❧ By the King.  
¶ A Proclamation against the uttering of light Spanish Silver Coin.  
WHereas the Spanish Silver moneys (which heretofore were good and of full weight, and went in payments by toleration without prejudice, or rather to the benefit of Trade within this Realm,) are now of late in a manner generally so clipped and impaired, That in the payment thereof, the loss is most commonly (to the Receiver) no less than a full third part; And whereas there is daily brought from foreign Countries into divers parts of this Kingdom, an exceeding great quantity of the said light Spanish moneys, by reason that the gain thereupon is so excessive; which moneys (being here mixed amongst his majesties proper Coin,) are passed away at the very full value that they were to bear, if they were not defective as aforesaid: which abuse doth so far impoverish the Receivers, (being, for the most part, of the poorer sort,) and doth breed such a general contention, and disturbance betwixt the Buyer and Seller, and the Creditor and Debtor, as (if the same should be long endured) it would breed an intolerable inconvenience. His Majesty therefore being sensible of the least grievance of His loving Subjects, much more of a case so much concerning their good, and His own Honour, Doth by these presents straightly forbid and prohibit, that any Spanish moneys of Silver that are clipped, or otherwise abated of their true and original Values, shall be uttered and paid, or accepted and received by way of payment within any His majesties Dominions, upon pain of Fine, and imprisonment to be inflicted and adjudged by His highness Court of star-chamber, or otherwise course of Law. And doth further command, That such defective Spanish Moneys be with all convenient expedition brought into his highness Mint in the Lower of London, to be coined of new into currant moneys of this Realm, where the Owners shall receive present payment for same, according to their true weight and values in Bullion.  
Given at our Palace of Westminster the twentieth day of May, in the eleventh year of Our Reign of Great Britain, France, and Ireland. 
 God save the King.   

❧ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty.  
ANNO 1613.