Seen this on several newscasts today, never come across it before. It's an actual trial by jury of the coins in circulation!
Goes way back to beyond Henry3. And the actual person on trial now is the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He is charged with producing the currency in circulation, and if found wanting could be charged and imprisoned!!
Several (can't remember the number, but there were a lot!) coin experts examine all of the coins in circulation and reach a verdict on their authenticity.
Interesting point was the showing of a v v heavy £1000 coin minted for the Queens 90th birthday. It was actually worth £400,000!!
http://www.royalmint.com/discover/uk-co ... of-the-pyx
Trial of the pyx
Re: Trial of the pyx
According to that link they don't test all the coins in circulation, but a random selection of new ones. Otherwise I would imagine there job would never finish!
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Living in Polemi, Cyprus with my wife and daughter.
Living in Polemi, Cyprus with my wife and daughter.
Re: Trial of the pyx
Sorry, should have said a sample. Was just so surprised that this jury actually happened! They did look as though they were all checking a large amount of coins though, all of which were carefully checked when handing them back!
