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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;mlubao, post: 2428088, member: 78903&quot;]I do have a historical coin question but please bear with me. I have searched over 100+ websites and emailed many experts yet cannot find/get an answer.&nbsp; I am sure the answer has been staring me right in the face but my logical myopia won&#039;t let me see it.&nbsp; In short, I cannot make any logical sense of the British pound repeatedly referenced in 17th century literature. </p><p><br /></p><p>My confusion revolves about &quot;pound&quot; currency or coin extensively mentioned in 17th century literature and legal documents and how this was handled in coin (or currency).&nbsp; I understand Charlemagne&#039;s accounting system of 4 farthings=1 penny, 12 pence=1 shilling, 20 shillings=1 pound.</p><p><br /></p><p>As an example: in researching colonial coins I ran across a North Carolina probate will for Valentine Bird from 1680. In this will, there are references to pounds specifically &quot;Fine Holland Sheets&quot; valued at £7 10s&nbsp; and &quot;Negro man&quot; valued at £40.</p><p><br /></p><p>Now my question:&nbsp; Pound coins- from what I understand- were not minted until the 1800s.&nbsp; While I recognize the predominate barter system of the time and the lack of colonial specie,&nbsp; how did colonists or merchant pay a pound to England based traders?&nbsp; In what format? Paper currency?&nbsp; Forget even colonial payments, how did an Englishman pay royal taxes if he owed £3 2s?</p><p><br /></p><p>I cannot find a pound coin minted in or around 1680.&nbsp; I see James II Shillings, Crowns, Guineas, Farthings etc but no &quot;pound&quot; coin/currency references.&nbsp; All documentation I have found during the 17th century refer to tax, indenture transfer costs to the colonies and merchandise payments in pounds- yet no details. Spanish reales- frequently used by the US until mid 19th century do not match up to pound (I think).</p><p><br /></p><p>It seems to me odd that there are innumerable &quot;pound&quot; references with no actual coin associated. I don&#039;t see a merchant having to pay £7 10s for &quot;Fine Holland Sheets&quot; would fork over 150s in coins. </p><p><br /></p><p>Thoughts anyone?&nbsp; Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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