Hello All,
I have been researching the historical weight standards underlying coin issue for about 30 years. I have become concerned about what seems to be a rapidly decline in understanding of the subject in general. I joined this group specifically in the hope of informed discussion of the History of Troy weight here.
For starters then – the 1351 gold noble of Edward III is widely quoted as 120 Troy grains
By modern standards that ought to be 7.776g
Actual coins seem to bear this out – for instance this one is stated as 7.75g
https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=395895
The variation seem to me trivial – well within what we would assume to be the toleration (the “remedy at the shear”). Alternatively, if the Troy weight standard has changed since 1351, it is not by very much.
I therefore conclude that the Troy weight standard already existed in 1351, and was used to regulate coin weight.
I wonder if anyone differs?
Robert Tye
