21	7	1	19	0
3	22	15	12	21	½
1	23	7	8	10	¾
1	13	20	16	8	¾
0	23	15	4	5	0
Pieces of Silver.	23	15	21	5	0	13
11	19	22	14	12	6	½
4	17	13	20	1	0
2	8	18	22	0	12
0	18	22	7	8	4
0	9	11	3	16	2
0	4	17	13	20	1

To know the goodness of Gold or Silver upon the Touch-stone, by comparing it unto certain Wires or Needles of Gold and Silver of several allays, which is approved by Pliny Book 33. Chap. 18. before the way of Trial by Essay by Fire; for that there are many casualities in the practice of making Essays by Fire; and the other by the Touch is visible to the Eye

Those Needles or Wires to be made of four sorts: First, they be made of Gold and Silver; Second, of Gold and Copper; Third, Of Gold, Silver, and Copper; And fourth, Of Silver and Copper: The three first sorts are only for the Trial of Gold, and the last for Silver.

Let there be 24 Needles of Wires made of the several mixture or allays following:

The	1	of	24	Carot, that is of fine Gold.
2	23	Carot of fine Gold, and	1	Carot of Silver.
3	22	2
4	21	3
5	20	4

And so still 1 Carot worst, till you have but one Carot of fine Gold, and 23 of Silver, all marked of what fineness each Needle or Wire is of, Also there may be made the like of the other two mixtures, viz. of Gold and Copper, likewise of Gold, Silver, and Copper.

For the making those Wires or Needles for Tryal of Silver, let the mixture or Allay be as followeth.:

The	1	of	fine Silver.
2	11	ounces of fine Silver, and	1	ounces of Copper.
3	10	2
4	9	3

And so till you have 1 ounce of Silver, and 11 ounces of Copper; all marked of what fine∣ness it is.

The use of these several Needles is, if you desire to know the goodness or fineness of any In∣got, or piece of Gold or Silver, touch the said Ingot or piece upon your Touch-stone, and by it touch such of your Needles as shall be most like the touch of your Ingot, which will better appear being wetted with your tongue, and that of your Needle the Gold or Silver Ingot or Piece is best like unto, of that finess it will be found to be.

Sheweth the Fineness or Goodness of divers several Coyns of Gold and Silver, and the Rates of cer∣tain forein Pieces of Gold and Silver (not current) as the •…•…nce is worth in the Kings Mints here in England.

Old Moneys.

	Carots.	gr.
Double Ducates the Essay	23	2½
Reysers Rials	23	3¾
Crusados Short-Cross	22	3
Crusados Long-Cross	22	1½
French Crown	22	0½
Half Suffrants or old Crown	21	3
Pistolets of Spain	21	3
Milres	22
Philippus Crowns	17	3
Flemish Angel the better sort	22
Flemish Angel the worse	18
Old Portuguez	23	3
The old Spureal	23	3½
The old Noble	23	3½
The old Angel	23	3¼
The George Noble	23	3
The Salute	23	3
The Angel with the Gun-hole	22
The great old Sovereign weight, 18 d w.	23
The old Crown of Hen. 8th.	21
The old Sovereign of Hen. 8th.	22
The great Sovereign of Hen. 8th,	20
The half Sovereign of Hen. 8th.	20
The Edw. Sovereign	21
The Eliz. Sovereign and Crown	22
The French Noble
The Unicorn of Scotland
The Philippus Real	23	2
The old French Crown	22	2
The Flanders Rider	23	2¾
The Guelders Rider
The Cullen Gulden
The Flanders Noble	23	2
The Golden Lion	23
The Ducat of Castile	23	2½
The old Andreas Gulden	18	3
The Philippus Gulden	15	3
The Ducate of Valence	23	2¾
The Hungary Ducates of several sorts	23	2½
The Ducates of Rome, Bullen, and Millain	23	2
The Barbary Gold	23	2
The double Pistolet with the Picture of a King crowned on the one side, and Arms on the other side, dated 1578	21	3

The 2 double Pistolets, with the Picture of a King Crowned on the one side, and Arms on the other	21	3¼
The double Pistolet with an Image like an Apostle on the one side, and Arms on the other, dated 1566.	23	1¼
The double Pistolet with a Spread-Eagle Crown'd, and Arms in a Scutcheon, with 2 Letters. S. R.	23	3

The Fineness or Goodness of certain Coins of Silver.

	oz.	pw.
A Dollar with 4 Hages and 4 Peeps over, and 4 Crowns over the Peeps, and an Emperor on the other side, dated 1577.	8	18
A Dollar with 3 Horns in a Scutcheon, and two Crests, and a Horseman on the o∣ther side.	9	19
A Dollar with a Ramping Lion and a Spread-Eagle on the other side.	9	18
A Dollar with a Lion, a Scutcheon in his foot, and a Spread-Eagle on the other side.	9	17½
A Dollar with a Mans Body to the Waste, and on the other side Arms, and two Crosses	9	14
A Dollar with the Picture of the Duke of Saxony, and a Head of both sides, and over the Head two Swords across	10	17
A small piece of Money with Scripture, and the other side a Mans Head	10	10
A Dollar with a Cross and a Crown, dated 1569	10	18½
A Dollar of Maximilian, with a Spread-Eagle and the Picture of the Emperour, da∣ted 1569	10	12½
A Dollar with a Cross and a Crown, dated 1569.	10	14½
A Dollar with three Scutcheons and Arms, with the Picture of our Lady on the other side.	10	18
A Dollar with three Scutheons, and Arms in them, and a Cross with Arms on the other side.	10	18
A Dollar with three Scutcheons and Arms, and a Spread-Eagle on the other side, da∣ted 1549.	10	18
A Dollar with a Spread-Eagle and a Crown over his Head, and the Picture of a Man on the other side, 1573.	10	15
A Dollar with an Arms and Picture of a Man, dated 1549.	10	14
A Dollar with 3 Scutcheons and Arms in them, and a Spread-Eagle with a Talbots∣head, dated 1549.	11	2
A Dollar with three Crowns and a Spread-Eagle, a Phillippus Dollar of the baser sort	6	16
A Dollar with three Crowns and a Spread-Eagle.	10	14
A Dollar with a Ramping Lion on the one side, and a Lion in a Scutcheon and half a Man on the other side.	8	18
A Dollar with a Hart, and the Arms in a Scutheon.	10	12
A Dollar with a Wild Man holding a Candle in his hand, and a ragged Staff on the other side, 1571.	10	14
A Dollar of the same and like Superscription.	10	13
A Dollar with the Image of the Duke of Saxony and his Arms.	10	15
A Dollar of the same with like Superscription.	10	12½
A Dollar with a Lion in the Scutcheon, and half a man over the Lion, and a Ramping Lion on the other side	9

Spanish Moneys.

A Spanish piece of Money with a sheaf of Arrows	11	2
Another piece with a Cross and a Lion	11	3½
Another piece with a Castle	11	2
Another piece with Pillars and a Castle	11	3
A small piece of Money of Earl of Swarborrow	11	4
A Spanish Ryal	10
Another Spanish Ryal.	9

Other Forein Coins.

A French Testoon with 3 Flower-de-luces, and 2 H. with Crowns over them, and the Kings Picture	10	15½
Another Testoon with a Flower-de-luce and the Kings Picture.	10	2

Another Testoon with a Cross and an H. in the midst of the Cross, and a Face on the other side	10	1
A French piece of Money, being called a Half Crown, with a Picture of a King, and on the other side an Arms with 2 Lions, 6 Flower-de-Luces in a Scutcheon crowned, and 2 E. on either side the Arms, dated 1682.	10
Also new French Moneys with three Flower-de-Luces in the Scutcheon, and a Cross with Flower-de-Luces on the end	10	18
A French Soul	3	5½
A piece of Portugal Money, being a Crusade on the one side, and the Arms of Portu∣gal on the other	11	1
Plate made in Lyons in France marked with a Lions head	11	4
A piece of Russia Money	11	2
A Mustecego of Venice	11	8
A Marsello of Venice	11	8
A Bagatin of Venice	11	8
A piece of Russia Money	11	12
A piece of Bollonia Money	9	16
A piece of French Money called a Florin	11	2
A peny of France	4	11
A Slaper of France	10	16
A Snaphen of Gelderland	7	15
Another Snaphen of Gelderland	8
Other Money of Gelderland	4	18
Other Money of Gelderland	3	4
A Snaphen of Cleve	7
A Snaphen of Deventer	8
A Snaphen of Campen	8⅓
A Slaper of Millain	11	11
A Slaper of Ravenna	11	10
A Slaper of Ferrara	11
A Slaper of Sien	10	2
A Slaper of Monferrat	7	5
A Cornebot of Monferrat	6	6
Another Slaper of Monferrat	11	8
A Slaper of Bourn	11	0
A Slaper of Portugal	11
A Slaper of Foboria	11
A Slaper of Baden	11
A Slaper of Wirtenberg	10	16
A Slaper of Lorain	10
A Slaper of Savoy	7	12
A Slaper of Piedmont	5	6
A Slaper of Salusen	6	10
Another Slaper of Piedmont
A Cornbot of Salusen	7	4
A Slaper of third Alonson	6	6
Targe of Piedmont	6	10
Stick of Salen	6	6

Of Old English Money and Edward Pence, of 20 to the Ounce.

Civitas London	11	2
Civitas Chester	10	17½
Civitas Kingston	10	18
Villa St. Edmondsbury	10	13
Civitas Barwick	10	18
Civitas L. Bors	11	1½
Civitas L. Bors	11
Civitas Canterbury	10	18
Canterbury Civitas	11	1
Henry 3d. a Peny	11	2½
Henry 3d. a Peny	11	2

A Groat of King Edw. 3d.	10	19¼
A Groat of King Edw. 4th.	10	19½
A Groat of Hen. 8th.	10	18¼
An old Henry Groat with a long Face and long Hair	10	19¼
A Gun-hole Groat, Hen. 8th.	9
The first Gun-stone Groat of Hen. 8th.	8
The second Gun-stone Groat of Hen. 8th.	6
A Sixpence of King Edw. 6th.	10	19½
A Six-pence of P. and Mary	10	18
A Groat of Hen. 8th.	11	1½
The first Harp. Groat of Hen. 8th.	4
The second Harp. Groat	10
Another Harp Groat	6	19
An Irish Harp- Groat	10
Another Irish Harp. Groat	5	19
A Scotish Groat	9	1½
Another Scotish Groat	9	16
A Peny of Genoa	10	3
Carolus of Burgundy	10
Money of Anglesey	6
A Peny of Camarien	11
A Groat of Poland	9

Of the Carot Weight used only for Pretious Stones and Pearls.

This is a Weight brought from the Venetians, and derived from the Indians or Moors, called Mangear or Fanan, which is a Weight not much differing from this called a Carot-Weight, whereof 150 Carots in weight do make one ounce Troy; this Carot weight is divided into 64 Carots, 32 Carots, 16 Carots, 8 Carots, 4 Carots, 2 Carots, 1 Carot, ½ Carot, ¼ Carot, •• Carot, •• Carot.

The Weights used in India for buying and selling Pretious Stones and Pearls by, is called Mangeluy or Mangear, (about 5 Grains in weight) and weigheth two Tarrs ⅓, which is ⅔ parts of 1 Carot, being 4 grains and 4 Tarrs weight a Fanan, which is also a weight somewhat above 2 of our Carots; for 11 Fanans and ¼ is one Mitigal, and 6 Mitigals and ½ do make 1 Ounce. A Fanan also is a kind of Money, which is in value 1 Ryal of Spain.

Now followeth the Rule in Proportion, how to value the true Rate of a Diamond, or any other Stone valuable, as Merchants of skill do use to value them one from the other: the Diamond being as chief of all Pretious Stones, is sold by weight from Merchant to Merchant, called by the English, German, and Venetian, a Carot weight, as before is rehearsed.

The Diamond hath a very certain thickness, whereby it is certainly wrought out and polish∣ed upon the Mill; for it must not be too thick, nor too thin; for then it will not bear his Tent, but must have his just proportion of thickness to bear his Tent, or else to be set on Velvet as a thin Stone; the proportion is, that the two squares on the sides must make the breadth of the upper-part of the Stone, and the under part of the Stone be no broader than that three of the breadths thereof will make the breadth of the upper part, and in depth accord∣ing to the same proportion, and the squares called Bizils must stand close with the edge of the Ring or Collet, wherein it is set, being of the whole depth, and somewhat longer than square, and yet no more than that it may be guerted, which is the length and breadth thereof. Also it must be without any faults both in corners or sides, and every one of the four corners sharp and clean cut without any naytness, and of a good water-crystalline, and shining clear, not yel∣low or brown, blewish or blackish, but clear and clean in all perfection. Then we may say, a Diamond thus perfect weighing one Carot, is worth 50 Ducates, but now much altered from that value to double the same, as a Diamond of that perfection before spoken of, weighing 1 Carot, is worth 30, 35, or 40 lib. Sterling; but a Diamond not so perfect (though a good Stone) clean, and wanting a corner, is in estimation less worth by 10 Ducats, or according to Arbitrament of the Buyer. Note also, that some Diamonds are not worth passing 34, 35, or 36 Dollars a Carot, which are likewise bought by the Merchant, as the humour leads him. But when you will value a Diamond, you must look effectually of what water and fashion it is, as the best proportion is either the square Table or pointed, then if it hath all his depth (cal∣led in Art, Full-ground) which is soon seen in a Stone unset, and easily discerned in one set

in a Ring or Jewel; for being a full-ground Stone, it standeth upon his Tent, as you shall easi∣ly perceive by the reflection of the Collet the Stone stands in; otherwise being a half-••ound Stone, or a thin Stone, it standeth upon Velvet, which is easily perceived by any that is well versed in the setting or selling of Diamonds; then if it be foul, or want corners, or any hair or other fault in it, the damage and hurt that it bringeth to the value of the Stone is bated in the price of the first Carot (if it be a Stone of a greater weight) and so shall you not be so soon deceived as otherwise. You must first understand, that the value and price of a perfect Diamond, or any other Precious Stone, is first valued from a Carot weight being 4 Grains, as aforesaid, the which is the ground-work for the Merchant or Jeweller to value a Diamond by, to know the Price thereof.

Then the half Carot weight is in value the price of the fourth part of a Carot; as for Ex∣ample, If the Carot be worth 40 Ducates, then the fourth part is 10 Ducates, which is the price of a Diamond of half a Carot; so a grain is reckoned worth a fourth part of half a Carot, which is 2 Ducates and a half, after the rate of 40 Ducates the Carot, as aforesaid; and so you may value a Diamond or other Stone at any price whatsoever the Carot shall be ra∣ted at, weighing never so much.

So that if you have a Diamond that weigheth more than a Carot, as a Carot and half, or a Carot and 1 Grain; then take this for a General Rule, that you must bring the weight of your Carot and half Carot all into half Carots; and so in like manner, if it be a Carot and a Grain, you must bring both into Grains; As for Example, If you have a Table Diamond in all Perfe∣ction, as is aforesaid, weighing one Carot, be worth 40 Ducates, (or any other sum you will value a perfect Diamond at) then shall a Diamond of 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 Carots, be worth at that rate, as followeth: As suppose it be 2 Carots, multiply that by 2, it makes 4, which multi∣ply by 40 Ducates (the value we here take for a Diamond of 1 Carot) and it produceth 160 Ducates, being the value of a perfect Diamond of 2 Carots; so you may value all Diamonds of any weight if it be 100 Carots or more, by multiplying the weight by so much more, and multiply that product by the value of your Carot. Secondly, If you have a Table Diamond of 2 Carots and half, then bring the Carots and half Carots into half Carots, which is 5 half Carots, then multiply that 5 by 5 make 25 half Carots, which multiply by 10 Ducates, the fourth part of 40 Ducates, the price of a Carot amounteth to 250 Ducates, which is the true value of a Diamond weighing 2 Carots and half. Thirdly, If you have a Table Diamond of 7 Grains, which is 1 Carot and 3 Grains, then bring the Carot and Grains into Grains, and multiply it one by the other, saying 7 times 7 is 49 Grains, which is to be multiplied by the fourth part of the half Carot being reduced, and half and the product is the value of the said Diamond of 7 Grains, which is 127 Ducates. Again, suppose you value a Diamond at 30 l. Sterling (as one of that weight of former goodness is now worth in London) and according to that rate a Diamond is worth 1 l. 17 s. 6 d. Sterling; which Rule is now followed by those that Trade in them, although you cannot buy a Table Diamond of 1 gr. under 2 l. 10 s. or 3 l. Sterling, which is after the rate of 40 or 48 pound a Diamond of 1 Carot.

Again, I would know the value of a perfect Table Diamond of 10 Carots, according to the rate of 30 l. a Diamond of 1 Carot: Do thus, Multiply the weight of your Diamond by it self, which is 10 by 10, and it produceth 100, which multiply by 30 l. the price of a Dia∣mond of 1 Carot, the product is 3000 l. the price of a Diamond of 10 Carots.

Again, I desire to know the price of a Table Diamond weighing 10 Carots and 1 Grain, bring all into Grains and they make 41, which multiply by it self makes 1681; this multiplied by the value of 1 Grain, which is 1 l. 17 s. 6 d. and the product will be 3151 l. 17 s. 6 d.

The value of a Diamond of any weight from 1 Grain to 8 Carots, according to the value of a Diamond of 1 Grain to be worth 1 l. 17 s. 6 d. may be seen in this following Table.

The Value of Thick Table Diamonds according to their Weight.

				l.	s.	d.
A Diamond weighing	1	Grains	is worth	1	17	6
2	7	10	0
3	16	17	6
1	Carot	30	00	0
5	Grains	46	17	6
6	65	16	0
7	91	09	0
2	Carots	120	00	0
9	Grains	149	19	0
10	187	10	0
11	226	09	0
12	Carots	270	00	0

13	Grains	316	17
14	367	10
15	421	17
4	Carots	480
17	Grains	558	10
18	599
19	676	17
5	Carots	750
21	Grains	826	17	6
22	899	4
23	991	17	6
6	Carots	1080
25	Grains	1171	17	6
26	1229	8	4
27	1363	14	6
7	Carots	1470
29	Grains	1576	17	6
30	1687	6	4
31	1751	17	6
8	Carots	1920

The Value of thin Table Diamonds, being a thin Stone (in shew of 2 Grains) and weigheth 1 gr.

				l.	s.
A Diamond weighing	1	Grains	is worth	2	10
2	10
3	22
1	Carots	40
5	Grains	62	10
6	90
7	122	7
2	Carots	160
9	Grains	202	10
10	250
11	302	10
3	Carots	360
13	Grains	422	10
14	490
15	562	10
4	Carots	640
17	Grains	722	10
18	810
19	902	10
5	Carots	1000

The like may be said of any Diamond of any other fashion, as Triangular, Nails, Roses, Roots and the like; which are of less value than the Table Diamond weight for weight, in re∣gard their beauty is not proportionable to their weight; so that a Diamond of Perfection of that fashion weighing one Carot is not esteemed worth above 46 Ducates.

The Value of Brut Diamonds, or Naifs, Rocks and Flat-Stone, as they are sold at Goa in India by their weight; and likewise the value of the like Diamond sold here in London by the Carot. The Indian Weight is called a Mangear, which is ⅓ of a Carot, and the Fanan is about 6 d. Sterling.

Indian Value.	Fanans.		English Value.	Ducates.
8	Diamonds weighing	1	Mangear is in value	30	Flat	Diamonds weighing	1	in a Carot is in value	21½
6	1	40	Naif & Rock	2	14
4	1	60	Flat	2	16
2	1	80	Flat	2½	15
1	1	100	Naif	3	21

1	1¼	165	Rock	3	9
1	1••	180	Naif	4	18
1	1¾	220	Naif	4½	17½
1	2	320	Flat	4	12
1	2¼	360	Rock	4	7½
1	2½	380	Naif	5	12½
1	2¾	420	Rock	5	9
1	3	450	Naif & Rock	6	10
1	3½	480	Naif	7	15
1	4	550	Flat	8	9¼
1	5	750	Rock	9	5
1	8	800	Naif	12	14
1	7	1200
1	8	1400

So do the Indians increase in price, as the Stones in weight.

There are also two sorts of Diamonds called Boards, the one white, the other black; out of the white are gathered (by those that deal in Boards) all sorts of small Diamonds under 12 in a Carot.

A parcel of Brut Diamonds brought out of Portugal.

					l.	s.		l.	s.	d.
50	Brut Diamonds	weighing Carots	9⅞	at	3		The Carot is	29	12	6
39	Brut Diamonds	15⅛	2	10	37	16	3
11	Brut Stones	2⅜	2	5	5	6	10
22	Brut Stones	2⅜	2	5	9	5	7
6	Brut Diamonds	1¼	2	5	2	16	3
128	Diamonds	32⅞		84	17	5

Note, That all great Stones under 5 in 1 Carot are cut by the Carot, and all small Stones above 5 in a Carot are cut by the piece.

Of the Ruby called the Carbuncle.

This Stone is found in Zeilam in the Indies, and in great esteem among the People of that Island. The way they use to try if they be right, is by putting them into the fire for the space of certain hours and if they come out of the fire burning as a Coal, those are they which are esteemed amongst them; they are esteemed according to the height of Colour; the more per∣fect red, the better: they distinguish the goodness by Carots in Colour; as 24 Carots in colour is the highest perfection, and so several degrees of goodness downward from 24 Carots to 18, 16, 14, 12, to 10 Carots in colour.

The value of the Carbuncle, as they are bought at Calicut in India.

A Carbuncle of so high a colour, and tried in the fire, weighing 1 Carot, which is ½ Fanata is worth in Calicut 30 Fanans.

				Fanans.
1	of	2	Carots of the like colour is worth	65
1	3	150
1	3½	200
1	4	300
1	4½	350
1	5	400
1	5½	450
1	6	30
1	6½	560
1	7	630
1	7½	660
1	8	800
1	8½	900
1	10	1300
1	10½	1600
1	12	2000
1	14	3000
1	16	6000

And so they proceed to increasing in price as they do in weight.

Of the Ruby.

It is found in a River of Pegu in India, the best is esteemed of a perfect red, but will not endure the fire, but loseth his colour therein, being thereby distinguisht from the Carbuncle. There are divers kinds of Rubies, as the Carbuncle, the Ballass, the Spinal, the Gurnet, and the Rubas, but the Oriental Ruby is esteemed the best next the Carbuncle. A Ruby that is squared Table wise and without fault, and is to fit with a Diamond of the same weight of 16, 18, 20, or 24 Carots in colour (as is spoken of the Carbuncle) such a Rubie is worth in the Indies, weighing a Fanan, 100 Ducates; but there be few Rubies be perfect of that greatness, the usual way of computing the value of a Ruby is the same as it is with a Diamond: First, to con∣sider the number of Carots in Colour, and then in weight, and the price doth augment pro∣portionable to the Diamond; or if you shall value of a Ruby of 1 Carot weight to 70 Du∣cates, and would know the value of one weighing 2 Carots of like Carots in colour, multiply 2 by 2 makes 4, which multiply by the value of one Carot being 70 Ducates, produceth your desire, as in this following Table.

			l	s.
A Ruby in shew to accompany a Diamond of	1	Grains is worth	2	10
2	10
3	22	10
1	Carots is worth	40
2	160
3	360
4	640

A Ruby of 20 Carots in colour, and weight 11 Carots and ½, was sold for 350 l. and sold again for 640 l. Sterling in London.

Another Ruby of most excellent beauty of 24 Carots in colour, and weighed 1 Carot 3 Grains 1/•• was sold in London for 60 l. and and sold again for 120 l.

The Proportionable Value of Rubies bought and sold by the Indians.

				Fanans.
8	Rubies weighing	1	Fanan, which is 2 Carots, is worth	10
4	1	20
2	1	40
1	¾	30
1	1	50
1	1¼	55
1	1½	100
1	1¾	150
1	2	200
1	2½	300
1	3	400
1	3½	550
1	4	630

The Saphyre is a Stone found in the Island of Zeilam, Calicut, Canoner, Basinger, and Pegu, is of four sorts; the best is an Azure Sky-colour, and valued as it excelleth in colour, and of a most perfect blew, it excelleth all other Stones in hardness (the Diamond excepted.)

The Value of the best Oriental Saphyres as they are sold in the Islands of Zeilam, is after this Rate and Proportion.

				Fanans.
1	A Saphire weighing	1	Carots is worth	2
1	2	5
1	3	10
1	4	15
1	5	18
1	10	55
1	15	180
1	16	200
1	17	250

A Saphyre weighing 1 Mitegal, which is 11 Fanans and ¼ that is about 23 Carots, is worth after the rate aforesaid, 350.

The Turquoise is of a thick green colour, or between a green and skie-colour, and of small weight; the softest of all thick-coloured Stones, is in good esteem in India, and is esteemed the better for having black veins, it being then accounted of the old Rock. The price in India, according to the weight is in proportion following:

				Fanans.
1	Weighing	1	Carots is worth	15
1	2	40
1	4	80
1	6	150
1	8	200
1	10	300
1	12	450
1	14	550

Of the Pearl Oriental.

Unio is the Latin word (in English Pearl) so called, for that it is a hard matter to find two Pearls alike for bigness, figure, shape, water, and brightness. The greatest and better sort of Pearl are found between Ormus and Buzera in the Straits of Persia. There is also a fish∣ing for Pearl near the Island of Zeilam, but of lower price: Likewise there are Pearls found near the Island of Burneo, and Island of Anian; but those of Ormus surpass them all. They are fished for by divers that dive into the Sea, some 10, 15, and 10 fathom deep; they grow in Oyster-shells; the Divers have Baskets tied to their back to put the Oysters in, and bring them up from the bottom of the Sea, and put them into Boats; the fish are laid in the Sun, and there open themselves; and when the fishing is over for that day, the Captain and Souldiers for the King of Portugal, together with the Divers and Labourers, take the Pearls, and divide them into four parts, one of which is taken for the King, the second for the Cap∣tain and Souldiers, the third for the Jesuits (whose Cloyster is hard by) and the fourth for the Divers, Fishers, and their Labourers. This fishing is only in the Summer-time; there is found in some Oysters 200 Grains or Pearl. Pearls are sold by the Indians by Sieves of Latton full of holes, from smaller to greater, to the proportion of 12, one bigger than the other; and so the price in proportion accordingly; the smallest sorts are used by Apothecaries for Medicine. They use in India where they are fished, to have Rice beaten small with Salt, with which they rub the Pearl to put a gloss upon them.

The way to value Oriental Pearl from a Grain in weight to any bigness whatsoever; as also they are usually sold in the Indies and with us. A Pearl that is in all parts perfect both of water, gloss, and beauty, without knobs, specks, yellowness, and other imperfection; of form very round, or like a Pearl, being of the weight of one Carot, is worth one Ducate; and after this rate you are to make your reckoning, as you have done before with Diamonds and Rubies; but if there be any fault in the water, clearness, fashion, knobs, specks, dents, or other default, it must be considered what hurt it may be to the sale thereof, and according to the goodness or badness value the price thereof,; which having valued, you try the weight thereof, or by your measure exactly made (there being such for that purpose) and then make your account, as before is said; and if there be a whole string or chain, you must look well upon them if they be all alike, or else make your value thereafter.

The Proportion or Value of Pearl as they are sold in India and Portugal.

1	Pearl of	1	Carots Pardons	1½
1	1½	3
1	2	6
1	2½	8
1	3	12
1	3½	16
1	4	20
1	4½	30
1	5½	35
1	6	40
1	6½	45
1	7	50
1	7½	60
1	8	70

Small Pearl are sold by the Ivora at Ormus and Goa.

The	1	Ivoras for	34	Marividis is worth 6 d. Sterling.
2	180
3	80
4	18
5	8

Seed-Pearl that are small and cannot be holed, are for the Apothecaries; the ounce is worth about 20 Marividis.

The Value of any Oriental Pearl of any bigness from 1 Grain to 30 Carots of excellent beauty and perfection for colour and shape, as they are usually bought and sold with us, according to the proportion of weight, and of like perfection.

				l.	s.	d.
A Pearl weighing	1	Grains	is worth	0	0	7	ob.
2	0	2	6
3	0	5	7	ob.
1	Carot	0	10	0
5	Grains	0	15	2	ob.
6	1	6	8
7	1	10	7	ob.
2	Carots	2	0	0
9	Grains	2	18	6
10	3	2	6
11	3	15	7	ob.
3	Carots	4	10	0
13	Grains	5	5	7	ob.
14	6	8	0
15	7	0	7	ob.
4	Carots	8	0	0
17	Grains	9	15	6
18	10	2	6
19	11	5	7	ob.
5	Carots	12	10	10
21	Grains	13	15	7	ob.
22	15	2	6
23	16	10	7	ob.
6	Carots	18	0	6
25	Grains	19	10	7	ob.
26	21	2	6
27	22	15	7	ob.
7	Carots	24	10	0
29	Grains	26	6	7	ob.
30	28	2	6
31	30	0	7	ob.
8	Carots	32	0	0
33	Grains	34	0	7	ob.
34	36	2	6
35	38	5	7	ob.
9	Carots	40	0	0
37	Grains	42	15	7	ob.
38	45	2	6
39	47	15	7	ob.
10	Carots	50	0	0
41	Grains	52	10	7	ob.
42	55	2	6
43	57	13	7	ob.
11	Carots	60	10	0
45	Grains	63	6	7
46	66	2	6
47	69	0	7	ob.
12	Carots	72	0	0
49	Grains	75	0	7	ob.
50	77	5	10
51	81	5	7
13	Carots	84	10	0
53	Grains	87	15	7	ob.
54	91	2	6
55	94	10	7	ob.
14	Carots	98	0	0
57	Grains	101	10	7
58	104	10	0
59	108	15	7
15	Carots	112	0	0
61	Grains	116	5	7
62	120	2	6
63	124	0	7	ob.
16	Carots	128	0	0
65	Grains	132	0	7	ob.
66	136	2	6
67	140	5	7
17	Carots	144	10	0
69	Grains	148	15	7
70	153	2	6
71	157	10	7	ob.
18	Carots	162	0	0
73	Grains	166	10	7	ob.
74	171	2	6
75	175	15	7
19	Carots	184	0	0
77	Grains	185	5	7	ob.
78	190	2	6
79	195	0	7	ob.
20	Carots	200	0	0
21	Carots	215	0	0
22	242	0	0
23	264	0	0
24	288	0	0
25	312	0	0
26	338	0	0
27	364	0	0
28	392	0	0
29	420	10	0
30	450	0	0

Seed-Pearl.

The value of Seed-Pearl, from the smallest sort of 4500 in one ounce, to the greatest sort of 400 or 450 in one ounce, being the ordinary six sorts always sold together.

					l.	s.	d.
The	smallest sort is sexta	of	4500	per ounce is worth	2	4	0
second smallest is quinta	3300	0	6	0
third sort is quarta	1900	0	10	0
fourth is tertia	1050	0	18	0
fifth is secunda	700	1	6	0
sixth is prima	450	1	15	0

Rag-Pearl.

						l.	s.	d.
Rag called	Tertia	of	350	per ounce is worth		1	18	0
Secunda	250		3	0	0
Prima	150		4	0	0
	100		5	0	0
	50	7 in	8	0	0
	40	10 in	12	0	0
	20	14 in	15	0	0

All sorts of half-round Pearls are according to their weight valued at half the price of a round Pearl; so that if a half-round Pearl do weigh one Carot, then it is to be valued at 5 s. which is half the price of a round of a Carot.

The Denarius among the Romans may be considered under a double respect; either as Money, or Weight; the first was a valuation put upon it by the State in Civil Affairs, as Coin, which hath been va∣rious and subject to great alterations; the later in gravity or weight hath been at a certainty, and of long continuation amongst them, for above 1600 years.

The Coins of the Romans were of Gold, Silver, and Copper; those of Silver was the De∣narius, taken by the Romans from the Sicilians, and as Pliny affirms, l. 33. c. 3. was in use with them in the 585th year of the City (as also the Brass Coins) five years before the first Punick Wars. The proportion then betwixt the Silver and Brass, in respect of Weight, was very strange; for the Denarius of Silver was the seventh part of the ounce, and the ounce the twelfth part of the pound, and yet was esteemed in value equal to 10 asses, which was a Brass Coin of a pound weight; so that one pound in Silver was esteemed to 840 pound in Brass. When their Coins of Gold came in use, it was esteemed ten times the weight in Silver; but this dis∣proportion between Silver and Brass lasted not long; and the Denarius of Silver in process of time suffered so many diminutions, that at length it had left only a Name, and of so small a value as not worth the coining.

The like alteration in respect of weight hath befallen in far less time our own Coin; as to instance in our Penny, which we find in the time of Ethelred, and so continued to Edw. 1. to be the 20th part of the Troy ounce, a 1.21 under Edw. 3. it came to be made the 26th part of the ounce; and b 1.22 under H. 6. it fell to the 32d part; in c 1.23 Edw. the 4th's time it came to the fortieth part of the ounce; in Henry the 8th's time, at first it was the fortieth, then the 45th part, afterward 60 pence were made of the ounce; in the 2 Eliz. and during her reign, and ever since, 62 in the ounce; so that the Penny in Edw. the 3d's time was more than three times the weight of ours. And after-times may see this of ours as well as the D•…•…arius of the Romans, brought to so small a value as not worthy a name.

* 1.24It is observed, that Amber is found only in and upon the Coast of England and Poland; the English is found only upon the Coast of Norfolk, near the Bay of Shippy Island in Kent, in two or three miles space. It is affirmed, that at both these places it hath been found time out of mind: it is not found above sixty pound weight a year: It is washed out of the Sea, for after great storms it is most found: many are of opinion it is the Gum of a Tree; if so, sure the Tree, if it were above ground, would be found long before this. It is most probable to be a certain Gum, that comes out of some Rock lying in the Sea near those places; for why else should it be only found there, and no where else?

In Poland are found greater quantities, but not in so good esteem as our English, being nei∣ther so fat nor clear; it is valued according to the largeness and clearness thereof.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Silver and Gold the most excel∣lent of Me∣tals.
• * 1.2

  Coins made of Silver and Gold.
• * 1.3

  Bartering and Ex∣changing before the use of Gold and Silver.
• * 1.4

  Several sorts of Mo∣neys in se∣veral Coun∣tries. Moneys of Leather in S. Dominico, &c.
• * 1.5

  Moneys of Shells in Tombute.
• * 1.6

  Of Iron in Massa.
• * 1.7

  Of Luma∣ches in Con∣go.
• * 1.8

  Of Glass-Beads in Melinda.
• * 1.9

  Of Salt and Paper in Cathay.
• * 1.10

  Of Ganza in Pegu.
• * 1.11

  Of Almonds in Bengala.
• * 1.12

  Of Skulls of dead men in Sumatra.
• * 1.13

  Of Pepper and Cocos in India.
• * 1.14

  Money cal∣led by three several Names.
• * 1.15

  Moneta.
• * 1.16

  Nummus.
• * 1.17

  Pecunia.
• * 1.18

  Denarii.
• * 1.19

  Easterling Money of England.
• * 1.20

  Coins deba∣sed or alte∣red is a capi∣tal crime.
• a 1.21

  Stat. 9. Edw. 3.
• b 1.22

  Stat. 2. H. 6.
• c 1.23

  Stat. 5. Edw. 4. Stat. 36. H. 8.
• * 1.24

  Of Amber.