When as three French Crowns,were current but after the rate of 21s sterling:The Jacobus weighs 7deniers and 20grains,and is 22carrats fine.The French Crown sol,is 23carrats fine bating the Remedy,and weighs by the ordinance 2deniers,15grains,so as three French Crowns full weight,weigh one grain more than a Jacobus,and are worth one 24th part more in fineness,and yet were current in France for 12d less than a Jacobus.The Jacobus was worth in Holland after the rate of 15s sterling,in the years 1621,and 1622;then was the Ryder there current,but after the rate of 22s sterling or little more,and yet the Ryder in intrinsical value is not two pence worse than the Jacobus.In the year 1622,at the Mart at Francfort n Autumn,English shillings were current at a higher rate,fineness for fineness,and weight for weight,than their own Dollars coyned in that Town,so as in these times there were great profit by transporting Dollars out of Francfort,Ryders out of Holland,and French Crowns out of France,and carrying them back again coined in English Coins;and there is no doubt to be made,but that great Numbers were accordingly transported,the subtilty of the Bancquers not omitting any opportunity to make their Advantage of the popular Errors,which daily do exceed in this Subject of Money.But if the Permission may be so qualified as the Usefullness may be retained,and yet the Dangers may be avoided therein.Now that the Dangers may be avoided therein.Now that the Dangers are exposed,I do exhort all the furtherers of the Common good to exercise their Invention,as in all other Inconveniences propounded in this Subject.The most probable Proposition that Ican find,is that Spanish Money should be made current,but not that any Realls of Silver or Pistolets of Gold should be current at any rate according to the price.But that the Spanish Money of Gold and Silver should be made current according to a certain Rate by the Ounce,which rate should be so proportioned,as that the Spanish Money should have allowed unto it at one value,as great as may answer the charge of coinage,without allowing any thing for the King's Tribute,to draw it the easiest into the Kingdom.By this means the Dishonour would be avoided for,although it would be frequently current amongst Merchants,and in all great payments,yet in Fairs and Markets and the Commerce within the Kingdom,it would have no place being not current by the piece.And this defect of the Currencie of the pieces would make a great part of them piece by piece drop into his Majesties Mint.Especially if the Officers of the Mint use their endeavour to buy them for the use of the Mint:than it would necessarily keep out all light Money,or if any were brought in,it would be without disadvantage to us.For,First,Upon our occasion of raising it,strangers could not raise it higher;both because it would be most concealed from them,and they should not be able to proportion their raising to ours,except they should take the same course,which is almost impossible for them to do,who have Spanish Money in so great abundance already current by the piece.
And lastly,not allowing to it a greater over-value than to your own Money,it will be impossible to transports your own Money for profit to bring it back coyned in Spanish Money.Others have propounded that the Spanish Money both of Gold and Silver should be made current by the piece,allowing an over-value unto it both for the Coinage and the King's Tribute equal unto our own,but that being of a weight allowable,it should receive the addition of a new stamp at the King's Mint,for which the King should receive upon the pound,so much as his own clear Profit amounts unto upon his own coin;and the Merchants in the currency of the pieces should have allowance of so much as the charge of the Coinage amounts unto.But this inconvenience would probably happen in this Proposition,that if the pieces that should have the Addition of the stamp unto them,were made current at a price,the people would likewise receive those that had not the said Addition at the same price.
