Description:

Coins


Value of Gold Coins, Official Act in 1784, Signed and Sealed

 

[NUMISMATICS.] An Act ascertaining the Weights of Gold Coin that shall be current in this State, in Acts passed by the General Assembly of Rhode Island, August 1784. Printed Document Signed by Henry Ward, Secretary. 22 pp., 7.5" x 12.125". With embossed paper over wax seal on first page; several pages separated; residue from binding on final three pages; signature faint; good.

 

Excerpts:

“Whereas the current Gold Coin, circulating within the United States, is received in Payments in the neighbouring States at a less Weight than by Law is fixed here, by which Means this State is drained entirely of the Gold Coin, saving that which is mutilated by the neighbouring States, to the great Disadvantage of the Inhabitants of this State:”

 

[List of coins with weight in pennyweight and grains and value in pounds, shillings, and pence for variations of doubloons, moidores, Johannes, pistoles, and guineas.]

 

“And be it further Enacted, That all the above enumerated Gold Coins, of the Weights aforesaid, shall be received in all Payments to be made into the General-Treasury, at and after the Rates above expressed; and that the said Gold Coins, of the Weights aforesaid, shall be a legal Tender, in Payment and Discharge of all Debts due, owing or payable, between Individuals, agreeable to the Value herein expressed.”

 

“And be it further Enacted, That all the Gold Coins herein above expressed, which shall weigh more than the above Standard, shall pass and be received in all Payments at a Value, allowing Twopence Half-penny, Lawful Money, for each and every Grain which such Piece or Pieces of Coin shall weigh above the said Weight herein affixed.”

 

Historical Background

The English colonies in America often faced coin shortages, so colonists used many different kinds of money in their dealings with Native Americans and each other and in foreign trade. Among the foreign gold coins in circulation were English guineas and Jacobuses, Dutch ducats, French louis d’ors, Portuguese moidores, and Spanish doubloons.

 

With the Coinage Act of 1792, the United States authorized the production of gold coins, but the first half eagles ($5) and eagles ($10) did not appear until 1795. Quarter eagles ($2.50) first appeared in 1796. Meanwhile, States needed to regulate the value of the foreign gold coins that were circulating. This act established the value in Rhode Island in pounds, shillings, and pence for fourteen denominations of foreign gold coins.

 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

 

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January 16, 2020 10:30 AM EST
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