The De Moneta of Nicholas Oresme and English Mint Documents
Contents
CHAPTER
I. Why Money was invented
II. The Material of Money
III. Of the Variety of Materials and of Alloy
IV. Of the Form or Shape of Money
V. Who has the Duty of Coining?
VI. Who owns the Money?
VII. Who bears the Expense of Coining?
VIII. On Alterations in Coinage in general
IX. Change of Form
X. Change of Ratio
XI. Change of Name
XII. Change of Weight
XIII. Change of Material
XIV. Compound Change of Money
XV. That the Profit accruing to the Prince from Alteration of the Coinage is unjust
XVI. That such Profit is unnatural
XVII. That Profit from the Change of Money is worse than Usury
XVIII. That such Alterations of Money are essentially not permissible
XIX. Of certain Disadvantages to the Prince resulting from Alterations of the Coinage
XX. Of other Disadvantages to the Community as a whole
XXI. Of Disadvantages to part of the Community
XXII. Whether the Community can make such Alterations
XXIII. An Argument that the Prince may alter the Coinage
XXIV. Reply to the previous Chapter and main Conclusion
XXV. That a Tyrant cannot be lasting
XXVI. That the taking of Profit from Alteration of the Coinage injures the whole Royal Succession1
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2 The translation into French adds to the table of contents:
Thus, then, from the preface and chapters above-mentioned, there appears a part, but not as yet the whole, of the scandals, damages and disadvantages which may arise, and are already beginning in the realm or country in which such abuses are allowed in the coinage, and in the noble metals of which it consists and ought to consist. And although I have no claim to interfere, being the meanest and most ignorant and unlearned of all men, I beg that this warning may be taken and understood to show my zeal and good will to the common wealth, and not be exposed to hasty abuse from its readers.
