Coinage.- [Lowndes (William)] A Report Containing an Essay for the Amendment of the Silver Coins, only edition, title soiled, later mottled calf, gilt, joints rubbed, [Goldsmiths' 3131; Kress 1908; Wing L3323], by Charles Bill, and the Executrix of Thomas Newcomb, 1695 § [Pratt (Samuel)] The Regulating Silver Coin, made Practicable and Easie, to the Government and Subject, first edition, [Goldsmiths' 3331; Kress 1990; Wing P3184], for Henry Bonwick, 1696 bound with [J. (R.)] A Letter of Advice to a Friend about the Currency of Clipt-Money, second edition, browned, stain to lower margin, [Goldsmiths' 3297; Kress 1973; Wing J29A], for Edw. Castle, 1696, together 2 works in 1 vol., with folding manuscript sheet titled 'A List of the Company of Monyers 11 June 1727 with the Time of their Decease' tipped in at beginning, contemporary calf, rubbed, rebacked, corners repaired § Comparative View (A) of the Nominal Value of the Silver Coin in England and France, first edition, modern cloth, [Goldsmiths' 9612; Kress 5840], J.Burd, 1760, the first two ex-Birmingham Assay Office library copies with small ink stamp to front free endpaper, 8vo (3)

⁂ By the end of the 17th century English coinage was in a poor state, with many clipped or forged coins in circulation. William Lowndes (1652-1724) was appointed Secretary to the Treasury in 1695 and his commissioned report proposed devaluation. This provoked a debate with the philosopher John Locke who advocated a full recoinage without devaluation. Samuel Pratt, an Anglican cleric, supported Lowndes's case for devaluation.