The rise of the Gold Standard - records from 1660-1819
Covering the period from the mid-17th century through to the British Government's decision to allow the free exchange of gold, and presenting documents, primarily from the UK, that relate to the establishment of gold coinage as the centrepiece of the British financial system. The documents contained here address four themes: the legal position of gold coinage; popular views of gold; technologies of gold coinage; and early theoretical evaluations of the gold standard.
1660. May 21.
Resolution of the House of Commons to prohibit the exportation of money and bullion from England.
- 1660. Dec 11.
- 1662. Dec 20.
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'An Act to prevent the Inconvenience arising by melting the Silver Coin of this Realm'.
1663. May 19. - 1663. Aug 1.
- 1664.
- 1666. Dec 20.
- 1667. Jun-Oct.
- 1672.
- 1674.
- 1676.
- 1690. Apr 9.
- 1690. May 8.
- 1690. Dec 6.
- 1691. Dec 30.
- 1692.
- 1694. Apr 25.
- 1695. Jan 8.
- 1695. Jul 3.
- 1695. Dec 10.
- 1695.
- 1696. Jan 17.
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'An Act for Remedying the Ill State of the Coin of the Kingdom'.
1696. Feb 15. - 1696. Feb 24.
- 1696. Apr 10.
- 1696. Oct 23.
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'An Act for Importing and Coining Guineas and Half-guineas'.
1698. Sep 19. - 1698. Sep 22.
- c.1700
- 1701. Jan 20.
- 1701. Sep 28.
- 1702. Jul 7.
- 1705.
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Excerpt from John Law's famous tract Money and trade considered
1710. Dec 31. - 1717. Sep 21.
- 1717. Dec 22.
- 1717. Dec 31.
- 1718. Oct 20.
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Memorandum containing Sir Isaac Newton's observations on the state of the gold and silver coins.
1720. Mar-Nov - 1730.
- 1734.
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Excerpt from Richard Cantillon's Essai sur la nature du commerce en général.
1735. various - 1752.
- 1792. Apr 2.
- 1797. Feb 27.
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Newspaper account of a Council decision to suspend cash payments by the Bank of England.
1797. Feb 28. - 1797. Feb 28
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Newspaper account of the suspension of cash payments by the Bank of England.
1810. Jun 8. - 1811. Jul 9.
- 1812. Mar 20.
- 1816. May 31.
- 1819. Apr 5.
- 1819. May 19.
- 1819. May 21.
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Representation of the Bank of England on the Expediency of resuming Cash Payments.