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_ and the opening years of the 19th Century, and which induced 
the revival in 181 1, of the Traders Coinage, are of great interest. 
After an interval of nearly a century, with at present no lack 
of currency, it is now difficult, if not actually impossible, to 
realise the then position of the country as regards the ‘‘ medium 
of exchange ” so necessary to its business life ; one may imagine 
the amazement that would be caused if such a notice as the 
following, frequent then, were now issued by one of the Officials 
of the City :— 
Bath Chronicle, January, 1809. 
““ GUILD-HALL, BATH. 
In consequence of the extreme SCARCITY OF SILVER and SMALL 
GOLD it is earnestly requested, that all Persons will endeavour, as 
far as it is within their power, to Pay their Rents, wiTHouT 
REQUIRING ANY CHANGE. 
oe. H. Watters, Chamberlain.” 
The Gold Coinage for many years was scarce throughout the 
country, for although the issues from the Mint were frequent, 
large quantities of the Gold Coin issued was exported to the 
Continent. The Chronicle notes in 1797 that “An English 
Guinea now sells at Hamburg for 23 to 24 shillings, and the 
Jews have found secret means to export our Coin thither by 
‘thousands weekly,” and despite the passing of stringent Acts by 
Parliament, making it penal to export or even to sell such Coin, 
for more than its face value, the traffic continued. The Chronicle 
of December 21st, 1809, states, ‘ £16,000 in Gold were last 
week seized in the River (Thames) intended for exportation, and 
arried to the Bank,” and in 1811 the Guinea of full weight, 
passing by law as Coin for #1 1s. od. was as Bullion worth more 
between the years 1760 and 1817 less than £60,000 of such coin 
1 yas minted, and at the period I deal with, no Silver had been 
issued since 1787, and the Regal coin in circulation was mostly 
