It would be endless to examine the proportion of the metals, with respect to every species of their coin. It would also be incorrect to examine it as to the ducats; because that species has no fixed legal denomination; and the proportion of the metals is to be discovered by the denomination of the coins only. Ducats pass current among the people for 5 florins 5 stivers; but with merchants, who buy them as merchandize, their value is continually varying. At present (September 1761) the new coined ducats brought in bags from the mint, which never have circulated, are bought for 5 florins 4⅝ stivers; those which have circulated (were it for a day) fall, from that very circumstance, to 5 florins 4⅜ stivers; which is a diminution of near ¼ _per cent._ of their value. This phænomenon shall afterwards be accounted for. [Sidenote: Were all the coin of full weight, the proportion would be as 1 to 14.62.] This being the case, we have no method left to judge of the proportion of the metals in the coin of Holland, but by the proportion of fine gold and fine silver found in the same sum, paid in florins of full weight, and in new riders; the one and the other coined according to the regulations of the mint above mentioned. It has been shewn that a marc of fine gold in riders, circulates for _f._ 374, and that a marc of fine silver in florins, circulates for _f._ 25.572; divide the first by the last, you have the proportion as 1 to 14.62: But we shall afterward discover a circumstance, not taken notice of in this place, which will reduce the proportion lower. [Sidenote: Quantity of fine silver in a florin piece.] From the above calculations, we may easily discover the exact quantity of fine silver and fine gold contained in a Dutch florin, whether realized in silver florin pieces, in gold riders, or in ducats. As this will be of use when we come to examine the par of exchange, it will not be amiss to set before the reader, the exact state of that particular before we proceed. We have said that whoever receives _f._ 25.572 in silver florins of full weight, receives a marc of fine silver, which contains 5120 aces. Divide the last sum by the first, you have 200.21 aces of fine silver for the florin. [Sidenote: Quantity of fine gold in a florin of riders.] Whoever receives _f._ 374 in gold riders, receives a marc of fine gold, which contains 5120 aces. Divide the last sum by the first, you have 13.69 aces of fine gold for the florin. [Sidenote: Investigation of this proportion as to the ducat;]