posted 09-14-2004 09:45 AM            

1. The Britannia standard is 958,3/1000 or 958,4/1000 . . . math is not very pleasing to me!

2. Corporate year in London was 19 May starting in 1479 (maybe before?). I read that it change to May 29 during the restoration. I believe that this want to say between 1720 and 1739 . . . do anyone know exact the year?

3. Does coinage standard always stay as sterling standard, except when exist only Britannia?

4. My paper is 6 pages. It is in English proper because I have English friend correct it. It would be pleasing to me comments from silver enthusiasts. Is there place i can put it or someone to whom i may it send?

posted 09-14-2004 01:35 PM            

If this paper is a classroom assignment to be submitted for a grade, you really ought to do your own research. As it happens, the answers to your questions are already covered in previous duscussions in this (General) forum and/or in the British and American (coin silver) forums. You can use the search functions in each of these forums to find the answers, or you can use one of the internet search engines (like Google) to find one or more of the excellent web sites that cover the subject - all of this assuming that your library (which is always the best place to start)does not have any of the numerous books on the subject - have you even looked?

posted 09-14-2004 03:59 PM            

1. Statue 8 of William III c.8 "raised the standard for silver plate from ll oz 2 dwts to 11 oz 12 dwts fine" is on page 38 of the book I mentioned above, two pages later he says ll oz 10 dwt. It is simpler to call Brittania standard 958 and leave it at that.

2. Page 41: "The date letters were changed on the day when the wardens [leaders] were elected, that being St. Dunstan's day* (19 May), in each year, prior to the Restoration, and on the 29th May thereafter, until the Hallmarking Act of 1973 which brought all the assay offices into line, each changing its date letter on the first working day of the new year (with effect from 2 January 1975)." To break that down, from about 1300 to 1659 letters changed 19 May; from 1660 to 1974 the change was made on 29 May; since 1975 the date letter changes the first working day after New Years. (Just to complicate matters, there are a few recorded instances of the date letter being altered because of corruption within the Guild, or death of a warden. Worth mentioning, but hard to document.)

The Commonwealth governed from 1649 to 1659; 1659 Charles II returned to rule his kingdom, thus "Restoration".

*St. Dunstan is the patron saint of English goldsmiths.

3. Page 26: Edward I established the sterling standard for coin and plate by law in 1300. The 1697 law changed the standard only for silver plate; coin standard for silver has always been 925.

4. I have terrible luck with attachments, but if you'd like to send your paper to me at mmcintire@patmedia.net I'll take a look at it.

posted 09-15-2004 08:14 AM            

To speak of #1, page 38 is not put in type correct. Britannia standard is 11 ounces, 10 dwt. pure silver per troy pound, as he reads on page 41. I make the conversion 20 dwt = 1 troy ounce and britannia standard become 958.3/1000. If were like he reads on page 38 (11 ounces, 12 dwt. per troy pound), britannia standard become 966.7/1000.

To speak of something different, this paper is not for university but for my personal culture. I am gemologist, appraiser, and university level instructor of antique italian jewellery but silver is very pleasing to me. I am student also in all things that I teach and make in sense that I am never finish to learn (very obvious english, too!). I like comment of all person interested because I think all have something to think and give. Some opinion I give more value because they are say from someone that has more knowledge now, but maybe not for always. Books, people, professors, students, and I all make mistakes, usually to talk much and not to listen enough.

posted 09-15-2004 05:29 PM            

quote:

---

To speak of #1, page 38 is not put in type correct. Britannia standard is 11 ounces, 10 dwt. pure silver per troy pound, as he reads on page 41. I make the conversion 20 dwt = 1 troy ounce and britannia standard become 958.3/1000. If were like he reads on page 38 (11 ounces, 12 dwt. per troy pound), britannia standard become 966.7/1000.

---

posted 09-16-2004 01:08 AM            

Thank you for the confirmation. There is a one thing that I still do not understand. I make the conversion 11 oz, 10 dwt to become 230 dwt. I next divide by total 12 oz, that make 240 dwt. 230 divide by 240 i receive .958333333333333. Like I say before, math is not very pleasing to me, but how i understand this stay at 958,3/1000. How do english find 958,4/1000? (maybe too much ale?!! only to joke!!!)

Maybe my conversion are not correct? I make them like this:

1 troy ounce = 20 dwt.
1 troy pound = 12 troy ounce = 240 dwt.

Maybe like I say before that my math is not right. But if someone try to explain to me, it be very nice of he!!

posted 09-16-2004 08:30 AM            

Per the SMP online calculator:
11 troy ounces 10 dwt. = 229.9982 dwt.
1 troy ounce = 19.99984 dwt.
12 troy ounces = 239.9981 dwt.

If anyone detects math or rounding errors in our calculator - please let me know.

posted 09-16-2004 05:49 PM            

I do not make math good but think I do not make mistake here. Can someone give to me answer?