Hall marks on gold & silver plate

ENGLISH GOLDSMITHS. 47
The royal family formerly banked with Messrs. Coutts; but
George III, hearing that Mr. Coutts had supported Sir Francis Bur-
dett at the Westminster election by the loan of a large sum of money
(;!^ 1 00,000 as reported), immediately withdrew his account from the
house, and afterwards banked with Messrs. Drummond; but at the
desire of His Majesty that his son should be refused any further
loans, the prince withdrew and placed his account at Coutts's, where
he was amply supplied with funds, and the royal family still bank
there.
1693. Thomas Seymour, goldsmith, presented, in 1693, to the
company a silver salt with a crystal cylinder; height io| inches.
The foot ornamented with cherub heads and lieur de lis, etc., resting
upon eight lions. We have met with no other notice of this donor.
1694. In this year the Goldsmiths met with a serious rival by
the foundation of the Bank of England, which was mainly instituted
through the exertions of 'William Paterson, a Scotchman.
1695. Peter Floyer, goldsmith, of Love Lane, was in a very extensive
way of business as a refiner. His son, was Prime Warden of
the Goldsmiths' Company in 1773.
An act was passed in the reign of Charles II and revived fourth
it was en-
James II : as a means of supplying the Mint with bullion,
acted therein that every person who should bring bullion of gold or
silver to the Mint to be coined should receive weight for weight in
standard coins. This permission was discontinued in 1695, and was
highly necessary that it should be put a stop to, for in an account
delivered to the committee of the whole House in February, 1695, by
Mr. Neale, Master of the Mint, he stated that from Lady Day immediately
preceding, 721,800 guineas had been coined in the Tower
for divers persons, among whom were :
Peter Floyer
John Mousley ...
Royal African Company
Lord Lucas
Countess of Northampton
Sir Francis Child
Richard Howe ...
139,752 gumeas.
3
21,389
115
21
41,819
18,181
Commons Journals, Vol. XI, pp. 447-53.
1697. Benjamin Pyne was a goldsmith and celebrated plateworker.
His name was entered in 1697, living in St. Martin's le
Grand. Numerous fine examples are preserved, made between 1697
and 1 72 1. His mark was PY, with a fleur-de-lis surmounted by a
crown.
1697. Anthony Nehne, goldsmith and plateworker living in
" Avie Mary Lane," entered his name and mark at the <strong>Hall</strong> in 1697.
He seems to have been extensively patronised, judging from the
numerous pieces of plate which have come under our notice. He died
5