St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-09-20
TRIAL OF THE PYX.
Testing the Purity of England's Co

Testing the Purity of ERgland'S Coins
On Thursday, at Goldsmith's Hall,
took place, in conformity to warrants of
the Lords of the Treasury, the annual
testing, known as the Trial of the Pyx,
of the national coinage executed by the
Royal Mint during the past year end
ing June 80. At the first blush the pro-
,ceedings seem to have been of very SIM
pie and business-like nature. A jury OF
experts having been impanneled, the gold
was first subjected to the customary
ordeals. The aggregate of gold minted
last year was not large, being less than
Fl, $780, 900, sum considerably below
the usual average; but, as a general
Withdrawal of light gold can not much
longer be retarded, the establishment
on Tower Hill has heavy task to per-
form. It is believed by the authorities
that 9100.000,000 in gold supposed to
be in circulation in this country is de-
fcient in weight to the extent of five
tons and half, representing half
million of money. This deficiency is
due to legitimate wear and tear. Al
though, for obvious reasons, the mint,
has been holding its hand so far
as the manufacture of soYereigns
and half sovereigns is concerned, great
activity has been shown in the image
of silver, moneys of that metal to the
amount of more than million sterling
having been stamped. The total num-
Der of imperial coins struck during the
twelve months was nearly Sc, 500, 900.
Some 1900 sovereigns aud 700 half
,sovereigns, and about G400 worth
of silver of all denominations, were
placed in the Pyx last year; and
on the box being opened on the 10th in
slant the jury selected few gold and
silver coins for assay. Each coin had
to be of legal-tender weight, and the
coins had next to be melted into ingots
for comparison with the pure metal of
the standard trial plates produced by
the officer of tie Board of Trade, to dis
cover il they were within the legal
remedy" in the way OF tineness. The
residue of the gold and silver coins had
also to besweighed in bulk, and certain
coins were taken and assayed separate
~. The verdict of the jurors was duly
signed and rendered to the Queens Re
membrancer, who, attesting it by his
signature, rendered it as public record of
the High Court of Justice. All the del |
icately-manipulated processes involved
in testing and assaying having been
gone through, and the Deputy Master
of the Mint having received his certifi-
cate or ''quiegus," the business of the
day appropriately and characteristical-
~ concluded with a banquet, given by
the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths,
the high officials connected with our
monetary system.
In olden times the trial of the Pyx
took place before the Lords of the
Council, and it is alleged that in writ
to the Barons, and 10 Edward L, the
assay of the purity and weight of the
coinage by q jury of goldsmiths is
spoken of as well-known custom. |
Every detail of the ceremony of testing
is grounded on immemorial tradition;
only, in lieu the trial being instituted |
by warrant from the Treasury, it was
the Lord Chancellor who formerly is /
sued his precepts to the Wardens of the I
Goldsmiths to impanel jury. On the i
opening of the pyx, or box, the coins to
be assayed are found in paper parcels,
each under the seals of tie Wardens, (
the Master of the Mint and the Comp [
trolfer. From every fifteen pounds
weight of silver, technically called
g ournies," minimum of two pieces is {
taken at hazard for the trial. and the
coins are then mixed together in wood
en- bowls and afterwards weighed. The
assaying of bullion, anciently known as
tie ''tdach'' whence our still cur
rent word 'stouchstonen with the
function of marking or stamp ng, was
3 privilege conferred on the Goldsmith's