Griffiths spins in for ancient coin quality check ceremony
Arizona Coin Collector
http://news.scotsman.com/politics/Griffiths-spins-in-for-ancient.4963198.jp
Griffiths spins in for ancient coin quality check ceremony
Published Date: 10 February 2009
EDINBURGH South Labour MP Nigel Griffiths was today
attending an ancient ceremony to check that the coins
produced by the Royal Mint are up to standard.
The annual Trial of the Pyx dates back to the 12th
century.
Chests (pyx) full of coins - one from every batch made
during the year - are taken to Goldsmiths' Hall in
London to have their weight, size and metallic content
measured.
Mr Griffiths was invited to today's ceremony because of
his role as vice-president of the parliamentary arts
and heritage group.
He said: "This goes back to the times when debasing the
coinage was a common practice. Seeing that we maintain
the value of the currency is not unimportant given where
the pound is today."
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