Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > Related Images
The Weighing Office at the Bank of England. Section of the W
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
The Weighing Office at the Bank of England. Section of the W
There was a crisis at the Bank of England in the early nineteenth century when it was discovered that a large proportion of the 8, 000, 000 gold sovereigns in circulation were light. Enormous efforts were made to ascertain the exact weight of coins and many ingenious balances were invented
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 4391193
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10219582
1845 Balances Bank Circulation Coins Crisis Discovered Efforts Enormous Exact Ingenious Invented Off Ice Proportion Section Weighing Weight Ascertain Made
EDITORS COMMENTS
In the heart of London's financial district, this photograph showcases The Weighing Office at the Bank of England, a pivotal location during a significant historical crisis in the early nineteenth century. The Bank of England, established in 1694, was responsible for managing the country's currency and maintaining the gold standard. However, in the 1820s, an alarming discovery was made: a substantial proportion of the 8,000,000 gold sovereigns in circulation were found to be underweight. The revelation sparked a crisis, as the discrepancy in weight could lead to economic instability and loss of public trust. In response, the Bank of England launched an extensive investigation to ascertain the exact weight of coins and devise methods to prevent the production and circulation of counterfeit or underweight coins. This section of the Weighing Office, which opened in 1845, was instrumental in addressing the crisis. The room was equipped with ingenious balances, designed to weigh each coin meticulously and ensure its authenticity. The balances were a testament to the Bank's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the currency and restoring public confidence. The crisis marked a turning point in the Bank of England's history, leading to improved coinage production methods and stricter quality control measures. The Weighing Office remained an essential part of the Bank's operations until the late twentieth century when automated systems replaced manual coin authentication. This photograph, taken in the late 1800s, offers a glimpse into the past, revealing the intricacies of the Bank's historical efforts to maintain the exact weight and quality of the gold sovereigns. The Weighing Office stands as a testament to the Bank's unwavering dedication to upholding the value and trust of the British currency.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
