English money here is very scarce as being prohibited to be carried over out of England in any great summe, because the Rebels made use of it to buy amunition and provision for the warre whence it was transported by the merchant in to forreigne countreys, to the great Loss of England. In the *43 year [in margin: *1601] of Qu. Elizabeth it was absolutely forbid by proclamation, as Henry the VII had before by Act of Parliam<sup>t</sup>. At this time no one is allow’d to exceed the sum of five pounds under pein of forfeiture. <br>[p. 273]
Wherefore Guinneys are at three and twenty shillings in this Kingdom in comon payment. <br>The most usual money, and that which passeth in the greatest quantity of silver, is Spanish Coyne known here by the name of a Cob, an half Cob, and a quarter cob <br>A sort of pieces of eight at 4<sup>s</sup>-6<sup>d</sup> each, which they call plate pieces, Mexico’s and Perues <br>The Cobs that are weight as well as the french Crown pass at 4<sup>s</sup>-9<sup>d</sup>, but if they want a grain or turn not the scale or stilyard, they pass but at 4-6<sup>d</sup>. <br>None here either in market or publick house, but with small scales weigh their silver as well as gold before they take it. <br>Here are also pieces of Portugall coyne which go at 3<sup>s</sup>-6<sup>d</sup> these onely, & now and then a piece of english money pass unweigh’d. <br>[image: An Instrument for weighing forreigne coyne in Ireland] <br>The Copper halfepence made for the ready change of this nation were after this manner, but called in this A<sup>o</sup> 1681 and in the place an halfpenny sett forth with his Ma<sup>ties</sup> on y<sup>e</sup> one side and an harp on the other, with the Inscription of y<sup>e</sup> English halfpenny. <br>[image: Copper coin] [pp. 272-273] |
