William III, 1697-8: An Act to stop the coining Farthings and Halfpence for One Year. [Chapter XXXVI. Rot. Parl. 9 Gul. III.p.6.n.5.]

(fn. 1) Coining Farthings or Halfpence.

Penalty.

Whereas by Reason of the great Quantities of Copper Farthings and Halfpence which have lately been coined and uttered the same are at present become a Burthen and Inconveniency to many of His Majesties Subjects in several Parts of this Kingdom Be it therefore enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majesty by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by Authority of the same That no Person or Persons whatsoever shal (at any Time or Times from and after the Four and twentieth Day of June One thousand six hundred ninety eight and before the Four and twentieth Day of June One thousand six hundred ninety nine) coin or make or cause or procure to be coined or made any Farthings or Halfpence [or Tokens to go for Farthings or Halfpence (fn. 2) ] of Copper or any other Metal whatsoever upon Pain of forfeiting the Sum of Five Pounds for every Avoirdupoize Pound Weight of such Farthings and Halfpence or either of them as shal be so coined or made contrary to this Act (that is to say) One Moiety thereof to the King and the other Moiety thereof to such Person or Persons as wil inform or sue for the same by Action of Debt or of the Case Bill Plaint or Information in any of His Majesties Courts of Record wherein no Essoign Protection Wager of Law or more than One Imparlance shal be granted or allowed.

II. Proviso respecting Agreement by Contractors for making Copper Farthings, &c. for exchanging weekly Copper Farthings, &c. for those made of Tin.

And it is hereby further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Contractors for making or coining of Copper Farthings & Halfpence shal not by virtue of any Covenant or Agreement made with His Majesty & the late Queen of blessed Memory for giving in Exchange to His Majesties Subjects weekly Farthings and Halfpence made of Copper for Farthings and Halfpence made of Tin be obliged to perform such Exchange for so many Weeks only as are to be reckoned between the said Four and twentieth Day of June One thousand six hundred ninety eight and the said Four and twentieth day of June One thousand six hundred ninety nine.