The wisdom of our ancestors is in few circumstances more conspicuous than in the jealousy with which they guarded the integrity of the Coins, and in the expedients which they adopted for that purpose. Their utmost care was exerted to preserve the standard inviolate, by assays made, within the Mint, in the presence of officers who were mutually checks upon each other: and before the monies were allowed to be issued, they were submitted to the public trial of a jury, composed of men who, by their professional knowledge, were well qualified to decide upon their purity, and who were bound by a solemn oath to return a true verdict.