The Trial of the Pyx Order 1998

Trial of cupro-nickel coins

11.—(1) For the purpose of the trial of the cupro-nickel coins, the jury shall ascertain—

(a) whether or not the coins of each denomination contained in the packets of cupro-nickel coins weigh more than one kilogram; and

(b) whether or not all the coins contained in the packets weigh more than 500 grams.

(2) If the coins of any denomination weigh in all more than one kilogram—

(a) the jury shall take out from each packet of cupro-nickel coins as many coins of that denomination as they think fit, and—

(i) shall group the coins so taken out into lots weighing not less than 980 grams nor more than one kilogram each; and

(ii) shall weigh each lot in bulk so as to ascertain whether the coins in that lot are on the whole within the permitted variation from the standard weight; and

(b) the jury shall weigh in bulk the residue of the coins remaining in the packets, being coins of denominations to which this paragraph applies, so as to ascertain whether they are on the whole within the permitted variation from the standard weight.

(3) If the coins of any denomination weigh in all not more than one kilogram, the jury shall take out all the coins of that denomination and weigh them in bulk so as to ascertain whether they are on the whole within the permitted variation from the standard weight.

(4) If the coins contained in the packets of cupro-nickel coins weigh in all more than 500 grams, the jury shall assay such number of coins as they think fit, not weighing less in all than 500 grams.

(5) If the coins contained in such packets weigh in all not more than 500 grams, the jury shall assay all the coins.

(6) In assaying the coins, the jury shall compare them with the standard trial plates of copper and nickel so as to ascertain whether the metal of the coins is on the whole within the permitted variation from the standard composition.

(7) If the number of coins of any denomination contained in the packets of cupro-nickel coins is more than ten, the jury shall measure the diameter of not less than ten, and not more than twenty, coins of that denomination.

(8) If the number of coins of any denomination contained in such packets is not more than ten, the jury shall measure the diameter of all the coins of that denomination.

(9) In measuring the diameter of the coins of any denomination, the jury shall ascertain whether the average diameter of the coins of that denomination is within the permitted variation from the standard diameter.