SC - prices in 1520

[Decker, Terry D.]

The English currency system is based on Troy weights of silver.  The Troy
system was common to the European realms and was used to convert currency
and provide standard values, so what looks to be English currency really is
a value measured by a specific weight of silver.

By Christina's statement, the mite ("m") is 1/24 of a penny, making it equal
to a grain.  The mite is also an old Flemish coin and an old English coin.
I don't know about the value of the Flemish mite, but the English mite is
1/2 farthing.

A farthing is 1/4 penny, making it equivalent to 6 grains, thus the English
mite is equivalent to 3 grains.

Bear

> The "m" though is confusing.  The only British coin I am aware of that is 
> (was) less than a penny is a farthing, and I know of no "m" abbreviation
> for 
> a British coin. I have a couple of lists of prices from the Middle Ages - 
> mostly not food - and from a variety of different dates - but I'll
> summarise 
> some of the items and post them to the list later this evening.
> 
> On one of the lists, gives the weight (in metric) and the present day
> value 
> of the items, and the other list gives a key to the letters used for the 
> money designations.  That list does have an "m" meaning "mark"  which the 
> author says is equivalent to 13s 4d.  I don't think 6 apples would have
> cost 
> this though (from the original post).  I'm thinking that maybe the "m" is
> a 
> weight of some kind?
>  
> Elysant
> 
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