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The Doctrine of Gold and Silver Computations – Thomas Snelling – First Edition Published 1766

Short Description

An extremely rare book on gold and silver assaying and standards of value.Self published by Snelling from his premises next to the Horn Tavern, Fleet Street, London in 1766 ... he advertises .. "who buys and sells all Sorts of Coins and Medals".

Title continues … in which is included, that of the par of money; the proportion in value between gold and silver; and the valuation of gold, silver, and parting assays; with useful tables and copper plates.

Full calf with six compartments to spine each with elaborate giltwork, redone by Perry to his usual high standard, and a separate black leather title label. Complete with 144 pages after preliminaries including assay tables followed by 10 pages of copper engravings of coins all quite beautifully executed showing the printers plate mark for each coin pair. A few marks on the title, less elsewhere and generally very clean and bright inside.

Technically a book of high standard with comprehensive workings and tables allowing for a proper understanding of the difficulties of assay in the 18th Century.

The "Preface" sets the context of the book nicely ... explaining that there are 480 defined qualities of silver and 384 defined qualities of gold and when mixed and possibly further mixed with copper give rise to 460,800 potential variations then the issue of assay and valuation is inherently complex.

Thomas Snelling (1712-1773) was a leading English numismatist of the period. He carried on business as a coin dealer at 183 Fleet Street next door to the Horn Tavern. His collection was sold off after his death and the catalogue is held in the Medal Room at the British Museum. There are three portrait medals of Snelling in the British Museum, one by Pingo who also did the Cook Medal commissioned by the Royal Society.

First Edition of Snelling’s Book on Gold, Silver and Coins

Price: $290.00

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