The assay ordinances of the Indies: one standard of fineness, instruments and marking across a continent

Libro IIII título XXII of the Recopilación prints the ordinances of the ensayadores mayores of Peru: assay by fire and cupel only, never by colour or hammer-blow; a register of everyone examined; standard weights, a standard furnace and checked balances; the fineness in dineros and grains with new punches; and every bar stamped with the assayer's name, year and place. The purpose was the royal fifth, and unmarked silver was a crime for Indian and Spaniard alike.