FOrasmuch as the kynge and Quenes Maiesties , haue perfecte intellygence , that aswell Straungers resortyng hyther , as their highnes natural subiectes , haue now of late for their great gayne and lucre , not onely vsed to melte the monies and coygnes , of this Realme , but also to buy and sell the same monyes , & coignes , at and for higher pyrses , and values , then the same be rated , valued and curraunte , by the lawes , Statutes , and proclamations of this Realme . Whereby greate quantities of the sayde monyes and coygnes , hath ben , and are by dyuers persons , in secrete manner , dayly transported , caryed and conueyed out of thys Realme , and great quantytie thereof molten , to the great defraudyng of their Maiesties Subiectes , dyminyshynge of their hyghnes mony and coygne , and to that no lytle impouerishyng of the Realme , & more is lyke daylye to be , onlesse some spedy remedy be prouyded in that behalfe . Their Maiesties therefore , not onelye tenderyng the wealth of this their sayde Realme , and their louyng subiectes , of the same , but also to prouyde remedye herein by this their highnes proclamation , Strayghtly charge and commaund that no manner of person or persones , whatsoeuer he or they be , doo from henceforth buy or sell anye maner of money or coigne , of this Realme , or curraunt within the same , by what name so euer it be called , at or for any other pryce or value , then the same is valued , rated , and curraunt by the lawes , statutes , or proclamations of this Realme , nor melte any of the sayde monyes , or coygnes , vpon payne of their Maiesties indignation , and high displeasure . And that aswell the melter as the buyer and seller of suche monye or coygne , shall forfeyte the same monye and coygne , so boughte , solde , or melted , and to suffer imprysonment of his or their bodyes , at their highnes will & pleasure , and further to incurre such paines penalties and forfeytures , as be in suche case by the lawes and statutes of this Realme appoynted and prouyded . And to thintent , that such as would go aboute to searche and finde out anye of the offences aforesayd , may be the better incoraged to do the same , their Maiesties will and pleasure is , that whosoeuer shall fynde out and dysclose any of the sayd offences , or shall make seasoure of any such monye , or coygne , bought solde , or molten , contrary to the tenor of thys proclamation , or the lawes or statutes of thys Realme , in that case made and prouyded , and the same shall lawfully and duelye proue , shall haue the hole penaltye and forfeyture of euery such offence , geuen assigned or lymited , by anye the lawes , or statutes aforesayd , whych should or ought to accrue to their Maiesties . Prouyded that it shal be lawefull to anye person , to sell the coignes of this Realme , or anye other coigne into anye of the kynges and Quenes Maiesties myntes , vpon such pryses as their Maiesties there doo geue , And thoffycers there may buy the same , soo to melte and coygne them to their hyghnes vse , any thyng in this presente Proclamation notwithstandyng . And moreouer their Maiesties , do strayghtly charge and commaund al and synguler their Iustyces of peace , Mayiors , Sheryffes , Baylyffes , Constables , and all other their hyghnes offycers , and mynysters , to put aswell thys proclamation , as all such good actes , and statutes in execution , as heretofore haue ben made touchyng the buying and selling , and meltyng of the kynges and Quenes Maiesties coygne , of thys Realme . Geuen at our maner of Saynte Iames , the .xxvii. day of Apryll .