Copy of letter to the Chester Mint concerning the destruction of worn dyes
Gentlemen
Wee being very well assur'd that you must have a considerable Number of dyes in your custody, which are too worn or crackd as to be altogether unfitt for any longer usage in coining the monys: & it being our design to cause all such dyes both heads & Arms, to be defac'd & broken here in the presence of us the Warden Master et cæta. as ought to be, & usually is done in the like case
Wee direct You therefore that you cause all such dyes as are useless, both heads & Arms of Crowns; shillings & six pences to be carefully Numbred each sort distinctly & put up securely in a strong box, in the presence of you the Deputy Warden, Master Worker & Comptroller, & the surveyor of the Meltings, & the Assistant Graver of your Mint: & then you are to direct & send the said box by the first opportunity you shall have of conveying it hither the Waggon which the Kings Mony for taxes, when any such Monys are sent to Town under a Guard: takeing the Receivers or Waggoners Receipt for the safe delivery of the said Box to the Porter of the Mint in the Tower, & enclosing that receipt in your Letter to Vs, to be deliver'd back when the box is received here
In which Letter Wee expect you give use a distinckt account of the whole Number of heads & Arms of the Crowns shillings & six pences You send in the box: And the exact Account or Number of each sort that shall remaine with you
Wee are Gentlemen
your Loving Friends
Is Newton
Tho Neale
Source
MINT 10/2/74r, National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, UK19 April 1698, c. 293 words.