same reason that it was so in England before the late reformation of the gold coin. The difference is said to be commonly from about six to sixteen stivers upon the mark, or eight ounces of silver of eleven parts fine and one part alloy. The bank price, or the credit which the bank gives for the deposits of such silver (when made in foreign coin, of which the fineness is well known and ascertained, such as Mexico dollars), is twenty-two guilders the mark; the mint price is about twenty-three guilders, and the market price is from twenty-three guilders six, to twenty-three guilders sixteen stivers, or from two to three per cent above the mint price.[1] The proportions between the bank price, the mint price, and the market price of gold bullion, are nearly the same. A person can generally sell his receipt for the difference between the mint price of bullion and the market price. A receipt for bullion is
- ↑ The following are the prices at which the Bank of Amsterdam at present (September, 1775) receives bullion and coin of different kinds:
Silver Mexico dollars French crowns Guilders.
B—22 per mark.English silver coin Mexico dollars new coin 21 10 Ducatoons 3 Rix dollars 2 8 Bar silver containing 11⁄12 fine silver 21 per mark, and in this proportion down to ¼ fine, on which 5 guilders are given.
Fine bars, 23 per mark.
Gold Portugal coin Guineas B—310 per mark. Louis d'ors new Ditto old 300 New ducats 4 19 8 per ducat. Bar or ingot gold is received in proportion to its fineness compared with the above foreign gold coin. Upon fine bars the bank gives 340 per mark. In general, however, something more is given upon coin of a known fineness than upon gold and silver bars, of which the fineness cannot be ascertained but by a process of melting and assaying.
